2021 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers land Mac Jones, Kyle Pitts falls to Giants
By Randy Gurzi
WR. 7. 50. Scouting Report. Alabama. Jaylen Waddle. player. Pick Analysis
There are plenty of pundits who are thinking the Detroit Lions could go for Kyle Pitts at this spot and considering how talented he is, that would make sense. The problem is, running a two-tight end offense is fine but it’s so rare to see a team commit to it enough to use two picks in the top-10.
With Detroit already employing T.J. Hockenson in their offense, they decide to go elsewhere and this pick ends up being Jaylen Waddle from Alabama. Waddle is just as intriguing of a prospect as Pitts but plays a position of much greater need for the Lions.
This offseason, they lost Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in free agency which severely depleted the wide receiving corps in the Motor City. Adding Waddle gives them a wideout capable of carrying the load on offense and it will help Jared Goff more than a second tight end.
Waddle was supposed to have his big breakout season in 2020 but an injury slowed him down. He would end up playing in just six games but showed off his passion for the sport when he played in the College Football National Championship game despite not being at 100 percent. Detroit lands themselves a good on here.