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There are three more months until the 2021 NFL draw, and anything can happen during that time. Team needs will change, lead rankings will fluctuate, and many franchises will turn direction. Even once we are on the hike, we may be faced with surprises.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters for the teams who selected in the top 10 to review some of the standard scenarios that could happen and could mess up their design plans. These are what-if situations that teams with high choices need to consider and be prepared for. So after reading what our own Mel Kiper Jr. predicted for each choice, now look what can happen if things get off track on draft night. Here are 10 scenarios and how the top 10 teams could approach them, starting with a hefty trade offering for the Jaguars.
Jump to:
JAX | NYJ | MIA ATL CIN
PHI | DET | CAR | DEN | VALLEY
See: Kiper’s mock draw
What would the Jaguars do here if … the Jets offered their two first-round picks (Nos. 2 and 23) and their 2022 first-rounder for No. 1 overall?
They would say, “Thank you, but no, thank you.” The Jaguars cannot afford to pass on Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He’s considered one of the top QB prospects since Peyton Manning, and there’s a big gap between him and the other signalers available in the concept. New coach Urban Meyer said having the No. 1 pick this year was one of the things that made the Jacksonville track so attractive. Lawrence changes a lot for this team.
On top of that, owner Shad Khan said this, “What has dodged the history of the Jags has actually been a franchise quarterback. And I think what’s definitely unique is that we now have the option to make a choice, and It’s going to define the franchise ahead. ”Jacksonville takes Lawrence with him and never looks back. – Michael DiRocco
What would the Jets do here if … they committed to Sam Darnold as their starting quarterback for 2021?
They would ask for offers for the No. 2 pick, hoping to go down for additional design capital. The Jets have nine tips in the first three rounds, and GM Joe Douglas would like to add two more. He has a lot of gaps to fill, even with violations. If Darnold stays in New York, he needs a better supporting cast, and more design choices would help the team get there.
But if the Jets can’t find a way to trade in, I’d look for an offensive player to help Darnold, be it Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell or a high-quality wide receiver like Alabama’s DeVonta Smith or LSU’s Yes’ Marr Chase. Rich Cimini
What would the dolphins do here if … the Jets caught DeVonta Smith at number 2?
The Dolphins would probably strongly consider considering trade-in offers from QB needy teams in the top 10. A trade, perhaps with the Panthers at number 8, could yield a first round for 2022 or several second round picks, giving them more resources to improve on an emerging roster.
If nothing tempts them, they’ll likely choose Penei Sewell or recipient Ja’Marr Chase with the No. 3 pick. Those moves would either further strengthen the line of attack around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or give him a game-changing weapon on the outside. Sure, Smith would be a perfect match for the Dolphins and Tagovailoa, but there are other options here. – Cameron Wolfe
What would the Falcons do here if … quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Zach Wilson go 1-2-3?
They have a number of options. First, they could cite the piece of paper called Penei Sewell on it to capture the choice as soon as possible, securing a building block for the next decade. You can’t go wrong with that decision. Second, they could grab a playmaker to help out quarterback Matt Ryan. His contract makes it difficult to say goodbye to him, so the Falcons can help him out just as much as they can in this scenario. Those playmakers are for example WR DeVonta Smith, WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) or even TE Kyle Pitts (Florida). One of them next to Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones would give the attack a big boost.
An added possibility when it came to this: What would the Bengal offer Atlanta to move up a spot and prevent Atlanta from taking Sewell? Can the Falcons get some extra pulling capital while still getting one of those assault weapons? – Michael DiRocco
What would the Bengals do here if … in March they signed offensive tackle Taylor Moton or guard Joe Thuney in free agency (and OT Penei Sewell is off the board)?
In this scenario, the Bengals will have a lot more options at number 5 as they have already helped accomplish the main job of protecting quarterback Joe Burrow. If the needs on the attack line are met, Cincinnati can watch Burrow get a big weapon in the passing game, like Ja’Marr Chase. Remember Chase played with Burrow on LSU. He is the logical move as a free agency and the draft board will fall this way.
But the nice choice? What about Florida’s Kyle Pitts? He could take Burrow and the Bengals’ attack to another level and has the potential to be a game-changing tight ending for years to come. – Ben Baby
What would the Eagles do here if … wide receivers DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase are both off the board?
The Eagles certainly need help from a wide receiver, but there are problems elsewhere too. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) or Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech) would be intriguing options. The Eagles struggled to get a consistent production out of the CB2 spot behind Darius Slay this season. Slay and Surtain could be a mean one-two punch. Otherwise, Philly is always in the market for offensive and defensive linemen, although it’s unlikely that Penei Sewell would fall that far.
And if the Eagles still want to be a receiver, Jaylen Waddle – another former teammate of quarterback Jalen Hurts in Alabama – is exactly the type of explosive playmaker the Eagles tend to gravitate towards. – Tim McManus
What would the Lions do here if … they soon trade quarterback Matthew Stafford?
The situation offers some very real possibilities. If the Lions fall in love with quarterbacks Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, they may have to move up from their current spot to land either player. If Detroit stays at No. 7, North Dakota State QB Trey Lance could be a player to watch, especially if the Lions sign a bridge quarterback for him to sit behind and learn for a year. Lance has an incredible amount of talent, but is still very young – he turns 20 by the time he is conscripted – so he’s intriguing for a rebuilding team.
Quarterback feels like the way to go for Detroit, but if there is no choice for this choice, a player like Penn State in linebacker Micah Parsons would help kick start a sagging defense. – Michael Rothstein
What would the Panthers do here if … a team had already traded for tight Kyle Pitts?
Start by checking out the best quarterback on the board. Did Justin Fields or Zach Wilson fall? Carolina will have to evaluate whether Fields, Wilson or Trey Lance – who’s still available – could be an upgrade from Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker and Will Grier’s current Panthers quarterback room.
Aside from QB, it’s doubtful Penei Sewell would fall that far, and the other offensive tackles don’t deserve a top-10 pick. But a linebacker like Micah Parsons could be a good match. – David Newton
What would the Broncos do here if … Justin Fields or Zach Wilson still weren’t picked?
Let’s start by saying we don’t really know what new general manager George Paton thinks of either player – or the current QB Drew Lock. And in the new power structure, Paton’s preferences for the position mean everything the team will do in the coming months. He says he has not yet evaluated Lock’s work from last season, but has seen enough to believe that Lock can still develop. But he has also said that QB play is one of the biggest components of long-term success and he will consider everything on the position.
So it’s hard to say for sure at this point, as Denver still has some evaluations to do on Lock. But at the end of the day, the Broncos of course Fields and Wilson are all going to take a long look. – Jeff Legwold
What would the Cowboys do here if … no defenders had been chosen yet and they could get them on the board?
It’s a simple answer, but they take the best defender available. It is not yet clear who that is that far away. Cornerback is a big need, so Patrick Surtain II and Caleb Farley would be great options, especially now that Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis became free agents. The Cowboys feel like they hit another Alabama corner in last year’s draw, Trevon Diggs, and Surtain has the makeup and feel for the game they crave. And Farley has size, speed and gameplay.
The bad news for the Cowboys is that there doesn’t seem to be a dominant edge rusher or defensive tackle worth taking at number 10, and it may be too early for a team like Dallas to deal with an off-the-go. -ball linebacker like Micah. Parsons, even with questions about Jaylon Smith’s future. – Todd Archer