2021 NFL Draft: Cowboys, Patriots and 5 teams that should draft Alabama’s Mac Jones

3. Minnesota Vikings

When you look at teams who should be targeting quarterbacks in the NFL Draft, the Minnesota Vikings are the first to come to mind. Kirk Cousins has been their starter for the past two seasons and has played relatively well, but he hasn’t been spectacular. This past offseason, the Vikings decided to give him a two-year contract extension worth $66 million, which wasn’t universally praised by some Vikings fans.

Through 15 games this season, Cousins has compiled a career-high in passing touchdowns (32) and interceptions (13), all while throwing for 3,860 yards on a 67.4-completion percentage.

While Cousins has been a good starter in Minnesota, this team should be looking for their future quarterback before it’s too late. Cousins will be 34-years-old once he enters the final year of his contract (2022), and the Vikings should have his successor groomed by then. Minnesota would be a good landing spot for Jones, as he can learn from offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak and throw passes to Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson.

2. Las Vegas Raiders

Like the Patriots, it was shocking that the Las Vegas Raiders didn’t select a signal-caller in this past year’s draft. Prior to the start of the season, Derek Carr was actually subject to some trade rumors, considering his deal isn’t a burden at all for interested teams. But head coach Jon Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock stayed the course and kept Carr.

This season, Carr showed he was deserving of being the Raiders’ starting quarterback for the foreseeable future. But Carr’s bad play and decision-making would resurface at the worst possible times, especially once the Raiders were making a push for the playoffs. It certainly didn’t help matters that backup Marcus Mariota played exceptionally well in Week 15 against the Los Angeles Chargers when Carr exited with a groin injury.

The Raiders have put off selecting a young signal-caller for far too long. 2021 is the year to select one, and Jones would be in their range. If the Raiders were to select Jones, we could get a reunion between quarterback and receiver Henry Ruggs III in Las Vegas. Admit it, you want this to happen.

1. Indianapolis Colts

Perhaps the most ideal landing spot for any quarterback prospect in this year’s class would be the Indianapolis Colts. They have a proven developer of quarterbacks in head coach Frank Reich and the best offensive line in the game. Who wouldn’t want to be selected by this team?

The Colts were once set at the quarterback position, as they transitioned from Peyton Manning to Andrew Luck. But just before the start of last season, Luck shockingly announced his retirement from the NFL, putting the team in a bit of a bind. They tried their hand with Jacoby Brissett at quarterback, and he performed admirably. Then this past offseason, the Colts brought in veteran Philip Rivers, formerly of the Los Angeles Chargers, to take over the reins.

Rivers had a bit of a career resurgence in Indy, as he threw for 4,005 yards, 23 touchdowns and 10 interceptions entering Week 17. The thing is that Rivers’ contract expires at season’s end and it’s unknown if the Colts will bring him back. Not to mention, Rivers does have a high school football head coaching job waiting for him once he retires.

Whether they make the playoffs or not, the Colts will be selecting in the middle of the first round. They would have to bank on Jones dropping a bit for them to draft him. That or general manager Chris Ballard will have to go against tradition and actually trade up. Either way, Indianapolis would be a great destination for Jones, who would have all the tools to succeed in the NFL.