2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots trade up for a Nick Saban favorite
The 2021 NFL Draft is just days away, which means it's time for one more look at what the New England Patriots might do.The Patriots are in a fascinating position at No. 15, where they could trade up to snag a top quarterback prospect like Justin Fields, Trey Lance or Mac Jones or stand pat to land an elite non-QB who slipped through the cracks.Phil Perry's final NFL Mock draft toes the line between those two scenarios: New England indeed moves up in the first round but passes on a potential franchise quarterback to go a different route.Read on for Perry's full first-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft ahead of Thursday's first round.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
It's not as if there are zero questions surrounding Lawrence's game. He feasted on screens in a college-style offense. He's slight. But we're nitpicking. He's the easy choice here.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
It's never a great idea to chase unicorns. And it feels like that's what the Jets might be doing with Wilson, hoping he can be Patrick Mahomes. Wilson tore apart a lesser schedule in 2020. But he has special arm talent, and so it will come as no surprise that the Jets make him their next face of the franchise.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
It's easy to knock him because of his relatively limited ceiling, but if the Niners feel Jones' floor is that of a 10-year starter, that would be worth giving up the farm for. This should make Jimmy Garoppolo available via trade soon after the selection is made. One of the benefits of taking Jones is that he's relatively pro ready, allowing whichever team that drafts him four years of good value at the position. With a Niners roster that's loaded elsewhere with players who'll want to be paid soon, that's a big plus.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
In order for the Falcons to trade out of this slot, they're going to have to kill it in the deal. As in, the-type-of-haul-the-Niners-gave-up-to-get-to-No. 3 kind of kill it. Hard to envision a team moving way up the board in a move like that for the fourth quarterback in the draft. Without the offer they relish, Atlanta sticks at No. 4 and picks Pitts here.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
See the scar on Joe Burrow's knee, featured prominently in Cincinnati's new uniform announcement? So have the Bengals. They're going to want to protect their top asset and grabbing a potential franchise left tackle is the way to go here.
6. Miami Dolphins: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Miami made a concerted effort to get back to this pick, one would think, to ensure that they get one of the top non-quarterbacks in the class. That's exactly what happens here. The Dolphins can add Chase to a receiving corps that already includes DeVante Parker and Will Fuller and give Tua Tagovailoa the type of talent he needs in order for him to show he was worthy of a top-five pick a season ago.
7. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
This would be a fascinating game of chicken. We know the Broncos are interested in quarterbacks. We know the Patriots are interested in quarterbacks. But word out of Denver this offseason has been that Jones would be the best fit for the Broncos. He's off the board.
Would new general manager George Paton dare the Lions and Panthers to take quarterbacks ahead of them? Would the Patriots take a similar approach? I think they might. So, as was the case with the Falcons at No. 4, without a willing trade partner, Detroit sticks and picks.
Parsons is the definition of the kind of "kneecap biter" the Lions want as they build. New head coach Dan Campbell and special assistant to ownership Chris Spielman (a former linebacker himself) will love the Penn State product's talent.
8. Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The game of chicken continues. The Broncos don't think the Panthers will take a quarterback after investing in Sam Darnold and with a huge hole at left tackle. They ain't moving. Neither are the Patriots, since they'd have to give up at least their second-rounder or a future first to move up. Without the offer they want, the Panthers stay put and take one of the two best offensive linemen in the class.
9. Denver Broncos: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Perhaps the steal of this year's draft if it plays out this way, the Broncos end up with arguably the most accurate down-the-field passer in the class. And on a roster loaded with receiver talent, Fields should be able to supplant Drew Lock relatively quickly and have a productive rookie season.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Dallas is in desperate need of blue-chip talent on the defensive side of the ball, and Surtain fits the bill there. Size. Athleticism. Patience. Ball skills. He's the most complete cornerback in the class.
11. New York Giants: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Joe Judge needs a high-end offensive linemen to help protect Daniel Jones -- Jones has been under pressure on over 41 percent of his dropbacks since 2019, per Pro Football Focus -- and that's exactly who the Giants nab here.
Vera-Tucker is one of the best Patriots fits in this class, and if he slips all the way to No. 15 then it will not be a surprise if New England pulls the trigger. He's a safe choice in a draft class that is loaded with the unknown. Makes sense that a Prototypical Patriot ends up with former Patriots employees in New Jersey.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
This is another spot that could feature a trade. General manager Howie Roseman has no issue sliding down the board and stockpiling picks, as he did by moving back to No. 12 earlier this offseason.
But with a quarterback in Jalen Hurts that the team likes... with a cornerback group that is not all that appealing outside of veteran Darius Slay... and with Horn still on the board... Roseman sits tight and takes the best defensive player available.
![<p><strong>TRADE</strong></p>
<p><strong>Patriots receive: </strong>Chargers' No. 13 pick</p>
<p><strong>Chargers receive: </strong>Patriots' No. 15 pick, Patriots' No. 96 pick</p>
<p>Well, well, well! Lots to unpack here. First, Waddle's slippage. How? He's one of the most dynamic players in the draft. But this year's class is deep at receiver and features a number of undersized dynamos. So the Lions passed to take a uniquely-talented linebacker. The Giants passed after already investing heavily at receiver and adding Kenny Golladay in free agency. The Eagles have a pint-sized speedster they took in the first round just last year in Jalen Reagor.</p>
<p>That left the Chargers, who might have taken Waddle. But they're fairly well-stocked in terms of weaponry and need offensive line help. Hence, Chargers GM Tom Telesco gladly accepts New England's compensatory third-round pick -- No. 96 -- to move back. It's the second trade these two teams have executed involving a first-round pick in as many years.</p>
<p>As for the Patriots, they just took a first-round wideout back in 2019. Hasn't panned out. Now they're in the top half of the first round and they take another? Well, Waddle is among the best fits in this draft class for the Patriots -- <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/prototypical-patriots-which-wide-receivers-could-team-target-2021-nfl-draft?b">a prototype among prototypes</a> because of his athleticism and his Alabama pedigree. He's a legitimate deep threat. He's an explosive short-to-intermediate route runner. He can catch a screen and take it to the house. He's also the best return man in this year's draft. And he'll have Nick Saban's stamp of approval.</p>
<p>“Jaylen Waddle is a phenomenal player, a phenomenal competitor,” <a href="https://www.al.com/alabamafootball/2020/10/nick-saban-addresses-jaylen-waddles-decision-to-return-kickoff-from-end-zone.html">Saban last fall on his weekly radio show</a>. “He’s one of those guys that’s Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan. They can make plays when nobody else can make that same play. And he’s one of those kind of guys."<br />
<br />
That's high praise coming from one of Belichick's most trusted allies. What's more, Belichick might have foreshadowed this move earlier this offseason. When discussing trades up, he laid out the different factors that go into the decision then noted, "There could very well be a player there that either you don’t expect to be there or maybe he is a couple spots [ahead] -- maybe at 12, 13, he’s still on the board -- and you really thought that he’d be gone in the top six, seven picks. Then the question comes, do you move up and try to get that player that’s fallen a little bit?"</p>
<p>Someone who can make the Patriots offense more explosive? One of Saban's favorites? A four-down competitor? Feels like the kind of guy Belichick might move up for.</p>
<p>Last thing: Why pass on Trey Lance? His raw talent is such that the Patriots should be able to develop him into something special. Lance is also considered by evaluators to be one of the smartest quarterbacks in the class. His responsibilities at the line of scrimmage in a pro-style offense were rare for a college passer. And what he showed in 2019 as a decision-maker -- his touchdown-to-interception ratio was 28-to-0 -- was outstanding.</p>
<p>If you recall the wish list of traits Bill Belichick <a href="https://www.nbcsports.com/boston/patriots/2021-nfl-draft-picks-who-fit-bill-belichicks-1990s-scouting-wish-list?b">laid out for his Browns scouts back in 1991</a>, here's how the quarterback description starts: "No. 1 is to make good decisions. Then arm, size, physically tough, leadership, [someone] guys look up to and have confidence in. A real competitor."</p>
<p>Lance fits in that regard, and quarterback is still the biggest need on the roster. By a long shot.</p>
<p>Still, Lance is a gamble given his lack of experience. The Patriots under Belichick have only taken quarterbacks who spent four years in college and most have had upwards of 800 pass attempts on their resumes. And though the Patriots took a shot on Jimmy Garoppolo from the FCS in the second round, they generally feel it's important to see players play against top-end competition.</p>
<p>No SEC reps for Lance. No chance at a Senior Bowl appearance. Even though Lance could be a steal at this point in the draft, it would not come as much of a surprise if the Patriots opted to pass on the young passer.</p>
<p>With Jones headed to San Francisco at No. 3, perhaps Garoppolo will be available in the not-too-distant future. Or maybe Marcus Mariota, <a href="https://www.staradvertiser.com/2021/04/19/sports/las-vegas-marcus-raiders-marcus-mariota-a-backup-qb-right-now-but-remains-steadfast-in-his-goal-to-one-day-becoming-a-successful-starter-in-the-nfl/">hoping for a starting gig</a>, could be their guy.</p>](https://media.nbcsportsboston.com/2023/05/WADDLE_JAYLEN_ALABAMA_1920x1080_1880548419529-1.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&fit=1920%2C1080)
TRADE
Patriots receive: Chargers' No. 13 pick
Chargers receive: Patriots' No. 15 pick, Patriots' No. 96 pick
Well, well, well! Lots to unpack here. First, Waddle's slippage. How? He's one of the most dynamic players in the draft. But this year's class is deep at receiver and features a number of undersized dynamos. So the Lions passed to take a uniquely-talented linebacker. The Giants passed after already investing heavily at receiver and adding Kenny Golladay in free agency. The Eagles have a pint-sized speedster they took in the first round just last year in Jalen Reagor.
That left the Chargers, who might have taken Waddle. But they're fairly well-stocked in terms of weaponry and need offensive line help. Hence, Chargers GM Tom Telesco gladly accepts New England's compensatory third-round pick -- No. 96 -- to move back. It's the second trade these two teams have executed involving a first-round pick in as many years.
As for the Patriots, they just took a first-round wideout back in 2019. Hasn't panned out. Now they're in the top half of the first round and they take another? Well, Waddle is among the best fits in this draft class for the Patriots -- a prototype among prototypes because of his athleticism and his Alabama pedigree. He's a legitimate deep threat. He's an explosive short-to-intermediate route runner. He can catch a screen and take it to the house. He's also the best return man in this year's draft. And he'll have Nick Saban's stamp of approval.
“Jaylen Waddle is a phenomenal player, a phenomenal competitor,” Saban last fall on his weekly radio show. “He’s one of those guys that’s Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Michael Jordan. They can make plays when nobody else can make that same play. And he’s one of those kind of guys."
That's high praise coming from one of Belichick's most trusted allies. What's more, Belichick might have foreshadowed this move earlier this offseason. When discussing trades up, he laid out the different factors that go into the decision then noted, "There could very well be a player there that either you don’t expect to be there or maybe he is a couple spots [ahead] -- maybe at 12, 13, he’s still on the board -- and you really thought that he’d be gone in the top six, seven picks. Then the question comes, do you move up and try to get that player that’s fallen a little bit?"
Someone who can make the Patriots offense more explosive? One of Saban's favorites? A four-down competitor? Feels like the kind of guy Belichick might move up for.
Last thing: Why pass on Trey Lance? His raw talent is such that the Patriots should be able to develop him into something special. Lance is also considered by evaluators to be one of the smartest quarterbacks in the class. His responsibilities at the line of scrimmage in a pro-style offense were rare for a college passer. And what he showed in 2019 as a decision-maker -- his touchdown-to-interception ratio was 28-to-0 -- was outstanding.
If you recall the wish list of traits Bill Belichick laid out for his Browns scouts back in 1991, here's how the quarterback description starts: "No. 1 is to make good decisions. Then arm, size, physically tough, leadership, [someone] guys look up to and have confidence in. A real competitor."
Lance fits in that regard, and quarterback is still the biggest need on the roster. By a long shot.
Still, Lance is a gamble given his lack of experience. The Patriots under Belichick have only taken quarterbacks who spent four years in college and most have had upwards of 800 pass attempts on their resumes. And though the Patriots took a shot on Jimmy Garoppolo from the FCS in the second round, they generally feel it's important to see players play against top-end competition.
No SEC reps for Lance. No chance at a Senior Bowl appearance. Even though Lance could be a steal at this point in the draft, it would not come as much of a surprise if the Patriots opted to pass on the young passer.
With Jones headed to San Francisco at No. 3, perhaps Garoppolo will be available in the not-too-distant future. Or maybe Marcus Mariota, hoping for a starting gig, could be their guy.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Paye is arguably the top edge defender in this year's draft class. Are his pass-rush moves the most polished? No. But he's stout at the point of attack, he's a pro-ready run defender, and he has the kind of athleticism that will allow him to eventually thrive hunting quarterbacks. Smart, tough, disciplined, Paye is yet another player off the board in this range who is a tremendous fit for the Patriots.
15. Los Angles Chargers via New England Patriots: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
By getting their man, one of the top tackles in the class, and picking up a third-rounder in the process, the Chargers are playing the draft game well here. Darrisaw is a bully who will help keep franchise quarterback Justin Herbert protected for the next four years and maybe more.
16. Arizona Cardinals: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Thus continues the trend of teams wanting to set up their young quarterbacks for success. First the Dolphins. Then the Chargers. Now the Cardinals. The addition of Smith -- thin as he may be -- to a receiver group that already includes DeAndre Hopkins has to be a welcome sight for Kyler Murray.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Explosive. Violent. A potential tight-end eraser. Owusu-Koramoah is the modern-day prototype at linebacker. But he's slight. In reality, he'll probably play more of a true strong safety role than a standard second-level linebacker role in the NFL.
18. Chicago Bears via Miami Dolphins: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Will Lance really make it to the second half of the first round? If Lance gets to the Patriots and Belichick doesn't pull the trigger, the next handful of teams are set at quarterback. That could mean a bit of a slide. But Chicago, desperate for a passer, makes sure it leapfrogs the Football Team -- even though Lance doesn't seem like Washington's kind of quarterback -- in order to get the kid from Fargo.
It's a sign of hope for the Bears. And now, even if 2021 doesn't go all that well for them, general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy may have an argument that they deserve more time on the job as their new cornerstone piece learns the pro game.
19. Washington Football Team: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Football Team general manager Martin Mayhew was a key front-office cog in Detroit and San Francisco when some of the best players they found early in drafts were along the offensive line. Mayhew and coach Ron Rivera address their offensive line here with one of the toughest tackles in this class.
Jenkins was a right tackle in college so they'll have to feel good about him making the switch to the left side at the next level (or they'll have to feel good about flipping right tackle Morgan Moses to the other side). Either way, they get a very good football player at a position of need here.
20. Miami Dolphins via Chicago Bears: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
What better landing spot for one of this year's top-ranked Prototypical Patriots than the Patriots on South Beach? Coach Brian Flores loves versatile players at the second level who can play both on the ball and off, and Collins would give Flores a Jamie Collins type who can do a little bit of everything. The Tulsa product is an outstanding athlete with a massive frame. In the right scheme, he'll thrive. And the Dolphins scheme is the right scheme for this behemoth linebacker.
21. New Orleans Saints via Indianapolis Colts: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Saints aren't afraid to be aggressive. Even though they're cap strapped and need a bunch of players on the roster on rookie deals, that still probably won't stop them from making a move for the right guy. The Colts, meanwhile, are happy to scoot on back and add some extra draft capital on Day 3. Toney is a playmaker of the highest order with the ball in his hands. Sean Payton will have a field day designing ways for the Florida star to get open as the Saints transition to life after Drew Brees.
22. Tennessee Titans: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Tennessee clearly has no issue taking risks in the first round. They did it in 2019 with Jeffery Simmons. That's worked out well for them. They did it last year with Isaiah Wilson. He's out of the league. You win some, you lose some? In taking Phillips, they'll hope his history of concussions is not an issue for them. If it isn't, they'll have one of the most talented and technically-sound pass-rushers in the draft at a discount.
23. New York Jets: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
The Jets added pass-rush help this offseason, but they could use more. Oweh is one of the freakiest athletes in this year's draft class and should thrive in head coach Robert Saleh's defensive scheme.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas
There has been an offensive line exodus in Pittsburgh. Cosmi, an athletically-gifted but not-so-technically-refined prospect, will help fill a need as this team continues to trot out a not-so-mobile veteran quarterback.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Jaguars got a quarterback with their first pick. How about another with their second? At the safety spot, Richie Grant of UCF is really the only player who could challenge Moehrig as the top option in this year's draft class.
26. Cleveland Browns: Greg Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Rousseau has all kinds of length, and he plays with an unrelenting motor. He still has plenty to learn, but he brings physical tools to the table that really can't be taught. Opposite Myles Garrett, Rousseau could be a problem in relatively short order.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
It's a pick-your-flavor point in the draft for edge rushers. In this scenario, the Ravens end up with an ideal fit for their 3-4 style scheme. Ojulari has long arms and good flexibility, helping him create havoc in the SEC. With Matt Judon now in New England, the Ravens hope havoc will follow Ojulari to Baltimore.
28. Indianapolis Colts: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Indianapolis loves itself some Senior Bowl star power. Radunz -- who was named the practice player of the week this year in Mobile -- may end up a second-rounder for most teams, but for the Colts he's well worth a choice in the late-first. They have a real need at tackle now that Anthony Castonzo has retired.
29. Green Bay Packers: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Tough call here. Farley just underwent a microdiscectomy. If that term is familiar to you, it may be because you've heard it associated with Rob Gronkowski in the past. As well as Tiger Woods. And Tony Romo. A little scary. But if cleared by Green Bay's medical team, Farley at the end of the first round could end up being one of the best value picks of the weekend. Without the recent surgery, he might've been a top-10 pick.
30. Buffalo Bills: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
Another corner with some durability concerns, Newsome would fit incredibly well in Buffalo's zone schemes defensively. Opposite Tre'Davious White, Newsome could help form one of the best young cornerback duos in the league.
31. Baltimore Ravens (via Kansas City Chiefs): Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
Let Lamar cook? The Ravens have had a heckuva time trying to surround Lamar Jackson with receiving talent, but maybe Marshall is their answer. This class is loaded with talented slots, but Marshall is one of only a handful of big-bodied wideouts with a sizable catch radius who would make sense for the Ravens.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Tampa has the luxury of really going wherever they want here. Running back? Receiver? Another toy for Tom Brady? Barmore could slide due to some concerns about how consistent he'll be at the next level, but if he finds the right landing spot, he'll be a terror as an interior pass-rusher.
Since the Bucs figure to be playing with a lead quite often, that could mean a lot of pass-rushing opportunities for Tampa's front.
