With most of the NFL first round draft in 2021 officially set with 18 non-playoff teams knowing where they’ll all pick in April, it’s time for a special reissue of the Sporting News draft sample.
While you wait for the playoffs to be played among the 14 surviving teams, Super Bowl 55 will determine the second half of the selection. It’s time to focus on which teams, already on the clock, are going to think.
Here’s a quick look at the beginning of January how numbers 1 through 18 could develop, from child’s play at the top to some tricky tips just outside the top 10. The updated draft contract was kindly provided by Tankathon:
NFL bill draft 2021
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-14)
- Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson (6-6, 220 pounds)
Lawrence didn’t have the best result of his college career, but he lived up to expectations to be a talent of the generation, the second in a row after Joe Burrow. He’s a great leader and winner, despite being a heavily armed passerby and a capable tough runner. Lawrence will clean up the Jaguars QB mess attached to a new coach, possibly former college big winner Urban Meyer. Lawrence can succeed instantly if the Jaguars have a decent offensive line and young top skill players like James Robinson, DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr.
2. New York Jets (2-14)
- Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State (6-3, 233 pounds)
Fields didn’t have the most stellar second season for the Buckeyes in the Big Ten game, but he saved his absolute NFL-loving best to make Clemson shine and surpass Lawrence with a dazzling all-round performance in the College Football Playoff Semifinals. Sam Darnold may not have gotten the fairest shock with things around him under the now fired Adam Gase, but regardless, he doesn’t have the kind of blanket Fields has. Fields can quickly help New York catch up the Bills (Josh Allen) and perhaps overtake the Dolphins (Tua Tagovailoa) with his immense natural physical talent.
MORE: Why Trevor Lawrence is a Much Better Fit with Jaguars than Jets
3. Miami Dolphins (by Texans for Laremy Tunsil)
- Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU (6-1, 208 pounds)
Chase, retiring after Joe Burrow from the LSU season, was a wise decision to earn his stock as the undisputed best wideout in class, despite tough competition for that status from an Alabama duo. Chase made 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 TDs during the national championship season and, along with former teammate Justin Jefferson, can shine a light on the NFL as a versatile playmaker. The Dolphins could use him as a real big play companion for Tagovailoa to support DeVante Parker, much like Jefferson played Adam Roielen well as a rookie.
4. Atlanta Falcons (4-12)
- Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan (6-4, 272 pounds)
In the 2021 draft, the falcons must (again) invest heavily in their passport defense. You have to meet someone who is after the quarterback and who physically and athletically dominates against offensive tackles. Paye is a freak of nature and has quickly shot up draft boards. It’s hard not to think of a combination of Ziggy Ansah and Jason Pierre-Paul in that sense.
5. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1)
- From Sewell, OT, Oregon (6-5, 325 pounds)
Zac Taylor’s team must make it a priority to better protect Burrow while improving the game in progress. Sewell is exactly the kind of rock the Bengals need and they shouldn’t hesitate to jump on him when he’s on the board. After Lawrence to the Jaguars, his availability would make Sewell the easiest choice on the first round.
6. Philadelphia Eagles (4-10-1)
- Micah Parsons, ILB, Penn State (6-3, 245 pounds)
The Eagles got a few lightning bolts from Alex Singleton, but otherwise had a blatant defensive weakness with the linebacker and struggled both cleaning up the barrel and covering the second level pass. You can stay in a state to find a chunky playmaker in Parsons who balances value with need and wide angle receivers. Parsons is a persistent and well covering cleaner in the groundbreaking form of Luke Kuechly.
MORE: The largest busts in NFL Draft history
7. Detroit Lions (5-11)
- DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama (6-1, 175 pounds)
The Lions have a nice final stretch from Marvin Jones Jr. with Kenny Golladay (hip) on the shelf for most of the season, but Jones is also entering his 32-year season as a free agent. It makes sense to think about a senior replacement who can make a great new combo with Golladay for Matthew Stafford (or whoever might be for a new coach at QB). Smith retired from his final season to be Heisman Trophy worthy. He has 105 catches for 1,641 yards and 20 TDs in 12 games this season.
8. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU (6-3, 210 pounds)
Wilson had an exceptional season in which his accuracy and downfield pass became the third best QB prospect in the draft class after Lawrence and Fields. Teddy Bridgewater has done well out of necessity as the Panthers’ Bridge QB, but there are also signs that they have a limited cap and should consider replacing it with a longer-term solution by 2022. Wilson would be a good fit for Joe Brady’s offense.
9. Denver Broncos (5-11)
- Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech (6-2, 207 pounds)
The Broncos had a shaky cornerback game with the aging AJ Bouye as their best outdoor option. They’ll also think about increasing their edge-pass rush further, but they’re not going to forego some switch-off potential for secondary school either. Farley was one of the first top contenders to choose his senior college season. He’s a great size and has solid all-round cover ability for the position.
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-10)
- Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama (6-2, 203 pounds)
With his pedigree, height, and ball hawk skills, Surtain has the potential to be a true shutdown player. Cowboy high school was horrible without Byron Jones, and Surtain would be a nice addition to Trevon Diggs, an Alabama product. Jerry Jones needs to focus on propping the backend first to fix the defense.
MORE: The Biggest Thefts in NFL Draft History
11. New York Giants (6-10)
- Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (6-6, 260 pounds)
The Giants are defensively strong in the middle and look much better in the cornerback, but they desperately need to flip their old calling card under Dave Gettleman. Rousseau, who signed off from the Hurricanes season, didn’t really have to play to boost his stocks after losing 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles in his only significant and final season under defensive-thinking head coach Manny Diaz.
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-10)
- Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State (6-4, 226 pounds)
Lance slowly climbs up his massive head. As more teams tap into his statistically brilliant lonely season as a starter (2,786 yards over, 28 TDs, no INTs, 1,100 yards rushing, 14 TDs), it’s harder to ignore the formidable physical and athletic prowess he’s got in his first full season has shown action. The 49ers can get out of Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract and must shoot the QB cap to better dominate with their offensive skills, including George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk. Lance’s running would add a new dangerous element to Kyle Shanahan’s scheme, and he has the mind, the quick release, and the accuracy to handle the fit of it all.
13. Los Angeles Chargers (7-9)
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Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech (6-5, 314 pounds)
The Chargers know they have a potentially special QB in Justin Herbert and have some pretty good skill players to back him up. But it’s imperative that they upgrade their Edge Pass protection for their already established young franchise passer-by. Darrisaw entered the first round in the first round with outstanding athleticism that can help him develop into smooth and nimble long term pass protection in the NFL.
14. Minnesota Vikings (7-9)
- Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwest (6-4, 315 pounds)
The Vikings need to think about saving money and replacing Riley Reifff with an upgrade that can help both Kirk Cousins and Dalvin Cook. After finishing his last season with the Wildcats, Slater is quickly getting back on the boards, with more attention to his all-around skills. He held up more than his own against Washington Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young in a college matchup.
MORE: The Most Painful NFL Draft Slides in 20 Years
15. New England Patriots (7-9)
- Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama (5-10, 182 pounds)
Waddle only played four games before his ankle injury at the end of the season and still scored 25 catches for 557 yards and 4 TDs. The Patriots had a hard time with broad recipients other than Jakobi Meyers and need a great success at the position. Tapping into Nick Saban and Alabama is usually good for Bill Belichick, and he can’t afford to look for playmakers again to further whoever his next QB will be.
16. Las Vegas Raiders (8-8)
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame (6-2, 216 pounds)
The Raiders invested in linebackers with big money deals for Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski in the free hand, but have to be even more active and versatile on the second level to fully support their fighting defense. Owusu-Koramoah covers himself like a defensive back and has room to develop into a physical run-stopper.
17. Arizona Cardinals (8-8)
- Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida (6-6, 246 pounds)
The Cardinals got a pretty good game from Dan Arnold for Kyler Murray, but with Larry Fitzgerald close to retirement, they need a real young man in the middle of the field to play well against DeAndre Hopkins. Pitts, a wide receiver hybrid, would be ideal with the potential of Murray to be what Mark Andrews is to Lamar Jackson. Pitts scored 770 yards and 12 TDs with only 43 catches, a rare field stretcher for the position, and a dominant red zone force.
18. Miami Dolphins (10-6)
- Wyatt Davis, G, State of Ohio (6-4, 315 pounds)
The dolphins need to get sportier and strengthen their internal pass protection, while as run blockers they get an advantage with considerable advantage. May be an elite indoor blocker for the NFL, Davis has already shown a lot to pave the way for the Buckeyes’ productive attack before deciding to settle for what might be a national championship season again.
