2021 NFL Mock Draft, post-free agency: Browns land Micah Parsons, Falcons shock with Kyle Pitts

Another Alabama wide receiver comes off the board as the Detroit Lions take Jaylen Waddle here. This selection always seemed to be the way they could go but it became even more evident when they lost Marvin Jones and allowed Kenny Golladay to leave the building.

Waddle was supposed to be the star for the Crimson Tide but he suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the majority of the season. That opened the door for his teammate Devonta Smith, who took full advantage.

Smith would end up leading the offense all season and won the Heisman Trophy but no one is going to forget how impactful a healthy Jaylen Waddle can be.
In Detroit, this team is currently under renovation. They recently moved on from Matt Patricia, who was clearly not up to the task of fixing this team. Now, they bring in Dan Campbell who is trying to instill a tough attitude for the team.

The biggest move, however, was trading away Matt Stafford. The former No. 1 overall pick is now with the Los Angeles Rams and he’s expected to do big things. As for the Lions, they picked up Jared Goff in the trade which gives them another former No. 1 overall pick, although he hasn’t had the personal success that Stafford has. Instead, Goff has been helped greatly by his coaching staff and the talent around him.

Perhaps he will silence the critics with his play in Detroit and if that’s going to happen, he will need to have plenty of talent around him. Landing Waddle is a step in the right direction in that endeavor.