2021 NFL Draft News & Rumors

Latest On Sam Darnold, Panthers’ Draft Plans

April 22nd, 2021 at 9:00am CST by Rory Parks

Shortly after the Panthers’ trade for quarterback Sam Darnold was completed, it was reported that Carolina would pick up Darnold’s fifth-year option for 2022. After all, it wouldn’t make sense for the team to trade three draft picks for a young passer without giving that passer at least two seasons to show what he can do.

However, the club has not exercised the option just yet. As Joe Person of The Athletic points out, virtually no teams have made official decisions on the fifth-year options for their 2018 first-rounders (the deadline to do so is May 3). So it could simply be that the Panthers’ brass just hasn’t gotten around to it.

Or, it could mean that the club is waiting to see if a collegiate passer it likes falls to its No. 8 overall selection. According to Person, the Panthers are not in love with Trey Lance or Mac Jones, and it’s a foregone conclusion that Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson will be the first two players off the board. So if Ohio State signal-caller Justin Fields — who is said to “intrigue” the Carolina front office — is there for the taking at No. 8, perhaps he could be the pick, which could lead to Darnold having his fifth-year option declined.

A source tells Person that Darnold’s option is still expected to be exercised. And with the Panthers having emerged as a legitimate trade-down candidate, perhaps this is all part of a ploy to drive up the price of the No. 8 pick. A trade down the board would allow Carolina to recoup some much-needed draft capital while still putting the team in range for one of the draft’s top cornerbacks (according to Person, the Panthers are high on several first-round CB prospects). Although Oregon’s Penei Sewell will likely be gone by the time the Panthers are on the clock, another quality LT could be had at No. 8 or a little bit later if the team chooses to move down.

In addition to Darnold, Carolina also has another 2018 first-rounder, D.J. Moore, to make a fifth-year decision on. The Panthers will almost certainly exercise his option, which checks in at $11.116MM, so the team may need to part with Robby Anderson in 2022. Which means, as David Newton of ESPN.com writes, a wide receiver like Alabama’s DeVonta Smith or Jaylen Waddle could be in play. Either receiver would go a long way towards helping Darnold both this year and in the future.

Justin Fields Informs Teams Of Epilepsy Diagnosis

April 21st, 2021 at 1:59pm CST by Sam Robinson

Justin Fields revealed to teams he has managed epilepsy during his football career, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL.com report.

Although Fields was diagnosed with the neurological disorder many years ago, teams became aware of the condition during the pre-draft process. While epilepsy can cause seizures, it is not believed to have impeded Fields’ football career. His bouts with symptoms have become less frequent in recent years, Rapoport and Pelissero note.

Team staffs have discussed treatment plans for Fields, per NFL.com, and whether concussions could place him at greater risk. Fields has not missed games because of epilepsy, which has affected other members of his family. The former Ohio State quarterback has indicated he does not battle seizures, so long as he takes his medication, and NFL.com notes doctors are confident he will move past symptoms. Members of Fields’ family have done so.

Fields is expected to be taken early in the first round. He would not be the only player to go through an NFL career with epilepsy. Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca, longtime cornerback starter Samari Rolle and former running back Jason Snelling battled it during their careers as well. Rolle missed six games due to the condition in 2007. Epilepsy affects over three million Americans.

Cardinals Eyeing CBs, Jaylen Waddle?

April 21st, 2021 at 12:52pm CST by Sam Robinson

Quarterbacks and other top-10 prospects have dominated this year’s draft discussions, overshadowing the rest of this year’s class. The Cardinals hold pick No. 16 and are considering multiple paths, including one that involves a highly coveted pass catcher.

Arizona is interested in cornerbacks Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn, per ProFootballNetwork.com’s Tony Pauline, who adds the team is also eyeing Jaylen Waddle. However, it is quite possible all three of these players will be gone by the time the Cardinals go on the clock. This would point the Steve Keim-run team to a trade-up scenario.

The Cards gave A.J. Green a one-year, $6MM deal to see if he can rediscover his pre-2019 form. They have Christian Kirk, but he is going into a contract year and has not been especially consistent as a pro. Larry Fitzgerald remains unsigned and is expected to retire after 17 seasons. Waddle would certainly make for a flashy DeAndre Hopkins complementary piece, but the Cards would almost certainly have to trade up to land him.

Patrick Peterson defected to the Vikings in free agency, and although Arizona agreed to terms with Malcolm Butler, he is going into his age-31 season. The Cardinals have Byron Murphy signed through 2022 but could use additional help at corner. Surtain has been viewed as a player likely to go off the board in the top half of the first round for months, while Horn has made a late climb. However, Todd McShay’s latest ESPN.com mock has the South Carolina corner falling to the Cards at 16.

The team is believed to view linebacker Zaven Collins as a potential contingency plan, according to Pauline. A Tulsa product, Collins has a versatile skill set that could be utilized as a pass rusher or pure linebacker. The Cards going in this direction would be interesting, given Haason Reddick‘s struggles in a hybrid role for most of his Arizona tenure and the team’s selection of versatile ‘backer Isaiah Simmons in last year’s first round.

Dolphins Open To Drafting DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle?

April 21st, 2021 at 9:40am CST by Sam Robinson

A report earlier this offseason indicated the Dolphins wanted to add a boundary wide receiver and a slot target. The team checked off the first of those boxes by signing Will Fuller and may be preparing to finish this mission in Round 1.

Rumblings of another Dolphins trade-down maneuver have surfaced, with the team appearing open to moving down again — perhaps if another team wants to fork over major assets for a quarterback. The Dolphins would be put to a decision in this case, because they may not want to move down too far. The team would not mind ending up with one of the two Alabama wide receivers — DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle — if Kyle Pitts and Ja’Marr Chase are not available, according to the Miami Herald’s Barry Jackson.

Both Pitts and Chase be gone by the time the Dolphins go on the clock at No. 6. The Bengals continue to be linked to Chase at No. 5. If Pitts is still there at 6, the Dolphins should be expected to draft him, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). But if the Dolphins believe they can land Smith or Waddle a bit later than 6, the right offer could prompt the team to pull the trigger on a trade before the draft.

Should both the Alabama prospects be available whenever the Dolphins’ first pick ends up, Albert Breer of SI.com notes the team is believed to be high on Waddle.

Miami acquired a bounty from San Francisco late last month, collecting the No. 12 pick, two future first-rounders and a 2021 third for the No. 3 selection. The Dolphins may be preparing to capitalize on another quarterback-needy team. A team like the Broncos, who hold pick No. 9 and have discussed moving up, may be a fit for another Dolphins trade-down maneuver. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay’s latest ESPN mock draft has Waddle and Smith falling to the Nos. 11 and 12 spots.

Climbing back from 12 to 6, however, via the trade with the Eagles seemingly indicates the Dolphins want to equip Tua Tagovailoa with another weapon. Tagovailoa played with Smith and Waddle at Alabama; each of his former Crimson Tide teammates would be a major upgrade for the Dolphins and would join Fuller and DeVante Parker in a formidable receiver group.

Panthers Discussing Trading Down From No. 8 Slot; Broncos Exploring Move Up

April 20th, 2021 at 3:33pm CST by Sam Robinson

New Panthers GM Scott Fitterer comes from a Seahawks organization that has made some notable trade-down maneuvers. Carolina is now interested in moving back.

The Panthers have held discussions with other teams about trading out of their No. 8 overall draft slot, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets. Carolina has been linked to a possible quarterback pick, with Fitterer indicating the team’s trade for Sam Darnold would not impede such a move. However, the Panthers could also deal the pick to a team with a greater QB need.

With the Broncos picking ninth, a team moving up to the Panthers’ No. 8 spot would make sense. Teams are viewing Denver as a stealth quarterback seeker, though given the Broncos’ glaring need, it is rather obvious to see why teams would be interested in trading into the Panthers’ position.

The rebuilding Panthers are interested in accumulating more draft capital this year, Peter King of NBC Sports notes. Carolina currently holds seven picks. Interest in adding to that total may result in the Broncos being dealt a blow, one that would possibly make them attempt to trade up. Denver has indeed discussed moving up, according to SI.com’s Albert Breer (on Twitter). The Broncos hold nine picks in this year’s draft, but the only additional selections are seventh-rounders. A move up would surely cost at least one high pick in 2022.

Washington, the Bears and the Patriots have been linked to potential trade-ups for quarterbacks. It is possible the No. 8 spot could be where the fifth quarterback goes, should the Panthers move down. Of course, the Falcons’ decision at 4 will play a big part in determining what the QB situation looks like at 8. Plenty of moving parts exist going into this year’s top 10, and it seems the Panthers are willing to help another team’s cause — for a likely significant price.

The Panthers are not the only team connected to a possible trade-down maneuver. The Dolphins, Lions and Giants — who hold Nos. 6, 7 and 11, respectively — have expressed interest in accumulating more picks as well. All three would represent spots for teams with designs on acquiring one of the top five quarterbacks. The Panthers may well have thrown their hat in this ring as well.

Draft Rumors: Chase, Lions, Lance, Patriots

April 20th, 2021 at 1:24pm CST by Sam Robinson

Either the Bengals are crafting a layered smokescreen operation, or they are ready to eschew their top need to load up at wide receiver. Oregon tackle Penei Sewell is expected to be on the board when the Bengals go on the clock at No. 5, but Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic notes “all signs” point to the team picking LSU wideout Ja’Marr Chase (subscription required). This marks another Chase-to-Cincinnati connection. Such a move would reunite Chase and Joe Burrow and give the Bengals a top-flight trio of Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins. This would come at the expense of a key O-line pick, though the Bengals did sign Riley Reiff to join Jonah Williams at tackle. And director of player personnel Duke Tobin pointed to this draft’s depth on the O-line, believing the team can acquire a starter on Day 2. Despite Burrow suffering a major knee injury behind a leaky line last season, he is believed to have made an effort to sell Bengal brass on Chase. The 2020 opt-out is viewed as this draft’s top wide receiver.

Here is the latest news coming out of the draft:

The Lions have made noise as a team interested in trading down, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. Many around the league believe the Bengals and Dolphins will stay at their Nos. 5 and 6 positions, though the Dolphins have since surfaced as a team considering another move down the board. Should Cincy and Miami stay at their respective spots, Detroit would emerge as a team willing to auction off its pick to a quarterback-seeking team. One or two QBs figure to be on the board when the Lions go on the clock at No. 7, and while new GM Brad Holmes has said he studied this year’s QBs, Jared Goff has received internal support. And the Lions are in a full-on rebuild; trading down could net them a third 2022 first-round pick.
The Patriots sent staffers to Justin Fields and Trey Lance‘s second pro days. Although the Pats re-signed Cam Newton and have not chosen a first-round quarterback since Drew Bledsoe 28 years ago — well before Bill Belichick‘s HC tenure — Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com writes the team would like to take one in this year’s first round. Belichick generally runs a tight ship ahead of drafts, with advance intel difficult to come by, but a recent report also indicated the Pats are on the QB radar — potentially as a trade-up team.
Although a previous report had Washington reps attending Lance’s second pro day, Breer notes Ron Rivera‘s team was not in Fargo, N.D., for the Division I-FCS prospect’s second showcase. The 49ers, Falcons, Broncos and Patriots were there. The 49ers were the only team to send its head coach or GM; both Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch were there. Lack of attendance aside, Washington is believed to be high on Lance. The team might not be interested in climbing too high for him, but if Lance falls into the bottom half of the top 10, Washington may pounce.

Arthur Blank ‘Fascinated’ By Draft’s Top QBs

April 20th, 2021 at 11:59am CST by Sam Robinson

Falcons owner Arthur Blank referenced the Chiefs’ Alex Smith-to-Patrick Mahomes baton pass in February, when discussing his team’s quarterback situation. Blank appears interested in his franchise traversing such a path.

The Falcons hold their highest draft choice since selecting Matt Ryan 13 years ago, and NBC Sports’ Peter King reports Blank is “fascinated” by this year’s top crop of quarterbacks. The prospect of the Falcons capitalizing on their rare top-five pick to acquire Ryan’s heir apparent has factored into Blank’s thinking here.

While the longtime Atlanta owner could throw his weight around and insist his new regime go for a quarterback at No. 4 overall, King adds that Blank will not push Terry Fontenot and Arthur Smith in a direction. Smith is also believed to be intrigued by this QB class, King notes, but the first-year Falcons HC also believes Ryan still has quality football left. When a report surfaced indicating Smith and Fontenot disagreed on how the team should proceed with the No. 4 pick, Smith was said to prefer drafting a non-quarterback. Fontenot, however, was believed to be leaning closer to the Falcons indeed selecting Ryan’s successor.

Despite a subsequent report indicating Smith and Fontenot came to an understanding on what they will do at 4, Blank and his new GM being linked to QB interest could throw a wrench into this year’s draft. The Falcons are entertaining all options at 4 and have received calls. Should they select a quarterback, not only would this be the first draft ever to begin with four straight QBs being chosen, but the rest of the QB-seeking lot — a list that includes several teams — would be down to one of this year’s top five passers for which to vie. This would apply pressure on the likes of Denver, New England, Washington and Chicago.

The Falcons sent three staffers — assistant college scouting director Dwaune Jones, QBs coach Charles London and passing-game specialist T.J. Yates — to Trey Lance‘s second pro day, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. They also sent the maximum three staffers to Justin Fields‘ second pro day last week. While the 49ers will control which quarterbacks are available for the Falcons at 4, the latter team could follow San Francisco’s QB pick with one of its own.

Giants Trading Down From No. 11 In Play

April 20th, 2021 at 11:02am CST by Sam Robinson

While history certainly suggests the Giants will not move down from their No. 11 overall draft slot, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets this is a scenario the team is considering.

GM Dave Gettleman, famously, has not traded down in any round during eight drafts as a GM — five with the Panthers, three back with the Giants. The Giants have not moved down in Round 1 since 2006, when they traded back with the Steelers and drafted Mathias Kiwanuka at No. 32. But the team has done extensive work on an edge rusher class that may not feature a talent worth selecting at No. 11 overall.

The Giants have also been linked to adding another wide receiver, and a trade-down scenario may depend on whether Alabama stars DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle are on the board at 11. Big Blue, however, already handed out the top wideout contract (by far) this offseason, in signing Kenny Golladay to an $18MM-per-year deal. The Giants have Golladay, Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton penciled in as their top three receivers.

New York has been in need on the edge for years. The team did not address the position with a notable draft pick last year and has since traded Markus Golden and let 2020 stopgap solution Kyler Fackrell walk in free agency; he signed with the Chargers. The Giants do feature high-end talent on their defensive line, with Leonard Williams signing a monster extension this offseason, but certainly could use help at outside linebacker. Moving down from No. 11 would put the team in better position, value-wise, to draft one in the first round.

The scenario that would obviously strengthen the Giants’ bargaining position at 11: one of this draft’s top quarterback prospects falling to this spot. The Giants have affirmed their faith in 2019 draftee Daniel Jones. Should Mac Jones, Trey Lance or Justin Fields be on the board at 11, the Giants would reside in a strong position to collect quality assets from a quarterback-seeking team — potentially the Patriots or Bears. However, this draft may well be the first to see five QBs selected in the top 10. The Giants may be interested in being the emergency vehicle for a QB-needy team, in the event that does not occur.

Dolphins Considering Trading Down Again

April 19th, 2021 at 4:53pm CST by Sam Robinson

Between the Laremy Tunsil trade and the recent deal with the 49ers, the Dolphins have accumulated their share of high-value draft picks. GM Chris Grier may not be done.

The Dolphins, who traded down from No. 3 to No. 12 before moving back up, are now receiving calls for their No. 6 overall pick, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. They are considering moving down again, per Rapoport.

This draft could feature one or two QB-related firsts — the first to see four straight passer picks atop the event and/or the first to have five QBs go in the top 10 — and certain teams who are interested in drafting one of this year’s top passing prospects are not currently in range to acquire one. In addition to the Falcons, the Dolphins appear open to being a vehicle for another team to trade up for a quarterback.

The Patriots, Washington and the Bears — at Nos. 15, 19 and 20, respectively — have been linked to possible trade-ups. Washington and Chicago more so than New England. But with the Broncos sitting at No. 9 and viewed by some teams as a stealth quarterback suitor, teams may be aiming to move in front of them.

It would be unlikely if the Dolphins traded the pick within the division, however, so the Pats emulating the 49ers’ nine-spot move is difficult to foresee. The Broncos also may be interested in moving up three spots, should they suspect one of the QB-seeking teams will move in front of them. All this would create a market for another Dolphins move.

Miami holds two first-round picks this year and is set to have two in 2023. Teams are expecting Grier to draft a skill-position talent at No. 6, Peter King of NBC Sports notes. But it is possible the top two in this year’s draft are gone by the time the Dolphins’ No. 6 pick arrives. The Falcons have been heavily linked to Kyle Pitts at 4, and buzz about the Bengals reuniting Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase — a prospect that helped induce the Eagles to trade their No. 6 pick to the Dolphins — at 5 is building. Both of this year’s Alabama wideout talents (DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle) may be available a bit later than 6, but likely not too much later, should Grier receive an offer to move slightly down the board.

Before the 49ers gave up a bounty for the third pick, Grier obtained two first-rounders and change for Tunsil and collected another Round 1 choice for Minkah Fitzpatrick. The Dolphins are a team to watch for acquire more first-round capital.

Latest On Trey Lance, Justin Fields

April 19th, 2021 at 3:35pm CST by Sam Robinson

Trey Lance conducted his second pro day Monday in Fargo, North Dakota. A few notable teams attended the event. While previous reports indicated the 49ers, Falcons and Broncos were to have personnel at the showcase, the Patriots were there as well.

The Pats sent Eliot Wolf and director of player personnel Dave Ziegler to observe Lance, Albert Breer of SI.com notes. The Panthers and Bears are not believed to have sent representatives to watch the North Dakota State prospect throw this time, Breer adds, though both teams were at his first pro day. Washington, which has been linked to Lance recently, did have a contingent present, Dan Graziano of ESPN.com tweets.

Lance ran 49ers drills at the workout. The idea of working in Kyle Shanahan‘s offense appeals to Lance, Justin Fields and Mac Jones, according to Breer. Lance and Fields opted to go through with second pro days in order for Shanahan and John Lynch to be on-hand. Lance has worked with QB guru John Beck in recent weeks and, per Graziano, did so at Shanahan’s request (Twitter link). San Francisco’s staff gave Beck a set of drills for Lance to work on during the leadup to his second pro day. Shanahan coached Beck when he served as Washington’s OC in the early 2010s.

The Panthers sent their top brass to Lance’s first pro day March 12; Matt Rhule, GM Scott Fitterer and OC Joe Brady made that trip, Breer adds. The Bears sent Matt Nagy to watch Fields’ second pro day last week, with Washington having director of college scouting Tim Gribble at that event. Nagy and GM Ryan Pace made the trip to watch Lance last month but were not believed to be at Lance’s second throwing session, which, like Fields’ workout sequel, was closed to media.

Denver OC Pat Shurmur was at both Fields and Lance’s second sessions, and while the Broncos are not a lock to draft one of this year’s top five passers, teams believe they are lurking as as stealth QB suitor, according to Breer. The Broncos are set to pick ninth. One of those QBs could well fall to them, but the Broncos have also been linked to a possible trade-up for a quarterback. The team last drafted a first-round quarterback in 2016 (Paxton Lynch) but has never selected one in the top 10. If the 49ers take Jones, the Broncos would stand to be in play for Lance or Fields.

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