2021 NFL Mock Draft: Texans trade Deshaun Watson to Panthers, land Justin Fields
New England Patriots. Kyle Pitts. 15. player. 47. . TE
It would be natural for the New England Patriots to select a quarterback with the No. 15 pick and, with Mac Jones on the board still, they might be in that range. But at the same time, I do wonder if they’re going to end up going that route. They aren’t getting one of the top players at the position and have a roster built to compete, at least on defense. Instead, I would bet they look for another veteran option.
That’s why they get Kyle Pitts off the board here. The Florida Gators tight end is an absolute stud. He has the ability to line up on the outside and move freely as a pass-catcher. However, his ability as a blocker is underrated after he showed great improvement there this past season. He’s a weapon the Patriots are lacking and, whichever quarterback they end up with, he can be a No. 1 target.
. EDGE. Arizona Cardinals. Joseph Ossai. 16. player. 32
Whenever Chandler Jones is healthy, the Arizona Cardinals edge rusher is one of the most underrated players in the league. He’s possibly the best pure pass-rusher in the league and consistently is threatening for the league lead in sacks. Unfortunately, his 2020 season was ended prematurely due to injury, which only heightened the need to get him some help in the front seven moving forward.
Joseph Ossai could answer that in a major way. The Texas product comes into the NFL with the ability to affect the game immediately as a rusher who is also effective in roles when he’s asked to drop back. For a defense that needs playmakers and that could use some depth on the edge, pairing Ossai with Jones would make a lot of sense for the Red Birds.