NFL Draft: Latest Projections for Gators
Monday, April 26, 2021 | Football, Scott Carter
Former Gators head coach Urban Meyer, in his first season at the helm of the Jacksonville Jaguars, is equipped with the first overall pick. Unless the Jaguars call an audible of historic proportions, they are expected to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
After that, who knows what will happen. Here is a list of the draft order for each round via NFL.com.
The Gators have several players projected to be picked in the draft, highlighted by tight end Kyle Pitts.
Check out FloridaGators.com for coverage this week. To kick off our look at the draft, here is the latest on the 12 Gators who could possibly hear their named called starting Thursday night.
Kyle Pitts, TE
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: In the view of draft analysts, Pitts and Lawrence are as close to a sure thing as anybody in the 2021 draft. The 6-foot-6, 245-pound Pitts had a breakout season as a sophomore in 2019 and followed that up with one of the most impressive seasons in school history, becoming the first college tight end to be named a Biletnikoff Award (top wide receiver) finalist. Pitts caught 43 passes -- 12 for touchdowns -- on the way to winning the Mackey Award as the nation's top college tight end. Pitts has it all for a tight end and is projected to go high in the first round, possibly as early as fourth overall to the Falcons.
#VoiceofREason –> "If I'm Dallas, you have to sit there and think about going to get this kid."
— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) April 26, 2021
-@richeisen says the time is now for the #DallasCowboys when it comes to moving up to get @GatorsFB @kylepitts__#NFL #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/QlJo38Eqoc
Kadarius Toney, WR
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: Toney elevated his status considerably with an outstanding senior season at Florida. Toney led the Gators with 70 receptions for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. Toney was a dynamic player with the ball in his hands throughout his college career, but he developed his skills as a receiver in the offseason after his junior year and blossomed into one of the country's top receivers. Toney is projected to go late in the first round according to most mock drafts.
Mobile ➡️ The Swamp ➡️ @NFL @0fficialC2N is ready for his opportunity #GatorMade
— Gators Football (@GatorsFB) April 24, 2021
📺: 2021 #NFLDraft - 4/29 to 5/1 on NFLN/ESPN/ABC pic.twitter.com/WmpV1QQGAH
Stone Forsythe, OL
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: Forsythe's impressive Pro Day and his offseason preparation for the draft has impressed NFL personnel. He has moved up to become a third- or fourth-round selection according to many draft analysts. Forsythe took over as Florida's starting left tackle as a fourth-year junior in 2019 and started the final 25 games of his career. He is considered a fine pass protector who needs to improve on his run blocking at the next level.
Chargers 2021 Draft Profile
— Michael Peterson (@ZoneTracks) April 9, 2021
Stone Forsythe (6'8, 307) started his final 25 games with the Gators at left tackle. At his recent pro day, he ran 5.1 in the 40 and posted 7.47 in the 3-cone. He's seeing a lot of buzz lately and deservedly so. https://t.co/fKKIRAu3g8 pic.twitter.com/B4bDWQHty6
Kyle Trask, QB
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: The Trask story is one of the best in school history and he capped his time with the Gators with a record-breaking season, throwing a school-record 43 touchdown passes and throwing for a school-record 4,283 yards to finish fourth in the Heisman Trophy race. Trask is projected as a second-round pick and his NFL comparison is former Florida State QB Brad Johnson, who carved out a long NFL career and led the Bucs to their first Super Bowl title in 2002. Not a bad comparison.
Peyton Manning surprised Kyle Trask during his QB21 interview with @KirkHerbstreit 😂 @ktrask9 pic.twitter.com/jlUXO6P42p
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 20, 2021
Shawn Davis, S
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: Davis is a physical presence at safety who played with attitude for the Gators. He had to pull out of his UF Pro Day workout after falling in his second 40-yard dash but Tweeted afterward that he was not injured. Davis has the tools NFL teams look for at his position and at 5-foot-11, 202 pounds, can deliver a hit.
Good news from @GatorsFB S @sdavjr -- Shawn told @ZigFracassi & me on @SiriusXMNFL that he's 100 percent heathy after suffering a hamstring injury during the UF pro day. Says it looked worse than it actually was & he's back running again getting ready for the #NFLDraft
— Alex Marvez (@alexmarvez) April 24, 2021
Marco Wilson, CB
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: Wilson created a stir at Florida's Pro Day with his times in the 40 and his vertical leap. Wilson is a talented player who had a disappointing junior season, one that ended on a sour note due to his costly unsportsmanlike penalty in the loss to LSU. NFL teams are intrigued by his raw talent and don't be surprised if Wilson has a solid professional career. He is projected as a fourth-round pick by NFL.com.
Evan McPherson, K
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: Projected by many as a final-day selection, McPherson surprised some by declaring for the draft after his junior season. He did what he needed at UF to get a shot at the NFL, converting 85 percent of his field-goal attempts and showing accuracy and distance.
In what we know is a limited overall draft class, I think we'll see 7+ specialists drafted on Day 3, at least two of each K, P, LS.
— Eric Galko (@EricGalko) April 23, 2021
8 specialists is the record since 2000.
Top Kicker: Evan McPherson, Flor (🔽)
Top Punter: James Smith, Cincy
Top Long Snapper: Ryan Langan, GaSo pic.twitter.com/oYhTz29SAx
Donovan Stiner, S
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: Stiner played all four seasons at Florida and developed into a starter in the secondary. He was steady and led the Gators with four interceptions as a junior. If drafted, Stiner projects to go in the sixth or seventh round.
BCP hanging with BCP recruit @dstiner3 down here in Tampa FL as he's training for the NFL draft all the hard work paying off for the SS/FS from @BellaireHigh and @FloridaFootball you will here the kid from the Southwest of Houston Tx name call on draft day! pic.twitter.com/50SydkOLuW
— BCP Foundation (@bayoucitypreps) March 26, 2021
Tedarrell Slaton, DT
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: The 6-foot-4, 330-pound Slaton is an impressive athlete for a man his size. He never blossomed into the type of playmaker up front the Gators envisioned when they signed him, but Slaton has raw talent and a lot of upside that makes him an intriguing prospect at the next level. He is projected as a sixth- or seventh-round selection if taken in the draft.
Trevon Grimes, WR
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: A former five-star signee, Grimes had a solid career at UF after transferring from Ohio State. He caught 38 passes for 589 yards and nine touchdowns as a fourth-year junior prior to opting out of the Cotton Bowl to prepare for the draft. Grimes' stock has fallen since the season ended and he is projected as a seventh-round pick or undrafted free agent. Grimes has the talent to play in the NFL and could be a steal in years to come if he lands with the right team.
Former five-star Florida WR Trevon Grimes @Trevongrimes8 impressed at this year's @seniorbowl
— Rivals (@Rivals) March 28, 2021
Where do you think he will go in this year's NFL Draft? pic.twitter.com/2WJAZR3KmO
Brett Heggie, OL
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: The 6-foot-4, 310-pound Heggie was a versatile member of the Gators' offensive line the past four seasons. He can play either guard position and center. Heggie's versatility will be important in his shot to make an NFL roster. He is considered a priority free agent not expected to be drafted.
My five biggest sleepers in the 2021 NFL draft are @HunterLong80 @Mike_Playmaker @based_nvte @AlmostfAMOS_ @HeggieBrett74 Check it out! @BCFootball @UCWV_Football @GatorsFB @UVAFootball @JMUFootball @IlliniFootball FROM @DamondTalbot the owner of @DraftDiamonds https://t.co/5QZCK0AaOS
— NFL Draft Diamonds (@DraftDiamonds) April 23, 2021
Kyree Campbell, DT
NFL.com scouting report
The buzz: Campbell transferred to Florida following a season at Wyoming (Pa.) Seminary College Prep and started for three seasons. He started eight games as a senior in 2020 and did not play in Florida's loss to Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl. He is considered a priority free agent whose 2019 tape is better than his 2020 film according to NFL.com.
I Thank GOD because I can do all things through him 🙏🏾
— Kyree Campbell (@CampbellKyree13) December 31, 2020
Thank you Gator Nation it's been quite a ride 🐊🔶🔷 pic.twitter.com/pHN6OCDQzt
