2021 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl first-round NFL mock draft

Following Tom Brady’s seventh super bowl title, the focus of the football world turns to the 2021 NFL draft with a plethora of impactful prospects.

Following the conclusion of the NFL season, the focus of the football world can begin its shift into an offseason highlighted by quarterback controversy and a general lack of game tape on some of the 2021 NFL draft’s top prospects. Combined with the loss of key scouting opportunities such as the NFL combine in Indianapolis, NFL scouts will be hard-pressed to assert confidence in their personnel judgments.

Even with the first overall pick all but in for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the 2021 NFL draft is one of the most uncertain in recent years with the potential for dramatic draft-day risers and fallers as well as blockbuster deals by quarterback-hungry franchises. In conjunction with a deep offensive tackle class and edge-rushers littered throughout the back-half of the first round, the 2021 NFL draft shapes to be a night for teams willing to make moves.

Likely having begun home-searching in the Jacksonville area, Clemson legend and future franchise cornerstone Trevor Lawrence will be joining one of the more impressive offenses owned by a team with the number one overall selection in recent years. Sporting the likes of D.J. Chark and James Robinson, Lawrence will have a surprising amount of help upon entry to the NFL and could be removing Justin Herbert from the rookie passing records very shortly.

One element of Lawrence’s game to watch though will be how he folds into Urban Meyer’s rushing attack. Having utilized the likes of Tim Tebow and Braxton Miller in his college coaching past, don’t be surprised to see Lawrence continue to utilize his modern positional athleticism on QB-counter and read option, opening further opportunities for Robinson.

With the future of the position shrouded in uncertainty and a new head coach coming in to hopefully right the course of the New York Jets, the 2021 NFL draft provides the opportunity to bring in a fresh face to lead the charge. BYU’s Zach Wilson has shown the ability to make every throw in the book on tape and is able to extend the play with his legs on any given occasion and still deliver from a mobile platform.

Although a trade including incumbent quarterback Sam Darnold is well within the realm of possibility, keeping him for another campaign may be the best long-term approach. Facing subpar competition through college, Wilson will need time to acclimate to the speed of the NFL and a year of learning from the bench may suit him best for future success. This also gives New York the opportunity to improve Darnold’s trade value with a season under more capable coaching in an effort to acquire more impactful draft assets or the 2022 NFL draft.