Big shoes to fill: Meet the replacements for every 2021 NFL Draft first round pick

5. Replacing Ja’Marr Chase at LSU: Kayshon Boutte

Because Chase opted out of 2020, we got a strong look at 5-star freshman Kayshon Boutte this past season. And while LSU as a whole struggled to find their footing early in the year, once things steadied a bit (particularly at quarterback), Boutte looked like a bona fide star in the making.

Over the final three games, Boutte racked up 27 grabs for 527 yards and four touchdowns. Especially with Terrace Marshall Jr. also gone, he’s going to be heavily featured in the offense and has the talent to put up monster numbers if the Tigers get consistent quarterback play.

6. Replacing Jaylen Waddle at Alabama: Jameson Williams

Trying to decipher the replacement for Jaylen Waddle was a bit difficult for two reasons. First, he played largely out of the slot and, when he went down with an injury, Slade Bolden stepped into that role and likely could do the same in 2020. But Waddle’s elite explosiveness as a playmaker isn’t replicated by Bolden. Thus, it feels to me as if Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams fits that bill more snugly. The newcomer has speed to burn and should be the option to take the top off opposing defenses.

7. Replacing Penei Sewell at Oregon: George Moore

Considering that Sewell opted out of the 2020 campaign, we already have the answer to who will replace him in Eugene as George Moore took up that mantle last season, along with Steven Jones. But it’s Moore who performed a bit better and seems to be in line to man that role solely in 2021. The only real threat to that is Kingsley Suamataia, a 5-star freshman who has far more upside and could legitimately take Moore’s spot before season’s end, if not right out of the gate depending on his performance in practices leading up to the fall.

8. Replacing Jaycee Horn at South Carolina: Cam Smith or Dominick Hill

First-year head coach Shane Beamer does not have a fun task when it comes to the Gamecocks secondary as he’s essentially looking to fill holes all over the back end of the defense. Cam Smith has the most experience of anyone on the roster but, even then, he has just three starts to his credit.

Dominick Hill could be a challenger for the No. 1 cornerback role too but the truth of the matter is South Carolina is basically in the midst of open tryouts for how they’re going to build their 2021 defensive back group.