Romain Fiore, Media365, published on Friday April 30, 2021 at 3:50 p.m.
The 2021 NFL Draft promised to be exceptional, it was. Return on this eventful night which saw in particular the quarterback of Clemson Trevor Lawrence to be chosen in first position by Jacksonville.
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The draft is historically one of the most anticipated moments in American sports. A real scene of tension and passion that can change the destinies of some teams, each university player being hoped to be the new X factor that would allow his franchise to switch to another dimension and win the coveted trophy: the Super Bowl. The first of seven rounds of the 2021 NFL Draft took place Thursday, and like every year, it has its share of surprises in store. We take a look back at the top five picks of this lottery.
1-Jacksonville Jaguars : Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The first pick in this draft had been known to everyone for months, and its selection is no surprise. This 21-year-old quarterback is described as a generational talent as we see little. Excellent in all areas of the pass but also very mobile and agile for running, he is the leading attacker par excellence for an NFL franchise. And the Jacksonville Jaguars had understood that he shouldn’t be let go. Used to winning everything since his high school years and already announced ahead of his time as number one, he was able to handle the pressure and win a university title with Clemson in the first year. Which made him one of the highest rated college players of all time in this position. He will be coached by Urban Mayer, also used to the college championship, having already won the NCAA trophy three times with two different teams. A duo used to winning in a team last in the regular season. Enough to make this year explosive and interesting for Florida.
2 – New York Jets : Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
After the failure of Sam Darnold, the Jets were keen to reclaim a quarterback. They therefore waited for this draft rich in talents to choose the revelation of 2020. Because Zach Wilson literally exploded during this particular season. In full progress, the young quarterback from Utah has demonstrated all his talent in terms of the precision of his passes and his mobility within the defense. Only problem, but which is not necessarily one, he did not face real adversity during this season which was rather weak. Hopefully for the Jets that Wilson will still succeed in showing all his talent. Because it only asks to explode in broad daylight.
3 – San Francisco 49ers : Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
The first surprise of the evening came from San Francisco. While Mac Jones or Justin Fields were expected on the bay side, the Californians chose another quarterback, in the person of Trey Lance. This athlete, very strong in the race and with a powerful arm, will however have to improve on the precision of his passes if he wants to become the offensive holder of the 49ers. Because the competition will be tough against a Jimmy Garopolo who had led San Francisco to the Super Bowl two years ago.
4 – Atlanta Falcons : Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Kyle Pitts is THE very definition of an NFL player. With its 1.98m and 108 kg, the tight end will be able to make speak all its explosiveness as well as its qualities of receiver on the side of Atlanta, where the trio Julio Jones – Calvin Ridley – Kyle Pitts promises to make the opposing defenses dizzy . Quarterbacks aside, Pitts was surely the best player in this draft.
5 – Cincinnati Bengals : Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
After picking Joe Burrow as their first choice a year earlier, the Bengals chose to pair their quarterback with a boy he knows well. Ja’Marr Chase was indeed Joe Burrow’s favorite receiver at LSU University. The duo that crushed the competition in 2019 are back in the NFL, this time under the same jersey. A blessing for both men.
The other strong choices of the 2021 draft:
10 – Philadelphia Eagles (via Cowboys) : Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
A duo will reform again but this time around Philadelphia. Devonta Smith was named the best receiver of this draft behind Chase and Waddle. Winner of the Heiseman trophy, which rewards the best university player of the season, Smith will have to prove that despite his small physique, he can win in the NFL as a starting receiver. The Eagles, lacking in quality in this position, did not hesitate to trade two places with their conference opponent, the Cowboys, to recover this monster of explosiveness and reform the duo of the Crimson Tide in 2018.
11 – Chicago Bears (via Giants) : Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
A golden opportunity presented itself and Chicago did not pass it up. The Bears did not hesitate to trade their 20th draft pick to pick up the one who is perhaps the second best quarterback of his promotion behind Lawrence and Justin Fields. A strong choice for the Bears after the failure of Mitch Trubisky. The undeniable qualities of Fields convinced Chicago. The Ohio State quarterback brought his team to the college final and proved to his former Georgia team that he deserved to start. With a strong build, incredible arm power, mind-boggling mobility and incredible precision, even on the move, Fields has all the assets of a leader in the field. A real diamond to be polished, it could allow the Bears to turn a corner and compete with the Packers in the NFC North division.
15 – New England Patriots : Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
After years of glory, reconstruction is still difficult. Bill Belichick will have to take a bet to replace Tom Brady. After Cam Newton’s failure last season, the Patriots decided to trust Mac Jones. Barely defending champion with Alabama, he is the last quarterback drafted in this first round. Often expected in the top 10, the successor of Tua Tagovaiola, known for the few mistakes he makes, has qualities to spare and a formidable passing precision. On the other hand, his lack of arm power as well as his athleticism could play a nasty trick on him. The quarterback will have to push his limits if he wants to have the same destiny as a certain Tom Brady.
All the picks from the first round of the 2021 draft, pick by pick:
1 – Jacksonville Jaguars : Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2 – New York Jets : Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3 – San Francisco 49ers : Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
4 – Atlanta Falcons : Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
5 – Cincinnati Bengals : Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
6 – Miami Dolphins : Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
7 – Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
8 – Carolina Panthers : Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
9 – Denver Broncos : Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
10 – Philadelphia Eagles (via Cowboys) : Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
11 – Chicago Bears (via Giants) : Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
12 – Dallas Cowboys (via Eagles, Dolphins, 49ers) : Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
13 – Los Angeles Chargers : Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
14 – New York Jets (via Vikings) : Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
15 – New England Patriots : Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
16 – Arizona Cardinals : Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
17 – Las Vegas Raiders : Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
18 – Miami Dolphins : Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
19 – Washington Football Team : Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
20 – New York Giants (via Bears) : Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
21 – Indianapolis Colts : Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
22 – Tennessee Titans : Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
23 – Minnesota Vikings (via Jets, Seahawks) : Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
24 – Pittsburgh Steelers : Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
25 – Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams) : Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
26 – Cleveland Browns : Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
27 – Baltimore Ravens : Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
28 – New Orleans Saints : Payton Tuner, Edge, Houston
29 – Green Bay Packers : Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
30 – Buffalo Bills : Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami
31 – Baltimore Ravens (via Chiefs) : Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State
32 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers : Joe Tryon, Edge, Washington
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