NFL mock draft 2021: Four quarterbacks in the top five, Watson stays put

The Kansas City Chiefs offensive line was completely exposed in the Super Bowl by that Tampa Bay defensive line I mentioned when talking about the Packers pick in this 2021 NFL mock draft. For the Chiefs, they will need all the chances they can get to address their variety of needs if they want to stay a staple in the Super Bowl as most people expect.

Here, they opt to grab a couple more picks to move out of the first round, down just a few picks with the Atlanta Falcons. There they can find even more value with the offensive line prospects and will have another selection this year and next year to fill other voids.

For the Falcons, they make the effort to completely reshape the future of their offense. After drafting Justin Fields early in the 2021 NFL mock draft, they get Arthur Smith a dominant running back to build around as well.

It’s no secret that Derrick Henry was the Tennessee Titans’ key to success over the past couple of seasons under Smith as the offensive coordinator. Now as the head coach in Atlanta, Smith would be able to replicate a couple of pieces from Tennessee with Fields and Najee Harris as his Ryan Tannehill and Henry.

Harris runs with similar physicality to Henry. Although he isn’t quite and big and imposing, Harris runs nasty and seeks contact. He always fights for the extra yard and isn’t afraid to run right through someone in the hole or in the open field.

Where Harris really impresses is with his versatility compared to Henry. While he isn’t known as a receiving back, he has improved greatly throughout his time at Alabama as a receiver out of the backfield. He has also shown his vision, burst and elusiveness in the open field as a runner.

In his past two seasons as the main workhorse back for the Tide, Harris has totaled 2,690 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns, 729 receiving yards and 11 receiving touchdowns. All while playing with other NFL prospects like Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones in the Tide passing game.

Harris would be the perfect fit for Smith to replicate his success from Tennessee and can step in and be a workhorse back right away for the Atlanta Falcons. By taking him in the first round, Atlanta could have Harris on a rookie contract for five seasons before needing to decide whether to pay him on a big second deal.