NFL Draft Notebook: Minnesota Vikings are big winners and much more
By John Blair
The 2021 NFL Draft had some great value picks and listed below is the best value pick from each round.
2021 NFL Draft first-round best value pick
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Justin Fields. player. 57. QB. Ohio State. 1
The Chicago Bears made a big move up the draft board to hopefully get their quarterback of the future with the 11th pick overall. While the team did have to give up their first-round pick in 2021 and 2022 along with two day three picks over the next season, this trade was well worth it.
In Justin Fields, the team gets the third-best quarterback in the draft and someone who was receiving consideration with the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields shows good accuracy in both the short and deep game and has the arm strength to deliver any pass in the Chicago Bears offense. On top of his traits as a passer, he is an outstanding athlete who makes his share of plays with his legs. Fields has all the skills to give the Bears the franchise quarterback they desperately need.
2021 NFL Draft second-round best value pick
2. player. 53. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. OLB. Notre Dame. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
A prospect who the Cleveland Browns were strongly considering with the 26th pick in the draft was Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, so they were obviously ecstatic when they were able to snag him late in the second round. Owusu-Koramoah is an outstanding athlete who should be a three-down defender for the Browns. He was rated as the third-best linebacker and 24th overall best player in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL Draft third-round best value pick
Oklahoma. 3. player. Scouting Report. DE. Ronnie Perkins. 47. Pick Analysis
The New England Patriots got good value on the defensive line in both the second and third round. In the second round, the Patriots took the top defensive tackle in the 2021 NFL with the selection of Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore. They then turned around and took the top defensive end in the draft in the third round with the selection of Oklahoma defensive end Ronnie Perkins.
2021 NFL Draft fourth-round best value pick
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. RB. North Carolina. Michael Carter. 30. 4. player
One of the priorities for the New York Jets in the 2021 NFL Draft was to surround Zach Wilson with offensive weapons. The team did just that with their selection of North Carolina running back Michael Carter in the fourth round. Carter is an explosive back who over the past two seasons has had 29 rushes of 20 or more yards which was the most of any college running back. He should be an ideal fit in the team zone running game and see significant carries next season.
2021 NFL Draft fifth-round best value pick
DT. Daviyon Nixon. 5. player. 87. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Iowa
The Carolina Panthers got an absolute steal in the fifth round of the 2021 NFL Draft when they took Iowa defensive tackle Daviyon Nixon with the 158th pick. Last season, Nixon led all FBS interior defensive linemen in tackles for loss with 13.5 and finished fourth overall in the Big Ten with 5.5 sacks. He is an athletic pass rusher who at the bare minimum should be a situational pass rusher for the Panthers next season.
2021 NFL Draft sixth-round best value pick
DT. Pittsburgh. 60. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 6. player. Jaylen Twyman
Going into the draft, Pittsburgh defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman was considered a major sleeper and after being picked in the sixth round by the Minnesota Vikings, he will have a chance to prove people underrated him. He is similar to Daviyon Nixon in that both players were one-year starters who put up strong numbers. He is also similar to Nixon in that he is an athletic player who is at his best when rushing the passer.
2021 NFL Draft seventh-round best value pick
Pick Analysis. OLB. Patrick Johnson. player. Scouting Report. Tulane. 7. 54
One thing that is evident about the 2021 NFL Draft was that teams could find good value on the defensive side of the ball, as five of the seven best picks in the individual rounds were defensive players. The best value in the seventh round is Tulane outside linebacker Patrick Johnson who went to the Philadelphia Eagles with the 234th pick in the draft. Johnson is a proven pass rusher who finished his college career with 24.5 sacks.