2021 NFL Draft: Jets and Giants kick off this first-round mock draft

After moving on from Ron Rivera and Cam Newton last season and replacing the overall look of the team with Matt Rhule, Joe Brady, and Teddy Bridgewater, the in-transition Panthers are currently exceeding expectations at 3-4. In fact, solid play from Bridgewater and the return of Christian McCaffrey could see Carolina make a push towards the new seventh seed in the playoffs.

Depending on how the season ends, Carolina could go in several directions. With Bridgewater on an expensive, but dropable deal, Carolina could go with a new franchise quarterback but misses out on the Lawrence/Fields sweepstakes. Instead, Rhule once again turns his attention to rebuilding his defense after spending all seven picks last spring on his defense. While Caleb Farley opted out of the 2020 season, he brings physicality and length to a secondary looking for a shutdown corner.

After selecting linebacker Micah Parsons with the fifth overall pick obtained from Houston, Miami turns its attention to putting pieces around second-year quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Miami has done relatively well early in the season, allowing just less than two sacks a game and with a strong receiver class, looks instead to get Tua a primary receiver for the future.

Between Ja’Marr Chase, Rashod Bateman, and Alabama receivers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith, the Dolphins have plenty of options when selecting a game-changing receiver, but opt for former Alabama teammate Smith. Smith has been explosive early this fall for Alabama, and despite being undersized compared to Bateman or Waddle, possesses game-changing ability similar to former teammate and first receiver drafted in 2020, Henry Ruggs III.

Year one in Las Vegas hasn’t been what Mark Davis expected, with the beautiful new stadium empty for the time being. However, the Raiders look strong if not inconsistent after a 3-3 start to the 2020 season. The Raiders defeated the Saints and Chiefs and after a difficult start including games against the Bills and Bucs will look towards a softer mid-schedule run with match-ups against Denver, Atlanta, and the Jets.

If the Raiders can find consistency, they could be the beneficiaries of the additional wild card spot. Gruden’s team has seen continued improvement on both sides of the ball and after addressing receiver last spring, the Raiders look to finally address the interior of their defensive line. Wilson has been a bright spot for a struggling Florida State defense possessing solid pass-rushing skills and gives the Raiders a needed presence in the middle of their line.

With the return of a healthy Matt Stafford, the 3-3 Lions have already matched their win total from the previous season. The Lions lost their final eight games of the 2019 season after the Stafford injury earning the third overall pick. The Lions still rank near the bottom in the NFL in defense allowing 380 yards per game compared to last season’s 400 and have plenty of need entering the 2021 NFL Draft.

While a defensive lineman or linebacker are priorities for the Lions in the 2021 NFL Draft, with top prospects Parsons, Moses, Barmore, and Wilson off the board, Detroit instead opts out for one of the top receivers in the class. Chase opted out of the 2020 season but was 2019’s top receiver accounting for a college football leading 1,780 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.