NFL in London

National Football League in London

NFL draft 2021

Draft Review

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The 2021 NFL Draft is now done and dusted…on with the season!

Ok, so the season is still a summer away, but at least we have this to distract us until then.
Wade & Ryan look at the whole dang draft, (ok-the good bits) in our 2021 Draft Review podcast.

After a year of crappy Covid, it was nice to reach some level or normalcy once again.
Yes, fans were masked and distanced…but they could boo Roger Goodell again!
Say what you will about RG, but his playfulness with the fans on his likeability is refreshing.
He seems to even relish in it year on year.
Keep it up Rog, we need a heel these days.

(but we’ll get to Aaron Rodgers soon)

In terms of winners of the 2021 NFL Draft, the guys will look at all the teams, but also focus on what teams did to enhance their whole squad.
Our 2021 NFL Draft Review winners are:

  1. Chicago Bears

    The Bears came out on top of a draft? Is this some feverish dream? In some sort of odd Tetris scenario, Justin Fields fell to the Bears in an opportunity.
    While the Broncos could have grabbed Fields, they allowed the Bears to move up to swap with the Giants and snag this Ohio State great.
    Add to this a solid OT, and the Bears were able to make something out of nothing.
    Now…what will they do with it.

  2. Miami Dolphins

    Too gets his Waddle, as well as a whole host of talent. Miami is looking to add to a surprising 2020 team by adding more depth in D and the offensive weapons.
    The Dolphins got sweet heat for that pre-Draft trade with the 49ers and Eagles.
    Miami made enough moves to make the AFC East interesting…now it’s only up to Tua.

  3. Cleveland Browns

    The Browns have added more danger to their 2021 squad in their vision for a shot at the AFC title this year. With 8 picks, Cleveland immediately spent 5 of those on D, all of whom could feasibly start this year.
    Where Cleveland really shone was some offensive line steals early on.
    James Hudson will give Baker plenty of protection…and time.

  4. NY Jets

    Will the Jets squander all of their picks only to end up back here in a few years? Sadly, it’s possible. The Jets have the control and responsibility of a crack-head when it comes to their draft picks.
    They make them, break them, then line up again at the trough complaining that they ‘didn’t get a good one.’
    Even a petulant child should only be given so many toys.
    With Adam Gase managing a local Wendy’s, it should give the Jets plenty of inspiration.

  5. LA Chargers

    Are you ready for some support Justin Herbert? The Chargers made some great moves to not only protect Herbert, but to also give him a bit of mustard on D.
    LAC fizzled out on injuries as the season drew on, so it’s good that they found some fresh meat to give Herbert some time downfield.
    With Lynn out, the Chargers could make a hefty push for the AFC playoffs this season.

Have a laugh and a listen to this weeks 2021 Draft Review podcast. Please feel free to share, care and listen in your underwear.

The NFL schedule is released on May 12th, so we should have a better idea of who is coming to London this season.

Draft Hangover

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Draught can give you a wicked hangover. It could be the hops, the barley, the sugar, or the fact that you drowned 13 of them quickly to try to numb the pain that is your NFL fandom. Like the liquid draught, the NFL Draft can bring with it a mighty wallop of a hangover.

So which teams were able to handle the draft, and which ones got so tuned out it may affect their next few years?
Not surprisingly, there were a few boneheaded moves from the draft that could have plenty of reverb in September.

Among some of the hot topics to emerge from the 2021 NFL Draft include.

Pack it in Aaron

If ever there was an NFL model for a tortured relationship, it would be the Green Bay Packers. Despite having a solid QB who tops the league every season, the Pack continue to starve Rodgers as if they are testing him to see how well he will perform without some of his talents.
Green Bay COULD have taken one of the many wide receivers on offer at the draft, and opted to snag another defensive member of the backfield.
The Packers could have let this drama simmer another season had they just given the guy some sign that they were keen on him, and the team making a solid playoff rush in 2021.
Instead, Green Bay now has a pissed of QB who is not only ready to leave, but also point a target on their heads for the rest of his career.
With the amount of cap space the Packers have to eat to deal with Rodgers, you would think that they would have thought this through a bit more.
Ready to suit up Love?

Bear Down

With the Packers struggling (yet still winning) in the NFC North, it was up to Chicago to make something in the 2021 Draft.
Chicago was gifted the chance to move up for Justin Fields at number 11, and traded with the Giants to get him at that spot.
Within a fortnight, Fields went from number two pick, to rumours of him having a heart condition, & other ill health tweets.
This is the kind of crap the Patriots usually spread before using the opportunity to cash in on their needs.
With Nagy and Pace dangling by a career thread, they will need Fields to light them up to the playoffs if this deal is to be considered a success.
The real question is…can they protect him?

Return of the Mac

Mac Jones has a draft body like Tom Brady.
Mac Jones is the new Tom Brady.
Following this logic won’t get you far in correctly making NFL picks, but it might make you feel warm and fuzzy inside if you’re from New England.
New England didn’t even have to make a move to get Jones, as they watched the freefall happen in front of them.
Cam Newton now has a young man he can guide and nourish over the next 5 years before eventually handing the reins to him, or so he might think.
The Patriots splashed on big TE’s and defensive options with their free agency wad, now comes the real test.
How quickly will the Pats be ‘Bills Ready’ for 2021?

Jag Offs

It was no secret that Trevor Lawrence was on the wishlist of the Jags as they kicked off the 2021 Draft.
The Clemson Kid should be the answer to their QB woes, he is the 4th Jacksonville QB selected at number 1.
Urban Myer will be looking to get a little ‘country’ this season, battling elite NFL teams with his collegiate pluckiness and guise.
Where the Jags really went ‘boom’ was their second pick in the first round, taking Travis Etienne at number 25.
This former Clemson running back has played with Lawrence for years, and these two should be able to get back to business quickly.
Florida fans will be looking for a return to the playoffs this season, and anything short of that will have to be considered a massive set back.

 

Ladies and Gettleman

Did Dave Gettleman do good? It’s hard to tell through the ire of the New York sports media, but it seems Dave did good.
Eager to capitalise on Chicago’s need for a QB, the Giants were able to channel the Bears desperation into a good future.
By trading the eleventh pick to the Bears, the Giants were able to parlay this into getting the Bears 20th pick, a 5th round pick and 1st and fourth round picks in 2022.
Not to mention drafting stellar Florida speedster Kadarius Toney, who should offer Daniel Jones a target he can under throw.
Now the Giants just need to shake off that stink of the NFC East.

That’s it for Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft, we will have more action throughout the weekend.