© Syndication: Tuscaloosa NewsMac Jones | QB | Alabama
The 2021 NFL draft class is loaded with blue-chip quarterback prospects, and most expect at least four to be selected among the top 8-10 picks.
A fifth, Alabama's Mac Jones, could also crash that party. Even if he doesn't, he could end up being a trade-up target for quarterback-needy teams, should he fall out of the top-10 range.
That's the scenario that plays out in the latest 2021 NFL mock draft from NFL.com's Chad Reuter, who has the New Orleans Saints trading up 14 spots to land Jones at the No. 14 overall pick.
Reuter notes the Saints' propensity to move up the board in recent years, as well as the scheme fit for Jones and Sean Payton's offense in New Orleans:
Sean Payton has shown a proclivity for attacking the draft like his schemes attack defenses. Over the past decade, the Saints moved up for edge rusher Marcus Davenport, offensive tackle Ryan Ramczyk, receiver Brandin Cooks and running back Mark Ingram - giving up future first-round picks for Ingram and Davenport. Jones' fit as the replacement for Drew Brees and complement to Taysom Hill might push Payton to deal his 2022 first-rounder to the Vikings.
That's a big jump for the Saints to make, but there's also a significant drop-off in this year's quarterback class between Jones and the rest. That being the case, if the Saints want to get a young passer who could step in sooner than later to replace Drew Brees, trading a future first-rounder to secure Jones could end up proving to be well worth the investment.
To check out Reuter's full four-round projections at NFL.com, which includes a few more first-round trades, click here.
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