2021 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles take a WR

There's no debate to be had here. Lawrence - even with a disappointing College Football Playoff exit to finish his career at Clemson - is the most highly-touted quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. Over The Cap estimates that the Jaguars have over $70 million in cap space to work with this offseason, along with possessing multiple picks in nearly every round of this year's draft. Whether it's Urban Meyer or someone else, the Jaguars are an extremely appealing coaching opening because they could contend as early as 2022.

Between a mix of injuries and inconsistent performances, Sam Darnold hasn't done enough in three years as the starting quarterback for the Jets to have them pass on an opportunity to take Fields. However, Darnold will have some trade value, meaning general manager Joe Douglas will get to add the the treasure chest of picks that the Jets already possess thanks to the Jamal Adams trade. Like the Jaguars, the Jets will also have more than $70 million in cap space this offseason. Nothing is ever certain with the Jets, but you feel like Fields will have a pretty strong chance to succeed in New York.

Though we were tempted to project a wide receiver here, it's hard to pass on the chance to draft a potential stalwart for the offensive line when your quarterback entered the league with injury concerns. The Dolphins did use first (Austin Jackson) and second (Robert Hunt) round picks on offensive tackles last season, but Sewell is a superior prospect to either. It will be interesting to see if this is a spot that the Dolphins consider trading out of. They'll very likely get calls from teams who are hoping to draft a quarterback, and the Cincinnati Bengals, desperate to protect Joe Burrow, are probably the best fit for Sewell.

Matt Ryan isn't the problem in Atlanta, but he's going to turn 36 before the 2021 season begins. His contract may make it difficult to move him before next season, but a new regime may prefer to draft their own quarterback, even if he doesn't play right away. Wilson exploded in his junior season at BYU, tossing 33 touchdowns to just three interceptions, and running for 10 more scores on the ground. He'll benefit from sitting behind Matt Ryan for a little, before ultimately being handed the keys to the franchise.

As noted above, the Bengals No. 1 concern, far and away, is drafting multiple offensive lineman to protect Joe Burrow. However, if Sewell is off the board here, there's not a lineman that really makes sense for this spot. If that's the case, the Bengals could pivot to building a star-studded wide receiving corps around for Burrow. Tee Higgins, a former star at Clemson, had 67 catches for 908 yards in his rookie season. Chase, on the opposite end of the 2019 College Football Playoff National Championship, caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in his sophomore season at LSU. The quarterback throwing him the ball during one of the most dominant seasons in recent collegiate memory? Burrow.

General manager Howie Roseman spent a second-round pick (J.J. Arcega-Whiteside) on the wide receiver position in 2019, and followed that up by selecting Jalen Reagor in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft. It's perhaps too early to write off either, but both appear to have been overdrafted, and therefore, wide receiver remains a pressing issue in Philadelphia. In his senior season at Alabama, Smith has hauled in 105 balls for 1,641 yards and 20 touchdowns. He could be reunited with his former college teammate, Jalen Hurts, in Philadelphia.

Both Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones can become free agents this offseason, and it's unclear how the Lions will proceed with quarterback Matthew Stafford. Essentially, the next general manager in Detroit will be inheriting a situation that's a total rebuild. Linebacker is one of the many positions of need, and prior to opting out of his junior season at Penn State, Parsons had 14 tackles for a loss, five sacks and four forced fumbles in 2019.

It's perhaps an unfortunate coincidence for Lance that the most notable North Dakota State alum in the NFL is at a career crossroads currently, but nothing more than that. In his sophomore season, Lance tossed 28 touchdowns and didn't throw a single interception. He added 1,100 rushing yards. In the lone game that North Dakota State played this past fall, Lance was picked off once, but threw two touchdowns and ran for two more on the ground. In Carolina, Lance could learn behind Teddy Bridgewater before he's ready to take over. Ideally, the Panthers won't lose offensive coordinator Joe Brady this offseason, and he'll be able to develop Lance for a season or two before becoming a head coach.

It's unclear how the Broncos, now searching for a general manager, view the quarterback position moving forward, so there's a variety of directions they could go in with this selection. Surtain II is stepping out of his father's shadow, as he won the defensive MVP in Alabama's throttling of Notre Dame in the Rose Bowl. The 6'2, 205-pound cornerback could help solidify Vic Fangio's defense in 2021 and beyond.

Jerry Jones and company would probably be ecstatic if they have the chance to select Surtain II, but there's plenty of other holes to fill on a much-maligned defense. Rousseau opted out of his junior season at Miami because of COVID-19, but had 19 1/2 tackles for loss, 15 1/2 sacks and two forced fumbles in his sophomore season at The U.

Like the Cowboys before them, the Giants would love the chance to select Surtain II or Rousseau, though both are off the board in this case. While we're intrigued by the possibility of the Giants taking a wide receiver, edge rusher is such a pressing need in New York. Paye had two sacks in the four games that Michigan actually played this season, but 12 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks in 2019, and Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network says he's got "an extremely high ceiling thanks to his athletic abilities."

The 49ers were devastated by injuries in 2020, and the cornerback position was no exception. Richard Sherman, 32, played in just five games in 2020. The oft-injured Jason Verrett played in 13. When you consider that both can become free agents this offseason, cornerback is a rather pressing need for the 49ers, one that Farley could help fill.

This selection would be contingent on the Chargers not re-signing Hunter Henry, who played on the franchise tag in 2020. In that scenario, Pitts would be an excellent piece to pair with Justin Herbert. In his junior season at Florida, Pitts had 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns. In a division with Travis Kelce, Darren Waller and Noah Fant, Pitts would help to level the playing field.

Riley Reiff has just one season remaining on his deal, though he could be a candidate to be released considering he's scheduled to have a nearly $14 million cap hit if he's on the roster, but letting him go would leave the Vikings with only $2.2 million in dead cap money. At 6'5, 314 pounds, Darrisaw is one of the most appealing offensive line prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Whether Reiff is back for another season or not, Darrisaw could be the team's long-term answer at the blindside.

In this mock, we didn't include trades, and the guess here is that once they are put into play, Waddle won't last this long. Given their struggles at drafting at the position, the Patriots may also be more inclined to try to land one or two veteran receivers via trade or free agency, rather than continuing to use draft capital. Still, Waddle is an immense talent, one ready to step out of the shadows of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Devonta Smith. The Patriots, desperate to add juice to their offense, would be wise to take him if he's available, even if it's in addition to making other major transactions at the position this offseason.