Review and Recap: Unpacking the 2021 NFL Draft

MILWAUKEE – It was a crazy day in Cleveland for the NFL as teams had the chance to improve during the first round of the NFL draft. Draft day started out as everyone suspected with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking Trevor Lawrence the QB out of Clemson.

The Lawrence pick was obvious he has been the top QB prospect for two years now as a Junior coming out of Clemson. He is the best QB prospect in years and was the first pick the minute he declared for the draft. He has amazing vision and pinpoint accuracy which helped him lead the Clemson Tigers to three National Championship appearances winning one.

The next pick was also easily predicted being Zach Wilson the QB out of BYU to the New York Jets. Wilson has a big arm and amazing accuracy throwing 33 touchdowns to three interceptions in his junior season. The next pick was a surprise to some people as the San Francisco 49ers took Trey Lance the QB out of North Dakota State.

Lance was a surprise pick because his draft stock only improved recently since he opted out of the 2020 NCAA season. In his most recent college season, Lance threw 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions, he is also a threat with his legs rushing for 14 touchdowns in 2019. Lance brings a dynamic dual-threat QB to the 49ers who are looking to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo.

The next few picks were well predicted; they go as follows: With the number four pick the Atlanta Falcons took Kyle Pitts, TE out of Florida. With the number five pick the Cincinnati Bengals selected Ja’Marr Chase, WR form LSU. And with the sixth pick the Miami Dolphins selected Jaylen Waddle, WR from Alabama.

The offensive selections continued when the Detrioit Lions selected Penei Sewell, OT out of Oregon. The Lions clearly wanted to protect their new QB Jarred Goff and Sewell fits that job. Sewell could be considered a steal as he was supposed to go around picks four or five but dropped to the Lions at pick seven.

Then the Carolina Panthers decided to switch direction and take Jaycee Horn, CB out of South Carolina. Horn is an amazing pick here, he has size, speed, and the ability to cover many receivers in the NFL. Following the Horn pick, the Denver Broncos picked Patrick Surtain II, CB out of Alabama.

The 10pick was interesting as the Eagles traded up to grab their next WR of the future in DeVonta Smith, the tall, skinny product with great hands out of Alabama. This was another confusing pick considering the Eagles did not have to trade up, but they must have thought the Heisman winning WR was too valuable.

The 11 pick was more of the same with the Chicago Bears trading up to grab their QB of the future in Justin Fields, QB from Ohio State. This pick was an exiting one for Bears fans as they have a dual threat QB who could start in a few years. Bears fans love this pick.

“I loved it, and I am so excited for him to start over Andy Dalton, this was my favorite pick of the draft.” Said Bears fan Joseph Bayola.

The Cowboys then took LB Micha Parsons from Penn State, Parsons was a great pick he has size and speed and is dangerous off the edge. Cowboy’s fans seem to really like this pick.

“Parsons is a great addition, and he will fit perfectly with Vander Esch and our defense,” said Cowboys fan Olivia Martin.

There is not much to say about the next few picks with the 13 pick the Los Angles Chargers took Rashawn Slater, OT from Northwestern. With the 14 pick the New York Jets took Alijah Vera-Tucker, G out of USC. And with the 15 pick the New England Patriots took Mac Jones from Alabama. Not much to say here except these picks are all solid additions.

Next few picks go as followed. At 16 the Arizona Cardinals took Zaven Collins, LB from Tulsa who provides great size and coverage. At 17 the Las Vegas Raiders took Alex Leatherwood, OT from Alabama. At 18 the Miami Dolphins took Jaelan Phillips, EDGE from Miami. And at 19 the Washington Football Team took Jamin Davis, LB out of Kentucky. Again all of these picks were solid but the Davis pick is questionable considering the Football Team could have gone with offense after having a great defense last year.

Picks 20 through 24 go as followed. Pick 20 the New York Giants selected Kadarius Toney, WR from Florida, with pick 21 the Indianapolis Colts selected Kwity Paye, EDGE from Michigan. With pick 22 the Tennessee Titans selected Caleb Farley, CB from Virginia Tech. With pick 23 the Minnesota Vikings selected Christian Darrisaw, OT from Virginia Tech. And with pick 24 the Pittsburg Steelers selected Najee Harris, RB out of Alabama.

In a shocking move the Jacksonville Jaguars took Travis Etienne, RB out of Clemson after having the best rookie RB last season.

Picks 26 through 28 go as followed. With pick 26 the Clevland Browns took Greg Newsome II, CB out of Northwestern. With pick 27 the Baltimore Ravens took Rashod Bateman, WR out of Minnesota. And at 28 the New Orleans Saints selected Payton Turner, DE from Houston.

At pick 29 the Packers selected Eric Stokes, CB from Georgia, which came as a surprise to fans.

“Who is this guy, he is the 10 best corner in the draft and would have been there tomorrow.” Said Andrew Jordan a Packers fan. “We should have went with a receiver.” Jordan continued.

He wasn’t the only one to think this way.

“It’s not a terrible pick, but the Packers could have waited until tomorrow to take him and addressed a different need now.” Said Nick Thoney another Packers fan from Eau Claire.

Stokes was excited to be taken in the first round however.

“This is amazing!! Feels like a dream! I’m ready to get to work Packer Nation!!! LETS GO!! #GoPackGo” Eric Stokes tweeted last night after he was picked also leaving two lightning emojis.

The rest of the draft was not too exciting with the Buffalo Bills addressing a need taking Greg Rosseau, EDGE out of Miami. The Baltimore Ravens took Jayson Oweh, EDGE out of Penn State with the 31 pick. And The last pick of the first round the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took Joe Tryon, EDGE out of Washington.

That wraps up the first round. The Miami Dolphins won round one addressing needs on both sides of the ball. The Houston Texans lost round one because last season they traded away their pick which become the third overall selection.