The NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and speculation is intensifying about where all of the touted prospects will begin their professional careers.
The presence of several impressive young quarterbacks is a major variable in the first 10 or so picks -- and once again plays a big role in the second installment of this mock draft.
The Locked On podcast network has teamed up with Audacy for an ultimate mock draft series, in which the local podcast hosts provide the pick they think their team will make come draft night.
Each pick has been analyzed by an Audacy NFL expert, such as Jason La Canfora or Ross Tucker.
Today, our experts react to picks No. 6-11.
As a reminder, here's how the first five picks went on Monday:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
2. New York Jets - QB Zach Wilson, BYU
3. San Francisco 49ers - QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
4. Atlanta Falcons - TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
5. Cincinnati Bengals - WR Ja'Marr Chase, LSU
6. Miami Dolphins - WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Getty ImagesExpert analysis, Armando Salguero:
If the 2019 season was about #TankforTua for the Miami Dolphins, then the 2021 Draft needs to be about #LoadUpforTua. Because the Dolphins need to help quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. They need to surround him with more playmakers, both on the outside at wide receiver -- perhaps at tight end also -- and definitely at running back.
The Dolphins need to be able to maximize their quarterback by giving him help, to be very blunt. The way you do this is you need to add a running back. Look, the Dolphins' running back corps right now, and the running back room, is about quantity. They have Myles Gaskin, Salvon Ahmed, they have Patrick Laird. The highest pedigree of any of those players was a seventh-round pick, which is what Gaskin was in 2019.
The Dolphins need to improve the pedigree, they need to improve the quality. And so they need to look at guys like a Najee Harris at No. 18 in the first round. If they don't get Harris at No. 18, maybe Javonte Williams of North Carolina in the second round. It's about helping Tua, and that running game is going to play a role, because last year the Dolphins averaged 3.9 yards per carry running the football, and that was 29th in the NFL.
7. Detroit Lions - OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Penei SewellUSA Today SportsExpert analysis, Mike Stone:
Penei Sewell is almost 6'5" and weighs over 330 pounds, so he fits the role. The guy was dominant at Oregon, and with the exception of Trevor Lawrence, he's probably the biggest no-brainer in this draft. He has the unique combination of both power and agility; his 40 time at his pro day was 5.1, which is not too shabby for a big guy.
When you look at some of his tape, you marvel at his ability to hit multiple defenders on one play. He's a guy who both keeps his quarterback upright -- just ask Justin Herbert -- and creates real estate for the run game. Any team that gets him could have a Pro Bowl lineman for at least decade.
I know conventional wisdom thinks the Lions should fill bigger needs at wide receiver and on defense, but Sewell would be a great selection for them if he was available. With Taylor Decker on one side, and Sewell on the other, Jared Goff would have no problem sleeping soundly before games. Imagine having quality tackles on either side. I know most teams would love this situation. Unfortunately, I don't think they'll have that chance.
8. Carolina Panthers - QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
USA Today SportsExpert analysis, Brian Baldinger:
I would be concerned about Trey Lance's level of competition. And then I would be even more concerned, though, about starting just 17 games. Because I don't think he's played enough. And I think when I look at the top five quarterbacks, I don't have him ranked in front of anybody, in large part because of both of those scenarios.
I think he's very raw. Obviously he has a lot of talent. He's got a big arm, he's got good size, and he runs well. But the offense he ran at North Dakota State was a perfect fit for his skills. It's a run-first mentality. It's a pro-style offense in that he's under the center a lot, and because he is, there's a lot of play-action that he benefits from. And like a lot of quarterbacks, they can look pretty good when they get play-action, and they get a real defined read of where to throw. But when he doesn't get that, he struggles, and I think he'll struggle at the next level with it.
If Carolina drafts a quarterback with their 8th pick, or moves up from 8 to draft a quarterback, I mean I think anybody with Joe Brady is going to benefit, anybody with Matt Rhule is going to benefit. You have Christian McCaffrey, and D.J. Moore, and Robby Anderson -- I mean, you've got a lot of pieces. And an upgraded offensive line -- you've got a lot of pieces in place there.
But, I don't see any of these quarterbacks beating out Sam Darnold, outside of maybe Trevor Lawrence. I just think Sam Darnold is going to benefit from a fresh start. But if you just evaluate his play at USC, and just three years' experience in the NFL -- some of it good, some of it bad -- I mean I think he's learned from all of it. And I think Sam Darnold with weapons, a good system, and a good coach, is going to be better than any quarterback coming out. Now, you can still draft a quarterback, and see if you can develop him, but I think this is Sam Darnold's team right now.
9. Denver Broncos - CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Getty ImagesExpert analysis, Jason La Canfora:
Jaycee Horn is clearly one of the best corners in this class. Is he the best? I don't know. I think it depends on what type of defense you're going to play, and what you expect him to do. He's not someone who excels naturally in run support -- Vic Fangio usually wants a lot out of that out of his corners. But certainly he has the ability, in coverage, to play any scheme you want. His ability to blitz, and get home doing so, has to excite the Broncos.
But, personally, Patrick Surtain is a little bit bigger -- I tend to favor that a little bit in my corners, as well. And if the kid from Virginia Tech, Caleb Farley, didn't have some of the medical concerns, I think you'd hear a lot about him being the first corner taken. Regardless, Jaycee Horn won't have to wait long to hear his name called, whether it's by the Broncos or someone else.
The Denver Broncos, who have been searching for a starting-caliber quarterback since Peyton Manning hit the wall, well, yes, they absolutely should consider a quarterback here. They should be very willing to move up to get a quarterback, if necessary, and if they do come away with a cornerback from this pick, it could be an opportunity lost.
I don't believe Justin Fields ultimately is going to slip that much. There are others out there who will tell you he might. Denver should absolutely be there to break his fall if in fact that is the case. Even a Mac Jones, I suspect, would have some intrigue for them, as would Trey Lance. One of them, again, could very well be there. They're under new management anymore; this is not just John Elway and his evaluations of the position, and, frankly, Elway has struggled to find someone to man the position. This new front office is by no means sold on Drew Lock. Yes indeed, Denver better be, and should be, thinking about a quarterback.
10. Dallas Cowboys - CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
Getty ImagesExpert analysis, Michael Irvin:
This is a great pickup for the Dallas Cowboys. Now they can pair Patrick Surtain II with Trevon Diggs on the corner, and have great corners for a long time. I asked Patrick Surtain about this on my podcast, he said they have had many conversations about manning the corners for the Dallas Cowboys defense for years to come -- him and Trevon Diggs.
Let me tell you folks, the Dallas Cowboys need a lot of help on defense. It's always easier to find a guy who can get to the passer, than it is to find a guy who can break up the pass. We can find guys who can get to the quarterback. It's hard to find guys who can cover the wide receivers.
Great pick for the Dallas Cowboys.
11. New York Giants - OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Getty ImagesExpert analysis, Michael Irvin:
This is a good pick for the New York Giants. The Giants have Saquon Barkley returning, they need to solidify that offensive line, and give Daniel Jones more weapons.
This is about attitude. And I love the attitude head coach Joe Judge is putting down for the New York Giants. With this pick and a little bit more help, this Giants football team will not be waiting on the last day for another team to lose to get into the playoffs. They will make a huge step forward towards making the playoffs.
Check out the full episode on picks No. 6 through No. 11 below!
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