2021 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles, Bears make major moves

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence: Quarterback, Clemson
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson: Quarterback, BYU
3. Carolina Panthers (trade up with Miami Dolphins) - Justin Fields: Quarterback, Ohio State
4. Atlanta Falcons - Penei Sewell: Offensive Tackle, Oregon
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Ja'Marr Chase: Wide Receiver, LSU

If Jets general manager Joe Douglas believes that Zach Wilson, Justin Fields or another quarterback can be as good as Sam Darnold, it would behoove the Jets to select a quarterback. Darnold is entering his fourth year, and the Jets will soon have to make a decision on whether or not to exercise his option. By drafting a quarterback, the Jets would give themselves at least four years of a franchise leader playing on a rookie deal, leaving them more money to spend elsewhere.

Another benefit is that Darnold would then become a trade candidate. Even if the Jets are less than likely to receive a first-round pick in return for Darnold, they own two first-round picks in 2021, two third-round picks in 2021 and two first-round picks in 2022, thanks to the the Jamal Adams trade with the Seattle Seahawks. An additional selection or two from the Darnold trade would allow the Jets to quickly retool their roster, setting up Robert Saleh and whoever they draft at quarterback for success.

In this mock we have the Jets selecting Wilson. While there is a growing minority that believe Wilson is actually the top quarterback in this year's class, most still expect Trevor Lawrence to go No. 1 overall. Wilson has usurped Fields as the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the class, though, so him going to Gang Green seems fitting.

6. Philadelphia Eagles - Kyle Pitts: Tight End, Florida
7. Detroit Lions - DeVonta Smith: Wide Receiver, Alabama
8. Miami Dolphins (trade down with Carolina Panthers) - Rashawn Slater: Offensive Tackle, Northwestern
9. Denver Broncos - Patrick Surtain II: Cornerback, Alabama
10. Dallas Cowboys - Caleb Farley: Cornerback, Virginia Tech

Given that they have a need at virtually every position on the roster, the best bet for the Eagles to take whomever the best available player on the board at pick No. 6 is. NFL Media's Daniel Jeremiah says that Pitts is the third-best player at any position in this draft class (behind just Trevor Lawrence and Ja'Marr Chase), which would mean Howie Roseman and company would be getting tremendous value with this selection.

Fifteen years ago, taking a tight end at No. 6 would have been unthinkable. But Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce just helped their teams reach the Super Bowl, and are both headed for the Hall of Fame. George Kittle and the San Francisco 49ers made it to the Super Bowl a year ago. Darren Waller is one of the most dominant offensive skill-position players in the league. Taking a top tight end prospect over a wideout should no longer make you balk, as long as you're sure that the tight end is the better player.

Zach Ertz's time in Philadelphia appears to be reaching its conclusion, and Dallas Goedert, entering a contract year, hasn't shown enough in three seasons to stop you from taking Pitts. Jeremiah calls Pitts a "a unique talent with the ability to take over a game." Whether Jalen Hurts or someone else proves to be the long-term answer at quarterback, Pitts will thrive for the Eagles.

11. New York Giants - Jaylen Waddle: Wide Receiver, Alabama
12. San Francisco 49ers - Gregory Rousseau: Edge Rusher, Miami
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw: Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech
14. Minnesota Vikings - Alijah Vera-Tucker: Offensive Guard, USC
15. New England Patriots - Micah Parsons: Linebacker, Penn State

Perhaps the most pressing need for the Giants is an edge rusher, so we probably shouldn't assume that general manager Dave Gettleman won't select Gregory Rousseau, Jaelan Phillips or Kwity Paye.

That said, year three projects to be a make-or-break year for Daniel Jones, Gettleman's most consequential draft pick. If that's the case, Gettleman would be wise to surround his quarterback with more skill-position talent. Darius Slayton has proven to be an excellent No. 2 wide receiver, and when healthy, Sterling Shepard is a productive player as well. Still, the Giants need to add a No. 1 option this offseason if they hope for Jones and their offense to take a step towards being a legitimate playoff team in 2021.

Ja'Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith will probably be the top two wideouts taken in the 2021 NFL Draft, with both likely to be long gone by the time the Giants get on the clock. Waddle figures to be in their range, though, and some outlets - including The Draft Network - believe that he's as good as the two just mentioned, if not better.

Waddle has 1,999 receiving yards in parts of three seasons at Alabama, which doesn't scream game-changing offensive weapon at the next level. That said, he was limited to just six games in his junior season of 2020, and played in offenses that included Smith, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III. Had he played in another program, there's a very real chance that Waddle's statistics would be more eye-popping.

Appropriately, ESPN's Todd McShay has Waddle ranked as the 11th-best player in this draft class and cites his 21.1 yards per reception in 2020. Waddle will be a tremendous weapon for the Giants, who are hoping to keep pace with the young skill-position talent in Dallas and Washington.

16. Arizona Cardinals - Jaelan Phillips: Edge Rusher, Miami
17. Chicago Bears (trade up with Las Vegas Raiders) - Mac Jones: Quarterback, Alabama
18. Miami Dolphins - Rashod Bateman: Wide Receiver, Minnesota
19. Washington Football Team - Trey Lance: Quarterback, North Dakota State
20. Las Vegas Raiders (trade down with Chicago Bears) - Kwity Paye: Edge Rusher, Michigan

It's nearly impossible to evaluate Alabama quarterbacks, but some who grind film of them for a living seem to be pretty high on Jones.

Chris Simms of NBC Sports has Jones ranked as his third best quarterback in this year's class. A year ago, Simms preferred Justin Herbert over Jones' predecessor, Tua Tagovailoa, an evaluation that he appears to have nailed.

ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. - the O.G. of NFL Draft analysis - has the Carolina Panthers taking Jones with the No. 8 overall pick, something that caught some off guard. That said, Kiper projects Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields to be off the board by pick No. 8, and believes that Jones is "more ready to play in 2021" than North Dakota State's Trey Lance.

The Bears - a team that lacks a quarterback, but has an otherwise ready-to-win-now roster - jump ahead of the Washington Football Team to secure Jones in this projection. The Las Vegas Raiders accumulate more draft compensation, which will allow them to rebuild their defense. Ron Rivera and Washington ultimately end up with Lance, who has looked like a potential superstar in limited action at North Dakota State, but may need to sit behind Taylor Heinicke at least to begin his rookie season.

21. Indianapolis Colts - Kadarius Toney: Wide Receiver, Florida
22. Tennessee Titans - Joseph Ossai: Edge Rusher, Texas
23. New York Jets - Travis Etienne: Running Back, Clemson
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alex Leatherwood: Offensive Tackle, Alabama
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jalen Mayfield: Offensive Tackle, Michigan

A lot - virtually everything - went wrong for Carson Wentz in 2020, which turned out to be his final season with the Eagles. One thing working against him for much of his time in Philadelphia is that the team rarely had a strong receiving corps.

It would make sense then for general manager Chris Ballard to build the strongest receiving corps possible for his 28-year-old quarterback.

T.Y. Hilton is still productive, though the four-time Pro Bowler hasn't had over 1,000 yards receiving since 2018. Michael Pittman Jr., a second-round pick a year ago, had over 500 receiving yards in his rookie season. Still, a young receiving room that also includes Parris Campbell and Zach Pascal could stand to add another weapon.

Enter, Florida's Kadarius Toney.

In an 11-game senior season, Toney hauled in 70 passes for 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. Jordan Reid of The Draft Network paints an impressive picture of Toney saying "Toney’s presence is always felt whether or not he has the ball, as he makes defenses account for him even if he’s strictly a motion player." He appears to be a strong fit in a place like Indianapolis, where he'll be just another weapon in Frank Reich's offense, as opposed to immediately being asked to be a No. 1 receiver.