2021 NFL Mock Draft: Final prediction has Patriots trade for Justin Fields

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Justin Fields #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to pass during the first quarter of the College Football Playoff National Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

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Trey Lance, 2021 NFL mock draft. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /

Final 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Washington emerges to trade up for QB at No. 9

9. Washington Football Team (via DEN): Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

After trading for Teddy Bridgewater on Wednesday, there were rumors that the Denver Broncos could still be looking at quarterbacks at No. 9. For me, that’s a screen to try and drum up some trade value for the selection, especially if this plays out where Trey Lance is still on the board. But the question is which team would move to that spot.

The Washington Football Team is the sleeper cell in my eyes that could surprise everyone. We would expect the Bears to be involved but WFT still needs a long-term option. And bringing in Lance to learn behind Ryan Fitzpatrick in the 2021 season would be an ideal situation for the team and a young quarterback that needs development.

To make this deal and to outbid teams like Chicago, the Football Team sends the No. 19 and 82 picks this year along with their 2022 first-round pick to Denver and get No. 9 in return. That’s worth it for this team.

Washington has a Super Bowl-caliber defense and has built a solid infrastructure on offense. They simply lack a franchise quarterback. From a tools perspective, there isn’t a box Lance doesn’t check and his crazy upside would, again, be ideally situated with a year to comfortably sit behind FitzMagic.

Who I Would Pick: N/A

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