2021 NFL Draft Biggest Winners
NEW YORK JETS
Key Additions
- Zach Wilson | QB | BYU
- Alijah Vera-Tucker | OL | USC
- Elijah Moore | WR | Ole Miss
- Michael Carter | RB | North Carolina
The New York Jets got themselves their potential franchise QB of the future in BYU’s Zach Wilson with the 2nd overall pick. Shortly after, they used some of their draft capital to trade up in the first round and get Wilson a protector with the top OG in the draft, USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker. They followed up those two great picks by adding more dynamic playmakers in Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore and North Carolina RB Michael Carter. GM Joe Douglas had a fantastic draft and certainly added a ton of quality talent to an already young Jets roster.
CHICAGO BEARS
Key Additions
- Justin Fields | QB | Ohio State
- Teven Jenkins | OT | Oklahoma State
- Dazz Newsome | WR | North Carolina
Everyone know the Chicago Bears were desperate for a QB and GM Ryan Pace did not hesitate when he saw Ohio State’s Justin Fields fall beyond the top 10 picks. Pace packaged up a future 1st round pick along with a couple late round selections and got the Bears a QB that Bears fans can be hopeful for in the future. During night 2 of the draft, Chicago traded up again and secured one of the toughest OTs in the draft in Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins and round out day 3 of the draft with a quality slot WR from North Carolina in Dazz Newsome. The Bears hit a home run this year in the draft, now it’s time for HC Matt Nagy to do his part and develop this potential franchise QB in the star that Chicago wants and needs for the next decade.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
Key Additions
- Greg Newsome II | CB | Northwestern
- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah | LB | Notre Dame
- Anthony Schwartz | WR | Auburn
- James Hudson | OT | Cincinnati
The Cleveland Browns went into the 2021 NFL Draft with very few needs and walked out of the draft with a lot more talent starting with their new CB to pair with stud Denzel Ward in Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II. On day 2 the Browns got one of the draft’s biggest steals in Notre Dame stud LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah along with speedster WR Anthony Schwartz from Auburn. Cleveland wrapped up their draft on day 3 by adding some good talent including Cincinnati OT James Hudson who has a chance to start for the Browns in the near future. Needless to say, the Browns are heading in the right direction and this draft class could be a key component of their success down the road.
DETROIT LIONS
Key Additions
- Penei Sewell | OT | Oregon
- Levi Onwuzurike | DL | Washington
- Ifeatu Melifonwu | CB | Syracuse
- Amon-Ra St. Brown | WR | USC
This off-season has been an interesting one for the Detroit Lions. From hiring new HC Dan Campbell to trading long time QB Matthew Stafford to Los Angeles for Jared Goff, the Lions have been rebuilding their team and it continued in the draft. The Lions got a steal when the draft’s top OT, Oregon’s Penei Sewell, fell into their laps at 7th overall which is a great addition to a team facing some of the best pass rushers in the tough NFC North. They continued to add toughness on days 2 and 3 by drafting Washington lineman Levi Onwuzurike, Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu and one of favorite WRs prospects, USC’s Amon-Ra St. Brown.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
Key Additions
- Jaylen Waddle | WR | Alabama
- Jaelan Phillips | EDGE | Miami
- Jevon Holland | S | Oregon
- Liam Eichenberg | OT | Notre Dame
One of my favorite draft this year came from GM Chris Grier and the Miami Dolphins. Miami second year QB Tua Tagovailoa some help with his former Alabama teammate and explosive WR, Jaylen Waddle, which will be a great addition to their core of receivers led by DeVante Parker and Will Fuller. The team also addressed a big need at pass rusher by getting the best one in the class in Miami’s own Jaelan Phillips. In day 2 Miami wrapped up their draft by adding a versatile DB in Jevon Holland and a potential starting OT in Notre Dame’s Liam Eichenberg. HC Brian Flores seems to have a young team on the rise and the Dolphins should look to complete for a playoff spot this year.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
Key Additions
- Christian Darrisaw | OT | Virginia Tech
- Wyatt Davis | OL | Ohio State
- Kellen Mond | QB | Texas A&M
- Chazz Surratt | LB | North Carolina
- Patrick Jones II | EDGE | Pittsburgh
The Minnesota Vikings were hot on the trail for Ohio State QB Justin Fields but after their NFC North rivals stole the prospect after trading up, the Vikings decided to trade down and accumulate more draft picks. This decision worked heavily in their favor. Minnesota was able to address their biggest need by getting a steal with one of the draft’s more athletic OT’s in Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw who will step in day 1 as their starting LT. They continued to address the OL by adding Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis who at one point was considered a 1st round talent before the season started. Since they were not able to secure Fields, the Vikings decided to draft a QB in the later rounds with Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond as a developmental project behind veteran Kirk Cousins. The Vikings also added some decent defensive pieces at LB with North Carolina’s Chazz Surratt and edge rusher with Pitt’s Patrick Jones II. Minnesota got great value this year and it should show this season.
WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM
Key Additions
- Jamin Davis | LB | Kentucky
- Samuel Cosmi | OT | Texas
- Dyami Brown | WR | North Carolina
Rounding out this list is the Washington Football Team. HC Ron Rivera wanted to add more depth to their LB and they did just that with one of the draft’s biggest risers in Kentucky’s Jamin Davis. Along with adding defensive talent, Washington addressed their need at LT with an athletic lineman from Texas in Samuel Cosmi who has the potential be a great starting OT for the foreseeable future. Adding to their offense as well is North Carolina WR Dyami Brown who they got in the 3rd round, while many thought should’ve been a 2nd round pick, and should be a good weapon to pair with to-go target Terry McLaurin. Washington won the dreadful NFC East last season and with these additions could be in line to do it again in 2021.