Eagles land a star in our final mock draft of 2021
In our final mock draft of 2021, Mike Mulhern has the Eagles landing a star at No. 12.
Owner Shad Khan said he’s never felt so popular in the aftermath of locking up the first pick. Teams came calling for Lawrence but it was never, ever a consideration. At least I know I’m getting one pick right!
If history is any indication, it’s unlikely all the top QB prospects in this year’s draft pan out. Considering the Jets’ past and the nature of Wilson’s rise, he’s the one I’d bet against.
I’ve yet to be swayed by the Mac Jones talk, so why change now? Kyle Shanahan may love pocket passers, but he’s come up painfully short twice in his pursuit of a Super Bowl ring while relying on Matt Ryan and then Jimmy Garoppolo. Meanwhile, his dad Mike got his hands on multiple Lombardi trophies with dual-threat legends under center in Steve Young and John Elway. If Lance gets anywhere near the same stratosphere as those guys, the younger Shanahan should finally get his own title.
Atlanta is in cap hell and is trying to drum up a market for Julio Jones’ mammoth contract. Pitts might be the closest athletic specimen to Jones to have entered the league since the Falcons took him 6th in 2011.
If you’re frustrated with Howie Roseman’s reign with the Eagles, consider that Bengals owner Mike Brown still calls the shots in Cincy. I think he opts for protection over playmaker for his franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow.
It was a curious move trading back up from 12 to 6 not knowing exactly how the board would shake out, but I think the Dolphins were eyeing Chase or Pitts. He gives Tua Tagovailoa a big-time weapon in the passing game.
Bill Belichick secures his quarterback of the future. It costs New England their 2022 first-rounder as well as a one of their three fourth-round picks. The Lions are gearing up for a big rebuild, having already acquired the Rams 2022 and 2023 first rounders in the Matthew Stafford trade. They add another pick to the coffers.
Carolina could be in the quarterback market despite having acquired Sam Darnold in a trade with the Jets, but I think they simply go best player available. Surtain feels like one of a safest picks in the draft, a sure-fire, high-level starter for years to come.
Denver was already active trying to get some semblance of quarterback help by trading for Teddy Bridgewater. But that won’t sway them from pouncing when Fields falls in their lap.
Dallas has major needs on this side of the ball, and they’ve never been shy about picking defensive backs in the top 10 (Roy Williams 8th in 2002, Terence Newman 5th in 2003, Morris Claiborne 6th in 2012). This pick takes both top-flight corners off the board for the Eagles, but guarantees that at least one of the Alabama receivers will be there at 12.
I’m buying the inadvertently tweeted graphic of a Chargers-Giants swap. The Giants pick up the 77th pick in the exchange. The Chargers don’t want to risk Howie Roseman going into the trenches so they move up to nab some protection for Justin Herbert.
When we first knew the Eagles had the sixth pick in this year’s draft, most would’ve been thrilled to walk away with DeVonta Smith alone. Knowing they land him along with the Dolphins 2022 first rounder is a huge plus for the much-maligned Roseman. I’m convinced the Heisman Trophy winner’s production will translate to NFL stardom.
The Giants move down two spots knowing they’d land one of the ‘Bama boys at receiver. Waddle will add immediate explosiveness to the passing game.
Mike Zimmer gets the draft’s top pass rusher to try and rebuild a defense that fell off greatly in 2020.
Parsons wowed at his pro day by running a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash. He gives Dan Campbell a tone-setter on defense.
This is certainly higher than Etienne is pegged to go, but I think the Cardinals are trying to going all-in while Kyler Murray is still on his rookie deal. Etienne would represent another win-now move.
This Golden Domer can do it all on defense. He can rush the passer, play the run and even cover the slot. He’ll be an immediate difference maker for Jon Gruden and the Raiders.
Now that Miami has an elite weapon in Ja’Marr Chase, they build things up along the line. Vera-Tucker projects as a guard but could potentially bounce outside to tackle.
Washington strikes out in their pursuit of a trade up for a franchise quarterback, but they continue to build their team from the inside out.
Bateman isn’t far behind the trio of receivers that went before him. Had he played for an SEC power his production in 2020 may have matched up quite favorably.
Carson Wentz’s fall-off was a product of many things, but the deterioration of the offense line was certainly a key component. The Colts make a great unit even better.
Barmore took the Joel Embiid route to learning his craft: YouTube. He studied pass rush moves by watching clips of Reggie White. The Philly native should be a force for the Titans.
Joe Douglas has lots of holes to fill on his roster and a plethora of picks to do so. They also own the Seahawks’ first-round pick in 2022 as they try to build around Zach Wilson on both sides of the ball.
There’s a lot of smoke out there that the Steelers have their sights set on the Tide’s star back. It allows them to try to maximize their offense for one final run with Ben Roethlisberger.
Another team with tons of positions to address. They nab a promising pass rusher who is still just 20 years old.
Cleveland continues to build up their defense around Myles Garrett. Collins was the Bednarik award winner in 2020 after racking up four picks and four sacks in just eight games.
Another freak from Happy Valley. Just like Micah Parsons, Oweh has zero sacks in 2020. The difference is Parson opted out of the season while Oweh played every game. Despite the lack of production, the athletic profile makes him an intriguing prospect with high upside.
Another corner with NFL lineage, Samuel figures to step right in to a big role for the Saints as a rookie.
Aaron Rodgers finally hits the daily double as the Packers draft a receiver to play opposite DaVante Adams.
The Bills can afford to roll the dice on Farley’s medical red flags. His slide from the early teens ends just before the first round does.
After trading away Orlando Brown to the Chiefs for this pick, the Ravens nab his replacement.
A prospect that I think would make for an intriguing option for the Eagles at 37 comes off the board to the Bucs. Tryon opted out last year, but had he played and produced at the same level in 2020 that he did in 2019 there’s no way he’d be available at 32.
