2021 NFL Draft: Five quarterbacks go in first round of new mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Pick 7 – Detroit Lions
LSU. 7. player. 50. Pick Analysis. WR. Ja'Marr Chase. Scouting Report
The Detroit Lions could be in the market for a quarterback, but with the top options they would prefer off the board, they instead opt to get help for Matthew Stafford. Marvin Jones is set to become a free agent, so adding another weapon in addition to Kenny Golladay and T.J. Hockenson could be in the cards for the Lions.
Ja’Marr Chase was considered by many to be the best wide receiver on LSU’s 2019 squad that also produced Justin Jefferson, who is now an NFL Pro Bowler as a rookie. If Chase is better than Jefferson then this is a no-brainer pick for the Lions. They lost Calvin Johnson earlier than expected and Chase would be their best offensive threat since Megatron. The only knock that could go against Chase is that he didn’t play in 2020 while other wide receivers, like DeVonta Smith, lit it up.
Pick 8 – Washington Football Team (Trade with Carolina Panthers)
Pick Analysis. 58. Scouting Report. QB. North Dakota State. Trey Lance. 8. player
After cutting ties with Dwayne Haskins, the Washington Football Team is once again left without a quarterback of the future. They still have Alex Smith, but between age and his injury history, there probably aren’t many years left in his career.
For that reason, Washington makes the move up in this mock draft to select Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. Lance didn’t play in 2020 which hurt his shot to put his name in the same conversation as Lawrence and Fields the way that Wilson did. Instead, he’s looking like a late Top-10 pick at best.
As I said, Smith can still play next year, so Washington could opt to start Smith while Lance gets up to speed with not only the system but playing football again in general. Not playing as a quarterback is much different than any other position, so easing Lance into the season is the best option for him.