Michigan football: Potential landing spots for Jalen Mayfield in 2021 NFL Draft
By John Buhler
4. player. 124. Scouting Report. AFC West. (No. 31). Kansas City Chiefs. Pick Analysis
I mean, did you even watch the Super Bowl?
It was a roster construction mismatch all of Chiefs Kingdom tried to underplay, but we all watched the Super Bowl. The Kansas City Chiefs had no answer for the relentless pass rush of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The hometown Buccaneers crushed the Chiefs hopelessly in Super Bowl 55, due in large part to Kansas City being without its offensive tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz.
While I understand that Fisher is a former No. 1 overall pick out of Central Michigan and Schwartz is a perennial All-Pro, their absences in the big game left the entire Kansas City offense exposed. Both are aging veterans with significant injury concerns and the Chiefs would be wise to use their No. 31 overall pick on Mayfield out of Michigan. This team is in win-now mode with Patrick Mahomes.
Overall, Kansas City could use the second to last pick in the first round on a luxury item as they did with Clyde Edwards-Helaire at running back like they did a season ago. However, everybody knows why the Chiefs did not repeat as Super Bowl champions. It does not matter if Mayfield is not a starter in year one, Kansas City needs reinforcements in the trenches to avoid total disaster.
AFC South. 3. Pick Analysis. Indianapolis Colts. player. 46. Scouting Report. (No. 21)
They have to replace Anthony Castonzo along the front five
With Anthony Castonzo retiring, the Indianapolis Colts must address the offensive line in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Colts were a playoff team a season ago, albeit the No. 7 seed in the AFC. So this team does have plenty of talent entering year four under Frank Reich. However, Indianapolis must keep incoming quarterback Carson Wentz upright if he wants to have any success there.
As with the Bears picking at No. 20, this may be a tad early for Mayfield to be coming off the board at No. 21. With that in mind, you cannot put a price on offensive continuity. If the Colts do not address Castonzo’s retirement properly in the draft or free agency, they might consider kicking out all-world guard Quenton Nelson to offensive tackle. Let’s not make a strength a weakness, please.
Overall, the Colts are in great shape to get back to the playoffs and contend for an AFC South crown with the Tennessee Titans. What is important is for Reich’s team to build on a good 2020 with the hope the 2021 Colts can be great. The only thing we know for sure is Wentz needs pieces around him to avoid potentially washing out in this league. Mayfield can keep the pocket clean.