2021 NFL mock draft: Las Vegas Raiders add an elite linebacker
By Evan Groat
57. Pick Analysis. QB. 17. player. Scouting Report. North Dakota State. TreyLance
The Chicago Bears are throwing the towel in on Mitchell Trubisky. Nick Foles was brought in during free agency to compete with Trubisky for the starting job, but the Bears are looking for a long term fix at the position.
Trey Lance needs to put another good year of tape together before he is a lock to be a Day 1 pick, but he is on NFL GM radar’s after an outstanding 2019 season. Lance threw 28 touchdowns to zero interceptions, adding 1,100 yards on the ground with 14 touchdowns.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. 18. 60. DE/LB. Washington. Joe Tryon. player
Joe Tryon had a breakout junior season at Washington, registering eight sacks, 41 tackles, and 14 tackles for loss. Tryon is still a work in progress, but has the size/speed combination that the NFL covets at the defensive end position.
If Tryon builds on his impressive junior season he will see his stock soar up draft boards. The Huskies have had some solid defenses as of late, and in Tryon, they get a guy who could be in the discussion for Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year honors.
Oregon. 19. player. 46. Scouting Report. S. JevonHolland. Pick Analysis
The Indianapolis Colts rolled the dice on Philip Rivers this offseason, hoping that the veteran signal-caller still has something left in the tank. As they look forward to the 2020 NFL season, they will be in contention in a very wide open AFC South, but this draft order has them falling short of the playoffs.
With the No. 19 overall pick, the Colts should look to continue to address their secondary, adding Jevon Holland from Oregon. Sure, they have Malik Hooker, and Julian Blackmon was a third round pick in 2020, but Holland is special, and could be the first safety off the board next April.
35. Scouting Report. Alabama. JaylenWaddle. player. Pick Analysis. WR. 20
The Tennessee Titans locked up Ryan Tannehill to a long-term deal this offseason after the veteran led the team to the AFC title game. Now, they need to turn their attention to running back Derrick Henry, because if they can get him signed on for the long haul, their offense is going to be tough to stop.
One area they could look to address during the 2021 NFL Draft is wide receiver, as they need to bring in more talent to compliment Corey Davis. Jaylen Waddle from Alabama may not be getting the preseason buzz that teammate Devonta Smith is, but he is going to be an explosive playmaker at the next level.