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There are still three months until the NFL draft in 2021, and anything can happen in that time. Team needs will change, prospects’ rankings will fluctuate and the direction of many franchises will turn. Even when we first get to a draft night, we can get surprises.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters for the teams that made it into the top 10 to look at some extraordinary scenarios that could happens and can throw their draft plans for a loop. These are situations that teams with a high choice need to consider and be ready for. So look at reading what our very own Mel Kiper Jr. for each choice predicted, what could happen if things passed on the night of the track. Here are ten scenarios and how the top 10 teams can approach them, starting with a solid trading offer for the Jaguars.
Jump to:
JAX | NYJ | MIA | ATL | CIN
PHI | IT | ENGINE | DEN | DAL
Look: the mockery of Kiper
What would the Jaguars do here if … the Jets hosted their first two rounds (Nos. 2 and 23) and their first round in 2022 for number 1 overall?
They would say, “Thank you, but no thank you.” The Jaguars can not afford to pass on Clemson full-back Trevor Lawrence. He is considered one of the best QB prospects since Peyton Manning, and there is a huge gap between him and the other signal callers available in the draft. New coach Urban Meyer said the fact that No. 1 was selected this year was one of the things that made the job in Jacksonville so appealing. Lawrence changes a lot for this team.
Furthermore, the owner, Shad Khan, said it: ‘What eluded the history of the Jags was a franchise quarter. And I think what’s unique is that we now have the ability to make a choice and go define it. the franchise is moving forward. Jacksonville takes Lawrence and never looks back. – Michael DiRocco
What would the Jets do here if … they are committed to Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback for 2021?
They will solicit bids for the No. 2 pick in hopes of pulling down for extra draft capital. The Jets had nine picks in the first three rounds, and GM Joe Douglas wants to add at least two more. He has a lot of holes to fill, also on the attack. If Darnold stays in New York, he needs a better cast, and more concepts will help the team get there.
But if the Jets can not find a way to settle, I’ll be looking for an attacking player to help Darnold, whether it’s Oregon offensive Penei Sewell or a top-rated wide receiver like Alabama. see DeVonta Smith or LSUs. Ja’Marr Chase. – Ryk Cimini
What would the Dolphins do here if … the Jets took DeVonta Smith at number 2?
The Dolphins are likely to consider strong batting offers from QB-needy teams in the top 10. An exchange, perhaps with the Panthers at no. 8, could yield a first-round pick in 2022 or multiple second-round picks, which could give them more resources to improve a training list.
If nothing attracts them, they will probably choose Penei Sewell or receiver Ja’Marr Chase with the number 3 choice. These moves would further strengthen the offensive line around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or give him a game-changing weapon on the outside. Of course, Smith would be a perfect fit for the Dolphins and Tagovailoa, but there are other options as well. – Cameron Wolfe
What would the Falcons do here if … the back players Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Zach Wilson lead 1-2-3?
Well, they have some options. First, they were able to put the paper with the name of Penei Sewell on it to include the choice as quickly as possible, thus ensuring a building block for the next decade. You can not go wrong with the decision. Second, they can grab a playmaker to help fullback Matt Ryan. His contract makes it difficult to separate from him, so the Hawks can help him just as much as they can in this scenario. Players can include WR DeVonta Smith, WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) or even TE Kyle Pitts (Florida). One of them along with Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones would give the offense a big boost.
An additional possibility when it comes to this: What would the Bengals offer Atlanta to move up one spot and stop Atlanta from taking over Sewell? Can the Falcons get extra draft capital while still getting one of the offensive weapons? – Michael DiRocco
What would the Bengals do here if … they volunteered the offensive approach of Taylor Moton or Joe Thuney as volunteers in March (and OT Penei Sewell is not on the board)?
In this scenario, the Bengals will have many more options at number 5, as they have already helped protect the biggest task of quarterback Joe Burrow. If the needs on the offensive line are met, Cincinnati could look to get Burrow a big weapon in the playoffs like Ja’Marr Chase. Remember, Chase played with Burrow at LSU. This is the logical step if free agency and the draft council so fall.
But the nice choice? What about Kyle Pitts in Florida? He could take Burrow and the Bengals’ offense to another level and has the potential to change the game for years to come. – Ben Baby
What would the Eagles do here if … wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase are both on the board?
The Eagles certainly need wide receiver help, but there are problems elsewhere as well. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) or Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech) would be interesting options. The Eagles have struggled to pull steady production out of the CB2 spot behind Darius Slay this season. Slay and Surtain can be an average one-two punch. Otherwise, Philly is always in the market for attacking and defensive lineouts, although it is unlikely that Penei Sewell will fall so far.
And if the Eagles still want to be receivers, Jaylen Waddle – another former teammate of quarterback Jalen Hurts in Alabama – is the exact kind of explosive playmaker the Eagles are leaning toward. – Tim McManus
What would the Lions do here if they traded Matthew Stafford (quarterback) soon?
The situation offers many real possibilities. If the Lions fall in love with quarterback Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, they may have to move up from their current spot to land any player. If Detroit at no. 7 stay, QB Trey Lance, North Dakota, could be a player to watch, especially if the Lions sign a bridge quarterback for him to sit back and learn for a year. Lance has an incredible amount of talent, but is very young – he will be 20 at the time of draft – and that’s why he’s interested in a rebuilding team.
Quarterback feels like for Detroit, but if it’s not one with this choice, a player like Penn State, the inside, Micah Parsons, will help start a dormant defense. – Michael Rothstein
What would the Panthers do here if … a team has already substituted for tight end Kyle Pitts?
Start by looking at the best quarter on the board. Did Justin Fields or Zach Wilson fall? Carolina will have to evaluate whether Fields, Wilson or Trey Lance – who are still available – could be an upgrade in the current Panthers quarterback of Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker and Will Grier.
Aside from QB, it’s doubtful Penei Sewell would fall that far, and the other attacking tackles are not worthy of a top-10 pick. But a linebacker like Micah Parsons can fit well. – David Newton
What would the Broncos do here if … Justin Fields or Zach Wilson were not selected yet?
Let’s start by saying that we do not really know what the new general manager George Paton thinks of the player – or the current QB Drew Lock. And in the new power structure, Paton’s preferences for the position mean everything for what the team does over the next few months. He says he has not yet evaluated Lock’s work from last season, but that he has seen enough to believe that Lock can still develop. But he also said that QB play is one of the biggest components in long-term success and that he will consider everything on the post.
So it’s hard to say for sure now, because Denver still has some evaluation on Lock. But at the end of the day, of course, the Broncos are going to give Fields and Wilson each a long look. – Jeff Legwold
What would the Cowboys do here if … no defenders have been selected yet and they can get on the board?
This is a simple answer, but they will take the best defender. Who this is so far is not yet clear. Cornerback is a big need, so Patrick Surtain II and Caleb Farley will be good options, especially with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis set to become free agents. The Cowboys feel like they hit another Alabama corner in Trevon Diggs, last year’s concert, and Surtain has the makeup and feel for the game they crave. And Farley has size, speed and playing ability.
The bad news for the Cowboys is that there is no dominant lead or defensive attack worth pursuing at no. 10, and it may be too early for a team like Dallas to go with an off-the-ball linebacker like Micah. Parsons, even with questions about Jaylon Smith’s future. – Todd Archer