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There are still three months left for the 2021 NFL draft and anything can happen right now. Team needs will change, lead rankings will fluctuate, and the direction of many franchises will pivot. Even once we get to draft night, we might have some surprises.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters that the teams they selected in the top 10 could examine some off-the-wall scenarios. I could and could throw out his draft plans to make a loop. These are situations that should be taken into account and be prepared for teams with a high selection. So after reading what our own Mel Kiper Jr. predicted for each selection, now look at what can happen if things go off the rails the night before. Here are 10 scenarios and how the top 10 teams could tackle them, starting with a strong commercial offering for the Jaguars.
Go to:
JAX | NYJ | MIA ATL CIN
PHI | DET | CAR | DEN | VALL
See: Simulated draft of Kiper
What would the Jaguars do here if … the Jets offered their two first-round picks (No. 2 and 23) and their first round of 2022 for No. 1 overall?
They would say, “Thank you, but no thank you.” The Jaguars can’t afford to move on to Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He is considered one of the best QB prospects since Peyton Manning, and there is a big gap between him and the rest of the calls available in the draft. New coach Urban Meyer said having the No. 1 pick this year was one of the things that made Jacksonville’s job so appealing. Lawrence changes a lot for this team.
Also, owner Shad Khan said this: “What has prevented the Jags’ history has really been a franchise quarterback. And I think what’s unique, certainly, is that we now have the ability to choose and define the franchise is moving forward. ” Jacksonville grabs Lawrence and never looks back. – Michael DiRocco
What would the Jets do here if … they committed to Sam Darnold as the starting quarterback for 2021?
They would apply for bids for election number 2, hoping to go down to get an additional capital project. The Jets have nine picks in the first three rounds and GM Joe Douglas would like to add at least two more. It has a lot of holes to fill, even on offense. If Darnold stays in New York, he needs a better support cast and more draft picks would help the team get there.
But if the Jets can’t find a way to change, they’d look to take on an offensive player to help Darnold, whether it’s Oregon’s offensive offensive, Penei Sewell or a wide receiver with the best rating, like DeVonta Smith or LSU’s Alabama. Ja’Marr Chase. – Rich Cimini
What would the Dolphins do here if … the Jets caught DeVonta Smith at number 2?
The Dolphins would probably strongly consider team exchange offers that need QBs among the top 10. A swap, perhaps with the Panthers at No. 8, could return a 2022 first-round pick or several second-round picks, giving -the more resources to improve a growing list.
If nothing appeals to them, they would probably select attacking Penei Sewell or receiver Ja’Marr Chase with selection number 3. These moves would further consolidate the offensive line around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or get a weapon that would change the game from the outside. . Sure, Smith would be a perfect fit for the Dolphins and Tagovailoa, but here are other options. – Cameron Wolfe
What would the Falcons do here if … quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Zach Wilson went 1-2-3?
Well, they have a couple of options. First, they could run the piece of paper under the name of Penei Sewell to chain it to the selection as quickly as they could, securing a building block for the next decade. You can’t go wrong with that decision. Second, they could take on a game creator to help quarterback Matt Ryan. His contract makes it difficult to separate from him, so the Falcons could help him as much as they can in this scenario. These players may include WR DeVonta Smith, WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) or even TE Kyle Pitts (Florida). One of them, along with Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones, would give a big boost to the offense.
An additional possibility if this were the case: what would the Bengals in Atlanta offer to climb a spot and prevent Atlanta from taking Sewell? Could the Falcons get some extra capital while getting one of these offensive weapons? – Michael DiRocco
What would the Bengals do here if … they signed offensively Taylor Moton or guard Joe Thuney on free agency in March (and OT Penei Sewell is off the board)?
In this scenario, the Bengals will have many more options at No. 5, as they have already helped achieve the main task of protecting quarterback Joe Burrow. If the needs of the offensive line are met, Cincinnati can try to get Burrow a great weapon in the passing game, such as Ja’Marr Chase. Remember, Chase played at LSU with Burrow. It is the logical move if free agency and the board of directors fall this way.
But the fun selection? How about Kyle Pitts of Florida? It could take the Burrow and Bengals offense to another level and has the potential to be a tight end that will change the game over the next few years. – Baby
What would the Eagles do here if … wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase were off the board?
The Eagles certainly need extensive receiver help, but there are problems elsewhere as well. Corners Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) or Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech) would be fascinating options. The Eagles struggled to get a steady production of the CB2 spot behind Darius Slay this season. Slay and Surtain could be a punch. Otherwise, Philly is always in the offensive and defensive liner market, though Penei Sewell is unlikely to fall that far.
And if the Eagles still want to be receivers, Jaylen Waddle, another former teammate of quarterback Jalen Hurts in Alabama, is the exact kind of explosive game creator they tend to gravitate toward. – Tim McManus
What would the Lions do here if … quarterback Matthew Stafford changed soon?
The situation opens up very real possibilities. If the Lions fall in love with quarterbacks Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, maybe they should move from their current location to land any player. If Detroit stays at No. 7, North Dakota state QB Trey Lance could be a player to watch, especially if the Lions sign a bridge quarterback to sit back and learn from a year. Lance has an incredible amount of talent, but he’s very young (he’ll be 20 in the draft), so it’s intriguing for a rebuilding team.
The quarterback feels like the way forward for Detroit, but if he doesn’t take any with that selection, a player like Penn State, inside winger Micah Parsons, would help start a falling defense. – Michael Rothstein
What would the Panthers do here if … a team had already changed Kyle Pitts?
Start by looking at the best quarterback on the board. Will Justin Fields or Zach Wilson fall? Carolina will have to assess whether Fields, Wilson or Trey Lance (who is still available) could be an improvement on the current Panthers quarterback room of Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker and Will Grier.
Beyond QB, it is doubtful that Penei Sewell will fall so far and that the other offensive attacks are not worthy of a selection in the top ten. But a defender like Micah Parsons could be a good choice. – David Newton
What would the Broncos do here if … Justin Fields or Zach Wilson hadn’t been chosen yet?
Let’s start by saying we don’t really know what new CEO George Paton thinks of any player or current QB Drew Lock. And, in the new power structure, Paton’s preferences for position mean everything to the team over the next few months. He says he has yet to evaluate Lock’s work over the past season, but that he has seen enough to believe that Lock can still develop. But he has also said that the QB game is one of the most important components of long-term success and that he will consider everything he occupies.
So it’s hard to say for sure right now, because Denver still has something to do about Lock. But in the end, the Broncos will, of course, give Fields and Wilson a long look. – Jeff Legwold
What would the Cowboys do here if … they still hadn’t picked defenders and were able to get them to the board?
It’s a simple answer, but they would grab the best defender available. It is still unclear who this is. Cornerback is a big need, so Patrick Surtain II and Caleb Farley would be great options, especially with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis becoming free agents. The Cowboys feel like they’ve hit another corner of Alabama in last year’s draft, Trevon Diggs, and Surtain has the makeup and feel of the game they want. And Farley has size, speed and playing ability.
The bad news for the Cowboys is that there doesn’t seem to be a dominant defensive striker or a defensive attack worth dealing with at number 10, and it may be too early for a team like Dallas to go with an offside defender like Micah Parsons, even with questions about Jaylon Smith’s future. – Todd Archer