NFL mock draft 2021: Justin Fields, Trey Lance help make history

Washington could certainly be in the market for a quarterback in this draft, however, it’s looking like they would have to trade up for one.  Guys like Kyle Trask and Kellen Mond are potential options but I think they chose to add another position in the first round and potentially get a quarterback on day 2.

Washington added Curtis Samuel to pair with Terry McLaurin this offseason, but you can never have too many receivers, so why not add another receiver to give new quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as many pass-catchers as possible.

In a receiver class that features both a lot of high-level prospects and depth, Bateman is one of the prime options to be in the fourth receiver off the board and he is in this scenario.

Bateman certainly has the traits to develop into a really good NFL receiver.  He’s got good size at 6-foot-2, 210 pounds, blazing speed (ran a reported 4.39 40 at pro day), has good contested catch ability, and is tough to bring down after the catch.

Bateman wasn’t quite as good in a covid-shortened 2020 season in which he originally opted out of as he was in 2019, but he’s definitely showed enough throughout his career to warrant a first-round pick.

The Bears are still in play for a quarterback, but they’ll most likely have to trade up at least 10 spots to do that.  So, in this scenario I have them standing pat and adding Terrace Mitchell to a receiving core that is lacking behind Allen Robinson.

Marshall would be the third wide receiver from LSU’s historic 2019 offense to go first round in the last two years alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson.

Despite Chase and Jefferson commanding a lot of targets, Marshall managed to catch 13 touchdowns in 2019.  This year he stepped into a primary target role and had some terrific games before opting out after 7 games.

Marshall just has a knack for the endzone, over the last two years at LSU he’s caught 23 touchdowns in 19 games.  He’s an ideal red-zone weapon as he’s tremendous in jump ball situations.

Marshall may not be a first-round lock, but he certainly made a good case for himself by posting a 40 time of 4.39 at his pro day.