2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bengals add more protection for Joe Burrow
By Brad Weiss
47. . Defensive Lineman. New England Patriots. Christian Barmore. 25. player
The New England Patriots kicked off the Cam Newton Era in style, beating division rival Miami at home thanks to two rushing touchdowns from Superman. New England fared much better than their former quarterback, Tom Brady, who struggled mightily in his debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
New England will likely win the AFC East again in 2020, as they proved Sunday that they can get the job done without Brady. That means they pick late again in the first round next April, and land Christian Barmore, who helps revamp their defensive line thanks to his versatility and ability to make plays in the backfield.
Jevon Holland. 26. player. 123. . Safety. Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys look to have work to do on both sides of the ball, as they were beaten by the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday night. They got a good effort from Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott, and the defense was able to force Jared Goff into one interception, and had a few quarterback hits.
Looking at their roster, they will likely move to get a bit better in the secondary during the 2021 NFL Draft, and could get the best safety available in Jevon Holland. He would team well with Trevon Diggs, a second round pick of the team this past April, giving Dallas some good young players in the defensive backfield.
Quincy Roche. 27. player. 48. . Edge. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tom Brady Era in Tampa Bay got off on the wrong foot, as the team not only lost to division rival New Orleans, but head coach had harsh words for his new franchise quarterback. They will get everything ironed out during the season, and the oddsmakers still like them to be one of the last teams standing in the NFC.
One player in this draft class that I like for the Buccaneers this late in round one is Quincy Roche from Miami (FL). This is a kid who is a preseason All-American, and with a strong 2020 campaign, he should find himself being selected in the first round. Tampa needs more young bodies coming off the edge.
Seattle Seahawks. Alex Leatherwood. 28. player. 36. . Offensive Lineman
Russell Wilson continues to show that he is one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, throwing for four touchdowns against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 1. This guy was dialed in all game long, and if he can get protection throughout the season, the Seahawks are going to be in good shape moving forward.
Heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, the Seahawks have to make protecting Wilson a priority, and they can do that by adding the versatile Alex Leatherwood from Alabama. This guy can play inside or out at the next level, and offensive line has been an issue for Seattle for some time now.