ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has been drafting for longer than I live, but his latest first-round projections for the 2021 NFL draft have a wrinkle he has never used before: Trades.
Yes, Kiper’s latest simulation offers successful negotiations early and often, starting with the Atlanta Falcons moving up from fourth place to second to pick up the quarterback of their choice, which Kiper projects to be Zach Wilson of BYU.
The next big move comes in seventh overall, where Kiper makes the San Francisco 49ers move up from 12th overall for Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. Then, in ninth place overall, Kiper projects another move on the board for a quarterback, with the New England Patriots jumping from no. 15 for North Dakota State Trey Lance.
These moves are all intriguing, but they are not the only big surprises in Kiper’s top 10.
In eighth overall position, Kiper has the Carolina Panthers leading Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, ahead of Lance. Kiper also has the Miami Dolphins opting for wide receiver Alabama DeVonta Smith in No. 3 overall, on LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase. And after negotiating back with the Falcons, Kiper sends Kyle Pitts from Florida to the New York Jets instead of one of the remaining defenders.
One trend that the Kiper mock illustrates is the potential for a top 10 that does not include a defensive player. The first in this projection leaves the board in the tenth place overall, when Kiper sends Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II to Dalals Cowboys.
To see the full simulation of the first Kiper round on ESPN.com, click here.