Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock defended his team's selection of offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood in the 2021 NFL Draft."We knew it would be controversial," Mayock said, according to Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "We completely understand that."The Raiders entered the opening round with a need at tackle after trading starter Trent Brown to the New England Patriots.With the 17th overall pick, Las Vegas chose Leatherwood - who some considered a second-round talent entering the draft - over higher-rated tackle prospects such as Oklahoma State's Teven Jenkins and Virginia Tech's Christian Darrisaw.Mayock said the Alabama product became a favorite of the Raiders' staff leading up to the draft."(Offensive line coach Tom Cable) has been all over him for months now," Mayock said. "(Head coach Jon Gruden) loved this guy. Our scouts loved this guy. And what I like is, when the second floor in our building, which is all the coaches, and the third floor, which is all the scouts, when we're united on a conversation like Leatherwood, that makes me feel really good about the pick."Leatherwood gives the Raiders positional versatility with the ability to work at guard or tackle. The 22-year-old isn't concerned with his critics or questions about where he'll line up in his rookie campaign."As far as a position, we haven't talked about it yet," Leatherwood said. "And to be honest, it doesn't matter. I'm just happy and excited to be a Raider. I'm going to be the best at whatever position I play."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers kept the entire NFL world in the dark about who they would select with the third pick in Thursday's draft. They wouldn't even reveal the selection to the player.

With Thursday night's first-round selections in the books, theScore's Mike Alessandrini and Dan Wilkins project the picks on Day 2 of the NFL draft.Round 233. Jacksonville Jaguars - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre DameJacksonville's offense got an infusion of talent in the first round with Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne. A versatile cover linebacker who many saw as a likely first-rounder, Owusu-Koramoah provides a massive upgrade on the other side of the ball.34. New York Jets - Tyson Campbell, CB, GeorgiaJoe Douglas and Robert Saleh prioritized offense on Day 1, so adding Campbell to a depleted secondary would be an excellent move early in Round 2.35. Atlanta Falcons - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCUThe Falcons turn their attention to the defense after landing generational tight end prospect Kyle Pitts at No. 4 overall. Moehrig is a versatile safety who easily could have gone off the board in the middle of the first round.36. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State Brett Deering / Getty Images Sport / GettyJenkins could have been chosen on Thursday night. Adding the powerful right tackle to their blocking unit would allow the Dolphins to shift Robert Hunt inside to guard.37. Philadelphia Eagles - Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake ForestAn advanced pass-rusher with the versatility to move all over the defensive front, Basham feels like a perfect fit for Philly's front four.38. Cincinnati Bengals - Creed Humphrey, C, OklahomaHave no fear, Bengals fans. Cincinnati will address its biggest weakness by selecting a long-term center to lead the offense and help keep Joe Burrow in one piece.39. Carolina Panthers - Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre DameCarolina circles back to bolster the offensive line after addressing the cornerback spot with Jaycee Horn in the first round. Eichenberg would be a Day 1 starter at left tackle.40. Denver Broncos - Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri Ed Zurga / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Broncos go defense again in Round 2 with a player who was rumored to go earlier. Bolton would provide an instant upgrade over Josey Jewell next to Alexander Johnson.41. Detroit Lions - Elijah Moore, WR, Ole MissThe Lions need to find weapons for Jared Goff if the offense is going to be productive in this new era, and Moore provides just that as a game-breaker from the slot.42. New York Giants - Azeez Ojulari, Edge, GeorgiaOjulari dropped out of the first round due to injury concerns, but the Giants will end his slide. The talented pass-rusher adds athleticism and speed to an underwhelming group in New York.43. San Francisco 49ers - Landon Dickerson, C, AlabamaAfter finding their quarterback of the future in the opening round, the 49ers immediately get to work in upgrading the offensive line tasked with protecting him. Dickerson would have gone much earlier if not for his injury history.44. Dallas Cowboys - Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State Don Juan Moore / Getty Images Sport / GettyDallas couldn't grab a top-tier cornerback prospect in Round 1, so they'll grab the next best option here. Samuel profiles as an excellent fit in Dan Quinn's defense opposite Trevon Diggs.45. Jacksonville Jaguars (from MIN) - Richie Grant, S, UCFLooking for another foundation piece on the defensive side, Jacksonville would be thrilled if Grant - one of the best safety prospects in this draft - is still available here.46. New England Patriots - Christian Barmore, DT, AlabamaBarmore is a Patriots type of prospect - he's long, athletic, and versatile. The former Crimson Tide lineman was rumored to be a near-lock for the top 40, so he represents excellent value here.47. Los Angeles Chargers - Ronnie Perkins, Edge, OklahomaPerkins steps in as the long-term replacement for Melvin Ingram opposite Joey Bosa, filling what is a major need in terms of pass-rush ability on the edge.48. Las Vegas Raiders - Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana Jamie Sabau / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Raiders will be looking for a versatile safety on Friday, and Johnson fits the bill. The Indiana product could fill multiple roles as a deep-lying playmaker or slot defender in Gus Bradley's defense.49. Arizona Cardinals - Javonte Williams, RB, North CarolinaThe Cardinals stay patient instead of reaching for a running back in the first round and still end up with Williams, who has a case as this year's most complete player at the position.50. Miami Dolphins - Jabril Cox, LB, LSUCox is the perfect modern-day defender for Brian Flores. Miami's linebackers struggled mightily to cover a season ago, and the former Tiger thrives on third down.51. Washington Football Team - Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota StateRadunz would be an important addition for the future of the Washington offensive line, and he could compete to start from Day 1 at left tackle.52. Chicago Bears - Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa Don Juan Moore / Getty Images Sport / GettyChicago gets Justin Fields some much-needed protection. The right tackle spot must be addressed prior to Week 1, and Brown is a high-upside prospect who offers elite athleticism and length.53. Tennessee Titans - Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSUSticking with Tennessee's trend of finding plus-value in players who may have fallen because of injury concerns, Marshall is a high-upside downfield playmaker who could be the perfect complement to star wideout A.J. Brown.54. Indianapolis Colts - Samuel Cosmi, OT, TexasAfter addressing its pass rush in Round 1, Indianapolis finds its long-term successor for Anthony Castonzo at left tackle. Cosmi is exactly the type of athlete the Colts covet in the trenches.55. Pittsburgh Steelers - Brady Christensen, OT, BYUAdding to the offensive line at least once on Day 2 will be a must for Pittsburgh. Christensen was a key part of the BYU unit that dominated in front of No. 2 overall pick Zach Wilson.56. Seattle Seahawks - Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue Michael Hickey / Getty Images Sport / GettyMoore as a third receiver for Russell Wilson is an exciting thought. The dynamic wideout may lack size, but he's the perfect playmaker for Seattle's offense. We love the fit.57. Los Angeles Rams - Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio StateImproving the offensive line should be a major priority for Matthew Stafford's first season in Los Angeles. Davis could be an impact starter at guard as a rookie.58. Kansas City Chiefs (from BAL) - Joseph Ossai, Edge, TexasEdge rusher isn't Kansas City's biggest weakness, but the team doesn't have much opposite Frank Clark after losing Tanoh Kpassagnon in free agency. Ossai is just what the doctor ordered and keeps with Andy Reid's love for linemen in the draft.59. Cleveland Browns - Levi Onwuzurike, DT, WashingtonCleveland's defensive front has the makings of a scary unit with Jadeveon Clowney joining Myles Garrett on the edge, and Onwuzurike's pass-rush abilities provide a nice complement on the interior.60. New Orleans Saints - Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Saints were rumored to be targeting one of the elite cornerback prospects in a trade up on Thursday, but a deal never came to fruition. Long and athletic with plenty of upside, Melifonwu certainly isn't a bad fallback option.61. Buffalo Bills - Aaron Robinson, CB, UCFComing away with an upgrade at corner after addressing the pass rush with Gregory Rousseau in the first round would be a strong start to Day 2 for Buffalo. Robinson has the inside-out versatility that will be valued in Sean McDermott's defense.62. Green Bay Packers - Jalen Mayfield, OL, MichiganGreen Bay must add an offensive lineman on Day 2 if it wants to keep Aaron Rodgers happy. Mayfield would give the Packers some flexibility, with either him or Billy Turner moving inside to guard.63. Kansas City Chiefs - Dyami Brown, WR, North CarolinaThe Chiefs have seemingly been looking into receivers all offseason, and they finally add another dynamic pass-catcher here with their first pick of the draft. Brown is a weapon in the vertical game and could feast with the attention being on Kansas City's other star playmakers.64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Daviyon Nixon, DT, IowaMore front-seven options for the reigning Super Bowl champions. Nixon profiles as an ideal long-term replacement for Ndamukong Suh next to stud nose tackle Vita Vea.Round 365. Jacksonville Jaguars - Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State66. Minnesota Vikings (from NYJ) - Janarius Robinson, Edge, Florida State67. Houston Texans - Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame68. Atlanta Falcons - Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M69. Cincinnati Bengals - Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami70. Philadelphia Eagles - Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky71. Denver Broncos - Davis Mills, QB, Stanford72. Detroit Lions - Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State73. Carolina Panthers - Milton Williams, DL, Louisiana Tech74. Washington Football Team (from SF) - Jevon Holland, S, Oregon75. Dallas Cowboys - Quincy Roche, Edge, Miami76. New York Giants - Quinn Meinerz, OL, Wisconsin-Whitewater77. Los Angeles Chargers - Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford78. Minnesota Vikings - Nico Collins, WR, Michigan79. Las Vegas Raiders (from ARZ) - Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota80. Las Vegas Raiders - Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State81. Miami Dolphins - Michael Carter Jr., RB, North Carolina82. Washington Football Team - Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson83. Chicago Bears - D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan84. Dallas Cowboys (from IND via PHI) - Hunter Long, TE, Boston College85. Tennessee Titans - Walker Little, OT, Stanford86. Minnesota Vikings (from SEA via NYJ) - Kyle Trask, QB, Florida87. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kendrick Green, OL, Illinois88. Los Angeles Rams - Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina89. Cleveland Browns - Simi Fehoko, WR, Stanford90. Minnesota Vikings (from BAL) - Jackson Carman, OL, Clemson91. Cleveland Browns (from NO) - Rashad Weaver, Edge, Pittsburgh92. Green Bay Packers - Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC93. Buffalo Bills - Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis94. Baltimore Ravens (from KC) - Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee96. New England Patriots - Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas97. Los Angeles Chargers - Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State98. New Orleans Saints - Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State99. Dallas Cowboys - Elijah Molden, CB, Washington100. Tennessee Titans - Divine Deablo, S, Virginia Tech101. Detroit Lions (from LAR) - Shaun Wade, DB, Ohio State102. San Francisco 49ers - Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn103. Los Angeles Rams - Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida104. Baltimore Ravens - Josh Myers, OL, Ohio State105. New Orleans Saints - Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida StateCopyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers exercised quarterback Sam Darnold's fifth-year option, the team announced Friday.The Panthers acquired Darnold from the New York Jets after trading this year's sixth-round pick, along with their 2022 second- and fourth-round selections.After landing Darnold, Carolina has traded former starter Teddy Bridgewater and passed on drafting Justin Fields and Mac Jones. The Panthers instead selected cornerback Jaycee Horn on Thursday."I'm not going to talk about other players; we brought Sam here for a reason," head coach Matt Rhule said. "We're excited to see what he can do. We're excited to give him an opportunity."We traded for him because we believe in his potential."Darnold spent the first three seasons of his career with the Jets after being selected with the third overall pick in the 2018 draft.Carolina also exercised wide receiver D.J. Moore's fifth-year option.Moore recorded a career-best 1,193 receiving yards in 2020. He also posted 66 receptions for four touchdowns. The 24-year-old has recorded back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers did, in fact, check with the Green Bay Packers on quarterback Aaron Rodgers' availability."You're talking about the MVP of our league last year," Niners general manager John Lynch said after the draft's first round Thursday, according to Cam Inman of The Mercury News. "I don't know about you guys, but when the MVP of the league might be available - and I didn't know that, I'm just reading the tea leaves like everybody else and saying, 'Hold on, is something going on here?'"Yeah, we inquired. And it was a quick end to the conversation. It wasn't happening."Rodgers reportedly told members of the Packers organization that he doesn't want to return to the team. However, Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst said the club wouldn't trade the 37-year-old.The 49ers ended up drafting quarterback Trey Lance with the third overall pick Thursday.The Denver Broncos were also rumored to have pursued Rodgers, but general manager George Paton declined to comment. He instead stated that the franchise is happy with its quarterbacks Drew Lock and Teddy Bridgewater."We are really excited for both quarterbacks. We're always looking to improve positions, and quarterback is another one. But we like who we have," Paton said.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Pace said Andy Dalton is still the team's starting quarterback despite it trading up to draft Justin Fields on Thursday."Andy is our starter, and we're gonna have a really good plan in place to develop Justin and do what's best for our organization and win games," Pace said, according to Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times.The Bears traded this year's first-round pick (20th overall), as well as their fifth-rounder in 2021 and first- and fourth-round selections in 2022 to acquire the No. 11 pick from the New York Giants.Chicago signed Dalton to a one-year, $10-million deal this offseason and named him the starter shortly after. The 33-year-old spent 2020 as a member of the Dallas Cowboys.After allowing 2017 first-round selection Mitchell Trubisky to leave in free agency, Chicago has a quarterback room that includes Dalton, Fields, and Nick Foles.Though Pace expects Dalton to begin the season as the starter, he didn't rule out the possibility that Fields could win the job at some point during the campaign."We just have to let it play out," Pace said. "One of the best feelings in the world would be, 'Hey, we're rolling, we're playing really good football, we're winning, and we're looking over there and we're seeing this guy and we all know - everyone in the building knows - hey, we've got a guy.'"Fields believes he's an ideal fit for the Bears."I think I fit perfectly (with what head coach Matt Nagy wants at quarterback)," Fields said, according to ESPN's Jeff Dickerson. "If he didn't think I fit well, (the Bears) wouldn't have traded up."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots may have landed their quarterback of the future Thursday night after drafting Mac Jones 15th overall, but in the present, Cam Newton remains the guy under center."Cam's our quarterback," Patriots head coach Bill Belichick said in his post-draft press conference. "Whatever time Jarrett (Stidham) or Mac are ready to challenge and compete, then we'll see how that goes. But right now, Mac, he's just got a lot of learning in front of him."The Patriots selected a quarterback in the first round for the first time since 1993. Belichick was happy to add a signal-caller from national championship-winning Alabama."He's a smart kid. He's been in a system that's similar to ours. We have had a lot of good conversations with him. I think he'll be able to process the offense," Belichick said of Jones. "It's obviously going to take a lot of time. We'll see how it goes."Jones dazzled in his final collegiate season, completing 77.4% of his passes for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns with just four interceptions.There was plenty of pre-draft speculation that Jones could go as high as third overall to the San Francisco 49ers. Belichick wouldn't tip his hand as to whether he considered trading up for the quarterback."Mac was available there at our pick and he's a guy we spent a lot of time with and felt like that was the best pick at that time for us," Belichick said."We don't usually go into the draft with a lot of expectations, and, obviously, I missed a lot of those mock drafts, so I'm not really that familiar with where everyone was going. Just try to do the best we can to help our football team and that's what we did today."In the Patriots' first season in the post-Tom Brady era, Newton went 7-8 as a starter, throwing for 2,657 yards, eight touchdowns, and 10 interceptions while adding 12 rushing scores. New England re-signed him in March to a heavily incentivized one-year, $5.1-million contract.Stidham was a fourth-round pick in the 2019 draft. He's seen limited time in eight games during his career.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst insisted his team has no intention of parting ways with Aaron Rodgers despite reports the star quarterback wants to leave."No, we're not going to trade Aaron Rodgers," Gutekunst said following the conclusion of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network."He's our quarterback. He's our leader," Gutekunst added, per Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. "We've been working through this for a little while now. I just think it might take some time. But he's the guy that makes this thing go."The San Francisco 49ers reportedly contacted the Packers to inquire about Rodgers' availability prior to the draft, only to be rebuffed by Green Bay. The NFC West club then selected quarterback Trey Lance with the No. 3 overall pick.Gutekunst confirmed after the bombshell reported dropped that he had a "very brief" trade call about Rodgers, but didn't say if the 49ers were the ones who rang, per Ryan Wood of the Green Bay Press-Gazette.The 49ers, Denver Broncos, and Las Vegas Raiders are reportedly the reigning MVP's preferred destinations.Rodgers' agent apparently held several meetings with Green Bay brass over the last month, but the quarterback refused to restructure his contract and instead wants an extension.The 37-year-old secured his third career MVP award in 2020 with one of his finest seasons to date. He threw for 4,299 yards and 48 touchdowns against five interceptions.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead tested positive for COVID-19, he told reporters Thursday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Snead, who already received a first dose of the vaccine, will have to isolate and won't attend the remainder of the draft.Snead and head coach Sean McVay both had close contact with someone who recently tested positive, but McVay didn't contract the virus, according to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic.The Rams didn't have a first-round pick Thursday and are currently set to make their first selection at No. 57 on Friday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.theScore's Justin Boone provided instant breakdowns of every fantasy-relevant selection in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jaguars (1st)Star potential: ★★★★★

Trevor Lawrence will start his NFL career alongside a familiar face in the Jacksonville Jaguars' backfield.The Jaguars selected running back Travis Etienne out of Clemson 25th overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.Etienne posted a historic four-season college career with the Tigers, notching 6,107 scrimmage yards and 78 total touchdowns.The two-time ACC Player of the Year was the second running back taken Thursday after the Pittsburgh Steelers drafted former Alabama star Najee Harris at No. 24.Few believed the Jaguars would address the running back position early in the 2021 draft after James Robinson rushed for 1,070 yards (4.5 per carry) and seven touchdowns through 14 games as a rookie in 2020.Etienne is the first runner Jacksonville has selected in the first round since Leonard Fournette in 2017.Draft profile Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey stats: 914 rushing yards, 588 receiving yards, 16 TDs, 5.4 YPCAfter an accomplished collegiate career, Etienne heads to the pros as one of the most dynamic skill-position players in his class. The ACC's all-time leading rusher is capable of scoring on every touch as a legitimate receiving weapon who possesses a unique burst. While he likely won't be a traditional running back due to his unpolished vision, Etienne can avoid tackles in the open field with his contact balance and quickness. NFL teams aren't going to hand the former Clemson star 20-plus carries per contest, but that's not his game. Give him the ball in space and reap the benefits.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Francisco 49ers selected quarterback Trey Lance out of North Dakota State third overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.The No. 3 pick was a topic of rampant speculation after the 49ers traded the 12th overall pick and two future first-round selections to the Miami Dolphins for the pick earlier this offseason. San Francisco reportedly narrowed its choices to Lance and Mac Jones before deciding to go with the former."We've been very high on Trey since the beginning, Day 1," 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said following the selection, according to Eric Branch of the San Francisco Chronicle.Lance was on San Francisco's radar throughout the pre-draft process. The club was reportedly extremely involved in his pro-day workouts earlier in April. The North Dakota State product last competed in an exhibition game against Central Arkansas in 2020 but impressed during the 2019 campaign, throwing 28 touchdowns and no interceptions.The 49ers now have a quarterback room consisting of Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo. The latter's future was called into question after Shanahan declined to guarantee his roster spot earlier this week. After the Lance selection, the head coach clarified that he expects the 49ers to retain Garoppolo, according to The Athletic's David Lombardi.Draft profile Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey stats (2019): 66.9 completion percentage, 2,786 passing yards, 28 TDs, 0 INTs, 14 rushing TDsOne of the most intriguing and naturally gifted prospects in the entire 2021 class, Lance's projection is also among the most complicated. While raw, his unique tools (arm talent and athleticism) make him perfect for the modern game as he's also a legitimate weapon with his legs. Lance is already advanced at avoiding rushers in the pocket and displays excellent touch on deep passes, but you won't find many anticipatory throws on tape. The dual-threat quarterback was usually the best player on the field in college, and his experience going through multiple progressions is scarce as a result. Still just 20 years old with one full year of experience at the FCS level, Lance comes with his fair share of risk. However, the potential reward is even higher.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers became the first team to take a running back in the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting Alabama's Najee Harris with the 24th overall pick.Pittsburgh was reportedly zeroing in on the Alabama back leading into the draft. Harris is expected to be the Steelers' primary back after James Conner's departure this offseason.The former Crimson Tide star rushed for 1,466 yards during the 2020 season en route to winning the Doak Walker Award as the nation's top running back.Pittsburgh had stated its intention to improve its rushing attack after a poor effort in 2020. The Steelers averaged just 3.6 yards per attempt last season, ranking last in the NFL.Harris is the first running back the Steelers have selected in the first round since Rashard Mendenhall in 2008.Draft profile Alika Jenner / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey stats: 1,466 rushing yards, 425 receiving yards, 30 TDs, 5.8 YPCOne could reasonably brand Harris as a physical runner just by looking at his build. You wouldn't necessarily be wrong - he has the ability to run through tackles and wear down defenses. But the Alabama standout sets himself apart with his vision and ability to create additional yards through anticipation and rarely seen lateral movement for a player of his size. As a fluid receiver out of the backfield, he has the potential to fill a true every-down role. While a lack of home run speed may limit Harris' big-play upside, everything else he does screams feature back.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected quarterback Trevor Lawrence out of Clemson with the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.Widely expected to select Lawrence with the No. 1 pick, Jacksonville will kick off a new era with the prodigious passer and new head coach Urban Meyer in 2021.The Jaguars finished the 2020 campaign with an NFL-worst 1-15 record thanks in large part to instability at the quarterback position. Gardner Minshew started eight games, Mike Glennon started five, and Jake Luton started three. All three passers performed less than admirably.Lawrence was a highly coveted prospect from the moment he stepped onto Clemson's campus. He led the Tigers to a national championship at the end of the 2018 season and was the 2020 Heisman Trophy runner-up in the final campaign of a stellar three-year stint with Clemson.Jacksonville made a handful of offseason additions to its offense ahead of the draft, signing Marvin Jones, Carlos Hyde, and Phillip Dorsett in free agency and franchise tagging left tackle Cam Robinson.The Jaguars also owned the 25th overall selection thanks to the trade that sent cornerback Jalen Ramsey to the Los Angeles Rams. They used the pick to reunite Lawrence with former Clemson teammate Travis Etienne.Draft profile Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey stats: 69.2 completion percentage, 3,153 passing yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs, 8 rushing TDsThere's a reason Lawrence is heralded as a generational prospect and a shoo-in for the No. 1 overall selection. The kid has all the tools to succeed in the pros - his poise and pocket presence is advanced for a young quarterback, he displays absurd ball placement skills, and the 21-year-old is plenty athletic as a threat on scrambles. For all his strengths, Lawrence is an elite prospect due to how difficult it is to poke holes in his game. Clemson's offensive system and talent at receiver forced some aggressiveness and easy reads, but it's hardly a major area of concern. Lawrence sees the field very well and makes even the most complex areas of the position look effortless. Believe the hype.Key stats: 69.2 completion percentage, 3,153 passing yards, 24 TDs, 5 INTs, 8 rushing TDsThere's a reason Lawrence is heralded as a generational prospect and a shoo-in for the No. 1 overall selection. The kid has all the tools to succeed in the pros - his poise and pocket presence is advanced for a young quarterback, he displays absurd ball placement skills, and the 21-year-old is plenty athletic as a threat on scrambles. For all his strengths, Lawrence is an elite prospect due to how difficult it is to poke holes in his game. Clemson's offensive system and talent at receiver forced some aggressiveness and easy reads, but it's hardly a major area of concern. Lawrence sees the field very well and makes even the most complex areas of the position look effortless. Believe the hype.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New England Patriots ended Mac Jones' slide in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, selecting the former Alabama quarterback with the No. 15 overall pick.Jones was the fifth quarterback taken Thursday following Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Trey Lance, and Justin Fields. He was reportedly in contention to be the San Francisco 49ers' pick at No. 3 overall, but the NFC West club selected Lance instead.Jones is the first quarterback selected in the first round by the Patriots since 1993.New England brought back Cam Newton for a second season on another incentive-based one-year contract, so Jones could potentially sit behind the former MVP.Newton struggled in his first season with the Patriots, but the AFC East club poured resources into the offense during free agency to revamp the unit. Wide receiver Nelson Agholor and tight ends Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith were among the biggest additions.Draft profile Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey stats: 77.4 completion percentage, 4,500 passing yards, 41 TDs, 4 INTs, 1 rushing TDsJones' draft stock soared after an incredibly productive 2020 campaign that saw him contend for the Heisman Trophy. There's a lot to like, most notably his accuracy, pocket presence, and ability to process multiple reads efficiently. Jones' comfort level in Alabama's offense was apparent. However, there are concerns regarding him being able to create outside of structure. He's an average athlete, doesn't possess the strongest arm, and will likely struggle to make NFL defenders miss both in the pocket and outside it. Jones has transferrable skills, just not enough to warrant first-round hype.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins selected receiver Jaylen Waddle out of Alabama sixth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.Waddle gives the Dolphins a speedy offensive playmaker. The former Crimson Tide star averaged 18.9 yards per reception and compiled 17 touchdowns during his time in Tuscaloosa.The Alabama product missed a significant portion of last season due to an ankle injury but returned for the national championship game. He finished the 2020 season with 591 receiving yards in six games.Waddle will now be reunited with former college teammate Tua Tagovailoa. The Dolphins have prioritized adding firepower around the young signal-caller this offseason, as the club also signed Will Fuller as a free agent.Draft profile Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey stats: 28 receptions, 591 yards, 4 TDs, 21.1 YPCWaddle brings a level of deep-play ability that none of his peers in the 2021 class offer. But teams would be wise not to label him purely a speedster, as he's a much more complete player. With pure explosiveness in and out of breaks and an other-worldly release off the line of scrimmage (making him dominant even in press coverage), Waddle doesn't just separate - he leaves defenders in the dust. The talented wideout plays bigger than his listed size, producing on contested targets while displaying great ball-tracking ability. He's an ideal featured weapon for the modern NFL game.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Eagles acquired the 10th overall pick from the Dallas Cowboys and used it to take wide receiver DeVonta Smith out of Alabama.Philadelphia sent the 12th pick and the 84th pick - a third-round selection - back to the Cowboys.Smith will join an Eagles receiving corps that has gradually eroded since the franchise's Super Bowl LII victory. Philly drafted Jalen Reagor in the opening round a year ago to make the team's offense more explosive, but the TCU product only registered 396 yards and one touchdown across 11 appearances.The 22-year-old put up 1,856 receiving yards and 23 touchdowns in his final season with the Crimson Tide and became the first wide receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991. Smith was the third wideout to come off the draft board, following LSU's Ja'Marr Chase and former Alabama teammate Jaylen Waddle.Draft profile Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey stats: 117 receptions, 1,856 yards, 23 TDs, 15.9 YPCSmith is a fantastic prospect after consistently being the most productive player on an Alabama team filled with first-round pass-catchers, and becoming the first receiver to win the Heisman Trophy in 29 years. Questions about his slender frame are valid, as the history for 170-pound wideouts isn't great. But everything else about his game still screams future Pro Bowler. Smith effortlessly creates separation through his athleticism and nuanced route-running, and anything he may lack in size and physicality is more than compensated for at the catch point. His consistent results are truly ridiculous at his size as he high-points the ball and wins over defenders. Any team overthinking the weight factor here may come to regret it before long.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Cincinnati Bengals selected receiver Ja'Marr Chase out of LSU with the fifth overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.Chase was the first wide receiver off the board and will reunite with former Tigers teammate Joe Burrow.The Bengals were believed to be debating between giving Burrow a new weapon or bolstering the quarterback's protection with former Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. The 2020 No. 1 pick will be coming off a torn ACL that cut his rookie season short.Chase decided to opt out of last season to prepare for the draft, but he retained his status as a potential top-five pick following an outstanding 2019 campaign.The 21-year-old set SEC records for touchdown catches (20) and receiving yards (1,780) while playing with Burrow. Chase also won the Biletnikoff Award, given annually to the nation's best receiver.Burrow will now be working with a dynamic group of weapons headlined by Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon.Draft profile Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey stats (2019): 84 receptions, 1,780 yards, 20 TDs, 21.2 YPCChase is our No. 1 receiver in this class after posting one of the most productive seasons in college football history. If you want to get picky, you could take issue with his rise really only being a one-year sample, as the LSU star opted out of the 2020 season amid the pandemic. But that would be pretending we haven't already seen everything we need to see. Chase is a proficient route-runner who wins at the catch point and after the catch, with the physicality that cornerbacks just can't match. And a phenomenal Pro Day performance likely took care of any concerns about his athletic upside. Chase is the complete package, and he should quickly emerge as a high-volume top target while producing at all levels of the field.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons selected tight end Kyle Pitts out of Florida fourth overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.Pitts is the highest-drafted tight end in NFL history and the position's first prospect to be selected in the top 5 since 1972.The former Gators standout entered the draft as the top option for teams looking to boost their receiving unit. He racked up 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns through eight games last season.Pitts is the first selection made by new Falcons head coach Arthur Smith, who served as the Tennessee Titans' offensive coordinator over the last two seasons.Atlanta has one of the NFL's deepest receiving corps, highlighted by Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. The Falcons also traded for tight end Hayden Hurst last year. Selected 25th overall by the Baltimore Ravens in 2018, Hurst caught 56 passes for 571 yards and six touchdowns in his first year with Atlanta.Draft profile Collegiate Images / Collegiate Images / GettyKey stats: 43 receptions, 770 yards, 12 touchdowns, 17.9 YPCA true unicorn of the 2021 draft class, Pitts is as exciting a tight end prospect as you'll ever see. The Florida product dominated stingy SEC competition on a weekly basis last season thanks to explosive route-running, rare body control, and high football IQ, even winning one-on-one matchups against starting cornerbacks. There's no reason to think his success won't continue in the pros; he's an excellent athlete and already has many nuances of the position down pat. We're not worried about his blocking skills or that tight ends often take time to develop in the NFL, because Pitts is different. He'll be a top-tier player in no time.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Jets selected BYU quarterback Zach Wilson with the second overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.The 21-year-old wasn't widely viewed as a first-round prospect entering the campaign. However, he had a meteoric rise during the 2020 season and produced an outstanding season for the Cougars. Wilson threw for 3,692 passing yards and 33 touchdowns against three interceptions to establish himself as the widely expected No. 2 pick behind Trevor Lawrence on Thursday."This is exactly what I was hoping for. I know we're going to have something special," Wilson said after being drafted, according to Ralph Vacchiano of SNY.Selecting the big-armed Wilson signals a new era for New York.After hiring former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as its new head coach in January, the AFC East club traded former first-round quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers in early April to open up the starting job for Wilson.The Jets haven't made the playoffs since the 2015 season, recording zero winning campaigns and a 23-57 overall record over the last five years.Draft profile Mark Brown / Getty Images Sport / GettyKey stats: 73.5 completion percentage, 3,692 passing yards, 33 TDs, 3 INTs, 10 rushing TDsIt's easy to fall in love with Zach Wilson's upside transitioning to the next level. His tape at BYU is filled with throws showing off the kind of arm talent and off-platform ability everyone has been looking for since Patrick Mahomes changed the quarterback position. There's some projection involved here, as Wilson benefitted from a favorable situation that rarely put him under any pressure - the NFL will present a new challenge in that regard. But the natural abilities are off the charts, and his production in a wide-zone system should theoretically allow for a quick transition in the right landing spot.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Bears selected quarterback Justin Fields out of Ohio State at No. 11 in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.The Bears traded up for the 11th overall selection, sending their first- and fifth-round picks this year (No. 20 and No. 164) and a first- and fourth-round selection in 2022 to the New York Giants.The Giants accepted the trade just minutes after the Dallas Cowboys dealt the 10th overall pick to the Philadelphia Eagles, which then selected wide receiver DeVonta Smith. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner receiver was previously linked to the Giants.Chicago has desperately been looking to upgrade at quarterback in recent years. Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky started seven and nine games for the Bears last year, respectively, posting an 8-8 combined record. The team signed Andy Dalton this offseason, telling the veteran signal-caller he would be Chicago's starter.Fields completed 70.2% of his passes for 2,100 yards and 22 touchdowns against six interceptions through eight games at Ohio State in 2020. Overall, he tossed 67 scores to nine picks during his college career while also rushing for 1,133 yards and 19 touchdowns.The former Buckeyes star is the fourth signal-caller taken this year after Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Trey Lance.Draft profile Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey stats: 70.2 completion percentage, 2,100 passing yards, 22 TDs, 6 INTs, 5 rushing TDsDon't let the narrative on Ohio State quarterbacks and their NFL success cloud your judgment on this one. Justin Fields is our No. 2 quarterback in this talented class because he's got potential superstar written all over him. Concerns about holding the ball too long in the pocket are valid - there are times where you'd like to see him just let it rip. But his athleticism and ability to improvise can compensate as he develops in that area. Everything else about his game, including the arm talent, ball placement, and toughness, is spectacular. If he lands in a system that properly utilizes his skills as a passer and runner, watch out.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Head coach Matt Rhule keeps adding to the Carolina Panthers' defense.The Panthers selected cornerback Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, eighth overall.Rhule became Carolina's head coach last season and selected only defenders in his first draft class with the team, including defensive lineman Derrick Brown with the No. 7 pick.Opposing quarterbacks posted a 98.4 passer rating against the Panthers in 2020, which placed the team 25th in the league.Carolina's cornerback depth chart is currently highlighted by Donte Jackson and Troy Pride. The club also signed veteran corner A.J. Bouye earlier this offseason.Draft Profile Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyKey stats: 16 tackles, 2 interceptions, 6 passes defendedHorn's blend of size, athleticism, and physicality makes him a unique prospect. He's exactly what NFL clubs covet at the catch point, as he has the ability to either intercept passes or break them up with late hands. Plus, Horn makes every snap a battle for opposing receivers. Unfortunately, his aggressive playstyle can work to his detriment. He often holds onto receivers for dear life, which could lead to penalties in the pros. Still, the son of former NFL receiver Joe Horn possesses press-man coverage traits you don't see often. In the right system, Horn will shine.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Denver Broncos selected cornerback Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, No. 9 overall.More to come.Draft Profile Collegiate Images / Collegiate Images / GettyKey stats: 37 tackles, 1 interception, 9 passes defendedYou'd be hard-pressed to find a more polished prospect in the 2021 class than Surtain. The son of former Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Patrick Surtain, the Alabama product offers everything NFL teams look for at the position, including size, length, athleticism, ball skills, patience in press coverage, and man-coverage chops. Surtain isn't the quickest defender, but he's battle-tested in the SEC, and his development in certain aspects of the position is a year or two ahead of most young players. He's a Week 1 starter wherever he lands.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions selected offensive tackle Penei Sewell out of Oregon seventh overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.Sewell was widely regarded as the top offensive lineman available in this year's class. He was an All-American and Outland Trophy winner in 2019, his most recent collegiate campaign.Lions general manager Brad Holmes and new head coach Dan Campbell wanted to prioritize the trenches this offseason, ultimately opting against picking a quarterback after acquiring Jared Goff from the Los Angeles Rams.Detroit currently rosters Taylor Decker, Tyrell Crosby, and Halapoulivaati Vaitai at offensive tackle. Sewell could start immediately on the left or right side in 2021, giving the Lions' blocking unit some flexibility.Draft profile Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIdeal position: Left tackleSewell has garnered a significant amount of hype since his freshman season in 2018, and there's good reason for it. Weighing around 330 pounds, he's not supposed to move the way he does - defenders who meet him in the second level are dead in the water. Sewell's play strength is absurd, and it shows up in his effortless run blocking and dominance against the bull rush. While the Oregon product comes with some minor concerns - we didn't get to see him in 2020 after he opted out and speed rushers caught him off balance at times - he's still only 20 years old. Sewell is one of the safer prospects in the 2021 class, and his upside is massive.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints are trying to trade up into the top 10 of the 2021 NFL Draft for a defender or quarterback Mac Jones, ESPN's Dianna Russini reported on Sportscenter, according to Henry McKenna of USA Today.The Saints have reportedly been one of the more active clubs attempting to trade up prior to the draft.New Orleans could look to fill its need at cornerback after releasing Janoris Jenkins. South Carolina's Jaycee Horn, Alabama's Patrick Surtain, and Northwestern's Greg Newsome are among the most highly touted cornerback prospects. The team is also reportedly interested in Virginia Tech's Caleb Farley.The Saints lost Drew Brees to retirement this offseason, leaving Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill as their options at quarterback.Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said his team is prioritizing quality with its eight selections in this year's draft."I don't see a lot of holes in our roster," Loomis said. "I think we have a lot of talent and a lot of positions when you look at each of these position groups. A lot of times, it's hard to envision a rookie coming in and displacing some of our veterans. So I wouldn't say that volume is a priority for us. I think quality is a priority for us."Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers has told some within the Green Bay Packers organization that he doesn't want to return to the team, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.Packers president Mark Murphy, general manager Brian Gutekunst, and head coach Matt LaFleur met with Rodgers at various points this offseason to discuss his concerns. The team also offered to extend the 37-year-old's contract, Schefter adds.Rodgers' agent held several meetings with the Packers over the last month, but Rodgers refused to restructure his contract and instead wants an extension, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.The quarterback's issues go beyond his contract, as he doesn't like anyone in the team's front office, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk."Aaron's our guy. He's going to be our quarterback for the foreseeable future," Gutekunst said Monday.Gutekunst made another statement Thursday, reiterating the franchise's commitment to Rodgers.Multiple teams have already reached out to the Packers about trading for Rodgers, Jay Glazer of Fox Sports reports.Among them is the San Francisco 49ers, Rodgers' hometown team. However, there's a "0% chance" of such a deal, reports NFL Network's Tom Pelissero.Rodgers has three years remaining on his contract with the Packers.Some of Rodgers' unhappiness likely stems from last season's draft, when the Packers - who went 13-3 and reached the NFC Championship Game in 2019-20 - used their first-round pick on a quarterback. Green Bay again went 13-3 and lost in the NFC Championship Game this past season.Following the 2020 draft, Rodgers said he believed his future with the Packers was out of his hands.The three-time league MVP spent part of this offseason as a guest host of "Jeopardy!" and said he'd like to keep playing football and host the show full-time.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tim Tebow, a former 2010 first-round pick and minor league baseball player, recently worked out for the Jacksonville Jaguars at tight end, a source told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Tebow played quarterback for the New York Jets and Denver Broncos between 2010-12. He also signed with the New England Patriots in 2013 and Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 but never played a game with the teams.The Jaguars hired Urban Meyer, Tebow's college coach at Florida, as their head coach in January.There's been at least some discussion between Tebow and the franchise about signing a contract, Rapoport adds.The 33-year-old resisted switching to tight end in his previous NFL stint, according to Rapoport.Tebow transitioned to baseball after leaving the NFL. He joined the Arizona Fall League in 2016 and spent time in the New York Mets' minor league system from 2017-19. Tebow retired from baseball in February after making 287 appearances. He fell just short of the bigs, reaching as high as the Triple-A level.Tebow and Meyer enjoyed a great deal of success together at Florida. They won a national championship in 2006 and 2008, and Tebow won the Heisman Trophy in 2007.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are targeting Alabama running back Najee Harris, reports Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.The Steelers pick 24th in Thursday's NFL draft, and their hope is the Miami Dolphins - picking at 18th - and New York Jets - selecting 23rd - don't grab Harris first, Dulac reports.Pittsburgh led the league in pass attempts last season and finished 28th in rushing attempts, as James Conner, Benny Snell, and Anthony McFarland struggled to run the ball. Conner led the team with just 721 yards on the ground and six scores. He signed with the Arizona Cardinals this offseason.Harris had an exceptional senior season with the Crimson Tide, rushing for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns on his way to a national championship.He's projected to go to the Steelers at No. 24 in theScore's latest mock draft.If the rusher is off the board by that pick, the Steelers could pivot to a quarterback, according to Dulac.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch is joining the Professional Fighters League as an investor and brand ambassador, the promotion announced on Thursday."I'm really on that owner hype right now, ya feel me," Lynch said in a statement, according to ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "Pro teams, leagues, companies, and brands, I'm wit it. Ownership allows you to be closer to the action, to keep learning and making a difference. At the end of the day, the PFL opportunity is another blessing, that's all I can really say. PFL is the future of MMA and it's always a win-win when you can work with like-minded folks."The terms of Lynch's financial investment weren't disclosed.Lynch has been a notable fan of the sport, incorporating MMA training during his time in the NFL and serving as a live commentator for Karate Combat in 2020."Beast Mode" is the latest celebrity to partner with the PFL following hip-hop star Wiz Khalifa and comedian Kevin Hart.The PFL is scheduled to hold its second event Thursday, headlined by welterweights Rory MacDonald and Curtis Millender.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Multiple teams are expected to approach the San Francisco 49ers about trading for quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, but the chances of the passer being dealt are remote, ESPN's Adam Schefter reports, citing sources.As it stands now, the 49ers are likely to draft a quarterback with the No. 3 pick Thursday despite having Garoppolo on the roster.Garoppolo also has a no-trade clause in his contract and would have to approve any proposed trade destination.49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan and general manager John Lynch have long maintained that they intend to keep Garoppolo for the 2021 season, even though they traded three first-round selections to move up to the third overall pick to choose his eventual successor.The 29-year-old is scheduled to make $25 million this season.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2021 NFL Draft set to kick off Thursday night, theScore's Dane Belbeck, Dan Wilkins, and Mike Alessandrini give their final first-round projections.1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images Sport / GettyLawrence has been the obvious top pick from the jump. Nothing about the pre-draft process has raised a single question about that reality, indicating everything we need to know about the Clemson star's elite-prospect status. There's plenty of work ahead for the Jaguars while building the rest of their roster, but finally landing a potential franchise quarterback was always the most important step. - Wilkins2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYUJoe Douglas and new head coach Robert Saleh have been locked in on Wilson for a while, and we don't expect a last-minute shift on Thursday night. Whether he's the right quarterback for the pick is another debate, but that may not be settled for a few years. Either way, Wilson is plenty talented and worthy of a high first-round selection. - Alessandrini3. San Francisco 49ers (from HOU via MIA) - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota StateThe draft smoke indicates Mac Jones will be the pick here, but we don't believe the 49ers moved up to choose a player they could easily have gotten later in the opening round. Lance isn't close to being ready to start, but his potential makes this move worth it for Kyle Shanahan. The North Dakota State star can sit behind Jimmy Garoppolo before eventually taking over as the top signal-caller in the Bay Area. - Belbeck4. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts, TE, FloridaThe Falcons could trade down here, or they might take a quarterback for themselves. But with Matt Ryan seemingly cemented for a few more years, and the 49ers-Dolphins trade putting a high price on top-five picks in this draft, we've got Atlanta staying put and taking the best non-quarterback. Picking a tight end this early might give you pause, but Pitts isn't just a tight end. A true offensive weapon who can be a mismatch everywhere, the Florida standout is a generational talent who deserves to be a top-five pick. - Wilkins5. Cincinnati Bengals - Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU Jonathan Bachman / Getty Images Sport / GettyCincinnati's pick is seemingly down to Chase and Penei Sewell. And while an offensive lineman makes sense after Joe Burrow suffered a major injury as a rookie, the organization will likely salivate about pairing its young quarterback with his former LSU teammate. Chase may be too talented to pass up. - Alessandrini6. Miami Dolphins (from PHI) - Jaylen Waddle, WR, AlabamaWith every team seemingly searching for its own version of Tyreek Hill, the Dolphins choose the speedier of Tua Tagovailoa's former Alabama teammates with Waddle at No. 6. The star was one of the Heisman front-runners in 2020 before a broken ankle derailed his season. He gives Tagovailoa a game-breaking threat out wide, and Waddle should complement the trio of DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, and Preston Williams quite well. - Belbeck7. TRADE: New England Patriots (from DET) - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio StateAfter an incredibly aggressive approach to free agency, you didn't think Bill Belichick would let the draft come to him, did you? The Patriots want to be contenders again fast, and Fields being available in this spot presents the perfect opportunity to help make that happen. Whatever the cost, trading up to get a young franchise quarterback will be worth it. - Wilkins8. Carolina Panthers - Penei Sewell, OT, OregonA early run on quarterbacks puts Carolina in an excellent spot at No. 8. The Panthers could opt for a passer early in the first round, but giving Sam Darnold a strong supporting cast won't hurt, either. Sewell addresses one of the team's glaring weaknesses while providing long-term stability at a premier position. - Alessandrini9. Denver Broncos - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama Kevin C. Cox / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhile many think the trade for Teddy Bridgewater removes the Broncos from any quarterback chatter, James Palmer of NFL Network insists the team could still be interested in a QB at No. 9. Jones is certainly familiar with Jerry Jeudy from his days with the Crimson Tide, and his pinpoint accuracy could be key for a set of young pass-catchers in the Mile High City. - Belbeck10. Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain II, CB, AlabamaEverywhere you look, you'll find Surtain connected to Dallas. And that's because it just makes so much sense. With the early run on quarterbacks and other offensive talent, the Cowboys get their pick of the top defensive players in this draft. The Alabama standout would be a much-needed upgrade in the secondary for Dan Quinn's new-look defense. - Wilkins11. New York Giants - DeVonta Smith, WR, AlabamaDave Gettleman and the Giants are likely to consider a handful of top defensive prospects, though one of the leading offensive playmakers may be too tempting to pass on right now. Daniel Jones is entering a make-or-break campaign, and adding the reigning Heisman Trophy winner to an already-strong supporting cast would put him in the best position to succeed. - Alessandrini12. Philadelphia Eagles (from SF via MIA) - Jaycee Horn, CB, South CarolinaThe Eagles go with the long, physical, and rangy corner out of South Carolina to immediately shore up the secondary. Horn's technique might raise a few questions, but there's absolutely no doubt he can be a lockdown NFL cornerback. Philadelphia faces needs at multiple positions, but it'll be difficult not to call Horn's name at No. 12 due to his ability. - Belbeck13. Los Angeles Chargers - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern Mitchell Layton / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Chargers may need to trade up to make it happen, but we've got them sitting tight at No. 13 and still coming away with one of the top two linemen in the draft. Offensive tackle is arguably the most pressing need on Los Angeles' roster, and Slater could provide a massive boost in front of Justin Herbert as a Day 1 starter on the left side. - Wilkins14. Minnesota Vikings - Jaelan Phillips, Edge, MiamiWith needs in both trenches, the Vikings will be hoping to land an instant contributor during the first round. Phillips would be considered among the premier defensive prospects in the class if not for his concussion issues in college. Minnesota could still trade Danielle Hunter prior to Week 1, which increases the urgency to upgrade at edge rusher. - Alessandrini15. TRADE: Detroit Lions (from NE) - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn StateParsons is arguably the best defensive prospect in the draft, and the Lions will be thrilled to get that level of talent at No. 15. The Penn State standout's physicality and versatility are likely right up Dan Campbell's alley, as the new head coach pledged to introduce a powerful brand of football. - Belbeck16. Arizona Cardinals - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USCOffensive playmakers are fun, and Arizona could find a way to work another one into Kliff Kingsbury's offense. But with the top three receivers off the board, the front five will be the priority. Whether it's at guard or tackle, Vera-Tucker would be another major addition to a Cardinals offensive line that should be much improved from years past. - Wilkins17. Las Vegas Raiders - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Raiders reshaped their offensive line this offseason, but there's still a hole at right tackle. Enter Darrisaw, who should bolster Vegas' run game right away while improving his pass-blocking chops opposite fellow first-rounder Kolton Miller. - Alessandrini18. Miami Dolphins - Kwity Paye, Edge, MichiganAfter taking the most explosive offensive player at No. 6 in Waddle, the Dolphins select arguably the most explosive defensive player in Paye at No. 18. The Michigan standout isn't a finished product, but his potential and work ethic make this a solid pick. - Belbeck19. Washington Football Team - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre DameWith the top-five quarterbacks all long gone, Washington turns to the defensive side for one of the highest-upside players in this draft. Owusu-Koramoah could be the perfect modern linebacker, and he can instantly step in as a dynamic chess piece due to his athleticism and coverage ability that's tough to find at the position. - Wilkins20. Chicago Bears - Greg Newsome II, CB, NorthwesternLosing Kyle Fuller due to cap constraints was tough to swallow in Chicago, but adding Newsome could help ease the pain. The Northwestern product profiles as an excellent schematic fit with the Bears, and he should develop into a high-quality starter opposite Jaylon Johnson in short order. - Alessandrini21. Indianapolis Colts - Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia Todd Kirkland / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Colts need to address offensive holes, but Ojulari would upgrade a critical defensive area. The Georgia star might not be the most polished pass-rusher, but he can learn the nuances of the position while taking some pressure off DeForest Buckner. - Belbeck22. Tennessee Titans - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia TechAfter the surprise move to part with Adoree' Jackson, addressing the cornerback position over the first two rounds feels like a must for Tennessee. If not for his back issues that required surgery in March, Farley would have been a likely early-round selection. But he'll be ready in time for training camp, and the Titans will happily bet on a player with this much upside. - Wilkins23. New York Jets (from SEA) - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma StateWhile the Jets must improve their defense under Saleh, they'll likely prioritize adding pieces to aid Wilson's development. New York won't let the Sam Darnold situation repeat itself, and Jenkins would provide an instant upgrade at right tackle. A pairing with last year's first-rounder Mekhi Becton is as ideal as it gets to protect a young passer. - Alessandrini24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Najee Harris, RB, AlabamaThe Steelers taking Harris just fits. Pittsburgh desperately needs to upgrade at running back with James Conner now in Arizona, and the versatile Harris checks all the boxes for the Steelers' offense. Harris may not possess game-breaking speed, but he's an incredible all-around offensive weapon who should instantly make Ben Roethlisberger's life easier. - Belbeck25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR) - Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa Julio Aguilar / Getty Images Sport / GettyJacksonville could go in several directions with its second first-round pick. A three-down difference-maker in the middle of the field would be a good place to start when adding defensive talent. Collins is a massive prospect with impressive instincts who could be a fantastic running mate alongside Myles Jack. - Wilkins26. Cleveland Browns - Jamin Davis, LB, KentuckyLinebacker may not be the Browns' biggest need as they enter the 2021 season with high expectations. However, Davis' athleticism and upside could be too significant to overlook here. The former Kentucky star would give Cleveland a future core defensive piece, as he can match up with opposing running backs and tight ends. - Alessandrini27. Baltimore Ravens - Rashod Bateman, WR, MinnesotaThe Ravens added Sammy Watkins in the offseason, but they're far from set at wide receiver. Grabbing Bateman will go a long way toward fixing that and giving Lamar Jackson the weapon he desperately needs. Bateman may not blow people away with his athleticism, but he's as polished a pass-catcher as there is in this draft. - Belbeck28. New Orleans Saints - Elijah Moore, WR, Ole MissThe Saints will need all the weapons they can get if the offense is to maintain its high level of production following Drew Brees' retirement. Moore is a potential game-breaker, and adding his skill set opposite Michael Thomas would make the duo difficult for defenses to handle, regardless of who's at quarterback. - Wilkins29. Green Bay Packers - Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama Joe Robbins / Getty Images Sport / GettyReceiver and cornerback are options here, but the Packers' selection of Leatherwood could impact multiple positions and help Aaron Rodgers. If the former Crimson Tide blocker is deployed at right tackle, Billy Turner can move inside to his more natural position. Leatherwood could also slot in at left guard, moving Elgton Jenkins to center - his college position - after Green Bay lost Corey Linsley in free agency. - Alessandrini30. Buffalo Bills - Joe Tryon, Edge, WashingtonWith one of the league's most solid rosters, the Bills can ignore positional needs and simply take the best available talent at No. 30. With that in mind, Tryon makes his way to Buffalo, reinforcing the Bills' defensive line and providing some immediate outside situational pass-rushing talent. - Belbeck31. Baltimore Ravens (from KC) - Gregory Rousseau, Edge, MiamiAfter taking care of the receiver spot with their first of two Day 1 selections, the Ravens use the pick acquired in the Orlando Brown trade to address their most glaring defensive need. Rousseau may need some time to develop, but his natural gifts can't be taught. Growing alongside six-time Pro Bowler and fellow Miami product Calais Campbell could be the perfect situation to unlock his incredible potential. - Wilkins32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Barmore, DL, AlabamaThe reigning Super Bowl champions aren't dealing with many, if any, issues on their roster. So Jason Licht and Co. will be looking to the present and future at the end of the first round, provided they don't trade out. Barmore offers excellent value here, and he fits as a long-term replacement for Ndamukong Suh while lining up next to monstrous nose tackle Vita Vea. - AlessandriniCopyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley is on track to be ready for the start of the 2021 season, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Barkley is rehabbing from a torn ACL he suffered in Week 2 against the Chicago Bears.Prior to the injury, Barkley rushed for 34 yards on 19 carries last season to go along with six receptions for 60 yards.The 24-year-old tailback recorded back-to-back 1,000-plus-yard rushing seasons in 2018 and 2019. He's added 149 career receptions for 1,219 yards.The Giants picked up the fifth-year option on Barkley's rookie deal Wednesday. The move guarantees his 2022 salary of $7.2 million while giving New York more time to negotiate a long-term extension with him.The 2018 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year is entering the fourth year of his contract and is set to earn $4.8 million in 2021.Barkley's return would provide a jolt to a Giants offense that's also added key free-agent signings in receiver Kenny Golladay and tight end Kyle Rudolph.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Seattle Seahawks were apparently never close to trading Russell Wilson.Despite the quarterback's frustrations with the franchise and strong interest from multiple teams, Seahawks general manager John Schneider said he didn't entertain any trade offers over the last few months."There were a number of teams that called after that media blitz, but no, I never actively negotiated with any team," Schneider said Wednesday, according to Joe Fann of NBC Sports.The Chicago Bears reportedly made the strongest push for Wilson, apparently offering Seattle a package that included three first-round picks and two starters.Trade rumors involving Wilson began after he publicly expressed frustration in February about the amount of contact he's taken behind the Seahawks' offensive line.The signal-caller later reportedly made clear he wants to remain with Seattle and would only waive his no-trade clause to join the Bears, Dallas Cowboys, New Orleans Saints, or Las Vegas Raiders."Russ has been our quarterback for a good while," Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Wednesday, according to Myles Simmons of Pro Football Talk. "We've got a long contract with him. And when all of the conversation went about trades and all that, I knew what the truth was: We weren't trading Russell. So we plan on him being here for a good while."Wilson, 32, has led the Seahawks to the playoffs in each of the last three seasons, but the team won just one postseason game in that span. He racked up 4,212 passing yards and 40 touchdowns against 13 interceptions last year.The eight-time Pro Bowler signed a four-year, $140-million extension with Seattle in 2019.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2021 NFL Draft is just hours away. In an information-driven market, lines move quickly. A lot of numbers that were available last week have since shifted out of playable range.If you're just now arriving to the party and looking to get down on some action, here are five solid bets that are still available just 24 hours out.Justin Fields draft spot under 6.5 (-115)The 49ers are putting up one hell of a smokescreen.The Justin Fields-Trey Lance-Mac Jones conundrum is the hottest topic leading up to the draft. All are in play at No. 3 to the 49ers, and each leg of the trio has unsurprisingly been linked to the franchise since it made the trade up last month.In my blunt opinion, Fields is the best-kept secret in this draft. I'm frankly stunned that he's been punished in mocks despite Jones and Lance shooting up boards.Fields has more experience than Lance, more athleticism than Jones, and didn't leave much doubt on the field at Ohio State: He posted 5,373 yards through the air and 63 touchdowns in 22 starts with the Buckeyes, leading the team to consecutive College Football Playoff appearances.Whether it's to San Francisco at No. 3 or to another quarterback-needy team in the middle of the first that trades up, there's no way a prospect that was long considered QB2 in this class is still on the board at No. 7.Over 5.5 wide receivers drafted Round 1 (+115)If I could get 6.5 and 7.5 at even better numbers, I'd make wagers on both.The second tier of receivers is deep, and most of the prospects continue to gravitate up the boards.Rashod Bateman, Kadarius Toney, and Elijah Moore will all be solid consolation prizes for teams picking late, and don't count out Terrace Marshall Jr. or Rondale Moore sneaking in, either.Kyle Pitts over 4 (-150)This feels like a push at worst.Pitts is a generational talent at tight end who will find a home within the top-seven picks, but he has to go No. 3 for this to lose, and I just don't see that happening.Either the Falcons scoop him up at No. 4 and you get your money back, or they trade back and get replaced with a team needing a quarterback.Under 3.5 defensive linemen drafted Round 1 (+140)Jaelan Phillips and Kwity Paye are pretty much locks, but the wild card here is Miami edge rusher Gregory Rousseau: He's been perceived as a boom-or-bust prospect and continues to trickle back in updated mocks. Will a team in Round 1 get scared off?Still, 'over' bettors would need one more to slip into the first, whether that be Christian Barmore, Joe Tryon, or someone else. The under is a solid plus-money look.Micah Parsons draft spot under 13.5 (-115)Parsons is the cream of the crop in the 2021 linebacker pool. He put on a clinic at Penn State in 2019 (109 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles) and should be fresh after opting out of last season.His ceiling entering the week was likely No. 9 to the Broncos, who were also in the mix to go the quarterback route Thursday. However, after Denver traded for Carolina's Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday, Parsons makes even more sense now.If he doesn't go No. 9, the Giants (11) and Eagles (12) are also good fits.Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Orleans Saints are exploring trading up in the first round of the draft.The Saints are interested in cornerback Caleb Farley, according to Charles Robinson of Yahoo Sports, and feel they might need to get ahead of the Tennessee Titans to land him.New Orleans currently holds the 28th overall selection and the Titans have the 22nd pick.NFL Network's Ian Rapoport also reports that New Orleans is interested in moving up in the draft but isn't sure if the team would do so for Farley.The former Virginia Tech standout will not attend the draft after testing positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday. Farley is asymptomatic, his agent said Wednesday.The 22-year-old also dealt with back injuries over the past two years, which led to a pair of surgeries. Farley opted out of the 2020 college football season due to the pandemic.The Saints have a need at cornerback after releasing former starter Janoris Jenkins. Pro Bowler Marshon Lattimore is entering the final year of his rookie contract with the club.Patrick Robinson, Grant Haley, and Keith Washington Jr. round out a group that lacks experience.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Panthers traded quarterback Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos in exchange for a sixth-round 2021 draft pick, the Panthers announced Wednesday.Carolina will pay $7 million of Bridgewater's salary, while the Broncos will take on $3 million, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN.The move reportedly doesn't eliminate the possibility that Denver will try to draft a quarterback in the first round Thursday. The AFC West club owns the No. 9 overall pick."Acquiring Teddy Bridgewater adds competition, experience, and a strong veteran presence to our quarterback room," said new Broncos general manager George Paton.If the Broncos don't bring in a rookie, Bridgewater is set to compete for the top job with Drew Lock. The former second-rounder is entering his third season in Denver, but Paton has been hesitant to commit to him as the starter for 2021.Bridgewater was made surplus to requirements by the Panthers' acquisition of Sam Darnold from the New York Jets in early April.Carolina sent a sixth-rounder in the 2021 draft and a second-rounder and fourth-rounder in 2022 for Darnold. The team reportedly gave Bridgewater permission to seek a trade shortly after.Bridgewater started 15 games for the Panthers last season after signing a three-year deal in free agency. He threw for 3,733 yards and 15 touchdowns against 11 interceptions while posting a 4-11 record.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Lions attempted a major move to get new quarterback Jared Goff a big-time weapon when the NFL draft begins Thursday.The Lions coveted former LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase and explored acquiring the Atlanta Falcons' No. 4 overall pick to secure him, but Detroit opted against trading up as Atlanta's "asking price was too high," ESPN's Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano report.Wide receiver is arguably Detroit's biggest need after allowing Kenny Golladay to hit free agency and sign with the New York Giants. The Lions added Tyrell Williams and Breshad Perriman but are severely lacking youth at the position. They currently hold the No. 7 pick in the draft.It was reported earlier in April that Atlanta was open to trading the No. 4 selection.Atlanta owner Arthur Blank pushed the idea of drafting a successor to Matt Ryan with the pick earlier in the offseason, according to Fowler and Graziano.But with new coach Arthur Smith and new general manager Terry Fontenot reportedly looking to build an immediate contender around the veteran quarterback, the team is expected to take tight end Kyle Pitts at No. 4 if it can't get a "major haul" to move down, according to Fowler and Graziano.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

During this week's NFL draft, the first 10 selections could include as many as five quarterbacks. Such an early run on QBs would be unprecedented, even for a league that places so much outsized value on the position. Yet for all the attention the top draft-eligible quarterbacks annually receive, the likelihood is that most will not pan out.A recent ESPN report found that of the 45 signal-callers taken in the first round between 2000 and 2016, just 19 (42.2%) landed second contracts with the team that selected them. Not one of the 22 first-round QBs chosen between 2009 and 2016 is still with the team that picked him. And you're probably aware that the greatest quarterback of all time - some dude named Tom Brady, who just won his seventh Super Bowl at the tender young age of 43 - was selected in the sixth round, with the 199th pick, behind six other quarterbacks.The draft is largely a crapshoot as a whole. A boatload of deep dives over the years has shown that NFL teams - all of them - are generally bad at picking players, regardless of position. This cold reality stands in stark contrast to the popularity of the draft industrial complex, that annual season of hype and anticipation that exists to offer fans the constant illusion of hope. Your team is absolutely going to be fixed by this year's draft crop, I swear. Unless your team totally screwed things up, which is also entirely possible, too, I guess. Who knows! Icon Sportswire / Getty ImagesAnyway, let's turn our focus toward drafting a quarterback, because the quarterback is at once the game's most important position and its most inscrutable.OverconfidenceQuality quarterbacks are scarce. It's what sets them apart, and it's the reason they're so expensive, with the top of the veteran contract market averaging nearly $20 million more in annual value than any other position.Yes, teams have won Super Bowls with an OK QB surrounded by a solid supporting cast: Nick Foles, Joe Flacco, Brad Johnson, Trent Dilfer, to name four from the last 20 years. But the surest path to sustained success, to consistently remaining in the chase for a championship, where the difference between winning and losing can be painfully small, is to have a great QB.Take what 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said last month after San Francisco traded away two future first-round picks plus a third-rounder to move up from No. 12 to No. 3 in this year's draft: "There's a risk any season you go into without a top-five QB."Seems pretty simple, right? Yet despite the hype that engulfs the run-up to every draft, the process of identifying a great QB is far more complex than just drafting the best one on the board in a given year. For every sure thing like John Elway, Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck, and now (maybe?) Trevor Lawrence, there are great ones like Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, and Brady who were selected outside the top five or even in the third round or later.Aaron Rodgers was selected 24th overall in 2005. Dylan Buell / Getty Images Sport / GettyOne reason is overconfidence on the part of scouts, personnel executives, front offices, and owners. It's a phenomenon that was first detailed empirically in a seminal 2005 academic study of the entire draft that was co-authored by University of Pennsylvania professor Cade Massey and University of Chicago professor Richard H. Thaler (emphasis mine):

Quarterbacks Trey Lance and Justin Fields are arguably the two most intriguing prospects leading up to Thursday's NFL draft.Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson are locks to find homes with the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively, but finding the perfect franchise pairings for Lance and Fields has been a difficult challenge throughout the draft process.Today, we're going to do just that.Here are the odds for which teams will take Fields and Lance, along with our best value bets.Team to draft Trey LanceTeamOdds49ers+200Broncos+300Patriots+500Lions+700Falcons+800Panthers+900Washington+900Bears+1100Raiders+1600Saints+1600Texans+2000Eagles+2000Steelers+2000Seahawks+2000Dolphins+3300Jets+3300Vikings+5000Giants+5000Colts+6600Browns+8000Jaguars+8000Only displaying teams with odds shorter than 100-1The Chicago Bears aren't being taken seriously enough as a suitor for either Lance or Fields. If we assume the San Francisco 49ers take Mac Jones at No. 3, Bears general manager Ryan Pace could make his second brash move in five years and send the house for a quarterback.Chicago enters the season with Andy Dalton and Nick Foles on the depth chart, with no development behind them. The front office desperately needs to make a splash under center, and it needs to come on Day 1.Lance has unlimited upside at only 20 years old and could sit a season behind both veterans. After whiffing on Mitchell Trubisky back in 2017, Pace and Co. will swing for the fences again here.Best bet - Bears +1100Team to draft Justin FieldsTeamOddsPanthers+300Patriots+300Falcons+400Broncos+400Lions+50049ers+500Washington+800Bears+1000Jets+1600Raiders+2000Saints+2500Steelers+2500Jaguars+3300Eagles+3300Dolphins+4000Texans+5000Seahawks+5000Colts+6600Vikings+6600Giants+6600Browns+8000If Fields is the fifth quarterback off the board, expect the stakes to be high. There's a clear drop-off to the next tier of signal-callers, and the Ohio State product was long considered the QB2 behind Lawrence.My bid's on the New England Patriots, who have also been linked to Jones or Lance. Here, they get a dual-threat quarterback who can learn from Cam Newton before taking the reins full time.After all, every other team in the division has gotten a bit of a head start: Josh Allen's crushing it in Buffalo, the Jets have planned for Wilson's arrival for months, and Tua Tagovailoa's already got some experience under his belt in Miami.In my perfect betting world, New England phones the Detroit Lions and trades for pick No. 7 to select the former Buckeye.Best bet - Patriots (+300)Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A catalyst for trades, the NFL draft marks the final opportunity for teams to move players for picks that can contribute to the season on tap.One deal already came down the pipes prior to the event, as the Baltimore Ravens sent Pro Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown to the Kansas City Chiefs in a blockbuster. Here are 10 other players who could be on the move over the course of the draft, which begins Thursday:Jimmy Garoppolo, QBThe 49ers are set to draft a quarterback third overall, making Garoppolo dispensable nearly 15 months after he started in Super Bowl LIV. John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan say they intend to keep Garoppolo for the short term, but the right offer should change their mindset. The greatest obstacle to a deal could be finding a trade partner with the cap space to absorb Garoppolo.Most sensible suitors: Patriots, BroncosStephon Gilmore, CBThe Patriots took calls on Gilmore at the draft last year but ultimately held onto the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year. His future in New England is even murkier now, as he's coming off an uneven campaign and will turn 31 in September. Bill Belichick is notorious for dumping stars preemptively, and Gilmore's desire for a raise could accelerate his exit.Most sensible suitors: Bears, RaidersZach Ertz, TEWhile it's taken longer than expected, an Ertz trade seemingly remains inevitable. The three-time Pro Bowler still covets an extension, and the Eagles are in no position to give him one. At some point, Howie Roseman must take whatever he can get for Ertz and move on.Most sensible suitors: Bills, TitansDanielle Hunter, DE Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyFrustrated with his contract, Hunter reportedly contemplated a trade demand earlier this offseason. Several less accomplished pass-rushers have eclipsed Hunter on the salary scale recently, though he lacks bargaining power after missing the 2020 campaign with a neck injury. A trade would be complicated given those factors, but the Vikings may want to be proactive if this situation is at risk of getting worse.Most sensible suitors: Ravens, ColtsLaurent Duvernay-Tardif, GThe Chiefs overhauled their offensive line after losing Super Bowl LV, bringing in four potential new starters, including veteran guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long. Duvernay-Tardif opted out of the 2020 season to work at a long-term care facility in Canada, and while that was noble, he might've been out of sight and out of mind for too long.Most sensible suitors: Giants, PanthersXavien Howard, CBA Howard trade on the heels of his All-Pro season would come as a shock, but Miami is no stranger to bold moves. It's rumored that Howard is eyeing a new contract after his 10-pick campaign, and that could be problematic for a Dolphins club that already has two of the league's top-paid corners in him and Byron Jones. Howard's trade value will never be higher than it is right now.Most sensible suitors: Cowboys, ChargersTeddy Bridgewater, QBWith Sam Darnold in the fold, Bridgewater appears headed for a backup role should he stay with the Panthers. And thanks to his bloated contract, the 28-year-old probably will be on their bench. Carolina is scouring the market but may have to wait for a starter to go down elsewhere before Bridgewater draws real interest.Most sensible suitors: Broncos, BengalsAnthony Miller, WR Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyMiller has shown playmaking potential, but he's been too inconsistent to cement himself as part of the Bears' future. The fourth-year wideout would fit with a team looking to bolster its slot presence, and he comes with an affordable, expiring contract.Most sensible suitors: Saints, 49ersDavid Njoku, TEThe Browns figure to revisit the idea of trading Njoku after he unsuccessfully petitioned for a fresh start last year. With Austin Hooper signed long term and Harrison Bryant ascending behind him, Njoku is destined to warm the bench if he remains in Cleveland.Most sensible suitors: Jaguars, JetsN'Keal Harry, WRHarry has had a disappointing two-year run with the Patriots, but teams are always enamored with the upside of former first-round picks. The Arizona State product won't fetch much in return, making him a low-cost target for a club that can better utilize his 6-foot-4 frame in the red zone.Most sensible suitors: Cardinals, TitansCopyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's football editors make nine predictions for the 2021 NFL Draft, which begins with Round 1 on Thursday and wraps up with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.QBs lock up top 5In 2018, four NFL teams drafted quarterbacks in the top 10 for the first time in almost 70 years. The league will absolutely smash that mark this year when consensus top passers Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, Trey Lance, and Mac Jones all go in the top five after more blockbuster trade action. It's a testament to both the historically high level of quarterback talent in the 2021 class and the value of a capable signal-caller on a rookie contract. - Jack BrowneBears trade up to No. 4 Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyIn an attempt to redeem himself for drafting Mitchell Trubisky in 2017, Bears general manager Ryan Pace will make a blockbuster trade for the Falcons' fourth overall pick. Chicago reportedly offered the Seahawks three first-rounders and two starters for Russell Wilson, and a similar package will be enough to sway an Atlanta front office that has reportedly put its top selection on the trade block. If reports prove accurate and Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Mac Jones become the first three picks of the draft, both Justin Fields and Trey Lance will be available at No. 4. Pace can't miss that. - Caio Miari7 CBs off the board on Day 1What's the only way to combat the NFL's young blood at wide receiver? Talented young cornerbacks. Arguably the most crucial defensive position, teams will covet top corner prospects early and often. Patrick Surtain II and Jaycee Horn are both locks for the first round, while one team is likely to receive a medical green light on Caleb Farley, who just underwent back surgery. The picks won't stop there, as Greg Newsome II, Asante Samuel Jr., Eric Stokes, and Tyson Campbell will all hear their names called in the first 32 slots. Stokes and Campbell will be surprising first-round selections, but the two Georgia products possess the ideal blend of size and speed to match up against the game's elite pass-catchers. - Michael AlessandriniCowboys land Kyle Pitts Sam Greenwood / Getty Images Sport / GettyWhat Jerry Jones wants, he usually gets. With reports indicating the Cowboys owner is infatuated with Pitts, expect Dallas to pounce if the talented tight end slides out of the top five. Prospects like Pitts don't come around often, and a top tight end is the last piece for an already loaded Cowboys offense. This is too tempting an opportunity for Jones to pass up. - Daniel ValentePatriots make move for QBBill Belichick clearly has no plans to let another season go to waste, as the Patriots were by far the NFL's busiest team in free agency after missing the playoffs for the first time since 2008. That aggressive mindset will carry over to the draft, with New England seizing a rare opportunity to move up and land a long-term solution at quarterback. Trading up from No. 15 and securing a top-five or top-seven pick will be expensive. But any realistic collection of future picks will be worth sacrificing if it means kick-starting a new era with a top young talent at the game's most important position. - Dan WilkinsBengals load up on playmakers Andy Lyons / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Bengals should draft the best offensive lineman available. What the Bengals will do is take the top wide receiver - Ja'Marr Chase - after trading down from No. 5, then grab an interior lineman early on Day 2. They'll also deal a pick for tight end Zach Ertz, who's still waiting for the Eagles to move him. Cincinnati will head to training camp with one of the NFL's deepest skill casts, headlined by Chase, Ertz, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, and Joe Mixon. But questions will linger over protection for Joe Burrow. - Alex ChippinSteelers snag 1st running back at 24The draft slot of the first running back off the board is always of particular interest to fantasy football die-hards. The back half of the first round has been the sweet spot in recent years, with Clyde Edwards-Helaire and Josh Jacobs hearing their names called late on Day 1. That trend will continue this year thanks to the Steelers. A stacked receiving arsenal and the most pass attempts in the league weren't enough to carry the Steelers' offense last season - especially not with Ben Roethlisberger's failing body steering the ship. If Big Ben is to have any chance of retiring in glory, Pittsburgh must find some semblance of a running game. - David P. WoodsSeahawks take QB despite lack of picks Abbie Parr / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe Seahawks only own three picks in the 2021 draft, and an early run on quarterbacks is inevitable. But Seattle will still find it essential to pick Russell Wilson's successor. The relationship between franchise and franchise quarterback appears to be nearing an end, so it's in the Seahawks' best interest to prepare for life after Russ. With only a second-, fourth-, and seventh-round pick at their disposal, they'll have to find a diamond in the rough - just as they did when they selected Wilson in the third round in 2012. - Michael McClymontDTs shut out in Round 1There's not much excitement surrounding this year's defensive tackle class. Alabama's Christian Barmore is the highest-rated prospect along the defensive interior, but he's not considered a slam-dunk first-round talent. The Jaguars, Panthers, and Colts will all choose to ignore their needs at the position until later in the weekend, with talents such as Levi Onwuzurike, Daviyon Nixon, and Jay Tufele waiting until Day 2 to hear their names called. - Matt WashingtonCopyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The reigning Super Bowl champions have brought back their lone remaining unsigned key contributor from a year ago.The Tampa Bay Buccaneers re-signed wide receiver Antonio Brown to a one-year contract worth up to $6.25 million, Brown's agent, Ed Wasielewski, told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network on Wednesday.Brown's deal contains $3.1 million fully guaranteed and a $2-million signing bonus.The Bucs have prioritized continuity this offseason, retaining a host of stars. Linebacker Lavonte David, pass-rusher Shaq Barrett, and tight end Rob Gronkowski were among those to sign big-money extensions, while the team retained wide receiver Chris Godwin via the franchise tag.

There's little secret in Baltimore that the Ravens intend to pick up the fifth-year option in quarterback Lamar Jackson's rookie contract before Monday's deadline."Guarantee it," Harbaugh said on "The Rich Eisen Show," according to ESPN's Jamison Hensley."He's definitely going to be our quarterback," he added. "That's the plan, absolutely."Jackson is entering the fourth year of his rookie contract and is scheduled to make $1.8 million in 2021. If his fifth-year option is exercised, he'll then get a substantial raise to $23 million in 2022.He's made his mark on Baltimore since being selected with the 32nd pick in the 2018 draft, with the Ravens reaching the playoffs in each of the past three campaigns."Lamar is somebody that just kind of breaks the mold a little bit. He does it in a way that a lot of people didn't anticipate," Harbaugh said. "They didn't see this coming. He's very determined - and we're very determined - to prove those people wrong."General manager Eric DeCosta said in March that he's committed to reaching a long-term deal with the 24-year-old passer.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former North Dakota State star Trey Lance likely won't be the first or even the second quarterback to hear this name called at the 2021 NFL Draft, but he believes he'll eventually prove himself to be the elite passer of the group."I'm confident in myself, and I believe in myself," he said Tuesday on NFL Network's "Good Morning Football." "I think I have the potential to be the best quarterback in this class. I understand obviously there's gonna be a lot of learning to do, and I think, like I said, just as far as this quarterback class, I want them all to do well. I'm excited to see what they do and rooting for them all the same."Lance is arguably the biggest question mark of the much-heralded quarterback class that also includes Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, Justin Fields, and Mac Jones.The 20-year-old only started 17 career games with the Bison. He was limited to just one exhibition appearance in 2020 with North Dakota State's season postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Lance possesses rare physical traits and has been widely praised for his football IQ, leaving NFL teams to evaluate whether his high ceiling outweighs his lack of experience and his lower level of competition in college.The San Francisco 49ers, who traded up to acquire the No. 3 overall pick, are reportedly deciding between Lance and former Alabama standout Jones ahead of Thursday's opening round. Lawrence and Wilson are widely expected to be taken with the first and second pick owned by the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets, respectively.Even if Lance doesn't land in San Francisco, he's confident his skill set will allow him to reach his potential regardless of his NFL home."I think I'm going to be able to learn any offense that I'm put into, any system I'm put into, and find a way to be successful. I'm just looking forward to it. Don't know where it's gonna be. I'm wishing I knew just as much as you guys if not more. But I'm looking forward to it coming up soon."While Lance wasn't able to boost his draft stock in 2020, he produced an outstanding 2019 campaign en route to an FCS championship. He threw for 2,786 yards and 28 touchdowns against zero interceptions while also racking up 1,100 yards with 14 scores on the ground.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find positional rankings, additional analysis, and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.Welcome to theScore Fantasy Football Podcast, hosted by Justin Boone.Find the show on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, and Anchor.In this episode, theScore betting writer Alex Kolodziej joins Boone to discuss NFL draft props and 2021 team win totals.

The Houston Texans initially planned to grant quarterback Deshaun Watson's trade request during draft week, John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports.Before Watson's legal issues, the New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Washington Football Team had expressed interest in acquiring the three-time Pro Bowler, McClain added.The Texans wanted to get teams into a bidding war and seek a package consisting of three first-round picks, two second-round selections, and a starter on defense.Such a deal is now unlikely as Watson faces lawsuits from 22 women accusing him of sexual assault and harassment. Watson's legal team has argued the plaintiffs are lying.Watson reportedly made a trade request following a 4-12 season in which he threw for a career-high 4,823 yards. The quarterback was also rumored to be frustrated with front-office decisions.However, since the troubling allegations came flooding in against Watson, many clubs linked to a potential trade have pivoted to other passers. The Panthers have traded for Sam Darnold, Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Patriots re-signed Cam Newton, and the Jets and 49ers are expected to use a top-5 draft pick on a quarterback on Thursday.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the most popular markets to bet during the NFL draft is Round 1 position totals. The objective is simple: Oddsmakers set a number on how many prospects at a certain position (quarterback, running back, etc.) will be off the board in the first round, and bettors choose the over or under.Here, we'll dive into the various positions offered.Wide receivers - 5.5Over: +100

Former Florida State and NFL linebacker Geno Hayes died Monday at 33, two years after he was diagnosed with liver disease.Hayes played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2008 to 2011 and also had stints with the Chicago Bears and Jacksonville Jaguars. He notched 401 tackles, 10 sacks, six forced fumbles, six interceptions, and two defensive touchdowns across his seven-year career, during which he made 101 appearances and 70 starts."We are deeply saddened to learn of Geno Hayes' passing," the Buccaneers said Tuesday in a statement. "During his time with the Buccaneers, Geno was a beloved teammate and often the first player to volunteer his time to our efforts in the community. He frequently visited schools and had a remarkable ability to connect with children. Losing him at such a young age is heartbreaking. Our thoughts are with his family."Hayes spent his final days in hospice care at his parents' home in Georgia. He was on a waitlist at the Mayo Clinic and Northwestern Medicine to receive a liver transplant."My prayers and thoughts are with Geno Hayes' family and loved ones after his untimely passing," said New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, who was Hayes' position coach with the Jaguars in 2014. "Having the opportunity to spend time with him, I saw Geno's passion for life itself. He was an amazing person who left a mark on everyone who had the pleasure of connecting with him."Hayes enjoyed a standout career at Florida State prior to turning pro, earning an All-ACC selection as a junior in 2007.He's survived by his wife, Shevelle, and two children, ages 13 and 8, according to the Tallahassee Democrat's Jim Henry.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Miami Dolphins have agreed to trade guard Ereck Flowers to the Washington Football Team for a swap of late-round draft picks, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport.Flowers played for Washington in 2019 before inking a three-year, $30-million contract with Miami in free agency. He started 14 games for the Dolphins, who save $8 million in cap space with the move."I'm very excited and anxious to get back up there because I love the O-line room and I already had a good relationship with (offensive line) coach John Matsko as well," Flowers told NFL reporter Josina Anderson. "This is best for me."Flowers steadied himself at left guard in his first stint with Washington after entering the league as a left tackle. The New York Giants selected him ninth overall in 2015, but they released him partway through his fourth season after a heap of struggles and questions about his work ethic.The Dolphins have now moved on from three of their four most expensive signings from the 2020 offseason, as they previously released linebacker Kyle Van Noy and traded defensive end Shaq Lawson to the Houston Texans.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Atlanta Falcons have been receiving trade interest for Julio Jones, and the team apparently is open to listening to offers for the star wide receiver.When asked about Monday's report that multiple clubs are chasing the seven-time Pro Bowler, new Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot said Atlanta isn't in a position to dismiss any possible moves because of its salary cap issues."That's one of those things that when you're doing things the right way in an organization, you have to listen if people call on any player," Fontenot told Justin Felder of Fox 5 Sports. "Especially, we are in a difficult cap situation. That's just the circumstance. It's not a surprise for us. We knew the circumstance we were in."Our administration has done an excellent job up to this point, getting us in position to be able to manage the cap. Yet, we still have more work to do. So, when teams call about any players, then we have to listen, and we have to weigh it, and we have to determine what's best for the organization, and we have to handle everything with class."The NFC South team is 29th in available cap space with just over $2.4 million after restructuring the deals of quarterback Matt Ryan and linebacker Deion Jones earlier in the offseason, according to Spotrac.The Falcons will need to make further restructures, cuts, or trades in order to sign their rookie class.Atlanta would reportedly have to wait until after June 1 to trade Jones for cap-related reasons. Parting ways with the wideout following June 1 would allow the team to spread his remaining bonus over two campaigns, creating $15.3 million in cap space in 2021 and pushing $15.5 million in dead money to 2022."Obviously, that particular player we hold him in high regard," said Fontenot. "He's special, what he's done and what he continues to do here, but we have to consider any players if it's right for the team because we have to do what's best for this organization."Jones is Atlanta's all-time leader in catches (848) and yards (12,896) and has twice led the NFL in receiving in 2015 (1,871) and 2018 (1,677). But he played in just nine games in 2020, his fewest since 2013, and produced his lowest yards per game mark (85.7) since his sophomore year in 2012.It was reported earlier this offseason that the Falcons intended to keep both Jones and Ryan, with the team eager to see how the duo fares under new head coach Arthur Smith.Copyright © 2021 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.