Pick 36: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
With the very first selection in this mock 2021 NFL Draft, the Denver Broncos select Stanford tackle Walker Little.
The massive young man is 6’7″ weighing around 315-320 pounds. What stands out to me from watching Little’s play, is how quickly he gets out of his stance and gets set. For Little to be the complete opposite of his name, he sure can move.
From the film I broke down, he was primarily a left tackle, but with Munchak’s coaching, I’m sure the transition to the right side will not be overbearing, as Garrett Bolles has solidified himself as the team’s left tackle.
The previous right tackles that Munchak had under his disposal in Denver had issues with getting out into space — Elijah Wilkinson and Demar Dotson are examples of this. They both had issues with speed, and Little does not. This helps him control the edge and provides him with the ability to reach the next level or “climb,” flawlessly.
40. Richie Grant, DB, UCF
The Broncos select an eventual replacement for veteran Kareem Jackson, in Richie Grant. The 6’0″ 190-pound safety is just a playmaker. Whenever he gets around the football, he takes it. There were several “read and react” plays where he was just sitting back, anticipating the play in front of him, and he would jump them perfectly as he read the quarterback’s eyes and forced turnovers.
Another element of his game I really liked was his Charles “Peanut” Tillman-like style when tackling. He made several plays where he would wrap up, but have that off-arm fist balled up, and would just punch the ball out.
One of the more clutch plays he had at UCF was when he pulled the “Peanut Punch” out against the University of South Florida on the last drive of the game. He tackles well, and that is a must for a Vic Fangio safety. Vic Fangio’s defense needs play-making safeties who can force turnovers, and Grant fits that mold like a glove.