Adam Schefter definitively says 4 quarterbacks will be drafted in the top 7 picks, and “maybe earlier”

Speaking on ESPN’s NFL Live on Tuesday afternoon, NFL insider Adam Schefter definitively stated four quarterbacks will go off the board in the top seven picks in the 2021 NFL Draft.

This statement from Schefter came during an exchange with Dan Orlovsky, who speculated about the New England Patriots potentially drafting Trey Lance. Schefter said there was “no chance” Lance would make it to their pick at No. 15 before adding the following:

“There will be four quarterbacks gone in the first six or seven picks in this draft, maybe earlier. Take that to the bank.”

Schefter’s insight should obviously be of interest to Eagles fans with Philadelphia picking at No. 6 overall. Does this mean the Birds are definitely taking a quarterback?!

Not necessarily. ESPN’s previous reporting indicates that Jeffrey Lurie wants Jalen Hurts to be the Eagles’ starting quarterback in 2021 and doesn’t want the team to bring in serious competition for the second-year passer. Of course, maybe that was just a smokescreen?

The feeling here has been that three quarterbacks will go off the board by No. 6. We all know Trevor Lawrence is the pick at No. 1. From there, Zach Wilson and Justin Fields seem like good bets to go between picks No. 2 and No. 5. The New York Jets at No. 2 and the Atlanta Falcons at No. 4 are prime contenders to take quarterbacks. The Miami Dolphins at No. 3 and Cincinnati Bengals at No. 5 could potentially look to trade down.

It’s possible the Eagles could look to trade up, as they once did for Carson Wentz. Chris Mortensen suggested that there’s some internal (?) support in Philly for the team to move up and get Wilson. The owner reportedly doesn’t share that sentiment, however.

And so the Eagles might be left with either the fourth or fifth remaining quarterback on the board at No. 6. That could be either the aforementioned Lance or Mac Jones. Will either one of those guys qualify as the best remaining player on the board at the time? It’s hard to believe that’s the case if premium non-quarterback talent (read: Ja’Marr Chase, Penei Sewell, DeVonta Smith) is getting pushed down to their pick. One must also consider the Eagles trading down if they can get a 2022 first-round selection in the process.

Draft rumors can be tricky because there’s just so much unknown and we’re still a bit off from when the action starts on April 29. Still, interesting to hear Schefter so confidently say that four quarterbacks will be gone by the No. 7 overall pick, if not even sooner.