Actually, he didn t need any time. Was I more nervous for my draft day or his? His, no question. No question at all, not even close, Surtain said with the widest of parental smiles. And he knows a lot a lot more about what he needs to do than I did in 1998. I wish I would have known what he knows.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II was the Broncos first-round pick in the 2021 NFL draft, No. 9 overall. And while most of the 259 players selected will have to learn how to be professional football players with more than a few bumps on the learning curve, Surtain II has an advantage.
May 1, 2021
Tyson Campbell had to sit back and really consider his answer. Where most rookies would offer a company line, the Jacksonville Jaguars pick at No. 33 overall (the first pick in the second round) stopped to give thought to what he knew could be an important indicator of his future playing time with the Jaguars.
“I mean I’ve I feel like I can do it all. But I do enjoy playing corner.”
Campbell was a three year corner for the Georgia Bulldogs, and a starter since he stepped on campus as a freshman. During that time he accumulated 89 tackles, 10 pass breakups and an interception. The stats aren’t eye-popping but show a potential and high ceiling for a player that’s eat-up with talent. It’s that natural God given talent that gives Campbell the confidence to continue his answer.
2021 NFL Draft Prospect Profile: CB Marco Wilson, Florida
Marco Wilson is raw and a bit unpolished, but there s no denying there is a lo tto work with within this young man s toolbox.
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School: Florida
Attended the prestigious American Heritage High School in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, where he was teammates with Georgia’s Tyson Campbell and Alabama’s Patrick Surtain in the team’s cornerback room. Also, he s the brother of Quincy Wilson, a former 2017 second-round selection by the Colts, who is now on the New York Giants. His father, Chad Wilson, was an NFL defensive back for Miami.
A four-star recruit who has a lot of inside/outside versatility; he spent most of 2020 at wide corner but split a lot of time in the slot during the 2019 season. According to Pro Football Focus, he has 95 tackles, 17 passes defended, three interceptions, and has surrendered 11 touchdowns. He started with a lot of promise at Florida - his best season was his freshman year. He was a bit more
Michael Ainsworth/Associated Press
There s been plenty written about the quarterback run most anticipate will happen at the top of the 2021 NFL draft as many as five signal-callers could be selected inside the top 10. A run on pass-catchers should also come early, which will likely include LSU s Ja Marr Chase, Florida s Kyle Pitts, and Alabama s DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle.
There s a flip side to all that. With no consensus No. 1 edge-rusher or cornerback in the Class of 2021, quite a bit of uncertainty looms about who will be the first defensive player taken April 29 in Cleveland.
But there s a young defender who checks all the boxes to take that distinction. His talent is unquestionable. He plays a premium position. His production was elite at college football s highest level. And he even has an NFL pedigree, as his father played in the pros for 11 years and made it to three Pro Bowls.