NFL mock draft 2021: What might happen if New York Jets don’t take quarterback at No. 2
Philip Rivers has announced his retirement, the Lions and Matthew Stafford have apparently chosen to terminate their marriage, and it seems Deshaun Watson wants out of Houston.
The fallout will be reflected in my first mock draft of the year:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: This selection could make Cincinnati’s choice of Joe Burrow a year ago seem dramatic by comparison. Lawrence has long been considered a generational prospect on the order of John Elway, Peyton Manning or Andrew Luck. He has the size (6-6, 200), arm strength, accuracy, mobility and grasp of the position to immediately jumpstart the Jags in concert with new coach Urban Meyer. Clemson didn’t lose a regular-season game in Lawrence’s three years as a starter, a stretch when he threw 90 TD passes and ran for 18 scores but was picked off just 17 times. The Georgia native should also put quite a charge into the Jags’ often tepid fan base.
Dec. 20 defeat of the Rams changed everything. New York has myriad options at quarterback – draft one, pursue Watson or stick with underachieving 2018 first-rounder Sam Darnold among them. The latter two options only deepen the intrigue as GM Joe Douglas assesses the best ways to strengthen his supporting cast – and trading what should be a highly coveted selection might be the best way to do that. But Douglas, whose inaugural draft pick was LT Mekhi Becton last year, is a proponent of building his team from the inside out. In this scenario, taking Sewell (6-6, 330) – a gifted player who can bolster pass protection and elevate run game production with his mauling pancakes – would seem like the logical way for Douglas practice what he preaches.
3. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU: Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith has perhaps recently overshadowed Chase, who opted out of playing in 2020. But before Smith won the Biletnikoff Award as the nation’s preeminent receiver, Chase did so in 2019, setting a Southeastern Conference record with 20 TD catches – a mark Smith surpassed in 2020 – while averaging 21.2 yards per reception. Chase has plenty of speed and strength, excellent hands, high-points the ball with great effectiveness and is deadly in the red zone. He also runs every route, including a willingness to work over the middle – and this may be where his sturdier frame (6-0, 208) will distinguish him from Smith. Chase and DeVante Parker would make a nifty receiving combo for Tua Tagovailoa in Miami … assuming Tua and this pick aren’t packaged to the Texans for Watson.
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6. Philadelphia Eagles – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: He spent much of 2020 gliding through opposing defenses to the tune of 117 catches for an Alabama record 1,856 yards and those SEC record 23 TDs. Teaming him with 2020 first-round WR Jalen Reagor could be the optimal way to get QB Carson Wentz back on track in 2021. However Smith will have to prove his 170-pound frame can hold up in the NFL and that he can deal with stronger corners who will doubtless try to jam him at the line … unlike, say, what he encountered against Ohio State in college football’s championship game.
7. Detroit Lions – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: They’re not parting with Stafford to turn the keys over to Chase Daniel or David Blough. Fields is a multi-dimensional threat who was at his best with six TD passes against Clemson in the college playoff semifinals. However that performance was bracketed by several checkered ones, including his final one against Alabama. Still, Fields’ estimable potential suggests the Lions might even have to move up a few spots to get him.
QB Drew Brees poised to retire, per multiple reports, and a salary cap that needs a major haircut. The defensive line is also going to take a hit with DT Sheldon Rankins and DE Trey Hendrickson (career-high 13½ sacks) both slated to walk. Tryon had eight sacks when he last played in 2019 and would maintain the pass rush depth behind DEs Cam Jordan and Marcus Davenport.
29. Green Bay Packers – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Maybe GM Brian Gutekunst finally gets a bona fide complement to Davante Adams and more help for QB Aaron Rodgers? Toney had a breakout senior year for the Gators, amassing 70 catches for 984 yards and 10 scores. He’s got the explosive ability to consistently burn No. 2 corners and should only blossom while learning how to fine-tune his routes with help from the masterful Adams.
30. Buffalo Bills – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame: The Butkus Award winner as the country’s top college linebacker and ACC defensive player of the year in 2020, he’s a rangy type who could fill a number of roles as an every-down hybrid for this defense. Owusu-Koramoah will probably have to bulk up his 220-pound build, but he could be a great fit for a team that may not bring LB Matt Milano back.
x-31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa: Depth looms as an issue on the Bucs’ D-line, especially if DT Ndamukong Suh, 34, calls it a career or signs elsewhere in the offseason. An interior force, Nixon is fresh off earning Big Ten defensive player of the year honors after posting 5½ sacks and 13½ tackles for loss in eight games.
x-32. Kansas City Chiefs – Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville: Imagine having DeSean Jackson and Tyreek Hill on the field together … and with Kelce working underneath. That would basically be the dynamic supremely swift Atwell, listed at 5-9 and 165 pounds, could add to an offense in which he’d only have to beat single coverage. An all-ACC selection in 2019 when he led the conference with 1,272 receiving yards, Atwell would be more than a luxury to K.C., which stands to lose WRs Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson in free agency.
x-Super Bowl 55 winner will select 32nd
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