Get ready for craziness.
The NFL Draft is a yearly exercise in which experts can close their eyes and hit the dart board most. None of us know what will happen. That’s even more true this year after a pandemic season, opt-outs and a stronger 2022 draft class that will have teams with at least one eye on the future rather than the present.
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How many quarterbacks will go early? Will Giants general manager Dave Gettleman finally trade down? Is Howie Roseman set to make the entire city of Philadelphia upset again on draft night?
Here are 10 bold predictions that are sure to happen during the 2021 NFL Draft.
Historic run of offense within the top 10: In the common draft era, 1969 represents the only year in which fewer than two defensive players (Joe Greene, No. 4) were selected in the top 10. We’re about to see that feat matched, with Alabama corner Patrick Surtain as the only defender to go off the board within the first ten selections.
Gettleman trades back: There’s a first time for everything. The Giants (aided by Joe Judge’s relationship with Bill Belichick) swap spots with the Patriots in the first round.
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The Eagles trade down, build through the trenches: I can see it now. DeVonta Smith, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner and Alabama record holder, on the board at No. 12. The receiver-needy Eagles sitting there, and an entire city hoping nothing bad happens. Then the announcement comes in: The Eagles have traded the pick! Roseman moves down from No. 12 to No. 16, collects an extra pick, and drafts Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye. The move will be roundly panned, even if it ends up correct.
Fields falls to QB No. 5 status: When the Ohio State star outplayed Trevor Lawrence on college football’s biggest stage, the idea that he could fall behind North Dakota State’s Trey Lance, BYU’s Zach Wilson and Alabama’s Mac Jones in the draft pecking order would have been an insane thing to think. It becomes reality on draft night.
Najee Harris falls to the second round: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder when it comes to running backs, and it wouldn’t surprise me to watch Clemson’s Travis Etienne and/or North Carolina’s Javonte Williams go ahead of Harris.
Florida’s Kadarius Toney is the No. 4 wide receiver off the board: The do-it-all Gators star is this year’s Jalen Reagor. Someone will fall in love and draft him with versatility and upside in mind.
New England will remake the quarterback room, but not by using a first-round pick: Cam Newton headlines the depth chart right now. By the end of the draft, Florida’s Kyle Trask will join him. And don’t be surprised if San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo eventually makes it a three-man competition in training camp.
Baltimore lands Julio Jones: It’s Baltimore’s time to take the next step. Instead of using either of their first round picks on young wide receivers, the Ravens buy low on an all-time great weapon to help out Lamar Jackson. Atlanta takes the cap relief, and Baltimore hopes this move works out like late-career acquisitions of veterans like Anquan Boldin and Derrick Mason did in the past.
Eagles take a running back on Day 2: Miles Sanders’ presence makes this position less than a pressing need, but the Eagles could look to add volume to a Jalen Hurts-led backfield. Names like North Carolina’s Michael Carter or Demetric Felton stand out as possibilities.
Jets take a chance on Caleb Farley: The Virginia Tech star is going to fall due to injury concerns, and Joe Douglas is the executive that takes the chance with the No. 23 pick.
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Joe Giglio may be reached at jgiglio@njadvancemedia.com.
