Welcome to the Divisional Playoffs NFL Mailbag, which includes the question of ‘Which Teams Will Draft QB in Round 1?’ Here are your best questions from Twitter, also featuring how should the Bills attack the offseason and whether a running back will go in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Which Teams Will Draft QB in Round 1? Divisional Playoffs NFL Mailbag
Which teams could draft a quarterback in the top 10?
Before we begin, I think it’s important to mention a few things. First, this appears to be a really strong quarterback draft with several quality options in the top 10.
That is pretty rare.
Second, the 2022 quarterback class is, well, underwhelming. Teams might be a little more aggressive in finding a quarterback during this year’s draft, knowing how weak next year’s class appears to be.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at all the teams in the NFL Draft’s top 10 and evaluate their need for a potential franchise quarterback:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Yes.
2. New York Jets
Yes.
3. Miami Dolphins
Could the Dolphins trade this pick for disgruntled Deshaun Watson? Sure. Could they stay here and pick a quarterback to compete with Tua Tagovailoa? Absolutely. Miami is one of the real wild cards of this draft, and if they select a quarterback at No. 3, it will send the rest of the draft into a fury as three straight quarterbacks could come off the board for the first time in forever.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Matt Ryan still has three years left on his contract but no guaranteed money after the 2021 season. It’s time for the Falcons to rebuild, and there would be no better way than to do so with an elite quarterback prospect.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
No. While Joe Burrow‘s knee injury is concerning, he is expected to make a full recovery and return to the field sometime in 2021. Now it’s time to protect him by drafting an offensive lineman or a key offensive weapon.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
It’s hard to believe the Eagles would spend the No. 6 pick in the draft on a quarterback after just paying Carson Wentz and drafting Jalen Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. But nothing would surprise me anymore with this team.
7. Detroit Lions
Is the Matthew Stafford era in Detroit close to ending? Probably, but that doesn’t mean the Lions are going to draft a quarterback right away. They could be a dark horse to pick a quarterback should one fall, but don’t bank on it.
8. Carolina Panthers
Teddy Bridgewater was fine for the Panthers this season, but he isn’t the long-term solution. So yes, Carolina will be in the market for a QB.
9. Denver Broncos
Will the Broncos give Drew Lock another year to prove himself? Probably. Should they? That’s a different question. If someone like Justin Fields or Zach Wilson falls to them at No. 9, it would be hard for them to pass up a significantly better prospect at the most important position.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Probably not. Dallas will likely franchise Dak Prescott once again with the hopes of eventually locking him up to a long-term deal. However, if an agreement can’t be reached before the Draft, expect the Cowboys to potentially be interested in a second- or third-round quarterback.
Outside of the top 10, teams like the 49ers, Patriots, Washington Football Team, Chicago, Indianapolis and Pittsburgh could all be in the quarterback market. If North Dakota State’s Trey Lance isn’t selected inside the top 8 picks, expect there to be a ton of action as all of these teams compete for his services in a trade-up. (Question by @getinHottonhere)
Which Teams Will Draft QB in Round 1? Trey Lance could find himself in demand if he starts falling down the board. (USA TODAY Sports)
Which wide receiver will be selected first (DeVonta Smith or Ja’Marr Chase) in the 2021 NFL Draft?
Going into the season, Ja’Marr Chase (LSU) was the clear-cut favorite to be the first wide receiver drafted. Coming off a 1,780-yard, 20-touchdown season, Chase decided to opt-out of the year to prepare for the NFL.
That left the door open for DeVonta Smith, who leaves Alabama as its all-time leading receiver with two National Championships and a Heisman Trophy award under his belt.
Smith was able to surpass Chase’s best season, totaling 1,862 yards and 24 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide in an all-SEC regular-season schedule.
Given how dominant he was on the national stage and the fact that he has produced more recently than Chase, I now expect Smith to be the first receiver drafted.
Is that the right move? That will be a question we will have to dig further into over the next several months.
As for which teams could select either one of these players, their draft range starts at No. 3 with the Dolphins. If Miami decides to stick with Tua, then Smith or Chase would be excellent options. After that, Philadelphia (No. 6), New York Giants (No. 11) and New England (No. 15) all appear to be likely destinations for wide receivers.
But we also know how much teams value elite receivers, so don’t be surprised if teams like the Jets (No. 23) or the Jaguars (No. 25) make big trades up in this draft to secure an elite weapon with their new franchise passers. (Question by @Arguing_Cowboys)
