NFL free agency is (mostly) in the books. And we’ve seen a lot of big trades already. With the calendar moving to April, all eyes will be on this year’s NFL draft with even more anticipation than usual.
In less than a month, speculation will give way to reality and the players who will shape the next decade in the NFL will find their new homes. How will it all turn out?
Well, I’ve played GM for every NFL team and gone through the entire first round. There are a lot of tough choices and a lot of great players. The draft’s opening night is sure to be a wild ride. Here’s one way it could go.
1. Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Lawrence has been the price of the design for 2021 from the start, and there’s no reason to believe that this will change in the next few weeks. We’ll see soon if Lawrence and Urban Meyer can help get the Jags back on track.
2. Jets: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Lawrence has been the price of the design for 2021 from the start, and there’s no reason to believe that this will change in the next few weeks. We’ll see soon if Lawrence and Urban Meyer can help get the Jags back on track.
3. 49ers: QB Justin Fields, State of Ohio
The 49ers obviously traded a quarterback, and Fields is the perfect match for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He’ll also get time to study under Jimmy Garoppolo if he doesn’t win the starting job at training camp.
4. Hawks: QB Trey Lance, ND State
Four quarterbacks in the first four picks of the NFL draft? We have never seen that before. But each of these guys has the talent and the brains to change anything for a franchise. Lance is no exception and goes well with Atlanta as Matt Ryan’s replacement.
5. Bengals: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Cincinnati got their quarterback last year with Joe Burrow, who was number 1 overall. Now they’re getting a key piece to protect him in Sewell, which is by far the best piece of equipment in this design.
6. Dolphins: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
The tight-ended arms race at AFC East is again escalating dramatically as Miami adds a weapon early on in drafting. But Pitts is more than just a close ending, he’s a versatile and big target that can line up games across the field. A perfect weapon for Miami’s young quarterback.
7. Lions: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
The recent remodel in Detroit is getting a huge surge of electricity with the best receiver in the design. Chase gives the Lions a juvenile weapon to build around and a player who can help them get the most out of Jared Goff right away.
8. Panthers: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Carolina has one of the best and most creative players in the league in Joe Brady. And he is allowed to form perhaps the most reliable quarterback in this draft. It fits together perfectly, and it’s hard to imagine that the Panthers don’t get the best out of Jones.
9. Broncos: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwest
With the top quarterbacks off the board, Denver has no choice but to give Drew Lock another shot – or maybe swap for Sam Darnold? Either way, they need help on the offensive, and Slater should be a long-term building block if the Broncos find their quarterback.
10. Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
They need help cornering and something about that just feels right. Surtain has the right temperament and aggressive style of play to be the latest in a long line of high-profile, successful cowboy defenders.
11. Giants: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
The Giants haven’t designed a really great linebacker since Carl Banks. Parsons, the best linebacker in this draft, could fit perfectly in Joe Judge’s defense after the Giants spent a lot of money on the recipient in the free agency.
12. Eagle: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
We all know what Smith is capable of after his Heisman campaign in 2020, and as a multi-dimensional playmaker he will be the ideal choice to get around on the Eagles’ offensive.
13. Chargers: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
He is projected by some as the best cornerback in this design. And landing with the Chargers and new defensive-thinking head coach Brandon Staley should be the perfect place for him to reach his potential.
14. Vikings: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
The offensive line has been an issue for the Vikings, who are still hoping to fight with Kirk Cousins at the quarterback. Darrisaw is the right solution for short and long distances.
15. Patriots: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Bill Belichick spent a lot of money on a free hand to make sure Cam Newton had better guns in 2021, and he’s not passing down the chance of getting a recipient who wouldn’t be voted into the top 10 any other year. Waddle could be the key piece in the Pats reboot.
16. Cardinals: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Another elite cornerback who has the chance to get off the board even earlier. Horn gives the Cardinals the much-needed cornerback depth as they look to compete after a strong 2020 season.
17. Raiders: S. Trevon Moehrig, TCU
This was really a great place for Jon Gruden to find an edge breaker, but Möhrig is the best security in design and he would fit nicely into the raiders’ defenses.
18. Dolphins: DL Christian Barmore, Alabama
After putting a large weapon on their offense with their first choice, the Dolphins fill a large hole in defense with one of college football’s finest defenders. Barmore should help immediately.
19. Washington: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
They have so many needs that it is difficult to choose just one. But with the quarterbacks long gone, it makes sense for Washington to occupy a key point in defense with the linebacker, who may have the greatest advantage in the draft.
20. Bears: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Sure, Allen Robinson returns, but the bears still need help from the receiver and it’s far too late to get involved in the quarterback game. Bateman enters a great situation as a key weapon for Andy Dalton.
21. Stallions: EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
After a typically quiet free agency, the Colts cause a sensation by landing the best edge rusher in the draft. Ojularis athleticism and versatility make him an ideal player in one of the best defense mechanisms in the league.
22. Titans: WR Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU
Marshall has already proven he can carry a crime as LSU’s best weapon in 2020. Now he has a chance to prove them to be the Titans’ next great target at the next level.
23. Jets: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker
GM Joe Douglas loves versatile offensive linemen, and Vera-Tucker has the potential to play guard and tackle. But he will likely be perfectly on guard where the jets are in dire need of help.
24. Steelers: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
They need a backlash to get the most out of their offense and Etienne has the skills to immediately contribute to a team that sees itself as a competitor.
25. Jaguars: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
Cosmi flew a bit under the radar, but he’s proven and experienced. And he’s a perfect fit for being a longtime protector for the new Jacksonville franchise quarterback.
26. Browns: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Cosmi flew a bit under the radar, but he’s proven and experienced. And he’s a perfect fit for being a longtime protector for the new Jacksonville franchise quarterback.
27. Ravens: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Phillips has more potential than Edge Rusher in this design. It would be an ideal match for the ravens in need of help after losing Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon in the free hand.
28. Saints: CB Greg Newsome II, northwest
Newsome is believed by most to be no longer on the board at this stage of the drafting process. However, given the needs of the teams and the insane depth of this design, the Saints are getting a bargain price to fill a key position of need.
29. Packer: WR Rondale Moore, Purdue
Let’s face it, they owe Aaron Rodgers a gun after drafting a quarterback on the first round last year. Perhaps Moore’s big play ability can help the Packers get over the mountain in 2021.
30. Bills: CB Asante Samuel, Jr., FSU
Lost in Buffalo’s great season was the fact that the defense took a step back in 2020. Samuel should help address some of her reporting issues.
31. Chiefs: EDGE Gregory Rosseau, Miami
After focusing on the offensive line during the free storyline, the Chiefs try to defend themselves at the beginning of the draft. Rosseau has a big advantage and should go well with the KC defense.
32. Privateer: EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
They won a Super Bowl and got their star Edge Rusher Shaq Barrett back under contract. But the Bucs use the final round one pick to make their pass even more terrifying.
Andy Vasquez is the Jets Beatwriter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Jets analysis, news, trades and more, subscribe today and download our app.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @andy_vasquez
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