2021 NFL Draft Profile: Chazz Surratt

After starting his collegiate career as a quarterback, Chazz Surratt has turned himself into one of the more intriguing linebacker prospects in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft. Still learning the linebacker position, Surratt's physical tools as well as the rapid development he's already shown in a short time will no doubt appeal to a team that believes it can fully unlock his untapped potential.

(This profile is one of 230 featured in the Athlon Sports 2021 NFL Draft Guide. With in-depth scouting reports on the top prospects, position rankings, and more, no source will have you better prepared for draft day. Click here to get your copy.)

Chazz Surratt Draft Profile

College: North Carolina
Class: Sr.
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 225

Strong Points

Surratt was Carolina’s starting quarterback as a redshirt freshman before making the switch to defense and emerging as an excellent linebacker. The physical traits are there; Surratt is a big, fluid athlete with the speed to make plays all over the field. Despite his background as a quarterback, he plays with the kind of physicality and reckless aggression you look for from a linebacker. He showed a great feel for timing his blitzes and became increasingly adept as a zone dropper, diagnosing and jumping routes with his eyes on the backfield.

Weak Points

His relative lack of seasoning shows up when working through traffic. He doesn’t seem to have much of a plan when taking on blocks aside from trying to power through or run around them. He was primarily a zone defender in coverage and will have to get more reps in man coverage.

Summary

He has some limitations when it comes to coverage and take-on skills, but the package of traits is exciting. Surratt’s ceiling is as high as any stack linebacker in this class.

Final Grade: 2nd round

(Top photo by Andy Mead, courtesy of goheels.com)