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2021 NFL Draft: Best landing spots for the top Senior Bowl performers

By Michael Johnson

Jan 26, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; American quarterback Kellen Mond of Texas A&M (12) drills during National team practice during the 2021 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 26, 2021; Mobile, Alabama, USA; American quarterback Kellen Mond of Texas A&M (12) drills during National team practice during the 2021 Senior Bowl week. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports /
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Kellen Mond, 2021 NFL Draft (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
Kellen Mond, 2021 NFL Draft (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Looking back at the top performers from the Reese’s Senior Bowl and determining their best fits in the upcoming 2021 NFL Draft.

2021 NFL Draft mania is upon us, but things are a little bit different. COVID changed the world, including the sports landscape. College football wasn’t immune to the effects of COVID either. A ton of players opted out of the 2020 season to prep for the NFL Draft. Prospects entering their junior season has an aura of uncertainty surrounding them.

More than ever before, teams will likely rely on senior prospects. The 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl was a way for teams to get a closer look at the best senior prospects. This was an opportunity for those prospects to shine and raise their draft stock.

Guaranteed first-round picks didn’t shy away from the spotlight either. Players like Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith and his teammate Najee Harris opted to shine in front of the cameras in Mobile. They were the top guys along with names like Michael Carter, Quincy Roche,  Kadarius Toney and D’Wayne Eskridge who didn’t need the spotlight. So they didn’t make this list.

A few players along the offensive line stood out. North Dakota State’s offensive tackle Dillon Radunz was one of them. He’s an ideal fit for the Chargers who must protect the future of the franchise, Justin Herbert. Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey is an interior lineman who shined and he’s a perfect fit for the Bengals zone-blocking scheme.

Now, let’s take a look at the best landing spots for the other top performers.

Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M: New England Patriots

Let’s start with the MVP of the 2021 Reese’s Senior Bowl, Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond. I recently wrote about Mond to the Parrots and it doesn’t change here. The Patriots are in the market for a quarterback. Why not take a guy with the traits of a player they had on their roster last season?

It’s obvious Bill Belichick wants a quarterback who fits today’s NFL. Why else would he sign Cam Newton? Mond isn’t the elite talent Cam once was but he has tools that fit what Josh McDaniels and Belichick want, apparently.

The Aggies quarterback has solid arm strength, good enough to make all the throws. He’s great on the move in terms of escapability and making throws on the run. He’ll allow McDaniels to use RPOs and maximize the running game.

Mond is a project who could project as a starter even with his limitations. He’s an ideal project that could bring creativity to the Pats.

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