2021 NFL Draft: 5 AFC teams to watch for trade
In the 2021 NFL Draft, the picks will be coming fast and furious as always. Here are five AFC teams to watch in the first round.
5. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo is picking 29th-overall and doesn’t have a ton of needs. The Bills largely kept their teams together this offseason, but also didn’t add much in the way of a running back or pass rusher. While the former can be found on Day 2 or 3, the latter, not so much. If general manager Brandon Beane sees an option slipping into the early 20s, he should be on the phone. With the Kansas City Chiefs having traded for Orlando Brown, the need for edge help is that much more important.
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4. New England Patriots
The Patriots aren’t typically a team that we see move up the board. Over his tenure in Foxboro, Bill Belichick is usually more apt to move back and collect selections. However, with a gaping need at quarterback, we could see New England break tradition and try to make a move towards the top of the board in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Patriots would have to love Justin Fields, Mac Jones or Trey Lance, but should any of them fall to pick No. 8 or so, Belichick should be on the phone.
3. Los Angeles Chargers
Obviously, the Chargers have their quarterback for the future in Justin Herbert. This would be a trade-up to help keep him upright. Los Angeles had one of the league’s worst offensive lines in 2020 and addressed the interior this offseason with guard Matt Feiler and center Corey Linsley. However, tackle remains a huge issue. General manager Tom Telesco should be thinking about getting into the top 10 for either Penei Sewell or Rashawn Slater.
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2. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers need a quarterback for 2021 (and 2020, but that’s a lost cause). Pittsburgh can’t be thinking about Mason Rudolph as the future and starting-caliber quarterbacks aren’t typically found in free agency. If the Steelers love one of the quarterbacks projected to go early, they should be trying to move up 15 spots or so tome it happen.
1. Denver Broncos
This remains the team to fixate on. The Broncos are currently slotted to draft No. 9 overall and with Drew Lock at the helm, might be doing so again in 2021. The roster around him is good but Lock, who led the league with 15 interceptions despite playing in only 13 games last year, could hold it back. If Denver can make a move to No. 4 with the Atlanta Falcons, it’s a slam dunk.
