2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots and Broncos trade up for their quarterbacks, Bengals reunite Burrow with Chase – CBS Sports

2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots and Broncos trade up for their quarterbacks, Bengals reunite Burrow with Chase – CBS Sports
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Clemson

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 220 lbs

Projected Team

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

1st

POSITION RNK

1st

No surprise here. Urban Meyer gets his quarterback.

BYU

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

2nd

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Jets taking Wilson is another pick we are all expecting.

Ohio State

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 228 lbs

Smokescreen! It is not Mac Jones Kyle Shanahan chooses, but Justin Fields out of Ohio State. This is a good decision, as Fields’ big arm and athleticism should translate well to what San Francisco is trying to do on offense.

Florida

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 240 lbs

Projected Team

Atlanta

PROSPECT RNK

5th

POSITION RNK

1st

The Falcons would benefit from trading down, but are the offers going to be as enticing with Fields going No. 3 overall? Kyle Pitts appears to be a dynamic playmaker who could help Arthur Smith in his first year as a head coach.

LSU

• Jr

• 6’0″

/ 208 lbs

Projected Team

Cincinnati

PROSPECT RNK

3rd

POSITION RNK

1st

The Bengals reunite Joe Burrow with his former LSU teammate. This dynamic duo could put Cincy’s rebuild on the fast track.

Oregon

• Jr

• 6’6″

/ 330 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

4th

POSITION RNK

1st

Like the Bengals did, the Dolphins could reunite their quarterback with one of his college playmakers in DeVonta Smith, but Miami picked up Will Fuller in free agency and has faith in third-year wideout Preston Williams. It won’t be a pick beloved by all, but Penei Sewell has the potential to be a star in the NFL.

North Dakota State

• Soph

• 6’4″

/ 226 lbs

Projected Team

Denver

PROSPECT RNK

10th

POSITION RNK

4th

We get our first draft-day trade at No. 7 overall, as the Broncos trade up from No. 9 to jump the Panthers. Detroit trades this pick to move back to No. 9 overall, and picks up a third-rounder, a late pick and a future second-round pick. Here the Broncos take a quarterback, but it’s not Mac Jones; it’s Trey Lance. He will put pressure on Drew Lock immediately as Denver continues its hunt for a franchise quarterback. An aggressive move, but that’s what the draft is about.

Northwestern

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 305 lbs

Projected Team

Carolina

PROSPECT RNK

14th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Panthers need to protect Sam Darnold, and Slater is a player who can play at tackle or guard.

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 175 lbs

Projected Team

Detroit

PROSPECT RNK

9th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Lions moved down a couple of spots and still get someone they are targeting in the Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama. Detroit lost its top two wide receivers in free agency, and DeVonta Smith looks like a weapon who can help Jared Goff in 2021.

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 203 lbs

Projected Team

Dallas

PROSPECT RNK

15th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Dallas has addressed the safety position in free agency, and the Cowboys hit cornerback at No. 10 overall.

Alabama

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 214 lbs

Projected Team

New England

PROSPECT RNK

22nd

POSITION RNK

5th

The slide for Mac Jones stops at No. 11, as the Patriots make a rare trade up four spots to grab their guy. This is a risk, but Bill Belichick doesn’t want to allow the Eagles a chance to reconsider their situation at quarterback, and doesn’t want to give the Vikings a chance to “pull a Packers” and take a QB with a starter already in place. The Patriots give up their No. 15 overall pick along with their second-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a future second-rounder to move up.

Alabama

• Jr

• 5’10”

/ 182 lbs

Projected Team

Philadelphia

PROSPECT RNK

8th

POSITION RNK

2nd

The Eagles need help at wide receiver, and Jaylen Waddle is one of the best weapons in the draft.

South Carolina

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 205 lbs

Joe Horn’s son was a playmaker from the time he stepped on campus at South Carolina. The Chargers need help at cornerback, and take Horn here.

USC

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 315 lbs

Projected Team

Minnesota

PROSPECT RNK

19th

POSITION RNK

4th

The versatile Alijah Vera-Tucker fills a need here for the Vikings.

Penn State

• Jr

• 6’3″

/ 244 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Giants

PROSPECT RNK

7th

POSITION RNK

1st

Micah Parsons has been tied to the Giants for a while now, and if they trade down and he’s still available, it makes even more sense.

Virginia Tech

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 207 lbs

Projected Team

Arizona

PROSPECT RNK

11th

POSITION RNK

1st

Caleb Farley is seen by many as the top cornerback in this draft, but he is expected to fall down draft boards due to a recent minor procedure done on his back, as well as his medical history in general. We could look back on this pick as a steal, and the Cardinals could stand to add another defensive back who could help contain Russell Wilson and now Matthew Stafford in the NFC West.

Michigan

• Sr

• 6’4″

/ 272 lbs

Projected Team

Las Vegas

PROSPECT RNK

12th

POSITION RNK

1st

Kwity Paye knows how to pressure the passer, which is something the Raiders need help with.

Tulsa

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 260 lbs

Projected Team

Miami

PROSPECT RNK

29th

POSITION RNK

5th

Zaven Collins is a versatile linebacker who knows how to shoot gaps to stop the run and contribute in pass coverage.

Notre Dame

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 215 lbs

Projected Team

Washington

PROSPECT RNK

16th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Washington could go in a couple different directions with this pick, but Ron Rivera is a defensive-minded head coach who knows linebackers inside and out. He could be interested in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who would wear many different hats in his defensive scheme.

Purdue

• Soph

• 5’9″

/ 180 lbs

Projected Team

Chicago

PROSPECT RNK

20th

POSITION RNK

4th

If the Bears are going to roll with Andy Dalton under center, then let’s give him some help to open up the offense. After an impressive pro day, several clubs will be interested in the speedster out of Purdue.

Virginia Tech

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 314 lbs

Projected Team

Indianapolis

PROSPECT RNK

13th

POSITION RNK

2nd

Since Anthony Castonzo decided to hang up the cleats this offseason, the Colts have a need at left tackle.

Ole Miss

• Jr

• 5’9″

/ 185 lbs

Projected Team

Tennessee

PROSPECT RNK

42nd

POSITION RNK

8th

This will be seen as a reach, but Elijah Moore won’t be on the board the next time the Titans get a chance to pick. Tennessee benefitted greatly by taking A.J. Brown out of Ole Miss, and they listen to his request to take another Rebel in Moore — who figures to take over in the slot.

Georgia

• Soph

• 6’3″

/ 240 lbs

Projected Team

N.Y. Jets

PROSPECT RNK

18th

POSITION RNK

2nd

My colleague Ryan Wilson believes Azeez Ojulari is the most complete edge rusher in this class, and first-year head coach Robert Saleh would love if he fell all the way to No. 23 overall.

Penn State

• Soph

• 6’5″

/ 253 lbs

Projected Team

Pittsburgh

PROSPECT RNK

33rd

POSITION RNK

6th

The Steelers have a couple of different needs to fill, but Jayson Oweh could be a replacement for Bud Dupree opposite of T.J. Watt. Plus, you can’t ignore the Penn State connection.

TCU

• Jr

• 6’2″

/ 208 lbs

Projected Team

Jacksonville

PROSPECT RNK

17th

POSITION RNK

1st

Jacksonville has put effort into shoring up the secondary this offseason, and that continues with the addition Trevon Moehrig.

Kentucky

• Jr

• 6’4″

/ 234 lbs

Projected Team

Cleveland

PROSPECT RNK

48th

POSITION RNK

3rd

The Browns already have a solid offense, but the defense was inconsistent in 2020. They have done a great job adding to this group in free agency, and that continues here in the draft with Jamin Davis.

Miami (FL)

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 266 lbs

Projected Team

Baltimore

PROSPECT RNK

21st

POSITION RNK

3rd

With Matt Judon gone and Justin Houston having not signed yet, grabbing Jaelan Phillips this late in the first round could be a steal.

Minnesota

• Soph

• 6’2″

/ 210 lbs

Projected Team

New Orleans

PROSPECT RNK

34th

POSITION RNK

6th

According to ESPN’s Mike Triplett, the Saints are one of only three NFL teams who have not drafted a wide receiver in the past two years. New Orleans has a couple of intriguing players like Marquez Callaway, Tre’Quan Smith and Deonte Harris, but needs a legitimate starter with Emmanuel Sanders gone and a new quarterback taking over.

Oklahoma State

• Sr

• 6’6″

/ 320 lbs

Projected Team

Green Bay

PROSPECT RNK

23rd

POSITION RNK

5th

The Packers land a solid player at No. 29 overall, as Teven Jenkins fills a need for Green Bay and can line up in several different spots along the offensive line.

Northwestern

• Jr

• 6’1″

/ 190 lbs

Projected Team

Buffalo

PROSPECT RNK

32nd

POSITION RNK

6th

Greg Newsome II is versatile in what he can do in the secondary and can start on the outside.

Michigan

• Jr

• 6’5″

/ 320 lbs

Projected Team

Kansas City

PROSPECT RNK

35th

POSITION RNK

6th

The Chiefs parted ways with both of their offensive tackles this past season, and Jalen Mayfield is a versatile lineman that offensive line coach Andy Heck is likely a fan of. Keeping Patrick Mahomes upright is priority No. 1.

Alabama

• Soph

• 6’5″

/ 310 lbs

Projected Team

Tampa Bay

PROSPECT RNK

25th

POSITION RNK

1st

The Buccaneers have a great linebacking corps and the secondary is good as well. Where they could stand to upgrade is the defensive line. Christian Barmore next to Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea could be deadly.