What will the Panthers do if one of the top five quarterback prospects (Trey Lance in this scenario) are still on the board when they are on the clock? At a minimum, the front office will at least consider double-dipping despite giving up three picks including a second-rounder in 2022 for Sam Darnold.
[Interesting note: Darnold is eight months younger than Joe Burrow.]
The Panthers used their franchise tag on right tackle Taylor Moton and Russell Okung, last year's starting left tackle, is currently a 32-year-old free agent. Slater's critics may point to his lack of ideal size or length, but if you watch Slater's tape against (former) Ohio State (and current WFT) edge rusher Chase Young, it's easy to project his ability to hold his own outside against NFL-caliber edge rushers. In addition, he has the versatility to play anywhere on the offensive line.
Widely regarded as a blue-chip talent, Pitts should not be available this late in the draft. However, the exceptional talent at quarterback and the fact Miami and Detroit already boast two of the league's better young tight ends in Mike Gesicki and T.J. Hockenson, respectively, could cause Pitts to fall right into Carolina's lap.
The urge to reunite Chase with OC Joe Brady is too strong to ignore for Carolina in this mock. It's not a need for Carolina (that's OL, DL and CB) but Matt Rhule has promised they'll take the best player available. Panthers ultimately couldn't turn down the best wide receiver in the draft, especially after losing Curtis Samuel and having Robby Anderson in the final year of his deal.
Unless the Panthers re-sign Russell Okung, they need a left tackle. Slater does not have the long arms NFL teams covet in offensive tackles, but he's perhaps the best technician among blockers in this class.
Don't rule out Fields here -- there are several around the league who believe the Panthers are ready to throw multiple darts at the quarterback position. But if the Panthers are invested in giving Sam Darnold the chance to be "the guy," then upgrading the offensive line would be wise. Slater would immediately become the top left tackle on Carolina's roster.
They went with an all-defense draft in 2020, but new GM Scott Fitterer shouldn't be too concerned with that in 2021, even though trading for QB Sam Darnold could lead to them wanting to give him some blocking help.
Corner also remains a glaring need, though, and Surtain fits the mold of the long, athletic cover man defensive coordinator Phil Snow seeks and the prototype that the Seattle Seahawks prioritized when Fitterer was a key member of their scouting department. Seattle almost exclusively drafted corners with arm lengths 32 inches or longer, and Surtain crosses that bar -- and he can play, too.
My appreciation for Sam Darnold's potential is well-documented at this point, so I don't see Carolina taking a quarterback here after trading for the former Jets starter. Go and get him some help instead, either along the offensive line or at receiver. Smith is a stellar route runner who just gets open. Put him alongside DJ Moore and Robby Anderson and this is a top-10 offense. Why couldn't Carolina compete for a wild-card spot in 2021?
Now that the QB position has been addressed -- for the time being -- the Panthers can look to add the best player on their board. Sewell is a prime talent and would be a tremendous value at eighth overall.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Detroit Lions Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Detroit Lions from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
With Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones and others signing elsewhere, Quintez Cephus (35/349/2) is the team's top returning receiver. Even though the team signed Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman to one-year deals, wide receiver arguably remains the team's biggest need heading into the draft.
If Chase, who opted out of 2020, were available for last year's draft, he would have been the WR1. The 2019 Biletnikoff Award recipient dominated SEC competition as a true sophomore to the tune of 84 receptions for 1,780 yards (21.2 Y/R) and 20 touchdowns. Not only did he lead the country in yardage and touchdowns, no receiver had more 15-yard receptions (46) or 25-yard receptions (25) than Chase in 2019.
New quarterback Jared Goff will need playmakers to live up to the trade of the stronger-armed Matthew Stafford, and the Lions' receiving corps lacks proven difference-makers with just one 1,000-yard season among the group -- and that was from the 6-4, 205 pound Tyrell Williams back in 2016 for the then-San Diego Chargers. Waddle possesses the elusiveness and speed to immediately become Goff's favorite target.
I badly wanted to trade down again in this mock with new GM Brad Holmes, considering his track record with the Rams. Ultimately, though, Jared Goff needs someone to throw to other than Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman at wideout.
This is where it gets tricky. The Lions might prefer to take a wide receiver or the top defensive player in the draft, but they will be tempted to take Fields even though they have Jared Goff. Without question, they will get trade requests from teams interested in a QB, and could consider moving down.
If the first six picks play out like this, the Lions' selection likely comes down to Fields, the top offensive lineman on their board, or the Alabama receiver they prefer. As Detroit begins a rebuild, the chance to start in the trenches with a 20-year old stud tackle makes sense.
Last time around, I had Penn State LB Micah Parsons here, a player they'll have a high regard for. But with Sewell on the board, I am not sure the Lions would pass on him. Would they move Taylor Decker to right tackle? Not initially. Sewell could be the right tackle and slide over to the left side in a few years if needed.
The 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner led the country that season with 1,780 receiving yards and 20 touchdown catches, and he'd instantly be the Lions' top receiver on a depth chart that includes new signings Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman. He's great at making contested catches and can break tackles and run after the catch. He's a legit No. 1 wideout, which is sorely needed in Detroit.
If Detroit trades out of No. 7, scoops up some additional picks and still gets Smith, I'd see that as a Day 1 home run. The Alabama product has elite ball skills, won in big spots and is a gamer in every sense of the word. The Lions bid farewell to their top two wideouts in free agency, and Golden Tate a year before that. Insert the Heisman winner.
The Bengals find themselves in an enviable position. Not only could they potentially trade back for a team looking to come up for Trey Lance, but they have their choice of non-QB prospects and any of three prospects (Penei Sewell, Ja'Marr Chase or Kyle Pitts) would make sense here. Fortunately for the Bengals, the talent in this year's offensive tackle and wide receiver classes means that they could address the other position at No. 38 with a Round 1-caliber prospect.
The Bengals have begun the process of upgrading their offensive line by signing Riley Reiff, but it's only a one-year deal for the 32-year-old tackle and that shouldn't preclude them from selecting an elite prospect like Sewell here. While Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, the 2019 first-team AP All-American was dominant in his true-sophomore campaign and won't turn 21 until October.
He is coming a year too late to save Joe Burrow from the gut-wrenching knee injury that ruined his impressive rookie season, but Bengals fans (and Burrow) can take solace that Sewell is a generational talent well worth a top-five selection.
Joe Burrow excelled at LSU because of incredible talent at skill positions but also because he had forever and a day to throw the ball. This year's class is incredibly deep at receiver, but you're not finding a blindside protector of anywhere close to Sewell's value later on. Getting Riley Reiff in free agency on a one-year deal absolutely should not preclude Cincinnati from continuing to protect Burrow.
The Bengals might prefer Sewell, who would help fix the blocking in front of second-year QB Joe Burrow, but if he's gone they can't pass up Pitts, one of the most talented and unique tight ends to enter the NFL in years.
If I were making the pick, the chance to upgrade the offensive line with Oregon's Penei Sewell would be the choice. But reuniting Chase with Joe Burrow is understandably enticing for Duke Tobin and Cincinnati's decision-makers. Which direction to go is a great problem for the Bengals to have at No. 5.
There's some buzz around the league that the Bengals feel they've done enough to upgrade their offensive line to bypass that spot (and Penei Sewell) at No. 5. That's … interesting.
Pitts has the higher ceiling as a prospect. He's an alien, basically. So Joe Burrow getting another premier weapon feels like a good thing. As long as the Bengals double back (at 38 or 69) and grab more OL beef.
This was the toughest call for me. It came down to Sewell and wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who knows Joe Burrow well from their time together at LSU and would be an excellent fit next to Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd. Ultimately, the Bengals' offensive line was such a disaster that I don't think they can pass on Sewell, who should start immediately at one of the tackle spots opposite Jonah Williams. The good thing for Cincinnati is that tackle and wideout are two of the deepest positions in this class, and it should be able to find a starter at those positions at the top of Round 2.
The Bengals can't go wrong if things play out this way. Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater and Kyle Pitts all would be excellent selections for Cincinnati. But Chase racked up 84 catches, 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in a season with Joe Burrow at LSU. Let them thrive together for years to come in Cincy.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Atlanta Falcons Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Atlanta Falcons from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Falcons:
Even if 2020 was a bit of an up-and-down season for Fields, who at times tried to do too much, he showed tremendous toughness and leadership in Ohio State's semifinal win over Clemson as he threw for 385 yards and six touchdowns. A two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year, the dual-threat quarterback accounted for 78 total touchdowns -- 63 passing and 15 rushing -- while throwing only nine interceptions over 22 games as Ohio State's starter.
If the Falcons aren't able to find a trade offer they like to move back, the Atlanta area native would have the opportunity to learn behind Matt Ryan in 2021 before potentially becoming the face of the franchise in 2022 and beyond.
Matt Ryan remains one of the league's better quarterbacks and, ironically, that fact contributes to why Atlanta might very well opt to select his replacement now. The Falcons have not owned a Top 10 pick since Ryan's MVP season in 2016. As unproven against elite competition as Lance is, talents like the North Dakota State QB don't last long on Draft Day. Further, consider the background of Fontenot (New Orleans) and Smith (Tennessee), who helped get their promotions in Atlanta based on the surprising development the past few years of dual-threat quarterbacks Taysom Hill and Ryan Tannehill, respectively.
He has the talent to nearly justify staying at No. 4 and picking him. In this mock, Parsons slides to the middle of the first round and goes to a team needing to fill a defense full of holes. Parsons has uncommon speed for coverage and rushing the passer, two things Atlanta really needs.
The Falcons are most likely deciding between Sewell and Kyle Pitts. But Sewell, given his size and athletic ability, has the potential to go to many Pro Bowls. Because Atlanta is locked into Matt Ryan for the next two years from a financial perspective, it seems as though Atlanta won't draft his replacement this year. Trading down also seems unlikely, but the Falcons will listen to offers.
The Falcons have three options: draft a quarterback, the top non-quarterback (Kyle Pitts) or trade back to the highest bidder. Matt Ryan will be Atlanta's starter in the short-term, but the idea of grooming Lance in head coach Arthur Smith's offense is an exciting long-term succession plan.
I could see Lance landing in this spot one way or another. Either as the Falcons' future QB after they move on from Matt Ryan (at some point) or to another team trading up into this spot. Justin Fields is the local kid and appears to be the favorite QB among the team's fans. The Falcons could regard Lance as having a higher ceiling long term. Just a guess.
Could they take Kyle Pitts here and assemble a battery of freaky pass catchers? Sure. We love the guy. But taking the long-term QB -- or trading down -- would create more bang for Atlanta's buck.
So new general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith move down two spots, add extra assets for a rebuilding team and still get a franchise quarterback. The 20-year-old Lance is green -- he started just 17 games in college, all against FCS competition. The Falcons can let him sit behind Matt Ryan for at least a season. And here's a list Lance will join (courtesy of ESPN Stats & Information): Since the 2006 draft, six quarterbacks with fewer than 20 college starts have been taken in the first round: Mitchell Trubisky (13), Cam Newton (14), Dwayne Haskins Jr. (14), Mark Sanchez (16), Kyler Murray (17) and Ryan Tannehill (19). There is some risk involved in picking a young, unproven quarterback this high.
Yes, they have Deion Jones. But the division rival Bucs have Devin White and Lavonte David, and how's that working out? Owusu-Koramoah is a wild-card prospect -- he's going to be playing at 220-230 pounds -- but he fits the bill for the 2021 LB prototype. Atlanta needs a lot of defensive help.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Los Angeles Chargers Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Los Angeles Chargers from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Chargers:
Signing Corey Linsley, Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi in free agency is a good start to address the problem. In a strong offensive tackle class, it wouldn't be a surprise if they used this pick (or their second-rounder) on a tackle. With Rashawn Slater already off the board, the Chargers get a three-year starter that had his best season as a junior and is especially dominant as a run blocker.
Because he opted out in 2020, scouts are watching Sewell's game tape from 2019 -- when he was blocking for Justin Herbert at Oregon. Let's reunite them. It's a bit of a shock to see my third-ranked prospect fall this far, but nine of the top 12 picks were QBs or offensive playmakers, causing a mini-slide. The Chargers aren't complaining. Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler were solid signings in free agency, but this offensive line still needs work. And Sewell is the best lineman in the class.
The Chargers upgraded their offensive line in free agency by adding center Corey Linsley and guard/tackle Matt Feiler, but the left side could still use some reinforcements. Slater allowed just five pressures over 11 games in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus, and should be a solid starter with his combination of strength and athleticism.
The Chargers at least addressed the offensive line last week and made a big upgrade by signing Corey Linsley and Matt Fieler, but that didn't solve all their issues along the line. Darrisaw is widely considered one of, if not, the best pure blocker in this class as he consistently got better during his three years as a starter at Virginia Tech. Blocking for franchise QB Justin Herbert should be the Chargers' top priority.
Signing All-Pro center Corey Linsley is a step in the right direction for a very bad offensive line. Slater opted out this season due to COVID, but handled the mighty Chase Young as a junior while playing left tackle and didn't allow a single sack his last season. He's versatile and talented enough to play all five offensive line positions. He did nothing during his pro day to hurt himself.
The Chargers made a couple savvy moves to improve their offensive line over the past few weeks, signing interior linemen Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler to free-agent deals. They take things one step further here, drafting an athletic, physical tackle prospect. Darrisaw would give L.A. a long-term blindside protector for franchise quarterback Justin Herbert.
Another year, another offseason in which the Chargers desperately need a left tackle -- and with all the flashes that Justin Herbert showed in his rookie season, GM Tom Telesco would be wise to protect him. Rashawn Slater opted out of the 2020 season, but he's an aggressive, physical blocker who moves very well and can play either tackle spot or inside at guard.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Miami Dolphins Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Miami Dolphins from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
What brilliant draft-board maneuvering by the Dolphins! After moving back (and then up) to No. 6, they get the guy they most likely would have targeted at No. 3 while banking future high picks in the process. Provided four quarterbacks kick off the draft, the Dolphins would be guaranteed one of Penei Sewell or Chase and would likely be happy in either scenario.
Opting out in 2020, Chase, the 2019 Biletnikoff Award recipient, would have been the WR1 had he been eligible to join last year's talent-laden crop of wide receivers. As a true sophomore and a 19-year-old, Chase dominated SEC competition to the tune of 84 receptions for 1,780 yards (21.2 Y/R) and 20 touchdowns. Not only did he lead the country in yardage and touchdowns, no receiver had more 15-yard receptions (46) or 25-yard receptions (25) than Chase in 2019.
Emmanuel Ogbah led the Dolphins with a career-high nine sacks, but they parted ways this offseason with Kyle Van Noy (six) and Shaq Lawson (four), whom they just added last offseason. In addition, Ogbah is entering a contract year.
Paye is a freakish athlete that topped Bruce Feldman's Freaks' List heading into last season. Given his rare physical traits for his size and his tenacity, Paye's best football is ahead of him and his upside is through the roof if he can put it all together.
I love Miami trading out of No. 3, picking up additional draft picks -- including a 2023 first-rounder -- and still getting one of the players it would have been looking at in its original slot. Will Fuller V is only on a one-year deal, and bringing in Smith to join him and DeVante Parker would give Tua Tagovailoa the weapons he needs in the passing game. Smith is an explosive and savvy route runner, and let's not forget that he was one of Tagovailoa's favorite targets in Tuscaloosa.
With DeVonta Smith off to help Tua Tagovailoa, we can now look to protection. Vera-Tucker has played tackle, but he's a better fit at guard in the NFL. Miami took 34 sacks last season, and Tagovailoa was blitzed at the fourth-highest rate in the league (35.3% of his dropbacks).
After trading down and then back up, the Dolphins have plenty of options. Miami is relying on a lot of young faces on the offensive line, so it wouldn't hurt to have a star quality tackle, especially if last year's first-round pick Austin Jackson doesn't pan out. Sewell is considered a can't-miss prospect with All-Pro potential.
Oweh didn't record a sack for the Nittany Lions in 2020, but there just aren't many 6-5, 257-pound athletes who can run a 40-yard dash in 4.36 seconds, bench press 225 pounds 21 times and leap 39.5 inches. The Dolphins could use that kind of skill set to add some burst to a young defensive line.
In the last iteration of the mock, I had predicted the Dolphins would potentially trade down, which I got right. What I did not foresee coming was the Dolphins already trading back up to sixth overall, which makes me think they strongly believe a player they would have considered at No. 3 will still be here at No. 6.
PFF had the Dolphins ranked as the 20th best pass blocking and 30th ranked run blocking unit in the league last year so they could use an immediate upgrade there. Even though Sewell sat out all of last season, he has been long thought to be the best offensive tackle in this draft and has all the characteristics of a cornerstone tackle in the NFL.
Paye did not disappoint at his pro day and solidified his status as one of the first defensive lineman to be selected in this draft. Paye has the ability to create pressure as a traditional end or showed he has the speed to stand up and rush off the edge as displayed by his 4.52 40 time.
It's scary that a 10-win team with such a good coach and plenty of young talent also has four picks in the top 50. The Dolphins are desperate for wide receivers who can get open and it's clear that will be the target here (or they wouldn't have made this deal with the Eagles). Miami mimics Cincinnati by reuniting a top receiving prospect with his old college quarterback. A healthy Waddle is the most explosive all-around athlete at receiver in this class and his addition will only expedite former Crimson Tide teammate Tua Tagovailoa's development.
One way to alleviate the pressure off of a young quarterback is to give him a dynamic running back who is a three-down threat and capable of scoring every time the ball is in his hands. Etienne, a three-time All-American and the ACC's career rushing leader, fits the bill perfectly.
Dolphins could go with Etienne or Najee Harris. Etienne is more of a home-run hitter, whereas Harris is more of an all-around back. Both have good hands.
Tua Tagovailoa -- if he isn't part of a package for embattled Deshaun Watson -- can use an alpha dog No. 1 receiver, and injury-prone deep threat Will Fuller isn't it. Offensive tackle Penei Sewell is tempting, but Chris Grier and Brian Flores drafted three offensive linemen last year, including No. 1b pick LT Austin Jackson.
Shaq Lawson was traded to the Texans and Kyle Van Noy returned to the Patriots. Emmanuel Ogbah gets a three-cone drill monster to aid and assist the pass rush.
After trading out of the no. 3 spot, the Dolphins turned around and immediately moved back up to no. 6 via a trade with the Eagles. The latter move gives Miami a chance to land one of the top pass catchers in this draft, all of whom would still be available in this scenario. Chase is the top-ranked receiver on my board and brings a physical presence that would complement newly signed free agent Will Fuller's speed. He'd give Tua Tagovailoa a good chance to break out in his second NFL season.
After hitting a home run early in the draft by trading back and landing Ja'Marr Chase, the Dolphins hit another one here by picking one of my favorite players in this entire class. Owusu-Koramoah has an extraordinary skill set that should allow him to float between linebacker and safety duties, providing Brian Flores with a movable chess piece on defense. The Notre Dame star is a ferocious defender who plays with infectious intensity.
First, let's take a second to appreciate Miami's serendipity: Had Laremy Tunsil's Twitter not been hacked on draft night in 2016, he likely would not have fallen to the Dolphins, who in turn would not eventually have turned him into four first-round picks (the Texans' first-rounder last year, this pick and the 49ers' next two first-round picks) and a third-rounder. Now, onto this pick, which could be a "best player available" situation. In this case, they stay in state and add a dynamic playmaker for Tua Tagovailoa. Kyle Pitts was the top target in Florida's high-octane offense thanks to his rare mix of size, speed, body control, route-running ability and hands. He can line up anywhere on offense and immediately be a mismatch for whoever is covering him, and even though his listed position is tight end, he might be just as good as the actual receivers in this class.
After getting an offensive playmaker at the top of the draft, the Dolphins don't look too far to add some pass-rush help to an already stout defense. After transferring from UCLA, Jaelan Phillips had a breakout season in Miami with eight sacks and 15 1/2 tackles for loss. He uses his size, speed and power very well against both the run and the pass.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Detroit Lions Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Detroit Lions from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
Ideally, Broncos GM George Paton (or a GM of another team) will call the Lions in hopes of getting in front of the Panthers for Trey Lance. Based on the NFL draft value trade chart, the difference between the No. 7 and No. 9 pick is 150 points (or comparable to a third-rounder).
Not the biggest receiver, Waddle is one of the most explosive athletes in the draft and extremely dynamic in the open field. With Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs off to the NFL, Waddle started the year with four 100-yard games before breaking his ankle. In fact, Waddle (557 receiving yards) outproduced (the eventual Heisman Trophy winner) DeVonta Smith (483) through the first four games of the season.
The departure of Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. in free agency leaves a gaping hole at receiver. If new quarterback Jared Goff has any hope of succeeding, he'll need another weapon on the outside. Thanks to the shake-up at the top of the draft, the best receiver falls to the Lions, helping kick-start a new era under coach Dan Campbell and GM Brad Holmes.
I thought Detroit at No. 7 may have been a logical target for a team to move up for a QB, but with San Francisco moving all the way up to No. 3, that might have changed the calculus a bit unless someone wants to jump up to take Mac Jones. So instead, they can not only fill a glaring need at WR with Waddle but also add someone who exemplifies the toughness that head coach Dan Campbell preached about in his introductory press conference.
In most drafts, Sewell would be the consensus No. 1 overall pick and he'd pair nicely with Taylor Decker, giving the Lions bookend tackles. The 2019 Outland Trophy winner -- he opted out last season due to the threat of COVID-19 -- isn't flawless, but his ceiling is as high as they come (he'll only be 21 in October).
Kenny Golladay is a Giant. Marvin Jones is a Jaguar. Jared Goff needs more than Breshad Perriman, so why not an electric difference-maker to balance RB D'Andre Swift?
The Lions took steps to surround Jared Goff with veteran talent in free agency, signing running back Jamaal Williams and receivers Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams. But the team still needs to bolster its offensive line, and Slater is an excellent option in the draft. The Northwestern standout could start at right tackle or either guard spot in the short term before becoming a long-term stalwart at left tackle.
The Lions' current projected starters at wide receiver: Breshad Perriman, Tyrell Williams, Quintez Cephus. Williams missed all of 2020 with a torn labrum in his shoulder, and Perriman and Cephus combined for 50 catches, 854 yards and five touchdowns. Ja'Marr Chase opted out of the 2020 season, but he won the Biletnikoff Award and set SEC receiving records in 2019 thanks to his great hands and mixture of speed, shiftiness and physicality.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Dallas Cowboys Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Dallas Cowboys from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The Cowboys lost Chidobe Awuzie in free agency, but re-signed Jourdan Lewis to a three-year deal. Even though Caleb Farley is expected to be ready for the start of training camp, his recent back surgery and overall injury history could mean that Surtain (or Jaycee Horn) will be the CB1 in four weeks.
The Cowboys had the 11th-ranked pass defense (227.6 YPG allowed) in 2020, but much of that can be attributed to the fact that only the Patriots (494) faced fewer pass attempts than the Cowboys (513). Only three teams allowed a worse TD-to-INT ratio than the Cowboys (3.4 TD:INT) and only the Lions (1 TD/14.66 Att.) surrendered a passing touchdown per fewer pass attempts than the Cowboys secondary (15.09).
Long story short, this pick is likely to be a cornerback especially if the Cowboys have their choice at the position. The 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Surtain II has an NFL pedigree (father was a three-time Pro Bowl CB that also coached him in high school) with outstanding size (6-2, 202) and length that new coordinator Dan Quinn will covet.
Jourdan Lewis is back in Dallas, but the Cowboys still want to upgrade the cornerback position opposite Trevon Diggs. Perhaps it's Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley, though his back procedure might cause concern. Instead, I'm tabbing Horn, a speedy and versatile press corner. The Cowboys gave up 34 passing touchdowns last season, so expect them to address that area here -- unless they opt to help protect the $160 million man, QB Dak Prescott, with one of the class's top tackles.
As tempting as it might be to improve the offense, the Cowboys can't afford to ignore their holes on defense. Help at all levels is needed, but the secondary is the most glaring spot after the loss of cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. Horn's stock has risen considerably since the start of the 2020 season, with some even arguing for him to be the top cornerback in this class.
There is a clear distinction in who the top three cornerbacks are this year, but it is not as clear which one will go off the board first between Patrick Surtain II, Caleb Farley and Jaycee Horn. Dallas goes with the 2020 SEC Defensive Player of the Year even while opposing offenses typically avoided throwing at him. At 6-foot-2 and 202 pounds, he has the prototypical size and speed combination NFL scouts covet at the position.
Injuries and age are starting to erode what was once the Cowboys greatest strength, it's offensive line. It will need to be addressed to protect their investment in franchise quarterback Dak Prescott. However, the defense was plain awful in 2020. Surtain, a former five-star recruit, has NFL DNA (father was an All-Pro corner who played 11 seasons) and prototypical traits.
LT of the future and blue-chip insurance for Tyron Smith, because you never know about post-surgical necks. Because somebody had better be ready to keep Leonard Williams off Dak Prescott, right?
The Cowboys take the same tack as the Falcons, grabbing an aggressive and physical corner with an early pick in their second straight draft. Horn would line up opposite Trevon Diggs (and alongside slot corner Jourdan Lewis, whom Dallas re-signed to a three-year deal in free agency) and instantly improve this secondary. He has the size, tenacity, and ball skills to excel in new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn's system.
The Cowboys allowed 29.6 points per game, fifth-most in the NFL, in large part due to a pass defense that allowed a touchdown on 6.6% of attempts. Patrick Surtain II -- the son of the former Miami and Kansas City cornerback -- has the size (6-1, 203), ball skills and fluidity to lock down receivers.
Throughout the year and leading up to the 2021 NFL draft, we will update our Cincinnati Bengals Mock Draft Roundup showing picks for the Cincinnati Bengals from several prominent sites and draft analysts.
The following are picks in recent mock drafts for the Bengals:
After selecting Joe Burrow first overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Bengals would be in an ideal situation if this year's draft begins with an unprecedented selection of four quarterbacks to start the draft. Could they auction this pick off to Carolina or Denver, who may be willing to move up a few spots to draft Trey Lance?
If not, they have their choice of non-QB prospects and I could see them either reuniting Burrow with Ja'Marr Chase or drafting Sewell. Fortunately for the Bengals, deep and talented wide receiver and offensive tackle classes should provide values at both positions for their second-round pick (No. 38).
The Bengals have begun the process of upgrading their offensive line by signing Riley Reiff, but it's only a one-year deal for the 32-year-old tackle and that shouldn't preclude them from selecting an elite prospect like Sewell here. While Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, the 2019 first-team AP All-American was dominant in his true-sophomore campaign and won't turn 21 until October. Sewell is the No. 2 prospect on our 2021 NFL Draft Big Board.
Chase is the best wide receiver in the class, and he set then-SEC records in 2019 with Bengals QB Joe Burrow under center for LSU. An opt-out in 2020, Chase is a physical matchup for any cornerback, and he is incredible at tracking and adjusting to the ball in the air. Tight end Kyle Pitts could be the guy if he were available, and no one is claiming that the Riley Reiff signing closed the door on the draft's top two tackles -- Oregon's Penei Sewell and Northwestern's Rashawn Slater -- here either. But Chase is a dominant playmaker who would make an immediate impact outside. Also watch for a potential trade back: There are plenty of teams eyeing quarterbacks Trey Lance and Justin Fields (Ohio State) in this range.
The Bengals have an interesting choice here: take the stud tackle who can be a cornerstone of the offensive line for years or give quarterback Joe Burrow a game-changing weapon. Picking Pitts over Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell or one of the top receivers is a gamble, but the Florida star is the type of matchup nightmare that could take the Bengals offense to the next level.
Due to Chase opting out of the 2020 season and combining that with the Heisman winning season from DeVonta Smith, it's easy to forget the type of player Chase was as a true sophomore at LSU in 2019. He won the Biletnikoff Award as the best WR in college football while putting up 84 catches for 1,720 yards and 20 TDs and that was all with an older Justin Jefferson on the team. And who was throwing him the ball that year? None other than Joe Burrow, who I'm sure would be thrilled to be reunited with his former LSU teammate.
It could be seen as a personal affront to Joe Burrow if owner/GM Mike Brown doesn't pick an offensive lineman in the first round. But Burrow is reportedly pushing the Bengals to draft his former college teammate. A lot of people are forgetting how good Chase, the 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner, actually was during the Tigers national title run as a 19 year old. Remember, Justin Jefferson was considered Robin to his Batman.
Joe Burrow will need better protection, but veteran free agent RT Riley Reiff helps opposite LT Jonah Williams, and a 6-foot-6, 240-pound unicorn more than fills the void left by the departure of WR A.J. Green.
The Bengals just gave offensive tackle Riley Reiff a one-year, $7.5 million deal in free agency, but that shouldn't preclude them from also taking the top lineman in this draft. Sewell has the skill set to start his career at guard, if that's what Cincinnati envisions in 2021. And he has the athleticism and light feet to be a long-term difference-maker at either tackle spot. In any case, Sewell would provide a massive boost for an offensive line that desperately needs one as it seeks to protect Joe Burrow.
Joe Burrow will need two things to flourish in Cincinnati: extra protection and extra targets. If four QBs go in the top four picks, the Bengals will have their pick of the best from either group -- and in this case, they go for the blind-side blocker. Penei Sewell opted out of the 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he still is the best blocker in the class, with excellent upper-body power in the run game and the technique and arm length to hold off pass-rushers.
