2021 NFL Mock Draft, pre-free agency: Bears trade for Russell Wilson, Bengals move up for Penei Sewell
OT. Cincinnati Bengals. Penei Sewell. 3. player. 56.
TRADE: Bengals send No. 5 and 69 + 2022 third-round pick to Dolphins for No. 3
The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need to address the offensive line further. Lack of protection is arguably the primary reason as to why Joe Burrow’s rookie season ended prematurely due to injury and that has to be fixed moving forward. But one thing I haven’t seen taked about enough is the possibility of trading up to ensure they get the top tackle in the 2021 class, Penei Sewell.
With the potential for the Falcons to take Sewell, the Bengals can’t afford for that to happen. Instead, they give up a third-rounder this year and next year to get No. 3 from the Dolphins and nab the Oregon product. Sewell is young and still has technical refinement ahead but his athleticism combined with his frame make him a slam-dunk top-five pick that will fortify the Cincy offensive line.
44. . QB. Atlanta Falcons. Justin Fields. 4. player
In truth, I’m not totally convinced that the Falcons should take a quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick. Matt Ryan has his flaws but he’s also a former NFL MVP who has been saddled with bad play-callers, bad offensive lines and bad defenses as of late. That’s not on him and, even entering his late 30s, he still has mileage left on the tires.
However, it still seems as if the Falcons will go the quarterback direction in the draft, which is why we have Justin Fields going to them at this spot. The Ohio State passer is a terrific blend of size and athleticism to go with a nice arm that is accurate to all levels of the field. Fields could likely start right away but learning for a year behind Ryan would only further set him and Atlanta up for long-term success.