2021 NFL Draft Mega-thread: News, Rumors, and Discussion

[Ghost]

They’re taking Lance. 

[Wit]

Feels like a smoke screen to try and flip with Atlanta. 

[TokyoJetsFan]

Chris Simms explains why he moved Trey Lance above Justin Fields in his QB rankings just a week ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields is his #6 ranked QB now.

 

[johnnysd]

4 hours ago, fullblast said:

This sounds... bad.

 

Steve Young said the 49ers traded up with the hopes that the Jets would not be brave enough to take Wilson and stick with the preconceived notion of Fields, but decided on Wilson. They were obviously OK with others but they wanted Zach.

[Irish Jet]

1 hour ago, TokyoJetsFan said:

Chris Simms explains why he moved Trey Lance above Justin Fields in his QB rankings just a week ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft. Fields is his #6 ranked QB now.

 

He’s nailed it throughout the process. 

[GreenReaper]

On 4/25/2021 at 9:04 PM, Shockwave said:

I personally would be very happy if SF does not pick Fields. Last thing we need as Jet Fans is comparing Fields vs Wilson Rest of our lives with Fields playing in the QB heaven in SF. 

Trust me I like Fields a-lot. But Shanahan passing on him while knowing him forever is significant. In my mind Fields is well above Lance and Mac. If SF does indeed pass on him well clearly I am wrong. 

I think this has a lot to do with the Ohio State program and play calls that the QB is being coached to execute.  No pre-snap responsibilities.  Read and see the receiver being open before throwing it.  Rather then Read recognition and timing the throws just as the receiver is in the process of getting open.  So the QB is rarely ever in situations of having to throw receivers open.  Which is what a QB has to do in the NFL.  On the average...a NFL pass play needs to be executed in like no more then 2.5 seconds.  Because the pass rush and coverage is just so much better then college ball.  

There must be other things besides this that's making Fields fall.  Like his throwing motion and mechanics.  But the OS playbook is definitely a part of it.  IMO the way Haskins has busted...has become added baggage that Fields has to carry...unfairly for sure. 

Talented QB prospects should stay away from the Ohio State program.  Avoid it like its a plague.

          

[football guy]

Among the hottest debates in draft meetings this year was how people see the edges. All over the map. There’s rumors that Kwity Paye and Carlos Basham are well regarded in the organization. As for a more specific connection, Nate Ollie (Jets assistant DL) particularly loves Jayson Oweh. The guy I’m still paying closest attention to is Ronnie Perkins... I have no idea where they have him (round 2-3), but I can’t get it out of my head that they spent so much time on him, and that both Zach Truty and Alonzo Dotson are really high on him. He does have a flag for being suspended for marijuana use, but most noteworthy analysts pass along that character is not an issue with him, and this serves as a reminder that Mekhi Becton also failed a drug test last year and it wasn’t a problem. 

I haven’t heard this directly, but putting my tin cap on and wondering if the coaches and scouts alike see a ready-made role for Perkins as a situational pass rusher, similar to how they used Dee Ford in SF and Yannick Ngakoue in JAX. All have extremely similar size/athletic profiles, playing styles, and coming into the NFL were a little bit tight in the hips but won due to their ability covert speed-to-power and by having relentless motors. I really do think that he’s a guy the Jets come away with somewhere on draft day, I just don’t know when

[dbatesman]

42 minutes ago, football guy said:

Among the hottest debates in draft meetings this year was how people see the edges. All over the map. There’s rumors that Kwity Paye and Carlos Basham are well regarded in the organization. As for a more specific connection, Nate Ollie (Jets assistant DL) particularly loves Jayson Oweh. The guy I’m still paying closest attention to is Ronnie Perkins... I have no idea where they have him (round 2-3), but I can’t get it out of my head that they spent so much time on him, and that both Zach Truty and Alonzo Dotson are really high on him. He does have a flag for being suspended for marijuana use, but most noteworthy analysts pass along that character is not an issue with him, and this serves as a reminder that Mekhi Becton also failed a drug test last year and it wasn’t a problem. 

I haven’t heard this directly, but putting my tin cap on and wondering if the coaches and scouts alike see a ready-made role for Perkins as a situational pass rusher, similar to how they used Dee Ford in SF and Yannick Ngakoue in JAX. All have extremely similar size/athletic profiles, playing styles, and coming into the NFL were a little bit tight in the hips but won due to their ability covert speed-to-power and by having relentless motors. I really do think that he’s a guy the Jets come away with somewhere on draft day, I just don’t know when

Oweh would be awesome. Paye and Basham are meh. Hard pass on Perkins.

[CanadaSteve]

27 minutes ago, dbatesman said:

 Paye and Basham are meh. 

[dbatesman]

7 minutes ago, CanadaSteve said:

 

[HessStation]

Yup, Zach Wilson and a CB sounds just about Jetsy right.

[football guy]

Tons of speculation that Justin Fields is going to fall out of the top 10. Schefter recently said there's a 90-95% chance Fields is available at pick #7. Benjamin Allbright saying that he's heard he'll go into the teens. Many tapped into the league releasing mock drafts where he falls big-time. Will make for a fascinating draft night

[Tranquilo]

Just now, football guy said:

Tons of speculation that Justin Fields is going to fall out of the top 10. Schefter recently said there's a 90-95% chance Fields is available at pick #7. Benjamin Allbright saying that he's heard he'll go into the teens. Many tapped into the league releasing mock drafts where he falls big-time. Will make for a fascinating draft night

Why are they all trying to take down Fields though

[Beerfish]

1 minute ago, Tranquilo said:

Why are they all trying to take down Fields though

Who is they? 

[Tranquilo]

Just now, Beerfish said:

Who is they? 

[RogerVick1980]

Gonna be funny to see draft Twitter flip out when/if Fields drops.

I hope Simms gloats.

Ive never seen someone get so much sh*t for being lower on a QB then thr consensus 

[jetstream23]

17 hours ago, johnnysd said:

Steve Young said the 49ers traded up with the hopes that the Jets would not be brave enough to take Wilson and stick with the preconceived notion of Fields, but decided on Wilson. They were obviously OK with others but they wanted Zach.

 

Everybody loves Disney +

 

[long time suffering Jets f]

 

3 minutes ago, Tranquilo said:

Why are they all trying to take down Fields though

I don’t get it. I’m still holding out hope the Jets draft him. If he drops like what the NFL draft experts are saying somebody is going to get a steal.

[Beerfish]

Miami trades Erik Flowers back to Washington in an exchange of late round picks.

[jetstream23]

7 minutes ago, football guy said:

Tons of speculation that Justin Fields is going to fall out of the top 10. Schefter recently said there's a 90-95% chance Fields is available at pick #7. Benjamin Allbright saying that he's heard he'll go into the teens. Many tapped into the league releasing mock drafts where he falls big-time. Will make for a fascinating draft night

 

[Grandy]

3 minutes ago, football guy said:

Tons of speculation that Justin Fields is going to fall out of the top 10. Schefter recently said there's a 90-95% chance Fields is available at pick #7. Benjamin Allbright saying that he's heard he'll go into the teens. Many tapped into the league releasing mock drafts where he falls big-time. Will make for a fascinating draft night

There has got to be a BIG reason why he's slipping now. It's been speculated for a while that NFL FO's are a lot lower on him compared to the average fan which seems to hold him in higher regards than Wilson. He's not a perfect prospect and not my favorite, but the guy is definitely worthy of a top 10 pick. I know there are concerns with his offense, and lack of experience executing the complexities of the position, but his natural talent, work ethic, intelligence and accuracy offers a very high ceiling and an overall promising prospect.

I hope that at some point, something will come out and kind of explain all this. Teams have kept their level of infatuation (or lack thereof) for Fields on raps, and the fans/media have been very confused with how this has all fallen. 

[jetstream23]

On 4/25/2021 at 7:04 PM, Shockwave said:

I personally would be very happy if SF does not pick Fields. Last thing we need as Jet Fans is comparing Fields vs Wilson Rest of our lives with Fields playing in the QB heaven in SF. 

 

Don't worry, we'll get to see Fields up close twice a year for the next decade.

 

 

[derp]

4 hours ago, football guy said:

Among the hottest debates in draft meetings this year was how people see the edges. All over the map. There’s rumors that Kwity Paye and Carlos Basham are well regarded in the organization. As for a more specific connection, Nate Ollie (Jets assistant DL) particularly loves Jayson Oweh. The guy I’m still paying closest attention to is Ronnie Perkins... I have no idea where they have him (round 2-3), but I can’t get it out of my head that they spent so much time on him, and that both Zach Truty and Alonzo Dotson are really high on him. He does have a flag for being suspended for marijuana use, but most noteworthy analysts pass along that character is not an issue with him, and this serves as a reminder that Mekhi Becton also failed a drug test last year and it wasn’t a problem. 

I haven’t heard this directly, but putting my tin cap on and wondering if the coaches and scouts alike see a ready-made role for Perkins as a situational pass rusher, similar to how they used Dee Ford in SF and Yannick Ngakoue in JAX. All have extremely similar size/athletic profiles, playing styles, and coming into the NFL were a little bit tight in the hips but won due to their ability covert speed-to-power and by having relentless motors. I really do think that he’s a guy the Jets come away with somewhere on draft day, I just don’t know when

Perkins and Ngakoue are surprisingly similar athletically and size wise but man Ford was a much better athlete than the other two. Perkins would be a big deviation from Douglas taking good athletes the first two days last year.

Paye and Basham are interesting in that they're both great athletes and team captains. I think Paye outplays his position by a good bit. Those squatty Michigan edge guys do well in the pros, I think he was misused there a little, and great character. I know the big Basham concern is him playing more finesse and maybe a little soft despite being such a big dude and I'm sure that was interesting getting flushed out in interviews. 

Oweh's the one I can't shake. Freak athlete, I'm sure the staff would absolutely love a ball of clay like that, and the fan base would absolutely hate taking a 0 sack guy that early. From a practical standpoint though you've got an absolutely elite athlete who's just learning the sport, great defensive coaching staff to teach, he doesn't need to play right away, has a loaded DL to be a part of when he's ready...if he was good in interviews and they vibe with him - it's actually probably a nice situation for him to go to. Especially if it's at 34 not 23, or maybe after a trade down from 23. Makes sense for the team but the fanbase will hate it kind of checks the main Jets draft pick boxes.

Surprised not to see Payton Turner here. Big, athletic mover, team captain, he gets the productivity knock but averaged a sack a game in the shortened season he just only played in five games. 

Dayo Odeyingbo makes sense to me in a similar mold too on day 3. Big athletic dude they could just redshirt. The defensive line has a lot of bodies anyway.

[Guilhermezmc]

1 hour ago, football guy said:

Tons of speculation that Justin Fields is going to fall out of the top 10. Schefter recently said there's a 90-95% chance Fields is available at pick #7. Benjamin Allbright saying that he's heard he'll go into the teens. Many tapped into the league releasing mock drafts where he falls big-time. Will make for a fascinating draft night

FO's never learn do they? It's just terrible for black QBs doing the draft process, they're put in such a microscope, its crazy how no one talks about Zach Wilson underthrowing most of his deep balls and Trevor Lawrence throwing 10 screens per game yet JF throws 2 picks in one game and he doesn't know how to read defenses. 

[JetBlue]

On 4/23/2021 at 10:30 AM, slats said:

The smart move there would probably to be letting the draft come to him and taking the BAP at #23. If it's not OL, it would be an Edge, CB, or maybe a WR. Team can use all of them. He still has #34 to take the best OL available, and two third rounders where starting guards are found regularly. 

Mac might've stayed put and drafted a safety or DT, and Tanny would be putting together a package with three or more picks to move into the top 12. Neither is the right way to go. 

There's no reason to panic about the OL. 

Excellent point.  We just drafted Cam Clark who everyone was so high on.  Last season was basically a red-shirt year for him so it is almost like we have an additional mid round pick.  I fully expect him to compete to start or back up one of the guard positions.   If we come away with a Jenkins at 23 or a Humphrey/Davis at 34 and then nab either Deonte Brown or Kendrick Green in the later rounds, I will be very happy.  The point being there are plenty of quality OL prospects in this draft.  Add a talented but raw TE like Kenny Yeboah in the 5th and I think we are definitely moving in the right direction.

[jetstream23]

4 hours ago, football guy said:

Among the hottest debates in draft meetings this year was how people see the edges. All over the map. There’s rumors that Kwity Paye and Carlos Basham are well regarded in the organization. As for a more specific connection, Nate Ollie (Jets assistant DL) particularly loves Jayson Oweh. The guy I’m still paying closest attention to is Ronnie Perkins... I have no idea where they have him (round 2-3), but I can’t get it out of my head that they spent so much time on him, and that both Zach Truty and Alonzo Dotson are really high on him. He does have a flag for being suspended for marijuana use, but most noteworthy analysts pass along that character is not an issue with him, and this serves as a reminder that Mekhi Becton also failed a drug test last year and it wasn’t a problem. 

I haven’t heard this directly, but putting my tin cap on and wondering if the coaches and scouts alike see a ready-made role for Perkins as a situational pass rusher, similar to how they used Dee Ford in SF and Yannick Ngakoue in JAX. All have extremely similar size/athletic profiles, playing styles, and coming into the NFL were a little bit tight in the hips but won due to their ability covert speed-to-power and by having relentless motors. I really do think that he’s a guy the Jets come away with somewhere on draft day, I just don’t know when

 

Yup, you've been on Perkins for awhile and I think the Jets are absolutely in the market for a young Edge rusher with one of those two picks at 23, 34.  Those who think Carl Lawson "checked the box" don't understand just how badly Saleh emphasizes the LEO position and the pass rush.  I see Carl Lawson as Saleh's Dee Ford, but Saleh still wants his Nick Bosa.

I think the most important thing you said in this post was "relentless motor."  I've been on this for a while and there are a few guys in this draft who are tenacious Front 7 defenders who don't quit.  Not all of them may be a fit for the Jets scheme but I still like them.  Guys like Zaven Collins and Joseph Ossai come to mind.

OL / Edge or Edge / OL seems like the way the Jets would want to use 23/34 ideally.  Just my take.  Compared to a lot of folks here I'm less inclined to think CB will be emphasized so early unless someone really drops into their laps.  I see a CB coming in the middle/late rounds.

[Beerfish]

10 minutes ago, jetstream23 said:

 

Yup, you've been on Perkins for awhile and I think the Jets are absolutely in the market for a young Edge rusher with one of those two picks at 23, 34.  Those who think Carl Lawson "checked the box" don't understand just how badly Saleh emphasizes the LEO position and the pass rush.  I see Carl Lawson as Saleh's Dee Ford, but Saleh still wants his Nick Bosa.

I think the most important thing you said in this post was "relentless motor."  I've been on this for a while and there are a few guys in this draft who are tenacious Front 7 defenders who don't quit.  Not all of them may be a fit for the Jets scheme but I still like them.  Guys like Zaven Collins and Joseph Ossai come to mind.

OL / Edge or Edge / OL seems like the way the Jets would want to use 23/34 ideally.  Just my take.  Compared to a lot of folks here I'm less inclined to think CB will be emphasized so early unless someone really drops into their laps.  I see a CB coming in the middle/late rounds.

He is not getting nick bosa at 23 or 34

We gave him lawson we gave him sheldon rankins, we gave him quinnen, we gave him curry we have a 3rd rounder from last year he has not worked with yet.  We have other good players in franklin myers and fotuskai.

Can we for once not pander to a D coach and feel we have to 'get him all his type of guys' ahead of offense?

Going edge early in this draft is foolish overkill.

[chirorob]

3 hours ago, football guy said:

Tons of speculation that Justin Fields is going to fall out of the top 10. Schefter recently said there's a 90-95% chance Fields is available at pick #7. Benjamin Allbright saying that he's heard he'll go into the teens. Many tapped into the league releasing mock drafts where he falls big-time. Will make for a fascinating draft night

If Aaron Rodgers can fall to 22, and Dan Marino can fall to 27 in a 28 team draft.

[Shockwave]

3 hours ago, football guy said:

Tons of speculation that Justin Fields is going to fall out of the top 10. Schefter recently said there's a 90-95% chance Fields is available at pick #7. Benjamin Allbright saying that he's heard he'll go into the teens. Many tapped into the league releasing mock drafts where he falls big-time. Will make for a fascinating draft night

This  could all be BS. But if its true that Fields doesn't get picked until the teens: 

1) There is essentially no debate of Fields vs Wilson. Wilson is viewed much higher and its not close according to NFL FO's. 

2) Chris Simms is really good at QB's. 

3)The General Public grades QB's differently then NFL FO. Just yesterday JT Osullivan had Justin Fields as his number 1 QB overall. 

[Beerfish]

I can't believe fields will drop out of the top 10 without some team moving up to get him.

[MysticalJet2]

21 hours ago, johnnysd said:

Steve Young said the 49ers traded up with the hopes that the Jets would not be brave enough to take Wilson and stick with the preconceived notion of Fields, but decided on Wilson. They were obviously OK with others but they wanted Zach.

Stupid by the 49ers then.  Why trade up 1 stop short that high to miss your guy. Just dumb.  If you want him that bad you do it.  There is a clear perception that there is a drop off in QB between 2 & 3

[CTJetsFan]

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Jaguars HC Urban Meyer narrowed down the No. 1 selection to Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields.

There's no doubt that Lawrence will ultimately be taken at the top of the draft despite Meyer failing to name him as the selection when talking with Rapoport. However, Justin Fields making the final cut for Jacksonville is noteworthy. Recent reports have ruled him out as an option for San Francisco with the No. 3 overall pick but if other teams arrive at similar conclusions to the Jaguars, Fields' slide could be shortlived. Atlanta at No. 4 is the first team that could realistically draft Fields with the Lions and Panthers as the next two teams in the draft order who could see quarterback as a need.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Apr 27, 2021, 1:27 PM ET

[jetstream23]

1 hour ago, Beerfish said:

He is not getting nick bosa at 23 or 34

We gave him lawson we gave him sheldon rankins, we gave him quinnen, we gave him curry we have a 3rd rounder from last year he has not worked with yet.  We have other good players in franklin myers and fotuskai.

Can we for once not pander to a D coach and feel we have to 'get him all his type of guys' ahead of offense?

Understood.  I don't expect us to find a Bosa obviously.  My point is that Saleh wants a young edge rusher to go with his experience FA edge rusher, just like SF had with Bosa and Dee Ford.  I don't know if that's Kwity Paye, Ronnie Perkins, Greg Rousseau or whoever....but I'm convinced Saleh wants a young edge rusher as his priority on defense for this Draft.

Agree 100% that DLine is the strength of this team.  Doesn't matter.  The LEO is the straw that stirs the drink for Saleh's defense.

I'm not saying Edge should go ahead of offense but with picks at 23 and 34 we shouldn't force feed ourselves Dillon Radunz at 23 if the other OL guys are gone while someone like Paye or Rousseau are sitting there.  We can come back at 34 for the OL.   And it works vice versa.  I'd be perfectly fine with Teven Jenkins at 23 and Ronnie Perkins at 34.

 

1 hour ago, Beerfish said:

Going edge early in this draft is foolish overkill.

 

Premium position.  Not overkill.  If this D relies on a strong pass rush and allowing average CBs to make plays on wobbly and ill-timed passes coming from a QB under duress....then we need more than just Carl Lawson.

[Shockwave]

6 hours ago, football guy said:

Among the hottest debates in draft meetings this year was how people see the edges. All over the map. There’s rumors that Kwity Paye and Carlos Basham are well regarded in the organization. As for a more specific connection, Nate Ollie (Jets assistant DL) particularly loves Jayson Oweh. The guy I’m still paying closest attention to is Ronnie Perkins... I have no idea where they have him (round 2-3), but I can’t get it out of my head that they spent so much time on him, and that both Zach Truty and Alonzo Dotson are really high on him. He does have a flag for being suspended for marijuana use, but most noteworthy analysts pass along that character is not an issue with him, and this serves as a reminder that Mekhi Becton also failed a drug test last year and it wasn’t a problem. 

I haven’t heard this directly, but putting my tin cap on and wondering if the coaches and scouts alike see a ready-made role for Perkins as a situational pass rusher, similar to how they used Dee Ford in SF and Yannick Ngakoue in JAX. All have extremely similar size/athletic profiles, playing styles, and coming into the NFL were a little bit tight in the hips but won due to their ability covert speed-to-power and by having relentless motors. I really do think that he’s a guy the Jets come away with somewhere on draft day, I just don’t know when

I personally think our 3rd round pick will come down to Elerson Smith vs Ronnie Perkins. We interviewed both and I think thats where both go around. No way Perkins gets drafted around 34 with those Pro Days numbers and his suspension IMO. 

While Ill be fully hoping its Elerson Smith bc of upside- I'd be really surprised if the Jets didn't choose Perkins over him despite his limitations. While I have totally hated on Perkins at 34 which is essentially a first rounder in my mind bc of his size/athleticism it would be hard to argue with the value he presents in R3. 

[Shockwave]

12 minutes ago, CTJetsFan said:

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports Jaguars HC Urban Meyer narrowed down the No. 1 selection to Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields.

There's no doubt that Lawrence will ultimately be taken at the top of the draft despite Meyer failing to name him as the selection when talking with Rapoport. However, Justin Fields making the final cut for Jacksonville is noteworthy. Recent reports have ruled him out as an option for San Francisco with the No. 3 overall pick but if other teams arrive at similar conclusions to the Jaguars, Fields' slide could be shortlived. Atlanta at No. 4 is the first team that could realistically draft Fields with the Lions and Panthers as the next two teams in the draft order who could see quarterback as a need.

Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Apr 27, 2021, 1:27 PM ET

Are the Jaguars trying to listen to offers?  You don't say this if not.