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2021 NFL Draft winners: 10 teams that crushed it

By Nicholas McGee

Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; BYU quarterback Zach Wilson poses with jersey after being selected as the second pick by the New York Jets during the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; BYU quarterback Zach Wilson poses with jersey after being selected as the second pick by the New York Jets during the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Mac Jones (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New England Patriots as the number 15 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 29, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Mac Jones (Alabama) with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after being selected by the New England Patriots as the number 15 overall pick in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft at First Energy Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

New England Patriots

Mac Jones may not be to everyone’s taste, but with the 15th-overall pick the Patriots got him at a spot that makes much more sense than the former Alabama star going in the top five as many had anticipated.

Jones gets a near-perfect tutor in Bill Belichick and, should he start in 2021, could provide more downfield upside than Cam Newton offered during a disappointing 2020 campaign.

His Crimson Tide teammate Christian Barmore gives the Patriots more interior pass rush as a second-round pick while Oklahoma’s Ronnie Perkins was an excellent value in round three. Look for him to make an early impact with his burst and strong repertoire of pass-rush moves.

The Patriots added another Sooner in running back Rhamondre Stevenson while Missouri safety Joshuah Bledsoe is an intriguing option for a defense that should be much improved in 2021.

New England didn’t make an aggressive move in the draft akin to its ambitious free agency spending. However, after letting the board come to them with Jones, a Patriots team that will get back several players who opted out in 2020, including linebacker D’onta Hightower, should have high hopes of competing in this coming season and a bright future with their new franchise quarterback.

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