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

After making the switch from Mitchell Trubisky to Nick Foles, the Bears are firmly in the NFC playoff race and are the current five seed if the season ended today. Figuring out the future of the quarterback position will likely be an offseason priority in Chicago as the Bears will be expected to part with Trubisky. After rescheduling Foles’s contract, the Bears retain the veteran quarterback for an additional two years.

Chicago could move on from Foles after the season or retain an expensive back-up but assuming Chicago makes the playoffs and a push, don’t expect the Bears to target a quarterback in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft after missing out on top options. Wyatt Davis is the top offensive lineman on a dominate Ohio State team and gives Chicago a strong interior presence.

After trading for star receiver DeAndre Hopkins last offseason, Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals were touted as the breakout team this year. So far, the Cardinals have made good to early season projections. With a 5-2 start and huge Monday night win against Seattle, the Cardinals could be in a position to win the loaded NFC West.

Arizona’s decision to go all-in on Kingsbury and Murray has paid off. The Cardinals are loaded with playmakers but could benefit from improving their interior line. After just missing out on top corners and Davis, Arizona instead goes for Tennessee lineman Trey Smith in an effort to protect Murray from Aaron Donald and the 49ers pass rushers.

Baltimore has consistently landed near the bottom of the draft order and once again should find themselves in familiar territory as they battle out with Pittsburgh for AFC North supremacy. Despite an overall strong team, the Ravens have a few different approaches to considering entering the 2021 NFL Draft. The Ravens could upgrade at receiver, offensive line or adjust for departing defensive starters.

The Ravens recently traded a third-round pick to Minnesota for pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue after sending a 2020 fifth-round pick to Jacksonville for former Jaguar teammate Calais Campbell. Between Ngakoue, Campbell, and Matthew Judon playing on the franchise tag, the Ravens prioritize finding a long-term replacement to their pass rush and select power rusher Kwity Paye.

After a failed comeback bid in a battle of undefeated teams last week, the Titans once again look poised to make a run to the AFC Championship game. The Titans’ decision to invest in a Ryan Tannehill/Derrick Henry offense looks to have paid off as the combination of consistent passing and power rushing makes the Tennessee offense a strategic mismatch for weekly opposition.

The Titans may consider upgrading their offensive line or adding a target opposite the fast and powerful A.J. Brown, but instead decide to target the interior defensive line, bringing in Jay Tufele as a replacement to Jurrell Casey. Tufele gives the Titans another strong tackle besides Simmons and can create pressure in the pass rush.