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There are still three months until the 2021 NFL Draft, and anything can happen at that time. Team needs will change, lead rankings will fluctuate, and management of many franchises will pivot. Even once we get to draft night, we might have some surprises.
We asked our NFL Nation reporters for the teams selected in the top 10 to review some quirky scenarios that could happen and could kick off their plans for a loop. These are simulation situations that teams with high choices will need to consider and be ready for. So after reading what our own Mel Kiper Jr. predicted for each pick, now see what could happen if things go off the rails on draft night. Here are 10 scenarios and how the top 10 teams could approach them, starting with a big commercial offer for the Jaguars.
Jump to:
JAX | NYJ | MIA ATL CIN
PHI | DET | CAR | DEN | VALLEY
See: Kiper Simulation Project
What would the Jaguars do here if … the Jets offered their two first-round picks (nos. 2 and 23) and their first round of 2022 for the top spot overall?
They said: “Thank you, but no thank you”. The Jaguars can’t afford to pass Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. He’s considered one of QB’s best prospects since Peyton Manning, and there’s a big gap between him and the other available callers in the draft. New coach Urban Meyer said having the top pick this year is one of the things that made Jacksonville’s job so appealing. Lawrence changes a lot for this team.
In addition, owner Shad Khan said: “What has escaped the history of the Jags is actually a franchise quarterback. And I think what’s unique is that we now have the ability to make a choice, and that will define the franchise going forward. ”Jacksonville takes Lawrence and never looks back. – Michael DiRocco
What would the Jets do here if … they made a commitment to make Sam Darnold their starting quarterback for 2021?
They would be soliciting offers for the No.2 pick, hoping to back down for some extra draft capital. The Jets have nine picks in the first three rounds, and GM Joe Douglas would like to add at least two more. He has a lot of holes to fill, including in attack. If Darnold stays in New York, he needs a better supporting cast, and more draft picks would help the team get there.
But if the Jets can’t find a way to negotiate, I would look for them to take an offensive player to help Darnold, whether it’s Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell or a top notch wide receiver like DeVonta Smith or LSU from Alabama. Ja’Marr Chase. – Rich Cimini
What would the Dolphins do here if … the Jets took DeVonta Smith at No.2?
The Dolphins would likely strongly consider discount offers from teams needing QB in the top 10. A trade, perhaps with the 8th-place Panthers, could return a 2022 first-round pick or multiple second-round picks, their giving more resources to improve a booming file.
If nothing attracts them, they would likely pick tackle Penei Sewell or wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase with the No.3 pick. These moves would further consolidate the offensive line around quarterback Tua Tagovailoa or give him a game-changer. outside. Of course, Smith would be a great fit for the Dolphins and Tagovailoa, but there are other options here. – Cameron Wolfe
What would the Falcons do here if … quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields and Zach Wilson went 1-2-3?
Well they have a few options. First, they could pass the piece of paper with tackle Penei Sewell’s name on it to lock in the pick as quickly as possible, securing a staple for the next decade. You can’t go wrong with this decision. Second, they could find a playmaker to help quarterback Matt Ryan. His contract makes it difficult to part with him, so the Falcons might as well help him as much as they can in this scenario. These playmakers could include WR DeVonta Smith, WR Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) or even TE Kyle Pitts (Florida). One of them alongside Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones would give the offense a boost.
One more possibility if it were this: What would the Bengals offer Atlanta to earn a spot and stop Atlanta from taking Sewell? Could the Falcons get some extra draft capital while getting one of these offensive weapons? – Michael DiRocco
What would the Bengals do here if … they signed offensive tackle Taylor Moton or guard Joe Thuney in free agency in March (and OT Penei Sewell is off the board)?
In that scenario, the Bengals will have a lot more options at No.5, given that they’ve already helped with the main task of protecting quarterback Joe Burrow. If the needs on the offensive line are met, Cincinnati may consider making Burrow a big weapon in the passing game like Ja’Marr Chase. Remember, Chase played LSU with Burrow. It is the logical decision if free will and the editorial board fall this way.
But the fun choice? How about Kyle Pitts in Florida? He could take Burrow and the Bengals’ offense to another level and has the potential to be a game-changer for years to come. – Well baby
What would the Eagles do here if … receivers DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase were both off the field?
The Eagles certainly need the help of a wide receiver, but there are issues elsewhere as well. Cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II (Alabama) or Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech) would be interesting options. The Eagles have struggled to secure consistent production from the CB2 spot behind Darius Slay this season. Slay and Surtain could be a medium punch. Otherwise, Philly is always on the lookout for offensive and defensive linemen, although Penei Sewell is unlikely to fall that far.
And if the Eagles still want to be a wide receiver, Jaylen Waddle – another former Alabama quarterback Jalen Hurts teammate – is the exact type of explosive playmaker the Eagles tend to gravitate towards. – Tim McManus
What would the Lions do here if … they soon trade quarterback Matthew Stafford?
The situation opens up very real possibilities. If the Lions fall in love with quarterbacks Justin Fields or Zach Wilson, they may have to leave their current spot to land either player. If Detroit remains in 7th place, North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance could be a player to watch, especially if the Lions sign a bridge quarterback to allow him to sit behind and to learn for a year. Lance has incredible talent but is very young – he will be 20 by the time of the draft – so he’s intriguing for a rebuilding team.
Quarterback seems like the way forward for Detroit, but if one isn’t needed with that pick, a player like Penn State inside linebacker Micah Parsons would help reignite a weakened defense. – Michael Rothstein
What would the Panthers do here if … a team had already traded for tight end Kyle Pitts?
Start by looking at the best quarterback in the table. Justin Fields or Zach Wilson have they fallen? Carolina will need to assess whether Fields, Wilson or Trey Lance – whichever is still available – could be an upgrade on the current Hall of Panthers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, PJ Walker and Will Grier.
Beyond QB, Penei Sewell is unlikely to fall this far, and the other offensive tackles don’t deserve to be in the top 10. But a linebacker like Micah Parsons might be a good choice. – David Newton
What would the Broncos do here if … Justin Fields or Zach Wilson still weren’t picked?
Let’s start by saying that we don’t really know what new GM George Paton thinks about the player – or current QB Drew Lock. And in the new power structure, Paton’s preferences for the job mean everything for what the team will do over the next few months. He says he’s yet to assess Lock’s work from last season but has seen enough to believe Lock can develop further. But he also said that playing QB is one of the biggest elements of long term success and that he will take everything into consideration in the post.
So it’s hard to say for sure at the moment, as Denver still has some reviews to do on Lock. But at the end of the day, the Broncos are sure to give Fields and Wilson each a long look. – Jeff Legwold
What would the Cowboys do here if … no defenseman had been picked yet and they could get one on the set?
It’s a simple answer, but they would take the best defender available. Who is so far is not yet clear. Cornerback is in great need, so Patrick Surtain II and Caleb Farley would be great options, especially with Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis set to become free agents. The Cowboys feel like they’ve hit another corner of Alabama in last year’s draft, Trevon Diggs and Surtain have the makeup and game feel they crave. And Farley has the size, the speed, and the ability to play.
The bad news for the Cowboys is that there doesn’t seem to be a dominant player or defensive tackle worth catching at No.10, and it might be too early for a team like Dallas to leave. with a linebacker off the ball like Micah. Parsons, even with questions about Jaylon Smith’s future. – Todd Archer
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