NFL Draft 2021 Knee-Jerk 1st Round Reactions

Your 2021 NFL No. 1 overall pick, and much more from round one. Image: Logan Bowles/NFL via Getty Images

Last night was the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, and I have plenty of knee-jerk reactions on the results...

Jacksonville Jaguars — Urban Commits to Clemson 2.0

WINNERS- I don't hate the Travis Etienne pick as much as the Twitter World, but I will note that the Jags need to go defense or offensive line from this point on. Let's be honest, Etienne's ability as a pass catcher really helped Trevor Lawrence succeed at Clemson and Urban Meyer's not wrong to think he may do the same thing in Jacksonville. If they weren't enamored by any of the edge rushers or cornerbacks that were available, I don't mind the slight reach to ensure that they reunited T-Law and Travis. Let's see what Meyer does to start the second.

New York Jets — Douglas Gets his Guy, then Continues to Build the Wall

WINNERS- As much as I might have loved Justin Fields in New York, I can't argue with the arm ability that Zach Wilson has displayed. His strength, accuracy and versatility as a passer make him an exciting prospect that some have compared to Patrick Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers, but this new Jets regime needs to surround him with more than they did Sam Darnold. GM Joe Douglas already invested in LT Mekhi Becton last year, and this time he trades up for the top guard in the draft, Alijah Vera-Tucker. Imagine the 6'7" 365 pound Becton lining up next to the 6'4" 315 pound AVT for the next decade, good luck to opposing edge rushers. I thought trading up for AVT was one of the best moves of the NFL Draft so far.

San Francisco 49ers — Lynch/Shanahan Bet Jobs on Lance

LOSERS- This is two-pronged, but to me the Niners ended up looking more foolish than any other franchise in the draft (well, besides the Houston Texans). They trade all this capital to move up, and then nobody goes quarterback after their pick. Now you could argue that another team might have drafted Trey Lance, but they also might have passed on him. Who knows, San Fran might have even gotten Lance at No. 12. Secondly, how do you pass on Fields in favor of Lance? One is a dual-threat who is pro-ready and played at the highest level, the other just took a season off and is a run-first talent with accuracy issues. I HATED this decision and although I wouldn't have loved Mac Jones at three overall either, at least it would of made more sense. Lance is a project, taken by the only win-now team that needed a QB. Of course I could be wrong if Lance ends up excelling as a 49er, but for now expect Jimmy Garoppolo to start Week 1.

Atlanta Falcons — Matt Ryan Gets Vote of Confidence

LOSERS- Not only does Matt Ryan get a vote of confidence from his new head coach Art Smith, he gains support as the dynamic "unicorn" tight end, Kyle Pitts, joins the Falcons offense. I don't hate this match, but I personally felt that Atlanta needed to trade down here and instead focus on things like offensive line and secondary. Unfortunately, there seemed to be less takers at quarterback than initially expected, and the lack of trade partners is disappointing for the Falcons who again find themselves in no-man's land.

Cincinnati Bengals — Cincy Ignores Needs in Favor of LSU Dream Team

LOSERS- I was 100 percent sure that the Bengals would select Ja'Marr Chase, because it's the exact move that they shouldn't have made long-term. Don't get me wrong, this is nothing against Chase as a player, but rather the mindset. Cincinnati has totally disregarded offensive line for years, outside of Jonah Williams, and less than a year after Joe Burrow was absolutely blindsided and sidelined, they decide that band-aid Riley Reiff is enough of a blocking upgrade to pass on Penei Sewell, a true franchise left tackle. When will this team learn?

Miami Dolphins — Grier's Shrewd Manuever Still Lands Flashy Weapon

WINNERS- Although I believed the Dolphins made a mistake by going speed and Jaylen Waddle over route-runner Heisman teammate DeVonta Smith (similar to the Raiders drafting Henry Ruggs ahead of CeeDee Lamb last year), they are still winners based on all their trades the last couple of years. For starters, they fleeced the Texans to be in this position in the first place, and then they turn that around and fleece the 49ers before trading back up with the Eagles. This shrewd and masterful maneuvering by GM Chris Grier is how drafts are won and rosters are constructed. I liked his second pick of the first round more than his first, in edge linebacker Jaelan Phillips, an immediate replacement for Shaq Lawson on Brian Flores' hungry defense.

Detroit Lions — Holmes' 1st Pick Invests in LT Over QB

WINNERS- I can't fault GM Brad Holmes and the Lions for bulking the trenches before finding their future franchise quarterback. After all, Penei Sewell might have been a top three talent that fell all the way to No. 7 overall. At the same time, it's really hard to pass on a player with the upside of Fields in this spot (you'll hear a lot of hemming and hawing about Fields from me in this piece). The biggest winner here is undoubtedly Jared Goff, who gets a top LT and at least one or two seasons to try and save his career in Detroit.

Carolina Panthers — Fitterer/Rhule Trust in Sam, But Decide Not to Help Him

LOSERS- I really thought there were only two routes here; draft a quarterback like Fields to compete with Darnold, or draft either Rashawn Slater (T/G) or DeVonta Smith (WR) to assist in Sam's development. GM Scott Fitterer throws a total curveball and selects Jaycee Horn, a top cornerback prospect, but arguably the second best CB in the class. No offense to Horn, but this was one of the biggest misfires of the 2021 first round.

Denver Broncos — Paton Continues to Stack Talented Secondary

WINNERS- Another spot where I thought Fields would have fit perfectly, but unlike Carolina, I was a big fan of the alternative decision made by GM George Paton. Patrick Surtain was my CB1 and this secondary is truly poised to tackle Mahomes and the Chiefs after this offseason. Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby have already joined Denver via free agency, and now you add Surtain with top safety Justin Simmons already on the roster alongside veteran Kareem Jackson. Factor in Von Miller's pass rushing prowess and this Broncos D may be getting back to their Super Bowl pedigree... but can Drew Lock or Teddy Bridgewater step up at quarterback?

Philadelphia Eagles — Roseman Steals Smith Away from Giants

WINNERS- The Eagles are huge winners, trading out of the No. 6 spot (where they would have probably taken DeVonta Smith), and then getting the Heisman later at No. 10 anyway (after a second trade). I already touted Miami's dealings, but Howie Roseman deserves some credit too.

He played this one close to the chest, first risking that the Fins might take his guy at six, and then trading up with rival Dallas to land DeVonta over the rival New York Giants. Clearly, based on Big Blue's pick later in the first, they would have gone Smith at No. 11 if he was available.

Chicago Bears — Jubilation for Bears Fans

WINNERS- The Chicago Bears are my biggest winners of round one. Sure, this determination is contingent on prior biases, but I've been a Justin Fields truther this entire draft process, and Chicago needed a franchise quarterback like a fish needs water. I never thought he would drop to a position where the Bears could trade up for him, but this is the perfect move for a franchise that needed to redeem themselves for famously trading up for Mitchell Trubisky over Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Did GM Ryan Pace and HC Matt Nagy just save their jobs? It's certainly possible with the dual-threat Fields leading this offense.

Dallas Cowboys — Creativity and Efficiency from Jerry Jones at No. 10

WINNERS- Obviously Dallas ended up picking at No. 12, but I thought this creative trade down with the rival Eagles was one of the smartest moves of the first round. Jerry knew Micah Parsons was the guy he needed to turn this defense around, and he got him two picks lower than his initial draft position. The Penn State linebacker has been compared to Bobby Wagner by analysts, and I agree. Parsons can captain this Cowboys defense someday, and it's fitting that he'll take the roster spot of former team leader Sean Lee.

Los Angeles Chargers — Telesco Prioritizes QB Protection

WINNERS- This offseason has been all about protecting and developing Justin Herbert, after signings like center Corey Linsley and tackle Matt Feiler (after the Byran Bulaga acquisition the year before). Now the Chargers welcome in Rashawn Slater, the second best lineman in the draft behind Sewell by most accounts. He could kick in and play guard with Bulaga and Feiler on the roster, or perhaps Slater will hold down the blindside as Feiler switches to guard. Either way it's great news for LAC and Herbert.

New England Patriots — Belichick Lands Possible Brady Replacement

WINNERS- I'll keep my bias out of it, because personally I believe Mac Jones is just another failure waiting to happen in a long line of Alabama quarterback busts. Despite this opinion, it's a match-made in Heaven for Bill Belichick and Josh McDaniels, as well as Jones himself. The fact that New England didn't have to trade up to get one of the top five QB prospects is also something to be happy about. I will say, this partnership bodes well for Jones' chances of success. His football IQ and pre-snap intelligence do bear smilaritites to TB12, but the NFL is a whole different monster. We'll see if Jones can adapt to the big stage, with a lot less talent around him.

Arizona Cardinals — Isaiah Simmons Gains Partner in Crime

WINNERS- The Cardinals still need more from their defense, and linebacker Zaven Collins should provide some punch as he fits in nicely beside Isaiah Simmons. GM Steve Keim talked about the prospect of Simmons and Collins side-by-side saying, "when you see those two guys in there with their length, it’s really like having two trees in the middle of the field."

Las Vegas Raiders — Gruden's Revamped Line Hinges on Leatherwood

LOSERS- GM Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden needlessly tore down their offensive line this offseason, and although Alex Leatherwood fills an obvious hole at right tackle, he was one of my least favorite top-tier tackles in the draft because of his injury history and inconsistency.

Washington Football Team — Rivera's Defense Adds Another Speed-Rusher

WINNERS- Linebacker Jamin Davis doesn't play the edge, but he is a 4-3 linebacker that likes to blitz the pocket. This was a barren area in an otherwise stacked defensive core, and Davis may ironically slide right into the starting role vacated by former NFL OLB Thomas Davis.

New York Giants — Gettleman Finally Trades Down with Mixed Results

WINNERS- Overall I would say that the Giants come out of this exchange as winners because they netted a first round pick from the Chicago Bears, but it went from a slam dunk to a head-scratcher when GM Dave Gettleman reached on wide receiver Kadarius Toney. I do like the slot receiver as a prospect, but No. 20 seems a bit high to take him. The larger issue is that Gettleman was deadset on drafting a WR. I thought Big Blue needed offensive line, a linebacker, or an edge rusher much more than another wide-out.

Indianapolis Colts — Indy Shores Up the Edge

WINNERS- Not sure about taking Kwity Paye over some of the other edge rushers in this draft, but clearly he's the player the Colts wanted and they needed an edge rusher badly.

Tennessee Titans — Vrabel Gets His New Corner

WINNERS- Caleb Farley certainly has injury risk attached to his name, which is why he dropped in the ranks, but either way it's a bargain in talent for a Tennessee defense that got torched through the air in 2020. Farley is a true CB1 when healthy.

Minnesota Vikings — Spielman Bolsters Pass Protection

WINNERS- The Vikes did what the Raiders maybe should have done, drafting tackle Christian Darrishaw to replace Riley Reiff at left tackle. Win for Minnesota and Kirk Cousins.

Pittsburgh Steelers — Win-Now Steelers Focus on Wrong Area of Need

LOSERS- The Steelers may only have one more season of Ben Roethlisberger left, and yet they spent their first round pick on arguably the least important position in football outside of special teams. No offense to Najee Harris, a fine running back in his own right, but this was a mistake. The offensive line, secondary and pass rush have all taken major hits this offseason, and GM Kevin Colbert has yet to address any of those areas.

Cleveland Browns — Another Winning Move for Cleveland

WINNERS- The Browns didn't necessarily have one major need like most franchises, so they added a corner in Greg Newsome that I really liked, and you can always use corners.

Baltimore Ravens — DeCosta Fills Two Needs Late in First

WINNERS- The Ravens may have lost tackle Orlando Brown, but they're able to use the pick they gained from the trade in order to fill two needs. First, Rashod Bateman joins Baltimore as Lamar Jackson's second WR first rounder in his core (one that also added Sammy Watkins). Then, the Chiefs pick becomes edge rusher Jayson Oweh, a possible replacement for Matt Judon.

New Orleans Saints — Sean Payton Reaches on EDGE Payton Turner

LOSERS- The Saints roster has been decimated by cap cuts this offseason, so one pick was never going to be enough to save the franchise, but GM Mickey Loomis and HC Sean Payton choose to go an odd route at No. 28 regardless. Many think they could have traded down and still got someone like Payton Turner, and with players like Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah still available, this pick was questionable for a lot of reasons.

Green Bay Packers — Aaron Rodgers Loses Again

LOSERS- Just hours after word dropped that Aaron Rodgers wants out of Green Bay, the Packers braintrust led by Brian Gutenkuntz and Matt LaFleur basically spit in the face of their future Hall of Fame QB once again. No they don't go wide receiver (Elijah Moore was an option), no they don't go offensive line (Teven Jenkins was there too), no they don't help Rodgers whatsoever. They draft defensive back Eric Stokes, wow.

Buffalo Bills — Buffalo Continues to Get Younger on the EDGE

WINNERS- Gregory Rousseau was a former top prospect in this class a few months ago, so the Bills will bet on talent once again and try to steal a prime edge rusher late in the draft.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Championship Defense Gets Better

WINNERS- It's almost hard for GM Jason Licht and Tampa Bay to lose right now, but this pick seems like yet another winner. Edge linebacker Joe Tryon adds to a pass rush that already features Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul.

What did you think of the 2021 NFL first round? Find me on twitter @the_mizzardFF and let me know your thoughts heading into round two.