First round is in the books. There seemed to be less trading in the first round than people had been predicting but the teams that wanted their QBs still got them. The run on Corners has already occurred. Grading draft picks is stupid unless you pick Tebow or Manziel in the first round so we'll save on that nonsense. A rundown on who was picked, why and biggest questions after the pick. Then we'll talk a bit about interesting players still left and finish off with some random commentary on the draft. 1. Jacksonville JaguarsTrevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson Why they picked him: Lawrence is the most polished QB prospect since Andrew Luck and ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him behind John Elway, Peyton Manning and Luck among QBs he's graded. The Jaguars' offense the past decade has been awful and QB play is a big reason. The Jaguars were last in points scored and ranked 30th or worst in QB completion percentage, Total QBR, passer rating and passing yards in the league from 2011 to 2020 with Blaine Gabbert, Chad Henne, Blake Bortles, Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew II, Jake Luton and Mike Glennon taking snaps. Lawrence was 34-2 as a starter at Clemson and threw for 10,098 yards and 90 touchdowns with only 17 interceptions in three seasons. He won a national championship as a freshman and led the Tigers to two more playoff appearances. Biggest question: There's no such thing as a perfect prospect but Lawrence is close. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke, when asked what he learned about Lawrence that he didn't know during the pre-draft process, said: "No negatives." There was a brief stir about Lawrence's comments in a Sports Illustrated piece that he doesn't have a chip on his shoulder and his high school coach's comment that Lawrence could walk away from the game and be fine. That may have riled up some fans, but Lawrence addressed those comments several days later and reassured everyone he is motivated and does want to win. -- Michael DiRocco 2. New York JetsZach Wilson, QB, BYU Why they picked him: The Jets traded Sam Darnold, in part, because they believe Wilson can be a franchise quarterback. Among the QBs not named Trevor Lawrence, Wilson stood out to them because of his arm talent and ability to make quick reads in and out of the pocket. The Jets' quarterback clock is officially reset -- again. Biggest question: Can he really be a Week 1 starter? The NFL could be culture shock for Wilson, who dominated weak competition in 2020. The smart move will be to ease him in slowly, letting him learn from a vet -- assuming they add one at some point. -- Rich Cimini 3. San Francisco 49ers (from Miami Dolphins via Houston Texans)EDITOR'S PICKS Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State Why they picked him: The 49ers were unafraid to make a bold trade up the board to No. 3 and equally unafraid to take the player who is the draft's biggest mystery. That would be Lance, who fits the bill of "biggest, fastest and strongest" quarterback coach Kyle Shanahan said he's looking for. At 6-foot-4, 226 pounds, Lance brings a powerful right arm, quick feet, quick processing skills and the maturity to handle everything Shanahan will ask him to do in his offense. Lance's lack of experience -- with 17 starts at the FCS level -- are offset a bit by the fact Lance spent more time under center running Shanahan staples than any of the other top quarterback prospects. Lance's ball security is also appealing to the 49ers after he went 287 consecutive attempts without an interception in 2019. There's plenty of risk here but the reward could be huge. Biggest question: Can Shanahan and the 49ers get Lance to reach his potential? That lack of experience against top competition makes Lance the biggest unknown quantity among the top quarterbacks in this draft. While Lance has drawn comparisons to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen because of his physical traits, he also comes with accuracy questions (50% completion rate in 2020, 67% in 2019) similar to those Allen had when he arrived in the NFL. Lance's floor might be lower than the other top quarterback prospects but his ceiling might be higher, especially if he gets the chance to settle in behind Jimmy Garoppolo for a season before becoming the starter. At 20, Lance is just scratching the surface on his potential, which puts the onus on the 49ers to help him reach it. -- Nick Wagoner 4. Atlanta FalconsKyle Pitts, TE, Florida Why they picked him: Pitts might be the most talented non-quarterback in the draft -- and perhaps the most gifted player regardless of position. He might be listed as a tight end but he has the traits of a dominant big receiver at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds with a reported 4.44-second 40-yard dash time. He can line up all over the formation for coach Arthur Smith, who came up as a tight ends coach. Pitts can play out wide, in the slot or in line as a tight end and be a matchup issue throughout. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot called him "a special player" Wednesday. Biggest question: Tight ends typically don't go this high in the draft (Vernon Davis was earliest selection for a TE at No. 6 overall in 2006) and the transition from college to pros is a difficult one that usually takes a year. But Pitts is going to be looked at to be a Day 1 impact player, so he'll have to defy history. The question is whether the Falcons did the right thing taking Pitts over a quarterback with Matt Ryan, who soon will be 36 on May 17. Only time will tell. -- Michael Rothstein 5. Cincinnati BengalsJa'Marr Chase, WR, LSU Why they picked him: The Bengals are looking for this year's first-round pick to be an immediate contributor. Chase showed a knack for that in his final season at LSU (84 catches, 1,780 yards, 20 TDs in 2019), when he and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led the Tigers to a national championship. Chase is another big-play wide receiver that could open up the team's offense. Biggest question: Will Chase's physical style still be successful in the NFL? Also, as good as Chase could become, the Bengals will need their pass protection (Burrow was sacked 32 times before his season-ending knee injury) to improve in 2021 in order for Burrow and the passing attack to be effective. -- Ben Baby 6. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia Eagles)Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama | Highlights Why they picked him: A need for speed. Waddle is believed to be the draft's fastest player even though he didn't test because of a fractured ankle. With elite run-after-catch and deep-ball ability, Waddle is a good description of the game-changing playmaker the Dolphins need to help QB Tua Tagovailoa. When faced with a choice between reuniting Tagovailoa with one of his two former Alabama receivers, they leaned toward the bigger, faster and more electric Waddle over the more productive and polished DeVonta Smith. Biggest question: Can Waddle become a complete No.1 receiver? Waddle was never the most productive receiver at Alabama with Jerry Jeudy holding that title in 2018 and Smith dominating in 2019 and 2020. Lofty redraft comparisons to Tyreek Hill made headlines, but Waddle is far less advanced as a route runner and against press coverage than Waddle, so he'll have to make big jumps there to become Miami's No.1 receiver. -- Cameron Wolfe 7. Detroit LionsPenei Sewell, OT, Oregon | Highlights Why they picked him: Sewell was arguably the best available option at his position throughout this entire draft class. Detroit has added another strong option, who will likely be an instant starter to an already good offensive line to give extra protection to new quarterback Jared Goff. He fits the mold of what the Lions are building under new general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell with toughness and grit by selecting the 2019 Outland Trophy winner - which is awarded to nation's best interior lineman. Biggest question: Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, so it remains to be seen how that impacts him. Although Sewell is quick on his feet, some may wonder if his strength and technique will translate onto this stage, but he seems to be the safe bet at No. 7 under the new Lions regime. -- Eric Woodyard 8. Carolina PanthersJaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina | Highlights Why they picked him: A press corner was the one position general manager Scott Fitterer believed could help the roster the most outside of tight end Kyle Pitts and left tackle Penei Sewell. In Horn the Panthers have a physical, big corner with great reach, something Seattle believed in when building its championship teams when Fitterer was there. With injury-prone Donte Jackson entering the last year of his contract the Panthers have a long-term solution at one of the corner spots. Biggest question: Quarterback Sam Darnold better be good, because the Panthers had a shot at Justin Fields, a player many believed to be at least the third-best quarterback in the draft. This pick shows Carolina believes in Darnold and is going to give him every chance to succeed. It also shows the Panthers believe a player like Horn can help them win now. -- David Newton 9. Denver BroncosPatrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama | Highlights Why they picked him: With the trade for Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday, the Broncos turned to their defense with their first pick of the draft. Broncos coach Vic Fangio has said consistently the key to playing defense in the NFL is to have as many top-flight cornerbacks as possible. Surtain, given his versatility as a man-to-man cornerback, or in zone and as a run defender, will be a walk-in starter. Surtain was one of the most complete prospects on the board. Biggest question: Many of the team's faithful will be asking why the Broncos would pass on quarterbacks Justin Fields and Mac Jones to add to the defense? The only question many scouts had about Surtain, and it is a small concern given his ability, is whether or not he was a "plateau'' player given the level of coaching he had received at Alabama, or did he still have room to grow in the seasons to come? For the Broncos, he was the most ready-made NFL player on the board. -- Jeff Legwold 0. Philadelphia Eagles (from Dallas Cowboys via Miami Dolphins, San Francisco 49ers)DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama | Highlights Why they picked him: With both of the top corners off the board, the Eagles moved up from No. 12 to No. 10 to grab the most prolific receiver in the draft. Smith led the NCAA in receptions (117), receiving yards (1,856) and receiving TDs (23) en route to a Heisman Trophy in 2020. With smooth route-running skills, sudden feet and sure hands, he'll make an immediate impact in coach Nick Sirianni's West Coast-style offense. Biggest question: Smith's current weight is said to be under 170 pounds. A big part of the NFL game is getting off the line of scrimmage against man-press. While he had few issues at Alabama, it's yet to be be seen whether he can do it at the next level. -- Tim McManus 11. Chicago Bears (from New York Giants)2021 NFL draft coverage Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State | Highlights Why they picked him: The Bears haven't had a true franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman retired in 1950. After the Mitchell Trubisky experiment fizzled out after four seasons, the Bears were under enormous pressure to find their next quarterback of the future. Chicago signed veteran Andy Dalton, who may open the year as the starter, but Fields will be the No. 1 sooner, rather than later. Plus, the Bears had to find a way to energize their fan base, which reacted to the Dalton move with a collective yawn. Mission accomplished. Biggest question: When does Fields start? The Bears rushed Trubisky into action before he was ready back in 2017 because the veteran they signed as their bridge quarterback (Mike Glennon) was terrible. In a perfect world, the Bears probably want Fields to sit behind Dalton for a short period of time. But the pressure to play Fields will be too great to ignore. The Bears believe they have the right quarterback room and coaching staff to develop a young quarterback. We will soon see whether or not they are correct. -- Jeff Dickerson 12. Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia Eagles)Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State | Highlights Why they picked him: Coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys needed to get faster on defense. Parsons ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day. He was an impact player at Penn State and considered one of the best athletes in the draft. He had 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five pass deflections in two seasons. The Cowboys were focused on corners, but Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II went right before their pick, leading them to move down in a trade with Philadelphia. Biggest question: How does he fit with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch in 2021? He has some pass-rush ability, so will the Cowboys use him in a designated pass-rusher role? Smith is on the books for a guaranteed $7.2 million in 2020, while the Cowboys are likely to pass on picking up the fifth-year option on Vander Esch, which needs to be exercised by Monday. -- Todd Archer 13. Los Angeles ChargersRashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern | Highlights Why they picked him: Slater has played left and right tackle, and the Chargers love his versatility. He likely will start at left tackle and will be tasked with protecting franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. He's NFL-ready and strong at the point of attack. Biggest question: He's the first offensive lineman drafted by the Chargers since D.J. Fluker in 2013. He opted out of 2020, but the Chargers must have felt confident enough to select him high in this draft. His interior pass protection against quick defensive ends is suspect. He has the tools, but the question remains how he'll transition to the Chargers' offense after taking year off. -- Shelley Smith 14. New York Jets (from Minnesota Vikings via Seattle Seahawks)Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC | Highlights Why they picked him: If you're going to pick a new franchise quarterback (Zach Wilson), it pays to protect that investment. Vera-Tucker, expected to replace Alex Lewis at left guard, will improve the offensive line. He and LT Mekhi Becton, last year's No. 1 pick, will form a rock-solid left side of the line. This was a smart pick. Biggest question: How badly did the Jets want Vera-Tucker? They traded up nine spots, giving up their two third-round picks (66 and 86) and receiving a fourth-rounder from the Vikings (143). It's a lot to give up for a guard, but the Jets saw him as one of the safest prospects in the draft. -- Rich Cimini 15. New England PatriotsMac Jones, QB, Alabama | Highlights Why they picked him: The Patriots have been looking for Tom Brady's replacement since he departed in free agency, and Jones' strengths most mirrored Brady among the top QB prospects in the draft. He's accurate and known for his decision-making, which are two of the top things coach Bill Belichick values most at the position. He has also played some of his best football in high-stakes, high-pressure situations. Biggest question: Jones was a one-year starter who wasn't viewed as a first-round-caliber prospect entering 2020. He also had NFL-caliber skill-position players around him, which sparked questions as to how much of his success could be attributed to his teammates. -- Mike Reiss 16. Arizona CardinalsZaven Collins, LB, Tulsa | Highlights Why they picked him: Collins is a safe pick and drafting him gives Arizona serious depth at outside linebacker. He gives the Cardinals their outside linebacker of the future, and he can learn from Chandler Jones and Isaiah Simmons. Collins is versatile and a hard hitter, which will give defensive coordinator Vance Joseph plenty of options to use him in packages. Biggest question: Why did they pick Collins when there were other pressing needs, and when will he get on the field? There's now a logjam at outside linebacker with Jones, Simmons and Markus Golden, but Simmons can even play off the edge. This was a pick for the future, but Arizona needs to win now. -- Josh Weinfuss 17. Las Vegas Raiders Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama | Highlights Why they picked him: The Raiders traded away starting center Rodney Hudson, right guard Gabe Jackson and right tackle Trent Brown this offseason and had a pressing need at right tackle. And, apparently, they liked Leatherwood so much that they stood pat at No. 17 to select him, rather than try to trade back, get more picks and still get him -- unless there were no takers. Biggest question: Is Leatherwood the cornerstone right tackle, or might he slide inside to right guard and will the re-signed Denzelle Good move to right tackle? Drafting a defensive player at No. 17 and then trading up from No. 48 in the second round to get a player such as Leatherwood, the fourth offensive lineman selected (though he was not a consensus top-5 O-line prospect), seemed to be a better proposition. -- Paul Gutierrez 18. Miami DolphinsJaelan Phillips, DE, Miami | Highlights Why they picked him: The Dolphins' biggest defensive need was an edge rusher who can win one-and-one consistently while holding up against the run. Enter Phillips. Many scouts viewed Phillips as the draft's best edge rusher and a potential top-10 prospect in the draft if he didn't have medical issues. He played right down the road at the University of Miami and was the most productive pass-rusher in college football last season. Biggest question: Phillips was forced to medically retire at UCLA two years ago because of concussions and he's had a wrist injury in the past, too. Phillips says he had two concussions in college and he was forthright with teams in the pre-draft process. The Dolphins clearly were comfortable with his medical history, but health is the biggest question for Phillips. -- Cameron Wolfe 19. Washington Football TeamJamin Davis, LB, Kentucky | Highlights Why they picked him: Davis' skill set and versatility made him a desired fit at linebacker. He can play inside, something they really wanted, and he can play in their sub-packages with his ability to cover. Davis runs well, something Washington absolutely needed at linebacker, and is considered a hard worker and disciplined player -- that will go a long way with coach Ron Rivera. Washington wants to build a special defense, and Davis should make the back seven better. Biggest question: He started for only one season at Kentucky, so he's inexperienced, and he'll have to become more of an attacker in the run game. Rivera likes to say if you can't stop teams on the ground, you'll always be in bad passing situations. -- John Keim 20. New York GiantsKadarius Toney, WR, Florida | Highlights Why they picked him: "Explosive" is how an executive described the Florida playmaker. He's an offensive weapon the Giants can use all over the field, including in the backfield. They wanted to give quarterback Daniel Jones another weapon, and Toney was the best on the board at No. 20. Biggest question: Should the Giants have taken Michigan defensive end Kwity Paye, someone they viewed as perhaps the best edge rusher in the draft? It seems the Giants were intent on getting Jones more help, whether it be a wideout such as DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle or more protection with an offensive lineman. Paye, perhaps, would have filled a bigger need. -- Jordan Raanan 21. Indianapolis ColtsKwity Paye, DE, Michigan | Highlights Why they picked him: The Colts are desperate for help in the pass-rush department after losing a combined 15.5 sacks with the departures of Denico Autry (Tennessee) in free agency and veteran Justin Houston, who remains unsigned. Biggest question: Paye lacks consistency and he didn't put up eye-popping sack numbers while at Michigan, with only 11.5 sacks in three-plus seasons. But he did have the best pressure percentage of any edge rusher in the draft. -- Mike Wells 22. Tennessee TitansCaleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech Why they picked him: Farley is one of the top cornerbacks in the draft, with a blend of size, skills and speed that makes him more than capable of being trusted in man coverage. Biggest question: How healthy is Farley after having back surgery? If he comes back strong from injury, he is the best man-to-man cover corner in this draft. -- Turron Davenport 23. Minnesota Vikings (from the New York Jets)Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech | Highlights Why they picked him: With Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater off the board at No. 14, the Vikings chose to move back nine spots in a trade with the Jets (No. 23) and picked up two third-rounders in the process while still landing one of the draft's top-rated offensive tackles. Minnesota needed to address the offensive line early in the draft with a player who can contribute immediately for a unit that allowed 39 sacks last season. Darrisaw is a "pure left tackle," according to general manager Rick Spielman, and his physical skills and fit in a zone-blocking scheme make him a strong candidate to fill the void at left tackle in 2021. The Vikings felt like they needed not just an athletic blocker but someone with the size to handle speed rushers and powerful defensive linemen. Darrisaw's 6-foot-5, 322-pound frame, coupled with his length, is what Minnesota was looking for. Biggest question: It appears the Vikings have four of five positions set on the offensive line with Darrisaw penciled in at left tackle and Brian O'Neill staying at right tackle, according to coach Mike Zimmer. The biggest question on the O-line this offseason has been where Ezra Cleveland will play in 2021 after he was drafted in the second round last year after three seasons playing left tackle at Boise State. The Vikings still need to find a starting left guard, a spot they could address on Day 2. But for now, a few questions seem to be closer to being answered with the selection of Darrisaw. -- Courtney Cronin 24. Pittsburgh SteelersNajee Harris, RB, Alabama | Highlights Why they picked him: The league's worst running game needed an overhaul, and the Steelers identified Harris as the best running back in the field early in the draft process. He's an every-down back, ready for contact on Day 1. He'll give Pittsburgh a much-needed lift on the ground. Biggest question: Do the Steelers have the offensive line to protect him? The line lacks star power and experience up front. The one player who stands out, David DeCastro, is 31. Pittsburgh will be trusting its scheme and a deep receiving core to provide balance for Harris. -- Jeremy Fowler 25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams)Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson | Highlights Why they picked him: Urban Meyer talked about adding speed at receiver and running back, and Etienne was a dynamic playmaker at Clemson. He's the Atlantic Coast Conference's all-time leader in rushing (4,952 yards), rushing TDs (70) and scrimmage TDs (78). Etienne will be involved heavily in the passing game: His 588 receiving yards last season were the second most among FBS running backs. He could spend time in the slot, too. Biggest question: The Jaguars had bigger needs on defense -- especially interior defensive line and edge rusher -- and they're gambling that they'll be able to grab a player at those positions in the second round. James Robinson ran for more than 1,000 yards last season as an undrafted rookie and now the team has added Etienne in addition to Carlos Hyde in free agency, so there's some uncertainty about his future. -- Michael DiRocco 26. Cleveland BrownsGreg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern | Highlights Why they picked him: The Browns have dedicated this offseason to bolstering a defense that ranked 19th in efficiency last year. Newsome solidifies a revamped secondary, having allowed a QBR of 3.4 as the primary defender in coverage last season, third best in the FBS. Biggest question: Will Newsome start right away opposite Denzel Ward? He'll have a chance, provided he can beat out 2019 second-round pick Greedy Williams, who missed all of last season with a shoulder injury. -- Jake Trotter 27. Baltimore RavensRashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota | Highlights Why they picked him: The Ravens give Lamar Jackson a Keenan Allen-type weapon who creates separation with slick route running, and Bateman catches everything he can get his hands on. This marks the first time in Ravens history that they have three first-round wide receivers on their roster (Bateman, Marquise Brown and Sammy Watkins), which should help Baltimore avoid a third consecutive year of ranking last in catches and receiving yards as a wide receiver group. Biggest question: Does Bateman address the need of a big target for the Ravens? Bateman measured at 6 feet at his pro day after being listed at 6-2 in college. At times, he doesn't play big, failing to battle for contested catches. Baltimore has struggled to find a sizable wide receiver for Jackson, missing on Miles Boykin (third round, 2019) and Dez Bryant (free agent last season). -- Jamison Hensley 28. New Orleans SaintsPayton Turner, DE, Houston | Highlights Why they picked him: The Saints just picked up the fifth-year option for 2022 for former first-round DE Marcus Davenport on Thursday. But they lost a lot of depth on their defensive line this offseason, parting ways with DE Trey Hendrickson and DTs Sheldon Rankins and Malcom Brown. Turner (6-6, 268) has the size and length the Saints covet in their 4-3 DEs, and he should have the versatility to move inside to DT as well. Biggest question: Did the Saints miss out on both a bigger need and better value? This was a surprise pick since few analysts projected Turner to go in Round 1 and since the Saints' needs at CB, LB, WR and even QB were more glaring. Also, Turner battled injuries in college. But ESPN's Adam Schefter just reported Thursday morning that he could be a Round 1 surprise after teams got positive medical reports. -- Mike Triplett 29. Green Bay PackersEric Stokes, CB, Georgia | Highlights Why they picked him: Remember when Tom Brady torched Kevin King and everyone else in the secondary not named Jaire Alexander in the NFC Championship Game? Yes, the Packers re-signed King, but it's just a one-year deal ($5 million). This is about a long-term cornerback partner for Alexander. It gives them two speedy corners who can cover for new defensive coordinator Joe Barry. Stokes allowed the second-lowest completion percentage (18.2%) and second-lowest Total QBR (1.3) in press coverage in the FBS last season. Alexander yielded a 45.9 passer rating and a completion percentage of 46% as the nearest defender, per NFL Next Gen Stats. All other Packers cornerbacks allowed a 95.9 passer rating and a completion percentage of 63% as a nearest defender. Biggest question: It has nothing to do with Stokes. The only question that matters today, tomorrow and until the situation is resolved is what happens with Aaron Rodgers now that ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Rodgers has told some within the organization that he does not want to return to the Packers? Poor Stokes. On a night when the Packers should be able to extol his virtues, they'll instead spend most of it answering questions about Rodgers and likely providing no concrete answers. -- Rob Demovsky 30. Buffalo BillsGregory Rousseau, DE, Miami | Highlights Why they picked him: Rousseau was highly productive during the 2019 season in which he recorded 19.5 tackles for a loss and 15.5 sacks. He has the size and length the Bills covet at defensive end and could develop into an elite edge rusher with proper coaching. Biggest question: Can he continue to develop while playing a relatively new position? Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season and is still raw; he played safety in high school and missed time in 2018 with an ankle injury. Rousseau has potential but will need to refine certain aspects of his game to overcome his lack of quickness. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques 31. Baltimore Ravens (from Kansas City Chiefs)Jayson Oweh. DE, Penn State | Highlights Why they picked him: After losing Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue in free agency, the Ravens addressed their biggest need by grabbing a pass-rusher with off-the-chart physical traits and a tremendously high ceiling. Oweh is explosive, rangy and fluid with rare top-end speed. How much does Baltimore like him? Oweh is the first pass-rusher drafted in the first round by the Ravens since Terrell Suggs 18 years ago. Biggest question: How productive will Oweh be at the NFL level? Oweh is the first FBS defensive lineman in seven years to get drafted in the first round after not recording a sack in his final collegiate season. ESPN's Todd McShay said he believes Oweh is more disruptive on tape than the stats would suggest. But the lack of sacks shows Oweh is a raw prospect. -- Jamison Hensley 32. Tampa Bay BuccaneersJoe Tryon, DE, Washington | Highlights Why they picked him: The Bucs positioned themselves to draft the best available player by re-signing all 22 Super Bowl starters on offense and defense. But there's a drop-off after Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, with JPP entering the last year of his contract. Tryon's in a great spot to contribute right away to their pass rush without the pressure of starting right away. Biggest question: The Bucs left Georgia outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari and Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore on the board. Barmore would have brought youth and versatility to an aging interior defensive line, and Ojulari might be a better run defender. But they don't need Tryon to be a finished product. He has room and time to develop. -- Jenna Laine The Best of the RestAzeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia Given many teams' obsession with certain traits for edge rushers, Ojulari might seem like an odd candidate to be a top selection given his 6-2, 249-pound frame. But with his rapid first step, easy bending ability and advanced hand usage, Ojulari offers everything else necessary to be a prolific sack artist. Christian Barmore, DT, AlabamaIn an uninspiring class for defensive tackles, Barmore stands above the rest thanks to his flashes of dominant play disrupting the passing game. It's up to the one-year starter and his future NFL coaching staff to bring more consistency to his approach after his lack of control took him out of too many plays. AdChoicesTrevon Moehrig, S, TCU Versatility will be his calling card in the NFL given his proficiency in a number of different coverage roles. Though not as electric as some other top safeties in recent years, Moehrig can rely on his impressive range and instincts to find the ball consistently. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame This year's premier hybrid defender, Owusu-Koramoah can handle a variety of coverage assignments while still holding up as a downhill tackler. His overly aggressive style leaves him vulnerable to giving up big plays, however, and he might require a creative role to ensure he doesn't get stuck in no-man's land. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU After playing in the shadow of Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in 2019, Marshall last season established himself as LSU's latest top target. The 6-2, 205-pounder pairs jump-ball prowess with serious speed (4.38-second 40-yard dash) to be a substantial deep threat, though he still has work to do to become a more complete receiver. Elijah Moore, WR, Ole MissDon't dismiss him as merely a slot receiver. The 5-9, 178-pound speedster can threaten defenses deep while still making a living underneath with his quick and reliable hands. Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue At 5-7 and 181 pounds, Moore is an outlier as a receiver prospect trying to find a place in the first two rounds. For all of the concerns about his size and durability, though, his explosiveness in the open field is also without peer in this class. Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama So long as there are no complications from a torn ACL suffered in the SEC Championship game, Dickerson figures to be a mainstay in the middle for whichever team drafts him. Mauling in the run game comes easy to the 6-6, 333-pounder, as does turning away any blitzers. Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State When Jenkins locks in on a defender, he's looking to maul rather than merely wall them off. But his bullying approach will only go so far if he's not able to stay in front of faster pass rushers off the edge. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State His name isn't the only thing he gets from his father, as Samuel's play is strikingly reminiscent of the former Patriots standout. Despite sub-optimal size and strength, Samuel doesn't yield much to opposing receivers with his physical and instinctual style. Elijah Molden, CB/S, Washington Put him in the slot and rest easy against smaller receivers. While the 5-9, 192-pound Molden lacks the size to hold up on the outside or at safety, his quick-trigger play signals a long and fruitful career at nickel. Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State The "Baby Gronk" moniker is a bit much, but Freiermuth does have a similar calling card to the Buccaneers tight end in his sheer strength in discarding defenders after the catch. Though he likely doesn't have explosive traits, he can be a reliable, high-end starter, particularly if he cleans up his blocking. Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas The risk Cosmi poses is high, as balance and leverage issues will need to be addressed before he can become a trusted blindside protector. But it's hard to overlook the upside of a 6-6, 314-pound left tackle with his movement skills. Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina The former linebacker runs like he's still trying to dole out punishment, regularly shedding would-be tacklers with his nasty stiff-arm. Though his cutting ability makes him more than merely a north-south runner, Williams still needs to diversify his skill set in the passing game to become a complete back. Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma A three-year starter who never gave up a sack, Humphrey is the picture of dependability. He won't bulldoze many defensive tackles in the NFL, but he can keep blockers at bay with his well-rounded approach and know-how. Richie Grant, S, UCF Hunting down the ball from a deep alignment is Grant's specialty. The three-year starter is quick to key in on plays and thwart a throw, though he might struggle with certain man-coverage assignments. Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest More than a big body at 6-3 and 274 pounds, Basham uses his rapid burst off the line of scrimmage to make plays in the backfield. While he might never consistently produce double-digit sack totals, he has a good chance to be a valuable starter for some time. Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington Able to get into the backfield in a hurry, Onwuzurike is an attacking force on the interior. Establishing more discipline in his rushes is an essential step for him to become a viable every-down starter. Ronnie Perkins, DE, Oklahoma Flexibility and power are a winning combination for any pass rusher, and Perkins displays both in his slippery rush off the edge. If he improves his hand usage, he could be a pesky matchup for opposing offensive linemen. Random Thoughts- Easily the easiest number one pick since Andrew Luck.
- The pick of Micah Parsons by the Cowboys means that Leighton Vander Esch or Jaylon Smith won't be on the team after this year, or maybe sooner. - Kyle Shanahan has bet his career on Trey Lance. - Tim Tebow worked out for the Jaguars as a Tight End. For Heaven's Sake, make it stop. - Between Mason Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins at backup QB, the Steelers still don't have an actual good backup QB. - Did you know that Mac Jones middle name is McCorkle? I am totally buying a McCorkle jersey for my kids. - The Patriots taking Jones just killed whatever trade market was out there for Jimmy G. - Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay. Which won't be happening anytime soon.
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We all know about Tom Brady. The 2000 NFL draft produced arguably the greatest quarterback in league history. Not gonna rehash that, you've all gotten your fill of #199, 6th round draft pick, etc. So, this is besides TB12. Further, this is not about the big names in the draft who ended up being busts, or just never quite lived up to expectations (looking at you, LaVar Arrington). Also not including players who had decent careers, even good careers, but didn't quite hit that "superstar" level.
Round 1, Pick #5: RB Jamal Lewis. Simply put, Lewis is the best running back in Baltimore Ravens history, amassing over 12,000 total yards from scrimmage, and 62 career TDs. He isn't on the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but was a member of the 2000s NFL All-Decade team. Round 1, Pick #9: LB Brian Urlacher. The Chicago Bears drafted him, he ended up being one of their best draft picks ever. So far, as of this year, Brian Urlacher is the only member of the 2000 NFL Draft class to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Fun Fact: For a long time in Madden, after my first move in a new Franchise was to trade for Drew Brees, my 2nd move was usually trading for Brian Urlacher to lead my defense...Chicago Bear or not, this Lions fan has crazy respect for Brian Urlacher. Dude could play. Round 1, Pick #17: K Sebastian Janikowski. Now, I remember how the Oakland Raiders were outright mocked for taking a kicker in the 1st round. It was something you JUST DIDN'T DO. What a wasted pick, everybody said. What happened? The Oakland Raiders got a player who would be on the team for 17 years, one of the best long-range kickers ever, and let's be honest...if the HOF selection committee wasn't completely biased against kickers, would be inducted into the HOF as part of the class of 2024. It was an unconventional pick to be sure, but the Oakland Raiders absolutely got this pick right. Round 5, Pick #142: P Shane Lechler. I can't believe I am including a punter in this list...But, for the first 12 years of Lechler's career, him and Janikowski were by far the best K/P tandem in the entire league. With just two picks in this draft, The Oakland Raiders special teamers who would spend a combined 31 years with the team. Not bad...But back to Lechler...7 pro bowls. 6 1st team All-Pros, 3 2nd team All-Pros, 4x punting yards leader, and made the 2000s, 2010s, and 100th Anniversary All-NFL teams...not bad for a punter taken in the 5th round... Round 5, PIck #153: WR Dante Hall. While his career only lasted 8 years, let's be honest here...it was a damn fun 8 years, wasn't it??? 2 pro bowls, 2 all-pro selections, and he made the 2000s NFL All-Decade team twice...1st team as a punt returner, and 2nd team as a kick returner, on his way to amassing over 12,000 return yards and 12 return TDs in his career...Other than Devin Hester, during the 2000s, Dante Hall was the most feared KR/PR in the entire NFL. We'll continue our short overview of some of the better known names that may get called in the draft. Today we'll cover defense, special teams and potential sleepers. The rumors are just too out of control this year so there is no point in covering it as everything starting with the 4th pick is massively up in the air. Defensive TackleBarmore is my clear favorite, the next four tend to get intermixed at who is number two. Scheme is very important to a players success so the chances of your team getting a good DT with a pick is probably pretty good as this is crop of defensive tackles is stronger than the defensive end group. 1 Christian Barmore Alabama 2 Daviyon Nixon Iowa 2 Jaylen Twyman Pittsburgh 2 Jay Tufele USC 2 Levi Onwuzurike Washington 6 Marvin Wilson Florida State 7 Alim McNeill NC State 8 Marlon Tuipulotu USC 9 Tyler Shelvin LSU 10 Tommy Togiai Ohio State Defensive EndLacks a freak like Chase Young but pass rushers are always in demand so it will be very like that Rousseau and Paye both go in the first round despite both having some issues. 1 Gregory Rousseau Miami (Fla.) 2 Kwity Paye Michigan 3 Jayson Oweh Penn State 4 Jaelan Phillips Miami (Fla.) 5 Carlos Basham Jr. Wake Forest 6 Ronnie Perkins Oklahoma 7 Rashad Weaver Pittsburgh 8 Dayo Odeyingbo Vanderbilt 9 Patrick Jones II Pittsburgh 10 Joshua Kaindoh Florida State 11 Tarron Jackson Coastal Carolina 12 Adetokunbo Ogundeji Notre Dame LinebackerWe continue to move farther away from the time of the three down linebacker so if they become available, teams go after them. 1. Micah Parsons, Penn State, 6-foot-3, 246 pounds Top-two defensive prospect in the draft. Character concerns from incidents in his high school and college careers. Elite blitzer and run-stuffer who can cover, too. Plays any linebacker spot. 2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame, 6-foot-1, 221 pounds Is the Butkus Award winner too small to play NFL linebacker? Not as valuable as a safety, even with cover skills. Sideline-to-sideline game-changer with first-one-in, last-one-out mentality. 3. Zaven Collins, Tulsa, 6-foot-4, 259 pounds A 96-yard pick-six showed rare size and speed combination. Big for an inside linebacker, but not much edge experience. Won 2020 Nagurski Award as college football’s best defensive player. 4. Jamin Davis, Kentucky, 6-foot-3, 234 pounds Only 11 career starts, but filled the stat sheet in 2020, including a blocked kick. Reads the quarterback’s eyes, reacts to what’s about to happen and follows the scent of the ball. 5. Nick Bolton, Missouri, 5-foot-11, 237 pounds Knack for shedding blocks. Stands up ball-carriers despite being undersized by NFL standards. Always communicating — like a true middle linebacker. 6. Jabril Cox, LSU, 6-foot-3, 232 pounds Three-time FCS national champion at North Dakota State who fit in seamlessly as LSU’s leader. Change-of-direction quickness to match the best pass-catching backs. 7. Chazz Surratt, North Carolina, 6-foot-2, 229 pounds Played quarterback until 2019. Not a position change you see every day. Still learning linebacker fundamentals, but has athleticism, football IQ and willingness to initiate contact. 8. Dylan Moses, Alabama, 6-foot-1, 225 pounds Five-star recruit who never put it all together as expected. Returned from missing 2019 season to be a team captain who makes others better, but he doesn’t play behind the line of scrimmage often enough. 9. Monty Rice, Georgia, 6-foot, 233 pounds Gutted out a foot injury last season, but might have done more than harm than good for his stock. Hard-hitter who makes ball-carriers want to step out of bounds. 10. Pete Werner, Ohio State, 6-foot-2, 238 pounds Three-year starter who looked comfortable in various linebacker spots and on special teams. Will quickly understand not only his own responsibility, but also those of 10 others on any given play. CornerbackPick your favorite of the top three corners. I could see any of them being the first corner chosen. 1. Patrick Surtain II, Alabama Pros: Will overpower receivers in contested situations. Trusts his footwork. Attacks the ball in the air and can really get up after it. Physical and aggressive against the run. Cons: Will occasionally give up leverage to a physical receiver. Has some trouble locating the ball when in chase on deep vertical route. There have been times he has perfect position but he still gives up a catch. Patrick Surtain II is the son of Patrick Surtain, who was a three-time Pro Bowl cornerback in 11 NFL seasons. 2. Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech Pros: Overwhelming size and range for the position. Can get moving down the field with a combination of pure speed and quick, long strides. Can run the route for a receiver and shows the ability to place himself in a better spot to attack the ball. Cons: Needs to maintain more control out of his breaks against short and intermediate routes. Has gotten caught looking in the backfield too often. 3. Jaycee Horn, South Carolina Pros: Can stand strong and balanced when going after 50-50 balls. Runs with speed on all levels of the route tree. Sticks his foot in the ground and will come downhill with elite explosion. Shows excellent precision when attacking the ball in the air. Cons: Plays too high out of his backpedal, which will cause an extra step or two when he turns. Gives too big of a cushion in off-coverage. 4. Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State Pros: Excellent at forecasting throwing lanes and the passer’s intentions. Reactions to the ball are explosive. Has minimal wasted steps. Attacks the pass as if he were the receiver and the ball was intended for him. A coordinated and balanced athlete who will play with a nice blend of confidence and toughness. Cons: Lack of size shows up when covering big receivers. Long speed does not match quickness. 5. Greg Newsome II, Northwestern Pros: Easily plays low to the ground with excellent knee bend and ankle flexibility. Rarely caught too high in and out of his backpedal. Disciplined with his technique and footwork. Shows excellent and controlled reactions to the ball, even when he sees it late. Cons: Slender frame that plays small on contact. Gets minimal to no push at the point of attack in press coverage. 6. Aaron Robinson, Central Florida Pros: Excellent foot speed and quickness in coverage. Can play sticky on all levels of the route tree. Easy turn-and-run speed. Cons: Lack of staying power shows up against bigger, more physical receivers. Will get caught looking in the backfield. 7. Eric Stokes, Georgia Pros: Has blazing speed connected to a tall, long frame. Simply an easy-and-fast mover who can maintain good control and balance throughout. Has receiver-caliber hands. Willing tackler who will fill the running lanes. Cons: Will get high in his backpedal, which forces him to take extra recovery steps. 8. Elijah Molden, Washington Pros: A do-it-all member of the secondary who has all the athletic traits to play all over the back end, especially in the slot. Has top-tier short-area quickness. Mind and body are completely in sync. Cons: Undersized for an outside corner. Fringe size for a safety. 9. Ifeatu Melifonwu, Syracuse Pros: Shows good body control and balance when tracking and attacking the ball. Plays with a nasty and confident demeanor on the field. Physical tackler who can play safety roles when needed. Has controlled but useful swagger. Cons: Doesn’t always properly use his hands and reach effectively in press coverage. Needs to stay in phase longer and trust his makeup speed. 10. Tyson Campbell, Georgia Pros: Can stick his foot in the ground and hit a top speed in a hurry. Has easy and natural change of direction. Can reach around a receiver without contact. Recognizes routes and has a fast reaction. Not afraid or hesitant to play physical. Cons: Inconsistent ball production. Loses his center of gravity when turning to look back for the pass. 11. Kelvin Joseph, Kentucky Pros: A speedy and twitchy glider who moves like he is on ice skates. Can play sticky to his man on all levels of the route tree. Excellent ball skills; can play a pass like a receiver. Plays the game with his feet; doesn’t get grabby. Cons: Weak impact and presence on contact. Will get too caught up into looking at the quarterback. SafetyI'm not overly impressed with this group compared to some of the others. I think most of what you are looking at here is a functional starter but maybe not a pro bowler. 1) Trevon Moehrig, TCU Trevon Moehrig is by far the top safety in the 2021 class. Moehrig is a smart, physical player who quarterbacked the TCU secondary over the last three years. Despite a strong safety build, Moehrig played centerfield for the Horned Frogs throughout his career. He regularly showed off great instincts, range, and ball skills while also being able to come up in run support. Moehrig doesn’t have many holes in his game besides only being an okay athlete. Other than that, he is a solid, plug-and-play defender in an NFL defense. 2) Hamsah Nasirildeen, FSU In terms of role players, Hamsah Nasirildeen has a clear-cut position in the NFL as a big nickel/box safety. The 6’4”, 215-pound safety looks like a linebacker and plays like one too. He is smart, physical, and able to thrive near the line of scrimmage as a run defender and covering slot receivers, tight ends, and running backs. He is pigeonholed in the NFL, but he could grow into a really nice player in the right role. He is recovering from a knee injury, so his medicals will be huge in determining draft position. 3) Jevon Holland, Oregon Jevon Holland is a very solid player who does lots of things well but nothing extraordinary. This is hardly a knock against him. Teams will love his versatility and dependability be it deep down the field, up in the box, and covering the slot. Holland is going to have a long NFL career. 4) Richie Grant, UCF In terms of experience, Richie Grant is the elder statesman of this safety class with 34 starts under his belt for UCF. Grant is a cerebral defender with a knack for the ball and the range to close in coverage to make big plays. He sees the field very well and makes up for average long speed with recognition and burst. Grant is more of a coverage player, but he does flash impressive ability as a tackler and run defender. It is just an inconsistent part of his game. 5) Ar’Darius Washington, TCU Ar’Darius Washington is a classic example of a player you love on tape and start to feel a little less certain when it comes to everything else. Washington is a quick, physical, and extremely aggressive safety who makes highlight hits and big plays in coverage. His aggressiveness can get him in trouble and his small build (5’8”, 175 Pounds) doesn’t mesh well with his playing style. Betting on Washington is betting on an exception and if the bet hits, a team will have a really fun playmaker in their secondary. 6) Paris Ford, Pitt 7) Andre Cisco, Syracuse 8) Jamar Johnson, Indiana 9) Richard LeCounte, Georgia 10) Caden Sterns, Texas 11) James Wiggins, Cincinnati Special TeamsKickers: No one cares until they miss. 1 Evan McPherson Florida 2 Jose Borregales Miami (FL) 3 Riley Patterson Memphis 4 Luis Aguilar Northern Arizona Punters: No one cares until they shank it. 1 James Smith Cincinnati 2 Pressley Harvin III Georgia Tech 3 Max Duffy Kentucky 4 Zach Von Rosenberg LSU Long Snappers: Not one of you care about any of these people. 1. Camaron Cheeseman, SR, Michigan 2. Thomas Fletcher, SR, Alabama 3. Ryan Langan, SR, Georgia Southern 4. Adam Bay, SR, Wisconsin Potential SleepersQuarterback: Kellen Mond, Texas A&M (6-3, 211 pounds)
Mond is the ideal untapped prospect because he has solid physical tools as a runner and passer and has shown steady development as an experienced college starter so far. He has the arm, athleticism and confidence as a strong baseline and needs help growing with his accuracy and efficiency. With the right coaching, he can go from promising young backup to viable starter. Running back: Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma (6-0, 231 pounds) Stevenson stands out with his strong running and carries extra burst with his hard-charging downhill style. He also does the little things well and is growing in pass protection. Although his receiving sills and open-field explosiveness are limited, he can deliver well with power with the support of a solid blocking system. Wide receiver: Chatarius "Tutu" Atwell, Louisville (5-9, 155 pounds) Atwell is a speed merchant out of the slot and one of the more underrated big-play threats in the class. He does have a small frame, but if used as a right change of pace receiving and running, he can make a lot of explosive plays. For teams interested in Purdue's Rondale Moore earlier, Atwell can provide the same juice later with some Tyreek Hill traits on the field. Tight end: Tommy Tremble, Notre Dame (6-3, 241 pounds) Beyond the intimidating last name, Tremble is another strong prospect out of the Fighting Irish's pro tight end tradition under Brian Kelly. He can excel lining up in multiple places as a blocker and has plenty of potential as an athletic receiver. With some good coaching to shore up his hands and route-running, Tremble can develop into a well-rounded starter. Offensive tackle: James Hudson, Cincinnati (6-5, 313 pounds) Hudson has incredible athleticism one can't teach for his size. He gets around everywhere as a pass protector and run blocker, schooling less agile assignments. He is limited in experience, which ties into needing work on his hands, feet and overall technique. He should be a willing student to put everything together to eventually grow into a starting-caliber tackle. Guard/center: Jack Anderson, Texas Tech (6-5, 314 pounds) Anderson has an interesting blend of quick feet and tough hands to love his potential as a nasty run blocker moving players out of the way. He also needs to be refined and understand how to better use his body and natural athleticism to his advantage. Defensive tackle: Alim McNeill, NC State (6-2, 317 pounds) File McNeill under another lineman with impressive size and sttrength with great agility to match. His high-level athleticism translated into fine interior pass-rush production. He needs to get more consistent overall and more reliable against the run, but he can be disruptive in pressure situations right away. Edge rusher: Dayo Odeyingbo, Vanderbilt (6-5, 285 pounds) Odeyingbo looks the part with his size and some freakish qualities. Teams discounting him coming off a torn Achilles' will be passing on someone with upside to rack up sacks in pressure situations. He can really get to the quarterback from many angles with a variety of moves. Odeyingbo just needs to be coached to have more substance to go with the flash to be trusted with regular snaps. Linebacker: Monty Rice, Georgia (6-0, 233 pounds) Rice is the classic middle-round high-effort linebacker. He's not going to blow away teams with traditional flat-out speed and quickness, but he relies on his smarts snd savvy to make a ton of plays. He's got a fundamentally sound base and his instincts, recognition and leadership skills are welcome intangibles for a defense and special teams unit. Cornerback: Aaron Robinson, UCF (6-0, 186 pounds) Robinson has the size and enough speed to be a top-flight slot corner. He's not the speediest to stay with receivers downfield outside, but his quick feet are ideal for covering the inside well for a long time. Safety: Talanoa Hufanga, USC (6-0, 199 pounds) Hufanga has great size to be an extra linebacker from the position with his thumping, powerful style. He has good range as a tackler and gets around the field to make a lot of plays. He also is active enough to improve his work in pass defense. Just catching back up on some the things that have gone over the last few months related to the NFL that you may have missed.
- Chiefs acquire OT Orlando Brown, 2021 2nd-rounder, 2022 6th-rounder from Ravens for No. 31, 2021 3rd- and 4th-round picks, 2022 5th-round pick - Panthers acquire QB Sam Darnold from Jets for 2021 6th-round pick; 2022 2nd- and 4th-round picks. And then the Panthers said that they were sure that Darnold was their QB of the future. - Vikings acquire C Mason Cole from Cardinals for 6th-round pick - Seahawks acquire G Gabe Jackson from Raiders for 5th-round pick - Cardinals acquire C Rodney Hudson from Raiders for swap of 3rd- and 7th-round picks - Patriots acquire OT Trent Brown, 2022 7th-round pick from Raiders for 2022 5th-round pick (Do the Raiders have any offensive linemen left?) - Lions acquire DT Michael Brockers from Rams for 2023 7th-round pick. Which is funny because Brockers talked mad smack about Goff being traded as and then ended up on the same team. - Texans acquire OT Marcus Cannon from Patriots for swaps of picks in 4th, 5th and 6th rounds - Dolphins acquire OT Isaiah Wilson from Titans for swap of 7th-round picks - Dolphins acquire LB Benardrick McKinney from Texans for DE Shaq Lawson - Colts acquire QB Carson Wentz from Eagles for 2021 3rd-round pick, conditional 2022 2nd-round pick - Rams acquire QB Matthew Stafford from Lions for two first-round picks, third-round pick, Jared Goff - Supposedly Julio Jones is on the trade market. This is the NFL Liar season so take it with a grain of salt. - Sean Lee from the Cowboys retired after a 11 seasons. He was a pretty good player when healthy but he always struggled to stay on the field. Rule Changes: The expanded jerseys will allow running backs, tight ends, fullbacks, H-backs and wide receivers to wear numbers 1-49 and 80-89; defensive backs can choose from 1-49; linebackers 1-59 and 90-99; offensive linemen 50-79; and defensive linemen 50-79 and 90-99. QBs, kickers and punters will remain in 1-19. - Minnesota Vikings CB Patrick Peterson says he'll wear No. 7 in 2021 season, becoming to first player to take advantage. In order to switch numbers at this point, players need to buy out their inventory of jerseys, which is complete crap. Other Rule Changes.
Draft Only Trades: - 49ers acquire No. 3 overall pick from Dolphins for No. 12, 3rd-round pick, 2022 & 2023 1st-round picks - Dolphins acquire Nos. 6 and 156 overall picks from Eagles for Nos. 12 and 123 picks, 2022 1st-round pick Current Salary Cap: My apologies, between my computer dying, family issues and work being insane I haven't produced the promised pre-NFL draft information. So here is a condensed version for your viewing pleasure and you try to build some hope in your teams future. What Teams Need:Everyone is looking for something in the draft and while some teams are more complete, the future of the team is always at stake. Let's take a look at what teams are looking for. Who is Available?Talent ebbs and flows at different positions from draft to draft. Some years it is a strong offensive line class, other's it is cornerbacks. Quarterbacks are always a hot topic so even if they are garbage, they are still going early. This year is more of a crap shoot do to the wide variance in playing experience last year. Deepest Positions: - Cornerback (15 draft prospects in the top 100) - Wide Receiver (13 draft prospects in the top 100) - Offensive Tackle (13 draft prospects in the top 100) - Defensive End / Edge (13 draft prospects in the top 100) - Quarterback (7 draft prospects in the top 100) Quarterback1. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson. Lawrence has long been locked in as the projected No. 1 pick in this draft. He knocked off Alabama in the national championship game his freshman year before reaching the championship game again as a sophomore and the College Football Playoff a third time as a junior. At 6-foot-6, 220 pounds and with all the physical tools a team craves in a quarterback, Lawrence will be a game-changer for the Jaguars. 2. Zach Wilson, BYU. Wilson saw a meteoric rise up draft boards thanks to an eye-opening 2020 season and pro day. He completed 73.5 percent of his passes while tossing 33 touchdown passes to just three interceptions, leading BYU to an 11-1 record and blowout Boca Raton Bowl win over Central Florida. He's a big play waiting to happen and can also take care of the football. Wilson enters as the likely choice for the Jets at No. 2 in the draft. ------------------------------------------------------------------- The next three could go in any order, but they will all be drafted in the first round. 3. Justin Fields, Ohio State. Fields is another quarterback likely to be selected in the first handful of picks. He was sensational back in 2019, throwing 41 touchdown passes to just three interceptions while rushing for 10 additional scores. The Buckeyes only played five regular-season games in 2020, but he led the team to a Big Ten title and a CFP semifinal win over Lawrence's Clemson squad before falling to Alabama in the championship game. Fields has faced criticism pertaining to his work ethic from NFL analysts in the month leading up to the draft, leading to a larger conversation about quarterback evaluation and the overall draft process. He has garnered support, as well, in the wake of those criticisms and he could very well be the third player -- and quarterback -- taken in this draft. 4. Trey Lance, North Dakota State. Lance might be the biggest question mark of this quarterback class. Scouts will only have one game of film to look at from 2020, but it's impossible to ignore what he did in 2019: 28 touchdowns, zero interceptions and an undefeated record en route to an FCS title. He comes from the same school as Carson Wentz but is not expected to go quite as high as the new Indianapolis Colt, who went No. 2 overall in 2016. Despite the risk, there will almost certainly be a team willing to take a gamble on Lance early in the first round. 5. Mac Jones, Alabama. Jones put together one of the most efficient seasons in college football history last year and has drawn comparisons to Tom Brady, but that hasn't exempted him from skepticism. Jones compiled 4,500 passing yards, 41 touchdowns and just four interceptions throwing to an exceptional group of pass catchers with the Crimson Tide on the way to an undefeated season and national title. There are questions about how Jones' ability compares to his statistics, but he is still slated to be taken off the board in the early-to-mid first round and is in play to go to the 49ers at No. 3. ---------------------------------------------------------- I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the next group go as early as the late second, most will be between the 3rd and 5th rounds. 6. Kyle Trask, Florida. Trask will likely be one of the first quarterbacks selected after the first round in 2021. He posted 4,283 passing yards, 43 passing touchdowns and eight interceptions for the Gators last season. He eclipsed 400 yards in five games, including a narrow 52-46 loss to Jones and Alabama in the SEC Championship Game. He may lack the mobility of other prospects in this class, but his passing from the pocket will still make him an early-round pick. 7. Kellen Mond, Texas A&M. Mond had an inconsistent 2020 season despite the Aggies' 9-1 overall record. He threw for 300-plus yards and three touchdowns against both Alabama and Florida early in the year, but he also had a 11-for-34 passing day against LSU in November. Without eye-popping stats, Mond could fall to the third round or beyond. 8. Jamie Newman, Wake Forest/GeorgiaNewman opted out of Georgia’s 2020 season in order to prepare for the draft, so teams will have to rely on old game tape to get a gauge on the former Demon Deacon. He used his legs in college, rushing for six scores in the 2019 season. Accuracy was an issue, though, as he completed less than 50 percent of his passes in four of his final five games during his junior season. He will likely get taken late in the third day of the draft. 9. Sam Ehlinger, Texas. Ehlinger spent three seasons as the Longhorns' full-time starting quarterback, scoring with his arm and legs along the way. He rushed for 16 touchdowns in 2018 and threw 32 passing touchdowns in 2019 before settling in at 26 passing TDs and eight rushing TDs in 2020. Ehlinger will need to maximize his mobility to make it in the NFL. 10. Davis Mills, Stanford. Mills missed the start of Stanford's season due to a positive COVID-19 test, but he was productive over the final five games for the Cardinal as he completed 66.2 percent of his passes on the way to a 4-1 record. He was able to raise his stock at his pro day, but he is still projected to fall into the late rounds. Wide Recievers1Ja'Marr Chase LSU 2DeVonta SmithAlabama 3Jaylen Waddle Alabama 4Rondale Moore Purdue 5Rashod Bateman Minnesota 6Kadarius Toney Florida 7Terrace Marshall Jr. LSU 8Sage Surratt Wake Forest 9Amon-Ra St. Brown USC 10Dyami Brown North Carolina Running Back1Travis Etienne Clemson 2Najee Harris Alabama 3Javonte Williams North Carolina 4Kenneth Gainwell Memphis 5Chuba Hubbard Oklahoma State 6Michael Carter North Carolina 7Pooka Williams Jr. Kansas 8Khalil Herbert Virginia Tech 9Jermar Jefferson Oregon State 10Rhamondre Stevenson Oklahoma Tight End
Offensive LineCenter:
NextI'll put out the one for defense and some other notes over the next couple of days.
The 2021 NFL draft begins this Thursday at 8pm. So, what that really means, is that ESPN will start pre-draft coverage, oh...Wednesday afternoon, give or take...
Schedule (ESPN will cover all 7 rounds): Thursday, April 29: Round 1, 8pm EST Friday, April 30: Rounds 2-3, 7pm EST Saturday, May 1: Rounds 4-7, 12pm EST Current draft order (as of 3:00pm, Monday April 26) 1. Jacksonville Jaguars 2. New York Jets 3. San Francisco 49ers 4. Atlanta Falcons 5. Cincinnati Bengals 6. Miami Dolphins 7. Detroit Lions 8. Carolina Panthers 9. Denver Broncos 10. Dallas Cowboys 11. New York Giants 12. Philadelphia Eagles 13. Los Angeles Chargers 14. Minnesota Vikings 15. New England Patriots 16. Arizona Cardinals 17. Las Vegas Raiders 18. Miami Dolphins (2nd Pick) 19. Washington Football Team 20. Chicago Bears 21. Indianapolis Colts 22. Tennessee Titans 23. New York Jets (2nd Pick) 24. Pittsburgh Steelers 25. Jacksonville Jaguars (2nd Pick) 26. Cleveland Browns 27. Baltimore Ravens 28. New Orleans Saints 29. Green Bay Packers 30. Buffalo Bills 31. Baltimore Ravens (2nd Pick) 32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Teams without a 1st round pick: Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams, Seattle Seahawks - Given just how much deception goes into the leaks and rumors for each team in the month or two leading up to the draft, I am not going to make any predictions about who gets drafted where...IE, this isn't a mock draft thread, just a general draft information thread.
The Steelers on Tuesday signed their longtime coach to a three-year contract extension that runs through the 2024 season. Tomlin, 49, is 145-78-1 in 14 years with the Steelers, winning one Super Bowl and going to another. The franchise has reached the playoffs nine times during Tomlin's tenure and captured its seventh AFC North title under him in 2020. "I am extremely grateful for this contract extension and want to thank Art Rooney II and everyone in the organization for the support in my first 14 seasons," Tomlin said in a statement. "We have a goal of winning the organization's seventh Super Bowl championship, and I couldn't be more enthusiastic about this upcoming season." The Steelers went 12-5 in 2020, winning their first 11 games before stumbling down the stretch, including a blowout loss to Cleveland Browns at home in the first round of the playoffs. The team is in the midst of a mini-overhaul, particularly on offense after two assistants were let go and center Maurkice Pouncey and tight end Vance McDonald retired. Still, Roethlisberger restructured his contract to lessen his salary-cap hit, a move that helped the Steelers free up enough money to persuade wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to return on a one-year deal. The extension likely means Tomlin will stick around for whatever happens after 39-year-old Roethlisberger retires. There is no succession plan in place for the future Hall of Famer, though Tomlin opting to sign the extension means he intends to be part of the process whenever Roethlisberger calls it quits. The agreement deepens Pittsburgh's extraordinary commitment to its head coaches. The Steelers have had just three men in charge since hiring Chuck Noll in 1969: Noll, Bill Cowher and Tomlin. Noll and Cowher are in the Hall of Fame. Tomlin already is 21st in NFL history in career wins and is one of just two coaches to begin their career with 14 consecutive non-losing seasons. "Mike is one of the most successful head coaches in the National Football League," Rooney, the team president, said in a statement. "We are confident in his leadership to continue to lead our team as we work to win another championship." The agreement also gives the Steelers some stability heading into the draft. They have the 24th overall selection and have glaring needs on the offensive line and at running back to bolster a ground game that finished last in the NFL in 2020. They also need to figure out -- at some point -- what they're going to do at quarterback. Tomlin and Roethlisberger have formed one of the most successful coach-QB tandems in the league during their long run together, though Tomlin pulled off a remarkable coaching trick in 2019 when the Steelers finished 8-8 despite losing Roethlisberger at halftime of Week 2 with a season-ending right elbow injury. Tomlin is remarkably popular within the locker room, though the team has been only modestly successful in the postseason since last reaching the Super Bowl a decade ago. The Steelers are 3-6 in the playoffs since 2011 and have advanced past the divisional round just once, falling to New England in the 2016 AFC Championship Game. I will actually defend this move by the Steelers. I know there has been a little bit of mumbling among Steelers fans about Tomlin, but as a Lions fan, I look at that, and think "Holy shit, you guys are spoiled". In Pittsburgh, Mike Tomlin has a better winning percentage than Chuck Noll and Bill Cowher. In fact, during the regular season, Mike Tomlin has the best winning percentage of any Steelers head coach, ever. In his 14 years as head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin has won 7 AFC North titles, made the playoffs 9 times, been to the AFC title game 3 times, gone to the Super Bowl twice, and came home with a Lombardi trophy... As head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Mike Tomlin has 9 double digit win seasons, 11 winning seasons overall, and ZERO losing seasons. The worst seasons Mike Tomlin has had as the head coach of the Steelers is 8-8, which he has done 3 times. Let me put it this way...if a Detroit Lions head coach had the same record as Mike Tomlin does, doing the same things in Detroit that Tomlin has done in Pittsburgh, he'd be hailed as the greatest coach in Lions franchise history. Mike Tomlin isn't flashy, he doesn't make noise like some head coaches do...but the man wins far more football games than he loses. I mean, isn't that the idea? lionswire.usatoday.com/2021/04/12/broncos-trade-offer-lions-matthew-stafford/
The Denver Broncos were widely presumed to be one of the teams interested in trading for Matthew Stafford back in January. Denver has not been shy about seeking a replacement for young Drew Lock, and Stafford instantly rocketed to the top of the available QB list when GM Brad Holmes made the decision to seek trades for the longtime Lions franchise quarterback. Thanks to a report from Albert Breer in this week’s MMQB at Sports Illustrated, we now have a very good idea of what Denver’s offer to Detroit for Stafford was, and it’s a laughable one. Breer notes, First, they made a good—but not great—offer for Stafford back in February, proposing a deal that would’ve sent the ninth pick to Detroit with the quarterback and a second-rounder coming back That goes in line with some reports from that time frame as well, and it’s easy to see why the Lions quickly moved onto other offers. Breer parenthetically notes that several other teams offered more to Detroit than Denver did. The Lions ultimately traded Stafford to the Rams for first-round picks in 2022 and 2023, a third-round pick in 2021 and quarterback Jared Goff. |
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