Friday, April 30, 2021
2021 NFL Draft: Packers select Ohio State C/G Josh Myers in the second round, No. 62 overall - packers.com
GREEN BAY – Seven years after drafting All-Pro Corey Linsley, the Packers have taken another Ohio State center, Josh Myers, in the second round with the No. 62 pick.
A team captain in 2020, Myers started 21 of his final 22 games at center for the Buckeyes. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound native of Miamisburg, Ohio, broke into Ohio State's starting lineup in 2019 at center, a position he didn't play in high school.
In his 14 starts, Myers paved the way for Ohio State's first-ever 2,000-yard running back, J.K. Dobbins, and Heisman Trophy finalist Justin Fields (51 total touchdowns).
Myers took his game to another level as a junior, earning first-team All-Big Ten and Rimington Trophy finalist honors in seven starts for the national runners-up.
Myers didn't test at Ohio State's March 30 pro day after playing through turf toe for much of last season. He did measure in with 32-inch arms and a 77 3/8-inch wingspan.
Myers joins Elgton Jenkins and Lucas Patrick as potential options to start at center after Linsley signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.
2021 NFL Draft: Packers select Ohio State C/G Josh Myers in the second round, No. 62 overall - packers.com
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Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar banned from MLB after sexual misconduct investigation - CNN
Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar banned from MLB after sexual misconduct investigation - CNN
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Aaron Rodgers not getting traded amid reports of quarterback being 'disgruntled,' GM says - Fox News
Aaron Rodgers isn’t getting traded – at least that was the line from Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst amid a whirlwind of rumors saying the star quarterback is unhappy with the team.
Gutekunst made the assertion once again Thursday night after the Packers made their first-round selection in the NFL Draft.
"We are not going to trade Aaron Rodgers," Gutekunst said.
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Rodgers was the subject of trade rumors in the hours leading up to the first round of the draft. ESPN reported Rodgers was "so disgruntled" with the team and that the Packers offered Rodgers a contract extension but he had yet to accept the deal.
"I’m not going to speak for Aaron, but I think obviously we have a really good team and I do think he’ll play for us again," Gutekunst said. "Like I said, we’re going to work toward that and we’ve been working toward that on a number of different fronts. The value that he adds to our football is really immeasurable, you know what I mean? He brings so much to the table not only as a player but as a leader. He’s so important to his teammates, to his coaches, so yeah, that’s the goal."
The San Francisco 49ers were one of the teams thought to be interested in trading for Rodgers. According to at least one report, the 49ers made an offer to the Packers for Rodgers.
AARON RODGERS 'SO DISGRUNTLED' WITH PACKERS, DOESN'T WANT TO STAY IN GREEN BAY: REPORT
"We inquired and it was a quick end to the conversation," 49ers general manager John Lynch told reporters after the first round. "It wasn’t happening."
San Francisco selected quarterback Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick instead.
Rodgers acknowledged last year he was surprised the Packers selected quarterback Jordan Love in the first round of last year’s draft and that it threw a wrench into his plans of staying in Green Bay for the remainder of his career.
"I certainly look back to last year’s draft and just kind of, maybe some of the communication issues we could have done better," Gutekunst said. "There’s no doubt about it. The draft’s an interesting thing. It can kind of unfold differently than you think it’s going to unfold and it happens pretty fast. But certainly I think looking back on it sitting where we sit today there could have been some communication things we did better."
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Rodgers told ESPN earlier this month he was unclear what the future holds and he wasn’t sure "that a lot of that is in my hands."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Aaron Rodgers not getting traded amid reports of quarterback being 'disgruntled,' GM says - Fox News
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Mac Jones reacts to joining the Patriots, competing with Cam Newton - Pats Pulpit
After a week filled with speculation, the New England Patriots and the entire NFL got some clarity at 10:40 pm on Thursday night: Mac Jones would become the team’s quarterback of the future after the Patriots selected him in the first round of the draft.
Jones, who was speculated to potentially come off the board as high as No. 3 to San Francisco, had to spend almost half of the first round in the green room. At No. 15, however, New England stopped his fall by making him the first quarterback drafted in Round 1 by the organization since Drew Bledsoe back in 1993.
Bledsoe eventually became what the Patriots certainly hope Jones will be as well: a bona fide starting quarterback and viable face of the franchise.
For now, however, the 22-year-old is living in the moment. HIs first media conference call shortly after getting drafted reflected this: Jones was on the proverbial Cloud 9, and he summed up his experience with one short sentence.
“It’s a great football team and to be a part of it now is awesome,” he said.
In general, “awesome” seemed to be the word of the day for Jones — unsurprisingly, considering that he had just been drafted. Waiting until the middle of the first round for that to happen did also not seem to change his experience as he pointed out.
“It was awesome and that’s just a great experience to be with my family and to get invited here and to see all the other guys go before me with their families and the celebrations and stuff,” Jones said. “It’s all good, but now you just got to kind of look at it and just enjoy the experience, but it’s time to go to work. And going up there with Goodell was awesome. It’s like video game-type stuff.”
Before taking the stage, however, Jones went through a meticulous pre-draft process that saw him and the Patriots get to know each other quite a bit. Not only did head coach Bill Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels visit his Pro Day at Alabama, Jones and the organization also were in frequent virtual meetings.
How did all that contact with the Patriots go? Apparently, awesome.
“We have been on Zoom a few times and stuff and they did come to my Pro Day and that was awesome,” Jones said. “I know Coach Belichick and Coach Saban have a really good relationship, so they were just kind of talking behind and I just said hello to Coach Belichick and Coach Josh. They were just watching and kind of just looking at everybody. So, it was good for them to be there and hopefully I got to show the type of quarterback I was at that Pro Day and I’m just glad that they took me. It’s going to be awesome.”
Jones’ selection makes it clear what the team’s expectations in him are, but there is no guarantee that he will become the Day 1 starter for the Patriots. The team, after all, has a veteran starter under contract in Cam Newton as well as a former fourth-round draft pick entering his third season in the system in Jarrett Stidham.
The newest member of the group knows that he will have to compete against them, and work his way up the depth chart. Having Newton and Stidham to look up to, however, should help him do just that.
“I’m actually joining a really great quarterback room with Cam Newton, who has played in the NFL for a really long time. He’s earned the respect of his teammates, going into New England, being a captain,” Jones said. “And then you got Jarrett, who I really loved watching at Auburn and kind of use as a role model. Both those guys are role models to me right now and I’m just going to go behind them and learn how they did it.”
The two quarterbacks will not be the only mentors for Jones, though. Another close ally of his will be offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, who had served as New England’s quarterbacks coach as well for most of his tenure with the organization.
The veteran coach and the rookie quarterback have gotten to know each other during the pre-draft cycle as well, and Jones is looking forward to working with him.
“What I love to do is just talk football, so to get a chance to do it with Coach McDaniels is just awesome,” Jones said. “He’s a great football mind and hopefully we can just continue to build a relationship that we started kind of through the Zoom process.”
While time will tell whether or not that feeling of awesomeness will turn into actual on-field success, both the Patriots and Jones can be happy about where they are.
Is it going to be awesome? Who knows! For the time being, however, it very much is.
Poll
How would you grade the Patriots’ decision to draft Mac Jones at No. 15?
- 66%
A
(5582 votes) - 23%
B
(1980 votes) - 6%
C
(510 votes) - 1%
D
(125 votes) - 2%
F
(179 votes)
Mac Jones reacts to joining the Patriots, competing with Cam Newton - Pats Pulpit
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Latest On Bears QB Nick Foles - profootballrumors.com - profootballrumors.com
Nick Foles has become an afterthought in Chicago. This offseason, the Bears signed veteran QB Andy Dalton and promptly anointed him as the starter. Then, they made a bold move up the draft board last night to select Ohio State signal-caller Justin Fields, who will be groomed to be the long-term solution under center the team has been seeking for decades.
That leaves Foles on the outside looking in, unless for some reason the Bears think Fields might not be ready to be Dalton’s backup. However, moving on from Foles could be easier said than done.
As Darryl Slater of NJ.com observes (via Twitter), Foles still has prorated signing bonus charges totaling $5.3MM over the next two seasons, to go along with $5MM in guaranteed salary. Cutting him, at least prior to June 1, would result in a greater dead cap charge than the $6.66MM hit that he is scheduled to carry in 2021. So a trade makes more sense, since the acquiring team would have to take on the salary obligations.
Both Brian Costello of the New York Post and Connor Hughes of The Athletic (Twitter link) believe Foles would be a great fit for the Jets. New York, of course, drafted BYU passer Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft, and while the club obviously has high hopes for him, there is presently no QB on the roster that has thrown a pass in a regular season game. The team has looked into signing Brian Hoyer , but if the price is right, GM Joe Douglas — who is familiar with Foles from his days in Philadelphia — might prefer to add the former Super Bowl MVP.
In related news, the Bears did speak with the Panthers about moving up to Carolina’s No. 8 overall pick to grab Fields, according to Joe Person of The Athletic (Twitter link). The Panthers stayed put and selected Jaycee Horn, but Chicago got its guy three picks later by acquiring the Giants’ No. 11 overall selection.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Latest On Bears QB Nick Foles - profootballrumors.com - profootballrumors.com
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Stephen A. on Mac Jones to the Patriots: Bill Belichick found Tom Brady's successor | First Take - ESPN
Stephen A. on Mac Jones to the Patriots: Bill Belichick found Tom Brady's successor | First Take - ESPN
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2021 NFL Draft Round 1 winners and losers: Bears, 49ers, Ravens log victories as Panthers, Raiders stumble - CBS Sports
The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft is in the books. Thirty-two picks are down, and dozens more are on the way on Friday for rounds 2 and 3. Which teams, prospects and other players benefited from Day One of this year's draft? Which ones took a hit? We've got you covered right here with a rundown of all the most notable winners and losers from Thursday night at the NFL Draft:
Winner: Trey Lance and the 49ers
What a beautiful, exhilarating pairing. Instead of San Francisco playing it "safe" and confirming all the pre-draft buzz around Mac Jones, John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan rightly gambled on Lance's sky-high ceiling, which is especially apparent in the latter's run-heavy offense. Lance, meanwhile, gets the benefit of joining a playoff-ready roster in sunny California. A total win-win.
Don't be angry with us, Panthers fans. Jaycee Horn is a heck of a prospect, and his confidence alone makes him a safe bet to be scrappy out of the gate. Unless he becomes the next Jalen Ramsey or Tre'Davious White, however, it's just hard to overlook the fact that Carolina passed on a bona-fide quarterback prospect in Justin Fields. Yes, they added Sam Darnold, who should be better now that he's out of New York. But Fields would've given them a premium insurance plan, or rather relegated Darnold to that role.
Any speculation regarding Ryan's immediate future as the Falcons' QB ended when Atlanta made maybe the safest pick of the first round and took Florida's Kyle Pitts, who could instantly become Ryan's favorite target. In an alternate reality where Lance slides past the 49ers, this one might look different.
No disrespect to Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood, whose dreams came true Thursday night. But since when do the Raiders deserve the benefit of the doubt for reaching on a first-round prospect? Widely considered more of an early Day Two target, Leatherwood instead went No. 17 despite other tackles like Christian Darrisaw -- and top defenders like Jamin Davis and Kwity Paye -- being available. Las Vegas shuffled its O-line this offseason, but it's very hard to say it got better.
Should Justin Fields have been in play at No. 10 for the Eagles, who moved up two spots with Dallas? Probably. But make no mistake about it: Philly adding Hurts' former Alabama teammate, DeVonta Smith, is big news for the second-year QB. Not only because it signaled yet another fork in the road where the Eagles opted not to add another post-Carson Wentz QB, but primarily because Smith instantly becomes the club's best receiver -- a ferociously competitive new No. 1 that should accelerate Hurts' improvement.
First New York watched as the Eagles and Cowboys teamed up to allow Philly to jump ahead of the G-Men in the draft order. Then the Eagles took Smith, the presumptive Giants target at No. 11. Then Dave Gettleman added a slew of picks to move all the way down to No. 20. Getting a future first -- and other picks -- was great, but using the 20th pick on Florida wideout Kadarius Toney? Meh. He's another big-play piece for Daniel Jones, which is a plus, but they could've easily waited to capitalize on Day Two WR depth.
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Winner: The Bears
It was a lot easier to dunk on Chicago when team brass was busy assuring Andy Dalton he would be the starting QB in 2021. The current regime may have talked itself into a big move up for Fields in part to buy itself more time, but even so, the addition of a legitimately dynamic QB is monumental. Fields instantly injects hope into a position sucked dry of it lately, and his play-making potential could help the Bears get back to the postseason sooner rather than later. Moving from No. 20 to No. 11 for his upside was a no-brainer.
The 49ers can talk all they want about him sticking around with Lance, but if a real offer were to come in, they'd take a long, hard look at it. The only issue: Who's left to even take a flyer on him? The Broncos didn't draft a QB but just added Teddy Bridgewater. The Patriots spent No. 15 on Mac Jones. The Bears moved up for Fields. Barring a late-offseason injury to some team's starter, Jimmy G's market has essentially dried up. For now, he's bound to stay in San Francisco and, ultimately, hold a clipboard.
Rick Spielman loves a move down, and boy, did he make one with the Jets, sending No. 14 and an extra fourth-rounder in exchange for No. 23 and two third-rounders. Not only that, but then he wound up getting Christian Darrisaw, a widely projected top-20 pick at left tackle, with the 23rd pick anyway. A really nice haul -- plus a potential Day One blind-side blocker for Kirk Cousins -- in Minnesota.
Loser: Urban Meyer
Yes, he got Trevor Lawrence at No. 1, so in the grand scheme of things, he's on an upward trajectory. As are the Jaguars. But can we stop for a second and really think about his comments about the team's second first-round pick? Travis Etienne is a solid weapon at running back who deserved to be an early pick, but at No. 25, with James Robinson already on the roster? No worries, because Meyer's goal is to boast a "top-eight" rushing offense and use Etienne as a third-down specialist. Yikes. That's not how you want to be spending your most premium picks at the start of a rebuild.
The one-two punch of WR Rashod Bateman (No. 27) and EDGE Jayson Oweh (No. 31)? Incredibly solid. Baltimore got so much better in just two picks. Lamar Jackson suddenly has himself another starting-caliber wideout who has the makeup to be a high-volume target right off the bat, and a defense that lost several edge rushers gets one of the most physically gifted guys at the position.
Najee Harris will probably be a good, hard-nosed back, and he'll fit in well as a workhorse for Pittsburgh. But take the big-picture view here. The Steelers are in a boom-or-bust season but could be entering the post-Ben Roethlisberger days sooner rather than later. Building the trenches was a bigger priority. And it's not as if Pittsburgh couldn't have found a starting-caliber RB on Day Two.
2021 NFL Draft Round 1 winners and losers: Bears, 49ers, Ravens log victories as Panthers, Raiders stumble - CBS Sports
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Best NFL draft prospects for Chicago Bears in Rounds 2 and 3 - Chicago Tribune
Danny Trevathan struggled through the first half of last season and the Bears, at minimum, need to add some depth at the position. This isn’t the most pressing roster need, but if a player with a high grade is available it could be a consideration if the Bears are going for the best-player available.
Best NFL draft prospects for Chicago Bears in Rounds 2 and 3 - Chicago Tribune
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Stephen A. dreams of the Steelers trading for Aaron Rodgers | First Take - ESPN
2021 NFL Draft grades, picks: Live tracker, analysis for every selection in Round 1 - CBS Sports
Want to know what I think of every pick made Thursday in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft? You can find it all below. You can also follow along throughout the rest of the draft on Days 2 and 3 for more grades and more analysis. Be sure to refresh this page throughout the weekend to get the latest grades.
If you want to do all that plus track the best available prospects and get access to every pick in the draft on one page, you can in our draft tracker.
Grades: Round 1 • Round 2 • Round 3 • Round 4 • Round 5 • Round 6 • Round 7
1. Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Grade: A+
Lawrence will change the dynamic of this franchise for the next decade. They will win a Super Bowl.
2. Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Grade: B
I like him as a player, but I would have taken Justin Fields in this spot. Fields will be a better quarterback.
3. 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
Grade: C-
I just don't see trading up with two first-round picks as the price to get a guy who is raw and needs time. Lance has skills, but he will need time.
4. Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Grade: A
He is a can't-miss prospect. He is a mismatch nightmare. Great pick.
5. Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
Grade: B+
Love this player. He will be a big-time pass catcher as he joins former college teammate, Joe Burrow. But I would have taken an offensive tackle here.
6. Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Grade: B+
I think he has the Tyreek Hill type of ability. I think he will help Tua Tagovailoa a ton. It works.
7. Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Grade: B+
They probably thought he wouldn't be here, so they had to be happy he was. Sewell has a ton of talent and will upgrade that line in a big way.
8. Panthers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Grade: B
I liked Patrick Surtain more, but I get it. Horn is a feisty corner who will definitely be a good cover player.
9. Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Grade: A
I love his game. He is one of those corners who will be sound from the minute he steps on the field. He will be a star.
10. Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Grade: B+
They needed to get another weapon to help Jalen Hurts, so I like the pick. When the corners went off, they had to be disappointed.
11. Bears: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Grade: A
They gave up a lot, but they ended up with the second-best quarterback in the draft. It's a bold move, but necessary.
12. Cowboys: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Grade: B
Do the Cowboys really need a linebacker? I know their linebackers didn't play as well last year, but this wasn't a major need.
13. Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Grade: B
He will be an immediate starter at left tackle, which fills a major need. Justin Herbert will be happy.
14. Jets: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Grade: B+
They need to build the offensive line in front Zach Wilson. With Tucker, who can play guard or right tackle, they add to Mehki Becton from last year. Solid move to go get him.
15. Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Grade: B
It's the perfect situation for him. He fits in the Josh McDaniels' offense.
16. Cardinals: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Grade: B+
He will add another big-time playmaker to a defense that needed it. He can run and chase or rush off the edge.
17. Raiders: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
Grade: B
I don't love this pick. They need line help, but he's more of a second-round pick in my mind.
18. Dolphins: Jaelen Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Grade: B
If his medical stays clean, it's a good pick. They address a need that had to be filled. He's loaded with talent.
19. Washington: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Grade: A
This is one of my favorite picks of the draft. He will be a special player on a talented front seven.
20. Giants: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Grade: B
He has the tools to really add a big-play threat to the offense. Trading down and getting a playmaker and a first-round pick next year is a good move.
21. Colts: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Grade: B-
This is a kid with a lot of raw talent, but didn't produce to that level. It will show better as he learns the tricks of the trade better. He fills a need.
22. Titans: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Grade: B-
This is a boom-or-bust pick. If he's healthy, this is a great pick. But injury concerns are real.
23. Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Grade: A
I love this pick. I believe he will be the best tackle in the draft. It fills a need in a big way.
24. Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Grade: C
I don't like picking backs in the first round. Good player, but backs should come later.
25. Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Grade: C+
He's my favorite back in this class as a true air back. He will give them the speed they need in the backfield and help the passing game. But he's still a back in the first round.
26. Browns: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Grade: B
They've spent a lot of draft capital at corner in recent years. Newsome is a good, solid player but they have bigger needs.
27. Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Grade: C
I know they needed help at receiver, but there are better options down the line.
28. Saints: Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston
Grade: C
I know they need edge help, but there were better options.
29. Packers: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
Grade: B+
He has size and can run and addresses a major need. I like the pick a lot.
30. Bills: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Grade: B-
The talent is there, but he didn't play last year and it hurt his stock. He is a big power player who fills a need.
31. Ravens: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Grade: B-
He is raw and has a ton of talent, but he didn't produce. He does fill a need.
32. Buccaneers: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
Grade: B
With the entire team back, it makes sense to draft another edge player with Jason Pierre-Paul getting up in the years.
2021 NFL Draft grades, picks: Live tracker, analysis for every selection in Round 1 - CBS Sports
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Bears 2021 Draft: Justin Fields thinks he a perfect fit for Chicago - Windy City Gridiron
Brand new Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields met the media for the first time as professional on Thursday night, and he displayed the confidence one would expect from a first round QB. Even though there were three other quarterbacks selected in front of him, Fields didn’t express any disappointment in lasting until the 11th overall pick.
“I think this is God’s plan for me to be a Bear,” Fields said on the Zoom presser. “I’m more than excited and I’m more than ready to get up there for sure.”
Up until a few weeks ago there was talk of Fields being the second or third player taken in the 2022 NFL Draft, but some rumors started to circulate about his work ethic that may have hurt his stock.
“There’s definitely been a lot of criticism, but at the end of the day, I know myself, I know how much work I put into the game, I know how much I love the game and I know how much I want to be great,” Fields said. There just comes a point in time when you have to cut that criticism out. “It’s good to listen to criticism from people who are actually there to help you, so if it was from a coach or anything like that, then of course I’m going to take that criticism. But there was a lot of criticism coming from outside voices that didn’t really matter, so I just did by best to kind of cut all of that out and really just get to work.”
Fields has been one of the best players in college football the last two years and he’s battled through some injuries to perform on the biggest stage in that time. He’s a talented passer, a gifted athlete, and he’s ready to take the next step in his football journey by giving his all to the Bears.
“The kind of player the Bears are getting is a versatile player, a player that can make plays both with my arm and also with my legs and, of course, a smart player,” Fields said. “A player that’s going to make smart decisions and a player that wants to win, that’s willing to do whatever to win. That, of course, is my No. 1 job, however that may be, whatever my position may be on the team.”
Fields has already begun to build a relationship with Bears head coach Matt Nagy, on both a professional and a personal level. “I’m pretty big on having great relationships with my coaches,” Fields said. “I think that’s the most effective way to be great and kind of be cooperative as a team.”
When asked how he sees himself in Nagy’s offense, he said “I think I fit perfectly. If he (Nagy) didn’t think I fit well, he wouldn’t have traded up. Just talking to him, getting to know how he communicates with his quarterbacks and his learning style, I think that’s going to make me a better quarterback, a better player because he’s going to teach me a lot. I’m just excited to get up there and learn.”
You can catch Justin Fields’ full press conference right here.
For more on the Justin Fields selection, give Robert Schmitz a listen on his Bear With Me podcast as he’s joined by Jacob Infante, EJ Snyder, and Danny Meehan to break down the pick.
Bears 2021 Draft: Justin Fields thinks he a perfect fit for Chicago - Windy City Gridiron
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The story behind Patriots QB Mac Jones’ legal name McCorkle - Pats Pulpit
When the New England Patriots and their first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft will set up a contract later this spring, it will not say “Mac Jones” at the top. Instead, it will say “Michael McCorkle Jones.”
Yep, that is his real name. While his bio at the University of Alabama did not mention it, both his personal website and a DUI report filed against him as a freshman in 2017 state that his name is indeed Michael McCorkle Jones.
So, what is the story behind this name.
According to an article by AL.com’s Michael Casagrande from last December, Jones’ parents, Holly and Gordon, have always intended to name him Michael McCorkle but to use a shortened version of his middle name when calling him.
“I don’t know who Michael is,” Jones himself said. “I’m Mac.”
The name McCorkle is his mother’s maiden name, and she explained why it was used as her son’s middle name even without the intention of ever actually calling him like that.
“I always hated that name because it was so long,” Holly Jones said. “But then we decided, well, my family didn’t have a boy on their side to carry on McCorkle so that would be the only McCorkle going through.”
Lo and behold, Michael McCorkle Jones was born. And now, he is the next franchise quarterback of the Patriots — trying to follow the footsteps of Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. and eventually succeed Cameron Jerrell Newton as the starter.
The story behind Patriots QB Mac Jones’ legal name McCorkle - Pats Pulpit
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Inside the Chicago Bears' landmark move to trade up for QB Justin Fields - Chicago Tribune
Inside the Chicago Bears' landmark move to trade up for QB Justin Fields - Chicago Tribune
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2021 NFL Draft order, start time, NFL news, mock draft central, how to watch live stream, draft tracker - CBS Sports
The 2021 NFL Draft is set to begin and you can track each pick here. This year's draft offers one of the most anticipated first rounds in years. If you like offense, this is the draft to watch as the top three players taken are projected to be quarterbacks for the first time since 1999 and this NFL draft will attempt to break the record for consecutive offensive players taken to start a draft (six, set in 1999).
The 2021 NFL Draft has the potential of having three wide receivers taken in the top 10 for the first time since 2017 and just the second time since 2005. There are plenty of storylines and records set to be made in this year's NFL Draft, and we got you covered here at CBS Sports.
Below you'll find everything you need to know on this weekend's draft, from prospect rankings to picks -- and all the mock drafts and insider information you can get.
First round draft order
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Jets
- San Francisco 49ers (from Miami via Houston)
- Atlanta Falcons
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia)
- Detroit Lions
- Carolina Panthers
- Denver Broncos
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami via San Francisco)
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Minnesota Vikings
- New England Patriots
- Arizona Cardinals
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Miami Dolphins
- Washington Football Team
- Chicago Bears
- Indianapolis Colts
- Tennessee Titans
- New York Jets (from Seattle)
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Jacksonville Jaguars (from Rams)
- Cleveland Browns
- Baltimore Ravens
- New Orleans Saints
- Green Bay Packers
- Buffalo Bills
- Baltimore Ravens (from Kansas City)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Here's the entire draft order -- all 259 picks
Prospect rankings (overall)
- Trevor Lawrence (QB) -- Clemson
- Penei Sewell (OL) -- Oregon
- Kyle Pitts (TE) -- Florida
- Zach Wilson (QB) -- BYU
- Justin Fields (QB) -- Ohio State
- Ja'Marr Chase (WR) -- LSU
- Jaylen Waddle (WR) -- Alabama
- Micah Parsons (LB) -- Penn State
- Trey Lance (QB) -- North Dakota State
- DeVonta Smith (WR) -- Alabama
- Rashawn Slater (OL) -- Northwestern
- Caleb Farley (CB) -- Virginia Tech
- Kwity Paye (EDGE) -- Michigan
- Christian Darrisaw (OL) -- Virginia Tech
- Patrick Surtain II (CB) -- Alabama
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB) -- Notre Dame
- Trevon Moehrig (S) -- TCU
- Azeez Ojulari (LB) -- Georgia
- Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL) -- USC
- Rondale Moore (WR) -- Purdue
- Jaelan Phillips (EDGE) -- Miami (Fla.)
- Mac Jones (QB) -- Alabama
- Teven Jenkins (OL) -- Oklahoma State
- Asante Samuel Jr. (CB) -- Florida State
- Rashod Bateman (WR) -- Minnesota
- Christian Barmore (DL) -- Alabama
- Jaycee Horn (CB) -- South Carolina
- Levi Onwuzurike (DL) -- Washington
- Joseph Ossai (EDGE) -- Texas
- Zaven Collins (LB) -- Tulsa
- Greg Newsome II (CB) -- Northwestern
- Kadarius Toney (WR) -- Florida
Click here for the full position-by-position rankings provided by CBS Sports.
When and where is the draft?
The 2021 NFL Draft will take place in Cleveland, one year after the annual selection meeting was virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Here is the list of the 13 prospects that will be attending:
The draft will be on a variety of networks. NFL Network, ESPN and ABC will provide the coverage and you can stream live on FuboTV. Here are the start times for each round:
- Thursday, April 29, at 8 p.m. ET
- Friday, April 30, at 7 p.m. ET
- Saturday, May 1, at noon ET
Mock draft central
Trevor Lawrence is expected to be the first pick in the draft (Jacksonville Jaguars) and Zach Wilson is projected to go second (New York Jets). The San Francisco 49ers and Atlanta Falcons are the teams that will make the draft interesting for the rest of the night.
To find out who the 49ers and Falcons are projected to take, check out who our NFL writers picked here!
Here are some other draft articles leading up to Round 1:
Insider information
Or NFL insiders Jason La Canfora and Jonathan Jones have you covered leading up to the draft. Here's the latest from each:
From a fantasy standpoint
It's never too early to get prepared for your fantasy football season (let's face it, rookies can win you a championship in a dynasty league). Our CBS fantasy expert Chris Towers took a look at the biggest fantasy questions in the first round.
Dave Richard took a look at the best and worst case scenario for each player in Round 1.
For a list of individual profiles on the top prospects click here.
For the bettors out there
Want to make some money this weekend? Our Jordan Dajani took a look at the five best bets to consider, along with the player prop bets by William Hill Sportsbook. Tyler Sullivan took a look at long shot value plays he would make and some great position props.
Some fun facts about this year's draft
This year's draft has some history to be made. Here are some notes leading into the draft:
-- If Trevor Lawrence goes to the Jaguars with the first overall pick, he'd be the first player in Clemson history to be drafted No. 1 and the first to be drafted in the top-3.
-- If three quarterbacks are drafted in the top six, this will be the third time in the common-draft era (since 1967) that's happened:
- 2020: Joe Burrow (1st), Tua Tagovailoa (5th), Justin Herbert (6th)
- 1999: Tim Couch (1st), Donovan McNabb (2nd), Akili Smith (3rd)
- 1971: Jim Plunkett (1st), Archie Manning (2nd), Dan Pastorini (3rd)
-- If Mac Jones, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle all get drafted in the first round, Alabama would be the first school ever to have a quarterback and two wide receivers drafted in the first round of the same draft in multiple drafts.
-- If six quarterbacks are taken in the first round, it would be the first time that's happened since 1983 (when Hall of Famers Jim Kelly, John Elway, and Dan Marino were drafted). Five quarterbacks were taken in the first round in 1999 and 2018 -- and is expected in 2021.
2021 NFL Draft order, start time, NFL news, mock draft central, how to watch live stream, draft tracker - CBS Sports
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Five biggest surprises from 2021 NFL Draft Round 1: Jaguars load up on Clemson stars, Eagles-Cowboys trade - CBS Sports
Outside of the first two overall picks, there was plenty of suspense during Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft. While Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson were selected by the Jaguars and Jets, respectively, to kick things off, the 49ers surely wrecked some mock drafts by taking Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick.
Things only got more surprising from there. Justin Fields fell out of the top 10, while the Dallas Cowboys -- a team many felt would select a cornerback with the 10th overall pick -- missed out on the chance to take either of the top two cornerback prospects in the draft. Dallas was part of one of three trades that took place during the first day of the draft.
Let's take a look at the five biggest surprises from Day 1, starting with the night's most surprising trade.
1. Heated division rivals make a deal
The Cowboys, who need help on defense, appeared to be sitting pretty after watching six skill players go off the board to kick off the draft. But after the Lions took Penei Sewell with the seventh pick, the Cowboys watched as Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II — the top-two cornerback prospects in the draft — were selected by the Panthers and Broncos in consecutive picks. With both of those players off the board, the Cowboys decided to trade back two spots -- with their NFC East rival Eagles, of all teams! -- while also receiving the 84th overall pick. The Eagles used the pick to select DeVonta Smith, as Philadelphia has given Jalen Hurts a new weapon to work with as he enters his first season as the team's starting quarterback.
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2. Bears move up to take Justin Fields
After watching 10 other teams pass on him, Chicago quickly moved up to take Fields at No. 11. The Bears traded the No. 20 and 164th picks in this year's draft along with next year's first and fourth-round picks to select Fields, who never lost a regular season game as Ohio State's starting quarterback. The only player in Big Ten history to throw for 40 touchdowns and run for 10 more in a single season, Fields threw for a school bowl game record six touchdown passes in Ohio State's Sugar Bowl victory over Clemson this past January. In Chicago, Fields will work alongside Andy Dalton, who led the Bengals to five consecutive playoff appearances from 2011-15.
3. Pats stand pat, but still land a QB
There was significant speculation that the Patriots would trade up in order to select a quarterback. But after the Panthers and Broncos drafted cornerbacks, that opened things up for the Patriots to be patient before selecting Mac Jones with the 15th overall pick.
"He's a guy we spent a lot of time with," Bill Belichick said shorty after picking the former Alabama quarterback. "Felt like that was the best pick at that time for us. He's a smart kid. He's been in a system that's similar to ours. We've had good conversations. We think he'll be able to process this offense. It's obviously going to take a lot of time, [we'll see how it goes].
"Cam's our quarterback. Whatever time Jarrett [Stidman] or Mac are ready to challenge and compete, we'll see how that goes."
4. Urban Meyer brings Clemson backfield to Jacksonville
While seemingly everyone had the Jaguars taking Lawrence with the No. 1 pick, not many draft analysts had Jacksonville using the No. 25 overall pick to select fellow Clemson standout Travis Etienne. Just moments after the Steelers selected the first running back taken in the draft (Najee Harris), Urban Meyer and the Jaguars selected Etienne, who scored 78 touchdowns while amassing over 6,100 total yards during his time with the Tigers. Etienne will share a backfield in Jacksonville with James Robinson, who led all rookie running backs with 1,070 rushing yards in 2020.
5. History is made
Thursday tied the mark for the the most offensive skill players selected to start a draft since the beginning of the common draft era in 1967. Lawrence, Fields, Lance, tight end Kyle Pitts (Atlanta) and receivers Ja'Marr Chase (Cincinnati) and Jaylen Waddle (Miami) tied a record that was initially set during the 1999 draft. That year, the draft started with the selections of quarterbacks Tim Couch (Cleveland), Donovan McNabb (Philadelphia) and Akili Smith (Cincinnati), running backs Edgerrin James (Indianapolis) and Ricky Williams (New Orleans) and receiver Torry Holt (St. Louis).
Pitts made even more history on Thursday night, as he became the highest-selected tight end in league history at No. 4 overall.
Five biggest surprises from 2021 NFL Draft Round 1: Jaguars load up on Clemson stars, Eagles-Cowboys trade - CBS Sports
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Green Bay Packers 'committed' to Aaron Rodgers, not trading him, GM says - ESPN
GREEN BAY, Wis. -- The Green Bay Packers still believe Aaron Rodgers will play for them in 2021, and perhaps beyond. They have no plans to trade him.
That was general manager Brian Gutekunst's message late Thursday night following the first round of the NFL draft, which came after sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter earlier in the day that Rodgers has become so disgruntled with the team that he has told some members of the organization he does not want to return to the Packers.
"We've been working through this for a little while now, and I just think it may take some time," Gutekunst said. "But he's a guy that kind of makes this thing go. He give us the best chance to win, and we're going to work towards that end."
Rodgers, 37, is under contract through the 2023 season but has no more guaranteed money left on his deal. Gutekunst said the lines of communication with Rodgers and his representatives have been open throughout the offseason, and the two sides spoke again Thursday.
Gutekunst, a fourth-year general manager, denied that the Packers ever told Rodgers they would trade him and reiterated that they have no plans to do that.
"We're not going to trade Aaron Rodgers," he said.
Gutekunst said he did not speak with San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch on Thursday about a deal for Rodgers. Lynch told reporters Thursday that the 49ers "inquired" about Rodgers, but he did not say when that took place and added, "It was a quick end to the conversation; it wasn't happening."
Gutekunst said it wasn't like the phones were ringing off the hook at Lambeau Field after the news of Rodgers' unhappiness broke.
"Sometime after 5 o'clock, after a lot of the stuff had kind of hit the airwaves, I got I think one call," Gutekunst said. "It was very brief, and that was it."
Earlier this offseason, the Los Angeles Rams reportedly called to inquire about Rodgers' availability via trade before they dealt for Matthew Stafford.
"I'm not gonna confirm that," Rams GM Les Snead said Thursday. "But I don't think he was ever available."
Part of Rodgers' unhappiness stems from last year's draft, when the Packers did not inform him of their decision to trade up and draft his potential replacement, Jordan Love, at No. 26 overall, sources told Schefter.
"I certainly look back to last year's draft and just kind of maybe some of the communication issues we could have done better," Gutekunst said. "There's no doubt about it. The draft's an interesting thing. It can kind of unfold differently than you think it's going to unfold, and it happens pretty fast. But certainly, I think, looking back on it sitting where we sit today there could have been some communication things we did better."
Despite being rebuffed by Rodgers in their attempts to extend his contract, the Packers still believe they can convince him to come around. They brought back all but two starters from their 13-3 team that reached the NFC Championship Game for the second straight season.
"I'm not going to speak for Aaron, but I think obviously we have a really good team and I do think he'll play for us again," Gutekunst said. "And like I said, we're going to work towards that and we've been working towards that on a number of different fronts. The value that he adds to our football is really immeasurable, you know what I mean? He brings so much to the table not only as a player but as a leader. He's so important to his teammates, to his coaches, so yeah, that's the goal.
"I think we obviously have a very good football team here, we have a great organization, we're very committed to him and I think as the lines of communication have been open, I'm just optimistic that that's what's best for the Green Bay Packers and I truly believe that's what's best for Aaron Rodgers, as well."
Gutekunst was the only member of the Packers' organization to speak to reporters on Thursday after they drafted Georgia cornerback Eric Stokes at No. 29 overall. Coach Matt LaFleur is scheduled to take questions following the draft on Saturday.
"I think it's like everything in this business, look, I don't think anything ever surprises you," former Packers coach and current Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy said on Thursday. "And things like that go on, conversations I think are always going on when it comes to player acquisition. Obviously no one knows the impact that Aaron Rodgers has made on the Green Bay Packers (more than McCarthy) but, yeah, I haven't given it much thought. Obviously I didn't see anything happen today, so ... good news story."
Gutekunst wouldn't put a deadline on when the Rodgers' situation needs to be resolved for it not to impact the 2021 season.
"It's kind of a hypothetical and it's kind of, like I said, our desire is to have Aaron as our quarterback leading this team and competing for championships," he said. "So, it's a little bit hypothetical, so we'll get to that. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it."
ESPN's Todd Archer and Lindsey Thiry contributed to this report.
Green Bay Packers 'committed' to Aaron Rodgers, not trading him, GM says - ESPN
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NFL draft results: Why the Patriots selected Alabama QB Mac Jones - Pats Pulpit
The 2021 NFL draft got underway under center for the New England Patriots.
New England’s war room selected Alabama’s Mac Jones at No. 15 overall in the first round Thursday night.
Jones would become the fifth quarterback prospect off the board behind Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence, Brigham Young’s Zach Wilson, North Dakota State’s Trey Lance and Ohio State’s Justin Fields. In the process, the Crimson Tide product would become the highest pick at the position during Bill Belichick’s tenure as Patriots head coach.
Here’s an initial glance into why.
Stopping the draft fall
The Patriots waited out the quarterback gauntlet that went from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the New York Jets to the San Francisco 49ers. And as the Chicago Bears moved up to No. 11 overall in a trade that included Nos. 20 and 164 overall — along with first-round and fourth-round capital in 2022 — for the aforementioned Fields, Jones was left in the green room. He was left within shouting distance.
New England retained the rights to nine selections between Friday and Saturday all while adding the 22-year-old redshirt junior out of Tuscaloosa. Drew Bledsoe, sitting atop the 1993 draft, marked the last passer the organization took in Round 1.
Prolific one-year starter for the national champions
Jones made 17 starts during his Alabama career, taking the reins following Tua Tagovailoa’s hip injury in 2019. And this past campaign under head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian, the team captain led the FBS by completing 77.4 percent of his throws for 4,500 yards. Along the way through the air were 41 touchdowns against four interceptions up through the national title game. The 52-24 victory over the Buckeyes spanned 464 yards and five scores.
The 6-foot-2, 217-pound Jones received the Davey O’Brien Award to go with first-team All-SEC and consensus All-American honors. He finished third in Heisman Trophy voting with an NFL-bound offensive line, backfield and receiving corps before attending the Senior Bowl. And while lacking the dual-threat athleticism seen from other quarterbacks in the 2021 class, Jones is regarded for his timing, accuracy and ability to be an efficient point guard with his decisions inside the pocket. It is a familiar mold in New England.
Eyeing New England’s depth chart beyond 2021
The quarterback depth chart stood at three for the Patriots. It stood with futures signing Jake Dolegala, 2019 draft choice Jarrett Stidham and incumbent starter Cam Newton, who re-signed on a one-year deal carrying $3.5 million guaranteed leading up to free agency in March.
With Jones, it now stands with a developmental plan in place for beyond 2021. The Patriots were represented by a contingent that included Belichick and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels at his Alabama pro day. A Navy trick play and a 40-yard dash in the ballpark of 4.8 seconds followed.
Poll
How would you grade the Patriots’ decision to draft Mac Jones at No. 15?
- 65%
A
(3308 votes) - 23%
B
(1162 votes) - 6%
C
(338 votes) - 1%
D
(85 votes) - 2%
F
(126 votes)
NFL draft results: Why the Patriots selected Alabama QB Mac Jones - Pats Pulpit
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Thursday, April 29, 2021
2021 NFL draft - Pros and cons for every first-round pick - ESPN
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NFL NationESPN
The 2021 NFL draft began Thursday and continues through Saturday (ABC/ESPN/ESPN App). We will have the pros and cons for each of the 32 first-round picks. The Jacksonville Jaguars kicked off the draft by selecting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 selection. The New York Jets and San Francisco 49ers also went QB at Nos. 2 and 3 with Zach Wilson and Trey Lance, respectively.
We will track all 259 picks for Rounds 1-7, and you also can see all of the best available draft prospects.
The draft continues with Rounds 2-3 on Friday (7 p.m. ET) and Rounds 4-7 on Saturday (noon ET).
Here is the draft order heading into the first round. ESPN NFL Nation reporters will analyze each pick live.
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson | Highlights
Why they picked him: Lawrence is the most polished QB prospect since Andrew Luck and ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him behind John Elway, Peyton Manning and Luck among QBs he's graded. The Jaguars' offense the past decade has been awful and QB play is a big reason. The Jaguars were last in points scored and ranked 30th or worst in QB completion percentage, Total QBR, passer rating and passing yards in the league from 2011-20 with Blaine Gabbert, Chad Henne, Blake Bortles, Nick Foles, Gardner Minshew II, Jake Luton and Mike Glennon taking snaps. Lawrence was 34-2 as a starter at Clemson and threw for 10,098 yards and 90 touchdowns with only 17 interceptions in three seasons. He won a national championship as a freshman and led the Tigers to two more playoff appearances.
Biggest question: There's no such thing as a perfect prospect but Lawrence is close. Jaguars GM Trent Baalke, when asked about what he learned about Lawrence that he didn't know during the pre-draft process, said: "No negatives." There was a brief stir about Lawrence's comments in a Sports Illustrated piece that he doesn't have a chip on his shoulder and his high school coach's comment that Lawrence could walk away from the game and be fine. That may have riled up some fans but Lawrence addressed those comments several days later and reassured everyone he is motivated and does want to win. -- Michael DiRocco
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Jets traded Sam Darnold, in part, because they believe Wilson can be a franchise quarterback. Among the QBs not named Trevor Lawrence, Wilson stood out to them because of his arm talent and ability to make quick reads in and out of the pocket. The Jets' quarterback clock is officially reset -- again.
Biggest question: Can he really be a Week 1 starter? The NFL could be culture shock for Wilson, who dominated weak competition in 2020. The smart move will be to ease him in slowly, letting him learn from a vet -- assuming they add one at some point. -- Rich Cimini
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State | Highlights
Why they picked him: The 49ers were unafraid to make a bold trade up the board to No. 3 and equally unafraid to take the player who is the draft's biggest mystery. That would be Lance, who fits the bill of "biggest, fastest and strongest" quarterback coach Kyle Shanahan said he's looking for. At 6-foot-4, 226 pounds, Lance brings a powerful right arm, quick feet, quick processing skills and the maturity to handle everything Shanahan will ask him to do in his offense. Lance's lack of experience -- with 17 starts at the FCS level -- are offset a bit by the fact Lance spent more time under center running Shanahan staples than any of the other top quarterback prospects. Lance's ball security is also appealing to the 49ers after he went 287 consecutive attempts without an interception in 2019. There's plenty of risk here but the reward could be huge.
Biggest question: Can Shanahan and the 49ers get Lance to reach his potential? That lack of experience against top competition makes Lance the biggest unknown quantity among the top quarterbacks in this draft. While Lance has drawn comparisons to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen because of his physical traits, he also comes with accuracy questions (50% completion rate in 2020, 67% in 2019) similar to those Allen had when he arrived in the NFL. Lance's floor might be lower than the other top quarterback prospects but his ceiling might be higher, especially if he gets the chance to settle in behind Jimmy Garoppolo for a season before becoming the starter. At 20, Lance is just scratching the surface on his potential, which puts the onus on the 49ers to help him reach it. -- Nick Wagoner
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida | Highlights
Why they picked him: Pitts might be the most talented non-quarterback in the draft -- and perhaps the most gifted player regardless of position. He might be listed as a tight end but he has the traits of a dominant big receiver at 6-foot-6, 245 pounds with a reported 4.44-second 40-yard dash time. He can line up all over the formation for coach Arthur Smith, who came up as a tight ends coach. Pitts can play out wide, in the slot or in line as a tight end and be a matchup issue throughout. Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot called him "a special player" Wednesday.
Biggest question: Tight ends typically don't go this high in the draft (Vernon Davis was earliest selection for a TE at No. 6 overall in 2006) and the transition from college to pros is a difficult one that usually takes a year. But Pitts is going to be looked at to be a Day 1 impact player, so he'll have to defy history. The question is whether the Falcons did the right thing taking Pitts over a quarterback with Matt Ryan, who soon will be 36 on May 17. Only time will tell. -- Michael Rothstein
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Bengals are looking for this year's first-round pick to be an immediate contributor. Chase showed a knack for that in his final season at LSU (84 catches, 1,780 yards, 20 TDs in 2019), when he and Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow led the Tigers to a national championship. Chase is another big-play wide receiver that could open up the team's offense.
Biggest question: Will Chase's physical style still be successful in the NFL? Also, as good as Chase could become, the Bengals will need their pass protection (Burrow was sacked 32 times before his season-ending knee injury) to improve in 2021 in order for Burrow and the passing attack to be effective. -- Ben Baby
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: A need for speed. Waddle is believed to be the draft's fastest player even though he didn't test because of a fractured ankle. With elite run-after-catch and deep-ball ability, Waddle is a good description of the game-changing playmaker the Dolphins need to help QB Tua Tagovailoa. When faced with a choice between reuniting Tagovailoa with one of his two former Alabama receivers, they leaned toward the bigger, faster and more electric Waddle over the more productive and polished DeVonta Smith.
Biggest question: Can Waddle become a complete No.1 receiver? Waddle was never the most productive receiver at Alabama with Jerry Jeudy holding that title in 2018 and Smith dominating in 2019 and 2020. Lofty redraft comparisons to Tyreek Hill made headlines, but Waddle is far less advanced as a route runner and against press coverage than Waddle, so he'll have to make big jumps there to become Miami's No.1 receiver. -- Cameron Wolfe
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon | Highlights
Why they picked him: Sewell was arguably the best available option at his position throughout this entire draft class. Detroit has added another strong option, who will likely be an instant starter to an already good offensive line to give extra protection to new quarterback Jared Goff. He fits the mold of what the Lions are building under new general manager Brad Holmes and head coach Dan Campbell with toughness and grit by selecting the 2019 Outland Trophy winner - which is awarded to nation's best interior lineman.
Biggest question: Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, so it remains to be seen how that impacts him. Although Sewell is quick on his feet, some may wonder if his strength and technique will translate onto this stage, but he seems to be the safe bet at No. 7 under the new Lions regime. -- Eric Woodyard
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina | Highlights
Why they picked him: A press corner was the one position general manager Scott Fitterer believed could help the roster the most outside of tight end Kyle Pitts and left tackle Penei Sewell. In Horn the Panthers have a physical, big corner with great reach, something Seattle believed in when building its championship teams when Fitterer was there. With injury-prone Donte Jackson entering the last year of his contract the Panthers have a long-term solution at one of the corner spots.
Biggest question: Quarterback Sam Darnold better be good, because the Panthers had a shot at Justin Fields, a player many believed to be at least the third-best quarterback in the draft. This pick shows Carolina believes in Darnold and is going to give him every chance to succeed. It also shows the Panthers believe a player like Horn can help them win now. -- David Newton
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: With the trade for Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday, the Broncos turned to their defense with their first pick of the draft. Broncos coach Vic Fangio has said consistently the key to playing defense in the NFL is to have as many top-flight cornerbacks as possible. Surtain, given his versatility as a man-to-man cornerback, or in zone and as a run defender, will be a walk-in starter. Surtain was one of the most complete prospects on the board.
Biggest question: Many of the team's faithful will be asking why the Broncos would pass on quarterbacks Justin Fields and Mac Jones to add to the defense? The only question many scouts had about Surtain, and it is a small concern given his ability, is whether or not he was a "plateau'' player given the level of coaching he had received at Alabama, or did he still have room to grow in the seasons to come? For the Broncos, he was the most ready-made NFL player on the board. -- Jeff Legwold
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: With both of the top corners off the board, the Eagles moved up from No. 12 to No. 10 to grab the most prolific receiver in the draft. Smith led the NCAA in receptions (117), receiving yards (1,856) and receiving TDs (23) en route to a Heisman Trophy in 2020. With smooth route-running skills, sudden feet and sure hands, he'll make an immediate impact in coach Nick Sirianni's West Coast-style offense.
Biggest question: Smith's current weight is said to be under 170 pounds. A big part of the NFL game is getting off the line of scrimmage against man-press. While he had few issues at Alabama, it's yet to be be seen whether he can do it at the next level. -- Tim McManus
11. Chicago Bears (from New York Giants)
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Bears haven't had a true franchise quarterback since Sid Luckman retired in 1950. After the Mitchell Trubisky experiment fizzled out after four seasons, the Bears were under enormous pressure to find their next quarterback of the future. Chicago signed veteran Andy Dalton, who may open the year as the starter, but Fields will be the No. 1 sooner, rather than later. Plus, the Bears had to find a way to energize their fan base, which reacted to the Dalton move with a collective yawn. Mission accomplished.
Biggest question: When does Fields start? The Bears rushed Trubisky into action before he was ready back in 2017 because the veteran they signed as their bridge quarterback (Mike Glennon) was terrible. In a perfect world, the Bears probably want Fields to sit behind Dalton for a short period of time. But the pressure to play Fields will be too great to ignore. The Bears believe they have the right quarterback room and coaching staff to develop a young quarterback. We will soon see whether or not they are correct. -- Jeff Dickerson
12. Dallas Cowboys (from Philadelphia Eagles)
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State | Highlights
Why they picked him: Coach Mike McCarthy said the Cowboys needed to get faster on defense. Parsons ran a 4.39 40-yard dash at his pro day. He was an impact player at Penn State and considered one of the best athletes in the draft. He had 19 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, six forced fumbles and five pass deflections in two seasons. The Cowboys were focused on corners, but Jaycee Horn and Patrick Surtain II went right before their pick, leading them to move down in a trade with Philadelphia.
Biggest question: How does he fit with Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch in 2021? He has some pass rush ability, so will the Cowboys use him in a designated pass-rusher role? Smith is on the books for a guaranteed $7.2 million in 2020, while the Cowboys are likely to pass on picking up the fifth-year option on Vander Esch, which needs to be exercised by Monday. -- Todd Archer
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern | Highlights
Why they picked him: Slater has played left and right tackle, and the Chargers love his versatility. He likely will start at left tackle and will be tasked with protecting the franchise in quarterback in Justin Herbert. He's NFL ready and strong at the point of attack.
Biggest question: He's the first offensive lineman drafted by the Chargers since D.J. Fluker in 2013. He opted out in 2020 but the Chargers must have felt confident enough to select him high in this draft. His interior pass protection against quick defensive ends is suspect. He has the tools but the question remains how he'll transition after taking year off and to the Chargers offense. -- Shelley Smith
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC | Highlights
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama | Highlights
Why they picked him: The Patriots have been looking for Tom Brady's replacement since he departed in free agency, and Jones' strengths most mirrored Brady among the top QB prospects in the draft. He's accurate and known for his decision making, which are two of the top things coach Bill Belichick values most at the position. He's also played some of his best football in high-stakes, high-pressure situations.
Biggest question: Jones was a one-year starter who wasn't viewed as a first-round caliber prospect entering 2020. He also had NFL-caliber skill-position players around him, which sparked questions as to how much of his success could be attributed to his teammates. -- Mike Reiss
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa | Highlights
2021 NFL draft - Pros and cons for every first-round pick - ESPN
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