2021 NFL Mock Draft: What will 49ers, Dolphins & Eagles do in new slots?

1. Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson QB
2. Jets: Zach Wilson, BYU QB
3. 49ers: Trey Lance, North Dakota State QB
4. Falcons: Justin Fields, Ohio State QB
5. Bengals: Penei Sewell, Oregon OT

Lance has some elite physical tools but is thin on actual playing experience. That said, his 2019 season was special, as he threw 28 touchdowns with zero interceptions while racking up 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground. As we wrote Friday, the 49ers may open the 2021 season with Jimmy Garoppolo under center -- though that will likely require some sort of restructuring of his contract -- but the long-term plan will be for him to pass the torch to whomever they pick at No. 3. While 49rs coach Kyle Shanahan's good friend Chris Simms believes the team may take former Alabama quarterback Mac Jones, it's more likely to be Lance or Fields.

6. Dolphins: Kyle Pitts, Florida TE
7. Panthers (trade up w/ Lions): Mac Jones, Alabama QB
8. Lions (trade w/ Panthers): Ja'Marr Chase, LSU WR
9. Broncos: Micah Parsons, Penn State LB
10. Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, Alabama CB

If the Dolphins are truly sold on Tagovailoa as the long-term answer at quarterback, then moving down and obtaining even more draft capital will prove to be a stroke of genius by general manager Chris Grier. Not only could the Dolphins land a star pass catcher, they'll have their pick of the top four options because of an early run on quarterbacks. Adding Will Fuller V to DeVante Parker shouldn't preclude the Dolphins from taking a wide receiver if that's who they think is the best player on the board, but the narrative of Pitts staying in the state of Florida and starring for the Dolphins would write itself. He and Mike Gesicki could form a pretty dominant one-two punch at the tight end position.

11. Giants: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama WR
12. Eagles: DeVonta Smith, Alabama WR
13. Chargers: Rashawn Slater, Northwestern OT
14. Vikings: Gregory Rousseau, Miami edge rusher
15. Patriots: Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech CB

Considering the Eagles lack core players under the age of 30, there was quite a bit of frustration in Philadelphia that the team gave up a pick that would have allowed it to potentially land a stalwart. That said, the team is probably a few years away from contending and now has a chance to have three first-round picks in 2022. On top of all of that, we anticipate as many as five quarterbacks being taken in the top 10 picks. Chase and Pitts are likely to be selected before the Eagles go on the clock, but it's quite possible that one of the two exciting Alabama wideouts -- Waddle and Smith -- is still there for the taking at pick No. 12. In this mock, Waddle lands with the division rival New York Giants, setting up the Eagles to take Smith, who's coming off of one of the most dominant collegiate seasons in recent memory.

16. Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, South Carolina CB
17. Raiders: Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech OT
18. Dolphins: Kwity Paye, Michigan edge rusher
19. Washington: Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC guard
20. Bears: Kadarius Toney, Florida WR

With five quarterbacks likely to be taken in the top 10 picks, you get the sense that at least one more prospect will have to emerge as a potential first-round pick. But short of falling in love with someone like Texas A&M's Kellen Mond, neither the Washington Football Team or Chicago Bears will find their long-term solution at quarterback in the first round of this draft. For Washington, that's probably all right. Coach Ron Rivera and company snuck into the postseason in 2020 and can ride it out with Ryan Fitzpatrick and Taylor Heinicke for a season as they continue to build a deep roster. Bears general manager Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy won't have the same luxury in 2021, as they may legitimately head into a make-or-break year with Andy Dalton as their unopposed starter.

21. Colts: Rashod Bateman, Minnesota WR
22. Titans: Jalen Mayfield, Michigan OT
23. Browns (trade up w/ Jets): Jaelan Phillips, Miami edge rusher
24. Steelers: Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame OT
25. Jaguars: Dyami Brown, North Carolina WR

With the Jaguars and the rival Steelers both potentially eyeing an edge rusher, the Browns move up in this mock, acquiring the No. 23 pick from the Jets after they missed out on adding J.J. Watt in free agency. While citing some injury concerns, NFL Media analyst Daniel Jeremiah believes Phillips "has as much talent as any pass rusher in this draft class." As the Browns look to build off a 2020 season that saw them reach the divisional round, Phillips and former first-round pick Takk McKinley could probably have quite a bit of success coming off the edge across from All-Pro Myles Garrett.