Drew Brees is in the twilight of a Hall of Fame career, but will the New Orleans Saints spend a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft on his eventual successor?
That’s what happens in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from CBS Sports, which has the Saints selecting their quarterback of the future in North Dakota State’s Trey Lance at No. 29 overall.
Lance has been getting first-round love all year long after throwing 28 touchdowns and no interceptions as a redshirt freshman for the Bison last season. Without a full season of work in 2020, it’ll be hard to imagine him going in the top 10 (where many early projections have slotted him), but that could leave him in an ideal situation with a team like the Saints.
Quarterbacks also take the top two slots in this mock, with Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence going to the New York Jets at No. 1 overall, and Ohio State’s Justin Fields heading to the Carolina Panthers with the No. 2 pick. Lance is the only other quarterback to land in this first-round projection.
Two big names that go later than expected are Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell, who lands with the Cincinnati Bengals at No. 5 overall, and LSU wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, who falls out of the top five and gets snatched up by the Washington Football Team at the No. 6 pick.
Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II (No. 3 overall, New York Giants) and Miami edge defender Gregory Rousseau (No. 4 overall, Miami Dolphins) round out the top five picks.
To check out the full first-round projection at CBS Sports, click here.
