NFL Mock Draft: What happens if trades cause NFL-record run on QBs?

The Tennessee Titans saw former first-round wide receiver Corey Davis land with the New York Jets this offseason, leaving them with depth issues at the position. Sure, they have an absolute star in A.J. Brown, but bringing in another dynamic threat on the outside here at pick No. 22 is something they should take a look at.

One player who has dominated draft season has been Florida’s Kadarius Toney, who would be an excellent complement to Brown in the passing game in Tennessee. Sure, the Titans need edge rusher help and even some help along the offensive line, but Toney is a guy who can help take this offense to the next level.

The New York Jets hold two first-round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, and after bringing in a quarterback at pick No. 2 overall, they get him an elite weapon later on at pick No. 23. Zach Wilson is going into the league with plenty of question marks and will be taking over a downtrodden franchise, so anything this group can do to help him would be a plus.

Wilson has elite arm talent, but at this level, he is going to need some kind of security blanket on the offensive side of the ball. By drafting Alabama’s Najee Harris, the Jets get Wilson that security blanket he needs, as this is a kid who is elite not only in the run game but also as a pass-catcher.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are another team that could go several different ways with their first-round pick in 2021, as they need help on both sides of the ball. The Steelers certainly need help along the offensive line, especially at tackle, but in this mock draft, they decide to turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball.

The pick here at No. 24 overall for the Steelers is cornerback Asante Samuel Jr., an NFL-ready defensive back from Florida State. This kid grew up around the pro game, is elite in coverage, and if the Steelers are going to beat the likes of Cleveland and Baltimore for first place in the AFC North, they have to get better in the secondary.

After adding Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars get him some protection at No. 25, bringing in Samuel Cosmi, a punishing offensive tackle from the University of Texas. Head coach Urban Meyer has said this team needs playmakers, but if Lawrence is running for his life, this offense is going to struggle in a big way no matter who they have on the outside.

The Cleveland Browns have had an excellent offseason already, and as they look towards Thursday night, they only have a few holes left to fill. One of those holes is upfront along the defensive line, and by selecting Alabama’s Christian Barmore at pick No. 26, they get another solid pass rush guy along what should be an outstanding unit for them upfront.

The Baltimore Ravens will pick twice in the final six selections this Thursday night, after trading away Orlando Brown to the Kansas City Chiefs. With this pick at No. 27 overall, the Ravens decide to get an edge rusher, bringing in Kwity Paye, who is widely regarded as the best pure pass rusher in this draft class.

Baltimore needs to get help after losing Brown, but with how many solid offensive tackles there are in this draft class, they can address that either at No. 31 or on Day 2. The Ravens are going to be one of the best in the AFC again in 2021, but if they cannot get after Patrick Mahomes, they are going to struggle to get over the hump in the playoffs.

With the No. 28 overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft, the New Orleans Saints bring in some help up front along the defensive line. This is a franchise that needs to bring in talent in terms of the edge rusher spot, and they get an outstanding player in Gregory Rousseau from Miami (FL), who is a bit of a project but has double-digit sack potential.