2021 NFL Mock Draft: A wide receiver to the Patriots?

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We view the market for quarterbacks in the NFL Draft one way on Jan. 27, but it's entirely possible that by the time the real thing begins on April 29, the landscape will look entirely different.

Matthew Stafford appears to be the only veteran quarterback sure to be traded this offseason, though the possibility certainly exists with Deshaun Watson, Sam Darnold, Carson Wentz and Jimmy Garoppolo. While it seems pretty unlikely that the Green Bay Packers and Aaron Rodgers will split up this offseason, Derek Carr, Marcus Mariota, Gardner Minshew and Tua Tagovailoa are other starting-caliber options perhaps not likely to be traded, but who shouldn't be ruled out entirely.

In addition to the trade market, Dak Prescott, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston could highlight a free-agent market with a few starting-caliber options as well.

So, for the time being, we're going to operate on what we know now, with the understanding that things can and will change, and some of the teams we currently believe could use their first-round picks on quarterbacks won't ultimately need to.

Ahead of Super Bowl LV, here's our latest RADIO.COM Sports NFL Mock Draft, featuring five quarterbacks taken in the top round:

Justin Fields
Will Justin Fields be taken with the No. 2 pick? Photo credit (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today)

What Will Jets Do at No. 2?

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

You can essentially write it in stone - Urban Meyer and the Jaguars will take Trevor Lawrence with the top pick. At No. 2, Jets general manager Joe Douglas could go in a variety of directions. He could select former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, who tossed 67 touchdowns and ran for over 1,100 yards in three collegiate seasons. That said, after a breakout year, some believe that BYU quarterback Zach Wilson is the second-best quarterback prospect in this year's class. The possibility also exists that the Jets run things back with Sam Darnold for another season, hoping that in his fourth NFL season, he'll be able to stay healthy and improve away from Adam Gase. We're going to project that the Jets take Fields and trade Darnold, but the wild card of trading this pick for Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson - apparently a fan of new head coach Robert Saleh - makes this one of the most intriguing storylines in this year's draft.

Trey Lance
Trey Lance is one of the many intriguing quarterback prospects in this year's draft class. Photo credit (Tim Heitman/USA Today)

Lions Find Successor to Matthew Stafford

6. Philadelphia Eagles - Devonta Smith: Wide Receiver, Alabama
7. Detroit Lions - Trey Lance: Quarterback, North Dakota State
8. Carolina Panthers - Patrick Surtain II: Cornerback, Alabama
9. Denver Broncos - Caleb Farley: Cornerback, Virginia Tech
10. Dallas Cowboys - Rashawn Slater: Offensive Tackle, Northwestern

It appears to be a matter of when, not if, the Lions trade former No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford this offseason. With Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. also set to hit free agency, the Lions appear destined for a few very lean years. That may mean signing a bridge quarterback and simply taking whoever they believe is the best player at this position, regardless of position. We're going to bet, though, that the trio of Chris Spielman, Brad Holmes and Dan Campbell will want to get the quarterback situation figured out. If Lance is still on the board at pick No. 7, he'd be an intriguing selection after tossing 28 touchdowns to zero interceptions in 2019, while rushing for 1,110 yards.

Gregory Rousseau
Gregory Rousseau could help to fix the pass rush of the Giants. Photo credit (Sam Navarro/USA Today)

Gregory Rousseau Helps Fix Giants Pass Rush

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

In a make-or-break year for Daniel Jones, it would be hard to fault Dave Gettleman and company for drafting Jaylen Waddle at pick No. 11. That said, the most pressing need on the roster is for an edge rusher. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 NCAA season because of COVID-19, but had 15 1/2 sacks and 19 1/2 tackles for loss in 2019. The Miami product would be an excellent fit for Joe Judge's squad.

Kyle Pitts
Kyle Pitts could help the Cardinals return to the postseason. Photo credit (Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

Cardinals Continue To Build Incredible Arsenal of Weapons Around Kyler Murray

16. Arizona Cardinals - Kyle Pitts: Tight End, Florida
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: Linebacker, Notre Dame
18. Miami Dolphins - Travis Etienne: Running Back, Clemson
19. Washington Football Team - Rashod Bateman: Wide Receiver, Minnesota
20. Chicago Bears - Jalen Mayfield: Offensive Tackle, Michigan

Either the Los Angeles Chargers or the New England Patriots could be suitors for Florida product Kyle Pitts, but if he makes it to the 16th pick, it's very exciting to think about him in an offense that already includes Kyler Murray, DeAndre Hopkins and Christian Kirk. In his junior season at Florida, Pitts averaged 17.9 yards per reception and hauled in 12 touchdown passes. At 6-foot-6, Pitts has a chance to be a star at the NFL level and push Arizona into the postseason in 2021.

Mac Jones
Will Mac Jones have success away from Alabama? Photo credit (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Colts Land Potential Franchise Quarterback

21. Indianapolis Colts - Mac Jones: Quarterback, Alabama
22. Tennessee Titans - Joseph Ossai: Edge Rusher, Texas
23. New York Jets - Terrace Marshall Jr.: Wide Receiver, LSU
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Alijah Vera-Tucker: Offensive Guard, USC
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Alex Leatherwood: Offensive Tackle, Alabama

Among other available veteran quarterbacks this offseason, we believe that Matthew Stafford would make a ton of sense for the Colts. If such a deal comes to pass, the Colts obviously won't take a quarterback here - heck, they may not even have the pick. For the time being, we're going to plug in Alabama's Mac Jones, who threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdown passes. After an underwhelming rookie year from Tua Tagovailoa, it is a little fair to be skeptical about the fact that Jones had Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle to throw to over the past two seasons. Trying to project what Alabama quarterbacks will be at the NFL level isn't an enviable task. But Jones is expected to be a first-round pick, and for the time being, the Colts have a need.

Chris Olave
Could Chris Olave help Aaron Rodgers to reach a second Super Bowl? Photo credit (Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

Packers Add Weapon for Aaron Rodgers

26. Cleveland Browns - Zaven Collins: Linebacker, Tulsa
27. Baltimore Ravens - Jaelan Phillips: Edge Rusher, Miami
28. New Orleans Saints - Kadarius Toney: Wide Receiver, Florida
29. Green Bay Packers - Chris Olave: Wide Receiver, Ohio State
30. Buffalo Bills - Jaycee Horn: Cornerback, South Carolina
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Najee Harris: Running Back, Alabama
32. Kansas City Chiefs - Wyatt Davis: Offensive Guard, Ohio State

Famously - or infamously, depending on your perspective - the Packers traded up and selected Jordan Love in the 2020 NFL Draft, rather than adding another weapon for Aaron Rodgers. Matt LaFleur's offense being Devante Adams-centric worked during his All-Pro regular season, but by the NFC Championship Game, knowing Rodgers was 100% going to look for Adams in every big moment became a little too predictable. Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network cites Olave's "scheme-transcendent route-running ability," saying that he believes the former Ohio State star would be "an ideal WR2." That sounds like a perfect fit for Rodgers.

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