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The NFL’s 2021 draft is still three months away, and anything can happen in that time. The needs of the team will change, the ratings of potential customers will fluctuate and the direction of many franchises will change. Even when we get to the draft night, we may have some surprises.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters for teams selected from the top ten to review some extraordinary scenarios that could happen and can launch their preliminary plans for a loop. These are hypothetical situations that teams with high choices will need to consider and will be ready for. So, after reading what our own Mel Kiper Jr. predicted for each choice, now see what can happen if things get off track on draft night. Here are 10 scenarios and how the top 10 teams can approach them, starting with a robust commercial offer for Jaguars.
Jump to:
JAX | NYJ | MIA | ATL | CIN
PHI | DET | CAR | DEN | DAL
See: Kiper simulation sketch
What would the Jaguars do here if … the Jets offered their two choices for the first round (Nos. 2 and 23) and the first round for 2022 for the No. 1 overall?
They would say, “Thank you, but no thanks.” The Jaguars cannot afford to leave Clemson’s quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. He is considered one of the best QB candidates since Peyton Manning, and there is a big gap between him and the other callers available in the draft. The new coach, Urban Meyer, said that choosing number 1 this year was one of the things that made Jacksonville’s work so attractive. Lawrence changes a lot for this team.
In addition, owner Shad Khan said: “What escaped the Jags story, in fact, was a quarterback in the franchise. And I think what is unique, certainly, is that we now have the ability to make a choice and that will set the franchise moving forward. “Jacksonville takes Lawrence and never looks back. – Michael DiRocco
What would the Jets do here if … they committed to Sam Darnold as their starting defender in 2021?
They would solicit offers for choice number 2, hoping to move down to obtain extra capital. The Jets have nine choices in the first three rounds, and GM Joe Douglas would like to add at least two more. He has many holes to fill, even in attack. If Darnold stays in New York, he needs a better support cast, and more choices would help the team get there.
But if the Jets can’t find a way to lower the value, I would try to get them to take an offensive player to help Darnold, be it Penei Sewell from the offensive Oregon tackle or a high level wide receiver like DeVonta Smith from Alabama or LSU Ja’Marr Chase. – Rich Cimini
What would the Dolphins do here if … the Jets caught DeVonta Smith at No. 2?
The Dolphins would probably strongly consider the trade-down offers from underserved QB teams in the top 10. An exchange, perhaps with the Panthers in 8th position, could return a choice of 2022 in the first round or several choices in the second round, giving them more resources to improve a list that is on the rise.
If nothing appealed to them, they would probably choose to face either Penei Sewell or receiver Ja’Marr Chase with choice # 3. These moves would further solidify the offensive line around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or give him a revolutionary weapon on the outside. Sure, Smith would be a perfect fit for the Dolphins and Tagovailoa, but there are other options here. – Cameron Wolfe
What would the Falcons do here if … quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Zach Wilson were 1-2-3?
Well, they have a few options. First, they could run the piece of paper by the name of Penei Sewell to lock the pickaxe as quickly as possible, securing a building block for the next decade. You can’t go wrong with that decision. Second, they could hire an ace to help quarterback Matt Ryan. Your contract makes it difficult to part with, so Falcons may well help you as much as they can in this scenario. These game creators can include WR DeVonta Smith, WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) or even TE Kyle Pitts (Florida). One of them alongside Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones would give a great boost to the attack.
An additional possibility if it got to this point: what would the Bengals offer Atlanta to move up one position and prevent Atlanta from taking Sewell? Could the Falcons get some additional recruiting capital and still get one of those offensive weapons? – Michael DiRocco
What would the Bengals do here if … they signed the offensive attack Taylor Moton or guard Joe Thuney at the free agency in March (and OT Penei Sewell is off the board)?
In this scenario, Bengals will have a lot more options in fifth place, considering that it has already helped fulfill the main task of protecting quarterback Joe Burrow. If the needs on the offensive line are met, Cincinnati can try to get a big weapon for Burrow in the passing game, like Ja’Marr Chase. Remember, Chase played at LSU with Burrow. It is the logical move if the free agency and the recruiting board fall that way.
But the fun choice? How about Kyle Pitts from Florida? He could take Burrow and the Bengals attack to another level and has the potential to be a revolutionary tight end for years to come. – Ben Baby
What would the Eagles do here if … the wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase were both off the board?
Eagles certainly need the help of the wide receiver, but there are problems elsewhere as well. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) or Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech) would be intriguing options. The Eagles struggled to get a consistent output from the CB2 spot behind Darius Slay this season. Slay and Surtain can be a double hit. Otherwise, Philly is always in the attacking and defensive market, although it is unlikely that Penei Sewell would fall that far.
And if the Eagles still want to receive, Jaylen Waddle – another former teammate of Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts – is the exact type of explosive ace the Eagles tend to attract. – Tim McManus
What would Lions do here if they … changed quarterback Matthew Stafford soon?
The situation opens up some very real possibilities. If Lions fall in love with defenders Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, they may have to move from their current location to land either player. If Detroit remains in seventh place, North Dakota’s QB Trey Lance could be a player to watch, especially if Lions sign a bridge quarterback for him to sit and learn for a year. Lance has incredible talent, but he is very young – he will be 20 years old at the time of recruiting – so he is intriguing for a team under reconstruction.
The quarterback seems to be the way to go for Detroit, but if not with that choice, a player like Penn State within linebacker Micah Parsons would help kick-start a weak defense. – Michael Rothstein
What would the Panthers do here if … a team had already switched to Kyle Pitts?
Start by looking at the best defender on the board. Did Justin Fields or Zach Wilson fall? Carolina will have to assess whether Fields, Wilson or Trey Lance – who is still available – could be an upgrade in the current Panthers quarterback room by Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker and Will Grier.
In addition to QB, it is doubtful that Penei Sewell would fall that far, and the other offensive tackles are not worthy of a choice in the top 10. But a linebacker like Micah Parsons can be a good option. – David Newton
What would the Broncos do here if … Justin Fields or Zach Wilson had not yet been chosen?
Let’s start by saying that we don’t really know what the new general manager George Paton thinks about any of the players – or the current QB Drew Lock. And in the new power structure, Paton’s preferences for the job mean everything the team will do in the coming months. He says he still hasn’t evaluated Lock’s work last season, but he has seen enough to believe that Lock can still develop. But he also said that playing in QB is one of the biggest components of long-term success and that he will take everything into account.
So it’s hard to say for sure now, because Denver still has some evaluations to do in Lock. But at the end of the day, the Broncos will, of course, get a good look at Fields and Wilson. – Jeff Legwold
What would the Cowboys do here if … no defender had been chosen yet and they could put one on the board?
It’s a simple answer, but they would take the best defender available. Who is so far is still unclear. The cornerback is a great need, so Patrick Surtain II and Caleb Farley would be great options, especially with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis set to become free agents. Cowboys feel like they hit another corner in Alabama in last year’s draft, Trevon Diggs and Surtain have the makeup and feel for the game they want. And Farley has size, speed and playability.
The bad news for the Cowboys is that there doesn’t seem to be a dominant edge rusher or defensive tackle worth making at No. 10, and it may be too soon for a team like Dallas to go with a linebacker off the ball like Micah Parsons, even with doubts about Jaylon Smith’s future. – Todd Archer