2021 NFL Mock Draft: Free agency flips first round projections

The Detroit Lions have been making moves this offseason, sending Matthew Stafford to the Los Angeles Rams, and getting Jared Goff in return. While Goff is a downgrade from Stafford, he is a guy who has led his team to a Super Bowl, and he will be joined in Detroit by teammate Michael Brockers.

With pick No. 7, the Lions should look to add some talent to their cornerback, and Patrick Surtain II is one of the more NFL-ready players in this draft class. He comes from an NFL pedigree, has a tremendous football IQ, and when it comes to defensive backs, there is none better in this draft class.

The Carolina Panthers have tried hard to go after Deshaun Watson this offseason, but it is looking like that is not going to happen. Instead, they hit the jackpot here at No. 8 overall, as Ohio State star Justin Fields falls to them, and becomes the new face of the franchise.

In Fields, the Panthers would be getting a player who can get the job done with his arm, and his legs, and someone who was a proven winner at the collegiate level. The Panthers have some nice pieces on both sides of the ball, and Fields could be the long-term solution for head coach Matt Rhule entering Year 2 on an NFL sideline.

The Denver Broncos have a young quarterback in Drew Lock, someone who has had his moments at the NFL level. However, he has also proven to be wildly inconsistent, so with pick No. 9, will this franchise really be able to pass up on a talent like North Dakota State’s Trey Lance.

Lance, like most of the quarterbacks in this top-10, has the talent to run and throw and can do so at an elite level. Denver brought in a ton of talent on offense the last offseason, and in Lance, they would be getting a quarterback who could have more long-term success than it appears Lock will have at this point.