NFL draft 2021 top-10 pick scenarios: How each team would approach draft-night what-ifs

[RS12]

There's still three months until the 2021 NFL draft, and anything can happen in that time. Team needs will change, prospect rankings will fluctuate and the direction of many franchises will pivot. Even once we get to draft night, we could be in for some surprises.

We asked our NFL Nation reporters for the teams selecting in the top 10 to look at some off-the-wall scenarios that could happen and might throw their draft plans for a loop. These are what-if situations that teams with high picks will need to consider and be ready for. So after reading what our own Mel Kiper Jr. predicted for each pick, now see what might happen if things go off the rails on draft night. Here are 10 scenarios and how the top-10 teams might approach them, starting with a hefty trade offer for the Jaguars.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/...k-scenarios-how-team-approach-draft-night-ifs

 

[LACowboysFan1]

10 is high enough for Dallas to get an impact player, it's not like they only need a linebacker, or cornerback, etc., They have so many needs regardless of what the first 9 teams do somebody will be available that will help the team..

 

[Carson]

10 is high enough for Dallas to get an impact player, it's not like they only need a linebacker, or cornerback, etc., They have so many needs regardless of what the first 9 teams do somebody will be available that will help the team..

Immediate needs to be successful next season

QB (It’ll be Dak)
1 Tech
OLB
FS
CB

Everything else is just gravy if we can successfully land these via draft or free agency.

 

[reddyuta]

10 is high enough for Dallas to get an impact player, it's not like they only need a linebacker, or cornerback, etc., They have so many needs regardless of what the first 9 teams do somebody will be available that will help the team..

limiting ourselves to just Defense in the 1st RD doesnt make sense to me.In the 1st RD talent should the main concern.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

limiting ourselves to just Defense in the 1st RD doesnt make sense to me.In the 1st RD talent should the main concern.

Agreed. But you have to balance talent with need. And there's far more needs on defense than offense, other than DE every part of the defense is below where it needs to be.
Cowboys took Lamb last year, which was based on "1st round talent". He was anticipated to go in the top-10 or such, at 17 he was an excellent "value".

And what you got was the 31st ranked defense, a 6-10 record and no playoffs. (Agreed also losing Dak was a big part of that).

Took "1st round talent" last year, barring every top defensive player being off the board by no. 10, need trumps talent this year by a small margin

Lions took receiver talent 3 years in a row a few years back, and we see what happened to them.

Don't want to become 2021's Lions....

 

[J-man]

1. I absolutely believe the Jags take Lawrence, But I'm not 100% sure they'd pass on that trade offer fro the Jets. They could take Wilson at 2, who is pretty good himself, plus be in position to build around him. And with 3 first rd picks this year and 2 in '22, they could do so tremendously. I think they would take a very hard look at that deal.

2. I have been saying all along that I think the Jets will keep Darnold and look to trade back a couple spots in order to build around him. If they stand pat they take Smith, Sewell, Chase or Slater. The same targets they'd have if they trade down.

3. Mia could do the same thing and trade back, but I think they could trade Tua and draft Wilson (or Fields if their stupid so...). If not they take either Smith or Sewell.

4. If those QB's drop to 4 Atl will look trade the pick to help start their rebuild. But they're stuck with Ryan for 2 years and they know it. IMO, there won't be much of a market for Fields that high. Sewell, Slater, Parsons, Pitts and possibly Farley will be their top targets.

5. If Cincy signs a OT in FA, than I agree they go Smith, Chase or Pitts. If not they probably take Sewell or Slater.

6. igglets will take OT or WR book it.

7. Lions are the team I think makes a move up the board for a QB or stay pat and take Fields.
8. Carolina could also move up for a QB, or take Slater or Parsons
9. Denver QB? Wilson yes Fields no. Think they go Parsons or CB.
10. If all the defensive players are there at 10, I think Dallas will take Farley.

 

[reddyuta]

I am wary about Farley,any player with such a long injury history is a huge risk in the top 10 and he opted out too ,i would have loved to see if he could shake the injury bug.

 

[Hardline]

limiting ourselves to just Defense in the 1st RD doesnt make sense to me.In the 1st RD talent should the main concern.

Exactly.
And the best available pick at 10 could very well be an offensive player
We will regret the day we pass up on Kyle Pitts.
Especially since there's not much of a talent drop between what defensive picks will be available at 10 than our 2nd round pick.

 

[Bizwah]

Agreed. But you have to balance talent with need. And there's far more needs on defense than offense, other than DE every part of the defense is below where it needs to be.
Cowboys took Lamb last year, which was based on "1st round talent". He was anticipated to go in the top-10 or such, at 17 he was an excellent "value".

And what you got was the 31st ranked defense, a 6-10 record and no playoffs. (Agreed also losing Dak was a big part of that).

Took "1st round talent" last year, barring every top defensive player being off the board by no. 10, need trumps talent this year by a small margin

Lions took receiver talent 3 years in a row a few years back, and we see what happened to them.

Don't want to become 2021's Lions....

You build a team over the long haul. It's rarely going to be instant.

Who exactly could we have taken at 17 that would have had an impact? We had looked long and hard at the LSU DE Chaisson. What did he do this year? Possibly we could have taken Queen....but he wouldn't be a game changer for us.

No, you get talented guys. Period....

We tried drafting for need years ago. We needed a DE so we got guys like Ekuban, Carver, Zellner. We needed CBs so we netted guys like Goodrich and Edwards. The early round are about acquiring talent. Hopefully it lines up with need, but you can't ignore game changers if they are on your board.

 

[Future]

10 is high enough for Dallas to get an impact player, it's not like they only need a linebacker, or cornerback, etc., They have so many needs regardless of what the first 9 teams do somebody will be available that will help the team..

Well do you want an impact player or a need, because those don't really align at 10.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Who exactly could we have taken at 17 that would have had an impact?

Didn't say there was one, I only said they took Lamb instead of a defensive player.

And what a particular defensive player did or didn't do with another team has no bearing on what they might have done, or not done, on the Cowboys anyway...

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Well do you want an impact player or a need, because those don't really align at 10.

You don't think Surtain isn't an impact player? And you don't think cornerback is a need? If he's available at 10 he won't be both?
What about Sewell? Parsons? If they're going in the top 10 they are undoubtedly viewed (or should be) as an impact player. And Dallas could use either one, which makes them a need.

It's not an either/or question....

 

[Future]

You don't think Surtain isn't an impact player? And you don't think cornerback is a need? If he's available at 10 he won't be both?
What about Sewell? Parsons? If they're going in the top 10 they are undoubtedly viewed (or should be) as an impact player. And Dallas could use either one, which makes them a need.

It's not an either/or question....

Cornerbacks aren't impact players unless they are Jalen Ramsey.

They certainly aren't impact players as rookies.

 

[jrumann59]

Cornerbacks aren't impact players unless they are Jalen Ramsey.

They certainly aren't impact players as rookies.

Most rookies will not be impact players. OL is about the only position on a team where a rookie could start and not need a steep learning curve.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

All you guys who want Dak back, you better be getting on board with a legit OT. Dak is gonna look like hammered dog crap if we don't get LT locked down.

 

[Cowboyny]

Cornerbacks aren't impact players unless they are Jalen Ramsey.

They certainly aren't impact players as rookies.

Also, heard Whitt likes to play veterans over young prospects.

 

[Cowboyny]

I am wary about Farley,any player with such a long injury history is a huge risk in the top 10 and he opted out too ,i would have loved to see if he could shake the injury bug.

There is definitely risk with Farley, but he has natural abilities and always looks for the football!!

 

[Cowboyny]

Most rookies will not be impact players. OL is about the only position on a team where a rookie could start and not need a steep learning curve.

Especially a player like Slater, who is ahead of the curve with his technique.

 

[LACowboysFan1]

Cornerbacks aren't impact players unless they are Jalen Ramsey.

They certainly aren't impact players as rookies.

Nonsense. Everybody agrees with you, right? You're THE authority on NFL cornerbacks? If not thanks for your opinion but I'll take it with a box of salt.

But as we all know Cowboys didn't pick Ramsey. Get over it. The butt hurt some people have because the Cowboys didn't pick Ramsey like those people insisted they should have never ends.

Who said the drafted cornerback has to be an impact player his rookie year? And just what does anyone mean when they say a player is an impact player? Just being better than what you have could make the rookie an impact player. Considering the low regard some, even most, here have for Awuzie, e.g. how hard would it be for Surtain, Horn et al to be better than Awuzie? What if Awuzie's not even here? He's a free agent.

One definition of "impact" is the effect or influence of one person, thing, or action, on another. It doesn't have to mean the rookie has to be All Pro or intercept 10 passes or be the much sought after "shut down" corner.

Whoever is picked, I'll give him a chance to impress....