Jaylen Twyman makes tough call to opt out, enter 2021 NFL Draft

Jaylen Twyman becomes the latest to opt out and enter the 2021 NFL Draft

We are now up to six potential first round picks to opt out of the 2020 season and declare for the 2021 NFL Draft. The latest of names to enter the pool is Pittsburgh defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman after rumors he would make the jump came out yesterday. After two seasons with the Panthers, Twyman now enters the draft near the top of most defensive tackle boards.

Joining the likes of Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley, Penn State’s Micah Parsons, Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman, Purdue’s Rondale Moore, and Miami’s Gregory Rousseau, the list is ever-growing of players opting out of the 2020 season in order to train for the draft.

Twyman not a first round lock

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Unlike the other names who have opted out of the season, Twyman may be the least safe bet to be a first round pick given the value of defensive tackles and the depth of the class. With Florida State’s Marvin Wilson sitting atop the defensive tackle rankings, others who play like Alabama’s Christian Barmore may have a chance to leap Twyman this season.

While nobody can blame Twyman for the decision he has made to protect himself and his family, he will now have to test off the charts at the combine with just two seasons under his belt at the collegiate level. He looks to join the best player in the NFL Aaron Donald as another dominant Pittsburgh defensive tackle as he now focuses his attention on training for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Look out for more players to declare for the draft and opt out as concerns continue to grow.