ESPN draft analysts Mel Kiper and Todd McShay recently published their latest joint mock draft, where they take turns alternating picks.
Kiper, who had pick No. 7, which currently belongs to the Detroit Lions, made an interesting move.
He predicted the New England Patriots will trade up into the top 10 to secure former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones.
The mock trade has the Patriots swapping picks with Detroit, and adding a 2021 second-round pick, as well as the potential for a 2022 first-round selection in the mix.
Kiper offers an explanation as to why New England made the move.
“I have Jones slightly ahead of Trey Lance, and I think he’s more ready to play as a rookie, particularly for a team that made several win-now moves this offseason,” writes Kiper. “Plus, Josh McDaniels has already proved that he can game-plan for a pocket passer with tremendous accuracy.”
The 2021 NFL draft is just over a week away, but there are plenty of questions that will remain unanswered until night No. 1 of the draft.