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The 2021 NFL Draft is fast approaching, which means the NFL draft predictions are coming in fast and furious.
Several first-round picks have already changed hands, which would suggest some bold moves are forthcoming.
NFL Draft 2021 predictions
As we prepare for plenty of NFL Draft surprises, let’s take a stab at some bold predictions for the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Broncos trade up for a quarterback
Not a lot of people are talking about the Broncos as a team that could trade up from the no. 9 spot to grab a quarterback.
However, it’s safe to say that Denver isn’t sold on Drew Lock, so they could be looking to draft a young quarterback. Odds are, the first three spots will all be quarterbacks, so watch for the Broncos to potentially make a deal with Atlanta for the no. 4 pick.
If the quarterback they like is still on the board at no. 4, don’t be surprised if Denver makes a bold move.
DeVonta Smith Goes Ahead of Ja’Marr Chase
Despite winning the Heisman, most mock drafts have Smith going after Chase, who sat out the 2020 college football season.
Smith might be electric, but his lack of size has some teams concerned about his durability at the next level. Meanwhile, Chase is considered as close to a sure thing as you’ll find in this draft. But it only takes one team to like Smith’s upside more than Chase to make the Heisman winner the first wide receiver selected.
This would be at least somewhat shocking if it ends up happening.
No defensive player is selected in the top 10
It’s hard to imagine no defensive player being worthy of a top-10 pick, right? But with so many teams in need of a quarterback, several wide receivers getting attention, offensive lineman Penei Sewell a lock to go in the top-10, and tight end Kyle Pitts an appealing option, it’s not impossible to foresee.
In the end, it could come down to Dallas at no. 10, as the Cowboys are likely to take a defensive player. But it’s far from impossible that Dallas could trade out of that spot, opening the door for all offensive players in the top 10.
Miami trades Tua Tagovailoa and drafts a quarterback
This would absolutely blow up the draft we’re all expecting, especially after Miami traded away the no. 3 pick.
However, they clearly aren’t completely sold on Tagovailoa being the future of the franchise.
Of the five quarterbacks who are likely to go in the top-10, if the one Miami likes is sitting there at no. 6, they might jump at the chance if they can find a taker for Tagovailoa.
The 49ers select Trey Lance 3rd overall
Word on the street is that the 49ers are leaning toward Mac Jones as the no. 3 pick after trading up to that spot. Obviously, they wouldn’t have done that if they didn’t think they could get the quarterback they want that pick.
Of course, that was before the Jets traded Sam Darnold and became a virtual lock to take a quarterback second overall.
Nevertheless, we don’t know for sure that San Francisco prefers Jones over anybody else.
But it would be a little bit of a surprise if they took Lance with Jones and at least one other top quarterback still on the board.
