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

Arguably no team has been hit harder by injuries in the early season than the 2019 NFC Champion 49ers. San Francisco currently finds itself at the bottom of the NFC West at 4-3 but is coming off back-to-back wins against the Rams and Patriots. With a healthy Garroppolo, the 49ers can get back into playoff contention with a Week 8 win at Seattle.

San Francisco still has plenty of talent on what should be an NFL leading defense but after failing to add a future cornerback in the 2020 Draft, the 49ers look to address an aging group that has faced plenty of injury concerns and future questions over the replacement of Richard Sherman. Campbell, the top corner in a talented Georgia secondary gives the 49ers their corner of the future.

After a 1-2 start, the Saints have rebounded winning three straight games heading into their Week 8 matchup at Chicago. The Saints have just squeaked by in their last three wins and after a Week 1 injury to star receiver, Michael Thomas, are without the game-changing ability at receiver.

The Saints have expressed interest in a first-round quarterback in past drafts and with Drew Brees’ future in question and few glaring holes in a strong roster, could draft a replacement in the 2021 NFL Draft. With Winston on the roster and a strong receiver class, the Saints instead opt for Golden Gopher receiver Rashod Bateman who brings the strongest overall combination of size, speed, and route running ability than any receiver in the class.

It’s surprising to find the 2-4-1 Eagles this deep in the 2021 NFL Draft order, but as the NFC East division leaders, Philadelphia would clinch a wild card spot and a mid-round pick. The Eagles have plenty of areas of need to address. Carson Wentz is under constant pressure, trying to over-extend plays and is sacked an average of four times a game.

Offensively, the Eagles still lack a star receiver with first-round rookie Jalen Reagor out with injury. Defensively, Philadelphia has a need at middle linebacker, safety, and addressing an aging defensive line. With a strong receiver class, the Eagles take advantage of Waddle’s falling position due to season-ending ankle injury. Waddle gives Philadelphia a much needed, do it all receiver.

After Andrew Luck’s shock retirement, the Colts fell from AFC contender to a 7-9 squad. The Colts traded their first-round pick in the 2020 Draft to acquire DeForest Buckner and used a fourth-round pick on Jacob Eason to serve as a back-up under stop-gap Philip Rivers. The Colts have seen improvement after a 4-2 start but are still in need of a long-term replacement to Luck.

Enter BYU quarterback, Zach Wilson. No college player quarterback has benefitted more from the return of college football than Wilson. Wilson has been off to a dominant start of the 2020 year, throwing for almost 2,000 yards, 16 touchdowns, and a 78% completion rate through six games. His level of competition could come to question but at 6-foot-3 and strong run ability, fits the mold of the modern NFL offense.