2021 NFL Mock Draft: The insatiable hunger of the quarterback market
By Ian Higgins
Alabama. Scouting Report. College Stats. player. 30. CB. Patrick Surtain II. 7
After trading back from the number two overall selection, the New York Jets have signified the short-term retention of quarterback Sam Darnold and their devotion to rebuilding the defense in the image of new head coach Robert Saleh. The most glaring need of the current personnel needing to be addressed though will be the lack of raw talent in the secondary.
The most day-one ready cornerback of the 2021 NFL Draft, Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II is a technically refined man-to-man corner who efficiently uses his length and adequate athleticism to keep pace with downfield receivers. Most impressive though is Surtain’s ability to shadow a receiver and run their own route better than them, placing himself perfectly to make a play on the ball and become the offensive player.
Between his ability to compete from day one as well as inheriting the expectations of becoming one of the next premier man-to-man corners of the NFL, the New York Jets may have found their focal point in the secondary in this NFL mock draft.
QB. player. 87. Scouting Report. College Stats. North Dakota State. Trey Lance. 8
Lucky enough within this NFL mock draft to avoid moving up for a new franchise quarterback, the Carolina Panthers find their replacement to Teddy Bridgewater at the number eight selection of the 2021 NFL Draft. Falling behind the likes of Fields due to a combination of factors, most prominent of which being a lack of playing time within an altered 2020 football schedule.
Having dominated at the FCS level with dynamic athleticism and responsibility pushing the ball downfield, Lance has driven his draft stock through the roof with 28 passing touchdowns and zero interceptions. Combined with 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns on the ground, Lance is a multi-dimensional offensive weapon who can rewrite the DNA of any offense he joins.
Requiring time to further develop his game, hone in his deep-ball accuracy, and fully acclimate to the speed of the NFL (a significant jump coming from FCS play). Teddy Bridgewater still has two years remaining on his current contract with a potential out after 2021, the Carolina Panthers can take their time in ensuring Lance is a polished quarterback before handing him the reigns to the offense.