2021 NFL Draft - Pro Football Rumors

Falcons HC, GM Aligned On No. 4 Pick?

April 9th, 2021 at 12:31pm CST by Zachary Links

It’s no longer a house divided. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot and head coach Arthur Smith are now “aligned” on what to do with the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, according to D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Earlier this week, we heard that Fontenot was pushing for a quarterback. Meanwhile, Smith wanted to stay the course with Matt Ryan. Ryan is on the verge of his 36th birthday, but he’s been durable and fairly steady.

Of course, we don’t know where the Falcons ultimately landed, and we probably won’t know for sure until the draft kicks off on April 29th in Cleveland. The Falcons are in an enviable position — the Jaguars, Jets, and 49ers are all expected to tap quarterbacks with the first three picks, which would allow them to take the best non-quarterback in this year’s class. They could also trade down and parlay that pick into a wealth of ammo for 2022 and beyond.

If they resist the urge to take a QB, the Falcons could select Florida tight end Kyle Pitts, Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell, LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, or Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Or, if they stand pat to grab Matt Ryan’s successor, they could come away with Trey Lance — the North Dakota State product who could have more upside than Zach Wilson and Mac Jones (basically, a higher ceiling than any passer not named Trevor Lawrence).

Cowboys’ Jerry Jones “Infatuated” With Kyle Pitts

April 9th, 2021 at 9:33am CST by Zachary Links

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones is “infatuated” with tight end Kyle Pitts, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen (via 24/7 Sports). Pitts probably won’t be available at No. 10, so Jones would have to move up the board to get his man.

The Cowboys have several key needs to address in the draft including cornerback, offensive tackle, and safety. The tight end position isn’t among the most glaring holes, but Pitts’ off-the-charts athleticism and pass-catching ability has caught Jones’ attention in a serious way.

To snag him, Jones may have to move up as high as No. 4 overall, after the Jaguars, Jets, and 49ers take their quarterbacks. The Falcons could be willing to move that pick, but they’ll need to be blown away by an offer — especially since new GM Terry Fontenot wants a quarterback while new head coach Arthur Smith wants to stick with Matt Ryan. Also, the Falcons are pretty fond of Pitts themselves.

Right now, it seems unlikely that Pitts will get past the No. 6 overall pick. To get there, the Cowboys would probably have to sacrifice their 2022 first-round pick.

Pitts, a quarterback in high school, moved to tight end at UF and quickly put himself on the NFL radar. Last year, he snagged 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in just eight games, finishing out with an eye-popping 17.9 yards per grab.

Trey Lance Expected To Hold Second Pro Day

April 8th, 2021 at 9:16am CST by Sam Robinson

Trey Lance has successfully parlayed one season at the Division I-FCS level into a top-10 draft value. The North Dakota State quarterback is expected to be one of the first players chosen this year, but the unusual prospect is on track give teams another chance to study him soon.

While North Dakota State has not yet scheduled a second pro day for Lance, Matt Barrows of The Athletic notes another Lance workout is expected to take place (subscription required). Linked to making such preparations along with Justin Fields, Lance will follow Fields in this regard. The Ohio State prospect is planning to work out for teams again April 14.

John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan did not attend Lance’s pro day last month. The showcase came before San Francisco had acquired the No. 3 overall pick, and the franchise’s power duo did not want to invite suspicion about their plans before the team acquired the pick. It should then be expected 49ers brass will be on hand to watch Lance this time. No private workouts can take place leading up to this draft, with the COVID-19 pandemic nixing those for a second straight year.

Mac Jones has emerged as the early clubhouse leader to be drafted third overall. Jones would be expected to play behind Jimmy Garoppolo as a rookie, should the incumbent remain on the team in a Jones-to-San Francisco scenario. Lance would profile as a player who would benefit further by sitting for at least one season. Lance started as a freshman, leading the Bison to another FCS title, and played in one game as a sophomore before declaring for the draft. The 6-foot-3, 224-pound prospect dominated in his one season of competition (28 TD passes, no INTs, 1,100 rushing yards) but carries no experience against high-end college competition and will enter the NFL after a sophomore season that the pandemic nullified.

Should the 49ers pass on Lance at No. 3, he would be an option for a Falcons team that appears to be split on drafting a quarterback or the best non-QB available at No. 4. A host of teams would be on the trade-up radar for the two QBs that do not go in the top three, with the 2022 quarterback class (as of now) not generating considerable buzz.

Justin Fields To Throw At Second Pro Day; 49ers Expected To Attend

April 7th, 2021 at 2:45pm CST by Sam Robinson

After considering the prospect of throwing for teams again, Justin Fields has decided to do so. The high-end draft target will throw for teams again April 14 on the Ohio State campus, Matt Barrows of The Athletic tweets.

49ers staffers are expected to attend the session, according to Barrows. This comes after Fields’ previous pro day, March 30, overlapped with a Mac Jones throwing session at Alabama. Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch opted to watch Jones throw, while 49ers assistant GM Adam Peters observed Fields’ workout. This time, it should be expected the top two 49ers power brokers will watch Fields in Columbus.

The 49ers shook up the draft by acquiring the Dolphins’ No. 3 overall pick. They made no secret of the fact the move was for a quarterback. Shanahan said late last month he was already comfortable that three QBs in this year’s draft could be the 49ers’ long-term answer. While it is uncertain if Fields is one of them, the talented passer agreeing to another pro day would point to him believing that is not the case.

Three-plus weeks ahead of the draft, the 49ers have been linked most closely to Jones. Fields will attempt to boost his stock with the 49ers and with other QB-needy teams next week. The two-year Buckeyes starter was once believed to be the 1A option behind only Trevor Lawrence, but Zach Wilson has likely surpassed him — being the favorite to go to the Jets at No. 2. Fields could be waiting a bit come draft night, though considering his talent and several teams’ need for a long-term quarterback solution, the 22-year-old talent’s floor likely remains high.

It is uncertain if Trey Lance, who was also believed to be considering another showcase, will follow Fields and throw for teams a second time. No private workouts are allowed this year, marking the second straight offseason that is the case. Shanahan and Lynch admitted they stayed away from North Dakota State’s pro day in order to avoid tipping their hands. Lance’s workout took place before the 49ers acquired the No. 3 pick.

NFL Draft Prospect Profile: North Dakota State QB Trey Lance

April 7th, 2021 at 10:40am CST by Zachary Links

After just 17 starts at North Dakota State, quarterback Trey Lance is ready to turn pro. He also barely played in 2020 after NDSU nixed the season, but his tremendous 2019 season is still fresh in everyone’s minds. He may be green, and he’s yet to celebrate his 21st birthday, but Lance figures to be one of the first names called in the 2021 draft.

Lance arrived on campus in 2018 and attempted just one pass as a frosh. In 2019, he ascended to the starting job and put himself squarely on the NFL radar. As a sophomore, Lance threw for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Meanwhile, NDSU took full advantage of his running ability as he racked up 1,110 rushing yards off of 169 carries, good for a 6.5 average per attempt. In 2020, he led the Bison to a 39-28 comeback victory in their lone game against Central Arkansas. Despite the rust, he rattled off 143 rushing yards on 15 carries. He also threw the first interception of his collegiate career, but that can certainly be forgiven.

Aside from Trevor Lawrence, many feel that Lance is the most NFL-ready QB of this year’s bunch. Still shy of legal drinking age, Lance is known for putting in lots of film room time, and that showed throughout his ’19 season. Just a few months ago, Lance was seen as a second-tier QB, a consolation prize for middle-of-the-order teams missing out on Lawrence, BYU’s Zach Wilson and Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Now, he’s very much in the same conversation.

So, where will Lance land? Some saw him as a fit for the 49ers after their move up to No. 3, but there’s increasing chatter that they’ll go with Alabama’s Mac Jones instead. Unlike Lance, Jones was able to provide lots of footage for evaluators last year as he set a new national record by completing 77.4% of his throws. He lacks the mobility of Lance, but the Niners may see him as the safer choice of the two.

For the other QB-needy teams on the board, Lance offers tantalizing upside. If Lance can adjust to the pro game and work from the pocket a bit more, the sky is the limit. Falcons GM Terry Fontenot probably recognizes that, which is why he’s reportedly hesitant to pass up a Matt Ryan successor at No. 4. And, if the Falcons trade the pick, there’s a good chance that the team moving up will be eyeing Lance. Right now, it seems like the No. 3 pick is Lance’s ceiling. And, while floors are always hard to peg, it would be a surprise to see him get past No. 7. If the Lions don’t use that pick to take Jared Goff‘s successor, another team could slide in to get their preferred passer.

Low Interest In Jets’ No. 2 Pick?

April 7th, 2021 at 9:34am CST by Zachary Links

Recently, the Dolphins parlayed their No. 3 overall selection into a solid haul of draft capital. Meanwhile, the Jets have received few phone calls and very little interest for their No. 2 overall pick, according to a source who spoke with NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport (Twitter link).

It’s possible that teams are assuming that the Jets are locked into staying at No. 2. There, they’d have the ability to take any player they want who isn’t named Trevor Lawrence. It’s widely believed that the Jets have zeroed in on BYU’s Zach Wilson, who impressed with his mobility and 73.5% completion rate last year.

Meanwhile, the 49ers are expected to also go quarterback at No. 3, which has prompted teams (presumably, QB-needy teams) to start ringing the Falcons at No. 4. The Jets’ pick should be coveted even more highly, so this one is a head-scratcher.

Another possible explanation: The Jets could be higher on Wilson than any other team, and rival clubs have other signal callers ranked higher. A team that wants to move up for Mac Jones, Justin Fields, or Trey Lance would be happy to pay less for a lower pick and watch Wilson go No. 2 overall.

Latest On Bengals’ Draft Plans

April 6th, 2021 at 9:21pm CST by Sam Robinson

Three quarterbacks will almost certainly go off the board to start this year’s draft, marking the first time in 22 years that will have taken place. The Falcons are undecided on whether they should acquire Matt Ryan‘s heir apparent at No. 4. This puts the Bengals in position to land perhaps this draft’s top non-quarterback.

Picking fifth without a quarterback need, the Bengals will have a bevy of high-end offensive prospects from which to choose. Considering the issues they have had on their offensive line in recent years, they have been linked to Oregon tackle Penei Sewell. Zac Taylor, player personnel director Duke Tobin and offensive line coach Frank Pollack were in Eugene, Ore., for Sewell’s pro day, Tyler Dragon of the Cincinnati Enquirer tweets. Pollack told attendees Sewell impressed him, Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com tweets.

Sewell would make sense as a player who could be a long-term starter opposite left tackle Jonah Williams, but Tobin said the Bengals can acquire a starter-caliber lineman on the draft’s second night. Cincinnati has starter grades on O-linemen projected to go in the second and third rounds, Tobin said during a podcast with Bengals announcer Dan Hoard (Twitter link). Tobin added that the addition of veteran tackle Riley Reiff gives the team a better O-line outlook than it had in 2020 (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Ben Baby).

Needs exist on the interior of Cincinnati’s O-line, and Tobin said more additions will take place. But the veteran executive understandably is not giving off the vibe the team must add an impact blocker early.

The Bengals also do not want to trade too far down from No. 5; they might not be interested in moving down at all. A best-player-available pick may suit the Bengals, who have included Joe Burrow in their pre-draft process, Tobin more or less confirmed (via Baby, on Twitter). Burrow has stumped for a Ja’Marr Chase reunion, according to Albert Breer of SI.com. The Eagles may well expect this to be the direction the Bengals go, with Breer noting Philly believes there is a good chance Cincy drafts Chase at No. 5. Possessing a greater receiver need than the Bengals do, the Eagles traded down from from No. 6 to No. 12 late last month.

The Bengals did not re-sign either of the top-10 receiver picks on last year’s roster — A.J. Green and John Ross — but have invested a first- or second-round pick in a wideout in three of the past five drafts. Chase opted out of his junior season but exploded for 84 receptions, 1,780 yards and 20 touchdown catches during Burrow’s Heisman-winning 2019. He and Burrow played together at LSU for two seasons.

Falcons Open To Moving No. 4 Pick

April 6th, 2021 at 10:34am CST by Zachary Links

The Falcons have received calls from multiple teams and are open to trading out of the No. 4 spot, according to a source who spoke with ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). With the Jaguars, Jets, and 49ers effectively locked into the first three picks, the Falcons hold the highest available pick for teams looking to move up.

The Broncos, at No. 9 overall, would be a prime candidate to advance up the board. There will be three quarterbacks selected to start the draft, so Denver can’t really afford to be patient on passers. Trevor Lawrence, of course, is ticketed for the top pick. After that, BYU’s Zach Wilson is likely to go No. 2 overall. Depending on which way the 49ers go, that could still leave Ohio State’s Justin Fields or North Dakota’s Trey Lance there for the taking. The Patriots (No. 15) and the Bears (No. 20) could also be interested in making a jump.

Still, the Falcons seem to be interested in University of Florida tight end Kyle Pitts and the No. 4 choice would guarantee his availability. Ditto for LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, or any non-QB that catches their eye.

Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald hears that at least one team calling the Falcons about their top draft choice does not need a QB. Such a club is presumably eyeing Pitts, Chase, or Sewell, and while all are potentially elite talents, it will take a tremendous offer to convince the Falcons to part with their pick.

Panthers May Still Draft QB

April 6th, 2021 at 10:00am CST by Zachary Links

The Panthers’ quarterback depth chart is pretty loaded at the moment. But, even after trading for Sam Darnold, Panthers GM Scott Fitterer says he’s open to drafting a passer later this month.

“This doesn’t take out of anything in the draft,” Fitterer said (via the team website). “It doesn’t take us out of taking a quarterback, it doesn’t take us out of taking any position. What we wanted to do going into this draft, through free agency, through this trade with Sam, was to just get rid of all the needs we have. We wanted to get to a place where the roster was in a good spot, and we could take the best available player at number eight. We could always move up, and we could always move back, but this puts us in a position to make the right football decision for this team moving forward.”

Now the backup, Teddy Bridgewater has two years to go on his three-year, $63MM deal. The Panthers have given him the green light to facilitate a trade, so it seems unlikely that he’ll be staying put. Meanwhile, Fitterer has also exercised Darnold’s pricey fifth-year option, tying him to the club through 2022.

Even if the Panthers opt for a QB, they’re unlikely to do it with the No. 8 overall pick. Instead, they’re expected to target a cornerback or an offensive lineman.

Bengals To Stay At No. 5?

April 6th, 2021 at 9:33am CST by Zachary Links

The 49ers, Eagles, and Dolphins did some serious shuffling last week, but the Bengals don’t seem quite as eager to make a move. Currently armed with the No. 5 overall pick, Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin believes that he’s poised to land an impact player.

“We feel we’re in a good spot. We’re going to be careful not to be overly greedy and get out of a spot where we maybe lose a premier player and we feel like can get one of the premier players in this draft,” Tobin said (via the team website). “We feel there are enough guys with the fifth pick in the draft to get a real guy that we feel comfortable with. And hits in a position of need.”

Unlike other teams near the top of the board, the Bengals aren’t in the hunt for a quarterback. Instead, they can hone in on a promising young target or blocker to aid Joe Burrow. With that in mind, Tobin indicated that he’s fond of Oregon left tackle Penei Sewell, LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.

“All three are high-level prospects at the top of the draft and guys we feel like could fit us and make us a better team,” Tobin said.

Fortunately, two of those three players should be there for the Bengals at No. 5.

2021 NFL Draft News & Rumors