Projecting the 2021 NFL Draft order
The Cincinnati Bengals earned the first overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft with a record of 2-14 the previous season. With that pick, the Bengals selected highly touted, Heisman-winning, national champion quarterback Joe Burrow out of LSU.
With just four weeks remaining in the 2020 NFL season, teams are jockeying for position in the 2021 NFL Draft with another highly touted, national champion quarterback -- and potential Heisman Trophy winner -- atop most draft boards: Clemson's Trevor Lawrence.
If things hold up as expected, this could be the order of picks at the top of the 2021 NFL Draft.
1. New York Jets
The Jets are the worst team in football with an 0-12 record.
With three of their last four losses coming by less than one possession, Jets fans have been on the edge of their seats in recent weeks to see if they win their way out of Trevor Lawrence.
Even if the Jets finish the season at the bottom of the standings, pundits including former Jet QB Joe Namath have questioned if Lawrence would attempt to push his way out of New York at the draft or refuse to play for the team. Talk of Lawrence returning to Clemson or exerting pressure on the Jets to not take him has subsided in recent weeks, but nothing will become official until NFL Draft day.
"It's happened before, so why would it shock anybody?" Namath told ESPN's Rich Cimini.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Any other year, a one-win season would set the Jaguars up with good odds to earn the first overall pick in the NFL Draft, but with the Jets on a collision course for a winless season, Jacksonville may be picking No. 2. They are currently 1-11 and haven't won a game since Week 1.
The Jaguars also have a need at QB, and could take Ohio State's Justin Fields, but needs across the squad could factor in to the Jags' early NFL Draft selection.
Also check out: Complete 2018 NFL Draft Results
3. Cincinnati Bengals
Though Joe Burrow's mid-season injury was a terrible blow to his health and the Bengals franchise, the silver lining could be they are in line to surround their young QB with talent for his return.
Picking at No. 3, Oregon's Penei Sewell, one of the best offensive tackle NFL Drafty prospects in recent memory, would make a lot of sense to protect Burrow in future seasons.
- 4. Los Angeles Chargers
- 5. Dallas Cowboys
- 6. Philadelphia Eagles
- 7. Carolina Panthers
- 8. Atlanta Falcons
- 9. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans)
- 10. Denver Broncos
Important games remaining:
Cowboys @ Bengals, Week 14
Falcons @ Chargers, Week 14
Bears @ Jaguars, Week 16
Broncos @ Chargers, Week 16
Bengals @ Texans, Week 16
Jets @ Patriots, Week 17
Also check out: Complete 2019 NFL Draft Results