NFL Draft Tracker 2021: Live analysis & insight from Tony Pauline

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NFL Draft Tracker 2021 | Picks 1-16

(The most recent news and pick analysis will be published at the top)

16. Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa

Pauline’s Ranking: #15 (OLB02) | Scouting Report

Pauline: I’ve been saying for weeks the Cardinals would take Zaven Collins, a dominant three-down player Arizona absolutely loves. Collins is a great fit for the system, and in time, could be one of the best defensive players to come from this draft.

15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

Pauline’s Ranking: #25 (QB04) | Scouting Report

Pauline: The Patriots get their quarterback of the future and the guy many compare to a young Tom Brady. Jones went where he should’ve gone — the middle of Round 1. We’ll now have to see if the Patriots still have the magic to develop quarterbacks.

[su_note note_color=”#690000″ text_color=”#ffffff” radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]TRADE ALERT: Minnesota Vikings deal No. 14 and No. 143 to the New York Jets for No. 23, No. 66, and No. 86 | The New York Jets have acquired the 14th overall pick and the 143rd pick, sending multiple picks back to the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings will receive picks 23, 66, and 86 in 2021.[/su_note]

14. New York Jets: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG/OT, USC

Pauline’s Ranking: #18 (OG02) | Scouting Report

Pauline: As I posted just before the draft, the Jets were looking to make a move up for either of the offensive linemen, Slater or Vera-Tucker. They got the last one, Vera-Tucker, who will be a terrific guard in their system.

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OG/OT, Northwestern

Pauline’s Ranking: #13 (OG01) | Scouting Report

Pauline: No surprise here. The Chargers were ready to move up if either Slater or Penei Sewell fell, but after three receivers and two corners went, the former fell. The Chargers hope Slater will fill the desperate hole they have at left tackle.

12. Dallas Cowboys: Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State

Pauline’s Ranking: #8 (OLB01) | Scouting Report

Pauline: The Cowboys traded down, as I mentioned a few weeks ago, and drafted a linebacker, as I mentioned a few weeks ago. Granted, I thought Dallas would trade down deeper in the draft and select Zaven Collins, but in Parsons, they get an incredibly athletic linebacker that can play three downs.

[su_note note_color=”#690000″ text_color=”#ffffff” radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]TRADE ALERT: The New York Giants trade No. 11 to the Chicago Bears for a 2021 fifth-round pick and first-round and fourth-round picks in 2022.  | The Chicago Bears have acquired the 11th overall pick, sending multiple picks back to the New York Giants. The Giants will receive No. 20 and 164 in 2021 as well as Chicago’s first-round and fourth-round picks in 2022.[/su_note]

11. Chicago Bears: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Pauline’s Ranking: #9 (QB03) | Scouting Report

Pauline: I stated last week there was almost a desperation in Chicago to come away with a quarterback during the draft’s first two rounds. Though it wasn’t a desperation move, the trade up for Fields proved they wanted to come away with a signal-caller. In Fields, the Bears get a physically talented passer who they can develop behind the veterans already on the roster.

[su_note note_color=”#690000″ text_color=”#ffffff” radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]TRADE ALERT: The Dallas Cowboys trade No. 10 to the Philadelphia Eagles for No. 12 and No. 84 | The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired the 10th overall pick, sending the 12th overall pick and the 84th pick to their NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys.[/su_note]

10. Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Pauline’s Ranking: #7 (WR02) | Scouting Report

Pauline: I mocked Jaylen Waddle to the Eagles — when he was gone, they went with his teammate DeVonta Smith. Expect for his slightly-built frame Smith has all the skills and qualities to be a No. 1 pass catcher. That said, Philadelphia will have to protect Smith from press coverage.

9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Pauline’s Ranking: #6 (CB01) | Scouting Report

Pauline: The Broncos pull a mild surprise but the head coach wanted a bigger corner. Surtain is a tough, physical shutdown DB that fits the system well.

8. Carolina Panthers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

Pauline’s Ranking: #10 (CB02) | Scouting Report

Pauline: Carolina pulls a slight surprise but it makes sense. New general manager Scott Fitterer comes from Seattle, the franchise that made big, physical corners the norm. Horn had been gaining momentum, and as I said, although Surtain was rated higher on my board, I believe the South Carolina junior will be the better corner two years down the road.

7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Pauline’s Ranking: #3 (OT01) | Scouting Report

Pauline: The Lions get a great bargain in Sewell — the draft’s best offensive lineman. He comes with great upside and should be the Lions’ starting left tackle for the next decade.

6. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Pauline’s Ranking: #11 (WR03) | Scouting Report

Pauline: I said earlier this week the Dolphins were moving away from DeVonta Smith. In passing on Sewell, they stayed true to the report they did not want to use an early pick on an opt-out player. Waddle has huge upside but an unpolished game.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Pauline’s Ranking: #2 (WR01) | Scouting Report

Pauline: Ja’Marr Chase was rated as the No. 2 player on my overall board and far and away the best receiver.  Cincinnati is getting a great receiver. However, in my opinion, they made a massive mistake passing on Penei Sewell.

4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Pauline’s Ranking: #4 (TE01) | Scouting Report

Pauline: In Pitts, the Falcons are getting a 245-pound receiver who plays the tight end position. He is the Trevor Lawrence of tight ends in this year’s draft and a great fit for Atlanta.

3. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, NDSU

Pauline’s Ranking: #20 (QB04) | Scouting Report

Pauline: This is the quarterback the 49ers wanted all along — as I’ve mentioned the past few months. Lance is the complete package physically and has tremendous football intellect but has not played football in a long time. He has a huge upside but may need to redshirt in 2021.

2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Pauline’s Ranking: #5 (QB02) | Scouting Report

Pauline: The New York Jets draft their quarterback of the future — again. In Wilson, they are getting a passer who perfectly fits the new offensive system and a signal-caller coming off a tremendous campaign. Wilson has an upside but there will be bumps in the road.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Pauline’s Ranking: #1 (QB01) | Scouting Report

Pauline: The worst-kept secret of the 2021 NFL Draft just became reality. The Jaguars select the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck and, in Lawrence, are getting a true franchise quarterback.