Here we go!
With the NFL season 2020 in the books, it’s time to look forward to the 2021 NFL draft.
What are the Jacksonville Jaguars going to do with the overall number 1? Which quarter will the Jets pick at number 2? Can the Eagles pick up another quarter as the factory? What will the Giants do before Joe Judge’s second season?
Subscribe to Eagles Extra: Get exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text reporters directly
Here’s a full mockery of the first round to get you ready for a wild outdoor ride.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The consensus no. 1 pick, but don’t be surprised if we start hearing reasons why Lawrence is not a lock to being truly special in the NFL. Maybe Urban Meyer will ignore them and make the easy choice.
2. New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB, State of Ohio
He’s tough. He is athletic. He has the chance to be the kind of quarterback who thrives in the modern NFL. The Jets have lost Lawrence, but will not hesitate to make a big bet on Fields’ upside.
3. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
A lot of quarterback will be talked about here, but a big weapon on the outside is the move here. If Miami upgrades the quarterback position, it could be a surprising trade for a veteran.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Thirteen years after selecting Matt Ryan with a top-five pick, Atlanta finds its heir. Wilson is a fascinating prospect and could give the Hawks another decade of good play on the post.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Protect Joe Burrow at all costs. The Bengals would do jets if the board played like that.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Will they trade in for a quarter of an hour to contribute to the factory? Expect the Eagles to point this out, but only build interest in a potential decline. If the Eagles stay at number 6, many will shout for another wide receiver in the first round. But the Eagles will tackle another long-term need, this time on the defensive side. Surtain and Darius Slay could be an excellent duo in 2021.
7. Detroit Lions: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
8. Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
10. Dallas Cowboys: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwest
11. New York Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Smith as he falls to number 11 could be the shock of the draft and an easy choice for anyone in charge of the Giants series.
12. San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
14. Minnesota Vikings: Micah Parsons, LB, PSU
15. New England Patriots: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
18. Miami Dolphins: Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio State
19. Washington Soccer Team: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
20. Chicago Bears: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
21. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
22. Indianapolis Colts: Joseph Ossai, OLB, Texas
23. Cleveland Browns: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
24. Tennessee Titans: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
26. Baltimore Ravens: Creed Humphrey, OL, Oklahoma
27. New York Jets: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Harris is a Joe Douglas full-back and the perfect backfield partner for Fields.
28. Pittsburgh Steelers: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
29. New Orleans Saints: Pat Freirmuth, TE, Penn State
Buffalo Bills: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
31. Green Bay Packers: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida
Get Eagles text messages: Cut straight through the clutter of social media and text with beats writer Mike Kaye. Plus exclusive news and analysis. Join now for a free trial.
Please subscribe now and support the local journalism you trust and rely on.
Joe Giglio can be reached at [email protected].