We are now just days away from the start of the 2021 NFL Draft, where the Jacksonville Jaguars will almost certainly kick off proceedings by selecting Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
For some NFL teams, this draft will be about taking the best player available. For others, it will be about drafting prospects who can fill roster holes in a few years. Then there are the franchises that need to focus on the short term, whether it's because of their current quarterback situation, a closing Super Bowl window, a need to support a younger passer or because they have access to prime draft capital.
Here is a list of five NFL teams that should be focusing on the short-term and therefore have the most riding on the 2021 NFL Draft. Click the links below to read the in-depth outline for their ideal plan of action.
View PFF's 2021 NFL Draft position rankings:
QB | RB | WR | TE | T | iOL | DI | EDGE | LB | CB | S
CHICAGO BEARS
It’s evident at this point in the pre-draft process that Chicago will need to trade up from No. 20 if they want one of the five first-round quarterbacks. This begs the following questions: 1. Should they mortgage the future for one of these prospects, and 2.) is it something they would actually act on? Only they know the answer to the former, no matter the rumors swirling around the Windy City, but we can answer the former. That answer is a resounding and deafening yes, especially with how the 2021 quarterback class looks right now… Read more!
CINCINNATI BENGALS
Skyline Chili versus Gold Star Chili was once the primary debate in the Queen City, but Penei Sewell versus Ja’Marr Chase has supplanted it. In my opinion, it’s really not that difficult of a decision. Chase is the better choice for me every single time, and if the Bengals were to go down that route, they’d have a shot at being the most improved team in the NFL in 2021… Read more!
GREEN BAY PACKERS
Green Bay had one of the more questionable drafts in recent memory last year, with their picks on Day 1 and 2 consisting of Love, running back A.J. Dillon and tight end Josiah Deguara. This time around, they have an opportunity for redemption and a chance to significantly boost their chances of getting past the NFC Championship for the first time since winning it all in the 2010-11 season… Read more!
NEW YORK GIANTS
For the Giants, it’s all about putting quarterback Daniel Jones, who showed some notable growth in 2020, in a position to succeed in what will be a pivotal Year 3 for the 2018 No. 6 overall pick. The team was a big winner in free agency after signing one of the top players on the open market, wide receiver Kenny Golladay, but still has a couple of notable holes it needs to fill on offense… Read more!
NEW YORK JETS
For the Jets, it’s about taking advantage of their premium draft capital. They own three of the first 35 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft and trail only the Jacksonville Jaguars in total pick value from start to finish. Entering the offseason, the Jets roster had more holes than a slice of swiss cheese. They helped themselves in free agency, but there is still plenty of work to do — including at one of the most important positions on the field… Read more!
More of PFF's 2021 NFL Draft tools here:
2021 NFL Draft Big Board | 2021 NFL Draft Guide | 2021 NFL Draft Stats Export | NFL Mock Drafts | NFL Mock Draft Simulator
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