SportsPulse: Mackenzie Salmon connected with one of the NFL Drafts’ top cornerback prospects in Washington’s Elijah Molden. Molden has recently been working out with Zach Wilson and Trevor Lawrence and shared what he thought of them as QBs.
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NFL free agency is (mostly) in the books. And we’ve already seen a slew of big trades. So with the calendar flipping to April, all eyes are turning toward this year’s NFL Draft with even more anticipation than usual.
In less than a month the speculation will give way to reality and the players that will shape the coming decade in the NFL will find their new homes. How will it all pan out?
Well, I played GM for every NFL team and went through the entire first round. There are a lot of tough choices and a lot of great players. The opening night of the draft will certainly be a wild ride. Here’s one way it could go.
1. Jaguars: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
Lawrence has been the prize of the 2021 draft from the beginning, and there’s no reason to believe that will change in the next few weeks. We’ll soon get to see if Lawrence and Urban Meyer can help get the Jags back on track.
2. Jets: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Lawrence has been the prize of the 2021 draft from the beginning, and there’s no reason to believe that will change in the next few weeks. We’ll soon get to see if Lawrence and Urban Meyer can help get the Jags back on track.
3. 49ers: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
The 49ers traded up to get a quarterback, obviously, and Fields is the perfect one for Kyle Shanahan’s offense. He’ll also get time to learn under Jimmy Garoppolo, if he doesn’t win the starting job in training camp.
4. Falcons: QB Trey Lance, ND State
Four quarterbacks in the first four picks of the NFL Draft? We’ve never seen that before. But each one of these guys have the talent and brains to change everything for a franchise. Lance is no exception, and he’s a good fit in Atlanta as Matt Ryan’s replacement.
Former North Dakota State QB Trey Lance (5) never lost a game in college. (Photo: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports)
5. Bengals: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Cincinnati got its quarterback last year with No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow. Now they get a key piece to protect him in Sewell, who is the best tackle in this draft by a wide margin.
6. Dolphins: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
The tight ends arms race in the AFC East gets another dramatic escalation with Miami adding a weapon early in the draft. But Pitts is more than just a tight end, he’s a versatile and big target who can make plays lining up all over the field. A perfect weapon for Miami’s young quarterback.
7. Lions: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
The latest rebuild in Detroit gets a huge jolt of electricity with the best receiver in the draft. Chase gives the Lions a young weapon they can build around and a player who can help them immediately get the most out of Jared Goff.
8. Panthers: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Carolina has one of the best, most creative play-callers in the league in Joe Brady. And he gets to mold perhaps the most reliable quarterback in this draft. It’s a perfect match and it’s hard to imagine the Panthers not getting the most out of Jones.
9. Broncos: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
With the top quarterbacks off the board, Denver has no choice but to give Drew Lock another shot — or perhaps trade for Sam Darnold? Either way they need some help on the offensive line, and Slater should be a long-term building block for whenever the Broncos do find their quarterback.
10. Cowboys: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
They need help at cornerback and something about this just feels right. Surtain has the right temperament and aggressive play style to be the latest in a long line of high-profile, successful Cowboys defensive backs.
11. Giants: LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
The Giants haven’t drafted a truly great linebacker since Carl Banks. Parsons, the best linebacker in this draft, could be the perfect fit for Joe Judge’s defense after the Giants spent big at receiver in free agency.
12. Eagles: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
We all know what Smith is capable of after his 2020 Heisman campaign, and he will be the ideal fit as a multidimensional playmaker to build around in the Eagles’ offense.
13. Chargers: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
He’s projected by some as the best cornerback in this draft. And landing with the Chargers, and new defensive-minded head coach Brandon Staley, should be the perfect place for him to reach his potential.
14. Vikings: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
The offensive line has been an issue for the Vikings, who are still hoping to contend with Kirk Cousins at quarterback. Darrisaw is the right solution for the short- and long-haul.
15. Patriots: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Bill Belichick spent big in free agency to make sure Cam Newton had better weapons in 2021, and he doesn’t pass on the chance to get a receiver who would be picked in the top 10 any other year. Waddle could be the key piece of the Pats’ reboot.
16. Cardinals: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
Another elite cornerback who has chance of going off the board even earlier. Horn gives the Cardinals some much-needed cornerback depth as they look to become contenders after a strong 2020 season.
17. Raiders: S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
This really felt like a great spot for Jon Gruden to find an edge rusher, but Moehrig is the best safety in the draft and he’d be a good fit in the Raiders’ defense.
18. Dolphins: DL Christian Barmore, Alabama
After adding a big-time weapon to their offense with their first pick, the Dolphins fill a big hole in the defense with one of the best defensive lineman in college football. Barmore should contribute immediately.
19. Washington: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
They have so many needs it’s hard to choose just one. But with the quarterbacks long gone, it makes sense for Washington to fill a key spot on defense with the linebacker who has perhaps the highest upside in the draft.
20. Bears: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Sure, Allen Robinson is returning, but the Bears still need receiver help and it’s far too late for them to get involved in the quarterback game. Bateman enters a great situation as a key weapon for Andy Dalton.
21. Colts: EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
After a typically quiet free agency, the Colts make a big splash by landing the best edge rusher in the draft. Ojulari’s athleticism and versatility make him an ideal fit in one of the league’s best defenses.
22. Titans: WR Terrace Marshall Jr., LSU
Marshall already proved he can carry an offense as LSU’s best weapon in 2020. Now he gets the chance to prove it at the next level as the Titans next big-time target.
23. Jets: OL Alijah Vera-Tucker
GM Joe Douglas loves versatile offensive linemen, and Vera-Tucker has the potential to play guard and tackle. But he’ll likely fit perfectly at guard where the Jets desperately need help.
24. Steelers: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
They need a running back to get the most out of their offense and Etienne has the skillset to contribute right away for a team that views itself as contender.
25. Jaguars: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
Cosmi has flown under the radar a bit, but he’s proven and experienced. And he’s the perfect fit to be a long-time protector for the new franchise quarterback in Jacksonville.
26. Browns: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Cosmi has flown under the radar a bit, but he’s proven and experienced. And he’s the perfect fit to be a long-time protector for the new franchise quarterback in Jacksonville.
27. Ravens: EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Phillips has more potential than edge rusher in this draft. He would be an ideal fit for th Ravens, who need pass-rushing help after losing Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon in free agency.
28. Saints: CB Greg Newsome II, Northwestern
Newsome is projected by most to be off the board by this stage of the draft, but given the needs of the teams ahead and the crazy depth in this draft, the Saints get a steal to fill a key position of need.
29. Packers: WR Rondale Moore, Purdue
Let’s be honest, they owe Aaron Rodgers a weapon after drafting a quarterback in the first round last year. Perhaps Moore’s big-play ability can help the Packers get over the hump in 2021.
30. Bills: CB Asante Samuel, Jr., FSU
Lost in Buffalo’s great season is the reality that the defense took a step back in 2020. Samuel should help address some of their issues in coverage.
31. Chiefs: EDGE Gregory Rosseau, Miami
After focusing on the offensive line during free agency, the Chiefs look to defense early in the draft. Rosseau has big upside and should fit the KC defense well.
32. Buccaneers: EDGE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
They won a Super Bowl and got their star edge rusher Shaq Barrett back under contract. But the Bucs use the final pick of the first round to make their pass rush even more fearsome.
Andy Vasquez is the Jets beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Jets analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: vasqueza@northjersey.com
Twitter: @andy_vasquez