49ers-Dolphins trade, free agency make impact

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The outlook for the 2021 NFL draft has shifted considerably over the previous two weeks.

First, free agency – as it does every year – altered the landscape. Some groups patched roster holes or upgraded positional teams, whereas others out of the blue had deficiencies to deal with. Then got here Friday afternoon, when the Miami Dolphins executed a pair of trades that despatched them and two different golf equipment – the San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles – ricocheting by means of Round 1’s first 12 spots.

More dominoes may tumble, reshaping the draft panorama anew. But given the fallout that is already settled, let’s discover a contemporary projection of a out of the blue unfamiliar first spherical:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: No matter what occurs between now and draft evening, you’ll be able to assure that the previous Clemson star will turn out to be the inaugural decide of the Urban Meyer period. Though Lawrence may be one of many two or three prime prospects of this century, Meyer may need gotten cagey by eschewing top-shelf free brokers with the Jags’ boatload of cap house. Probably higher to go for mid-tier veterans – WR Marvin Jones and CB Shaquill Griffin, for instance – franchise LT Cam Robinson and herald position gamers than create outsized expectations for Lawrence and the franchise in Year 1.

2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU: On the heels of his captivating pro day in Provo, Utah, it turned more and more obvious the Jets will both have the chance to draft a passer with an electrical arm and see what incumbent Sam Darnold fetches in a commerce whereas they reset the place from a monetary perspective … or deal this choice for what may be a king’s and queen’s ransom whereas lastly getting Darnold assist.

3. San Francisco 49ers (from Houston Texans by way of Miami Dolphins) – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: They modified the course of this draft, Friday’s bold move vaulting the Niners 9 spots up the board. Lance is a bodily gifted, environment friendly participant with the trimmings of an important chief. Tantalizing to think about what a passer who can so successfully run the ball would possibly convey to a Kyle Shanahan offense that operates at peak type when the bottom recreation is buzzing. But if Lance is the selection, it’d make sense to permit him to sit down behind Jimmy Garoppolo whereas he makes the adjustment from the Football Championship Subdivision – which restricted Lance to 1 recreation look within the fall – to the professionals.

WINNERS AND LOSERS:Of draft trades by Dolphins, 49ers and Eagles that shuffle first-round order

WINNERS AND LOSERS:As free agency market dies down, Cam Newton makes list

FREE AGENCY TRACKER:Keep pace with offseason’s major moves

4. Atlanta Falcons – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: This could now be essentially the most fascinating juncture of the draft. QB Matt Ryan will probably be 36 in May and continues to play successfully, however this may very well be a novel alternative for Atlanta to grab his eventual substitute. Fields is an intriguing multi-dimensional menace who may have as a lot upside as anybody on this draft. He’s additionally from suburban Atlanta and would absolutely profit from apprenticing behind a veteran of Ryan’s caliber. Yet the Falcons will certainly get sturdy gives for this choice and needs to be doing a cost-benefit evaluation of letting a division rival just like the Panthers swoop in for Fields.

5. Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon: The major mandate right here needs to be safeguarding QB Joe Burrow, whose rookie season was lower quick by an ACL tear, after he was the No. 1 decide in 2020. Sewell addresses that whereas seemingly sending 2019 first-rounder Jonah Williams to protect – no less than briefly – after the group introduced in veteran OT Riley Reiff on a one-year deal.

6. Dolphins (from Philadelphia Eagles) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU: Had Miami remained at No. 3, the 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner seemingly nonetheless would have been your best option to spur second-year QB Tua Tagovailoa’s growth. Pretty sensible transfer by GM Chris Grier to drop three spots to presumably get the identical participant – and Chase would possibly wind up being the very best one popping out this 12 months – the online achieve being a future first- and future third-round decide.

7. Detroit Lions – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern: Given the state of their rebuild – which is just about at sq. one – and new QB Jared Goff’s restructured deal, they’re seemingly out of the QB sweepstakes for now. A receiver definitely is sensible after Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones signed elsewhere. But including a top quality blocker like Slater, who can play wherever on the O-line, appears to align with new coach Dan Campbell’s character and new OC Anthony Lynn’s want to run the ball – one thing the Lions have hardly ever finished successfully since Barry Sanders retired.

8. Carolina Panthers – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama: Could this group persuade the Jets or Falcons to commerce down? Would the Panthers nonetheless make a run at embattled Houston Texans star Deshaun Watson? Do they like Darnold? Or would possibly they take Jones, whom coach Matt Rhule deemed an “alpha” whereas working with gamers at this 12 months’s Senior Bowl? Whatever the case, Carolina appears decided to improve a place manned by environment friendly however conservative QB Teddy Bridgewater in 2020. Jones is probably not the athlete Wilson, Fields or Lance is, however he additionally doesn’t appear to be a lot of a undertaking and will fairly rapidly step in as a degree guard – as he was at Alabama – to distribute the ball to Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore and Robby Anderson. And a extra ready-made product like Jones may very well be preferable for Carolina, which may take a step up at school with the NFC South energy construction doubtlessly altering within the wake of Drew Brees’ retirement.

9. Denver Broncos – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State: Vic Fangio’s protection depends on OLBs Bradley Chubb and Von Miller creating strain off the sting … which implies you want a pair of succesful off-ball backers patrolling behind the road. Exceptionally rangy Parsons matches the mildew for a group that addressed its points at nook throughout free agency.

10. Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama: A 12 months after dropping Byron Jones in free agency, they nonetheless want a No. 1 nook. Coming off Surtain’s spectacular professional day, deciding on the son of a former Pro Bowler makes loads of sense for Dallas.

11. New York Giants – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC: It’s not draft season till you reference GM Dave Gettleman and his love of “hog mollies.” But after getting QB Daniel Jones extra weapons in free agency (Golladay, WR John Ross, TE Kyle Rudolph), Gettleman can be smart to bolster the safety of his younger passer, who’s absorbed greater than three sacks per recreation throughout his first two seasons.

12. Eagles (from 49ers by way of Dolphins) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: Like Miami, Philadelphia may wind up getting a participant it may need focused all alongside at No. 6 – its unique draft slot – whereas accelerating the group’s reboot and nonetheless bettering the supporting forged for second-year QB Jalen Hurts, now the unquestioned starter for 2021. Waddle performed with Hurts in Tuscaloosa, is a extremely explosive menace and provides a game-breaking component to the return recreation.

13. Los Angeles Chargers – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida: The Bolts properly retooled their offensive line in free agency. Though left sort out stays a problem, it will be laborious to bypass Pitts – maybe the subsequent coming of Travis Kelce – given the lack of Hunter Henry and what he may do to advance offensive rookie of the 12 months Justin Herbert’s development.

14. Minnesota Vikings – Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (Fla.): The Vikes had an NFC-low 23 sacks in 2020, coach Mike Zimmer saying of his protection: “worst one I’ve ever had.” Rousseau, who’s solely 20, had 15½ sacks in 2019, successful Atlantic Coast Conference defensive rookie of the 12 months honors earlier than opting out in 2020. His 6-7 body additionally makes him a menace to bat down balls when he cannot get to the quarterback. Could be an particularly vital possibility given Vikes DE Danielle Hunter’s obvious dissatisfaction with his contract.

15. New England Patriots – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: Always enjoyable to attach gamers to Bill Belichick after they’ve excelled below his good buddy, ‘Bama coach Nick Saban. As talented and explosive as Smith is, he’ll should show he can maintain NFL punishment off the road and downfield. That mentioned, the Pats know how one can maximize a participant’s strengths whereas masking weaknesses (literal or figurative). But this looks like a “take the best player available” state of affairs, and Smith undoubtedly has extra upside than newly signed WRs Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: He may be the very best nook on this draft, although a latest microdiscectomy to ease again ache did not assist the inventory of the previous all-ACC performer, who skipped the 2020 season. Still, a group that simply moved on from Patrick Peterson ought to think about its long-term future at nook in a division the place the ball is so continuously within the air.

17. Las Vegas Raiders – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame: They may deal with the offensive line after GM Mike Mayock simply traded away 60% of it. But protection nonetheless looks like the precedence, even with DE Yannick Ngakoue onboarding. Owusu-Koramoah is a dynamic, three-down chess piece on the second degree, the kind of participant who may very well be a headache for Herbert and Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes for years to return.

18. Dolphins – Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU: Miami appears to be like set on the corners with Xavien Howard and Byron Jones however may definitely use assistance on the again finish. Moehrig has good vary, performs with good instincts, can cowl and is prepared to return up and make successful – all traits coach Brian Flores would love.

19. Washington Football Team – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa: The WFT completed with the league’s second-ranked protection in 2020 however may considerably enhance behind its vaunted entrance. Off-ball linebackers who’re 6-4 and 260 kilos are unicorns within the trendy, pass-centric NFL. But Collins has the athleticism and protection capacity to drag it off – Exhibit A being the Bednarik Award winner’s game-winning, 96-yard pick-six to beat Tulane final season.

20. Chicago Bears – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina: Even within the wake of a shocking playoff push, this group looks like a multitude after plugging Andy Dalton into what looks like an unsolvable quarterback equation. And GM Ryan Pace created a brand new emptiness by signing Dalton when No. 1 nook Kyle Fuller consequentially turned a cap casualty – not good when the NFC North mandate is slowing league MVP Aaron Rodgers. At least Horn, son of former Saints WR Joe Horn, would possibly wind up being greater than a lateral transfer after placing on a professional day present.

21. Indianapolis Colts – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech: Anthony Castonzo’s retirement leaves a void at left sort out for an in any other case stalwart line. Barring a free agent signing or shuffling All-Pro LG Quenton Nelson outdoors, the trail of least resistance may be drafting dependable Darrisaw and leaving the opposite 4 starters in place. Gotta bubble-wrap new QB Carson Wentz after he was sacked a league-high 50 instances (in simply 12 video games) and finally fell aside.

22. Tennessee Titans – Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan: A dreadful move rush obtained vital love in free agency (OLB Bud Dupree, DL Denico Autry). Now GM Jon Robinson can repair his proper sort out conundrum after whiffing twice in 2020 by failing to re-sign All-Pro Jack Conklin earlier than misfiring spectacularly on troubled first-round pick Isaiah Wilson, who’s already out of the league.

23. Jets (from Seattle Seahawks) – Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan: The Jets are many years faraway from their famed “New York Sack Exchange.” However new coach Robert Saleh may be the man who lastly revitalizes the move rush and signing DE Carl Lawson was an important begin. But no cause to cease there, particularly with Buffalo QB Josh Allen threatening to take over the AFC East, and the explosive Paye would possibly settle in properly reverse Lawson.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama: Their blocking points are obvious following the retirement of C Maurkice Pouncey and defection of G Matt Feiler. LT Alejandro Villanueva additionally stays unsigned. But that is a group that hasn’t run the ball successfully for a decade – and ranked final within the league in 2020 – which could clarify why the Steelers are 10 years faraway from their final Super Bowl journey. Harris is the kind of bodily runner this metropolis adores, but he’d additionally defend declining QB Ben Roethlisberger as a blocker and outlet receiver.

25. Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams) – Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami (Fla.): The Jags’ 18 sacks in 2020 ranked solely forward of Cincinnati – and by only one. Phillips and a wholesome Josh Allen may repair that.

26. Cleveland Browns – Joe Tryon, DE, Washington: They made wonderful upgrades to the secondary in free agency, however a Twenty second-ranked move protection may nonetheless use assist – which explains the ongoing recruitment of Jadeveon Clowney. But you’ll be able to by no means have sufficient QB hunters, particularly when one – All-Pro Myles Garrett – will probably be coping with double groups.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia: They want to revive edge rush after saying goodbye to Matt Judon in free agency. Ojulari, who averaged almost a sack per recreation in 2020, appears to be like like the very best 3-4 linebacker this 12 months.

28. New Orleans Saints – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern: He’s assured and gifted, coming off a professional day efficiency that included a 4.38 40-yard sprint. Newsome may be made to order for a group that should deal with Tom Brady and his arsenal of Bucs receivers … a job that obtained tougher with Janoris Jenkins’ departure.

29. Green Bay Packers – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: Maybe GM Brian Gutekunst lastly will get a bona fide complement to Davante Adams and extra assist for Rodgers? Toney had a breakout senior 12 months for the Gators, amassing 70 catches for 984 yards and 10 scores. He’s obtained the explosive capacity to persistently burn No. 2 corners and will solely blossom whereas studying how one can fine-tune his routes with assist from the masterful Adams.

30. Buffalo Bills – Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State: His faculty manufacturing (seven sacks in three seasons) was suboptimal, to be type. But the 6-5, 257-pounder’s professional day, which included a 4.36 40-yard sprint, rekindled intrigue. Also, the AFC East champs can not depend on Jerry Hughes to persistently generate strain.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State: The world noticed what occurred to their decimated O-line in Super Bowl 55. The AFC champs patched the inside throughout free agency, including Joe Thuney and Kyle Long, however questions stay at sort out. Jenkins may lock down the precise aspect following Mitchell Schwartz’s release.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: What do you give the blokes which have every part? How about an all-purpose menace like Moore, who blazed an unofficial 4.29 40 at his professional day whereas posting 42½-inch vertical soar. Sure, he is undersized at 5-7. But a man who’s been (unfairly) in comparison with Tyreek Hill and may very well be a wingback sort the Bucs do not at present have may be simply be the toy Tom Brady needs – particularly whereas Antonio Brown stays unsigned.

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Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Nate Davis on Twitter @ByNateDavis.

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