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

Expectations are quickly rising but are Kingsbury, Murray ready?

2019 was a transition year for the Cardinals. Arizona quickly moved on from Steve Wilks and Josh Rosen to Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray. Arizona had its rough patches as expected from a rookie coach and quarterback combo coming off the worst record from the previous season, but showed glimpses of what the future can look like. Expectations quickly rose after completing the blockbuster trade with the Texans for DeAndre Hopkins.

Arizona is fully committed to Kingsbury and Murray and they should after the rookie threw for over 3,700 yards and 20 touchdowns. While Lamar Jackson sophomore year expectations are unreasonable to ask for, Arizona has plenty of pieces and the perfect fit for their franchise quarterback. If they are going to take the next step in year two, it’s the defense that will have to turn things around.

Prediction: No team allowed more yards than Arizona in 2019 and while they invested in free agency and drafted the exciting Isaiah Simmons out of Clemson, don’t expect a major turnaround. Arizona should continue their upwards trajectory, but with a shaky offensive line and defense, the Cardinals are likely capped at 7-9 with plenty of options in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

Can Rams recover or did their all-in bet cause the franchise to go broke?

The Rams went all-in on their Super Bowl run of 2018 after trading away draft picks and stuck with limited salary cap. Los Angeles may no longer be the exciting offense led by Todd Gurley, but the Rams still have the pieces and coach to be competitive in the NFC West. The Rams have a shaky offensive line, a running back group with more questions than answers and a passing game that doesn’t look like it’s led by a $33.5 million/year quarterback.

The Rams still have big names on a defense led by Aaron Donald and Jalen Ramsey but are looking to make replacements at linebacker and in the secondary. Leonard Floyd looks to replace Dante Fowler Jr. and provide some threat to the quarterback outside of Donald. LA’s “new look” may be a bad one, and we aren’t talking about the uniforms.

Prediction: The Rams are facing the consequences of poor contract management and the results of a failed Super Bowl run. There’s still a lot of talent on both sides of the ball, but unless Goff can prove his worth, the Rams may finish last in the West and don’t have a first-rounder in the 2021 NFL Draft. 

After Super Bowl loss, the 49ers still look as a top threat in the NFC.

San Francisco is looking to avoid the dreaded drop off after losing a Super Bowl. While the 49ers don’t return a complete team, San Francisco was able to address the offseason departures of DeForest Buckner and Emmanuel Sanders with first-round picks Javon Kinlaw and Brandon Aiyuk. While the 49ers lost Breida via a trade with Miami, the 49ers return Raheem Mostert, Tevin Coleman, and a strong offensive line.

The 49ers should return one of the league’s top defenses in 2020 with Buckner the only major departure this offseason. The 49ers may have the best pass rush in the league but will need a strong rookie year from Kinlaw if they are to return to their 2019 form. The secondary remains strong but an aging group could show signs of regression.

Prediction: The NFC West may be the best divisional top to bottom in the NFL so for the 49ers to once again clinch the West, they may need to finish with the best record in the NFC. San Francisco should clinch a playoff spot, but misses out on the first-round bye. At this point, the 49ers could go any direction in the 2021 NFL Draft and have the luxury of molding in a rookie. 

No Clowney, no Adams, no problems? Expectations still sky-high in Seattle.

Seattle went into Week 16 with an 11-3 record and a big finale against San Francisco for divisional and conference supremacy on the line. The Seahawks lost to the Cardinals at home and again against the 49ers to end the season as a Wild Card. While Seattle decided against bringing Jadeveon Clowney on a long-term deal, the Seahawks still have a strong defense and added depth in free agency.

Seattle’s blockbuster move came late July when the Seahawks sent multiple draft picks to the Jets, including their first overall pick in the next two drafts. Seattle’s defense looks strong again with Adams, Diggs, and Griffin. Seattle tried putting pieces around Russell Wilson, adding linemen and receiver depth. Seattle has good playmakers around their MVP caliber quarterback.

Prediction: Seattle and San Francisco should once again be on a collision course for the NFC West title. The Week 17 finale in San Francisco could have major playoff and Super Bowl implications and while Clowney would’ve been nice to resign, the Seahawks still made a splash this offseason. Seattle knocks off the 49ers, and the Jets get a very late first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.