2021 NFL Draft picks: Florida Gators draft tracker, full analysis, history

By Adam Silverstein
April 29, 2021
2021 NFL Draft picks: Florida Gators draft tracker, full analysis, history
Football

It’s draft season! OnlyGators.com was with you throughout all three days of the 2021 NFL Draft as we tracked and covered where all eight former Florida Gators will begin their professional careers. Unlike most years, the 2021 NFL Draft was held with limited attendance and without an official NFL Scouting Combine preceding it due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, this was expected to be one of the most unpredictable drafts in history following in the footsteps of last year’s draft, which can certainly be described that way.

OnlyGators.com provided constant updates throughout all three days of the draft. Hit the refresh button below or on your browser to update the page and see if any additional Gators have been selected along with all the undrafted free agent signings as they trickle in.


Round 1

Round 1 – No. 4
Kyle Pitts, TE
Atlanta Falcons

Height: 6’6” | Weight: 245 lbs

Age: 20 | Class: Junior

The Chomp: Pitts is the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history, and the first Florida player at his position taken since Jordan Reed in 2013. He is also just the seventh top-five pick in program history. Check out our full story.

Round 1 – No. 20
Kadarius Toney, WR
New York Giants

Height: 6’0” | Weight: 193 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Toney is the first Florida player drafted by the Giants since quarterback Jesse Palmer in 2001 and the first Gators wideout to be selected in the first round since Percy Harvin in 2009. He has proven to be a game-changer with his breakneck speed, agility and ball skills. Toney compares directly to Tyreek Hill due to his size along with his incredible acceleration, change-of-direction ability and route running. He battles inside and consistently beats defensive backs on the outside. Though Toney is shifty and likes to move with the ball, his straight-line speed allows him to take advantage of any trouble he may find himself in. Injury issues and that aforementioned freestyling may concern some teams, but Toney’s upside is immense. He is the fourth Gators wide receiver selected in the last two drafts.

Round 2

Round 2 – No. 64
Kyle Trask, QB
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Height: 6’5” | Weight: 236 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Trask is the first Florida quarterback drafted since Tim Tebow (third in the last 20 years) and the first Gators player picked by the Buccaneers since cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III in 2016. Check out our full story.

Round 4

Round 4 – No. 136
Marco Wilson, CB
Arizona Cardinals

Height: 6’0” | Weight: 191 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Redshirt junior

The Chomp: Wilson is the first Florida player selected by Arizona since offensive tackle D.J. Humphries in 2015. Shoe-throwing incident aside, his final season at UF left a lot to be desired. After a freshman campaign that had many believing Wilson would be yet another star defensive back coming out of the program, he failed to live up to his brother’s successes and now faces a questionable NFL future. At 6-foot and 191 pounds, he had the size and strength — along with the speed and athleticism — to be chosen early on Day 3. Perhaps coaching limited Wilson’s production because he clearly has all of the traits for an NFL defensive back, but he was frequently beaten on coverages and often lost 50-50 opportunities with the ball in the air.

Round 5

Round 5 – No. 149
Evan McPherson, K
Cincinnati Bengals

Height: 5’11” | Weight: 185 lbs

Age: 21 | Class: Junior

The Chomp: McPherson is the first Florida kicker drafted since Caleb Sturgis in 2013 and the first Gators player selected by the Bengals since Carlos Dunlap in 2010. His somewhat-underwhelming 2020 season (featuring multiple missed kicks late in the year) was thought to push him down a couple rounds, though Cincinnati clearly believes in his potential. That finish does not detract from the fact that he hit four field goals from 50+ yards last season, consistently gets touchbacks and was perfect on extra points. However, McPherson did surprise some by declaring for the draft as a junior, which is unusual or specialists. His powerful leg and career accuracy are positives, but the fact that he converted only 77% of his field goals last season and missed his final three collegiate field goals from 50+ yards was a concern entering the draft.

Round 5 – No. 165
Shawn Davis, S
Indianapolis Colts

Height: 5’11” | Weight: 202 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Davis is the first Gators player selected by the Colts since cornerback Quincy Wilson in 2017. Davis’ tape was certainly appreciated in NFL circles. He hits hard, proves his toughness and leads by his actions on the field. His frame will make him an intriguing strong safety on defense as he can provide run support and also serve as a potential gunner on special teams. Davis will have every opportunity to win an NFL job due to his speed, athleticism and overall passion for the game. However, his instincts and ability to track routes are both in the second- or third-tier among players in the draft.

Round 5 – No. 173
Tedarrell Slaton, DT
Green Bay Packers

Height: 6’5” | Weight: 340 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Slaton is the first Gators player selected by the Packers since DeShawn Wynn in 2007. His pedigree as a high school All-American and massive size should result in an opportunity at nose tackle in the NFL, likely as a reserve run-stopper on key downs. Slaton’s athleticism, power and relentlessness when engaged make up for some of his weaknesses. He’s the paradigm of a player who may make significant developmental strides in the NFL with the right coaching, so he could wind up being a late-round steal if given the opportunity to get into a camp with some momentum.

Round 6

Round 6 – No. 208
Stone Forsythe, OT
Seattle Seahawks

Height: 6’8” | Weight: 307 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Redshirt senior

The Chomp: Forsythe was one of the few Florida offensive linemen who could be counted on weekly. A legacy whose father played professional football across multiple leagues, Forsythe started 25 games at left tackle over the last two seasons. He has the frame to get the job done at the NFL level, though he will require development. While Forsythe excelled in pass protection due to his length, he and the Gators’ entire line struggled in the running game. His overall strength and plus hands generate movement of linemen while blocking, and there is no questioning his power, but he does not get his pads low enough in the run game and must improve his change of direction. It is the second straight year the Seahawks have drafted a Gators player (WR Freddie Swain), and Forsythe is the first offensive tackle drafted since Jawaan Taylor in 2019.

Undrafted free agents

Undrafted Free Agent
Trevon Grimes, WR
Philadelphia Eagles

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 220 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Senior

The Chomp: Grimes’ winding career saw him transfer to Florida from Ohio State, and his move paid off. He displayed great size as a pass catcher, which should allow him to fight off defenders and win a roster spot in training camp. The biggest question about Grimes is whether he can match up with opposing NFL cornerbacks in terms of seeing his routes through to the end and winning on contested receptions. Where Grimes excels is being a sure-handed target who can handle punishment and build up speed as he runs down the field. But it takes more than that to succeed at the NFL level.

Undrafted Free Agent
Brett Heggie, OL
New York Giants

Height: 6’4” | Weight: 310 lbs

Age: 23 | Class: Redshirt senior



Undrafted Free Agent
Donovan Stiner, S
Pittsburgh Steelers

Height: 6’2” | Weight: 210 lbs

Age: 22 | Class: Senior

Florida NFL Draft history (last pick …)

By position
QB – 2021 (Kyle Trask)
RB – 2020 (La’Mical Perine)
WR – 2021 (Kadarius Toney)
TE – 2021 (Kyle Pitts)
OT – 2021 (Stone Forsythe)
OG – 2015 (Trenton Brown)
C – 2015 (Max Garcia)
DT – 2021 (Tedarrell Slaton)
DE – 2020 (Jabari Zuniga, Jonathan Greenard)
LB – 2019 (Vosean Joseph)
CB – 2021 (Marco Wilson)
S – 2021 (Shawn Davis)
K – 2021 (Evan McPherson)
P – 2018 (Johnny Townsend)

By team
Arizona Cardinals – 2021 (CB Marco Wilson)
Atlanta Falcons – 2021 (TE Kyle Pitts)
Baltimore Ravens – 2013 (S Matt Elam)
Buffalo Bills – 2019 (LB Vosean Josesph)
Carolina Panthers – 2019 (RB Jordan Scarlett)
Chicago Bears – 2016 (DE Jonathan Bullard)
Cincinnati Bengals – 2021 (K Evan McPherson)
Cleveland Browns – 2018 (WR Antonio Callaway)
Dallas Cowboys – 2017 (DT Joey Ivie)
Denver Broncos – 2020 (WR Tyrie Cleveland)
Detroit Lions – 2017 (LB Jarrad Davis, CB Jalen Tabor)
Green Bay Packers – 2021 (DT Tedarrell Slaton)
Houston Texans – 2020 (DE Jonathan Greenard)
Indianapolis Colts – 2021 (S Shawn Davis)
Jacksonville Jaguars – 2020 (CB C.J. Henderson)
Kansas City Chiefs – 2016 (WR Demarcus Robinson)
Los Angeles Chargers – 2007 (LB Brandon Siler)
Los Angeles Rams – 2020 (WR Van Jefferson)
Miami Dolphins – 2013 (LB Jelani Jenkins, RB Mike Gillislee, K Caleb Sturgis)
Minnesota Vikings – 2013 (DT Sharrif Floyd)
New England Patriots – 2018 (CB Duke Dawson)
New Orleans Saints – 2019 (S Chauncey Gardner-Johnson)
New York Giants – 2021 (WR Kadarius Toney)
New York Jets – 2020 (DE Jabari Zuniga, RB La’Mical Perine)
Las Vegas Raiders – N/A / Oakland Raiders 2018 – (P Johnny Townsend)
Philadelphia Eagles – 2016 (DE Alex McCalister)
Pittsburgh Steelers – 2012 (RB Chris Rainey)
San Francisco 49ers – 2018 (S Marcell Harris)
Seattle Seahawks – 2021 (WR Stone Forsythe)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 2021 (QB Kyle Trask)
Tennessee Titans – 2007 (CB Ryan Smith)
Washington Football Team – 2015 (RB Matt Jones)

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