2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots get Trevor Lawrence in all-trades, chaos edition

(Pick via Texans by way of Dolphins) – Since this pick was already traded, we didn’t have to do much work here. The 49ers traded up with the Miami Dolphins and it’s clear they’re after a quarterback — otherwise, they almost surely wouldn’t have made the deal. The question then became which quarterback they were moving up for. And though it’s shocking to some, the answer to that appears to be Mac Jones (even if some aren’t buying it).

The Alabama quarterback doesn’t possess the physical tools of Justin Fields and Trey Lance, nor does he have the same upside. But the 49ers aren’t a team concerned with long-term projection. This is a roster that can win now if quarterback is in a good spot. Jones has the high football IQ and quick trigger to run a Kyle Shanahan offense supremely and should be ready to start in San Francisco right away, even if he may be close to a finished product already.

Trade: Chargers send No. 13 and 47, 2022 second-round pick, 2023 first-round pick to Falcons for No. 4 overall – This is a trade that is actually less absurd to me than many of the others that we’re going to see, particularly with the No. 1 and 2 picks. For the Falcons, they have more holes to fill than just what they could get with the No. 4 overall selection. Furthermore, their biggest need (edge rusher) doesn’t really mesh well with where they’re selecting and how the draft board shakes out.

On the flip side, the Chargers have been extremely aggressive this offseason in trying to shore up the offensive line after Justin Herbert’s monster rookie season, most notably inking Corey Linsley to a market-setting contract in free agency. Trading up for a top-tier tackle prospect like Penei Sewell would fit that mold and give the Bolts a long-term answer at tackle, something the franchise has lacked for some time now.