The 2021 NFL draft is now just nine days away, and while there has been no big news this past week or so, there were a few small things to note. So we’ll do it here.
Eagles players collectively choose not to attend the voluntary part of the off-season
The players announced the announcement via the NFL Players Association:
More than half of the NFL teams have already made similar announcements – and it feels like each team will eventually follow its example – so it was nothing groundbreaking by the Eagles players.
Clearly, the Eagles have a new coaching staff, and it also happens to be a very young staff, so these exercises would probably have been beneficial for them to wet their feet. But otherwise the training sessions do not seem very beneficial to the players.
If you’re wondering what the training schedule would look like if the Eagles were going to attend them, here you go:
The NFL announced its out-of-season plans in a memorandum to teams, with four weeks of virtual work, one week of field instruction beginning on May 17, then four weeks of OTAs and mini-camps – with only mini-camps mandatory: pic.twitter.com/S8da4aCK7k
– Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) 14 April 2021
They shall must attend a compulsory mini-camp in June.
How will the choice go between 1 and 11 in the 2021 NFL draft?
I publish my only complete first round mock proposal on Thursday next week, but here I am currently on the first 11 picks before the Eagles pick a 12th place.
1) Jaguars: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence: Close.
2) Jets: BYU QB Zach Wilson: Close.
3) 49ers: North Dakota, QB Trey Lance: The 49ers gave up the 12th overall pick, a first-round pick in 2022, a first-round pick in 2023 and a third-round pick in 2022 to move to this spot. I simply can not believe that any team would be insane enough to do this for a player like Mac Jones, who offers very little in the way of impressive physical qualities. If they had already selected the number 3, and they were like, “Well, we like him the best of the quarterbacks”, and then they just took him, then, OK. But to trade that package? I just can not see it. The bet here is that they moved to Lance, or Justin Fields.
4) Falcons: Florida TE Kyle Pitts: The Hawks basically put this pick up on the auction, but if they hold on, they’ll probably ride with Matt Ryan for a while and take the best player available, which unfortunately is a TE.
5) Bengal: LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase: I was originally ‘Team Protect Joe Burrow’, but I turned around. Chase is going to make a bigger impact on his career in my opinion than any offensive linebacker in this draft, so just take him, and build up the O line with subsequent choices.
6) Dolphins: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle: Take any pre-design reporting with a grain of salt, but there’s so much smoke around Waddle to the Dolphins that we’ll just go along with it.
7) Lions: Oregon OT Penei Sewell: The Lions feel like a strong defensive candidate, because there still need to be quarterbacks available here. They have needs everywhere, especially with a wide receiver, but it feels a little too early for DeVonta Smith. If the Lions only make a choice, the addition of Sewell will give them a very strong line, although they will have to determine who will play RT, between Sewell or Taylor Decker. It’s an imperfect pace, but for a team that is expected to make it into the top 10 again next year, get only the most valuable player. In my opinion, it’s Sewell.
8) Panthers: Northwest OT / OG Rashawn Slater: Carolina has holes across their line, especially on the left. Slater gets a chance to play LT instead of waiting immediately early in his career.
9) Broncos: Justin Fields, Ohio State QB: The Broncos can also trade in for a quarterback, but if Fields is still sitting at 9, it feels like a no-brainer.
10) Cowboys: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain: The offense of the Cowboys may be outstanding. Their defense in general is trash, and they have a gaping hole in the corner.
11) Giant: USC OT / OG Alijah Vera-Tucker: I like Dave Gettleman’s chances of building next to the trenches, whether it’s with the first edge off the board, or next to the OL. Vera-Tucker is a better prospect than any fringe in this concept.
If it plays out like above (spoiler: it will not), the Eagles would have their choice between DeVonta Smith, Jaycee Horn, to strive for a defensive line or to trade back with a team that likes Mac Jones.
The Eagles reportedly trade in, trade back or stay put
It was recently reported that the Eagles are considering all of these options. Thanks guys.
I look forward to the concept that is just taking place.
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