2021 NFL Draft: Three-round 2021 NFL mock draft with top 10 surprises
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, 10th Overall
WR. 10. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. LSU. Ja'Marr Chase. 50
With Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones, Danny Amendola and others at the position all hitting free agency this offseason, the only wide receivers that the Detroit Lions currently have under contract for 2021 are Quintez Cephus and COVID opt-out Geronimo Allison. Obviously, this team will have work to do at the position over the offseason.
Detroit could easily just look to bring all of their guys back, but this also presents an opportunity for them to get younger and more dynamic in their wide receiver room. Trying to bring back Golladay is a given, but letting Jones and Amendola walk and replacing them with younger options would be a potential path to long-term success. In this mock draft, the Lions address this wide receiver need immediately by adding Ja’Marr Chase to the mix.
Chase is considered by most to be the top wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft class and many would look at this pick as a major steal. Snagging Chase in this range certainly feels like great value and pairing him with Golladay in Detroit is undoubtedly exciting.
Chase is not the biggest or most explosive wide receiver in the game, but he does everything well on the field. He is a crisp and precise route runner who always seems to find open space, has strong hands and is impressive after the catch. Chase tracks the ball in the air extremely well and is an impact player in the short, intermediate and deep passing game.
If the Lions can bring back Golladay and draft Chase, they would arguably have the best young wide receiver duo in the entire league. With this pick, Detroit adds a dynamic playmaker who would make an immediate impact for Matthew Stafford in the passing attack.