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Welcome to Bleeding Green Nation’s 2021 NFL Draft live blog! The draft itself begins at 8:00 PM ET on ABC, ESPN, and NFL Network. Click here for info on how to watch the broadcast.
This post will host constant updates regarding draft rumors, surprising picks, trade updates, hot takes, and more, while also serving as an open thread for discussion in the comments. The Philadelphia Eagles are set to pick at No. 12, but there’s been no shortage of talk that they’ll end up making some type of move before the end of the night.
Stay tuned to Bleeding Green Nation for the latest updates regarding Eagles moves and others made around the league.
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UPDATES
[10:27 PM] Phew. There’s some catching up to do! Eagles took WR DeVonta Smith with the No. 10 pick, forcing the Giants to trade away their No. 11 pick to the Bears (who took Justin Fields). The Cowboys then drafted Micah Parsons at No. 12, essentially showing their lack of commitment long-term with Leighton Vander Esch.
After that, the Chargers took OT Rashawn Slater at No. 13, the Jets moved up to No. 14 to take OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, and the Patriots took their Tom Brady 2.0 at No. 15 with Mac Jones.
[9:32 PM] EAGLES ARE ON THE CLOCK AT No. 10 AFTER TRADING UP TWO SPOTS WITH THE DALLAS COWBOYS. THIS IS NOT A DRILL.
[9:25 PM] The Broncos pick up CB Patrick Surtain out of Alabama at No. 9.
[9:17 PM] With the No. 8 overall pick, the Carolina Panthers select CB Jaycee Horn.
[9:11 PM]
At No. 7 overall, the #Lions select #Oregon OT Penei Sewell. He’s been working at right tackle, where he’ll play initially. The consensus top tackle and building block.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) April 30, 2021
[9:04 PM] So, this is where the Eagles would have originally made their pick, but it seems like Howie knew that their top targets would already be off the board. So, instead, the Dolphins took their place and chose wide receiver Jaylen Waddle at No. 6 overall.
This isn’t really an area where Howie has struggled, though. Has good relationships and connections. Understands value.
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) April 30, 2021
We all know the areas where he has much room to improve.
[8:58 PM] THE BENGALS DID IT! They gave Joe Burrow what he wanted, and drafted major offensive weapon (and Burrow’s former LSU teammate) WR Ja’Marr Chase at No. 5 overall. Wow, I can’t believe the Bengals made a good pick — they still definitely need to address Burrow’s protection this weekend, though.
[8:49 PM] Well, looks like TE Kyle Pitts wouldn’t have been on the board for the Eagles at No. 6 anyway... Pitts ends up being draft at No. 4 to the Atlanta Falcons.
[8:41 PM] The Niners take Trey Lance from North Dakota State with the No. 3 overall pick! Wiping away tears as he made his walk to the stage, Lance will be headed to San Francisco.
New SF QB Trey Lance’s psychological tests for the 49ers were “off the charts”, per a source. The 49ers considered him the smartest quarterback in this draft class.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 30, 2021
[8:34 PM] And, in the second-least surprising move of the night, the New York Jets take QB Zach Wilson out of BYU. Wilson was the first player to receive his jersey from Goodell in-person since 2019.
[8:26 PM] Jacksonville selects Trevor Lawrence, in a move that (check notes) every single person expected.
[8:16 PM] FINALLY! The Jaguars are officially on the clock and the draft is underway! Despite months to make their decision and pretty much everyone knowing who the pick will be, I have no doubt that they still use up most of their 10 minute time limit....
[8:15 PM] Jags still aren’t on the clock because they’re picking fans to sit in Roger Goodell’s chair from last year’s draft!? I don’t know what is happening anymore...
[8:10 PM] Well, not yet... because bands are still on stage even though it was set to start at 8 o’clock. Start the draft!
[8:00 PM] HERE WE GOOOOOOOOOO!!!!