While several teams added great value and talent to their rosters through the 2021 NFL Draft, there were many picks that left fans scratching their heads.
The NFL Draft is always a gambling game. Through all of the evaluation processes in place — whether that’s looking at film, seeing athletic testing numbers or interviewing the prospects — it’s still an inexact science. There is no guarantee that any college star who looks like a sure thing will actually make it in the NFL.
Even with Trevor Lawrence going to the Jacksonville Jaguars, that’s the case for the 2021 NFL Draft as well. That definitely extends beyond just the first round too. But all teams can do is take the information they do have and make the best picks possible. Of course, no team bats 1.000 in that department.
So that’s where we’re looking today, diving into the swings and misses for every team. This is the worst pick in the 2021 NFL Draft for all 32 NFL teams.
Worst picks by each team in the 2021 NFL Draft: AFC East
Buffalo Bills: OT Tommy Doyle, Miami (OH) – Round 5, Pick 161
As a fan of John Carpenter’s Halloween, I love Tommy Doyle simply because he shares the name of one of the movie’s main characters. Horror nerd facts aside, the Bills taking two offensive tackles in this draft was confusing to say the least. With clear needs at cornerback and running back, taking a second offensive tackle after extending Dion Dawkins made no sense.
Miami Dolphins: TE Hunter Long, Boston College – Round 3, Pick 81
This isn’t an indictment on Long’s playing abilities but the Dolphins already have Mike Gesicki and badly need help in the running back room. The fact that so many are quick to write off Gesicki is strange to me and it’s also strange that they didn’t address running back until the seventh round.
New England Patriots: RB Rhamondre Stevenson, Oklahoma – Round 4, Pick 120
Stevenson wasn’t a guy we heard a whole lot about going into the draft and there were still quite a few running backs who were better than him on the board. Chuba Hubbard went to Carolina just six picks later and Kenneth Gainwell was also still available.
New York Jets: LB Jamien Sherwood, Auburn – Round 5, Pick 146
Sherwood didn’t really hop off the stat sheet to anyone. He started primarily as a safety but will more than likely make the transition to linebacker in the NFL. He was a fifth-round pick, so if it doesn’t work out, no harm no foul.