2021 NFL Draft: Five quarterbacks go in first round of new mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Pick 9 – Denver Broncos
Pick Analysis. 45. Virginia Tech. Caleb Farley. 9. player. Scouting Report. CB
The Denver Broncos have been investing in their offense for a few years now, but it’s left their defense with many holes. What used to be the No Fly Zone is being tossed around against left and right. In a division that already has Patrick Mahomes and now the emerging Justin Herbert, the Broncos need to upgrade their secondary in a big way.
Like many others in the 2021 NFL Draft, Caleb Farley didn’t play in 2020. While his stats are about what you’d expect in most areas, his passes defended marks are what gave him the flexibility to sit out in 2020. During the 2018 season as a freshman, he defended seven passes before registering 12 during the 2019 season.
Pick 10 – New England Patriots (Trade with Dallas Cowboys)
Kyle Pitts. 10. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. TE. Florida. 47
The New England Patriots looked like a shell of their former team without Tom Brady and will be working to rebuild the roster back to a similar form. With the quarterbacks off the board, they still make a move up in the draft to take a playmaker at a position of need.
One of the struggles of the team this year in New England was the lack of playmakers. Brady was always able to make work the weapons at his disposal, but that changed this year with Cam Newton taking the snaps. To help improve that situation, the Patriots trade up to take the best offensive playmaker in the draft that isn’t a quarterback in Kyle Pitts.
Pitts took the football world by storm this season with an impressive 12 touchdown receptions while totaling 770 yards on 43 receptions. Even with the Patriots taking two tight ends in the 2020 NFL Draft, the idea of adding Pitts is a big draw for any team, especially one that uses tight ends as frequently as New England.