2021 NFL mock draft: Justin Fields heads to Jaguars

The Browns should start thinking about a quarterback after another disappointing season under the guidance of Baker Mayfield. But, instead the team continues to trust that the best is yet to come and invest in accumulating more talent around him. It’s a bold strategy – if it works, they look brilliant for their patience. But, it rarely works that way after four seasons in the league.

So, because Trey Lance isn’t an option, the team instead takes the top defensive tackle on their board in LSU’s Tyler Shelvin. Sheldon Richardson is a free agent they likely cannot afford to keep after 2021, so they’ll hope that Shelvin can come in and take over that role next to Myles Garrett. Shelvin could end up being a steal at 13, as he very well may be the best tackle in the draft.

The Vikings are another team that might make sense for Lance, if only the team wasn’t married to Kirk Cousins for two more years. Instead, the team continues to work towards building a stalwart offensive line to maximize not only Cousins’ ability but also to give Dalvin Cook the best opportunity to be successful. The team lacks substantial depth at the tackle position, and Riley Reiff is scheduled to be a free agent after 2021.

Enter Alex Leatherwood from Alabama. Some think that he will be the top offensive tackle in the draft, so if he were available here, the Vikings should jump on the chance to draft him. Leatherwood is strong with great feet that will allow him to excel in run blocking and screen passes where the team can maximize its’ backfield ability, and will likely be the most pro-ready of any tackle coming out next year.