NFL
By: Ryan Cooley
The 2021 NFL Draft is just days away. This year the QBs will most likely come off the board fast. This means teams picking later who don’t need a QB could hit the lottery from other players falling. I have a feeling this could be one of the most unpredictable drafts we’ve had in a while.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (QB) (Clemson)
Trevor Lawrence marked his spot as the #1 overall pick his freshman year.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson (QB) (BYU)
After the Sam Darnold trade, the Jets are without a doubt taking a quarterback, and Wilson seems to be the pick.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones (QB) (Alabama)
Now, this is where the controversy will begin. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lance, Fields, or Jones is the pick. I believe Shanahan wants a quarterback that fits his system, and Jones does just that.
4. (TRADE) New England Patriots: Justin Fields (QB) (Ohio State)
The first big move goes to New England as they trade with the Atlanta Falcons. The Patriots have attended both of Fields’ pro days, and reports have said they are very high on him. If the 49ers pass up on Fields, don’t be surprised if New England makes a move.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase (WR) (LSU)
It seems the Bengals are either taking Chase or Sewell. Burrow has voiced his opinion and wants to be reunited with his WR at LSU, where they linked up for 1,780 yards and 20 TDs in 2019. Assuming they want to keep their franchise QB happy, they will go Chase.
6. Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts (TE) (Florida)
The Dolphins win the draft if they trade back and still get arguably the best player in the draft. Pitts is a freak of nature, posting a 96.2 grade from Pro Football Focus in 2020, and will have an immediate impact his rookie year.
7. Detriot Lions: Penei Sewell (OT) (Oregon)
The Lions need an OT badly, and luckily for them, the best one falls to them. Some have Slater as the top OT in this draft, but Sewell has no ceiling. It’s not normal for 19-year-olds to maul defensive linemen at the college level, and that’s what Sewell did in 2019.
8. Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater (OT) (Northwestern)
After acquiring Sam Darnold, the Panthers must do whatever they can to put him in an ideal situation. Step one is keeping him upright. Slater has the quickest feet in the draft, but will need to work on his strength.
9. (TRADE) Washington Football Team: Trey Lance (QB) (NDSU)
If Lance begins to fall, expect Washington to pull the trigger. They need a long-term answer at QB, and this could be their best opportunity to get a high-end prospect. Lance will not need to play his first season while Fitzpatrick is the starter.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain (CB) (Alabama)
Dallas gets their pick of the best defensive player available. The nine previous picks were all offense. The Cowboys need to upgrade their defense badly, and Surtain is a great first step. He is a technician but has some questions about his physical abilities.
11. New York Giants: Micah Parsons (LB) (Penn State)
I was torn between Waddle and Parsons here. I believe they are both equal as far as talent. After getting Golladay, they may want to focus on another position. The Giants have a very good defense, and Parsons could make them a great one.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith (WR) (Alabama)
I like Waddle slightly more than Smith. However, the Eagles drafted a deep threat in Jalen Reagor last year. They may want to take the better route runner of the two Bama WRs.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw (OT) (Virginia Tech)
The Chargers struck gold finding their franchise QB in last year’s draft. This year they need to find a LT to protect him. Darrisaw may not have the footwork of Slater, but he mauled defensive ends and earned a 95.6 grade from PFF in 2020.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker (OT/G) (USC)
Vera-Tucker can play both the Tackle and Guard position. The Vikings have a few holes on the offensive line. Vera-Tucker’s versatility could be just what Minnesota needs.
15. (From NE) Atlanta Falcons: Kwity Paye (Edge) (Michigan)
I am not in love with any of the Edge defenders in this draft. However, Paye is the #1 Edge in my rankings, and Atlanta desperately needs a pass rusher. Paye has a strong bullrush and consistently got better each year at Michigan.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn (CB) (South Carolina)
It is a toss-up here between Horn and Waddle. Reports say Arizona is very interested in Waddle, but after the departure of Patrick Peterson, Horn could be the pick if he is still available.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Teven Jenkins (OT)
Jenkins feels like a Gruden pick. If rankings were based on a player’s ability to impose their will, Jenkins would be the clear cut #1. The Raiders let go of a lot of their offensive line this offseason, so they might be looking to take one in round one.
18. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle (WR) (Alabama)
Many will have the Dolphins taking a RB here, but why not reunite Waddle with Tua? Will Fuller is on a one-year deal, and Waddle can take over next year. Getting a player of Waddle’s magnitude at 18 might be the biggest steal in the draft. Parker, Fuller, Pitts, Gesicki, and Waddle could be the best core of weapons in the league.
19. (From WFT) Denver Broncos: Trevon Moehrig (S) (TCU)
The Broncos signed Simmons to a 4-year contract while losing Kareem Jackson. Moehrig is explosive, good in coverage, and is the hardest-hitting safety in the draft. Simmons and Moehrig could make one of the best safety duos in the league.
20. Chicago Bears: Caleb Farley (CB) (Virginia Tech)
Farley has one of the highest ceilings among CBs in the draft. After the departure of Kyle Fuller, the Bears may look to replace the former all-pro. Farley has the ideal speed and size to become a dominant force at his position.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB) (Notre Dame)
Owusu-Koramoah may not be a huge need for the Colts, but he is the most talented player left at 21. JOK is an undersized LB but makes up for it with his speed and coverage ability. He and Darius Leonard would make a fantastic duo.
22. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman (WR) (Minnesota)
I am a big fan of Bateman, and after Corey Davis signed with the Jets, the Titans will need another playmaker opposite AJ Brown. Bateman is a complete WR that has a great release and YAC ability.
23. New York Jets: Greg Newsome II (CB) (Northwestern)
After taking their QB, the Jets may want to focus on the other side of the ball. Newsome only allowed 12 catches on 36 targets for less than 100 yards in six games this season. His frame is somewhat of a concern.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris (RB) (Alabama)
I am on the side of never taking a RB in the first round, but all signs point to the Steelers taking the best RB available. I believe they would be much better off fixing the offensive line first. Harris’ receiving ability and wiggle as a 230 lb back makes him many people’s #1 back.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore (DT) (Alabama)
The interior defensive line class is very weak this year, but Barmore shouldn’t get a bad rap because of it. He is ranked 13th on PFF’s big board. His 91.5 pass-rush grade ranked first among all qualifying DTs.
26. Cleveland Browns: Azeez Ojulari (Edge) (Georgia)
The Browns signed Clowney to a one-year deal. With Myles Garrett on the opposite side, I have to imagine Clowney will not be in Cleveland next year. Drafting a guy like Ojulari could put them out of the market for an Edge defender for quite some time.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jaelan Phillips (Edge) (Miami)
The Ravens need a pass rusher badly, and Phillips falls to them at 27. Phillips has all of the physical tools to become an elite player, but his injury history is a major concern. He retired from football in college before deciding to come back.
28. New Orleans Saints: Rondale Moore (WR) (Purdue)
The Saints would be smart to draft another weapon for Winston. I am a huge fan of Rondale Moore. He is the spitting image of Steve Smith. Both are small WRs, but play as if they’re 250 lbs.
29. Green Bay Packers: Elijah Moore (WR) (Ole Miss)
Packer fans are saying a prayer that Green Bay finally invests a first-round pick on a WR. Much like Rondale Moore, Elijah has concerns with his size only being 5’9. However, he is also tough as nails and possesses elite speed and quickness.
30. Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau (Edge) (Miami)
The Bills need to improve their ability to rush the passer, and Rousseau has a ton of potential. He will need time to develop, but the wait could pay off. Much like his teammate Phillips, Rousseau has all of the physical talents you would want.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Zaven Collins (LB) (Tulsa)
At 6’4 and 270 lbs, Collins is a physical specimen. Some have concerns about him being too big and not being able to play LB at the NFL level, but he’s been big throughout college and knows how to play at this size. He does need significant work on his tackling.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Asante Samuel Jr. (CB) (Flordia State)
Brady might get to play with another father and son. The Bucs have very few needs if any at all. Due to this, I gave them the best available DB. Samuel Jr. has concerns about his size but excels in almost every other area.
