2021 NFL Draft storylines: Intrigue starts with 49ers, Falcons

Following a college football season impacted by COVID-19 and one in which many top players opted out entirely, the 2021 NFL Draft has more volatility than previous years and it could result in added drama and entertainment for fans.

It’s no surprise quarterbacks have taken centre stage with at least five expected to be taken in top half of the first round, possibly all within the top-10.

This year’s class is also rich in receivers, music to the ears of those who play fantasy football, however as we saw last year when Tampa Bay traded up to take offensive lineman Tristan Wirfs, sometimes it’s the less flashy moves that have the most significant impact on the field.

With that in mind, here are some notable storylines heading into the 2021 NFL Draft.

[relatedlinks]

Top-tier QB draft order not so simple to decipher

The Jacksonville Jaguars would already be selling Trevor Lawrence jerseys if they were allowed. That’s to say there’s really no secret the Clemson star will be taken with the No. 1 pick at Thursday’s NFL Draft.

Lawrence, the most highly touted college QB prospect since Andrew Luck, checks all boxes in terms of what teams look for in a franchise quarterback and the Jags have been in desperate need of one. Jacksonville has taken a QB in the first round three times in the past with Byron Leftwich (seventh in 2003), Blaine Gabbert (10th in 2011) and Blake Bortles (third in 2014).

After Lawrence is selected, it appears highly probable the New York Jets will take Zach Wilson out of BYU second overall.

This is where things start to get far more interesting.

The San Francisco 49ers gave up a lot to trade from 12 into a top-three slot and they’re bound to pick one of the following QBs: Alabama’s Mac Jones, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance or Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Multiple reports have indicated the 49ers are expected to choose between Jones and Lance at No. 3.

Jones is more of a traditional pocket passer and he doesn’t have a cannon of an arm, but he is accurate with a high football IQ and those characteristics are ideal for a Kyle Shanahan offence.

Lance is less experienced than the other four QBs mentioned here, so it could be somewhat of a boom-or-bust situation. He is certainly more mobile than Jones and has a higher ceiling but is considered more of a long-term project. San Francisco still has Jimmy Garoppolo under contract through 2022, which means they do have the option of letting their selection back up, learn and develop for a season.

Meanwhile, 2019 Heisman finalist Fields is perhaps the biggest wild card of the trio. The scouting reports on Fields range from him being considered a future MVP-calibre player to him being an unreliable passer and merely the fourth- or fifth-best QB from this draft class.

There’s no consensus ranking between Jones, Lance and Fields but considering what they gave up to pick third, 49ers GM John Lynch can’t miss.

Falcons have no shortage of options at No. 4

New Atlanta Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot really has all options available to him in this position with three QBs expected to go in the first three picks.

Would they consider taking Fields or Lance to replace Matt Ryan in a year or two? Ryan, especially if he can get decent offensive line protection, still probably has one or two productive years left in him and, on paper, Ryan’s skill set should jive nicely with new head coach Arthur Smith’s offensive style.

Adding a talent like Florida tight end Kyle Pitts can also help extend Ryan’s career. Pitts is head and shoulders the best skill position player in this draft, a mismatch nightmare for opposing defences and the odds-on favourite to be the first non-QB selected.

If Atlanta stays at No. 4 they’ll either take Pitts or their future franchise QB, or they’ll trade down. Depending on what San Fran does at No. 3, Atlanta could have several trade offers to field as well. Trading down from an advantageous position is always an option and it could be a wise choice since there are several holes to fill on defence. The buzz around Pitts, though, is that he may be too unique a talent not to take.

Would Bengals pass up protection for Burrow’s old LSU pal?

Now, if Pitts doesn’t go in the top four then the fifth pick becomes slightly more complicated for the Bengals. Otherwise, they’re choosing between Oregon tackle Penei Sewell and LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.

Sewell would be the safe pick and Chase, who has proven chemistry with Cincinnati pivot Joe Burrow, would add yet another flashy piece to a burgeoning Bengals offence that already boasts Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins.

Where’s all the defence?

Offence usually gets all the shine ahead of drafts but especially this year with all the QB hype plus the fact there’s no top-notch pass rusher unlike in most recent drafts.

Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain Jr., is the top-ranked defensive player on many draft boards and will help whichever team he falls to greatly. If the name rings a bell it’s because his father, Patrick Surtain, was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins in the early 2000s. He’s one of several second-generation prospects expected to go in the first round. Former Saints WR Joe Horn’s son, Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina, and Florida State’s Asante Samuel Jr., are also top-ranked defensive backs.

Micah Parsons from Penn State is the top linebacker on the board and among the only defensive players that may go in the top half of the first round. Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Alabama d-lineman Christian Barmore, Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye and Northwestern corner Greg Newsome are also considered likely first-round selections.

Teams targeting defence that are situated in the bottom half of the first round are in an advantageous position this year since the talent is going to fall to them.

What does Bill Belichick have up his sleeve?

The Patriots are currently slated to pick at No. 15 but will they stay there? Belichick is anything but predictable and New England has been uncharacteristically aggressive in free agency this off-season. Would that mean they’d make the out-of-character move and trade up instead of down to potentially target a QB or one of the impact defenders?

Which teams might move up or make a splash?

First-round trades always add a splash of excitement to a draft and there’s bound to be some moving and shaking Thursday night.

As mentioned above, the Patriots are a team to keep an eye on. There was a report Monday from NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero indicating the Patriots had inquired about moving into the top 10 and that the team reportedly fancies Fields. Would New England potentially dangle a veteran player like Stephon Gilmore to help facilitate a move up the board?

Staying in the AFC, the Ravens just sent offensive tackle Orlando Brown to the Chiefs and got a first-rounder from Kansas City in the return. Baltimore now has picks 27 and 31 and could move one of them. Baltimore needs help at wide receiver. In addition to the first pick, Jacksonville also has five of the top 65 picks with which to work so there’s definitely potential for movement in Duval County.

In the NFC, the Eagles in the 12 slot will be interesting to watch since GM Howie Roseman often raises eyebrows with his draft choices. Carolina could go several different ways at No. 8 after recently acquiring Sam Darnold, while desperate teams like Detroit and Chicago are hoping to pull off something significant for their loyal fan bases.

Other draft questions to ponder…

🏈 Beyond the top-five QBs, is there anyone else worth noting? Short answer is yes. Stanford’s Davis Mills, Florida’s Kyle Trask and Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond could all be taken by the conclusion of the second round.

🏈 Do the Bills and Steelers each target running backs in Round 1? Alabama’s Najee Harris and Clemson’s Travis Etienne will be available. The Steelers had terrible run blocking last year, so that’s a more pressing concern but Buffalo is only one or two pieces away from being a championship team and a top RB would be one of those needed pieces.

🏈 Will the Packers finally draft a WR in the first round to reward Aaron Rodgers for his second MVP season? The top three receivers, in no particular order are LSU’s Chase and Alabama teammates DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Beyond that trio you’ve got Florida’s Kadarius Toney, Elijah Moore out of Ole Miss, Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman and Chase’s teammate Terrace Marshall who could go in the first 32 selections.

Here is the full first-round draft order as of Tuesday afternoon:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars
2. New York Jets
3. San Francisco 49ers (from HOU via MIA)
4. Atlanta Falcons
5. Cincinnati Bengals
6. Miami Dolphins (from PHI)
7. Detroit Lions
8. Carolina Panthers
9. Denver Broncos
10. Dallas Cowboys
11. New York Giants
12. Philadelphia Eagles (from SF via MIA)
13. Los Angeles Chargers
14. Minnesota Vikings
15. New England Patriots
16. Arizona Cardinals
17. Las Vegas Raiders
18. Miami Dolphins
19. Washington Football Team
20. Chicago Bears
21. Indianapolis Colts
22. Tennessee Titans
23. New York Jets (from SEA)
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
26. Cleveland Browns
27. Baltimore Ravens
28. New Orleans Saints
29. Green Bay Packers
30. Buffalo Bills
31. Baltimore Ravens (from KC)
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers