Tag: 2021 Mock Draft

Kiper, McShay Top-10 2021 mock: Debate Cowboys QB, LB, CB, edge needs

The Dallas Cowboys’ 34-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday night dropped their record to 3-9. Depending on which method of strength of schedule one uses, that puts them at either the No. 4 or No. 5 pick in the 2021 NFL draft based on …

The Dallas Cowboys’ 34-17 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Tuesday night dropped their record to 3-9. Depending on which method of strength of schedule one uses, that puts them at either the No. 4 or No. 5 pick in the 2021 NFL draft based on tiebreaking procedures with the equally bad Los Angeles Chargers.

Neither order matters here, as ESPN plugs their product and uses their Power Football Index to determine the pecking order for their draft gurus to churn out the first mock draft of the season for their outlet. Mel Kiper, Jr. and Todd McShay spent time debating the needs of each team and who is available for them when they are on the not-quite-accurate clock. For the Dallas Cowboys, the debate at pick No. 5 came down to four positions: quarterback, linebacker, corner and edge rusher.

2021 NFL mock draft: Quarterbacks come off the board early, often

Five quarterbacks come off the board in this new 2021 NFL mock draft, including four in the top 10

Every year, the NFL draft conversation starts and ends with the top quarterback prospects, and next year’s event will be no different. There are plenty of big names in the 2021 class, but how many of them will crack the first round, or even the top 10?

If the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports is any indication, the answer is plenty.

Quarterbacks take the top two spots in this mock, with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence heading to the New York Jets, and Ohio State’s Justin Fields landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The next passer off the board is North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, who goes to the Carolina Panthers at No. 7 overall. A fourth quarterback makes it into the top 10, as BYU’s Zach Wilson joins the Atlanta Falcons at No. 8 overall.

One more quarterback joins the first-round ranks in this projection, as Alabama’s Mac Jones is selected by the Chicago Bears at No. 13 overall. Florida’s Kyle Trask is the odd man out in this mock, failing to crack the first round at all.

Wide receivers and offensive linemen are well-represented in this projection, making up 12 of the 32 picks, including three of the top six selections. Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell is the first non-quarterback off the board (No. 3 overall, Cincinnati Bengals, while LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase is the first pass-catcher to hear his name called (No. 6 overall, Philadelphia Eagles).

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

[vertical-gallery id=624298]

Colts’ 2021 mock draft after Week 13

A mock draft for the Colts after Week 13.

We’re one week closer to the 2021 NFL Draft in April, and it is never too early to look at mock drafts, and start to look at possible college prospects the Indianapolis Colts could target in the spring.

The Colts are well in the playoff picture at the quarter-pole of the season, tied with the Titans for the AFC South lead. The playoffs are certainly on their minds with a chance to make a run in these final four games.

Here is our second 2021 mock draft after Week 13 of the regular season:

Draft Wire pairs Lions with athletic LB Micah Parsons in latest Mock Draft

In their latest Mock Draft, 2020 Week 13 edition, Draft Wire pairs the Detroit Lions with athletic Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.

Until the Detroit Lions hire their new general manager and coach, it will be challenging to project what their roster will look like but that won’t slow down the Mock Draft machines from projecting what the team may do.

In their latest Mock Draft, 2020 Week 13 edition, Draft Wire had the Lions using the ninth overall pick to select athletic Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.

“It’s always hard to peg what a new coach will do, especially when you don’t yet know who it will be,” Luke Easterling said. “No matter who takes over for Matt Patricia in Detroit, that coach will need as much top talent as humanly possible, regardless of position. That means taking the best available player on the board, and in this scenario, that’s a three-down playmaker for the heart of the defense in Parsons.”

While we really have no idea what the Lions defensive scheme will look like, Parsons is scheme versatile and has the athletic upside to anchor the middle of any defense. No matter what the Lions and up doing, Parsons would fit.

Parsons is big (6-3, 245) fast, (estimated to run in the 4.4-4.5 range), agile and while he can play at the MIKE, he has the range to shift all the way outside to the EDGE — think Jamie Collins like range, with more power.

Easterling is not alone in projecting the Lions and Parsons, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ($) also did this week, while CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards made the connection last week when the Lions were picking at 11.

Other notable Mock Draft pairings with the Lions this week include WR Jalen Waddle of Alabama (CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson), EDGE Kwity Paye of Michigan (Pro Football Network’s Matthew Valdovinos), and EDGE Gregory Rousseau of Miami (Tankathon).

Colts’ 2021 NFL mock draft after Week 12

A mock draft as the season enters its quarter-pole.

It’s never too early to look ahead to the NFL draft in the spring. While the Indianapolis Colts are sitting nicely at 7-4, and in the thick of the playoff race in the AFC, they have some holes to fill in the offseason.

The NFL draft will be here before we know it, so why not start to take a look at some names the Colts could take in the draft in April.

The season is far from over, so the position where Indy will pick is likely going to change, but here is our the first official Colts 2021 mock draft after Week 12 of the regular season:

Saints pick a first-round QB in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft

The New Orleans Saints picked a first-round quarterback in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from the Athletic, choosing Alabama’s Mac Jones.

[jwplayer T4pMNVt3-ThvAeFxT]

The Taysom Hill era hasn’t exactly gotten off to a great start in 2020, with the backup quarterback looking solid in his debut before taking a big step back in his second game under center. While that’s far too small of a sample size for anyone to make great predictions off of, it’s still worth keeping an eye on which NFL draft prospects could be coming down the pipeline.

One name to watch might be Alabama Crimson Tide junior Mac Jones, who was connected to the Saints in a recent mock draft from Dane Brugler for The Athletic. Jones has a reputation as a facilitator who protects the ball well and trusts his talented teammates to handle the heavy lifting, which might be just what the Saints need for a still-loaded roster in the post-Drew Brees timeline.

Here’s what Brugler wrote to justify the pick:

“With above-average receivers, running backs, blockers and play calling at Alabama, Jones is a tough quarterback to separate from the situation. But he makes smart decisions, moves well in the pocket and is very accurate. Jones won’t be an ideal fit for everyone, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him sneak into Round 1 in the right situation. You can read Saints beat writer Katherine Terrell’s analysis of this pick here.”

Jones was the fifth quarterback to be picked in the first round of Brugler’s mock, following better-known names who all went in the top-10: Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (New York Jets), BYU’s Zach Wilson (Jacksonville Jaguars), Ohio State’s Justin Fields (Carolina Panthers), and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance (Washington Football Team). That paints a pretty clear picture of how this draft class is shaking out, and suggests the Saints may be slotted too far back in the first round to land a top-tier prospect.

Then again, maybe Jones could be their guy. Or it still might be Taysom Hill.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4 category=610623632]

2021 NFL mock draft: Could Zach Wilson go ahead of Justin Fields?

In his latest 2021 NFL mock draft, Dane Brugler of The Athletic throws a curveball at the No. 2 overall pick

For months now, it’s seemed like a forgone conclusion that Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields would be the first two quarterbacks off the board in the 2021 NFL draft.

But the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler goes a different route, putting BYU’s Zach Wilson in the No. 2 spot. Brugler’s mock has the New York Jets taking Lawrence at No. 1, and the Jacksonville Jaguars opting for Wilson over Fields at No. 2.

Brugler says Wilson has the kind of skill set that will easily translate to the NFL game:

The first curveball of this mock draft. In October, I wrote how Wilson had put himself in the conversation to be the second quarterback drafted and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him selected this high. With his natural accuracy and ability to execute off-platform, Wilson’s play translates very well to the next level.

Few things are truly shocking anymore when it comes to the NFL draft, and considering how well Wilson has played this season, it’s not too far-fetched to believe he could end up leapfrogging Fields for the QB2 spot in this class. Both passers are extremely talented, giving a team like the Jags a fantastic scenario in being able to pick between them without even having the No. 1 overall pick.

Fields lands at No. 6 overall in Brugler’s projection, heading to the Carolina Panthers as the eventual successor to Teddy Bridgewater.

The next quarterback off the board in this mock is Trey Lance, who cracks the top 10 by going to the Washington Football Team at No. 8 overall. Alabama’s Mac Jones is the only other quarterback who lands in Brugler’s first round, heading to the New Orleans Saints at No. 31 overall.

To check out the full projection at The Athletic, click here.

[vertical-gallery id=624298]

2021 NFL mock draft: 3 quarterbacks in the top 5?

See where the top quarterback prospects land in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports

We’ve known for quite a while that Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields were destined to be top-five picks in the 2021 NFL draft, but a newcomer is crashing the party.

BYU’s Zach Wilson has been lighting it up this season for the Cougars, sending his draft stock through the roof.

In the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, Wilson lands at No. 4 overall to the Washington Football Team, following Lawrence (No. 1 overall, New York Jets) and Fields (No. 2 overall, Jacksonville Jaguars).

CBS Sports’ Josh Edwards believes Washington is ready to move on from Dwayne Haskins, especially with a prospect like Wilson on the board:

Although not the second quarterback selected, Zach Wilson did not have to wait long to hear his name called. Wilson offers size, arm strength and mobility. Washington obviously does not like what it has seen from Dwayne Haskins so they move on.

The only other quarterback to crack this first-round projection is North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, who lands with the San Francisco 49ers at No. 12 overall, while Florida’s Kyle Trask and Alabama’s Mac Jones don’t make the cut.

Teams with multiple first-round picks load up on top talent in this forecast, with the Miami Dolphins giving quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plenty of help (LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase, Oklahoma OL Creed Humphrey), the Jacksonville Jaguars continuing their rebuild on both sides of the ball (Fields, Alabama DL Christian Barmore), and the New York Jets hoping to start a new chapter (Lawrence, South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn).

To check out the full mock draft at CBS Sports, click here.

[vertical-gallery id=624298]

2021 NFL mock draft: 1st-round projections with big surprises

The latest 2021 NFL mock draft from The Sporting News is full of surprising picks

It’s a bit early in the process to truly be shocked by any mock draft, but there are still a handful of early surprises among some of the most recent projections out there.

The latest 2021 NFL mock draft from The Sporting News is one example, though it’s no surprise that Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence takes the No. 1 overall spot, heading to the New York Jets.

No, the surprise picks start at No. 2, where this projection has the Washington Football team passing on Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell and Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields for Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.

Parsons is a stud prospect in his own right, for sure, but is he worth the No. 2 pick, especially considering Washington’s need for a franchise left tackle, and the recent demoting of Dwayne Haskins?

It’s also surprising to see the Atlanta Falcons pass on Fields at No. 4 overall, instead opting for Miami edge defender Gregory Rousseau. Rousseau fills a more immediate need, but passing on the chance to take a blue-chip quarterback process who could sit and learn behind Matt Ryan is an odd decision, especially with a new head coach coming this offseason.

Other top prospects who go later than expected in this mock include a trio of talented pass-catchers: LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase (No. 7 overall, Miami Dolphins), Alabama’s wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (No. 25 overall, Chicago Bears), and Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman (No. 32 overall, Kansas City Chiefs).

One surprising name most fans might not expect to see in the first round is Pitt edge defender Patrick Jones II, who climbs the board all the way up to the Miami Dolphins at No. 14 overall in this mock.

To check out the full first-round forecast at The Sporting News, click here.

[vertical-gallery id=623696]

2021 NFL mock draft: Ending the Drew Brees era in New Orleans

Could the New Orleans Saints spend their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on a replacement for Drew Brees?

While his Monday Night Football comeback was impressive, there’s still no denying that Drew Brees could be playing his final season as an NFL quarterback.

Yes, the New Orleans Saints have a pair of talented potential replacements in Taysom Hill and Jameis Winston, but would that stop them from spending their first-round pick in next year’s draft on another young quarterback?

That’s what happens in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, which has the Saints making Florida’s Kyle Trask the heir apparent to the future Hall of Famer

CBS Sports’ Ryan Wilson breaks down why the Saints could opt for Trask over Winston and Hill as the team’s future at quarterback:

Drew Brees continues to struggles to throw the ball down the field, and that won’t magically improve as he gets older. Trask has only helped himself this season after just earning the starting job a year ago for the Gators. There’s a lot to like about his game, even if he’s a traditional drop-back quarterback in an age where athleticism is a big part of QB play.

Trask is the fourth quarterback off the board in this mock, following Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence (No. 1 overall, New York Jets), Ohio State’s Justin Fields (No. 3 overall, Washington Football Team) and North Dakota State’s Trey Lance (No. 12 overall, Minnesota Vikings).

One of the fastest-rising prospects in the country, Trask has been dominant for the Gators so far this season. The 6-5, 240-pound senior has thrown for nearly 1,000 yards through his first three games, with 14 touchdowns and just one interception, completing over 71 percent of his passes.

It’s still not a given that Brees retires after this season, and with the financial investment the Saints have made in Hill, he’s still in play as the team’s franchise quarterback if Brees hangs up his cleats. But the Saints could go in a different direction in next year’s draft, if the right player falls to them.

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

[vertical-gallery id=623458]