2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Football Team lands their franchise QB

Arizona is well on its way to being a playoff team ready to make some noise. Kyler Murray took tremendous strides in year two with the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, but on the other side of the ball, Arizona is going to need some more help.

It’s been reported the team is set to part ways with long-time Cardinal Patrick Peterson, and in a division that has D.K. Metcalf, Deebo Samuel, and Robert Woods, the Cardinals need someone who’s able to help keep those guys in check, Surtain can be that man. The former Crimson Tide corner is long and has the ability to shrink windows. The Cardinals are getting a corner who could be one of the foundations of the defense for years.

The Raiders need a defensive overhaul and it starts in the trenches. The past two seasons, the Niners and the Washington Football Team took franchise edge rushers and the defensive units were completely revamped and become top 10 defenses.

Paye won’t make the Raiders a top-tier unit right away but he will be the start of the blueprint for Las Vegas building a bully defensively. Paye is arguably the top edge rusher in the class and it wouldn’t be surprising if he’s the first edge rusher off the board.

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah provides Miami with athleticism and instincts at the linebacker spot and helps improve the defensive unit. Brian Flores, who served as the linebackers coach for New England prior to taking the job in Miami, has to be salivating at getting a QB on his defense and JOK is that man.

The Washington Football team took advantage of a terrible division and got possibly the luckiest break in terms of injuries to opponents en route to a 2020 division title. That perhaps is the last thing on the list for things that defined the WFT season.

First is the amazing comeback story of Alex Smith, a guy who only a few years ago was all but retired because of the injury and just hoping to keep his leg. Second is the incredible defense lead by 2019 second overall pick and Defensive Rookie of the Year Chase Young who took the pressure that came along with his draft spot and excelled.

Despite a 7-9 record Washington got into the playoffs where unlikely hero Taylor Heinicke did everything he could to play spoiler to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Buccaneers. As fun as 2020 was Washington cannot hope to have the same lucky breaks, they need a QB.

Mac Jones could be the end of the QB carousel in Washington. Jones isn’t elite in any one trait but he’s fluid, accurate, has excellent decision-making skills and he’s coming from a program run by Nick Saban, so big game experience, discipline, and knowing what it takes to win aren’t areas where Jones will be lacking. Should he slide to 19, Ron Rivera and company should be thrilled to grab the potential franchise QB.

Chicago missed out on Carson Wentz earlier this off-season and missed out again on the top QBs in this class. Rumors have been swirling about the possibility of Russell Wilson becoming available, where he would welcome a trade resulting in his destination being the Bears.

Regardless of who is under center, they will need more than just Allen Robinson to throw to, if he is retained by the team. Bateman has the potential to be this years Justin Jefferson. He’s a freakish athlete and might end up as one of the top wideouts in this class by the end of his rookie year.