It’s officially the NFL simulation season!
With the NFL’s 2021 Draft on the horizon, here’s a complete first round draft simulation for what we’ll see on April 29th.
Quarterbacks like Trevor Lawrence of Clemson, Zach Wilson of BYU, Justin Fields of Ohio and Trey Lance of North Dakota dominate the top 10, but where will they land? Which stars will the Jets, Giants and Eagles choose? How many surprises come to the first round?
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Here’s a hunch on what the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft will look like.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
One of the easiest choices in years. We will soon see if Lawrence lives up to the hype.
2. Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Cross your fingers, Jets fans. This looks like the right guy. The attitude and courage were made for New York. If general manager Joe Douglas can get this quarterback selection right, Robert Saleh will have a chance to be a New York City toast very soon.
3. Carolina Panthers: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
TRADE: Carolina exchanges general choice 8, choice 39 and the second round of 2022 for Miami for the third general choice.
Carolina is desperate for a franchise quarterback to team up with coach Matt Rhule. Miami is the perfect business partner to help you with this task.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Don’t buy the quarterback’s hype with Atlanta here. First year head coach Arthur Smith wants to win now, and that means protecting Matt Ryan.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Joe Burrow takes your guy.
6. Denver Broncos: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
TRADE: Denver swaps choice No. 9 overall, choice No. 40 overall and the second round selection of 2022 for Philadelphia for the sixth overall choice.
7. Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
8. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
9. Eagles: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
An exchange in which the obvious choice (Smith) is rejected in favor of a choice from nothing? That sounds like the Eagles. But when you dig deeper, the choice makes sense. Pitts is a freak and able to line up as a wide receiver in professionals. New coach Nick Siranni came from a two- and three-hit system in Indianapolis and could use Pitts to help replace Zach Ertz who was leaving. Pitts and Dallas Goedert would be a nightmare for any defense. In addition, Eagles receive a ton of recruiting capital to help spur reconstruction.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
11. Giants: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Parsons dropped out of the 2021 season, but football people know how good he can be at the pros. In a division with mobile quarterbacks and star running backs, the Giants desperately need a player of seven defenders with general skill.
12. San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
14. Minnesota Vikings: Rashawn Slater, G, Northwestern
15. New England Patriots: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
16. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
18. Miami Dolphins: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
19. Washington Football Team: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
20. Chicago Bears: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
21. Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
22. Tennessee Titans: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
23. Jets: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
After addressing the attack with Wilson, Douglas solidifies a secondary that will be tested by Stefon Diggs and Waddle for years.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
26. Cleveland Browns: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
28. New Orleans Saints: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
29. Green Bay Packers: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
30. Buffalo Bills: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
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Joe Giglio can be reached at [email protected].