2021 FOX Sports Draft Party
There's nothing like the spectacle of the NFL Draft – and the 2021 edition was made even better by the FOX Sports Draft Party.
Trey Wingo, Eli Manning, Michael Vick and an incredible cast of expert analysts, special guests and gambling gurus were live with their reaction to all 32 first-round picks and the latest news around the NFL, including the Aaron Rodgers rumors that had the NFL world buzzing shortly before the draft began.
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Former Packers WR Greg Jennings joined Trey Wingo on the FOX Draft Watch Party to discuss the future of Aaron Rodgers after reports the Packers quarterback has told Green Bay he does not plan to return to the team.
With that drama out of the way, it was time for dreams to come true.
The first two picks in this year's draft were a lock, as the Jaguars took Trevor Lawrence first overall, followed by the Jets picking Zach Wilson.
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After the Jacksonville Jaguars selected Trevor Lawrence number one, Michael Vick gives his thoughts on Lawrence's possible future and the traits that make him a winner.
After that, the draft really started, as the 49ers showed all the Mac Jones smoke was a diversion by selecting North Dakota State QB Trey Lance at No. 3.
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The San Francisco 49ers selected North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance No. 3 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft. See how Jordan Palmer says Lance's winning attitude will set him up for success in the NFL.
From there, elite offensive line prospect Penei Sewell fell to the Detroit Lions at No. 7 – a move that former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz absolutely loved for Detroit.
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Former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz may be biased, but he explained why he thinks the Penei Sewell selection gives Detroit a 'foundational piece.'
One of the first round's biggest moments came when the Chicago Bears traded up to No. 11 to take Justin Fields. RJ Young, one of Fields' biggest proponents, was effusive in his praise for the QB.
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The Chicago Bears traded up for quarterback Justin Fields with the No. 11 overall pick. See why RJ Young is so convinced he will be a game changer in the NFL.
Another quarterback whose draft position was a hot topic was aforementioned Alabama signal-caller Mac Jones, who (perhaps inevitably) fell to Bill Belichick and the New England Patriots at No. 15.
It's a move that could work out wonderfully for both sides, according to Jordan Palmer.
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The New England Patriots drafted Alabama QB Mac Jones with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Jordan Palmer explains how he knows Bill Belichick was convinced to give it a shot.
On the flip side, the Raiders left some scratching their heads when they selected Alabama offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood just two picks later.
While Leatherwood's upside is clear, most mocks had him available in the second or even third round, and our squad felt like the pick was kind of a stretch.
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In a surprise move, the Oakland Raiders selected former Alabama OL Alex Leatherwood with the 17th overall pick. Leatherwood was a projected second-round pick.
Not a stretch? That would be the Cleveland Browns' selection of cornerback Greg Newsome, who should help the Browns as they try to supplant the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
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The Cleveland Browns add depth to their defensive back group by selecting former Northwestern Wildcat Greg Newsome II with the 26th overall pick. Newsome II is the second Northwestern player selected in the first round of this year’s draft.
Of course, it wouldn't be an NFL Draft without the Packers potentially rankling Aaron Rodgers, as Green Bay went defense one year after drafting Rodgers' presumptive backup.
Our crew's thoughts: the Packers must know Rodgers isn't coming back.
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The Green Bay Packers selected former Georgia Bulldogs’ CB Eric Stokes with the 29th overall pick. Trey Wingo and RJ Young react to the Packers’ selection.
The draft, however, will be back for round two on Friday.
And for even more on this year's draft, check out our 2021 NFL Draft tool kit, featuring Rob Rang's 259-player big board and much more.
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