2021 NFL Draft: Team-by-team storylines to watch this fall

AFC West

The Broncos believe they have their quarterback. Is Drew Lock the answer?

Denver finally believes it has its quarterback in second-year, Missouri product Drew Lock. The second-rounder of the 2019 draft started the final five games for Denver in 2019 and finished with a 4-1 record as a rookie starter. Elway solidified his trust in Lock with first and second-round receiver selections in Jerry Jeudy and K.J. Hamler. The Broncos also added Lock’s former Missouri tight end, Albert Okweugbunam alongside star receiver Courtland Sutton and former first-round tight end, Noah Fant.

While the Broncos lost long-time starters Chris Harris Jr. and Derek Wolfe, Denver acquired Jurrell Casey and A.J. Bouye with a seventh and fifth-round draft pick, respectively. The Broncos do not have the threatening defense of their 2010’s Super Bowl runs but bring back a unit that should keep them in just about any game.

Prediction: This season boils down to one player, Drew Lock. There is no excuse regarding the number of playmakers around the young quarterback and Denver should be able to once again push for a playoff spot. Anything less should be seen as a disappointment and once again raise the question regarding the future under center come the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Super Bowl champs are on a difficult journey to repeat.

As is the case with any defending champion, all eyes will be on the Chiefs in their quest to become the first Super Bowl champion to repeat since Patriots 2003 and 2004 championships. The Chiefs are in the fortunate position of both a favorable conference slate and the return of their key stars, led by Patrick Mahomes and his new ten-year, $503 million dollar contract.

There has been a changing of the guard in the AFC with the Chiefs now looking as the perennial favorite between back to back conference championship game appearances. Like the Patriots for so many years, the Chiefs look to continue their dominance in the AFC West, where non of the Broncos, Chargers, or Raiders look to be a threat for the AFC West title.

Prediction: When it comes to the 2021 NFL Draft, expect a late first-round pick again for a third straight year at the very least. That will likely be the case in Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes era. The Chiefs will find it difficult to repeat but should be the favorite to dethrone Baltimore for the one-seed and push for a 12 -14 win regular season. 

New city, same team? The Raiders continue to rebuild under Gruden.

The

Oakland

Las Vegas Raiders are looking to once again build off an underwhelming season behind Jon Gruden and Derek Carr. The Raiders started the 2019 season at 6-4 before winning just one of their final six games to close the season. After ranking as the league’s worst defense in 2018, the Raiders saw improvement on both sides of the ball and look to continue a slow rebuild under Gruden.

If the Raiders are to take the next step from their 7-9 2019 season and make an appearance in the postseason, the Raiders must be more clinical in the red zone. Las Vegas possesses a strong offensive line and have an established quarterback with Carr. The Raiders were busy in free agency and will be one of the youngest teams in the NFL. If Vegas is to take the next step in 2020, a new face or two will be required to step up.

Prediction: With a new market and increased expectations, the Raiders and particularly Derek Carr are facing an ever-warmer hot seat. While Carr has posted career highs in completion percentage and yardage, the Raiders have struggled to break through offensively and their struggles continue this fall.

With a mid-round pick, the Raiders will be able to select top defensive tackles Jaylen Twyman or Marvin Wilson. If the Raiders fall back into the top ten of the 2021 NFL Draft, Gruden may look for a new quarterback for his new city. 

Can the Chargers capture their 2018 form and ride their defense to the playoffs?

Between the new home, new threads, and a new quarterback, these aren’t your daddy’s Philip Rivers Chargers anymore. For the first time since 2004 when Rivers sat behind Drew Brees, the Chargers will be looking to break in a new starter. Tyrod Taylor looks to once again be a bridge quarterback as the expected starter if and when sixth overall pick Justin Herbert takes charge.

With the shift from a Philip Rivers and Melvin Gordon to a more modern approach under Taylor/Herbert and Ekeler offense, the Chargers will be an offense in transition. Despite the Derwin James injury, Los Angeles still possesses one of the top defenses. The Chargers added to their secondary with the signing of Chris Harris Jr. and traded back into the first to draft Oklahoma linebacker, Kenneth Murray.

Prediction: The Chargers have bounced between AFC West cellar dweller and Wild Card over the past several years. The Chargers’ defense is strong enough to keep Los Angeles in the playoff picture, but they will have a limited ceiling under Taylor.

The Chargers should get back into playoff contention but won’t do so until an offense is established under Herbert. As another mid-round team, the Chargers can look to add one of the top offensive tackles or interior lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft.