2021 NFL Draft: 5 Prospects raising their stock this season
2021 NFL Draft riser No. 4: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
Coming into the 2020 college football season, Michael Parsons and Dylan Moses were the top two inside linebacker prospects. Parsons is still holding down the top spot, even after being another player to opt-out. However, North Carolina inside linebacker Chazz Surratt is creeping up draft boards and threatening to overtake the No. 2 spot.
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In 2019, the North Carolina Tar Heels standout was asked to do it all — attack the run, drop in coverage and blitz. At 6-2, 225 pounds, Surratt is a little undersized. However, his willingness to fight through trash and attack aided in an impressive 2019 season. Last season, he finished with 115 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. He’s following up his impressive junior season with an excellent start to 2020.
On the season, Surratt has 54 tackles and four sacks through seven games. He’s a quick-twitch player with excellent range. He changed direction quickly and plays with physicality. When asked to drop in zone coverage he does so with fluidity. He also understands depth and how to attack passing lanes.
Surratt offers scheme versatility where he can play the chase inside backer in a 3-4 defense but can also line up in a 4-3 base as he offers value as an outside backer thanks to his coverage ability. His best fit comes in a 4-3 defense as an inside linebacker. If he continues his current level of play, there’s no doubt he’ll hear his name called at some point on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft — if not climbing into the first round.