Five Future NFL All-Pro's
Quinnen Williams DT Jets
Quinnen Williams is the highest graded defensive tackle I have ever scouted coming out of college football. In his rookie season, he was outshined by rookie defensive ends, Nick Bosa and Josh Allen, but he showed promise. In 2020, Williams went berserker. Despite being one of the best defensive tackles, Williams is still flying under the radar because he was on one of the worst teams. Robert Saleh is now the head coach of the Jets and he is going to bring out the very best in Williams. We saw what Saleh did with the 49ers defensive line in 2019. If he can get a similar production from the Jets defensive line this year, Williams will be an all-pro. The Jets also signed Carl Lawson which will prevent teams from double teaming Williams every play. I fully expect Williams to have a dominant third year and be looked at as the same level as Buckner.
Brandon Aiyuk WR 49ers
The 49ers are one of the most overlooked teams in the NFL. The general public has forgotten just how banged up this team was last season. Jimmy Garoppolo and Brandon Aiyuk only played in five games together in 2020. With the return of Garoppolo and Deebo Samuel, I expect Aiyuk to have plenty of opportunities. Whether it is Trey Lance or Garoppolo throwing him the ball, it will be a better option than CJ Beathard and Nick Mullens. Aiyuk is a master at gaining separation, he showed flashes of being an elite route runner, and he is an athletic freak. He has a wingspan that is just one inch shorter than Calvin Johnson's (despite being five inches shorter than him). If Aiyuk can get relatively good quarterback play from Garoppolo or Lance, I expect at least a thousand yard receiving season out of him. Aiyuk is on the edge of greatness.
Brian Burns EDGE Panthers
The player who I am most confident about on this list is Brian Burns. In his first two seasons in the NFL, he's put up 16 sacks, which is solid, but I can tell he is sniffing a breakout season. Burns is an elite speed rusher who had the third most hurries in the league in 2020. You can tell just how fast he is from his get off alone. He is lightning quick off the ball and his elite speed sets up counters perfectly. With the addition of Haason Reddick to the defense, the Panthers quietly have a top five pass rush duo. Not to mention a young and upcoming secondary with Jeremy Chinn and Jaycee Horn. Brian Burns might not be the biggest household name, but he sure as hell will be after this season!
Najee Harris RB Steelers
This is the boldest call for this list, picking a player who hasn't played a down yet in the NFL. I am just that confident in Najee Harris. He is the best running back I've seen enter the draft since Saquon Barkley and he'll be the workload back from day one in Pittsburgh. Harris is already one of the most talented players in the league and he could honestly be a 1,000 yard rushing and receiving type of running back. As long as the Steelers find ways to get the ball into Harris' hands, he is going to dominate. I expect Harris to win rookie of the year this year and be looked at as the top fantasy option in next year's fantasy football draft. My only worry is regarding the Steelers offensive line. The left side of their line is really inexperienced and they lost a few players this offseason. If the Steelers offensive line can be mediocre, I expect Harris to be phenomenal.
DeShon Elliott FS Ravens
The Ravens found themselves a star with DeShon Elliott. He was able to learn from Earl Thomas in his rookie season, last year he was able to grow into a really good starter, and now I expect him to take the step up to become an elite free safety. Elliott has wicked range, he can run from one side of the field to another and lay the hammer. He was even able to blow Derrick Henry up last year. Elliott is also capable of coming off the edge as a rusher which is rare for free safeties. In coverage, Elliott has great hands. He does a phenomenal job at swiping the ball away and breaking up passes. His hard hitting nature also forces a lot of fumbles. With Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters at corner, quarterbacks will sometimes just take chances against the Ravens defense and throw the ball up. I expect this to result in a lot of interceptions for Elliott and he will tally up the numbers and become an all-pro.
