National Championship Game: Top 2021 NFL Draft prospects from Alabama, Ohio State

DeVonta Smith, Alabama, wide receiver

DeVonta Smith won the Heisman Trophy after leading the nation in receptions, yards and touchdowns. He is the first receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard in 1991 and will look to cap his career with his second national championship.

Despite Smith’s slight build at 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds, he is built for today’s NFL. The senior wide receiver is a polished route runner who can run away from defenders after the catch. Smith does not have top-end speed like his former Alabama teammate, Henry Ruggs but he rarely gets caught from behind.

Smith is a scrappy receiver who fights for the ball rather than wait for the ball to come to him. Smith understands how defensive backs attempt to cover him and adjusts to the coverage accordingly. Smith could be the first receiver off the board with LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase in the mix, but the Heisman winner could pair well with last year’s Heisman winner, Joe Burrow and give him another weapon alongside Tee Higgins.

Wyatt Davis, Ohio State, guard

If Wyatt Davis goes early in the first, Quenton Nelson of the Indianapolis Colts should receive a thank you card in the mail for Christmas. Though Davis is not as polished as Nelson was coming out of Notre Dame, he is a freak-athlete at guard. When Davis gets those large hands on a defender, it is game over. Scouts love the physicality Davis plays the game with. Davis has a mean streak and one of the best athletes in the draft pound for pound.

Davis can block straight, pull or trap. Davis is fast enough to counter or trap block on play-action as well. Davis has a great punch on the snap and does not lean or grab at defenders, rather, Davis looks to initiate contact with defenders rather than absorb contact. Davis is athletic enough to lead on screen passes as well.

Alex Leatherwood, Alabama, tackle

Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood had an All-American season for the best offensive line in the nation and could hear his name called in the middle portion of the first round. Oregon’s Penei Sewell is the consensus top tackle, but between Samuel Cosmi from Texas, Rashawn Slater from Northwestern and Leatherwood, the competition for the No. 2 offensive tackle will be a battle worth seeing develop from the combine through pro days and up to the NFL Draft in April.