2021 NFL Draft Big Board: Trevor Lawrence, Penei Sewell, Ja’Marr Chase headline class

Travis Etienne returned to Clemson after bypassing the 2020 NFL Draft when he could have been a top-50 pick. Already holding almost every meaningful Clemson rushing record, Etienne needs less than 600 rushing yards to become the ACC’s all-time leading rusher, eclipsing the 4,602 that NC State back Ted Brown had from 1975-1978. He could be the best back out of the ACC since Florida State’s Dalvin Cook.

Najee Harris came to Alabama as the No. 1 overall recruit but took him a couple of years before he got a featured role. After waiting his turn, he also saw the advent of the wide-open passing game behind Tua Tagovailoa. With Tua now in the NFL and Alabama breaking in either a true freshman in Bryce Young or game-manager Mac Jones, look for Harris to shoulder a Derrick Henry-like workload.

Trey Smith arrived at Tennessee as a five-star offensive tackle prospect. He’ll leave Tennessee as perhaps the top offensive guard in the nation. After dealing with blood clots that jeopardized his career, Smith returned with a vengeance last year. If Smith has an All-American year and has no health issues, and dominates the combine, he may be the rare guard to crack the top-10. There may be some teams who view the 6-foot-5, 225-pounder as a tackle, and if that’s the case, it’ll only help his draft value.

Rashod Bateman was one of the breakout stars for one of the biggest breakout teams last year. The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder should approach 1,500 yards and 15 touchdowns after having 1,219 and 11 as a sophomore last year.

The 6-foot-4, 330-pound Marvin Wilson was the No. 1 defensive tackle in the nation and No. 6 overall recruit, according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings. Florida State has struggled during his time in Tallahassee, but he’s a stud who can be next year’s version of Derrick Brown.