Tag: 2021 NFL draft

2024 could be the last ride for Steelers 2021 NFL draft class

The 2021 draft class of the Steelers hasn’t panned out as expected.

When it happened, the 2021 NFL draft class looked like a big win for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Franchise running back and tight end, the next great Steelers center and a whole host of guys the Steelers front office believed fit the Steelers way.

We fast forward to now and it really feels like the 2024 season is the beginning of the end for this group. Running back Najee Harris, tight end Pat Freiermuth and offensive tackle Dan Moore Jr. are all returning starters and all could be in their final season with the Steelers. All three are set to hit free agency and with all the changes on the roster, it doesn’t feel like any of them are top priorities to re-sign.

Meanwhile, several of the picks have already moved on including punter Pressley Harvin III and guard Kendrick Green. In 2025, the only player left from this group who might still be around is defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk and that’s a long shot after selecting Logan Lee.

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Giants get ugly marks in 2021 NFL draft re-grade

After receiving positive grades initially, the New York Giants earned very low marks in a 2021 NFL draft re-grade.

The New York Giants’ 2021 draft class — the last one selected by former general manager Dave Gettleman — drew positive grades from critics in the days and weeks afterward.

Three years later, it’s not looking so good. The Giants made six selections. Only three of those players are still with them and none have made — or are making — significant impacts.

CBS Sports draft analyst Pete Prisco gave the Giants a B+ grade after the draft. In a recent re-draft, however, he lowered that grade to a D, and deservedly so.

They had six picks in the draft, including three in the first 71, and not one will go into the 2024 season as a starter. They whiffed on first-round receiver Kadarius Toney, who was traded to the Chiefs after just 30 catches for the Giants in five starts over two seasons. Second-round pass rusher Azeez Ojulari has 25 starts in three seasons with 16 sacks, but he will be a rotational player with Brian Burns coming over in a trade. The other backups on the roster are third-round corner Aaron Robinson and sixth-round running back Gary Brightwell. Robinson has played 11 games — none last season — as injuries have limited him.

Giant fans will recall the first-round trade between their two rivals — Dallas and Philadelphia that edged them out of their top target, Alabama wide receiver Devonta Smith.

Dallas held the 10th pick, the Giants the 11th, and Eagles the 12th. Dallas and Philly swapped picks, allowing the Eagles to poach Smith away from the Giants. Gettleman then traded back to No. 20 with Chicago, who took quarterback Justin Fields. Dallas immediately snatched up Linebacker Micah Parsons.

Gettleman chose Toney at No. 20 and then traded back in Round 2 from No. 42 to No. 50, grabbing more picks while still landing Ojulari. In the third round, the Giants moved up from 76 to 71 and selected Robinson.

Two of the three other picks in that draft — linebacker Elerson Smith and cornerback Rodarius Williams — are no longer with the team and running back Gary Brightwell is in the final year of his contract.

More from Prisco:

I loved the pick of Ojulari, who I said could be a major steal. He hasn’t been that, but he’s been solid. I did question taking Robinson in the third, but medicals make that a tough evaluation now. I said I liked the way the Giants moved down and took Toney and still got a first the next year. That pick is starting right tackle Evan Neal, taken seventh overall. He hasn’t played up to expectations, but injuries have hurt his growth.

Let’s not forget the other players the Giants would take with the picks Gettleman got in those draft day deals. New general manager Joe Schoen selected cornerback Cor’Dale Flott and tight end Daniel Bellinger. He had also traded a fifth-round pick from the draft for defense lineman Leonard Williams.

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Eye-opening video shows major shift in Lions draft war room from 2019

Eye-opening video shows a major shift in Lions draft war room from 2019 and the new regime of Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell

Two years ago, there was a video posted by Tristin McKinstry on YouTube and it shows the Detroit Lions War Room for the 2019 NFL Draft compared to the Lions’ draft war room from the 2021 NFL Draft.

The differences aren’t just eye-opening; they’re night and day.

Looking back at the video from 2019, everything felt uncomfortable. The conversations between General Manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia felt odd or forced. Additionally, when they spoke to T.J. Hockenson before the selection, it was just awkward. Neither conversation with Hockenson felt genuine or personable. Lastly, the reaction from other people in the war room makes it feel like part of the room wasn’t on board with the Lions’ selection of the Iowa tight end.

Fast forward to 2021 and the energy from head coach Dan Campbell and General Manager Brad Holmes just feels different. They’re amped up about the selection of Penei Sewell and they just give off this genuine vibe that they really want this player in Detroit. Nothing feels divided or forced and most importantly, everyone seems aligned with the direction Campbell and Holmes are taking the team.

You can watch the video below and tell us if you can spot the differences between the war rooms.

The lessons Brad Holmes taught in 2021 remain true after the 2024 NFL draft

The lessons Lions GM Brad Holmes taught in 2021 remain true about his team and regime after the 2024 NFL draft

Three years ago, Lions fans were all wondering where new GM Brad Holmes was taking the franchise. Holmes was a rookie GM with a greenhorn head coach in Dan Campbell, a festering wound of a cap-strapped roster and had to try and start over with a franchise by trading away the (mostly) beloved iconic quarterback as his first order of business.

As is the case with any new and unfamiliar regime, we all tried to learn from Holmes and his decision in his first draft. The new-look Lions provided some very clear clues as to the path Holmes was blazing out of the darkness, ones that are still largely true three years later.

Lessons stay learned

Not long after the 2021 NFL draft, I wrote up a summary of what I felt we learned about Holmes and the Lions. Checking back in after three more draft classes and offseason team-building exercises, it turns out Holmes has stayed very true to the first impression we all got from Detroit’s GM.

Three of the key takeaway points from that first Holmes draft are still very true and evident now:

  • Positional versatility is something the Lions covet
  • Holmes’ belief in Jared Goff is no passing fancy
  • The building up of the lines was predictable

Thus far, all of those decisions and directions have worked out very well for Detroit. Goff is a Pro Bowler closing in on a lucrative contract extension. The offensive line is arguably the best in football, and the defensive front has added key pieces Aidan Hutchinson, Alim McNeill and top free agent D.J. Reader. Players like Brian Branch, Sam LaPorta, Jack Campbell and Hutchinson can all play in multiple spots across the formation, making them difficult to plan against for opponents.

Holmes showed his vision very early on. Having the confidence to believe in the vision and stick to the (increasingly successful) plan is a testament to the organizational patience to deal with the short-term lumps. Holmes is building an NFC power built to last thanks to a focus on key fundamental tenets that he let everyone know way back in 2021.

Saints decline to pick up Payton Turner’s fifth year option

The New Orleans Saints declined to pick up Payton Turner’s fifth year option, meaning he’ll become a free agent in 2025 — if he lasts that long:

The NFL deadline for teams to pick up the fifth-year options for 2025 on their first round picks in the 2021 draft came and went on Thursday, without any movement from the New Orleans Saints. This means that defensive end Payton Turner is entering a contract year in 2024, and that he’ll be a free agent in 2025 unless he earns an extension.

It would have cost the Saints more than $13 million in 2025 to exercise Turner’s option, so it’s easy to understand why they declined to do so. Just 18 of the 32 first-round picks in 2021 had those options picked up by their teams, suggesting a hit rate of about 56% — with the Saints among 14 teams on the wrong side of that percentage.

What’s frustrating is that all three of the players at Turner’s position, who were picked immediately after him in Round 1, have outplayed him:

  • Payton Turner: 3 sacks, 8 hits, 8 tackles for loss in 15 games
  • Gregory Rousseau: 17 sacks, 42 hits, 30 TFL in 46 games
  • Odafe Oweh: 13 sacks, 38 hits, 16 TFL in 45 games
  • Joe Tryon-Shoyinka: 13 sacks, 31 hits, 18 TFL in 51 games

Of that group, only Turner and Tryon-Shoyinka did not have their options picked up for 2025, which goes to show how each team feels about those players. There’s still time for Turner to change the narrative surrounding his career, but that time is running out.

Injuries and inconsistent play have been the story of his career so far. Last season it was just bad luck — Turner enjoyed the best summer of his career and didn’t miss a single practice during training camp, only to go down with a serious turf toe injury early in the season opener. He underwent surgery and didn’t return until the regular season finale. With everyone on last year’s depth chart returning and Chase Young added to the mix, Turner needs to step up and earn his roster spot. There’s a real possibility he gets let go during cuts in September.

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Vikings pick up fifth-year option for LT Christian Darrisaw

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Monday that they were picking up the fifth year option on Christian Darrisaw’s contract.

The Minnesota Vikings announced on Monday that they were picking up the fifth-year option on Christian Darrisaw’s contract.

Darrisaw was taken 23rd overall by the Vikings in the 2021 NFL Draft. He was the fourth offensive tackle drafted, behind only Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater and Alex Leatherwood. Sewell signed a contract extension over the weekend, which could give an idea of what Darrisaw would get if he signs a long-term extension with the Vikings.

Without a contract extension, the former Virginia Tech Hokie is set to make a projected $16 million. In his first three seasons with the team, Darrisaw has played in 41 games, 39 of which were starts.

Keeping Darrisaw around will be a priority for the franchise as they look to give new rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy the supporting cast he needs. One would imagine the Darrisaw extension will come shortly after the team finalizes their new deal for wide receiver Justin Jefferson.

Adam Schefter says signs still point to Jayden Daniels going to the Commanders

Schefter is not always right. Remember 2021?

Last week, Adam Schefter of ESPN said he believed LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels would be the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft to the Washington Commanders. The preeminent NFL insider didn’t report Daniels was going to Washington, but his wording was interesting.

Schefter said he and others were discouraged from spoiling the picks ahead of time, but signs pointed to Daniels heading to Washington. Again, it was not a report, just a hunch.

Schefter doesn’t often put his name on something that doesn’t end up being true. Remember in January when everyone else assumed Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson would be Washington’s next head coach? But it was Schefter who threw cold water on that notion.

Sure enough, Schefter was right.

On the latest episode of “The Adam Schefter Podcast,” Schefter doubled down on Daniels and the Commanders.

“I will stand behind that,” Schefter said. “The signs continue to point to Jayden Daniels going number 2 to Washington.” 

Schefter said nothing had changed his mind regarding Daniels to the Commanders.

While we should often take what Schefter says to the bank, he’s not always right. Remember in 2021 when the San Francisco 49ers moved up to No. 3 in the draft to select a quarterback? Everyone thought it would be Mac Jones —including Schefter.

It ended up being Trey Lance.

What do these two situations have in common? Current Washington GM Adam Peters was San Francisco’s assistant GM in 2021.

Mac Jones trade keeps dropping the 2021 draft QB class into deeper ignominy

5 QBs were drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft. Only one has done enough to stay with the team that drafted him 3 years later.

Back in the 2021 NFL draft in Cleveland, Mac Jones famously strode his way into legend with his long, purposeful walk to the podium to be the next quarterback of the New England Patriots. Jones was the 15th overall pick in that draft and the fifth quarterback off the board in that draft class.

Now Jones gets to walk back to his hometown, Jacksonville. The Patriots kneecapped the Jones experiment and traded him to the Jaguars on Sunday. The price? A sixth-round pick in next month’s draft.

It didn’t work for Jones in New England. Unfortunately, that’s become the prevailing theme for the teams that took quarterbacks in the first three rounds of the 2021 draft.

In fact, Jones will now back up the only quarterback drafted in the first round of 2021 who will be with the team that selected him in 2024. Trevor Lawrence was the No. 1 overall pick in 2021, and to this point, he’s the only one of the five that hasn’t been a failure.

Sure, Justin Fields has had his moments and successes with the Chicago Bears. However, the Bears are moving on from Fields with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft, presumably Caleb Williams. Chicago earned the top overall pick in 2023 in part because Fields wasn’t successful enough. Fields is expected to be traded any day now for pennies on the initial draft dollar — just as Jones was.

That too will happen with the No. 2 overall pick, Zach Wilson. The Jets gave up on Wilson quickly, choosing to mortgage their future on Aaron Rodgers. Heck, they brought in Tim Boyle to play ahead of Wilson. He’s expected to be off the Jets roster before the ’24 draft, either via trade or release, if no team wants to give anything up for him. That wouldn’t be a surprise either, after three short seasons.

The third QB selected was also the No. 3 overall pick. Trey Lance has already been traded away by the 49ers, sent to Dallas last year for a 2024 fourth-rounder. After two seasons of barely playing — Lance threw 102 passes in two years for the 49ers — San Francisco happily accepted a Day 3 pick for Lance, a player they sacrificed three first-round picks to acquire in 2021.

Diving a little deeper in the 2021 QB class, Kyle Trask was the last pick of the second round. The Buccaneers brought in Tom Brady and then Baker Mayfield to play over him. He’s thrown 10 career passes, completing three of them. Mayfield is a free agent and there’s been zero talk about Trask maybe taking the reins.

The third-rounders didn’t work either. The Vikings abandoned ship on Kellen Mond (No. 66 overall) after just one game. He ended 2023 on the Colts practice squad. David Mills got a shot with the Texans as the No. 67 pick. He led the NFL in interceptions in 2022, winning just five of his 25 starts in two seasons. He now backs up C.J. Stroud.

Even Lawrence has taken some quiet criticism as the top pick. He led the league in INTs as a rookie and has had an up-and-down career with the Jaguars. He followed a deserved Pro Bowl berth in 2022 with an underwhelming 2023 when he lost his final five starts and threw as many INTs as TDs in that critical late-season collapse by Jacksonville.

Let the 2021 draft class serve as a cautionary tale for teams going crazy with dreams of grandeur stemming from their shot at drafting a first-round quarterback in 2024. Those dreams quickly proved delusional for 80 percent of the 2021 class.

What Bears QB Justin Fields would make on his 5th-year option

Here’s what Justin Fields will make if his fifth-year option is picked up by the Bears — or someone else.

The clock is ticking on a decision regarding Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields, both when it comes to a possible trade as well as what to do with his fifth-year option. While we’re still a few weeks away from clarifying the former, the fifth-year option cost has been revealed.

On Friday, the NFL released the fifth-year option amounts for first-round picks from the 2021 NFL draft. They are broken out by position in four different tiers based on Pro Bowl accolades and playing time. Players who made multiple Pro Bowls will make the highest amount, followed by those who made one, then those who met the playing time requirement, and finally those who met none of the criteria.

Fields, the Bears’ 2021 first-round pick, is set to earn $25.664 million on the option in 2025. Fields fits in the third tier of players as he has yet to make a Pro Bowl but meets the criteria for snaps played during his three years in the league. The decision to pick up the option must be made by May 2, and it is fully guaranteed.

The financial commitment to Fields is just one of the factors that will determine his fate in Chicago. The Bears currently hold the No. 1 overall pick and could decide to select a quarterback to build around. It’s important to note that a quarterback picked first overall will have a cap hit of around $7.1 million in 2024, $8.9 million in 2025 and $10.6 million in 2026, for a total of approximately $26.5 million. These totals are slightly higher than the cap hits for Bryce Young, the 2023 first overall pick. The Bears can save quite a bit of money and spend their resources elsewhere to improve the team around a rookie QB.

The fifth-year option won’t impact the Bears or any team in 2024. Cap space isn’t a problem for them either, as they have approximately $80 million to spend. But it’s one of many factors that will help decide what Chicago plans to do at the quarterback position. With the NFL combine taking place next week, we’re getting closer and closer to knowing the answer.