TAMPA, Fla. — Last year’s NFL draft featured the only-in-a-pandemic wrinkle of evaluating prospects who opted out of an entire season because of coronavirus concerns. Nine first-rounders, including the Bucs’ Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, skipped all or part of their final college season.
Here’s a look at what we know so far about whether the year off helped or hurt them at the next level.
Quarterback Trey Lance (No. 3 overall pick, 49ers)
— In college: Lance played in North Dakota State’s lone fall game (two touchdown passes, two rushing scores) but skipped the Football Championship Subdivision’s spring season to focus on the draft.
— Has it worked out? We don’t know yet. Lance appeared in six games as a rookie, completing 41 of his 71 passes for 603 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also rushed 38 times for 168 yards and a score. The 49ers are expected to move Jimmy Garoppolo to clear a path for Lance to start this season.
Wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (No. 6, Bengals)
— In college: After becoming the nation’s top receiver during LSU’s 2019 national championship season, Chase said not playing in ‘20 was “what’s best for my family.”
— Has it worked out? Yes. Chase was named the offensive rookie of the year after catching 13 touchdowns (third in the league) and totaling 1,455 receiving yards (the most by a rookie in the Super Bowl era).
Offensive lineman Penei Sewell (No. 7, Lions)
— In college: He allowed only one career sack at Oregon and won the 2019 Outland Trophy as the nation’s top lineman. He opted out before the 2020 season.
— Has it worked out? Yes. Though he was shaky early at left tackle, he played well after moving to the right side midway through the season. He made the all-rookie team and was Pro Football Focus’ No. 6 right tackle after allowing five sacks all season.
Cornerback Jaycee Horn (No. 8, Panthers)
— In college: Horn was one of the SEC’s top defensive backs in 2020 before opting out for the final three games after coach Will Muschamp was fired at South Carolina.
— Has it worked out? Unclear. A broken foot in Week 3 ended his rookie season early, though he did record five tackles and an interception in his first three games (all starts).
Linebacker Micah Parsons (No. 12, Cowboys)
— In college: The former five-star recruit was likely headed for a monster junior season before leaving Penn State, citing the health risks to him and his son.
— Has it worked out? Big time. The versatile defender was the rookie of the year, an All-Pro and ranked in the top six in the league in sacks (13) and tackles for loss (20).
Offensive lineman Rashawn Slater (No. 13, Chargers)
— In college: After starting 37 games at Northwestern, Slater opted out as the Big Ten prepared for a spring season and stuck with the decision after the league pivoted back to the fall.
— Has it worked out? Definitely. He started 16 games at left tackle for Los Angeles and was named to the Pro Bowl. Slater looks like a pillar of a franchise that’s on the rise.
Cornerback Caleb Farley (No. 22, Titans)
— In college: He was the first high-profile player to opt out when he announced in July 2020 that he wouldn’t return to Virginia Tech. He was an all-ACC performer the year before.
— Has it worked out? Not yet. Farley missed three early games because of a shoulder injury and tore his ACL in his first career start. He finished his rookie season with four tackles and (if healthy) is expected to have a significant role this year.
Defensive end Greg Rousseau (No. 30, Bills)
— In college: He was second nationally with 15 1/2 sacks in his lone season as a contributor at Miami in 2019, then chose to skip 2020.
— Has it worked out? Yes. Rousseau’s 50 tackles were most among rookie defensive linemen, and he started every game for a Buffalo team that lost in overtime in the division round of the playoffs.
Outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (No. 32, Bucs)
— In college: He earned preseason All-America consideration and was expected to be one of the Pac-12′s top defenders in 2020 before opting out. Tryon-Shoyinka had 41 tackles (14 1/2 for a loss) at Washington in 2019.
— Has it worked out? We’ll find out this year. He had four sacks and 17 tackles in 17 games (six starts) as a rookie but will have more responsibilities in his second season.
