2021 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers, Washington Football Team, teams to watch
2021 NFL mock draft: Picks 5-8
5. Cincinnati Bengals: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU. The Bengals appear to be settling on Chase as the option here over left tackle Penei Sewell. That’s a mistake given their blocking issues, but Chase is still a great prospect.
While he sat out last year, Chase was a force in 2019 and had great chemistry with Joe Burrow. The two will reunite in Cincy and will quickly have chemistry. With Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd in the fold, the three-man receiver room of the Bengals will be set up well for success in ’21.
6. Miami Dolphins: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama. What will the Dolphins do if Pitts and Chase are on the board? It’s tough to figure, but their top options are Waddle, Sewell, and trading down. Swapping selections with the Broncos at No. 9 could be appealing if Denver wants a QB, so that can’t be ruled out.
More from Commanders Draft News
- What will Emmanuel Forbes bring to the Washington Commanders?
- Highlighting the best Commanders 2023 NFL Draft betting props
- 3 late Commanders rumors drawing buzz ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft
- 4 bold predictions for the Commanders 2023 NFL Draft
- Bet365 VA Bonus Code – Claim $200 Guaranteed With Sign-Up Bonus
For now, we’ll pencil in Waddle as the top option here. Miami added Will Fuller this offseason, but he’s on a one-year deal and has been injury-prone throughout his career. Waddle adds a similar speed element to the offense and has chemistry with Tua Tagovailoa.
Adding Sewell to play on Tua’s blindside is appealing as well, but the Dolphins may be content to wait on a tackle until later. And again, they could trade down to nine and if that happens, Waddle may still be on the board.
7. Detroit Lions: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon. Detroit gets absurdly lucky here to land Sewell, who could be their left tackle of the future or could become their starter at the problematic right tackle position.
Sewell won the Outland Trophy (awarded to college football’s best offensive lineman) as a sophomore before sitting out last year. He is already well-polished and has the tools needed to be a franchise left tackle. He could kick Taylor Decker to the right side or play right tackle himself. Either way, he would help to protect Jared Goff, and that’s something that the Lions desperately need to do.
The Lions could also consider Penn State LB Micah Parsons here, but if they do that, they should trade down. One of the QB-needy teams could be interested in jumping up to the seven spot, so calling the Patriots or the division-rival Bears would be a nice starting point.
8. Carolina Panthers: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina. The Panthers have been mentioned as a potential trade-down candidate, but can they really pull the trigger on a move down knowing they won’t have a shot at one of the top-two cornerbacks? I’m not entirely sure.
Horn is a great scheme fit for the Panthers as his physical, aggressive style should help to replace James Bradberry, a player that Carolina never properly replaced last year. New GM Scott Fitterer comes from the Seahawks organization, and while they love trading down, they love big, physical corners even more. As such, Horn stands a good chance of being the pick here.