The bowl season gives fans and scouts alike a chance to analyze NFL Draft prospects against solid competition. Bowl scheduling allows all eyes to be on each game. Here are the NFL Draft prospects in the 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl.
Jordan Davis, DL
Davis has been wrecking games for opposing offenses for a few seasons now. Over his four-year career, he has 86 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and seven sacks. This season, he has 28 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks, which helped him finish ninth in the Heisman voting. His impact doesn’t fully show up in the scouting report.
He is a large defensive lineman at 6-foot-6 and 340 pounds, which will suit him well at the NFL level. Davis demands the attention of several blockers and even then he can sometimes make a play. His play frees up others to make plays as well. He is currently projected to be a first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Nakobe Dean, LB
Over the last two seasons, Dean has created a huge impact for Georgia. For his career, he has 157 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. This season has been his best yet, as he has posted 61 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and five sacks. He has been the leader of the Georgia defense that has been so good this season.
At 6-foot and 225 pounds, Dean is a smaller linebacker. He can still get through traffic and make plays on the ball, despite being a little undersized. While he isn’t the biggest, he runs well, which will help him in an NFL that has gone lighter and faster. He is projected to be a first or second-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick-Second Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: DL Travon Walker (1st-2nd), S Lewis Cine (2nd-3rd), WR George Pickens (2nd-3rd), DL Devonte Wyatt (2nd-3rd), CB Derion Kendrick (2nd-3rd), EDGE Nolan Smith (2nd-4th), LB Channing Tindal (2nd-4th), RB James Cook (3rd-5th), LB Quay Walker (3rd-5th), RB Zamir White (3rd-5th), S Tykee Smith (5th-7th), S Chris Smith (5th-7th), OG/C Justin Schaffer (6th-UFA), P Jake Camarda (6th-UFA), EDGE Adam Anderson (UFA), QB JT Daniels (UFA), CB Ameer Speed (UFA), OG/C Warren McClendon, WR Dominick Blaylock (UFA), WR Kearis Jackson (UFA)
Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE
Hutchinson has really improved his draft stock after deciding to return to Michigan for a fourth year. He has 26.5 tackles for loss and 17.5 sacks for his career. After suffering a season-ending injury in 2020, he has 15.5 tackles for loss and 14 sacks this season, which helped him finish second in the Heisman voting.
He stands 6-foot-6 and 265 pounds, which is the prototypical size for a defensive end at the NFL level. His production this season has helped elevate his draft stock. Now, he is projected to be a top 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: Top 10 Pick
David Ojabo, Edge
Ojabo is one of the more inexperienced football players in the draft class. He got a late start to the game and only played a major role this season for the Wolverines. His play helped Michigan reach the CFP, as he has 35 total tackles, 12 tackles for loss and 11 sacks.
He has solid size for an edge rusher at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. His one year of production will make some people hesitate, but he had such a good year rushing the passer. Ojabo has elevated his draft stock a lot this season and is now a projected first-round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.
Projected Draft Range: First Round Pick
Other Draft Prospects: S Daxton Hill (1st-2nd), RB Hassan Haskins (3rd-5th), S Brad Hawkins (4th-6th), DL Christopher Hinton (5th-7th), K Jake Moody (UFA), TE Erick All (UFA), LB Josh Ross (UFA), OT Ryan Hayes (UFA), CB Vincent Gray (UFA), LB Michael Barrett (UFA)
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