{"numbering":"no_numbering","slides":[{"title":"Welcome to the 'draft crush' team","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/gallery/hero/Bears-NFL-Draft-USATSI10806020.png","credit":"USA Today","published":1619114269,"caption":"

Every year, I use the term “draft crush” to describe players I’m bullish on despite any perceived weaknesses. Typically, they are players I fall in love with during their college football careers, and, in some cases, I’ve seen them play in person. Recent examples would include Washington wide receiver Terry McLaurin (Ohio State) and Lions wide receiver Quintez Cephus (Wisconsin). On the more disappointing side, former Bears defensive back Deiondre' Hall (Northern Iowa) would have also appeared on this list back in 2016. That one didn't work out.

But I’ve never put a team of draft crushes together, and I’m gladly accepting the challenge this year. To be clear, there really isn't a specific criteria for making this list — these are just guys I've liked from the start of draft season and haven't wavered on. There's somewhat of a gut feel to it — think "Vontae Mack no matter what" from the movie Draft Day. Some are obvious and some are not. Hope you enjoy.

"},{"title":"QB Zach Wilson, BYU","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-03/App-210326-Zach-Wilson.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619115313,"caption":"

While most of the college football world was silent early in the fall, BYU was on our TVs every week, and Zach Wilson was putting on a show. It didn’t take long to realize that his sophomore struggles were behind him and he was a legitimate NFL quarterback prospect. Fast forward to April and Wilson is the presumed No. 2 overall pick. He’s not a perfect quarterback prospect, but he’s a true playmaker at the position, and his off-platform throws make him the most fun quarterback to watch in this class.

"},{"title":"RB Trey Sermon, Ohio State","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/TreySermon.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619115397,"caption":"

I knew about Trey Sermon when he was at Oklahoma, but I got a firsthand look at the running back at the Big Ten Championship Game in December when he ran all over Northwestern’s stout defense. While quarterback Justin Fields struggled, Sermon was unstoppable, showing very good vision and contact balance while racking up 331 yards on 29 carries. In his next game against Clemson, Sermon ran for 193 on 31 carries. He can carry a heavy load, but he also has an injury history that will cause some teams to hesitate.

"},{"title":"WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Bateman_R_USA.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619115476,"caption":"

Nov. 23, 2019 was the day I decided Rashod Bateman was a starting NFL wide receiver. He caught three touchdowns against Northwestern that day and all three were impressive — showing his ability to high-point the football, toe-tap on the sideline and track the ball in the air.

"},{"title":"TE Kyle Pitts, Florida","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/App%20Kyle%20Pitts%20%281%29_2.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619115559,"caption":"

Sometimes the draft crushes can be obvious. Pitts was the most fun player to watch in 2020 and a matchup nightmare for every team he faced. He’s good enough to play both tight end and wide receiver at the next level, potentially solving two needs at once.

"},{"title":"OT Brady Christensen, BYU","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Christensen-Brady-USATODAY-13327082.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619116965,"caption":"

When watching Zach Wilson, it’s impossible to ignore the man blocking his blindside. Christensen was a three-year at BYU and never missed a game. He’s an older prospect who turns 25 in September, but he simply gets the job done at left tackle. He should be an early starter and could go in the second round of the draft.

"},{"title":"OG Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Quinn-Meinerz-Wisconsin-Whitewater-USATSI15517716.jpg","credit":"","published":1619115648,"caption":"

A popular “draft crush” this year, Meinerz is a great story as he went from D-III UW-Whitewater to cult hero at the 2021 Senior Bowl. He’s a legitimate player, though, and can probably play either guard or center at the next level. He didn’t play in the fall but trained hard and showed he could handle the jump in competition in Mobile. The second round is in play for Meinerz.

"},{"title":"C Jimmy Morrissey, Pitt","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Jimmy-Morrissey-Pittsburgh-USATSI13731951.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619115747,"caption":"

Like Bears center Sam Mustipher, Jimmy Morrissey might not look like a prototypical NFL center, but his high football-IQ and persistence give him a chance to have a long NFL career. A former walk-on who had zero scholarship offers out of high school, Morrissey quickly became a four-year starter at Pitt and won the Burlsworth Trophy in 2021 as the nation’s top walk-on. He’s the type of player that will take advantage of every opportunity he gets, and there’s no reason to believe that won’t continue at the next level.

"},{"title":"DL Jay Tufele, USC","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Jay-Tufele-USC-USATSI11349704.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619116030,"caption":"

There’s a lot to love about Jay Tufele, who was born in American Samoa and has a rugby background. He’s strong and has a motor that never stops. The effort jumps off the film. He’s probably a 3-technique at the next level and should become a quick starter.

"},{"title":"EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-03/App-210308-Azeez-Ojulari.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619116132,"caption":"

The knock on Ojulari is his size (6'2 ¼, 249), but that hardly seems to matter on tape, especially when you consider that his arm length (34 ½) is more than adequate. He was named a captain as a redshirt freshman and has only improved since getting on the field, registering 8.5 sacks in 10 games in 2020.

"},{"title":"LB Micah Parsons, Penn State","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/2021-04/App-210419-Micah-Parsons.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619116211,"caption":"

Similar to Roquan Smith in 2018, there’s just very little doubt Micah Parsons will be good at the next level. His combination of size, speed and strength is unmatched, and it was impressive to see how quickly he adapted to linebacker in the Big Ten after being recruited as a defensive end out of high school.

"},{"title":"CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/Greg-Newsome-Northwestern-USATSI15200378.jpg","credit":"USA Today","published":1619116301,"caption":"

Homer alert. Or just really good cornerback alert. Newsome might not be the No. 1 corner in this year’s class, but he should become a quick starter at the next level with his ability mirror routes in both press and off coverage while breaking up 25 passes in 21 college games. Nagging injuries are a concern, but if he can stay on the field, he’s going to be very good in the NFL.

"},{"title":"S Christian Uphoff, Illinois State","image":"https://www.nbcsports.com/sites/rsnunited/files/slide/image/uphoff_c_GettyImages-1301630130.png","credit":"Getty Images","published":1619116352,"caption":"

It’s not a great safety class, but Uphoff has surprising size and speed for an FCS-level prospect, and he showed he belonged at the Senior Bowl in January. He’s a versatile safety with a good special teams floor and should easily stick on the roster of the team that drafts him.

"}]}

NFL Draft: Hoge’s 2021 ‘draft crush’ team