2021 NFL Draft- Defensive Prospect - Team Pairings Part II
Time to pair more NFL Draft prospects with teams that would make sense for both parties. I’ve spotlighted some of the top offensive prospects in my last article including Ohio State QB Justin Fields and now let’s highlight more of the top defensive prospects and see which teams match with their skillset best:
Christian barmore | dl | alabama – Miami dolphins
This off-season the Miami Dolphins lost a key piece along the defensive line when Davon Godchaux signed with the division rival New England Patriots. Alabama lineman Christian Barmore would be a perfect replacement for the Dolphins. This 6’4 310lb. monster could step in day 1 alongside stud lineman Christian Wilkins and pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah and would give Miami a great combination of size and talent up front for the foreseeable future.
Jaelan phillips | edge | Miami – Baltimore ravens
Baltimore has had a history with developing pass rushers from future hall of famer Terrell Suggs to Matt Judon, who we saw leave in free agency for the New England Patriots. That’s where Miami’s physical freak, Jaelan Phillips, comes into play. The former 5 five high school star recruit had an up and down tenure at UCLA but after his transfer to Miami, his potential and star power flashed on multiple occasions. Not only is Phillips a strong pass rusher he has the versatility to be an OLB in a 3-4 defense as well as a prototypical 4-3 DE. Plug Phillips into that vaunted Ravens defense with veteran lineman Calais Campbell and let him dominate in the AFC North for years to come.
Jeremiah owusu-koramoah | lb | notre dame – green bay packers
While the Green Bay Packers have some studs on defense like CB Jaire Alexander and DT Kenny Clark, they lack a true leader and playmaker at LB and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would be a perfect fit. The Fighting Irish LB is an athletic specimen who can cover sideline to sideline as well as match up against TEs which is something Green Bay’s defense could desperately use. Owusu-Koramoah would bring stability and leadership to the defense and captain his group from the moment he steps on the field.
Patrick surtain ii | cb | alabama - dallas cowboys
Since CB Byron Jones left in free agency, the Dallas Cowboys have been searching for his replacement in the secondary. Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II is the answer for “America’s Team”. The Crimson Tide DB is arguably the most complete CB in the draft who can cover one side of the field as well as play some run defense and would not only fit in naturally alongside his former Alabama teammate, Trevon Diggs, but he has the big game experience and simply feels like a Dallas Pick.
Jaycee horn | cb | south Carolina – Arizona cardinals
In one of my previous articles I paired star TE Kyle Pitts with the Arizona Cardinals and mentioned that it is one of my favorite pairings that could possibly happen in this year’s draft. Now to one of my favorite defensive pairings in this draft once again with the Arizona Cardinals but this time with CB Jaycee Horn. The Cardinals lost their star veteran CB Patrick Peterson to free agency and Horn would be a perfect replacement. The South Carolina prospect is one of the best press cover CBs in the draft and plays with the type of confidence that teams look for in look down CBs and the Cardinals could find their guy in Horn.