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New on Sports Illustrated: 2021 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Picks' Fantasy Potential

<a href="https://www.si.com/fantasy/2021/04/30/nfl-draft-first-round-picks-potential">
SI Fantasy expert Michael Fabiano breaks down the fantasy situations for all the relevant first round picks from the 2021 NFL Draft
The first round of the
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021-draft-tracker">2021 NFL Draft</a> wrapped up on Thursday night, and it came with its share of surprises. The San Francisco 49ers didn't take Mac Jones, bitter division rivals the Dallas Cowboys, and Philadelphia Eagles made a trade (to block another rival, the New York Giants), and the Bears made a big move to try and remove the bad taste of the 2017 NFL Draft. In all, a total of 13 offensive skill position players were selected, including five quarterbacks, two running backs, five wide receivers, and a tight end.
With at least part of the 2021 roster puzzle no longer a mystery, let's take a look at the fantasy impact of a first-round that saw some good, some bad, and some ugly picks.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Everyone knew Lawrence was going to the Jaguars</a>, and now he'll have a chance to be a hero in Duval County. Maybe the best quarterback prospect to come out of the collegiate ranks since Andrew Luck, Lawrence is an athletic player with an accurate arm who will be under center in Week 1. It'll be tough to expect a Justin Herbert level of production, but Lawrence has top-15 potential. He'll also make all of the Jaguars' pass catchers, including D.J. Chark and Marvin Jones Jr., more attractive in fantasy drafts.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Wilson was tremendous in his final collegiate season, throwing 33 touchdown passes with just three interceptions and rushing for 10 scores. He had just one great season though, and the Jets don't have great weapons on the offensive side of the ball. That could hinder his development into a viable fantasy option. New York traded Sam Darnold to the Panthers, so Wilson will take over as the No. 1 quarterback for Gang Green in 2021. <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/nfl-jets-zach-wilson-the-one-quarterback-infrastructure">The question is, will he suffer the same fate as many Jets first rounders?</a>
3. Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State 
The Niners moved up to third overall to grab a quarterback, and <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-shanahan-49ers-legacy-trey-lance-draft-pick">Lance was the pick</a> after weeks of Mac Jones speculation. Despite playing against lesser competition, his numbers in his final full collegiate season (2019) were bananas good. He threw for 28 touchdowns without a single interception, and his 1,100 rushing yards were impressive. He might not have a ton of redraft value if the Niners ease him into a starting role behind veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, but his fantasy (dynasty) future is bright indeed.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Falcons didn't need a tight end, but <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-pitts-florida-falcons-2021-nfl-draft-first-round">Pitts is a generational talent</a>. A wideout in a tight end's body, he produced over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Florida. He might not have elite fantasy value as a rookie in a crowded Falcons pass attack, but Pitts should emerge into one of the five best tight ends in fantasy football once he's in the prime of his career. He'll be picked as a borderline No. 1 tight end in 2021 drafts, but I'd temper expectations in Year One despite the talent.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The last time we saw Chase on the gridiron, he put up 84 catches, 1,780 yards, and 20 touchdowns at LSU. Oh, and he was on the receiving end of some accurate Joe Burrow passes. <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jamarr-chase-lsu-2021-nfl-draft-first-round-cincinnati-bengals">Guess who'll be throwing him the football at the next level?</a> That's huge, as the two already possess a tremendous rapport that makes Chase the favorite to lead all Bengals wideouts in targets as a rookie. I'm not sure he'll be Justin Jefferson, but Chase is without question the top fantasy wideout in re-drafts and dynasty formats. 
6. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jaylen-waddle-dolphins-2021-nfl-draft-alabama">Waddle gets to reunite with Tua Tagovailoa</a>, his former Alabama teammate, in South Beach. He was a dynamic playmaker with the Crimson Tide, averaging nearly 19 yards per catch while splitting targets with studs like Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and DeVonta Smith. Waddle might not make a major impact as a rookie with DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, and Mike Gesicki in the passing attack, but he will be worth a middle to late pick in re-drafts and a first-rounder in most dynasty formats.
10. Philadelphia Eagles (trade with Cowboys): Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Eagles traded up with the Cowboys (of all teams) to land Smith, who might have gone to the Giants otherwise. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner doesn't have great size but could still produce big totals during his collegiate career. I think he'll come right in and start opposite Jalen Reagor, and I wouldn't be shocked if Smith is the first Eagles wideout picked in re-drafts. He'll also be a first-round pick in dynasty drafts.
11. Chicago Bears (trade with Giants): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State 
<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/bears/nfl/bears/news/justin-fields-showing-he-can-take-some-heat">The Bears thrilled their fans by moving up the draft board to acquire Fields</a>, who many saw as the second-best quarterback in this class. An accurate passer in college who can also find success on the ground, <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/chicago-bears-justin-fields-second-chance-new-life">Fields has the tools to make a real fantasy impact at the next level</a>. Even if he opens next season behind Andy Dalton, it shouldn't be long before Fields gets his shot to take the reins of the Bears' offense. My No. 2 rookie field general, his presence under center is good for Allen Robinson and Darnell Mooney. 
15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/with-mac-jones-patriots-post-brady-era-begins-now">Jones had been linked to the 49ers and Patriots</a>, but he fell into New England's lap when San Francisco took Lance. It might be a good thing, as Jones will have a shot to be the franchise quarterback for coach Bill Belichick. An extremely accurate passer, he completed 77 percent of his attempts while throwing 44 touchdowns with just four picks last season. Cam Newton's presence atop the depth chart could keep Jones from being picked in re-drafts, but he'll be a popular dynasty draft and stash under Belichick.
20. New York Giants (trade with Bears): Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The selection of Toney might be peculiar since the Giants just signed Kenny Golladay to a big deal and also have Sterling Shepard and Darius Slayton at wide receiver. The Florida product was a dynamic playmaker in college, recording nearly 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns last season as the Gators' main slot receiver. His 70 catches were tied for the seventh-most in the nation, too. However, consistent targets could be tough to come by as a rookie, so don't expect Toney to be worth much more than a late rounder.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama 
From a fantasy perspective, <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/najee-harris-draft-party-homeless-shelter">this was the best pick of the first round</a>. A three-down back, Harris averaged nearly six yards per attempt in his final collegiate season and put up a ridiculous 26 rushing touchdowns. That led the nation. He also proved he could handle a featured workload, seeing 251 carries and nearly 300 touches. The Steelers do have many questions on their offensive line, but Harris projects to start and could become the next great runner in the Steel City. He'll be worth a top-30 pick in re-drafts and is very likely to be the first rookie running back off the board in all long-term fantasy formats.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Fantasy fans love Harris going to the Steelers, but Etienne landing in Jacksonville isn't as appealing. After all, James Robinson came out of nowhere to produce an RB7 year while averaging nearly 18 fantasy points a game in 2020. As a result, Etienne won't have a clear path to touches as a rookie. What's more troubling is that coach Urban Meyer said he envisions Etienne as a third-down back behind Robinson and Carlos Hyde. That is an odd quote for a player you took in the first round, but ultimately I see Etienne emerging as the Jaguars' top runner in a projected committee in 2021. He'll be a tough player to project until the summer months, but his ceiling doesn't look great.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota 
The Ravens run the football a ton, and their wide receivers ranked dead last in routes run and targets a season ago. That's bad news for Bateman, who lands in a crowded Baltimore pass attack. Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, and Devin Duvernay remain on the roster, and the team also added Sammy Watkins into the mix. Oh, and let's not forget the target machine, Mark Andrews. I wouldn't expect much in terms of production from Bateman as a rookie, but he'll be worth a late-round look in dynasty drafts.
<hr />
Michael Fabiano is an award-winning fantasy football analyst on Sports Illustrated and a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association (FSWA) Hall of Fame. You can follow Michael on <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/Michael_Fabiano">Twitter</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Michael.Fabiano/">Facebook</a>, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSm58W1_3x0YFXNr04gnl-Q?view_as=subscriber">YouTube</a>, and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/michael_fabiano_/">Instagram</a> for all of the latest breaking fantasy football news and the best analysis in the business!
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New on Sports Illustrated: 2021 NFL Draft: Breaking Down First Round Picks' Fantasy Potential

SI Fantasy expert Michael Fabiano breaks down the fantasy situations for all the relevant first round picks from the 2021 NFL Draft The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft wrapped up on Thursday night,…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: NFL Day 2 Mock Draft

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/day-2-mock-draft-rounds-2-and-3">
Elijah and Rondale Moore, three Notre Dame stars, Davis Mills and Kyle Trask will highlight Day 2 of the draft. Where will they go?
<h2>ROUND 2</h2>
33. Jacksonville: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Interesting that Urban Meyer took the second running back before the safety—value be damned—but Moehrig was the best safety in the draft and slid considerably after five quarterbacks mucked up the first round. Jacksonville gets, essentially, a third first-round pick here at the top of the second.
34. N.Y. Jets: Azeez Ojulari, edge, Georgia
The Jets need an edge rusher to book-end Carl Lawson. Ojulari is a bit undersized, but he’s a pure edge burner who fits perfectly in Robert Saleh’s Wide-9 front.
35. Atlanta: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
New defensive coordinator Dean Pees knows the importance of being strong up the middle, and Barmore, who wrecked the college football playoffs, could be a perfect fit alongside Grady Jarrett.
36. Miami (from Houston): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
A stunner slipping out of Round 1, Owusu-Koramoah’s ability to cover like a defensive back would give Brian Flores a lot of flexibility at the linebacker level.
37. Philadelphia: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
The Eagles have never put a premium on linebackers, but Nick Sirianni brought defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon with him from Indy, and those two saw firsthand the value of a big-time linebacker in Darius Leonard. Cox isn’t at Leonard’s level—he struggles to get through traffic—but his speed is perfect for Gannon’s fast-flowing defense.
38. Cincinnati: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
He might be a guard, or he might challenge stopgap veteran Riley Reiff at tackle. But either way, Eichenberg’s big-school pedigree will appeal to the Bengals’ brass, and Notre Dame linemen have an excellent track record overall.
39. Carolina: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
For the first time in the Matt Rhule Era, the Panthers draft an offensive player! Jenkins needs to become more refined to go with his brute physicality, but he has a great chance to provide an answer at left tackle for a team that hasn’t had stability there since the Jordan Gross days.
40. Denver: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
The Broncos can’t be banking on Ja’Wuan James anymore; Mayfield, however, can be the answer as their bookend for Garett Bolles.
41. Detroit: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
The Lions (rightly) didn’t pass on Penei Sewell in Round 1, but they’re still in desperate need of receivers. Moore can separate and plays bigger than his size in traffic. He would mesh nicely as a catch-and-run weapon for Jared Goff.
42. N.Y. Giants: Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State
Sources in New York say Dave Gettleman has an affinity for hog mollies. After trading down for the first time as a GM, Gettleman gets back to his roots with Davis, who has NFL bloodlines (he’s the grandson of Hall of Fame Packers defensive lineman Willie Davis) and should immediately step into Kevin Zeitler’s old spot at right guard.
43. San Francisco: Richie Grant, S, UCF
Jaquiski Tartt has had a rash of injuries over the past few seasons. Grant, an undersized but all-around solid and aggressive safety, would at least an important third safety if not a starter in San Francisco.
44. Dallas: Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
The Cowboys continue to restock on defense, where Onwuzurike’s ability to get upfield could remind new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn of his former star in Atlanta, Grady Jarrett.
45. Jacksonville (from Minnesota): Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
The Jaguars have Shaquil Griffin and C.J. Henderson on the outside, and Samuel would fit nicely as a quality cover man in the slot.
46. New England: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
A big linebacker who flashed the ability to cover and blitz on occasion, Browning fits the mold for a Patriots team that got a chilling look at life after Dont’a Hightower last season.
47. L.A. Chargers: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
The Chargers signed Jared Cook as a stopgap after losing Hunter Henry in free agency, but Freiermuth would provide a long-term target over the middle for Justin Herbert.
48. Las Vegas: Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
The Raiders addressed their lack of an edge-rushing presence by signing Yannick Ngakoue, but the interior line is thin. Nixon is a bit of a late-bloomer, but he’s a rare mover for a 300-pounder with the ability to get upfield. He was dominant at times at Iowa.
49. Arizona: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Kliff Kingsbury’s Air Raid asks its receivers to win one-on-one battles in iso routes, and considering they often play four-wide it’s imperative the Cardinals add talent at receiver. Marshall dominated as a big slot receiver at LSU and would fit nicely in the old Larry Fitzgerald role.
50. Miami: Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama
The Dolphins have loaded up with weapons for Tua, signing Will Fuller and drafting Jaylen Waddle; now they need to solidify the front five in front of him. Dickerson is coming off an ACL tear, but assuming he returns to 100% health he would soon overtake Matt Skura on the depth chart (add your own obligatory and exaggerated “10-year starter” claim here).
51. Washington: Elijah Molden, DB, Washington
Molden might not have the size and speed to hold up as a boundary receiver, but he’s a quality player inside who’s instincts and football character will win over a coaching staff.
52. Chicago: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Kyle Fuller was a surprise cap casualty, and aging Desmond Trufant is not the answer opposite second-year man Jaylon Johnson. Campbell had an up-and-down career at Georgia, but few can match his athletic profile as a big, fast and fluid cover man.
53. Tennessee: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
After losing Corey Davis in free agency, the Titans would do well to add Wallace, a fast and feisty receiver who would complement A.J. Brown nicely.
54. Indianapolis: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Colts still need to find an answer at left tackle after Anthony Castonzo’s retirement. Cosmi can be a little segmented in his movements, but his length and light feet give him a chance to become a quality blindside blocker.
55. Pittsburgh: Quinn Meinerz, G, Whitewater (Wisc.)
The Steelers traded up for a running back in Round 1, but their offensive line remains a huge question mark. Meinerz is the kind of mauling interior lineman who could thrive in an offense that wants to reassert its physicality.
56. Seattle: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
After losing Shaquil Griffin and Quinton Dunbar, cornerback is an obvious need for the Seahawks. Melifonwu is a classic “Seattle-style” (a little over 6’ 2” with 32-inch arms).
57. L.A. Rams: Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
Sean McVay has been desperate to find stability at center, but hasn’t been able to find it since John Sullivan’s retirement. Myers could provide the long-term answer in L.A.
58. Kansas City (from Baltimore): Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
He doesn’t have prototypical X-receiver size, but Brown is a burner and the kind of downfield threat who could do major damage with Patrick Mahomes throwing him the ball.
59. Cleveland: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
He’d be more of a luxury pick for a Browns offense that doesn’t use three receivers often, but while Moore is undersized he’s special with the ball in his hands. He could do some damage in a gadget role and as a return specialist with a chance to become a more refined receiver over the next few seasons.
60. New Orleans: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
The Saints were much better defensively after adding Kwon Alexander last season, and Bolton brings similar speed and aggressiveness at the second level. He’d fit nicely alongside Demario Davis.
61. Buffalo: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
The Bills came up empty in their search for a tight end in free agency, but Tremble could become the answer. He was underused as a receiver at Notre Dame, but his athleticism suggests untapped potential as a pass-catcher, and he will play with an edge as a blocker.
62. Green Bay: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
A savvy route runner and catch-and-run threat, St. Brown’s well-rounded game and advanced approach would give him a chance to be an early contributor in Green Bay (where he would also push older brother Equanimeous down the depth chart).
63. Kansas City (from Baltimore): Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
The Chiefs addressed every O-line spot except right tackle this offseason. Trey Lance’s blindside protector, Radunz might need a year to adjust to the NFL, but he has the potential to become a longterm answer at right tackle.
64. Tampa Bay: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
Robinson thrived as a slot corner in college but has the size and physical traits to play the outside. He’d have a chance to develop while providing depth for a solid defensive backfield in Tampa.
<hr />
<h2>ROUND 3</h2>
65. Jacksonville: Jay Tufele, DT, USC
Urban Meyer spent the opening portion of the draft selecting a 7-on-7 All-Star team, but now the real work begins. Defensive coordinator Joe Cullen desperately needs some help stopping the run, and some effort needs to go into maximizing the talented Josh Allen off the edge. Tufele isn’t going to provide a ton of position versatility, but the Jaguars have enough outside projects anyway.
66. Minnesota (from N.Y. Jets): Joseph Ossai, edge, Texas
The Vikings picked up two Day 2 picks by trading down with the Jets on Thursday; they didn’t have a second-rounder because of the Yannick Ngakoue trade with Jacksonville last summer. They get a chance to get that bookend to Danielle Hunter in Ossai, who’s raw as a pass rusher after playing stack linebacker early in his career, but has the kind of physical traits co-defensive coordinator Andre Patterson can mold and maximize.
67. Houston: Rashad Weaver, DE, Pittsburgh
The Texans need a total rebuild on defense. If new defensive coordinator Lovie Smith is installing a scheme heavy on Cover-2 concepts, Houston would desperately need an upgrade in the pass rush. Weaver isn’t an edge burner, but he is a polished face-up pass rusher who can make an early impact.
68. Atlanta: Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
Atlanta needs to spend Day 2 building up on the defensive side of the ball, and that includes finding depth in the defensive backfield. Rochell is one of the most intriguing players in the draft, a rare athlete oozing with confidence who dominated small-school competition, but who needs refinement before he becomes an NFL contributor.
69. Cincinnati: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
The Bengals added Chidobe Awuzie on the boundary and Mike Hilton in the slot this offseason, but the search for quality corners should continue. Joseph is fast and fluid, and his long arms allow him to play bigger than his listed size. He’s the kind of high-upside prospect the Bengals should try to develop before they turn to free agency again.
70. Philadelphia: Marco Wilson, CB, Florida
The Eagles were hoping to land a cornerback like Stokes in the second round but had to settle for value elsewhere. Wilson can play any of the three cornerback spots and was asked to be physical often in college, operating in plenty of press man.
71. Denver: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
A former quarterback, Surratt has settled nicely into a life as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can remain on the field during passing downs and shift at times to a box safety role. Vic Fangio’s defenses have always been at their best when he has rangy linebackers manning the middle of the field, and Surratt could push Josey Jewell for playing time by the second half of 2021.
72. Detroit: Carlos Basham Jr, DE, Wake Forest
The Lions could use all the pass rush help they can get. Basham was discussed as a first-round prospect in the days leading up to the draft, breaking out in 2019 with an 11-sack season. Basham also had a stunning 18 tackles for loss in his last full season. Dan Campbell would surely appreciate Basham’s high-energy, heavy-handed style.
73. Carolina: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami-Fla.
Ian Thomas wasn’t the answer to replace Greg Olsen, and Dan Arnold is not a long-term solution. Jordan, however, could emerge as a serious threat working up the seam in Joe Brady’s offense.
74. Washington (from San Francisco): Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Chase Roullier had another solid season last year but Rivera wants to continue replenishing the depth of the offensive interior. This team will be all about ball control and turning the game over to their immensely talented defense in 2021.
75. Dallas: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
Running a Dan Quinn defense requires investing in heady playmakers who can shift throughout the defensive backfield. Holland can easily flip to the slot and broke up a ton of passes during his time with the Ducks, providing some semblance of comfort to a threadbare secondary.
76. N.Y. Giants: Ronnie Perkins, edge, Oklahoma
The Giants need a presence on the edge after doubling down on their efforts to bolster Daniel Jones in the first. Perkins may not have the ideal size or bend, but coordinator Patrick Graham is developing a reputation as a chess master and can put him in the right spot.
77. L.A. Chargers: Alim McNiel, DT, N.C. State
The Chargers could use more of a presence over the center to bolster their run support system. McNiel also rushed the passer effectively in 2018 and 2019.
78. Minnesota: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
The Vikings would love the chance to develop a player behind Kirk Cousins so that they could eventually get themselves out of this Kirk Cousins pay-as-you-go-fully-guaranteed process. While Mills isn’t supplanting Cousins any time soon, he has as much upside as any of the Day 2 quarterbacks available.
79. Las Vegas (from Arizona): Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
Werner can slide across multiple positions and has the ability to drop into zone coverage. Gus Bradley needs linebackers who are more than just run stuffers, and Vegas has struggled to amass a platoon good enough to make his Seahawks-inspired defense work.
80. Las Vegas: Jackson Carman, G, Clemson
The Raiders plan on using Round 1 pick Alex Leatherwood at right tackle, but they still have question marks on the interior line. Carman would come in and compete for a job immediately in Las Vegas, where Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock continue to turn over an expensive and successful veteran unit. At some point, even with Derek Carr’s quick release, the Raiders will need to hit on some cheap talent.
81. Miami: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
If Williams lasts this long, it would be a slam dunk for the position-needy Dolphins. He’s a slashing, violent runner and quality pass protector who can stay on the field for third downs and not get overmatched. His highlight tape in college is best watched with a pair of boxing gloves on.
82. Washington: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
It’s a rule that you cannot have Ryan Fitzpatrick without a developmental QB project behind him. Washington is committed to the Fitzpatrick experience this year, but Trask is another player that nearly worked his way into the first-round conversation this year.
83. Chicago: D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
If Ryan Pace were able to hit on both a quarterback and a wide receiver in the middle rounds of this draft, it might represent one of the most significant turnarounds in the history of public opinion. A converted defensive back still picking up on the nuances of the position, Eskridge is an electric mover with plenty of speed, a great piece for Matt Nagy’s offense.
84. Dallas (from Indianapolis via Philadelphia): Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
Dan Quinn lands a 6’ 1” cornerback out of Stanford with great hands and a nose for picking off footballs. Sound familiar? It’s worth a shot. Dallas wanted a cornerback at the top of the draft but after getting edged by the Broncos and Panthers, they settled for some mid-round fliers.
85. Tennessee: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
An interesting player in that he missed most of 2019 with an injury and opted out in 2020. As NFL.com noted, Little was a former five-star prospect rated at the top of his position, and this is the perfect time for the TItans to take a chance on a player who can compete for their right tackle spot.
86. Minnesota (from Seattle via N.Y. Jets): Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
After letting go of Kyle Rudolph, the Vikings need to find a second tight end to run a lot of their base offense, which features more multiple tight end looks than almost any team in football. Long can make the tough catches over the middle, and if the blocking improves, he’ll nestle into a rewarding spot amid Kirk Cousins’ progressions.
87. Pittsburgh: Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
Mond could be one of the highest-upside quarterbacks in this draft. Initially discussed as a fourth-round pick or later, Mond’s star began to rise after a solid senior season and an eye-opening pro day that showcased his arm talent. Pittsburgh extended Mason Rudolph, but they need more upside down the road than Rudolph and Dwayne Haskins.
88. L.A. Rams: Shaun Wade, DB, Ohio State
In 2019, Wade lined up almost exclusively in the slot for the Buckeyes and positioned himself as a potential first-round pick. He struggled badly as a boundary corner last season, but with the Rams losing Troy Hill in free agency, Wade could provide the answer inside (and it doesn’t hurt that L.A. found a sixth-round steal from Ohio State in Jordan Fuller last year).
89. Cleveland (from New Orleans): Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
A stout defensive tackle who, when the play breaks wide open, can chase down a running back or mobile quarterback if need be. Cleveland needs as many run stuffers as they can get their paws on.
90. Minnesota (from Baltimore): Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
With approximately 8,000 picks in the next two drafts, the Vikings can take a chance on Cisco, a rangy free safety who is a question mark coming off an ACL injury. He logged a ton of turnovers while with the Orange, and can bring a little bit of high energy noisemaking into a sleepy Vikings secondary. Mike Zimmer needs some athletes as he replenishes the defense, getting younger and faster.
89. Cleveland: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
The Browns have already done a great job studying themselves against the run this offseason with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney. Moses gives them another strong presence as the Steelers add Najee Harris and the Ravens continue doubling down on the run. Moses looked like a potential first-rounder until an up-and-down 2020 season while working his way back from an ACL tear.
92. Green Bay: James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
See, Aaron Rodgers? The Packers care! This is part of a long-term plan to replenish the offensive line as they go, especially after their struggle to protect Rodgers in the NFC title game loss to Tampa. Hudson is super athletic, and with a year of seasoning could develop into a special blocker, especially when the play gets to the second level.
93. Buffalo: Trey Smith, G, Tennessee
While Cody Ford develops at right guard, Trey Smith can come in right away and compete with Jon Feliciano at the left guard spot. The Bills cannot afford to lose that sense of harmony up front, especially as Josh Allen’s confidence in his play extension ability grows.
94. Baltimore (from Kansas City): Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech
Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe won’t play forever. The Ravens are talented but older up front and will need to begin churning, especially as the mid season wear and tear hits some of their veteran players. Williams logged 10 sacks over his two final seasons with the Bulldogs.
95. Tampa Bay: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
Another luxury pick you can make if you just won the Super Bowl. Tom Brady loves a good YAC machine, and Atwell is the kind of receiver who can take a bubble screen to the house in almost any situation. He is one of the fastest players in the draft but available this late due to his lack of size (5’ 8”, 149 pounds).
96. New England: Shakur Brown, DB, Michigan State
Depending on what Bill Belichick decides to do with some of the other pieces in his secondary, he’ll need immediate reinforcements. The Patriots are built from the back to the front, and Brown gives them a versatile ball hawk who picked off five passes last year for the Spartans.
97. L.A. Chargers: Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
The Chargers have done a fine job surviving (and thriving) beyond Melvin Gordon. Carter gives them depth at the position and an effective rusher who gained more than five yards per carry in college.
98. New Orleans: Jalen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh
The Saints lost Sheldon Rankins to free agency this offseason and invested on the edge in the first round. Twyman is a bit small but is feisty, logging 10.5 sacks during his last full season at Pitt.
99. Dallas: Ben Cleveland, G, Georgia
The Cowboys have it as good as it gets at guard, but Cleveland is too big and too nasty to pass up. If they’re going to rebuild this offensive line brick by brick, he’s worth a mid-round flier.
100. Tennessee: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
A hard-nosed tackler and capable blitzer, McGrone is the kind of linebacker Mike Vrabel can appreciate, and the athlete any blitz happy coordinator could make good use of.
101. Detroit (from L.A. Rams): Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
The Lions look in-state for some desperately needed help on offense. Collins is big—6’ 4”—and can handle himself quite well in physical situations. A kneecap biter, one might say.
102. San Francisco: Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota
St-Juste doesn’t have a ton of experience at the position but can develop over time, maturing when some critical contracts expire elsewhere in the secondary.
103. L.A. Rams: Monty Rice, LB, Georgia
While Rice doesn’t look crazy fast on tape, he always seems to reach the running back taking the outlet pass. He manages to get a hand in front of the tight end dragging a route into his coverage area.
104. Baltimore: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
He looks like a Madden create-a-player at a tall 6’ 3” in Florida State’s secondary, an attacking and athletic box safety who has to prove he can stay healthy.
105. New Orleans: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
After taking a pass-rusher in the first round (and, in this mock draft, scraping the linebacker and interior defensive line markets), the Saints try to hit on a mid-round wide receiver, adding a wrinkle to their talented but aging offense. Rodgers is the kind of multi-purpose weapon Sean Payton could have a lot of fun with.
</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: NFL Day 2 Mock Draft

Elijah and Rondale Moore, three Notre Dame stars, Davis Mills and Kyle Trask will highlight Day 2 of the draft. Where will they go? ROUND 2 33. Jacksonville: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU Interesting that U…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Rams GM Les Snead Tests Positive for COVID-19, Will Draft From Home

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/rams-general-manager-les-snead-tests-positive-covid-19">
Snead tested positive on Thursday morning after coming in close contact with a team staffer who later tested positive.
As the Rams prepare to make their first selection in the 2021 NFL draft on Day 2, general manager Les Snead told reporters Thursday night that he has tested positive for COVID-19,
</a><a href="https://twitter.com/LindseyThiry/status/1387982183462178818">per ESPN's Lindsey Thiry</a>.
Snead and head coach Sean McVay both had close contact with someone who later tested positive. They found out on Monday, then Snead tested positive Thursday morning, <a href="https://twitter.com/JourdanRodrigue/status/1387982700489756674">per Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic</a>. McVay tested negative.
Snead said that he was experiencing symptoms and is in a "good spot" right now. He was days away from receiving his second vaccination dose.
Because of the positive test, Snead will not join the rest of the Rams contingent at the team's <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/19/rams-beach-house-malibu-headquarters">draft headquarters in Malibu, Calif.</a>, and instead will work remotely from his garage. The team unveiled plans earlier this week to conduct their draft in a 9,000-square foot beach house, complete with a pool and views of the Pacific Ocean.
The Rams' first pick in this year's draft is pick No. 57 late in the second round. The team's first-round pick this year went to the Jaguars <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/10/16/jalen-ramsey-trade-rams-jaguars">in the Jalen Ramsey trade</a>, who used it to take running back Travis Etienne. The Rams also traded their first-round picks in 2022 and 2023—along with a third-round pick this year—<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/02/07/lions-ask-aaron-donald-rams-matthew-stafford-trade">to the Lions in exchange for quarterback Matthew Stafford.</a>
More NFL Draft Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/chicago-bears-justin-fields-second-chance-new-life">Justin Fields Gives the Bears a Second Chance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Is Urban Meyer Ready for Trevor Lawrence?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-shanahan-49ers-legacy-trey-lance-draft-pick">Drafting Trey Lance Will Define Kyle Shanahan's Legacy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/nfl-jets-zach-wilson-the-one-quarterback-infrastructure">Jets Hope Zach Wilson Will Break Cycle of QB Dysfunction</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Rams GM Les Snead Tests Positive for COVID-19, Will Draft From Home

Snead tested positive on Thursday morning after coming in close contact with a team staffer who later tested positive. As the Rams prepare to make their first selection in the 2021 NFL draft on Day 2…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Northwestern Produces Pair of First-Round Picks for First Time in Program History

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/northwestern-first-round-picks-first-time-program-history">
Northwestern made program history on Thursday night as Rashawn Slater and Greg Newsome II were both selected in the first round.
<div>View the</div>
original article</a> to see embedded media.
Is <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2020/11/18/northwestern-football-midwestern-revival-tour">Northwestern the new powerhouse</a> in the Big Ten? Thursday's NFL draft results suggest as much. 
The Wildcats were one of two Big Ten program to produce a pair of first-round picks, with <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/scouting-reports/rashawnslater">offensive lineman Rashawn Slater going</a> No. 13 to the Chargers before the Browns selected <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/scouting-reports/gregnewsomeii">cornerback Greg Newsome II</a> with the No. 26 pick. Perhaps Ohio State has more competition than it originally assumed in the heartland. 
Thursday's selections were certainly a rarity for the Wildcats. Northwestern had never previously produced more than one first-rounder in a single draft, and the program's last first-round pick came with the selection of defensive tackle Luis Castillo in 2005. Offensive tackle Chris Hinton is the Wildcats' highest draft pick in school history after being drafted at No. 4 in 1983. 
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Penn State tallied a pair of first-round picks on Thursday. Linebacker Micah Parsons was selected by Dallas at No. 12 before the Ravens drafted EDGE Jayson Oweh at No. 31. Ohio State logged just one first-round pick as quarterback <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/justin-fields-ohio-state-2021-nfl-draft-first-round-chicago-bears-trade-up">Justin Fields was drafted by the Bears</a> with the No. 11 pick. 
More NFL Draft Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Trevor Lawrence Is Officially a Jaguar; Is Urban Meyer Ready for This?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/nfl-jets-zach-wilson-the-one-quarterback-infrastructure">Jets, Again, Hope Zach Wilson Will Break Cycle of QB Dysfunction</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/chicago-bears-justin-fields-second-chance-new-life">Justin Fields Gives Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy a Second Chance They Desperately Needed</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Northwestern Produces Pair of First-Round Picks for First Time in Program History

Northwestern made program history on Thursday night as Rashawn Slater and Greg Newsome II were both selected in the first round. View the original article to see embedded media. Is Northwestern the n…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: The Patriots’ Post-Brady Era Begins Now

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/with-mac-jones-patriots-post-brady-era-begins-now">
In Mac Jones, Bill Belichick drafted a Round 1 quarterback for the first time ever—and looks to usher in a return to dominance.
Of course the first time Bill Belichick drafts a first-round quarterback, it’s one for whom he could get an unvarnished scouting report from
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/01/18/bill-belichick-nick-saban-friendship-relationship-patriots-alabama-browns">good buddy Nick Saban</a>—and without even having to do any draft-day maneuvering.
Now, the post-Tom Brady era in New England really begins.
The Patriots treated 2020 as something of a gap year, with a league-high eight opt-outs due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a starting quarterback, Cam Newton, who didn't sign with the team until June. They were, for the first time in two decades, mediocre, but that 7–9 record bought them the ticket to a fresh start: the No. 15 pick, which they used Thursday night on Alabama QB Mac Jones.
<figure><img height="345" src="https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTgwNjc2MDQ4NTk2MjQ3NjQw/mac-pats-hz.jpg" width="620" /></figure>
The oft-cited statistic that Belichick had never drafted a QB higher than pick No. 62—used on Jimmy Garoppolo in 2014—was inherently flawed, given that Belichick had Brady as a starter for 19 of his 26 seasons as a head coach (and he inherited former first-round starters—Drew Bledsoe and Bernie Kosar—for four others). But, as we all know, that changed last year, and the Patriots didn’t have the immediate succession plan that we always expected they might. The pandemic-altered season, which no one expected, became something of a bridge.
It has been clear this offseason that the Patriots were not only willing to veer from their Brady era team-building practices, they had to. Belichick went on an <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/03/16/nfl-free-agency-patriots-bill-belichick-spend-big">atypical free-agent spending spree</a>, investing close to $90 million on a pair of tight ends alone, potentially taking advantage of a pandemic-depressed salary cap but also making up for years of accrued draft misses. And Thursday night, he used his highest draft pick in 13 years on a quarterback, having traded away Brady’s once-presumptive successor four years earlier.
The 49ers were rumored to be deciding between Jones and Trey Lance, but Kyle Shanahan’s team <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-shanahan-49ers-legacy-trey-lance-draft-pick">went with the North Dakota State passer at No. 3</a>, making this the first draft since ’99 in which QBs were selected 1-2-3. From there the intrigue, and the waiting game, started for the QB-needy teams lurking outside the top 10. When the Lions, Panthers and Broncos at 7-8-9 went OL-CB-CB, the possibilities opened up. Chicago made the first move, coming up from 20 to the Giants’ spot at 11 to <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/justin-fields-ohio-state-2021-nfl-draft-first-round-chicago-bears-trade-up">draft Ohio State QB Justin Fields</a>. The Cowboys (12) and Chargers (13) did not have a QB need, and the Jets traded up to 14 for USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. A path was cleared for New England’s patience to be rewarded.
Jones’s size and athleticism do not stand out, but he has other traits that the Patriots would value: He completed more than 77% of his passes last season, an NCAA record, with only four interceptions. He thrived in high-pressure situations, throwing for 464 yards and five touchdowns in Alabama's national championship win against Ohio State. Yes, the game is trending to favor QBs with varied skill sets, but Pats OC Josh McDaniels has plenty of experience designing a creative and productive offense for a QB who isn’t a running threat.
If Jones hadn’t been there, perhaps Belichick would have made a deal to bring back Garoppolo, whose trade market four years ago was primarily stoked by Belichick’s affection for him. They also re-signed Newton, who now has a year’s experience in the offense and presumably will not again have to fight off a COVID-19 infection in-season.
But Jones was there for the Patriots, setting a new path for the franchise. They now have a first-round QB to develop and play, and a roster newly flush with weapons like Hunter Henry, Jonnu Smith and Kendrick Bourne. For so long, the team’s success was tied to the <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/29/shadow-of-tom-brady-stories-of-other-199th-picks-daily-cover">199th pick</a> who <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/02/08/story-of-bucs-super-bowl-season-brady-recruitment-daily-cover">became the GOAT</a>, but the Jones pick was the Patriots acknowledging the serendipity involved in that, and the unlikelihood of it ever happening again. They’re necessarily doing things differently in the post-Brady era—they can only hope it leads to the same results.

New on Sports Illustrated: The Patriots’ Post-Brady Era Begins Now

In Mac Jones, Bill Belichick drafted a Round 1 quarterback for the first time ever—and looks to usher in a return to dominance. Of course the first time Bill Belichick drafts a first-round quarterbac…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Alabama Has Record-Tying Six First-Round Picks

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/2021-nfl-draft-alabama-first-round-picks-record-miami-hurricanes">
The Alabama NFL factory continues to churn out blue chip prospects at a record-setting clip.
<div>View the</div>
original article</a> to see embedded media.
Every season, Alabama sends a surplus of talent to the NFL draft. This year, the Crimson Tide has taken that tradition to record-setting heights.
Six Alabama players were taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft Thursday night, tying the all-time record by Miami in 2004.
<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/04/19/miami-hurricanes-2004-nfl-draft-record-six-players-first-round">When the Canes Ruled the Draft: The Year Miami Had Six First-Rounders</a>
Wide receivers Jaylen Waddle and DeVonta Smith each went in the top 10 to the Dolphins and Eagles, respectively, joining former Alabama quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Jalen Hurts. Cornerback Patrick Surtain II also went in the top 10, getting picked by Denver at No. 9.
After speculation that he could go as high as No. 3, quarterback Mac Jones slipped to No. 15, where the Patriots drafted him to compete with incumbent starter Cam Newton. The Raiders took offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood two picks later at No. 17.
The Steelers made Najee Harris the first running back drafted when they selected him with the No. 24 pick.
The strong draft showing this year continues the run of success from Alabama's 2017 recruiting class. That group has produced eight first-rounders over the past two drafts, with Smith, Jones, Leatherwood and Harris getting picked this year. Last year's draft featured 2017 signees Tagovailoa, offensive tackle Jedrick Wills, wide receiver Henry Ruggs III and wide receiver Jerry Jeudy, all of whom were taken in the top 15.
More NFL Draft Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Trevor Lawrence Is Officially a Jaguar; Is Urban Meyer Ready for This?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-shanahan-49ers-legacy-trey-lance-draft-pick">Drafting Trey Lance Will Define Kyle Shanahan's Legacy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/nfl-jets-zach-wilson-the-one-quarterback-infrastructure">Jets Hope Zach Wilson Will Break Cycle of QB Dysfunction</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Rosenberg: Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Alabama Has Record-Tying Six First-Round Picks

The Alabama NFL factory continues to churn out blue chip prospects at a record-setting clip. View the original article to see embedded media. Every season, Alabama sends a surplus of talent to the NF…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Justin Fields Gives Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy a Second Chance They Desperately Needed

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/chicago-bears-justin-fields-second-chance-new-life">
Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy survived a regrettable, high-profile mistake in the 2017 draft. Now the franchise has new life.
How strange and circuitous this NFL world is, that perhaps, while the NFC North is in absolute upheaval and the division’s best quarterback is wielding a pry bar as
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/29/green-bay-packers-give-aaron-rodgers-what-he-wants">he tries to force his way out</a>, the Bears may have somehow become the gold standard of quarterback decision-making overnight?
While a general manager who survived <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/12/23/patrick-mahomes-chiefs-bears-mitchell-trubisky-2017-nfl-draft">a regrettable, high-profile mistake</a> at the quarterback position is not a narrative fit for Disney studios anytime soon, there is something to be said about the Bears’ performance on Thursday night, which resulted in <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/03/18/chicago-bears-cant-go-out-like-this-andy-dalton-nick-foles">nabbing Justin Fields with the 11th pick</a>.
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Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/03/18/chicago-bears-cant-go-out-like-this-andy-dalton-nick-foles">could not go into 2021</a> with Andy Dalton as their presumptive starter. It was not in the best interest of the Bears. It was not in their own personal best interests, with pressure mounting each time Patrick Mahomes torpedoed another behind-the-back touchdown pass, reminding the Bears of what could have been.
Now, thanks to some masterful board work and a timely spring up eight spots, they have instantly transformed themselves from a middling franchise aggressively burrowing toward the mean, while squandering sound play-calling acumen in the process, to something worth game-planning for.
A quarterback obviously changes everything; this was the same thing Pace thought a few years ago when he took Mitch Trubisky. It was the same thing he thought when he stumbled over himself to acquire Nick Foles. But the outlook of the franchise changes considerably now with the arrival of a dual-threat passer who could end up being the second-best quarterback in the class.
During his junior season at Ohio State, Fields added nearly half a point per dropback in terms of EPA (0.32), which was higher than Trevor Lawrence at any point in his Clemson career. Nearly 90% of his balls during his senior year were scored “catchable” from the scouting service Sports Info Solutions. Throughout his college career, his quarterback rating while under pressure was above 100. He torched man and zone coverage with equal efficiency.
This is something that Nagy, a gifted play-caller who has been desperately trying to find ways to stretch out his offense and incorporate many of the wrinkles he smuggled with him from Kansas City, has never had before. In the past, Bears games were a showcase in covering up the fact that anyone was under center at all. All of <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2019/01/02/chicago-bears-matt-nagy-defensive-players-dance-celebrations-club-dub-playoffs">the gadget plays Nagy became known for</a> during their run to the playoffs in his first season there were not a window into his philosophy, but a visual interpretation of his strain to move the ball forward.
Sometimes, it’s just easier to flip the ball behind your back to Tarik Cohen and then have him pass it to a tackle than to call what you’d like your quarterback to run in the red zone.
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<a href="https://link.chtbl.com/weak-side">The Weak-Side Podcast now has its own feed! Subscribe to listen to Conor Orr and Jenny every week. </a>
Sticking with Pace through it all was a move that caused a lot of agony in Chicago, especially as he actively flailed to make it work, masking the deficiencies with one extraneous signing after another. But in many ways, one has to wonder if Pace was uniquely qualified to take this second swing. Fields could not be more different from Trubisky, and not just in terms of playing style.
In Fields there is more evidence. There is less blind faith. There is more you know you can do on Day One. More that a defense has to account for. We’ll now see the best of Nagy, who was still able to drag this team into the playoffs twice despite the most important position on the field weighing him down.
Those who obsess over the Bears never expected Pace to be the one to save them after everything he’s been through. But only Pace knew how badly he had scrambled the process the first time, and what it would take to piece his vision back together if he had a second chance.
More NFL Draft Coverage: • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021-draft-tracker">2021 Live NFL Draft Tracker</a> • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Rosenberg: Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a> • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Orr: Is Urban Meyer Ready for the Trevor Lawrence Ride?</a> • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/nfl-jets-zach-wilson-the-one-quarterback-infrastructure">Orr: Jets Hope Zach Wilson Breaks Cycle of QB Dysfunction</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Justin Fields Gives Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy a Second Chance They Desperately Needed

Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy survived a regrettable, high-profile mistake in the 2017 draft. Now the franchise has new life. How strange and circuitous this NFL world is, that perhaps, while the NFC North…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Steelers Draft Pick Najee Harris Hosts Draft Party at Homeless Shelter Where He Used to Live

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/najee-harris-draft-party-homeless-shelter">
The Steelers No. 24 overall draft pick threw a draft party for kids at the homeless shelter where he lived for several years.
<div>View the</div>
original article</a> to see embedded media.
A few hours before the start of the 2021 NFL draft, former Alabama star Najee Harris visited a homeless shelter, Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP), as they hosted a draft watch party in his honor. 
It was a homecoming of sorts for the Steelers' No. 24 pick, as Harris, his four siblings and his parents lived in that shelter for several years growing up. 
"Just to see him as a grown man with this kind of opportunity for him today and to know that he lived in this shelter among many other places their family had to move around and lives as a homeless man just speaks to [the thought that] anything is possible," Kathleen Sullivan, executive director of the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program, told <a href="https://abc7news.com/nfl-draft-najee-harris-richmond-homeless-shelter-antioch-high/10561291/">ABC 7 News</a>.  
Harris wasn't just there to say hello, though. He also brought food for the current residents. He told reporters, "There was a time I needed a helping hand. They gave us an opportunity to get back on our feet. So it is my job to give back."
Returning brought back a lot of stirring memories for Harris and his family. He was in middle school when they stayed at GRIP before his family moved to Antioch.
"It was really emotional for my mom," Harris said. "Almost as if she was crying, in a way, because we have a lot of memories here. That was a time in my life when it was really low."
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Harris went on to be one of Alabama's most explosive players, rushing for 1,224 yards and averaging 5.9 yards a carry as a junior in 2019. Despite looking NFL ready, he returned to the Crimson Tide as they battled for another national championship. He went on to win the Doak Walker Award as the country’s top back last season, rushing for 1,466 yards. 
More NFL Draft Coverage: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Trevor Lawrence Is Officially a Jaguar; Is Urban Meyer Ready for This?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-shanahan-49ers-legacy-trey-lance-draft-pick">Drafting Trey Lance Will Define Kyle Shanahan's Legacy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/29/green-bay-packers-give-aaron-rodgers-what-he-wants">It's Time for the Packers to Give Aaron Rodgers What He Wants</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Steelers Draft Pick Najee Harris Hosts Draft Party at Homeless Shelter Where He Used to Live

The Steelers No. 24 overall draft pick threw a draft party for kids at the homeless shelter where he lived for several years. View the original article to see embedded media. A few hours before the s…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Kevin Porter Jr. Becomes Youngest NBA Player With 50-Point, 10-Assist Game

<a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/30/kevin-porter-jr-51-points-rockets-beat-bucks">
Kevin Porter Jr. turned in the best performance of his career in a win over the Bucks on Thursday.
<div>View the</div>
original article</a> to see embedded media.
The Rockets have already been eliminated from playoff contention in the Western Conference, but at least their young talent is providing a silver lining <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/01/13/james-harden-trade-rockets-nets-blockbuster-deal">after James Harden's departure. </a>
Houston guard Kevin Porter Jr. made history on Thursday night as he became the youngest player in NBA history to tally at least 50 points and 10 assists in the same game. Porter Jr. finished the night with 51 points and 11 assists, becoming the fourth-youngest player in NBA history to score 50 points in a single game.
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2020-21 marks Porter's second NBA season and his first with the Rockets. He is averaging 15.2 points and 6.2 assists per game, shooting 41.1 percent from the field. Porter is one of many young Rockets earning significant playing time this season alongside forwards Jae'Sean Tate and Kenyon Martin Jr. 
Houston advanced to 16–47 on the season with Thursday's victory. They currently sit last in the Western Conference.
More NBA Coverage:
<ul>
<li>Pina: <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/28/bam-adebayo-heat-defense">Bam Adebayo Is the NBA's Best Defender</a></li>
<li>Woo: <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/28/2021-nba-draft-big-board-top-80-rankings">2021 NBA Draft Big Board</a></li>
<li>Shapiro: <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/27/nba-power-rankings-stephen-curry-warriors-mvp-run">NBA Power Rankings</a></li>
<li>Mannix: <a href="https://www.si.com/nba/2021/04/27/julius-randle-new-york-knicks-rise">The Rise of Julius Randle</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Kevin Porter Jr. Becomes Youngest NBA Player With 50-Point, 10-Assist Game

Kevin Porter Jr. turned in the best performance of his career in a win over the Bucks on Thursday. View the original article to see embedded media. The Rockets have already been eliminated from playo…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets Trade Up to No. 14, Select OT Alijah Vera-Tucker

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jets-draft-alijah-vera-tucker-trade-vikings">
The Jets added a second pick in the top 15 as they traded with the Vikings on Thursday night.
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The Jets made a move to protect <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jets-draft-zach-wilson-second-pick-nfl-draft">new quarterback Zach Wilson</a> as they traded up to the No. 14 pick in the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday. 
New York selected USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker with the No. 14 pick. It sent Minnesota pick Nos. 23, 66, 86 in the deal in order to receive Vera-Tucker and pick No. 143. 
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Vera-Tucker played two seasons at USC, earning All-Pac-12 honors in 2020. He is New York's second first-round pick on Thursday after the <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jets-draft-zach-wilson-second-pick-nfl-draft">Jets drafted Wilson at No. 2</a>. 
New York has missed the postseason in each of the last 10 seasons. It finished last in the AFC East in 2020 at 2–14. 
More NFL Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Trevor Lawrence Is Officially a Jaguar; Is Urban Meyer Ready for This?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-shanahan-49ers-legacy-trey-lance-draft-pick">Drafting Trey Lance Will Define Kyle Shanahan's Legacy</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/29/green-bay-packers-give-aaron-rodgers-what-he-wants">It's Time for the Packers to Give Aaron Rodgers What He Wants</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets Trade Up to No. 14, Select OT Alijah Vera-Tucker

The Jets added a second pick in the top 15 as they traded with the Vikings on Thursday night. View the original article to see embedded media. The Jets made a move to protect new quarterback Zach Wil…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Patriots Select Mac Jones With No. 15 Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

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After leading Alabama past Ohio State to the national championship, quarterback Mac Jones is headed to Foxborough in 2021.
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In the span of three months, Mac Jones has gone from <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/12/alabama-beats-ohio-state-mac-jones-national-championship">winning the national championship</a> during a global pandemic to being selected by the Patriots as the No. 15 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. 
The 22-year-old, a redshirt junior who was <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/06/alabama-devonta-smith-heisman-trophy-2020-win">a 2020 Heisman Trophy finalist</a>, still had two seasons of eligibility left given the additional year that the NCAA added across all college athletics due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns with four interceptions and a 77.4 completion percentage.
During the national championship in January, Jones tallied 464 passing yards and five touchdowns, shredding the Buckeyes' defense in a 52-24 victory.
<a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/07/alabama-nick-saban-offensive-evolution">Forde: The Brilliance of Nick Saban Continues to Evolve</a>
Although the Patriots spent a substantial amount during free agency, they were quick to pick Jones at their first chance. The franchise finished 7-9 last season with quarterback Cam Newton at the helm after losing Tom Brady to Tampa Bay. 
Jones's name consistently remained in the top five during draft conversations. On Wednesday, <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/49ers-considering-mac-jones-trey-lance-third-pick">San Francisco had reportedly narrowed its decision</a> to the Alabama quarterback, <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Ohio State's Justin Fields</a> or North Dakota State's <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/26/trey-lance-on-his-unique-path-to-nfl-draft-daily-cover">Trey Lance</a>, according to <a href="https://twitter.com/GetUpESPN/status/1387404020864671748">ESPN's Adam Schefter</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/GetUpESPN/status/1387404020864671748"></a>
"As much as the 49ers love Mac Jones, and they do, I believe that the gap between Mac Jones and the other QBs like Trey Lance has been narrowed considerably," Schefter <a href="https://twitter.com/GetUpESPN/status/1387404020864671748?s=20">said</a> Wednesday. "I can tell you over the weekend they did not know who they were going to take."
More NFL Draft Coverage: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/14/trevor-lawrence-magazine-cover-story-daily-cover">Rosenberg: The Unrivaled Arrival of Trevor Lawrence</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/prospect-x-mystery-of-nfl-draft-deepest-sleeper">Kahler: Who Is Prospect X? The Search for the 2021 NFL Draft’s Deepest Sleeper</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Rosenberg: Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Patriots Select Mac Jones With No. 15 Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

After leading Alabama past Ohio State to the national championship, quarterback Mac Jones is headed to Foxborough in 2021. View the original article to see embedded media. In the span of three months…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Bears Trade Up, Take Justin Fields at No. 11 in 2021 NFL Draft

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Justin Fields is headed to Chicago in 2021 after leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoff during his two seasons.
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Coming into this year's draft, the expectation was the Bears would take a quarterback at some point, if not in the first round then sometime over the weekend. Instead, Chicago couldn't wait that long.
The Bears traded up from pick No. 20 to No. 11, then selected Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields as the franchise's next quarterback.
In the deal, Chicago received the 11th pick in this year's draft, and sent the No. 20 pick to the Giants, along with a 2022 first-round pick, a 2022 fourth-round pick and a fifth-round pick for 2021.
The 22-year-old heads to the NFL after beginning his college career at Georgia in 2018 before transferring to Ohio State in 2019. Fields starred in his two years with the Buckeyes, throwing for 63 touchdowns and nine interceptions over 22 games while completing 64.8% of his pass attempts. 
The quarterback led Ohio State to the College Football Playoff each season, with <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/12/alabama-beats-ohio-state-mac-jones-national-championship">the Buckeyes falling to Alabama</a> in last season's national title game.
The Bears last took a quarterback in the first round in 2017, when they traded up to tack Mitchell Trubisky with the No. 2 pick. Chicago <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/04/28/chicago-bears-draft-trade-number-two-pick-mitchell-trubisky">infamously chose Trubisky</a> over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. 
Trubisky struggled to kick-start the Bears' offense and <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/03/18/mitchell-trubisky-bills-free-agency">signed a one-year deal with the Bills</a> this offseason to back up Josh Allen. The Bears signed veteran quarterback Andy Dalton this offseason on a one-year contract.
Fields's draft stock was all over the board, his projection remaining in the top three until the final days leading up to the 2021 NFL draft. He had been a longtime favorite of the 49ers before reports surfaced that the franchise was more interested in <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/26/49ers-narrow-nfl-draft-choice-mac-jones-trey-lance-justin-fields">Alabama's Mac Jones and North Dakota State's Trey Lance</a>.
Last week, Fields reportedly informed teams that he is managing epilepsy. He was diagnosed with the neurological disorder as a child and has seen his symptoms get shorter and more infrequent over time, <a href="https://www.nfl.com/news/ohio-state-qb-justin-fields-has-confirmed-to-nfl-teams-he-s-managing-epilepsy">according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelisserro.</a> 
NFL Network reported that the disorder, which does cause seizures, has not impacted Fields's football career, and doctors expect him to outgrow it. He does take medication for the diagnosis.
Fields is not the first NFL player to manage an epilepsy diagnosis, including Hall of Fame guard Alan Faneca, who took medication to control seizures throughout his career. 
More NFL Draft Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021-draft-tracker">2021 NFL Draft Tracker</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/07/daily-cover-nfl-draft-opt-out-covid">Prewitt: What Happens to the Prospects Who Opted Out?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Orr: Is Urban Meyer Ready for the Trevor Lawrence Ride?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/prospect-x-mystery-of-nfl-draft-deepest-sleeper">Kahler: Who Is Prospect X? The Search for the 2021 NFL Draft’s Deepest Sleeper</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Bears Trade Up, Take Justin Fields at No. 11 in 2021 NFL Draft

Justin Fields is headed to Chicago in 2021 after leading Ohio State to the College Football Playoff during his two seasons. View the original article to see embedded media. Coming into this year's dr…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Eagles Acquire No. 10 Pick in Trade With Cowboys, Draft DeVonta Smith

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The Eagles snagged one of the draft's top receivers after a trade with Dallas on Thursday night.
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Last year's <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/06/alabama-devonta-smith-heisman-trophy-2020-win">Heisman Trophy winner</a> has found a new home. The Eagles have selected Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith with the No. 10 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
Smith was the third receiver taken in the first round, <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jamarr-chase-lsu-2021-nfl-draft-first-round-cincinnati-bengals">following Ja'Marr Chase</a> and <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jaylen-waddle-dolphins-2021-nfl-draft-alabama">Jaylen Waddle</a>. The dynamic playmaker put together a historic senior season in Tuscaloosa, leading the country in catches (117), receiving yards (1,856) and receiving touchdowns (23) to become the first wide receiver in 29 years to win the Heisman Trophy.
Smith saved his best for last, hauling in 12 catches for 215 yards and three touchdowns against Ohio State in the <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/12/devonta-smith-receiving-records-national-championship">national championship game</a>, which Alabama won, 52-24.
For his career, Smith totaled nearly 4,000 receiving yards and 48 total touchdowns. He burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2017 when he caught the <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2018/08/21/devonta-smith-alabama-touchdown-national-championship-hometown">game-winning touchdown pass</a> in overtime of Alabama's national championship game win over Georgia.
The Eagles traded up to the No. 10 slot to acquire Smith on Thursday. They sent Dallas the No. 12 and No. 84 picks in the 2021 draft in order to move up two slots.
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Despite his record-breaking season, questions about Smith's ability to play at the next level lingered during the pre-draft process, largely due to his small frame. Smith measured at 6'1" and 170 pounds, though Alabama coach Nick Saban was adamant that Smith's small stature will not prevent him from being successful in the NFL.
"Tell me how many receivers are tougher than he is—that block better, that play more physical than he does—so I think maybe there's a time when you say 'This guy really overcomes the fact that he's not the biggest guy in the world and he really plays this game really, really well,'" <a href="https://www.si.com/college/alabama/bamacentral/nick-saban-defends-devonta-smiths-size-he-really-plays-this-game-really-really-well-blackwell">Saban said in March</a>. "I don't think anybody can argue that fact."
More NFL Draft Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/14/trevor-lawrence-magazine-cover-story-daily-cover">Rosenberg: The Unrivaled Arrival of Trevor Lawrence</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/prospect-x-mystery-of-nfl-draft-deepest-sleeper">Kahler: Who Is Prospect X? The Search for the 2021 NFL Draft’s Deepest Sleeper</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Rosenberg: Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Eagles Acquire No. 10 Pick in Trade With Cowboys, Draft DeVonta Smith

The Eagles snagged one of the draft's top receivers after a trade with Dallas on Thursday night. View the original article to see embedded media. Last year's Heisman Trophy winner has found a new hom…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Dolphins Select Jaylen Waddle With No. 6 Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

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After winning the national championship at Alabama, Jaylen Waddle is now heading to the NFL.
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Jaylen Waddle went from suffering a presumed season-ending ankle injury to winning <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/12/alabama-beats-ohio-state-mac-jones-national-championship">the national championship</a> last season. 
He's now headed to the NFL after the Dolphins selected the wide receiver at No. 6 in the 2021 NFL draft. 
Waddle started the 2020 college season with a bang at Alabama last fall, topping 120 receiving yards in four consecutive games to start the season. He tallied 557 yards on 25 catches, adding with four touchdowns during the stretch.
Waddle missed six games after <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2020/10/24/jaylen-waddle-ankle-injury-alabama-ambulance">suffering a high-ankle sprain</a> against Tennessee. He returned to the field in before suiting up for the national title game. While visibly limping at times, the wideout hauled in three catches for 34 yards.
"My hat's off to him," head coach Nick Saban <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/01/14/alabama-mac-jones-jaylen-waddle-others-declare-2021-nfl-draft">said when Waddled declared for the draft</a>. "I had the same injury, so I know the difficulties coming back from that. You're healed but your ankle is so stiff, it's difficult to sort of get the flexibility and the flexion back so you can explode like you want to, especially when you drop your weight on that foot, which comes when you're slowing down, trying to make a cut.
"I have a lot of respect for Jaylen Waddle. His mental toughness and his ability to be able to come back."
During his three-year career with the Crimson Tide, Waddle tallied 106 receptions for 1,999 yards, averaging over 18 yards per catch. He totaled 17 touchdowns, plus three special teams scores.
Waddle is the second straight top-10 pick by the Dolphins out of Alabama. <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/04/24/tua-tagovailoa-drafted-dolphins-nfl-draft-fifth-pick">Miami selected quarterback Tua Tagovailoa</a> with the No. 5 pick in the 2020 draft.
More NFL Draft Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/14/trevor-lawrence-magazine-cover-story-daily-cover">Rosenberg: The Unrivaled Arrival of Trevor Lawrence</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/prospect-x-mystery-of-nfl-draft-deepest-sleeper">Kahler: Who Is Prospect X? The Search for the 2021 NFL Draft’s Deepest Sleeper</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Rosenberg: Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Dolphins Select Jaylen Waddle With No. 6 Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

After winning the national championship at Alabama, Jaylen Waddle is now heading to the NFL. View the original article to see embedded media. Jaylen Waddle went from suffering a presumed season-endin…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Drafting Trey Lance Will Define Kyle Shanahan's Legacy

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/kyle-shanahan-49ers-legacy-trey-lance-draft-pick">
Shanahan's development of the North Dakota State prospect will turn the conversation away from his Super Bowl letdowns.
Kyle Shanahan’s ascent to infallible NFL mind has more closely resembled the various clanks and twangs a metal ball encounters as it arches its way through the chute of a pinball machine toward the blinking lights at the top of the glass.
His performance as the offensive coordinator in
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2017/02/07/tom-brady-super-bowl-new-england-patriots-atlanta-falcons">the Falcons’ record-setting blown 28–3 lead in Super Bowl LI</a> raised questions about his feel for big moments. His performance as the 49ers’ head coach and <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/02/03/kyle-shanahan-san-francisco-49ers-super-bowl-liv">offensive play-caller in Super Bowl LIV</a>, another double-digit blown lead, was another thwack against the side of the wall. He is a man of contradictions. On one hand, he has developed the offense run by almost a quarter of the NFL. Coordinators from his tree, or those simply smart enough to buy the starter kit on EXOS and imitate it from scratch, are getting hired at a feverish pace. On the other hand, he is 29–35 as an NFL head coach, with just one winning season in four years.
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A person of sound mind could argue that his one winning season, which ended in <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2020/02/03/andy-reid-journey-to-chiefs-death-of-son-close-friend-finding-mahomes-super-bowl">the 49ers’ loss to the</a> Chiefs down in Miami, was due in large part to the 49ers’ defense (second in DVOA) and less the offense he oversaw (seventh in DVOA). Injuries, in addition to some notable big-game performance lapses at the quarterback position, almost certainly played a factor as well.
And yet, there is something undeniable about his acumen, which makes San Francisco’s selection of Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick on Thursday night all the more fascinating. For years we have often chastised players for not living up to their draft position, as if they chose the arbitrary number and extraneous pressure themselves. But this pick, for better or worse, will be more of a direct reflection on Shanahan himself.
Of the possible options (Lance, Mac Jones and Justin Fields among them), Lance is especially polarizing. He threw the fewest attempts out of any of the top quarterbacks available. He played just one game last season. One could view it as Shanahan’s ultimate vote of confidence in himself.
Above the missteps in Super Bowl LI and the unevenness of the last four years, this draft pick could be the defining moment of Shanahan’s early legacy—the buoy that keeps his boy genius reputation afloat, or the heavy metal ball that finally slips off the table’s edge.
Throughout the draft process, we have been subject to <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/27/kyle-shanahan-49ers-2021-draft-strategy">the performative ballet</a> of a sage football mind. Admittedly, there was something brilliant about cloaking this decision for as long as the 49ers did. It kept us all guessing, sure. It probably annoyed some of their opponents and the rest of the league, all of whom were possibly looking to lock in trades behind the 49ers to grab whomever they did not. Among the better-leaked tidbits were quarterbacks other than Mac Jones <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/19/trey-lance-second-pro-day-49ers-falcons-patriots">working with Shanahan’s friend and former pupil John Beck</a>, as if they were all being privately vetted for a White House cabinet position.
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Now, though, Shanahan has made a concrete decision. The creator of the offense has decided on the avatar who will run his system. Soon, faults cannot be blamed on youth or inexperience or injury. Soon, there will need to be a return on all of the fawning equity that has been placed on the head coach, who strolled into his first job with a contract nearly twice as long as the average coaching life cycle itself.
Much of it is deserved. Shanahan’s talent is undeniable. The way in which he’s turned the draft into a ready-made factory of receiving threats who continue to diversify his offense. The way in which he seems to scoop up a handful of running backs out of the heap and turn them into monstrous downhill threats. With the right quarterback, this team is designed to be good for a very long time. It didn’t waste long identifying the fact that Jimmy Garoppolo was not the right quarterback.
But as coaches will tell you, the minute you make this kind of move—the minute you sacrifice capital and pour your heart and brain out for everyone to see—that’s the moment the clock really starts on what will always be thought of you, and whether the rest of the journey continues to resemble the bumpy ride through the pinball machine.
More NFL Draft Coverage: • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021-draft-tracker">2021 Live NFL Draft Tracker</a> • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Rosenberg: Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a> • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">Orr: Is Urban Meyer Ready for the Trevor Lawrence Ride?</a> • <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/nfl-jets-zach-wilson-the-one-quarterback-infrastructure">Orr: Jets Hope Zach Wilson Breaks Cycle of QB Dysfunction</a>

New on Sports Illustrated: Drafting Trey Lance Will Define Kyle Shanahan's Legacy

Shanahan's development of the North Dakota State prospect will turn the conversation away from his Super Bowl letdowns. Kyle Shanahan’s ascent to infallible NFL mind has more closely resembled the va…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Ja’Marr Chase Heads to Bengals After Being Drafted No. 5

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jamarr-chase-lsu-2021-nfl-draft-first-round-cincinnati-bengals">
Ja'Marr Chase hasn't played since early 2020 after helping LSU win a national title and setting multiple records along the way.
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Bengals fans, meet Ja'Marr Chase—the No. 5 overall pick.
Although he opted out of the 2020 season, the LSU wide receiver had little to prove after winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's top receiver in 2019 and helping the Tigers win the national championship that season. Chase tallied nine receptions, 221 yards and two touchdowns in the victory over Clemson.
By the end of the season, he set SEC records and led the FBS with 1,780 receiving yards and 20 receiving touchdowns in 14 starts.
<a href="https://www.si.com/college/2020/01/14/lsu-tigers-joe-burrow-ed-orgeron-championship">Dellenger: LSU Exorcises Its Past to Cap Program Reawakening With Historic Title</a>
As a true freshman in 2018, Chase totaled 23 receptions, 313 yards and three touchdowns while starting seven of 13 games.
The move reunites Chase with his college quarterback, Joe Burrow. The pair helped lead LSU to an undefeated national championship season in 2019. Chase caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns, averaging over 21 yards per catch and winning the Biletnikoff Award as the nation's best wide receiver.
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Chase will team with Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd to provide Burrow with a bevy of weapons on the perimeter. In 10 games, Burrow completed 65.3% of his passes for 2,688 yards, 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
As rumors floated throughout the offseason that the Bengals had their eyes set on Chase, <a href="https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2021/insider/story/_/id/31346559/nfl-draft-2021-news-rumors-last-minute-notes-teams-trade-surprise-picks-everything-hearing#nuggets">ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler</a> reported on Wednesday that the Lions tried to trade up to No. 4 to land Chase. 
“There was chatter early in the week that the Lions tried to trade up to No. 4 to get Chase, but the Falcons’ asking price was too high,” Fowler wrote.
More NFL Draft Coverage:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/14/trevor-lawrence-magazine-cover-story-daily-cover">Rosenberg: The Unrivaled Arrival of Trevor Lawrence</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/prospect-x-mystery-of-nfl-draft-deepest-sleeper">Kahler: Who Is Prospect X? The Search for the 2021 NFL Draft’s Deepest Sleeper</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Rosenberg: Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Ja’Marr Chase Heads to Bengals After Being Drafted No. 5

Ja'Marr Chase hasn't played since early 2020 after helping LSU win a national title and setting multiple records along the way. View the original article to see embedded media. Bengals fans, meet Ja'…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Kyle Pitts Heads to Atlanta After Being Drafted No. 4

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Pitts was the first tight end to be named a Fred Biletnikoff award (top WR) finalist after catching 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns.
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Falcons fans, meet your new tight end—Kyle Pitts. 
The 20-year-old, who played for the University of Florida, was selected No. 4 overall and is now the highest tight end ever drafted. Pitts was named a first-team All-American and won the John Mackey Award as the most outstanding tight end in college football this past season.
He is the first tight end to go in the top five in 49 years (ex-Broncos Pro Bowler Riley Odoms went fifth in 1972). Only four tight ends (Vernon Davis in 2006, Eric Ebron in 2010, T.J. Hockenson in 2019 and Kellen Winslow in 2004) have gone in the top 10 over the last 24 drafts. 
Pitts was also the first tight end to be named a Fred Biletnikoff award (top wide receiver) finalist after catching 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns—tied for third-most in the FBS—in eight starts.
He's a dual-threat as a pass-catching tight end, and with being 6'6" and 245 pounds, Pitts can be a difficult matchup for linebackers and often too big against cornerbacks. 
Like several of the other draft prospects, Pitts is one of the first players to join the league who was born in 2000. <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/trey-lance-drafted-49ers-2021-nfl-draft">Trey Lance</a> was the first player to be drafted born at the beginning of the millennium. 
The Falcons went 4-12 last season, and head coach Arthur Smith will likely use Pitts all over the field. 
More NFL Draft Coverage: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/14/trevor-lawrence-magazine-cover-story-daily-cover">Rosenberg: The Unrivaled Arrival of Trevor Lawrence</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/26/trey-lance-on-his-unique-path-to-nfl-draft-daily-cover">Bishop: Trey Lance Is Just Different</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/prospect-x-mystery-of-nfl-draft-deepest-sleeper">Kahler: The Search for 2021's Prospect X</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/29/nfl-draft-last-minute-news-rumors-saints-patriots-trades">Breer: NFL Draft 2021: Last-Minute Draft Day News and Rumors</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Kyle Pitts Heads to Atlanta After Being Drafted No. 4

Pitts was the first tight end to be named a Fred Biletnikoff award (top WR) finalist after catching 43 passes for 770 yards and 12 receiving touchdowns. View the original article to see embedded medi…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: 49ers Select Trey Lance With No. 3 Pick

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/trey-lance-drafted-49ers-2021-nfl-draft">
Trey Lance is San Francisco's signal-caller of the future after being selected with the No. 3 pick on Thursday night.
The 49ers selected North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday.
Lance shined in his lone season as a starter in 2019. He threw for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns, adding 14 scores on the ground. Lance did not record an interception in any of his 16 starts. 
San Francisco's new signal-caller did appear in one exhibition game in October 2020. He threw for 149 yards in a 39-28 win over Central Arkansas. 
San Francisco adds Lance after finishing last in the NFC West at 6–10 in 2020. The 49ers
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/03/26/dolphins-49ers-trade-2021-nfl-draft-picks-exchanged-jimmy-garoppolo">traded up to the No. 3 pick in March</a> in a deal with the Dolphins. San Francisco was expected to select Alabama quarterback Mac Jones for much of the last month, but Lance entered the conversation in recent days. 
The 49ers did not tell their coaches or scouts who they would pick before the selection was announced, per ESPN's <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamSchefter/status/1387931575870951434">Adam Schefter</a>. 
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Lance is the third quarterback off the board on Thursday night. <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jaguars-trevor-lawrence-no-1-pick-nfl-draft-2021">Trevor Lawrence went to Jacksonville</a> with the No. 1 pick before the <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jets-draft-zach-wilson-second-pick-nfl-draft">Jets took Zach Wilson</a> at No. 2.
More NFL Coverage
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/26/trey-lance-on-his-unique-path-to-nfl-draft-daily-cover">Trey Lance Is Just Different</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/29/green-bay-packers-give-aaron-rodgers-what-he-wants">Time for the Packers to Give Rodgers What He Wants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/justin-fields-narratives-going-into-nfl-draft">Justin Fields, the Player and the Story Line</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: 49ers Select Trey Lance With No. 3 Pick

Trey Lance is San Francisco's signal-caller of the future after being selected with the No. 3 pick on Thursday night. The 49ers selected North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance with the No. 3 pick …

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets, Again, Hope Zach Wilson Will Break Cycle of QB Dysfunction

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/nfl-jets-zach-wilson-the-one-quarterback-infrastructure">
The Jets are perpetually searching for their franchise quarterback, but their latest rookie will have an infrastructure past Jets QBs haven't.
We’re only three years removed from
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2018/05/16/new-york-jets-sam-darnold-2018-draft">the last time we went through this exercise</a>, the one where we pretended the Jets’ acquisition of a quarterback was different this time. How it was, finally, an exercise in competence. How they won’t ruin this one like they did the last hundred. So forgive anyone who follows this team if they meet tonight with either the feigned interest of someone who has been beaten down over time, or the complete opposite: the beautiful, optimistic amnesia that a follower of this organization tends to acquire.
But here’s why Zach Wilson will actually, really, truly be different this time. He is joining an organization in arguably the healthiest place it’s been in for years. There is a general manager who hired a head coach. There is a competent offensive coordinator running the most quarterback-friendly system in the league. There are pillars in place to prevent the entire thing from collapsing, regardless of how long it might take for Wilson to develop.
<figure><img height="345" src="https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTgwNjcyNzE2Nzc1MzY4MDQw/zach-wilson1.jpg" width="620" /></figure>
Leave it to the Jets to wait until <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/02/19/how-star-qbs-realized-power-possibility-of-nba-player-movement-daily-cover">the age of nomadic quarterback movement</a> to finally find the recipe for stability. Wilson and, by extension, any quarterback who the Jets take from here to eternity, may never get the chance to replace the Joe Namath-sized hole left in people’s hearts. But he can make them a passable franchise again. He can hoist them to something truly rarified: (somewhat) sustained relevance.
When Mark Sanchez was drafted, the team vacillated between irresponsible coddling and naked indifference. They loaded him up with mercurial wide receivers, completely ignorant of the chemistry Molotov cocktail they were creating and plastered him all over town as if he were the next Namath.
With Geno Smith, it was almost the opposite. From the moment he arrived, it was almost as if the organization was doing him a favor. Brief glimpses of talent and personality were quickly shuttered amid the administrative chaos plaguing the team. They offered more support to the sixth-round pick who uppercut him in the locker room.
With Sam Darnold, the offense was never prepared to support him. There were moments, quite literally, during his rookie year when the game plan featured various checks and calls that meant two different things. He made some brilliant throws in games despite the fact that some aspects of the game plan were irreparably broken. He got mono. He was tossed behind a paper-thin offensive line. He was beat up and had no one to throw to.
The promise of Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh and, by extension, Mike LaFleur, is that there is a general, harmonious competence with it all. Yes, LaFleur may not be his brother, Packers head coach Matt. He may not be Kyle Shanahan. But he has a deep understanding of the system, which gifts quarterbacks the kind of time and space to make correct decisions. It points them in that direction at the snap. This is the system that momentarily made the Mike Pettine Browns relevant. This is the system that rescued Ryan Tannehill’s career. That brought the Falcons to the Super Bowl. That was behind two straight 13–3 Packers seasons.
While the NFL is cyclical, there are few things that have been tested as rigorously.
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There is a quiet desperation to this pick, though one that has little to do with Wilson proving the Jets right. Surely, if he does not succeed, there will be endless speculation as to whether the franchise should have dealt the No. 2 pick and used a bounty of selections in a far deeper 2022 draft to retool.
Instead, this is about the Jets finally proving their competence. Because, in the age where quarterbacks are no longer afraid to pack up and brawl their way out of town, who wants to play for a team that has no track record of development or success? Who willingly signs up for bad health?
Wilson being the first would mean more than just immediate success. It would mean an end to a twisted cycle years in the making.

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets, Again, Hope Zach Wilson Will Break Cycle of QB Dysfunction

The Jets are perpetually searching for their franchise quarterback, but their latest rookie will have an infrastructure past Jets QBs haven't. We’re only three years removed from the last time we wen…

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets Select Zach Wilson With No. 2 Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/jets-draft-zach-wilson-second-pick-nfl-draft">
After stunning NFL scouts and Trevor Lawrence at his Pro Day, BYU's Zach Wilson is headed to New York in 2021.
<div>View the</div>
original article</a> to see embedded media.
After <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/03/26/zach-wilson-byu-pro-day-stuns-nfl-scouts-trevor-lawrence">stunning Trevor Lawrence and NFL scouts at his Pro Day last month</a>, BYU's Zach Wilson is headed to New York in 2021.
The Jets selected Wilson as the No. 2 pick during the first round of the 2021 NFL draft on Thursday evening. Wilson is the second quarterback off the board after Lawrence was drafted by the Jaguars with the No. 1 pick.
Wilson had a breakout year last season, ranking second in the FBS in completion percentage. He tossed 33 touchdowns and just three interceptions, and finished No. 10 in the FBS with a 307.7 passing yards per game. Wilson also rushed for 10 touchdowns in 12 starts for the 11–1 Cougars in 2020.
Wilson completed 62% of his passes in 2019. He threw for 2,382 yards and eleven touchdowns.
<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/draft/fantasy-football/zach-wilson-fantasy-football-rookie-profile">FanNation: Zach Wilson Fantasy Football Rookie Profile</a>
The Jets finished last in the AFC East in 2020 at 2–14. They <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/05/sam-darnold-trade-carolina-panthers-new-york-jets-quarterback-draft-picks">traded Sam Darnold to the Panthers</a> in early April, three years after drafting him with the No. 3 pick.
Wilson has a gunslinger mindset, possessing the arm talent to create explosive plays inside and out of the pocket. His strength was on <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2021/03/26/zach-wilson-byu-pro-day-stuns-nfl-scouts-trevor-lawrence">full display during his Pro Day</a>, where every NFL team was present except for the Rams. He threw multiple off-balance passes that went 50 yards.
"The goal today was to kind of show what makes me different, the type of throws I can make that I feel like other guys don't practice and don't try to do," Wilson said afterward on a Zoom call. "That was the goal—to show what makes me different."
More NFL Draft Coverage: 
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/27/nfl-mock-draft-san-francisco-49ers-mac-jones-bengals-jamarr-chase">Breer: 2021 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: 49ers Pick Mac Jones; Bengals Take Ja'Marr Chase</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/28/teddy-bridgeater-trade-broncos-acquire-panthers-quarterback">Panthers Trade Teddy Bridgewater to Broncos For Sixth-Round Pick</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/14/trevor-lawrence-magazine-cover-story-daily-cover">Rosenberg: The Unrivaled Arrival of Trevor Lawrence</a></li>
</ul>

New on Sports Illustrated: Jets Select Zach Wilson With No. 2 Pick in 2021 NFL Draft

After stunning NFL scouts and Trevor Lawrence at his Pro Day, BYU's Zach Wilson is headed to New York in 2021. View the original article to see embedded media. After stunning Trevor Lawrence and NFL …

30 Apr 2021

New on Sports Illustrated: Trevor Lawrence Is Officially a Jaguar; Is Urban Meyer Ready for This?

<a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/30/urban-meyer-trevor-lawrence-pressure-is-on">
The college coaching legend only jumped to the NFL for the top quarterback prospect in decades. Now the pressure is really on.
There will be fairytales written in the coming days about Trevor Lawrence and
</a><a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/26/mmqb-shad-khan-trevor-lawrence-jaguars-nfl-draft-all-team-needs">the Jaguars’ courtship of Urban Meyer</a> once it became clear that <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/04/14/trevor-lawrence-magazine-cover-story-daily-cover">the safest quarterback selection in four decades</a> was headed to northern Florida. How they are on the same wavelength. How they mutually admired one another. How the coach understands the way to maximize an unreasonable amount of potential.
<figure><img height="349" src="https://www.si.com/.image/c_fit%2Ccs_srgb%2Cfl_progressive%2Cq_auto:good%2Cw_620/MTgwNjcyMzY0NTg4MDQ5NzY4/tlaw-hz.jpg" width="620" /></figure>
Left out, at least for now, is a question that we should all be asking of Meyer in general as he embarks upon a moment that will forever alter his legacy for better or worse: Why on earth would he sign up for this?
The same might be asked of Lawrence who, just a few weeks ago, admitted that he hoped to have a life beyond football one day and was shredded by the game’s old guard for a perceived indifference. This league is a machine that swallows talent whole and spits it out for no good reason. And Lawrence has a bigger target on his back than any player who has crossed the threshold from college to the NFL since John Elway.
Behind it all is Meyer, who left the cozy life of a broadcaster <a href="https://www.si.com/nfl/2021/01/14/urban-meyer-jacksonville-jaguars-done-his-homework">to prove that he could do something</a> almost no other coach has done successfully—take the secret sauce that made him a successful coach at a different level, with a completely different set of rules and parameters, and apply that trade to a league that is wary of any NCAA intrusion and takes a deep pleasure in fending off anyone giving it a try.
With Lawrence, everything is magnified. The pressure to build a staff is greater. The pressure to construct a complementary roster is greater. The pressure to turn this into a Super Bowl is much, much greater. Most of it rests on the shoulders of a man in his mid-50s, who has left various jobs for health reasons, succeeding at the highest level while also paying a deep personal cost.
In that way, coaches are a rare breed. The lot of us would be content to ride out the circuit, accept a life’s worth of free drinks in every college town in the country and gloat about the three national championship rings—the kinds of things people couldn’t take away from you if you were fully and completely retired.
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Instead, he is signing up for something that is nearly impossible. He is trying to align his flawless (on field, <a href="https://www.si.com/college/2019/08/03/ohio-state-records-release-urban-meyer-zach-smith">not off</a>) college pedigree with a quarterback pegged to rewrite record books since the moment he stepped on a high school football field as a lanky, marketable blonde and started lighting defenses up.
In that way, it’s truly a fairytale. In the NFL, you cannot simply outwork fellow coaches and succeed. You cannot simply outgrease them. Outscheme them. Outwit them. There has to be a complete and total immersion and understanding of the way things work, and a willingness to bend and twist it at every turn to your advantage. In order for Lawrence and Meyer to meet our outsized expectations, we will truly have to see something from the coaching profession we have never witnessed before: a complete metamorphosis late in someone’s life, leading to something that 31 other crazed, trophy-hunting coaches haven’t thought of yet.
Because that’s the expectation, right? Super Bowls. Pro Bowls. Big things. Fairytales. And that’s what we’ll get until the moment Meyer has to toe the sideline and prove that it’s all possible.

New on Sports Illustrated: Trevor Lawrence Is Officially a Jaguar; Is Urban Meyer Ready for This?

The college coaching legend only jumped to the NFL for the top quarterback prospect in decades. Now the pressure is really on. There will be fairytales written in the coming days about Trevor Lawrenc…

30 Apr 2021

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