2021 NFL Mock Draft: Panthers trade for Deshaun Watson and Texans go QB, Bengals pick Ja’Marr Chase

The Jaguars are starting their rebuilding process in the best way imaginable — with Lawrence on a rookie contract.

The Jets have the most ammunition to make a trade for Watson, but will he accept a trade to Gang Green? In this scenario, he doesn’t, and GM Joe Douglas is completely fine drafting Wilson at No. 2.

There will be QB chatter for the Dolphins here, but they stand pat with Tagovailoa for another season and give him the Heisman winner at receiver.

If the Falcons don’t surprise and go quarterback, right now, they seem like the easiest team to peg — outside of Jacksonville — in the top 5.

How about a receiver for the Bengals? Even with Sewell staring them in the face, Cincinnati can’t pass on the opportunity to pair Burrow with his former LSU teammate.

Second week in a row with this selection, because I’m starting to love it. Fields and Hurts battle it out over the summer, and the competition raises the level of play for each passer.

New Lions GM Brad Holmes spent the past few years with the Rams when Andrew Whitworth’s impact at left tackle was gigantic. Holmes has that in mind when picking Sewell for Jared Goff.

This would be a smart selection for Houston. Sign a free agent quarterback to be your bridge in 2021 to Lance starting in 2022. The North Dakota State product is raw but very naturally talented.

The Broncos could be in the veteran QB market this offseason, but if they don’t bring back Von Miller, they’re going to have a hole opposite him on their defensive line.

Instead of picking a defensive prospect they don’t have valued at No. 10 overall, the Cowboys refortify the offensive line with the fundamentally sound Slater.

Waddle gives Daniel Jones another electric weapon to pair with the incendiary Darius Slayton.

How amazing would a Pitts and George Kittle TE duo be in Kyle Shanahan’s offense?

Darrisaw is a freaky mover and packs a powerful but balanced punch in pass protection. An ideal pick for the future of Justin Herbert.

I need to see Parsons paired with Eric Kendricks in Mike Zimmer’s scheme in Minnesota.

Bill Belichick drafts a quarterback from Alabama coached by his buddy, Nick Saban. The environment around Jones needs to get better in New England before he can play even remotely close to how he did with the Crimson Tide.

The Cardinals have to address their cornerback room, and Farley would represent fine value here.

The Raiders defense has to get better up front, and Barmore next to Maurice Hurst would be a fun pass-rushing defensive tackle duo.

Vera-Tucker would give the Dolphins a young, highly talented blocker who can play tackle or guard in front of Tagovailoa.

As a deceptively smooth possession target, Bateman would be the perfect complement to speedster Terry McLaurin in Washington.

Leatherwood has a high floor at left tackle thanks to a complete skill set and the amount of reps he got in the SEC at Alabama.

Toney will be an amazing underneath option in Frank Reich’s West Coast system.

Rousseau is a little bit of a project but at 6-7 and around 265 pounds, he’s a freaky specimen. Tennessee has to get more ferocious up front.

Ojulari has the foundation to be an All-Pro in the NFL. He’s lightning quick off the snap and can bend. With some more strength and a few more moves at the point of attack, and he’ll be well on his way.

Jenkins is the dark horse Round 1 pick of another quality tackle class. The redshirt senior is NFL-ready with his feet and hand work.

The Jaguars go with Lawrence’s collegiate left tackle to protect him in the pros.

Phillips and Myles Garrett on opposing ends of the defensive line would give Cleveland two rare athletes attacking the passer.

Marshall would give the Ravens size and speed at the receiver position. All smiles for Lamar Jackson.

With Collins and last year’s second-round pick, Zack Baun, the Saints would have two hybrid off-ball linebackers who effectively rush the quarterback.

Assuming Aaron Rodgers is retained, the Packers have some big financial decisions to make this offseason. In this scenario, Basham might have to replace Preston Smith up front.

Owusu-Koramoah is a super-twitchy safety/linebacker with elite striking ability and coverage skills. A fantastic Matt Milano replacement in Buffalo.

How about another first-round offensive line to fill out Tampa’s stellar blocking unit?

We haven’t seen Little on a football field since early 2019, but he was a big recruit and looked the part of a future first-round pick before going down with injury at Stanford. Good long-term tackle option for Kansas City.