2021 NFL Draft: Picks 13-17
The Chargers hit the jackpot with Justin Herbert, and they will need to keep him protected in 2021 to prevent a sophomore slump. Slater is the best tackle on the board at this point, and the Chargers can’t pass up the opportunity to invest in their offense for the future.
Even after adding and losing Yannick Ngakoue, the pass rush for the Vikings fell flat. Minnesota needs an additional piece to bookend the defensive line alongside the dominant Danielle Hunter. These two should keep opposing offenses in a bind, which would take some pressure off of the Viking offense.
The Patriots have ignored the wide receiver position for long enough. Regardless of who lines up under center for the Patriots in 2021, the roster’s lack of viable pass-catchers will set up anyone to fail.
New England has to use its capital wisely, which means adding a proven, first-round talent with the 15th overall pick. Bateman can be the WR1 for the Pats from day one, and the quarterback’s life will get much easier than it was with this selection.
Don’t let their recent free-agent acquisition of JJ Watt fool you; the Cardinals are an offensive team, and they will have to go for broke on that side of the ball to win games.
Kenyan Drake was good for about 13 games of his time in Arizona, but the Cardinals need a better option to run and catch the ball with higher efficiency. Najee Harris is the best back in the class, and he should be an excellent option for an offense that will find creative ways to get him involved.
The Raiders need to beef up their pass rush, and they have shown that free agency is not their forte on that front (see Carl Nassib).
Phillips has the talent to start from the jump, and the Raider defense finds a piece that it desperately needs to pair with the rest of its developing defense.