2021 NFL Draft: Top 10 Prospects on Feldman’s Freak List

Every year, Bruce Feldman releases his “Feldman’s Freak List” where he lists college football’s most impressive athletes. Of the top five players listed in Feldman’s 2019 list, all five were drafted. Two of which were drafted in the first 13 selections. Feldman does a phenomenal job researching the top athletes in the country and ranking them for the upcoming college football season. He specifies each player’s “freakiest attribute” and goes into strong detail about their strengths.

Making the list is an honor in its own right, but it’s also a strong prediction for the future. Being named to the list is a good sign a player will be drafted or at the very least that they’ll put on a very memorable combine or pro-day performance. Feldman has released his 2020 “Freaks List” and it may be the most talented one to date.

Of the 50 players listed, I’ve decided to name my top 10 players who made it. Also, after you finish this article I implore you to check out the entire list over at the Athletic, as Feldman’s list is one of college football’s must-read articles year in and year out. You can find it here.

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Top 10 players on Feldman’s Freak List.

Nico Collins, WR, Michigan: #47

One of the top deep threats in the country, Nico Collins has been held back by porous play in his career at Michigan. However, he’s been productive when targeted down the field. He averaged nearly 20 yards per reception last season and 17.8 yards per reception over his career. Collins’ “freakiest” trait listed is his agility. Feldman states that Collins is a “very dynamic athlete, running the 40 in the 4.4s, and his coached rave about his toughness and body control.”

Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan: #1

PFN’s own Senior Draft Analyst Andrew DiCecco wrote about Kwity Paye earlier this month. Both DiCecco and Feldman mention Paye’s ability to leverage at his size. Feldman mentioning Paye’s “speed in the three-cone drill” as his “Freakiest” attribute. Listed at 6’4 and over 270 pounds, his ability to turn a corner is incredibly impressive.

Related | Farabaugh’s 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft

Feldman also claims that Paye has video game like athletic testing with a 4.57 40 yard dash, 34 inch vertical, and 30 bench press reps at 225. If Paye can actually produce those numbers at the combine, he has a very high likelihood of hearing his name called in the first 50 selections.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (JOK), Safety, Notre Dame: #37

The next “tweener” blurring the line between safety and linebacker is Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. JOK was arguably the best player on an Irish team that produced six draft picks in the most recent NFL Draft. He did his best work around the line of scrimmage, where his “Freakiest” trait shined.

Feldman’s claim is backed by JOK’s jumping measurements. Feldman says “His explosiveness is reflected by his 39-inch vertical, a 10-3 broad jump and an equally impressive 20.4 mph on his GPS.” His athletic ability is apparent on film as well, showing up both when coming downfield, and in his impressive coverage abilities.

Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State: #4

I wrote up Jayson Oweh last month, and a part of me feels that even number four is too low. Oweh’s “Freakiest” trait is his speed, and Feldman goes on to say “has run a jaw-dropping 4.33 40, according to Penn State coaches. He also has vertical jumped 36 inches and broad jumped 10-7.”

Related | 2021 NFL Draft: Could Jayson Oweh be the first EDGE selected?

These numbers are nearly impossible to believe, as no one in combine history has even come close to showcasing such jaw-dropping athletic ability. However, if Oweh does meet these numbers, he very well could be a Top-10 selection, knowing the NFL’s love for physical specimens.

Ar’Darius Washington, Safety, TCU: #23

Reviewing Ar’Darius Washington is some of the most fun you’ll have fun watching film this year. Washington is lightning in a bottle. Feldman lists Washington’s strength as his “Freakist” ability, which I agree on completely. “The 5-8, 179-pound safety bench presses more than double his weight (370) and squats more than triple it (640).” Washington displays this consistently on film, he’s always willing to take on heavier ball carriers and he rarely loses.

Leverage. Always. Wins.

TCU’s Ar’Darius Washington tackles Jalen Hurts 1-on-1 in open field.

Hurts: 6’1 222lbs
Washington: 5’8 179lbs pic.twitter.com/mD9bOeUK4T

— Matt Valdovinos (@MVScouting) June 13, 2020

Carlos Basham, EDGE, Wake Forest: #2

Basham lacks elite athletic ability, but he is one of the strongest players in the country. Feldman states that “The 6-3½, 280-pounder benches more than 400 pounds and squats more than 700.” Feldman also says that Basham jumps 36 inches and runs a 4.21 short shuttle. Basham is one of the nation’s most productive pass rushers and is currently my second-highest-rated edge rusher in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU: #19th

Ja’Marr Chase was the top receiver in the nation last year and is currently the consensus WR1 for the 2021 NFL Draft. Chase was dominant last year as he produced nearly 1,800 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging over 21.2 yards per reception. His “Freakiest” skill is his separating strength. Chase is the top contested-catch receiver I’ve ever evaluated, and it’s due to both his natural strength and body control combined with his concentration at the catch point.

Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: #11

Caleb Farley is my top-rated cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft and a top-10 player on my pre-season big board. Farley displays elite athletic ability on tape, and it pairs excellently with his strong frame. At 6’2 207 pounds, Feldman lists Farley’s speed as his “Freakiest” trait. Feldman says “his Freaks card is stamped after clocking a blazing 24.16 mph on his GPS tracker against Notre Dame.” This is amazing because last year Tyreek Hill was the fastest player in the NFL clocked at 22.30 mph, nearly two mph slower than Farley.

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State: #13

My highest rated defender in the 2021 NFL Draft, Micah Parsons is my third overall player on my pre-season big board. Parsons blurs the line between the linebacker and edge rusher, as he was so commonly asked to rush the passer  “As freaky as Oweh is, the 6-3, 245-pound Parsons rivals his crazy numbers.

Parsons’ 40-time was a bit slower but still flying at 4.43.” Parsons is an elite athlete with a strong frame and is the most disruptive defensive player in the nation. Expect him to be a top selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, as he’s one of the most productive players in the nation and one of the top 15 players listed on the Feldman’s Freak List.