Two trades on Friday shook up the 2021 NFL draft one month before the draft actually begins. The San Francisco 49ers moved all the way up to the No. 3 spot, presumably to take one of the draft’s top passers.
The second trade involved the Miami Dolphins, who had the No. 3 pick before trading with San Francisco, moving down to No. 12 and then trading back up to No. 6.
With those trades, it appears quarterbacks will be selected with the first three picks for the first time since 1999. The question is, which quarterbacks?
Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence remains the favorite to go No. 1 overall, while Zach Wilson of BYU is expected to be taken No. 2 overall by the New York Jets.
Now, the fun begins at No. 3, where the 49ers could go with Alabama’s Mac Jones, Ohio State’s Justin Fields, or North Dakota State’s Trey Lance.
Mark Schofield of Touchdown Wire released his mock draft 3.0 after Friday’s big trades and went with Lawrence, Wilson and Fields as his top three.
So, how did the big trades affect former LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase? In many mock drafts, Chase was pegged to the Miami Dolphins at No. 3.
Perhaps, Miami sensed the run on quarterbacks, moved down, and came back up to get Chase at No. 6.
That’s exactly what Schofield believes, with Miami still getting Chase at No. 6 overall.
This is what Schofield had to say about Chase to Miami:
My money is on LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Chase opted-out last season but in 2019 showed everything you want to see from a young receiver. He can beat press off the line, he is a weapon in the downfield passing game, and he gives Tua Tagovailoa a fantastic option on the outside in addition to DeVante Parker and Will Fuller. This is suddenly a very dangerous receiver room.
Chase was the only former LSU star to go in the first round in Schofield’s mock draft. However, he did feature two former Tigers going in the second round.
Wide receiver Terrace Marshall Jr. is predicted to go to the Philadelphia Eagles at No. 37 overall. Philadelphia desperately needs wide receivers and Marshall would be an ideal fit.
At No. 51 overall, Schofield has the Washington Football Team selecting former LSU and North Dakota State linebacker Jabril Cox. Much like the Eagles need wide receivers, Washington needs linebackers to play behind arguably the NFL’s top defensive line.
The 2021 NFL draft begins on Thursday, April 29, leaving plenty of time for more trades.