2021 NFL Draft First Round Worst Picks
Updated: Feb 8, 2022
Inevitably, there were some terrible selections in the First Round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Let's breakdown who blew their best opportunity to improve the future of their franchise.
San Francisco 49ers #3 - QB Trey Lance North Dakota State
San Francisco 49ers win the infamous award of worst selection in the First Round with Trey Lance out of North Dakota State at #3 overall. The 49ers brass trades away the next few years top draft picks to move up for FCS QB. Lance has the least amount of pass attempts in college of any QB drafted in the first round in the last 40 years. We're looking forward to some great QB sneaks, and QB options, but we're worried those young skill players (Deboo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk) on the outside are going to be subjected to pure run blocking over the next few seasons.
Oakland Raider #17 - OT Alex Leatherwood
Gruden always has to be "smarter" than the average evaluator. Look, I was high on Leatherwood as a great value selection in the second or third round, but jumping for Leatherwood at #17 in the first round falls in line with past Raiders reach selections that didn't live up to the position selected. Leatherwood most likely slides inside to G in the NFL. The Raiders could have probably scooped Alex in the second round, or gone with the other Alabama G, Deonte Brown, or even D-III prospect, "The Belly" Quinn Meinerz.
Washington Football Team #19 - LB Jamin Davis Kentucky
Dan Snyder has been well documented as the worst owner, or most hated owner in the NFL. Oh how DC fans miss the days of Jack Kent Cooke. At least Dwayne Haskins wasn't available to redraft here or Snyder would have pulled the trigger, again! I get it, MLB was the correct need for Washington with the studs they have up front, but they reached for Jamin Davis. Darrisaw, Toney, Moore, Farley, Owusu-Koramoah, Moehrig and even Dickerson were all available here, and would have been better long-term producers for Washington. The only saving grace for the WFT would be to use one of their two 3rd round picks to move up early in the 2nd to take one of the great prospects that slipped into the 2nd Round. Slot WR Elijah Moore, who put up 11 receptions for 143 yards against the Nick Saban-coached Alabama secondary, would be our top target. TCU S Trevon Moehrig, C Landon Dickerson and even LB/S hybrid Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would each be a huge addition to The Football Team's roster in the 2nd round. See below for what Washington, selected versus what they passed on in the first round, but could still trade up for in the 2nd round.