Category: Mock Drafts

Mock Draft Roundup: Cowboys have a Fab 5, but someone crashes

A party crasher to the usual suspects of projections. See what the national reporters have to say about Dallas’ pick in the 2021 NFL draft.

The Dallas Cowboys’ needs for the upcoming April draft are well known. Dallas needs help at safety and defensive tackle, yes, but this 2021 draft class doesn’t seem like it has prospects worthy of being selected at No. 10 in those spots. The focus for the most part centers around cornerback and offensive tackle.

Corner is a big need as the team let Byron Jones walk in free agency last year and stand to lose both Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis in free agency this year. The team re-signed Anthony Brown and used their second-round pick on Trevon Diggs, but most consider them to need another top-tier player to compliment him. Along the line, missed seasons by La’el Collins and Tyron Smith have people thinking about the future at the tackle position. When it comes to drafts, CB and OT are often found at the top, so naturally there are fits for these holes.

Over the last several months, a clear group of players have been identified as the likeliest selections and in this round up of national mock drafts, there’s no different. The Fab Five names are well represented. However, there is an additional name of interest thrown in for this week’s collection, and it’s one that Cowboys Wire honed in on in Mock Draft 6.0. Who is the mystery man and which outlet thinks Dallas will snag him at No. 10? Check out all of the Cowboys’ selections in a variety of mock exercises.

2021 NFL mock draft: How would a Deshaun Watson trade impact 1st round?

See how a potential trade involving Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson could impact the first round of the 2021 NFL draft

A couple of headline-worthy quarterback trades have already taken place across the NFL, but there might be more to come as the 2021 offseason draws closer.

One potential deal that could have a huge impact on the 2021 NFL draft would be one involving Deshaun Watson and the Houston Texans, and the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports breaks down what that could look like.

Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports projects Watson to the Dolphins, in return for a huge haul that includes this year’s No. 3 overall pick, and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who was Miami’s No. 5 overall pick just last year.

With that No. 3 pick, Trapasso has the Texans giving Tagovailoa some help in the form of LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Miami retains the No. 18 overall pick in this year’s draft despite the blockbuster trade, using that pick on Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw.

Quarterbacks take the top two spots in this mock, with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1 overall, and the New York Jets opting for BYU’s Zach Wilson at the No. 2 slot. Trapasso has both the Atlanta Falcons and Detroit Lions surprisingly passing on quarterbacks with their respective top-10 picks, leaving Ohio State’s Justin Fields to the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall, and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance to the San Francisco 49ers at No. 12 overall.

Another quarterback surprise in this mock is the absence of Alabama’s Mac Jones, who doesn’t find a landing spot among any of the top 32 picks.

To check out the full first-round projection at CBS Sports, click here.

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Mock Draft 7.0: Cowboys need to fix defense but not neglect offense

The defense needs a makeover but that can’t only be addressed in the draft. With 4 top-100 picks, Dallas needs to shore up the offense, too.

Things aren’t sweet in North Texas. Not even a little bit. There’s a sour taste surrounding the Dallas Cowboys and the stench emanating from a series of bad decisions keeps getting stronger. After two straight years of missing the playoffs, the cold reality of how much work needs to be done is hitting harder than the winter storm that’s eclipsed the area over the last week.

So what needs to be done to break out of the doldrums? Not losing the franchise quarterback to free agency is a starter, but even if Dak Prescott is signed long term, he will need more help than what he’s given. In our latest mock draft exercise, run on The Draft Network’s simulator, we go about doing just that.

While the mock starts with getting help on offense and that might ruffle a few feathers, this player might just be a generational talent and he’ll be on the field from Day 1 and forever. If the teams ahead of Dallas let this player fall like in this sim, the Cowboys will clean the plate, then clean opposing defense’s clocks. We circle back around to the offense at the end of Round 4, for a skill position player who can change a game on any play.

In between? The defense gets much better, and quickly. We don’t know where the Cowboys will go for their free agency, but this haul will help solidify the three problem areas.

2021 NFL mock draft: How far could DeVonta Smith fall?

In the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith takes a tumble down the draft board

Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith is coming off one of the most incredible seasons college football has ever seen from a wide receiver, but that doesn’t mean he’ll automatically be one of the first players selected in the 2021 NFL draft.

In fact, while there was some debate toward the end of Smith’s Heisman-winning season that he could leapfrog LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase as this year’s top pass-catching prospect, some recent projections indicate Smith could be in for a draft-day slide in the first round.

That’s what happens in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, which has Smith falling all the way to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 17 overall, behind Chase (No. 7 overall, Detroit Lions) and Smith’s college teammate, Jaylen Waddle (No. 15 overall, New England Patriots).

Josh Edwards of CBS Sports explains the Raiders snatching up Smith to pair with another familiar face:

After parting ways with Tyrell Williams, Las Vegas turns to Henry Ruggs’ former teammate to provide a spark on offense.

There’s no denying Smith’s incredible production last season, nor his big-play ability, regardless of opponent. But questions about his slim frame (listed at 6-1, 175 pounds) could have some teams concerned about his durability at the next level.

Speaking of Alabama stars that go a bit later than expected, this projection also has Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones nearly falling out of the first round entirely, finally landing with the New Orleans Saints at No. 28 overall to replace Drew Brees.

Edwards says New Orleans is actually Jones’ best fit if he’s going to find himself a spot in the first round at all:

I have mocked Mac Jones to the Saints for awhile. They are essentially the only team in the first round that I would feel comfortable taking him. It is the best situation for him to succeed.

To check out the full first-round projection at CBS Sports, click here.

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2021 NFL mock draft: DeVonta Smith tumbles; who replaces Drew Brees?

Check out some of the big surprises in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah

After a dominant season that included a Heisman Trophy and a national title, Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith has been discussed as a potential top-five pick who could be the first receiver selected in the 2021 NFL draft.

But that’s not how things play out in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, who has Smith falling out of the top 10.

Jeremiah doesn’t explain his reasoning for Smith’s tumble, only correctly pointing out that his arrival in Minnesota at No. 14 overall would give the Vikings a formidable pass-catching trio with Smith, veteran Adam Thielen and last year’s rookie sensation, Justin Jefferson.

Last year, some were surprised to see Alabama’s Henry Ruggs III come off the board before Crimson Tide teammate Jerry Jeudy, but Jeremiah projects a similar situation in this mock, sending Jaylen Waddle to the Los Angeles Chargers just one pick before Smith.

Speaking of surprise picks involving the Alabama offense, Jeremiah has Crimson Tide quarterback Mac Jones falling all the way to No. 28 overall, where the New Orleans Saints snag him to replace Drew Brees.

While he lacks the high-end physical traits of some of this year’s top quarterback prospects, it would be surprising to see multiple QB-needy teams like the San Francisco 49ers (No. 12 overall), New England Patriots (No. 15 overall), Washington Football Team (No. 19 overall), Chicago Bears (No. 20 overall) and Indianapolis Colts (No. 21 overall) all pass on a player with Jones’ combination of accuracy and decision-making ability.

To check out Jeremiah’s full first-round projection at NFL.com, click here.

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2021 NFL mock draft: A shocking top-5 pick at QB

In the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, the Atlanta Falcons make a shocking quarterback pick at No. 4 overall

The 2021 NFL draft is loaded with talented quarterback prospects, and we could easily see three of them land among the top four picks.

Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence is expected to go No. 1 overall to the Jacksonville Jaguars, but there’s still plenty of debate about the order in which the rest of this year’s top passers could come off the board. Ohio State’s Justin Fields, BYU’s Zach Wilson and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance are all projected as potential top-10 picks, and any of them could sneak into the top five.

But what if Alabama’s Mac Jones jumps up that high?

That’s what happens in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, which has Jones heading to the Atlanta Falcons at No. 4 overall, ahead of both Fields and Lance.

And if that’s not surprising enough, CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson says that Jones is a better prospect than fellow Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa:

Jones was a better QB at Alabama than Tagovailoa and for us, he’s a better NFL prospect too. He shares some similarities with Matt Ryan, whose contract will almost certainly require him to remain in Atlanta for the 2021 season.

That’s certainly a bold claim, and though Jones had an incredibly productive 2020 campaign while helping lead the Crimson Tide to an undefeated season and a national title, his skill set is rarely mentioned on the same level as Tagovailoa’s.

Wilson lands with the New York Jets at No. 2 overall in this projection, while Fields goes to the Carolina Panthers at No. 8 overall. Lance tumbles all the way to No. 19 overall, where he’s snatched up by the Washington Football Team.

To check out the full first-round mock at CBS Sports, click here.

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Mock draft watch: ESPN’s latest keeps the Lions focus at WR

The top 4 QBs were all off the board in this projection

The latest first-round projections for the 2021 NFL draft from ESPN draft analyst Todd McShay are out. The former Richmond QB creates an unusual scenario involving a trade that alters the general perception of the draft flow and impacts the Detroit Lions choice at No. 7 overall.

It’s always worth noting who is off the board before the Lions pick. In McShay’s latest projection, the following players are gone before the No. 7 pick:

  • QB Trevor Lawrence
  • QB Zach Wilson
  • QB Trey Lance
  • QB Justin Fields
  • OT Penei Sewell
  • WR Ja’Marr Chase

That leaves no viable quarterback options, which renders the arguments about the merits of taking one moot. Instead, McShay attacked the massive hole at wide receiver with the pick. He chose Alabama WR DeVonta Smith in favor of teammate Jaylen Waddle, who went at No. 8.

If Philly is on the clock and both Chase and Smith are still available, you’ll see some smiles from new coach Dan Campbell and new QB Jared Goff. It would mean one of the talented pass-catchers would be there for them. Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola are all pending free agents, meaning the most productive wide receiver on the roster returning right now is Quintez Cephus, a fifth-round rookie who had 349 yards in 2020. It’s a problem, but not one that the Heisman winner can’t help solve. Smith is explosive, piling on 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns in his senior year.

Smith lacks bulk at under 180 pounds, but his college tape and technical ability as a route-runner are exceptional for a prospect.

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Mock draft watch: Draft Wire’s 2-rounder restocks the Lions passing game

Both players fill big needs on the Lions roster

With the Tampa Bay Buccaneers capturing the Super Bowl LV title, the order for the first 96 picks of the 2021 NFL draft is set. The Lions will pick at No. 7 in the first round, barring any extra trades.

The first post-Super Bowl mock draft from our friends at Draft Wire sees the Lions exploring the developmental quarterback route with the first-round selection. North Dakota State QB Trey Lance is one of the greenest prospects in a long time. He started for just one year for the Bison and threw under 250 passes at the FCS level.

But he’s also one of the more promising young QBs in terms of physical and athletic potential. He can throw with accuracy, velocity and on the move, plus he’s a gifted runner when asked to tote the rock. Nearly every talent evaluator acknowledges Lance needs at least one year before he’s NFL-ready, a luxury the Lions can afford by having Jared Goff in the den already.

In the second round, Draft Wire editor Luke Easterling tackles the massive hole at wide receiver. LSU wideout Terrace Marshall gets the nod to the Lions. He’s a ready-made replacement for free agent Kenny Golladay, a big-bodied receiver capable of making contested catches. He’s got faster feet and better burst off the line than Golladay, however.

Lions 2021 mock draft roundup: Things open back up after trade for Jared Goff

Examining the mock drafts from multiple draft based sites, noting the projected picks for the Detroit Lions, and identifying trends.

Following 2021 mock drafts for the Detroit Lions has been a roller coaster this offseason — and were only a month into the process.

After the 2021 National Championship, three players were routinely paired with the Lions and the No. 7 overall pick — DeVonta Smith (wide receiver, Alabama), Micah Parsons (linebacker, Penn State), and Jaylen Waddle (wide receiver, Alabama).

Then Matthew Stafford requested to be traded and the mock drafts that followed saw a shift to almost exclusively quarterbacks, including Justin Fields (Ohio State), Zack Wilson (BYU), and Trey Lance (North Dakota State).

Now that the Lions have traded Stafford to the L.A. Rams in exchange for draft picks and Jared Goff — the presumed starter for at least 2021 — things have opened back up in the mock draft market for the Lions.

Let’s take a look at what has happened over the past week, starting with some of the new names.

New names added this week

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU (6-1, 200)
Currently being mocked by Lance Zierlein (NFL.com)

Zierlein: “The Lions could go in a number of directions here, including cornerback or linebacker, but with almost an entire receiving corps set to hit free agency, Chase could serve as a splashy WR1 for their new QB.”

Penei Sewell, T, Oregon (6-5, 325)
Currently being mocked by Chris Trapasso (CBS Sports)

Trapasso: “New Lions GM Brad Holmes spent the past few years with the Rams when Andrew Whitworth’s impact at left tackle was gigantic. Holmes has that in mind when picking Sewell for Jared Goff.”

Rashawn Slater, T/G, Northwestern (6-3, 314)
Currently being mocked by Danny Kelly (Ringer)

Kelly: “The Lions just completed a blockbuster trade, sending longtime quarterback Matthew Stafford to the Rams in exchange for a pair of future first-round picks, a 2021 third-rounder, and Jared Goff. The move gives Detroit the chance to hit the reset button and build a new foundation from the ground up. Bolstering the offensive line with Slater, a day-one starter at either tackle or guard, is a nice way to get things started as the team seeks to establish a new identity.”

Making a strong return

DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama (6-0, 175)
Currently being mocked by Joe Marino (The Draft Network), and Ryan Wilson (CBS Sports)

Marino: “It’s another new era in Detroit. Suddenly, Jared Goff is the starting quarterback, Dan Campbell is the head coach, and a host of ex-players are filling up his coaching staff. While there are plenty of questions about the roster, perhaps the most notable concern is what the plan is at wide receiver where Quintez Cephus, Victor Bolden, and Geronimo Allison are the only options under contract. DeVonta Smith is the most productive receiver in Crimson Tide history and is exceptional at getting open and catching the football—the two most important functions of playing receiver.”

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama, (5-10, 182)
Currently being mocked by Bucky Brooks (NFL.com), Vinnie Iyer (Sporting News), and Josh Edwards (CBS Sports)

Iyer: “Waddle, like his Crimson Tide teammate Smith, is a highly skilled all-around receiver the Lions could use to run all the routes and get open everywhere outside for Jared Goff. Waddle would be a great replacement for aging free agent Marvin Jones Jr., assuming the Lions bring back big field-stretching younger free agent Kenny Golladay. Golladay, Waddle and tight end T.J. Hockenson would be a good foundation for Anthony Lynn’s new-look passing offense.”

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State (6-2, 245)
Currently being mocked by Dan Kadar (Akron Beacon Journal), Bryan Fischer (Anthon Sports), and the Tankathon Staff,  

Kadar: “By acquiring Goff — a middling quarterback in the NFL — it’s hard to say the Lions are in a full rebuild. They’re just really close to one. Because of that, it’s no guarantee they won’t take a quarterback at No. 7. But with a cache of first-round picks in the next two years, they can wait a year on a quarterback. If that’s the case, the Lions should be in the mode of acquiring superstar players. Parsons is on the same level as recent top 10 linebackers Roquan Smith and Devin White. He’s a foundation piece for a team that desperately needs them.”

Still being projected to Detroit

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (6-2.5, 210)
Currently being mocked by Luke Easterling (Draft Wire), Henry McKenna (For the Win), and Ryan Gosling (Pro Football Network)

Easterling: “Yes, the Lions just acquired Jared Goff from the Rams, absorbing the rest of his massive contract extension. But that shouldn’t keep the new decision-makers in Detroit from passing on a franchise passer with this pick. Wilson had a stellar 2020 campaign, showing off all the traits of a future Pro Bowler.”

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State (6-3, 221)
Currently being mocked by Ben Linsey, (PFF), AJ Schutte (Pro Football Network), and Draft Tek (Doug Hyde made Lions selection)

Linsey: “The Lions took back Jared Goff as part of the Matthew Stafford trade, but it’s unlikely that he is the Lions’ preferred long-term answer at the quarterback position. At the very least, he isn’t a reason to avoid taking a quarterback like Lance here in the draft. There is legitimate concern surrounding Lance’s accuracy and experience, especially since he’s played just one season as a starter in the FCS, but he also has absurd arm talent and gives any team the option to lean on him in the running game. It’s a bet worth taking for Detroit as they look toward life without Stafford.”

Out of the mix this week

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (6-2.5, 223)
Not currently being mocked to the Lions

Fields was off the board by the time the Lions were on the clock in most scenarios this week, and with most analysts not incorporating trades, we saw an absence in connections to Detroit. As quarterback rankings start to clear up — assuming they do with a limited offseason — we will likely see a Fields to Detroit connections again.

Mock draft watch: Lions pass on QB for WR in NFL.com’s latest projection

The draft board played out unusually in this projection

The latest mock draft offering from NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein reinforces the position that the team will give newly-acquired Jared Goff every chance to prove himself as the team’s long-term solution at quarterback. It also addresses the team’s dire need at wide receiver.

Zierlein projects the Lions to take LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase with the No. 7 overall pick. Chase sat out the 2020 season after rewriting the SEC record books in LSU’s magical national title run in 2019.

The Lions could go in a number of directions here, including cornerback or linebacker, but with almost an entire receiving corps set to hit free agency, Chase could serve as a splashy WR1 for their new QB.

It’s an interesting choice with just two QBs — Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson — projected to be off the board when the Lions pick. Also off the board are WR DeVonta Smith, CB Patrick Surtain, TE Kyle Pitts and LB Micah Parsons. The top OT, Penei Sewell, is typically off the board before the Lions pick, as is QB Justin Fields. In this scenario, the Lions pass on both.