Miami Hurricanes defensive end Greg Rousseau is projected ahead of Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields in the latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft by CBSSports.Com. Rousseau is projected to be taken in the first five picks in consensus mock drafts.
After a breakout 2019 redshirt freshman season with 19.5 tackles for loss and finishing second in the nation with 15.5 sacks, Miami Hurricanes defensive end Greg Rousseau has been gaining a lot of buzz for the 2021 NFL Draft. Rousseau is listed ahead of Ohio State QB Justin Fields in the latest NFL Mock Draft by CBSSports.Com
Greg Rousseau is projected to be taken the fourth pick overall to the hometown Miami Dolphins according to CBS Sports. Fields is projected to be selected seventh overall by the Carolina Panthers who signed Miami native, Teddy Bridgewater in the offseason. Fields is the projected third overall pick in consensus mock drafts.
Rousseau is loved by NFL Teams because of his length and athleticism at 6’6 250 pounds. He will be a versatile edge rusher who can move inside on passing downs or potentially play outside linebacker in a 3-4 defense. Rousseau has been compared to former Miami Hurricanes DE Calais Campbell.
Campbell was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Pro in 2017 with 14.5 sacks for the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Baltimore Ravens acquired Campbell in the offseason for a fifth-round pick sent to Jacksonville. Baltimore is Campbell’s third-team entering his 13th season in the NFL.
Rousseau should have a similarly long NFL career if he can stay healthy. After suffering a season-ending ankle injury as a true freshman in 2018, Rousseau showed no signs of being hurt in 2019. Another outstanding season should be ahead for Rousseau in 2020. Rousseau leads the nation’s best pass rush for Miami.
"“The former three-star recruit had a monster season in 2019, finishing with 15.5 sacks. There isn’t a Chase Young type in this draft class as far as the obvious pass-rusher is concerned, but Rousseau could easily emerge as that guy.”"
Playing opposite Temple graduate transfer Quincy Roche and the top recruit in 2017, Jaelan Phillips, it’s very possible that Miami has three of the top pass rushers in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields is expected to be the second QB taken in 2021 behind Trevor Lawrence of Clemson.
"“Fields has the kind of talent and potential that will likely see somebody trading up into the top three to get him come draft time. The way this board falls, however, nobody else needed a QB until the Panthers. The difference in ceiling between him and Lawrence isn’t massive.”"
With Rousseau and Roche expected to be selected in the first two rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft and the potential for Phillips to be a first or second-day selection with a big 2020 season, the draft will be fun and intriguing for Miami Hurricanes fans again in 2021. Tight end Brevin Jordan and QB D’Eriq King are other potential early picks.
Jordan is a first-round pick on several draft boards and many NFL Draft analysts expect King to be a second-day choice. Rousseau should be the highest Miami player selected in the draft since offensive tackle Ereck Flowers was chosen ninth overall by the New York Giants in 2015. The 2021 NFL Draft should be full of Hurricanes.