The 2021 NFL Draft started with three quarterbacks in three picks – and a surprise in that group. More surprises followed.
Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson went 1-2 as expected, but then the 49ers took North Dakota State’s Trey Lance with the third pick. Did San Francisco make the right decision?
The quarterback’s surprise didn’t stop there. The Bears traded Ohio State’s Justin Fields to the No. 11 pick with the Giants. This gave the Beers another draft-day-trade quarterback. Did Chicago make the right decision?
Alabama’s Mack Jones, the fifth quarterback taken in the first round, fell to the Patriots at No. 15. It was the only decision at that time.
The roundback’s decisions were not the only source of entertainment in Round 1. Sporting News looks at the winners and losers from the first night:
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round 1
Winners: Trey Lance, Justin Fields and Mack Jones
The 49ers quarterback debate was a mystery until he was in the pick, and he had the final answer ahead of Lance Fields and Jones.
The North Dakota State star Bison was a top-three pick despite playing in a game for the final fall, and with five quarterbacks taken in the first round, he is in the best-ever win position in what should be a healthy San Francisco team that is one The year has been removed from a Super Bowl appearance.
MORE: Jones’ walk on stage makes him an internet sensation
Lance would win early work from Jimmy Garrappolo – and could have a learning period in 2021, seeing Lance make just 17 starts at the FCS level in college – but enough to make a gamble for Lance’s dynamic talent coach Shil Shannahan was .
The Bears traded up to hammer Fields, who faced the most scrutiny in any quarter in this draft. Fields enjoyed a two-year stretch as Ohio State’s starter, but constant questions about his work ethic, his ability to read defenses, and the revelations that he managed to pull off the top 10. Chicago’s General Ryan Pace needs it. Lift to pan out; Fields is a dual-threat talent with high risk.
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Then there is Jones, the last quarterback taken in the first round. He slipped to 15th, but the good news for him is that he landed with the Patriots and Bill Belichick. Jones would have to defeat Cam Newton to be a starter, but the conductor of Alabama’s record-setting offense in 2020 is in a winning position.
New England could go back to the past and trade for Garapolo. Instead, it would look to the future with Jones, whom it met at mid-goal value.
Losers: Jimmy Garapolo, Andy Dalton and Cam Newton
These veteran quarterbacks will likely return to backup roles in 2021 as a result of three respective first-round picks.
Garpolo started in the Super Bowl two seasons ago, but the 49ers reportedly tried to strike a draft-day blockbuster with the Packers for Aaron Rodgers before he drafted Lance.
Dalton, who was signed in the offseason by Beers on a one-year deal, will now likely be a placeholder for Fields at best. It’s a good bet that “Red Rocket” be replaced in a backup role as if he were to start 2020 with the Cowboys. Newton signed an incentive-filled deal with the Patriots last weekend’s vacation, but Jones may be a better fit in the New England offense. .
The 49ers, the Bears and the Patriots will have to face in 2021 to make the postersion. This is a good bet that will lead to related charges.
Winner: Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith
Both of Alabama’s receivers landed in the top 10 and will rejoin the former Alabama quarterback.
Woddle, who averaged 18.9 yards per catch in three seasons with the Crimson Tide, would be a vertical threat for second-year quarterback Tua Tagoveloa with the Dolphins. Waddle was the most explosive player in the FBS before suffering a leg injury last season.
More: Waddle explains why he neglected the family after selection
Smith took advantage of Waddall’s absence to transition to a record-setting season, making him the first Heiman Trophy winning receiver since 1991. The Eagles traded with the Cowboys to get Smith and will now be paired with another. Quarterback Jalan Hurts of the year.
It marked the second straight year in which two Alabama receivers were taken in the first round, and it was part of a night when six Crimson Tide players were selected in the first round.
Losers: defensive tackle
What happened to the defensive tackle? A talented crop in which Christian Bermore of Alabama, Marvin Wilson of Florida State and Davian Nixon of Iowa were overlooked in the first round.
This comes only two years after six defensive tackles were committed in the first round. Bermore, Wilson, and Nixon will be one of the more interesting Day 2 picks, but with this class a place steeped in value.
Winner: Cowboys
Dallas served the draft board by trading in two places with Philadelphia and preparing a third-round pickup.
Dallas then caught top linebacker Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons on the board. Parsons, who is out of the 2020 season, should help a defense that allowed 29.6 points per game last season. Longtime linebacker Sean Lee retired.
Parsons should step in as a starter soon after owner Jerry Jones urged the trade to make a superb offensive pick. Credit to Dallas for making the right pick, and for working with an NFC East rival to make it happen.
Loser: Raiders
The Raiders are no strangers to off-the-wall pics. He took on Kleinel Farrell in 2018, and he has 6.5 sacks in two seasons. Henry Ruggs was the pick last season, and he had an uneven cheating year at receiver.
This year, Las Vegas took on Alabama tackle Alex Leatherwood, who was projected to be a second-round pick in most Mocs. General manager Mike Maycock and coach John Gruden continue to go against Grain, and in this case they ran from the first-round tackles.
Winner: Steelers
Pittsburgh gets its race back. Alabama’s Nazi Harris should make an immediate impact in a running game that was lacking in 2020. Pittsburgh averaged 3.6 yards per carry and came to a halt in the second half of the season.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is back, and Harris’ ability to close in the red zone and catch the ball out of the backfield will be a big plus for a unit that will keep pace with AFC North favorites Baltimore and Cleveland. This is an important year for coach Mike Tomlin, and addressing the running game was a priority.
Loser: Packers
Let’s be honest Never mind that the Packers have increased from the report of Joe Adam Scatter after Firestorm, which Robbers wants out of Green Bay. The Packers could have traded for a receiver, but once Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman walked off the board, they settled for Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes.
IYER: Best Players Available After Round 1
To be fair, the Cornerbacks needed another pressure, but the play is over with Rodgers. Green Bay needs to find more immediate contributors on Day 2; It is time to address the receiver. Ole Miss’ went there to pick up Eliza Moore. Was that what the Roaders wanted?
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