Joe Friezo
April 9, 2021
1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2020 Record/Finish: 11-5, Super Bowl Champions
Key Additions: Giovani Bernard (RB)
Key Losses: None
Key Retentions: Shaquil Barrett (EDGE), Chris Godwin (WR), Lavonte David (LB), Ndamukong Suh (DT), Leonard Fournette (RB), Rob Gronkowski (TE), Ryan Succop (K), Antonio Brown (WR)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P32, R2 P64, R3 P95, R4 P137, R5 P176, R6 P217, R7 P25, R7 P259
The defending Super Bowl champions did exactly what they needed to do this offseason, and all they needed to do was run it back. Tampa Bay smartly prioritized bringing back key veterans from the Super Bowl winning squad. They franchised tagged Chris Godwin, rewarded Shaq Barrett with a four-year, $68 million deal, brought back veteran leader Lavonte David for two more years and gave one-year deals to future Hall of Fame veterans Rob Gronkowski, Antonio Brown and Ndamukong Suh. The rich even got richer as they added veteran passing catching running back Giovani Bernard to join Leonard Fournette and Ronald Jones in the backfield.
The champs head into the draft with easily the most complete roster in the NFL. They return all 22 starters from 2020, and one would assume that, even at 44-years-old, Tom Brady will be better in year two with Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich. The Bucs should use the draft to add depth and start prepping for life after Brady. Regardless of how they use their eight picks, I can guarantee that they will hold this number one spot again in the post-draft rankings.
2) Kansas City Chiefs
2020 Record/Finish: 14-2, Lost in Super Bowl
Key Additions: Joe Thuney (OG), Jarran Reed (DT), Kyle Long (OG), Austin Blythe (C), Orlando Brown (OT)
Key Losses: Mitchell Schwartz (OT), Eric Fisher (OT), Sammy Watkins (WR), Anthony Sherman (FB), Damien Williams (RB)
Key Retentions: Mike Remmers (OT), Daniel Sorenson (S), Demarcus Robinson (WR)
2021 Draft Picks: (6) R2 P58, R2 P63, R4 P144, R5 P175, R5 P181, R6 P207
While our last memory of the Chiefs featured Patrick Mahomes running for his life behind a makeshift offensive line en route to an embarrassing, touchdown-less Super Bowl LV defeat, it would be silly to have anybody else in this second spot. The back-to-back AFC Champions remained head and shoulders above the rest of the conference with their impressive offseason despite the limited cap space. They immediately reshaped their offensive line, releasing Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, both long-time starting tackles in KC who are unlikely to be ready for the start of the 2021 season. After a failed attempt to bring Trent Williams, the best offensive lineman in free agency, to Kansas City, the Chiefs surprised the NFL world giving Joe Thuney, the second-best lineman, a five-year, $80 million deal. Then they traded their first-round pick for the Ravens’ disgruntled young tackle Orlando Brown Jr. They also added the unretired Kyle Long, signed top center Austin Blythe, resigned Mike Remmers and will bring back Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who opted out of the 2020 season.
While there are still some holes on defense, I have no concerns about this team winning 12+ games as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are still on the other side of the ball. The defense needs to be the priority in the draft, especially at linebacker. I would also recommend adding an additional wide receiver or two, whether it is in the draft or with a veteran that remains unsigned, because, as we saw in the Super Bowl, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce cannot do it all.
3) Los Angeles Rams
2020 Record/Finish: 10-6, Lost in Divisional Round
Key Players (2020 PFF Grades):
Key Additions: Matthew Stafford (QB), DeSean Jackson (WR)
Key Losses: Jared Goff (QB), John Johnson (S), Troy Hill (CB), Michael Brockers (DT), Austin Blythe (C) Gerald Everett (TE), Josh Reynolds (WR), Malcolm Brown (RB), Samson Ebukam (EDGE)
Key Retentions: Leonard Floyd (LB)
2021 Draft Picks: (6) R2 P57, R3 P88, R3 P103, R4 P 141, R6 P209, R7 P252
The second that Sean McVay got his wish and sent Jared Goff and three picks to Detroit for Matthew Stafford, the Rams became true Super Bowl contenders. The league’s top defense in 2020 now has a true elite quarterback to balance out the roster. The Rams limited cap space is the reason why they were only able to add DeSean Jackson who, when healthy, can still take the top off a defense and allow Cooper Kupp and Robert Woods to flourish underneath. Los Angeles also rewarded Leonard Floyd for his career year in 2020 with a four-year, $64 million deal. With McVay at the helm, and Stafford under the center, the Rams should be an offensive juggernaut that is free of the past inconsistencies that came with Jared Goff. However, the Aaron Donald led defense suffered some key losses in the offseason. First, Defensive coordinator Brandon Staley moved into the Chargers’ Head coaching office in SoFi Stadium. In the secondary they lost slot corner Troy Hill and standout safety John Johnson, both to Cleveland.
Given their affinity for building via trade, it is not a surprise that the Rams only have six picks in the upcoming draft. However, the front office has absolutely nailed the second day in recent drafts (Kupp and Johnson in 2017, Joseph Noteboom in 2018, Taylor Rapp in 2019, Cam Akers in 2020), so expect them to take advantage of their three picks in rounds two and three on April 30. The focus should be on linebackers and in the secondary in order to replace the studs that they lost in free agency. Regardless of how the draft goes, the Rams should be the top contender to challenge the Buccaneers and one of the favorites to play in Super Bowl LVI at their new home stadium.
4) Buffalo Bills
2020 Record/Finish: 13-3, Lost in AFC Championship
Key Additions: Emmanuel Sanders (WR), Jacob Hollister (TE), Matt Breida (RB), Mitchell Trubisky (QB), Forrest Lamp (OG)
Key Losses: John Brown (WR), Brian Winters (OG), Ty Nsekhe (OT), Tyler Kroft (TE)
Key Retentions: Matt Milano (LB), Jon Feliciano (OG), Daryl Williams (OT)
2021 Draft Picks: (7) R1 P30, R2 P61, R3 P93, R5 P161, R5 P174, R6 P213, R7 P236
As crazy as it sounds, the Buffalo Bills need to prove that 2020 was not an anomaly. Josh Allen and the Bills ended the season playing as good as any player and team in football. When they got the chance to take down the mighty Chiefs in the AFC title game, the scrappy underdog Bills fell flat. Now, Allen enters the season, deservedly, as one of the betting favorites for MVP and everyone just assumes the Bills are shoo-ins to win the AFC East once again. The team prioritized bringing back starters (Matt Milano, Jon Feliciano and Darryl Williams) rather than making a splash on the defensive side of the ball as many expected. Their new additions are nothing special, they essentially just replaced the guys they lost (Emmanuel Sanders for John Brown, Forrest Lamp for Brian Winters, and Jacob Hollister for Tyler Kroft).
The pressure will be on the Bills to perform this season as, if all NFL fans are like me, the feel-good, Bills Mafia, haunted franchise narrative that turned the 2020 team into a lovable bunch will end if they can’t take the next step. The emphasis in the draft needs to be on defense so that if the Bills run into the Chiefs in the 2021 playoffs, the result won’t be 38 Kansas City points. I will show the Bills enough respect by putting them at the number four spot, but I have serious concerns that they can continue the success of last season.
5) Cleveland Browns
2020 Record/Finish: 11-5, Lost in Divisional Round
Key Additions: John Johnson (S), Troy Hill (CB), Jadeveon Clowney (EDGE), Takkarist McKinley (DE), Malik Jackson (DT)
Key Losses: Terrance Mitchell (CB), Karl Joseph (S), Larry Ogunjobi (DT), Kevin Johnson (CB)
Key Retentions: Rashard Higgins (WR), Cody Parkey (K), Malcolm Smith (LB)
2021 Draft Picks: (9) R1 P26, R2 P59, R3 P89, R3 P91, R4 P110, R4 P132, R5 P169, R6 P211, R7 P257
Call me crazy, but I am going all-in on the Cleveland Browns this year. On offense, they return all five starters on an elite line, Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt are the best running back duo in the NFL and Odell Beckham Jr. should, hopefully, maybe, ok he probably won’t but let’s pretend, return with the mindset that the team can be more successful without going through him. On defense, the Browns crushed the offseason. They added four starters in free agency with John Johnson, one of the league’s best safeties, Troy Hill, one of the league’s best nickels, and Malik Jackson, Jadeveon Clowney, Takkarist McKinley, all low-floor but high-ceiling guys that are worth the risk given Cleveland’s 2020 defensive struggles. Therefore, all the pressure is on Baker Mayfield. Maybe it’s just because we’ve been bombarded with some pretty funny Mayfield commercials, but I have become a Baker-believer. I legitimately think that he can be a good enough game manager to lead the rest of this stacked roster to success. While that is probably the biggest backhanded compliment in football, it shouldn’t matter. Mayfield should carry the momentum of his solid second half of 2020 into a career year in 2021.
We saw Kevin Stefanski, the 2020 NFL Coach of the Year, impressively shift the culture of arguably the saddest franchise in American sports in just one season. In year two, my expectations are high, and I do not think they have major needs in the draft. The priority with their nine picks, six of which impressively are in the first four rounds, should be on corners and linebackers.
6) Green Bay Packers
2020 Record/Finish: 13-3, Lost in NFC Championship
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Corey Linsley (C), Jamaal Williams (RB)
Key Retentions: Aaron Jones (RB), Marcedes Lewis (TE), Kevin King (CB)
2021 Draft Picks: (10) R1 P29, R2 P62, R3 P92, R4 P135, R4 P142, R5 P173, R5 P178, R6 P214, R6 P220, R7 P256
Two years with Matt LaFleur, two NFC Championship Game losses. That is the narrative surrounding the 2021 Green Bay Packers. Aaron Rodgers, fresh off his third MVP and a two-week stint guest-hosting Jeopardy, realistically only has a few more cracks at winning a second Lombardi trophy. If he was unhappy with the team spending their first two picks last year on a backup quarterback and a third string running back, he likely isn’t thrilled with their 2021 free agency performance. They did not add the number two wide receiver they have long been rumored to be in the market for, they did not improve their inconsistent defense, and they gave Aaron Jones, a great running back but not one I think should be locked into an expensive long-term deal, a four-year, $48 deal. Concerning what they lost, Corey Linsley, the 2020 All-Pro center, went to the Chargers and veteran backup running back Jamaal Williams moved on to the rival Lions. The loss of Linsley means that the Packers will probably have to move a guard, likely Elgton Jenkins (who did play 297 snaps at center last year), over a position, or draft one. Both of those scenarios sound like projects that are disasters waiting to happen for the easily irritated Rodgers.
The Packers boast an impressive 10 picks in the upcoming draft. I think it is safe to say that they will not use their early round picks on a quarterback and a running back this year, so they should be focusing instead on weapons for Rodgers in the passing game, on the offensive line and at linebacker. Rodgers’ future with Green Bay seems to be somewhat in jeopardy (see what I did there?), so 2021 is likely Super Bowl or bust, and by bust, I mean Jordan Love in 2022.
7) Baltimore Ravens
2020 Record/Finish: 11-5, Lost in Divisional Round
Key Additions: Kevin Zeitler (OG), Sammy Watkins (WR)
Key Losses: Matt Judon (LB), Yannick Ngakoue (EDGE), Matt Skura (C), Mark Ingram (RB), Willie Snead (WR), Orlando Brown Jr. (OT)
Key Retentions: Tyus Bowser (EDGE), Derek Wolfe (DL), Pernell McPhee (EDGE)
2021 Draft Picks: (9) R1 P27, R1 P31, R3 P94, R3 P104, R4 P131, R4 P136, R5 P171, R5 P184, R6 P210
The Baltimore Ravens are as well-run an organization in the NFL as any, so my respect for them probably influenced this high ranking. I am a firm believer that as long as Lamar Jackson is healthy, the Ravens unique, and by unique, I mean completely unlike the other 31 teams, offensive approach will eventually lead to a Super Bowl. However, I don’t think that will come this season. Their defense is set with one of the best secondaries and above-average defensive line, and I am confident they will be successful even with the loss of Matthew Judon and underwhelming 2020 mid-season acquisition Yannick Ngakoue. The problem for Baltimore this offseason is that they could not add the star wide receiver they have been in desperate need of. Allen Robinson was franchised tagged, and they failed to land Kenny Golladay and JuJu Smith-Schuster, so they had to settle for the always-injured Sammy Watkins. With Ronnie Stanley back to anchor the offensive line and the elite trio of Jackson, J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards running for 200 yards-per-game, the Ravens will undoubtedly reach double digit regular season wins. I think their ceiling remains capped without a true superstar receiver to help Lamar in the passing game, but I would love to be proven wrong.
Luckily for Baltimore, this draft is filled with talented wide receivers. However, they’ve drafted four receivers in the last two drafts and, depending on how you feel about 2019 first rounder “Hollywood” Brown, they are at best one for four. If they are giving up on their receiver-scouting department, the focus should be on offensive lineman, especially as they have moved on the unhappy Orlando Brown Jr, who netted them an additional late first rounder.
8) Seattle Seahawks
2020 Record/Finish: 12-4, Lost in Wild Card Round
Key Additions: Gabe Jackson (OG), Gerald Everett (TE), Akhello Witherspoon (CB), Kerry Hyder (EDGE)
Key Losses: Shaquill Griffin (CB), Quinton Dunbar (CB), Jarran Reed (DT), Mike Iupati (OG), Carlos Hyde (RB), Jacob Hollister (TE), David Moore (WR)
Key Retentions: Chris Carson (RB), Carlos Dunlap (DE), Poona Ford (DT), Ethan Pocic (C), Benson Mayowa (DE), Damarious Randall (S)
2021 Draft Picks: (3) R2 P56, R4 P129, R7 P250
It was overshadowed by the Russell Wilson rumors, and rightfully so, but the Seahawks quietly had a great free agency. They signed cornerback Akhello Witherspoon and tight end Gerald Everett, two underrated players from division rivals, made a big trade to acquire guard Gabe Jackson to improve their much-maligned offensive line, and retained key veterans like running back Chris Carson and edge rusher Carlos Dunlap. All seems to be well between Wilson and the Seahawks now, so they can focus on improving their 3-4 record since reaching back-to-back Super Bowls.
Thanks to their trades for Jackson, Dunlap and Jamal Adams, the Seahawks have a league low three picks in the draft. It would be surprising if those three picks go towards any position other than offensive and defensive line or cornerback. Essentially, the Seahawks will need to hope that their big free agency moves were enough to both keep Wilson happy and lead to better playoff results.
9) Indianapolis Colts
2020 Record/Finish: 11-5, Lost in Wild Card Round
Key Additions: Carson Wentz (QB)
Key Losses: Philip Rivers (QB), Denico Autry (EDGE), Anthony Castonzo (OT), Jacoby Brissett (QB)
Key Retentions: Xavier Rhodes (CB), T.Y. Hilton (WR), Al-Quadin Muhammad (DE), Marlon Mack (RB)
2021 Draft Picks: (6) R1 P21, R2 P54, R4 P127, R5 P165, R6 206, R7 P248
If you listen to my podcast, you don’t, but just imagine you’re one of my 10 loyal listeners, you know how anti-Colts I was this past season. Eventually, I realized I was just anti-Phil Rivers. Aside from quarterback, all the pieces are there for Indianapolis. They have a great coaching staff, an above average defense, arguably the best offensive line in the league and a great mix of young and veteran offensive weapons. Now, it is time for Carson Wentz to inherit the Rivers role. I have to be one of the few people who didn’t sell, or just give away, their Wentz stock after his putrid 2020 season. I think the Wentz reunion with Head Coach Frank Reich will become one of the biggest stories of the season. While I don’t think Wentz will ever return to his likely-MVP 2017 season peak, I think he will rebound in a big way and do enough to make this great Colts roster the favorite in a wide-open AFC South. Wentz was the lone big addition, and the Colts did have any major losses in free agency, so I am confident that Wentz, with Reich, will be an upgrade over Rivers who still led this roster to a more than respectable 11-5 record.
In the draft, the focus needs to be on the defensive line. Outside of star DeForest Buckner, they do not have anybody else on the line that graded over a 62.0 on Pro Football Focus (PFF) in 2020. With left tackle Anthony Castonzo’s retirement, the Colts should also be expected to add tackle depth to their already spectacular offensive line. Aside from those areas of need, the rest of the Colts’ picks should be used to add depth to their top tier roster.
10) New Orleans Saints
2020 Record/Finish: 12-4, Lost in Divisional Round
Key Additions: Tanoh Kpassagnon (DE)
Key Losses: Drew Brees (QB), Trey Hendrickson (DE), Emmanuel Sanders (WR), Sheldon Rankins (DT), Jared Cook (TE), Janoris Jenkins (CB), Alex Anzalone (LB)
Key Retentions: Jameis Winston (QB), Marcus Williams (S), James Hurst (OT)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P28, R2 P60, R3 P98, R3 P105, R4 P133, R6 P218, R7 P229, R7 P255
As much as it must pain Saints fans to hear, they are better without Drew Brees. The legend is gone, and his retirement opens the door for a potential quarterback competition between the always unpredictable Jameis Winston and the quarterback/running back/full back/wide receiver/tight end/return man/special teamer Taysom Hill. I am going to assume that is not crazy, and that he will ultimately name Jameis Winston the starter. Winston is easily the most frustrating quarterback (everyone remembers his famous 30 touchdown, 5,000-plus yard, 30 interceptions season in 2019), but I trust that Sean Payton’s conservative approach will help him a lot more than Bruce Arians’ run-and-gun style did in Tampa Bay. He’ll also be helped by Alvin Kamara, maybe the most dangerous player in the NFL, and Michael Thomas who will certainly be looking for a bounce back year. If Hill is named the starter, I reserve the right to slide the Saints down into the 20s of these power rankings. The Saints had to work some serious cap-magic just to be able to retain their own guys, including Winston. Therefore, the only real noteworthy transactions for the Saints were their losses. Luckily, most of the starters that they lost were expendable veterans on the wrong side of 30 like Janoris Jenkins, Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook. The defensive line took a hit as Sheldon Rankins signed with the Jets and Trey Hendrickson, fresh off a breakout year, got paid by the Bengals.
The Saints should use the draft to do what they couldn’t afford to do in free agency which is replace their lost veterans. Expect the Saints to use their eight picks to make up for their losses in the secondary, on the defensive line and at wide receiver. Assuming the Saints continue their trend of drafting well, I expect the Jameis-led squad to surprise some people and be a legitimate playoff team in 2021.
11) Arizona Cardinals
2020 Record/Finish: 8-8, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: J.J. Watt (DE), Rodney Hudson (C), A.J. Green (WR), Malcolm Butler (CB), James Conner (RB), Brian Winters (OG), Matt Prater (K)
Key Losses: Patrick Peterson (CB), Kenyan Drake (RB), Haason Reddick (EDGE), Dan Arnold (TE)
Key Retentions: Kelvin Beachum (OT), Markus Golden (EDGE), Andy Lee (P)
2021 Draft Picks: (6) R1 P16, R2 P49, R5 P160, R6 P223, R7 P243, R7 P247
After an impressive start in 2020, the Arizona Cardinals really struggled in the second half of the season. I would attribute the struggles to the obvious injury that Kyler Murray was playing through, but they still had their chances at the end of the season to make their first playoff appearance since the Carson Palmer-Bruce Arians era. In 2021, the pressure will be on Kliff Kingsbury and Murray to recapture that early 2020 magic. They helped Murray a lot in the offseason by pulling off a big trade for center Rodney Hudson. Their headline stealing signing of J.J. Watt was definitely overhyped, but he will surely be able to contribute both at defensive tackle and on the edge for a Cardinals defense that was one of the worst in 2020. The A.J. Green signing didn’t help Arizona’s negative reputation as the place where careers go to die, so don’t expect much out of him. Malcolm Butler replaces Patrick Peterson in a swap of big-name corners that are not the players that they used to be, so that is really a wash. Overall, I would say that the Cardinals had one of the NFL’s better free agencies, and that they are set up well heading into the draft.
The Cardinals only have six picks, and four of them are in the final three rounds. Therefore, it is hard to imagine that they are able to improve immediately in the draft. The early round focus for Arizona should be on adding weapons, especially at wide receiver, for Kingsbury and Murray to work with. The later round picks should be exclusively used on improving one of the league’s bottom tier defenses.
12) Pittsburgh Steelers
2020 Record/Finish: 12-4, Lost in Wild Card Round
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: Bud Dupree (EDGE), Maurkice Pouncey (C), Mike Hilton (CB), Matt Feiler (OG), Vance McDonald (TE), James Conner (RB)
Key Retentions: JuJu Smith-Schuster (WR), Cameron Sutton (CB), Zach Banner (OT), Tyson Alualu (DL)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P24, R2 P55, R3 P87, R4 P128, R4 P140, R6 P216, R7 P245, R7 P254
I never bought into the Steelers last year, even with their 11-0 start. I was proven correct as they dropped five of their last six games, including a home playoff drubbing at the hands of the Browns. Honestly, twelve is probably too high given the concerns I have with Ben Roethlisberger, but I really think Mike Tomlin is a great enough coach that he can make it work again. Of course, the defense carried the Steelers throughout most of last season, and they return nine starters plus they should have young star linebacker Devin Bush back healthy. On offense, they retained the polarizing JuJu Smith Schuster, but lost tight end Vance McDonald and franchise center Maurkice Pouncey to retirement. The defense and coaching will be there, the questions will once again be with Roethlisberger, who continues to fuel and then dispel retirement rumors. If he can at least maintain his inconsistent level from 2020, the Steelers should be in the Wild Card mix.
The Steelers have had a lot of draft success in recent years, so they must be thrilled to have eight picks. Their short-term priority needs to be on the offensive line. Assuming they are content with their running back depth behind free agent James Conner, the o-line is really their only position of desperate need. As they plan their post-Roethlisberger future, it has to be a lock that they will draft a quarterback with one of the eight picks. The question is whether they will reach for a projected day two prospect like Kellen Mond with their 24th overall pick, or if they will let the rest of the future quarterback-needy teams dictate their selection.
13) Tennessee Titans
2020 Record/Finish: 11-5, Lost in Wild Card Round
Key Additions: Bud Dupree (EDGE), Denico Autry (EDGE), Janoris Jenkins (CB), Josh Reynolds (WR), Kevin Johnson (CB)
Key Losses: Desmond King (CB), Jonnu Smith (TE), Corey Davis (WR), Adoree’ Jackson (CB), Jadeveon Clowney (EDGE), Malcolm Butler (CB), Kenny Vaccaro (S)
Key Retentions: Jayon Brown (LB), Anthony Firkser (TE)
2021 Draft Picks: (9) R1 P22, R2 P53, R3 P85, R3 P100, R4 P126, R5 P166, R6 P205, R6 P215, R7 P232
The Tennessee Tians have clearly gotten a career renaissance (also known as leaving Adam Gase) from Ryan Tannehill, but for the most part, their success over the last two seasons has come from their riding of Derrick Henry. Henry, who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season, cannot possibly carry this team for a third straight season, right? Even if he takes a step back or gets injured, I do like the moves that Tennessee made in free agency enough to keep them as wild card contenders in the AFC. I think Josh Reynolds is one of the more underrated receivers in the league and believe he will thrive in the Corey Davis role. Their big splash was signing Bud Dupree, fresh off a torn ACL last season, to five-year, $85 million contract. That is definitely a risky move, but one you need to take for a player as talented as Dupree. The Titans completely overhauled their secondary, losing Desmond King, Adoree’ Jackson and Malcolm Butler, their top three corners from last year, while also cutting safety Kenny Vaccaro. Furthermore, the addition of corners Kevin Johnson and Janoris Jenkins does not inspire much confidence for me. The Titans will likely need either another superhuman year from Henry, or Tannehill, who did lose top targets in Davis and Jonnu Smith, as well as his offensive coordinator in Arthur Smith, to reach an even higher level in order to replicate their last two successful seasons.
The Titans have nine picks in the upcoming draft and they surely need all of them. The focus should be on adding weapons for Tannehill at both wide receiver and tight end. I also expect them to use multiple picks on rebuilding their blown-up secondary.
14) San Francisco 49ers
2020 Record/Finish: 6-10, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Alex Mack (C), Samson Ebukam (EDGE), Wayne Gallman (RB)
Key Losses: Richard Sherman (CB), Akhello Witherspoon (CB), Kendrick Bourne (WR), Tevin Coleman (RB), Solomon Thomas (DE)
Key Retentions: Trent Williams (OT), Kyle Juszczyk (FB), Jason Verrett (CB), Jaquiski Tartt (S), K’Waun Williams (CB)
2021 Draft Picks: (9) R1 P3, R2 P43, R3 P102, R4 P117, R5 P155, R5 P172, R5 P180, R6 P194, R7 P230
To borrow from Bill Simmons, and Richard Lewis, the 2020 49ers suffered from a textbook example of the “year from hell”. Now, in 2021, with a healthy roster, the Niners should be expected to be closer to their 2019 NFC Champion team to their 6-10 result last year. Kyle Shanahan is, in my opinion, at least a three coach, so there was no way I could put him with this roster outside of the top half of my power rankings. In free agency they gave Trent Williams the biggest contract ever for a tackle, and Kyle Juszczyk the biggest fullback contract, while also adding veteran center Alex Mack. All signs point to Richard Sherman going elsewhere, and even though that will be their biggest loss, they have the secondary depth to replace him. With Nick Bosa back healthy, San Francisco will likely have two of the ten best (along with Fred Warner), defensive players in the league as cornerstones for both the present and future. The concern for the 49ers is keeping injury prone offensive players like George Kittle, Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel and, of course, Jimmy Garoppolo healthy. If, and that’s a big if, they can stay healthy, Shanahan and the Niners should be geared for another playoff run, unless…
Unless they draft Mac Jones with the third overall pick. In the last few weeks Jones has shot from a potential first round pick to, seemingly, a lock to be the third overall pick by the 49ers. Unless Jones gets Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle as his receivers, I don’t see superstar NFL quarterback in him. I still feel like San Francisco could have stayed at 12 and got him without giving up the assets to move up. As soon as they moved up to number three, it was obvious that they were drafting a quarterback. I would much rather see Justin Fields, or even Trey Lance, in this spot compared to Jones. Garoppolo and Jones are such boring quarterback options to go with a fantastic offensive coach and weapons like Kittle, Samuel, Mostert and Brandon Aiyuk. I would advise against the Jones pick, and if they go through with it, San Francisco will definitely slide in my post-draft rankings. For their other eight picks, the Niners should focus on improving their depth on defense.
15) New York Giants
2020 Record/Finish: 6-10, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Kenny Golladay (WR), Adoree’ Jackson (CB), Zach Fulton (OG), Kyle Rudolph (TE), Danny Shelton (DT), Devontae Booker (RB), John Ross (WR)
Key Losses: Kevin Zeitler (OG), Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), Golden Tate (WR), David Mayo (LB), Wayne Gallman (RB)
Key Retentions: Leonard Williams (DE)
2021 Draft Picks: (6) R1 P11, R2 P42, R3 P76, R4 116, R6 196, R6 P201
Yes, this is probably way too high, but I am a Giants fan and I deserve to have some preseason hope. It got off to a slow start, but in the end, I think the Giants had a fantastic free agency. Retaining Leonard Williams, even if it cost Dalvin Tomlinson, had to be done, and then they won the Kenny Golladay sweepstakes and added Adoree’ Jackson as their number two corner. Maybe I’m just biased, but it feels like all of the pieces for success are there. The defense is elite, yes, elite, and the signing of Golladay plus release of Golden Tate allows Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard to move back into their natural roles of number two receiver and slot receiver, respectively. The offense line improved as the year went on, Evan Engram is, deserved or not, a Pro Bowler, and oh yeah, Saquon Barkely is back. I could copy and paste what I have written for a handful of other teams, because once again the success of the Giants is all on Daniel Jones. In year three, Jones needs to finally live up to his draft pick and take advantage of weapons the front office got him and the great defense on the other side of the ball. I trust Joe Judge to lead my beloved Giants back to the playoffs, we just need Danny Dimes to make the leap.
The Giants, despite all my praise, do have three key needs in the draft. The need an edge rusher, they need linebackers and they, like pretty much every other team, need more offensive linemen. Luckily, the 11th pick in this draft presents a lot of options. Kwity Paye could fill the edge need, or, if they are still on the board, Rashawn Slater or Micah Parsons could fill the offensive tackle or linebacker need, respectively. In order I would want Parsons, Slater and then Paye. Whichever of those two needs aren’t filled in round one should be the focus for the Giants final five picks.
16) Los Angeles Chargers
2020 Record/Finish: 7-9, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Corey Linsley (C), Jared Cook (TE), Matt Feiler (OG), Oday Aboushi (OG)
Key Losses: Hunter Henry (TE), Denzel Perryman (LB), Rayshawn Jenkins (S), Mike Pouncey (C), Tyrod Taylor (QB), Forrest Lamp (OG)
Key Retentions: Michael Davis (CB), Michael Badgley (K)
2021 Draft Picks: (9) R1 P13, R2 P47, R3 P77, R3 P97, R4 P118, R5 P159, R6 P185, R6 P198, R7 P241
The Chargers started their offseason with the hiring of Brandon Staley as their new head coach. Personally, I would have paired an offensive minded coach with the rising star quarterback that is Justin Herbert. Regardless, the Chargers had a nice offseason. They did exactly what you should do when you have a young star quarterback, protect him. Last year’s offensive line was historically bad, so they went out and signed Ryan Linsley, an All-Pro last year, at center and also added Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi who should be their two starting guards. Jared Cook is no Hunter Henry, but he is by no means a bad replacement. On the defensive side of the ball, they did lose two starters (Rayshawn Jenkins and Denzel Perryman), but they will get superstar safety Derwin James back from the torn Meniscus that made him miss all of the 2020 season. Anthony Lynn’s late game struggles as a Head Coach are well documented, and the Chargers still went 7-9 last year. Therefore, I see no reason why Herbert in year two, with James back, a new coach and a much-improved offensive line cannot finish in the top half of the league.
The Chargers should use their nine picks to fill their needs at tackle (potentially Rashawn Slater with the thirteenth overall pick) and cornerback (could be Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn at the aforementioned first rounder as well). They should use the later rounds to load up on linebackers and additional skill position players for Herbert to work with.
17) Minnesota Vikings
2020 Record/Finish: 7-9, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Patrick Peterson (CB), Mackensie Alexander (CB), Dalvin Tomlinson (DT), Xavier Woods (S), Mason Cole (OL)
Key Losses: Anthony Harris (S), Riley Reiff (OT), Kyle Rudolph (TE), Eric Wilson (LB), Mike Boone (RB)
Key Retentions: Rashod Hill (OL), Dakota Dozier (OG)
2021 Draft Picks: (10) R1 P14, R3 P78, R3 P90, R4 119, R4 P125, R4 P134, R4 P143, R5 P157, R5 P168, R6 P199
Is 17 too high for the Vikings? Maybe. Do I care? No. I don’t care how many times he lets me down, I will never give up on Kirk Cousins. The Vikings suffered from injuries and underachievement last year and still finished a game out of the playoffs. Cousins is surrounded by arguably the best wide receiver duo in the league, Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, an elite running back in Dalvin Cook and a tight end in Irv Smith Jr. that is primed to breakout. If Cousins can’t make the playoffs with these weapons, in a relatively open division, I promise I will finally give up on him! Really, the story of the offseason for Minnesota was their focus on improving their weak defense. Patrick Peterson is not the All-Pro that he used to be, but I still like them taking a flyer on him for one season. It hurt to see Dalvin Tomlinson leave the Giants, he should fill a major need for the Vikings at defensive tackle, and Xavier Woods and Mackensie Alexander join Peterson as secondary help. While they did lose starters such as Anthony Harris, Riley Reiff and Kyle Rudolph, they were not difference makers.
The Vikings have a nice haul of ten picks in the draft. Their primary focus should be on both the offensive and defensive lines. They need help at defensive tackle and on the edge and could use help at all three positions on the offensive line. At pick number 14, they are in good position for edge rushers like Kwity Paye, Jaelan Phillips and Gregory Rousseau. Most of their ten picks should be used in the trenches, but they could also use help at linebacker and will probably, smartly, invest a later round pick into a quarterback prospect.
18) Washington Football Team
2020 Record/Finish: 7-9, Lost in Wild Card Round
Key Additions: Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB), Curtis Samuel (WR), William Jackson (CB), Adam Humphries (WR), Ereck Flowers (OL)
Key Losses: Ronald Darby (CB), Alex Smith (QB), Kevin Pierre-Louis (LB)
Key Retentions: Brandon Scherff (OG), Dustin Hopkins (K)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P19, R2 P51, R3 P74, R3 P82, R4 P124, R5 P163, R7 P246, R7 P258
This is probably a bit too low but, just like with my Giants ranking, I’m biased. Ron Rivera did a fantastic job in his first year in D.C., and the WFT returns a majority of their NFC “Least” winning lineup. They lost veteran quarterback Alex Smith, they upgraded with veteran quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick. They lost starting corner Ronald Darby, they upgraded with William Jackson. They also picked up two crafty receivers in Curtis Samuel and Adam Humphries to pair with Terry McLaurin on the outside. The defense was dominant at times in 2020, and the addition of Jackson should make them even better. Still, I feel like the WFT is due for some negative regression. Nobody wins the NFC East two years straight. Fitzpatrick is as volatile as any QB in the league, and I am feeling like a down year may be coming. Maybe it is more hopeful than realistic, but I have Washington behind the Giants in the NFC East at the moment.
The WFT has eight picks in the draft, including the very appealing 19th overall pick. However, they don’t have a ton of needs. This makes them an ideal candidate, given their quarterback situation, to trade into the top ten and draft a Justin Fields or a Trey Lance. If that is the case, either quarterback feels like a nice fit with their young offense. If they choose to play it conservatively, expect them to target a second day QB prospect while also adding linebackers, and to their offensive line and secondary depth.
19) Las Vegas Raiders
2020 Record/Finish: 8-8, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Yannick Ngakoue (EDGE), Kenyan Drake (RB), John Brown (WR), Quinton Jefferson (DL), Willie Snead (WR), Karl Joseph (S)
Key Losses: Rodney Hudson (C), Gabe Jackson (OG), Trent Brown (OT), Erik Harris (S), Lamarcus Joyner (S), Takkarist McKinley (EDGE), Nelson Agholor (WR), Raekwon McMillan (LB)
Key Retentions: Richie Incognito (OG), Denzelle Good (OG), Johnathan Hankins (DT), Nicholas Morrow (LB)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P17, R2 P48, R3 P79, R3 P80, R4 P121, R5 P162, R5 P167, R6 P200
The Raiders made, in the nicest way possible, an interesting decision to breakup one of the best offensive lines it the league trading Trent Brown, Rodney Hudson and Gabe Jackson. The three trades only netted them three picks, so the Raiders enter 2021 in a strange spot. Jon Gruden is now into year four of his blockbuster deal, still seeking his first playoff appearance. Derek Carr proved last year that, when healthy, he can be one of the better quarterbacks in the league. While they gave up their offensive line, they did add a ton of weapons. Wide receivers John Brown and Willie Snead join Henry Ruggs and Hunter Renfrow and tight end Darren Waller to form a very respectable receiving group. Their surprising signing of Kenyan Drake gives the Raiders a top RB duo as he joins Josh Jacobs. The worst defense in the league last year was only slightly bolstered by the addition of Yannick Ngakoue, so they still have a long way to go. Maybe it will be a case of addition by subtraction as they lost four defensive starters in free agency.
The Raiders have eight picks in the upcoming draft. If any of those eight picks are used for a position other than secondary or offensive line, Raiders fans should be allowed to sue the team for malpractice. They have seven picks in the first five rounds, so they are in a good spot to have a positive draft and justified their probably-too-high ranking here.
20) Miami Dolphins
2020 Record/Finish: 10-6, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Will Fuller (WR), Justin Coleman (CB), Matt Skura (C), Jacoby Brissett (QB), Benardrick McKinney (LB), Adam Butler (DT)
Key Losses: Ryan Fitzpatrick (QB), Kyle Van Noy (LB), Ted Karras (C), Shaq Lawson (DE), Davon Godchaux (DT), Ereck Flowers (OL)
Key Retentions: Elandon Roberts (LB)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P6, R1 P18, R2 P36, R2 P50, R3 P81, R5 P156, R7 P231, R7 P244
Miami enters the draft as one of the most confusing teams to analyze in the NFL. Tua Tagovailoa’s starting quarterback job seems to be safe as the Dolphins traded down from pick three to pick six. I think this is the right direction to go in, as it was too quick to judge Tua after all the strange circumstances in his rookie year. If he struggles once again, I like the addition of Jacoby Brissett as a veteran backup. Miami upgraded in positions of need signing Justin Coleman to play in the slot with elite outside corners Xavien Howard and Byron Jones and adding Will Fuller at wide receiver. The job that Brian Flores has done in his short time in Miami has been phenomenal. However, I don’t think this roster as currently constructed is really ready to contend in the AFC. Playing a second-place schedule in 2021 should prove to be a challenge to the relatively young squad.
Thanks to their trades with Houston and Philadelphia, the Dolphins own four of the first fifty picks in the draft, including three of the first thirty-six. The pick at number six needs to either be Kyle Pitts or Ja’Marr Chase, whoever the Bengals pass on at number five. Either of these potentially transcendent offensive weapons would immediately make the Dolphins’ offense substantially more dangerous. If I were Miami, I’d be hoping for Pitts. With their other picks in rounds one and two, Miami should be prioritizing the offensive line, where their highest graded projected starter, per PFF, is Ereck Flowers, yes Ereck Flowers, at 65.9. The focus for the rest of the draft should be on linebackers and safeties to add to their already potential filled defense.
21) Dallas Cowboys
2020 Record/Finish: 6-10, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Keanu Neal (LB), Tarell Basham (EDGE), Ty Nsekhe (OT), Brent Urban (DL), Damontae Kazee (CB)
Key Losses: Chidobe Awuzie (CB), Xavier Woods (S), Andy Dalton (QB), Tyrone Crawford (DE) Cameron Erving (OT), Sean Lee (LB)
Key Retentions: Dak Prescott (QB), C.J. Goodwin (CB), Jourdan Lewis (CB)
2021 Draft Picks: (10) R1 P10, R2 P44, R3 P75, R3 P99, R4 P115, R4 P138, R5 P179, R6 P192, R6 P227, R7 P238
Once Dak Prescott went down with a gruesome ankle injury, the Cowboys’ 2020 season seemed like a lost cause. Somehow, after starting three different quarterbacks, the Cowboys still had a chance to win the NFC East in Week 17. Frankly, we can’t expect the NFC East to be that bad again 2021, so improvement is needed. Also, even before Prescott went down, the Cowboys weren’t winning. Assuming Prescott is healthy and happy with his bank-breaking contract, America’s Team will need early success or else questions will begin being asked of both Dak and Head Coach Mike McCarthy. Aside from extending Prescott, the Cowboys did not have a very busy free agency. They did take a flyer on Keanu Neal, reuniting him with new Defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, which was their best non-Dak move. In the secondary they lost, without replacing, Chidobe Awuzie and Xavier Woods. The offense should be electric, just as it was to start the 2020 season, so the onus will be on the defense to make the Cowboys competitive. I just don’t see, at the moment, Dallas having enough.
The Cowboys have 10 picks in the draft starting with the 10th overall pick. There has been recent buzz that the Cowboys could add star tight end Kyle Pitts to their top tier receiving core of CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup. I don’t think Pitts will make it to 10, and doubt the Cowboys are desperate enough to trade up for him, so their most likely target at 10 will be either Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn, the top cornerback prospects. Their focus throughout the draft should be at all defensive positions, especially in the secondary, and on the offensive line to help stars Tyron Smith and Zack Martin.
22) New England Patriots
2020 Record/Finish: 7-9, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Trent Brown (OT), Matt Judon (LB), Hunter Henry (TE), Jonnu Smith (TE), Jalen Mills (S), Nelson Agholor (WR), Kyle Van Noy (LB), Davon Godchaux (DT), Henry Anderson (DL), Kendrick Bourne (WR), Ted Karras (C), Raekwon McMillan (LB)
Key Losses: Joe Thuney (OG), Julian Edelman (WR), Patrick Chung (S), Marcus Cannon (OT), Adam Butler (DT)
Key Retentions: Cam Newton (QB), James White (RB), David Andrews (C), Deatrich Wise Jr. (DE), Lawrence Guy (DT), Justin Bethel (ST)
2021 Draft Picks: (10) R1 P15, R2 P46, R3 P96, R4 P120, R4 P122, R4 P139, R5 P177, R6 P188, R6 P197, R7 P242
As Shannon Sharpe famously told Patriots fans in 1996, “help is on the way”. The Patriots shocked the NFL world by uncharacteristically paying for free agents as soon as the legal tampering window opened. I buy into the conspiracy that Cam Newton’s season going downhill has a direct correlation with his COVID diagnosis. However, I am not buying into the idea that the Patriots’ spending makes them instant contenders. Newton has struggled his last two healthy seasons, and that doesn’t even include 2019 when he played two games due to injury. If they signed Allen Robinson and Kenny Golladay, maybe I could overlook Cam’s decline. I am not going to get excited with the addition of Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, Henry Hunter and Jonnu Smith to the point of calling the Patriots contenders. They’re all great players, but they aren’t playmakers that will be able to make up for Cam’s issues. As a Cam fan, I’d love to be wrong, as a New England sports hater, I’d love to be right. On defense, the Patriots signed four new starters (Deatrich Wise Jr., Jalen Mills, Matthew Judon and Kyle Van Noy) and get another, Dont’a Hightower, back from his COVID opt-out. I am not going all in on the Patriots, but with this defense, and of course the great coach of all time in Bill Belichick, who guided last years depleted roster and poor QB play to a 7-9 record, New England has to be considered a wild card contender.
The Patriots don’t have any immediate needs to fill in the draft. They are definitely a possible contender, with their collection of ten picks, to trade up into the top five to draft a top quarterback. If they don’t trade up, the focus should just be on taking the best available player at each spot. Based on the Patriots’ recent draft struggles, that may be the best strategy. Bill, if you’re reading this, don’t overthink it!
23) Carolina Panthers
2020 Record/Finish: 5-11, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Sam Darnold (QB), Pat Elflein (OG), Haason Reddick (EDGE), A.J. Bouye (CB), Dan Arnold (TE), Denzel Perryman (LB), Rashaan Melvin (CB) Cameron Erving (OT), David Moore (WR)
Key Losses: Curtis Samuel (WR), Mike Davis (RB), Kawann Short (DT), Tre Boston (S), Corn Elder (CB), Teddy Bridgewater (QB)
Key Retentions: Taylor Moton (OT), John Miller (OG)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P8, R2 P39, R3 P73, R4 P113, R5 P151, R6 P191, R6 P193, R6 P222
The Panthers, very quietly, had an impressive offseason. They franchise tagged star tackle Taylor Moton, picked up Denzel Perryman, A.J. Bouye and Haason Reddick to bolster their defense, and, most recently, traded for Sam Darnold without having to give up a first rounder. I think Darnold, who obviously needed a fresh start, has a real chance to thrive with a healthy Christian McCaffrey next to him and an underrated receiver duo in D.J. Moore and former Jets teammate Robby Anderson. I loved the culture Matt Rhule built in year one, and I am expecting an improvement in year two. We’ve entered the tier of teams in the rankings that I’d be surprised if they made the playoffs, but I do think Carolina is going in the right direction.
Like many teams, the focus of Carolina’s seven picks should be in the trenches. They have needs everywhere on both lines other than Moton’s right tackle spot. I also think Carolina, at pick number eight, is an intriguing option to take one of the elite wide receiver prospects in Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. Carolina has needs pretty much everywhere but at running back, and now quarterback, so this 2021 draft is extraordinarily important for them.
24) Chicago Bears
2020 Record/Finish: 8-8, Lost in Wild Card Round
Key Additions: Andy Dalton (QB), Desmond Trufant (CB), Damien Williams (RB), Elijah Wilkinson (OT)
Key Losses: Kyle Fuller (CB), Mitchell Trubisky (QB), Brent Urban (DE), Roy Robertson-Harris (DT)
Key Retentions: Allen Robinson (WR), Mario Edwards Jr. (DE), Germain Ifedi (OL), Cario Santos (K) Artie Burns (CB)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P20, R2 P52, R3 P83, R5 P164, R6 P204, R6 P209, R6 P221, R6 P228
The Trubisky era in Chicago is over, bring on the… Andy Dalton era! In all seriousness, everyone has crushed the Dalton signing, and I get it is super boring, but this team did make the playoffs with Trubisky last year. I’m not saying they’ll make the playoffs again, and even if they do, after last year’s performance, don’t let them play, but is Dalton not an upgrade? Regardless, the Bears are stuck in quarterback hell with Dalton, no top pick, and no Russell Wilson trade, so their upside is immediately capped. They also released Kyle Fuller, star cornerback, as a cap casualty, proving that (more) tough times are coming for the Bears. They were (sadly, for fans of him like me) able to franchise tag Allen Robinson, so that is a free agency win for them. Other than those moves, it was a pretty inconsequential offseason for the Bears as they lost starting defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris and added has-beens Damien Williams and Desmond Trufant.
The Bears have needs all over the field, so at pick 20, they will most likely go with the highest remaining player on the board. For the rest of their eight picks, the focus should be in the secondary, at linebacker and on the offensive line.
25) Atlanta Falcons
2020 Record/Finish: 4-12, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Mike Davis (RB), Erik Harris (S), Brandon Copeland (LB), Cordarrelle Patterson (RB)
Key Losses: Alex Mack (C), Keanu Neal (LB), Ricardo Allen (S), Damontae Kazee (CB), Charles Harris (EDGE)
Key Retentions: None
2021 Draft Picks: (9) R1 P4, R2 P35, R3 P68, R4 P108, R5 P148, R5 P182, R5 P183, R6 P187, R6 P219
It’s incredible to think that it has only been five seasons since Matt Ryan won MVP and the Falcons were minutes away from winning their first Super Bowl. Now, Arthur Smith has arrived, and the Falcons need to begin thinking about the future. They did almost nothing in free agency, not a surprise given their cap situation, really only adding Mike Davis, who has to be an upgrade over the old man posing as Todd Gurley last season. They lost a handful of veterans including center Alex Mack and linebacker/safety Keanu Neal and seem to be debating whether or not to stick with their current core under Smith or to blow it up.
On a positive note for Atlanta, the have options-galore at the number four pick in the draft. They could pick to anoint either Trey Lance or Justin Fields as the Ryan successor, they could trade the pick and add assets from a QB-desperate team, or they could triple down on their strength and pair Kyle Pitts with star wide receiver duo Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. The overall focus of the draft needs to be in the secondary and on the offensive line.
26) Cincinnati Bengals
2020 Record/Finish: 4-11-1, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Trey Hendrickson (DE), Riley Reiff (OT), Chidobe Awuzie (CB), Mike Hilton (CB), Larry Ogunjobi (DL), Ricardo Allen (S)
Key Losses: Geno Atkins (DT), William Jackson (CB), A.J. Green (WR), Carl Lawson (EDGE), Giovani Bernard (RB), B.J. Finney (C), John Ross (WR)
Key Retentions: Mike Daniels (DL), Kevin Huber (P)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P5, R2 P38, R3 P69, R4 P111, R5 P149, R6 P190, R7 P202, R7 P235
The Bengals are not a good team, but I did absolutely love how they helped Joe Burrow in free agency. The brought in one of the best veteran tackles on the market with Riley Reiff, and on defense they added Trey Hendrickson on the edge, Mike Hilton in the slot and Chidobe Awuzie at the outside corner. They did have to cut defensive tackle Geno Atkins, one of the franchise’s best players ever, in order to sign Reiff, but the o-line should be taking priority. Expectations should not be too high for Burrow in year two off a torn ACL, but the Bengals should have improved enough to win more than four games in 2021.
With the fifth pick, the Bengals need to make the easy choice and reward Burrow with another weapon. They have to go with either Ja’Marr Chase or Kyle Pitts. Realistically, they should be asking their franchise quarterback to make the final decision on which star to go with. If they go with Pitts, they need to also add a receiver in the later rounds, and vice versa if they go with Chase. For their six other picks, the priority should be on the interior offensive line and at linebacker.
27) Denver Broncos
2020 Record/Finish: 5-11, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Kyle Fuller (CB), Ronald Darby (CB), Teddy Bridgewater (QB), Mike Boone (RB)
Key Losses: Phillip Lindsay (RB), A.J. Bouye (CB), Jurrell Casey (DT), Elijah Wilkinson (CHI)
Key Retentions: Justin Simmons (S), Von Miller (EDGE), Kareem Jackson (S), Shelby Harris (DT)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R1 P9, R2 P40, R3 P71, R4 P114, R5 P152, R7 P237, R7 P239, R7 P253
The Denver Broncos have a quarterback problem. This isn’t breaking news, and as everybody knows, they’ve had a quarterback problem since Peyton Manning retired. Drew Lock struggled to stay healthy last year, and when he was playing, he was subpar. They traded for Teddy Bridgewater, but I doubt he is a long-term solution. With Courtland Sutton back healthy, their offensive weapons are actually above average. This means that Lock or Bridgewater or a potential drafted QB should be expected to produce right away. In free agency, they made Justin Simmons the highest paid safety in the league, accepted Von Miller’s team option and signed starting cornerbacks Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby. The defense is nowhere near as good as the defense that carried the Broncos to a Super Bowl in 2015, but they should be one of the better units in the league. With a clear starting quarterback, I’d like Denver as a sleeper, but right now they’re in the bottom tier of the league.
Since they are likely out of the top tier quarterback prospect market, their ninth overall pick should be used on either an offensive lineman or a linebacker. Penei Sewell and Rashawn Slater are offensive line options in that range, and Micah Parsons, the best linebacker prospect, should be on the board too. Those two spots, along with another attempt to get a QB, should be the priority for all nine of Denver’s picks.
28) Detroit Lions
2020 Record/Finish: 5-11, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Jared Goff (QB), Michael Brockers (DT), Jamaal Williams (RB), Breshad Perriman (WR), Quinton Dunbar (CB), Tyrell Williams (WR), Charles Harris (EDGE), Alex Anzalone (LB), Corn Elder (CB)
Key Losses: Matthew Stafford (QB), Kenny Golladay (WR), Marvin Jones Jr. (WR), Danny Shelton (DT), Justin Coleman (CB), Desmond Trufant (CB), Oday Aboushi (OG), Jarrad Davis (LB), Rashaan Melvin (CB), Matt Prater (K)
Key Retentions: Romeo Okwara (DE)
2021 Draft Picks: (6) R1 P7, R2 P41, R3 P72, R3 P101, R4 P112, R5 P153
The Detroit Lions have to be the most boring team in the NFL. We’ve now entered the tier of teams that are going to be avoid-at-all-costs-unless-your-a-fan for fantasy players and viewing. Not only did the trade Matthew Stafford, but they lost their top two receivers (Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr.) and a handful of other veterans. Breshad Perriman and Tyrell Williams, at wide receiver, and Jamaal Williams at running back provide Goff with a few good weapons to remain somewhat competitive against fellow bad teams. Alex Anzalone, Quinton Dunbar and Corn Elder should start on defense, but the best they can do is make a bad defense less bad.
The Lions lack talent on their current roster and lack draft picks, with only six. With so many holes, they should be another team that strictly drafts based on who they believe is the best available player. The main emphasis should be in the secondary, at linebacker and at wide receiver.
29) Philadelphia Eagles
2020 Record/Finish: 4-11-1, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Anthony Harris (S), Eric Wilson (LB), Joe Flacco (QB)
Key Losses: Carson Wentz (QB), Jalen Mills (S), Malik Jackson (DT), Alshon Jeffery (WR), DeSean Jackson (WR)
Key Retentions: None
2021 Draft Picks: (11) R1 P12, R2 P37, R3 P70, R3 P84, R4 P123, R5 P150, R6 P189, R6 P224, R6 P225, R7 P234, R7 P240
If you’re an Eagles fan, this free agency period had to be tough. Not only did they not make any big signing, but they lost multiple key pieces (Alshon Jeffery, Jalen Mills and even Carson Wentz) from their glory days that were somehow just a few years ago. Doug Pederson and Wentz are gone, so surprising Head Coach hire Nick Sirianni and second year Jalen Hurts have the keys to the franchise. Unfortunately for them, the Eagles’ roster is probably the worst in the league. They will be lucky to get back to the four wins and one tie they had last year. Which is fine, given the fact that they are in full rebuild mode.
The Eagles have the most picks in the league, 11, and they need them all. Aside from the defensive line, Philadelphia needs to improve everywhere. While they could spend their 11 picks in 11 difference places and still have holes to fill, they should be prioritizing wide receiver (DeVonta Smith or Jaylon Waddle should be there for them at pick 12), linebacker and the secondary.
30) New York Jets
2020 Record/Finish: 2-14, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Corey Davis (WR), Carl Lawson (DE), Sheldon Rankins (DT), Keelan Cole (WR), Jarrad Davis (LB), Lamarcus Joyner (S), Tevin Coleman (RB), Tyler Kroft (TE)
Key Losses: Sam Darnold (QB), Pat Elflein (OG), Breshad Perriman (WR), Tarell Basham (LB), Henry Anderson (DL), Jordan Jenkins (EDGE)
Key Retentions: Marcus Maye (S)
2021 Draft Picks: (10) R1 P2, R1 P23, R2 P34, R3 P66, R3 P86, R4 P107, R5 P146, R5 P154, R6 P186, R6 P226
This is a pre-draft power ranking, so I can’t truly assess the Jets. As much as I dislike the Jets, I must admit that their free agency was impressive. They used their plentiful cap space to bring new starters like Corey Davis, Carl Lawson, Sheldon Rankins and Lamarcus Joyner. They also get starting linebacker C.J. Mosley back from his opt-out. While you’d hope to get more from your number three overall pick just a few years ago, I think they got a nice haul in exchange for Sam Darnold. The Jets are trending in the right direction under new coach Robert Salah, but no matter what they do in the draft, the 2021 season will see them at the bottom of the league.
Zach Wilson, the presumptive number two overall pick will come to the Jets as their most hyped quarterback since… Sam Darnold. Hopes will be high for Wilson, who I am still not completely sold on (regardless of how good he looks rolling left and throwing right in his pro day against no defense), and he does not have instant franchise changing talent. Wilson should be able to step right into a starting role and instantly experience the difference between the NFL and BYU football. The Jets do have four other picks in the first three rounds, so they are set up very well to have a successful draft. Their non-Wilson focus should be on the offensive line and in the secondary.
31) Jacksonville Jaguars
2020 Record/Finish: 1-15, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Shaquill Griffin (CB), Marvin Jones Jr. (WR), Rayshawn Jenkins (S), Roy Robertson-Harris (DT), Carlos Hyde (RB), Rudy Ford (S), C.J. Beathard (QB)
Key Losses: Keelan Cole (WR), Chris Conley (WR)
Key Retentions: Cam Robinson (OT), Dawuane Smoot (DE), Sidney Jones (CB)
2021 Draft Picks: (10) R1 P1, R1 P25, R2 P33, R2 P45, R3 P65, R4 P106, R4 P130, R5 P145, R5 P170, R7 P249
The Jaguars entered free agency with Urban Meyer and a ton of cap space. Honestly, given the money they had, I am slightly underwhelmed that they came away with Shaquill Griffin, Marvin Jones Jr. and Rayshawn Jenkins as their best signings. Overall, this is mostly the same roster as the one that went 1-15 last year. They’ll get an instant boost and a bright future which their number one pick, but don’t expect many wins for the Jags in 2021.
Everyone knows the Jaguars will reaping the benefits of their successful tank job by selecting Trevor Lawrence with the number one pick. Lawrence is, rightfully, the most hyped draft prospect since Andrew Luck, so that is a no brainer. The key for Jacksonville will be filling their roster holes through the draft with non-Lawrence picks. They own ten picks, including four in the first two rounds, and should be going all-in on Lawrence. They need to prioritize the offensive line and getting offensive weapons, while also building their linebacker group and secondary.
32) Houston Texans
2020 Record/Finish: 4-12, Missed Playoffs
Key Additions: Desmond King (CB), Phillip Lindsay (RB), Tyrod Taylor (QB), Marcus Cannon (OT), Shaq Lawson (DE), Jordan Jenkins (LB), Terrance Mitchell (CB), Justin Britt (OL), Mark Ingram (RB), Kamu Grugier-Hill (LB)
Key Losses: J.J. Watt (DE), Will Fuller (WR), Nick Martin (C), Zach Fulton (OG), Benardrick McKinney (LB)
Key Retentions: Roderick Johnson (OT), Vernon Hargreaves III (CB)
2021 Draft Picks: (8) R3 P67, R4 P109, R5 P147, R5 P158, R6 P195, R6 P203, R6 212, R7 P233
Simply put, the Houston Texans are a dumpster fire. Their franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson, who’s misconduct allegations are looking worse and worse with each passing day, has already made clear that he has no intention of playing for the team again. Watson problems aside, the Texans added about 50 players in free agency and none of them are difference makers. Even if they were difference makers, it wouldn’t matter as they (probably) have no quarterback and don’t have a pick in round one or round two. If the Astros couldn’t lose their World Series Trophy, at least the city of Houston is going to lose their three biggest sports stars of the past decade in a six-month span, and that isn’t even including the cheater George Springer.
It isn’t even worth wasting words on the Texans’ draft needs because the answer is everything. They should definitely draft a quarterback, because what quarterback would ever come to the Texans willingly. They need everything but cornerback on defense and everything but running back and left tackle on offense. If I were Nick Caserio, I would explore the rules to see if it is legal to trade your entire roster and just build a full team in the draft.