With teams finalizing their boards for the 2021 NFL draft, each prospect's scouting report will feature evaluations of specific traits. There will be notes on accuracy and pocket awareness for quarterbacks, speed and hands for receivers and closing burst and tackling ability for defenders. But who is truly the best in the class at each individual skill?
In other words, which quarterback displays the best arm talent? Which wide receiver is the top route runner of the class? Who is the most disruptive linebacker? And how about the best man-coverage defensive back?
To get a sense of which prospects stand out in each particular area, I put together my best at everything list -- the skill superlatives of this year's draft class -- for 50 different categories (12 more than last year). While these traits won't be the sole reason an NFL team drafts each player April 29 to May 1, they are each prospect's best ability and the area where the prospects separate themselves from the rest of the class. And to top it off, I picked out three sleepers with upside.
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QB | WR | RB | TE | OL
DL | LB | DB
Sleepers
QB with the best arm talent: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Along with his high-end processing and movement ability, I believe Lawrence has the most arm talent of the '21 quarterback class. That allows the projected No. 1 overall pick to target all levels of the field, driving the ball vertically or attacking tight windows. Lawrence can also vary ball speeds, making layered throws with touch and pace.
Best second-reaction QB: Zach Wilson, BYU
In today's league, creating second-reaction plays is key at the position. And we see that pretty consistently on Wilson's tape, given his loose and confident style. The BYU star can escape and extend, which allows him to use that natural whip in his arm on off-platform throws to act as a ball distributor when he has to go outside of structure. Among QBs with at least 50 attempts outside the pocket in 2020, only Spencer Rattler (Oklahoma) bettered Wilson's 9.43 yards per attempt in those situations.