Todd McShay projects Mac Jones to be selected just outside the top 10 in his updated NFL Mock Draft
We’ve reached the part of the offseason where analysts endless debate where players will be selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.
The latest round of speculation comes from ESPN’s Todd McShay, who shared his thoughts on his updated 2021 NFL Mock Draft, which includes four quarterbacks coming off the board before any other players in the NFL’s upcoming selection process.
According to McShay’s latest mock draft, here are the five quarterbacks he sees being selected in the first round as of early February:
#1 Trevor Lawerence – Jacksonville Jaguars
#2 Zach Wilson – New York Jets
#3 Trey Lance – Carolina Panthers *
#4 Justin Fields – Atlanta Falcons
#12 Mac Jones – Chicago Bears *
(*via trades)
It’s important to note Carolina does not currently own the No. 3 overall selection and Chicago does not currently own the No. 12 overall selection. McShay projects these teams trade up to grab these quarterbacks.
Here is what he had to say when breaking down his mock draft during a recent appearance on ESPN show First Take.
“It’s never happened, in the common draft era, where we’ve seen four quarterbacks go one through four,” McShay said. “So it may not happen this year, don’t bet on it, but what I’m trying to show here is the demand for quarterbacks and how teams could trade up to go get their guy once we figure out where Carson Wentz goes.
“What happens with Deshaun Watson? Does Dak Prescott leave Dallas? Does San Francisco move on from Jimmy Garoppolo? There are so many pieces in this puzzle to put together, but right now, those are the top quarterbacks and Mac Jones from Alabama slightly behind those guys as the fourth tier, if you will, in the first round of quarterbacks, the five I have in this mock draft.”
It’s pretty bold of McShay to throw this out there and immediately caution fans to not bet on his forecast coming to fruition.
That’s peak offseason content for you.
I like this article. i’m assuming sec mike published it more to point out what a hack mcshay is, as opposed to sharing any info of value. the usage of the adjective “bold” in the next to last paragraph is likely not the first adjective he wanted to use either
mcshay goes to great lengths to outline an unprecedented scenario where the first 4 picks are qbs and another team trades up to select a 5th qb at #12. sure, sounds reasonable. it also sounds reasonable that the bears would trade up to draft this year’s version of trubisky. though trubisky’s stats weren’t as great as jones’ this past season, the similarities between the two are vast. the bears are likely the last team who would draft jones….especially in giving up something to draft up to get him.
i think jones had an outstanding 2020. the #s support it, but the bears, at least if they’ve got some intelligence in the front office, aren’t drafting another qb with an early 1st rd pick with just 13-15 games of starting experience.
as much grief that kiper gets, mcshay is far worse.
The Bears coach/GM are on pretty thin ice, they know they have to find a QB this year or be fired. Thus, don’t be surprised if they reach (again) – it will either work or be somebody else’s problem.
I’m not sold on Jones. I will be eventually, but look who he was throwing the ball to and look at how much time he had to throw. Alabama and Georgia QBs are spoiled with great offensive lines but when they hit the NFL, they’re in for a treat of about 2 seconds to throw the ball.
I’m not saying you’re wrong, but the other side of this coin is looking at GO5 players and just assuming they’d put up better stats with more talent around them. Both approaches are problematic, which is why so many teams are always looking for new quarterbacks.