2021 NFL Draft Winners and Losers
The new regime in New York is already doing a better job of building a better team. The Jets selected BYU QB Zach Wilson to lead the franchise into a new era, after trading 2018 first-round pick Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. Later in the first round, New York would trade up to nab USC G Alijah Vera-Tucker to protect their new signal-caller. Grabbing Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore in the second round was perhaps my favorite pick the Jets made. Moore, a fringe first-rounder, should help out Zach Wilson tremendously. I also liked getting FSU S Hamsah Nasirildeen in the sixth round. That’s incredible value and he was one of my sleeper picks of the draft. The lights are looking bright in New York!
Bill Belichick and company are back in business. The six-time Super Bowl champions were able to draft their targeted guy with the 15th overall pick, Alabama QB Mac Jones. Selecting DT Christian Barmore with their next pick, in the second round, was a great move and tremendous value. I also loved the Cameron McGrone selection in the fifth round. Don’t look now but the Patriots may be ready to take back the AFC East between this draft and their slew of offseason moves.
Oh, how the times have changed, Browns fans rejoice! After decades of misery, it appears the franchise is finally in the right direction. Picking Greg Newsome II in the first round was a great pick as Cleveland needed to address the secondary - and get Denzel Ward some help. In the second round, the Browns made a phenomenal pick, drafting mocked first-rounder, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Picking up versatile RB Demetric Fulton out of UCLA was also an underrated move. The 2021 Browns are looking scary.
This was quite the draft for the University of Alabama. The Crimson Tide had 10 players selected in the 2021 NFL Draft, which tied Ohio State for the most in a single draft. Further adding to the record books was Alabama having six first-round picks, which ties the University of Miami record from 2004. Those players being Jaylen Waddle (Miami, 6th overall), Patrick Surtain II (Denver, 9th overall), DeVonta Smith (Philadelphia, 10th overall), Mac Jones (New England, 15th overall), Alex Leatherwood (Las Vegas, 17th overall) and Najee Harris (Pittsburgh, 24th overall). One of the biggest pipelines to the NFL, Nick Saban and the coaches down in Tuscaloosa continue to pour in NFL Draft picks.
Getting Penei Sewell at seventh overall may have been the best pick in the first round. With the future first-rounders from the LA Rams, the Lions have started the process of attempting to salvage a career renaissance out of QB Jared Goff. Sewell has the ceiling of a Hall of Fame-caliber left tackle. Nabbing Levi Onwuzurike in the second round was also great value as many had him as one of the best at his position. I also see a lot of potential in Amon-Ra St. Brown and wouldn’t be surprised to see him contribute early and often. Detroit may be a sleeper team to watch this year.
Seriously? Another first-round corner? Aaron Rodgers has to continually carry the team on his back because the Packers refuse to get him any receiving help. In fact, Green Bay hasn’t drafted a first-round receiver since Javon Walker in 2002. With all the drama surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ tenure with the Packers drafting seemingly heir apparent Jordan Love in last year’s draft, this was Green Bay’s chance to let him know the reigning MVP know they wanted him back - and of course, they blew it. News coming out of Green Bay is all about Aaron Rodgers wanting out and there is now tremendous pressure on GM Brian Gutekunst to fix this situation. While the Packers nabbed Clemson WR Amari Rodgers later in the draft, it looks like he might be the only ‘A. Rodgers’ playing for Green Bay next season. Hold on Packers fans, it’s gonna be rough.
Why can’t the Raiders have a normal draft under GM Mike Mayock - and HC Jon Gruden - for once? Another reach, just like last year. Is there something this beautiful tandem of Gruden and Mayock know that we don’t? Probably not. While I understand the need for Alex Leatherwood, he would’ve been there much later. Why not trade down and acquire more assets? Leatherwood will do fine in that scheme but it seemed like a missed opportunity.
The Saints drafted DL Payton Turner, a guy who would’ve been there on Day 3, with their first-round pick. This is the same franchise that traded up with Green Bay for DL Marcus Davenport in 2018. I understand replacing Trey Hendrickson but there existed much bigger needs on defense for New Orleans - cough, cough, like corner. Yes, I know they got Paulson Adebo later on but he’s the only boom pick the Saints made in the entire draft. Ian Book will be a solid backup but nothing more. It’s not looking great for Sean Payton and the Bayou Boys in the post-Brees era.