2021 NFL Mock Draft: Free agency flips first round projections

The Atlanta Falcons could move on from Matt Ryan here at pick No. 4 overall, as there is a new general manager and head coach in town for the 2021 NFL season. However, sitting here in the top-5, they may choose to go out and get one of the elite players in this draft class, adding Kyle Pitts from Florida.

This is the kind of tight end that can change the face of the offense, and if they keep Ryan, to go along with Julio Jones, they have a dominant trio on that side of the ball. The Falcons are only a few years removed from playing in a Super Bowl, so they may not be ready to blow the whole thing up just yet.

The goal for the Cincinnati Bengals across the next few offseason has got to be to protect Joe Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. As a rookie, before his injury, Burrow showed that he can be a legitimate franchise guy at the NFL level, and now the team has to go out and put talent around him.

They have already struck in free agency on the defensive side of the ball, an area that also needs help, and with pick No. 5 this April, Penei Sewell has to be the selection. This is a plug-and-play right tackle for the Bengals, and he would team with Jonah Williams to form a nice, young set of bookends along the offensive line.

The Philadelphia Eagles front office was told to go out and build around Jalen Hurts this offseason, and that is exactly what they do at pick No. 6. With this selection, the Eagles add Ja’Marr Chase to the wide receiver room, a player who was absolutely dominant for LSU before opting out this past season.

Chase has the ability to take the lid off the defense at any time, and if Hurts is going to develop, these are the kinds of weapons he needs. The Eagles have the talent to make a run in the NFC East next season, and in Chase, they get someone who will be a security blanket for their second-year quarterback.