As we wrote this week, Florida QB Kyle Trask is playing like a first round pick of the 2021 NFL Draft Florida QB Kyle Trask is playing like a first round pick of the 2021 NFL Draft. Assuming that he’s able to continue to play at this level, several NFL franchises could target him.
In this article, I’ve laid out five potential teams that could select Kyle Trask with their draft pick. Each team is in a different situation, both on the field and in terms of potential draft selection.
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5. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville has two first round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, 10th and 26th, if the season were to end today. The latter pick is from the Los Angeles Rams following the Jalen Ramsey trade.
I’m a fan of Gardner Minshew and the swagger that he brings to the Jaguars offense. However, results matter in the National Football League. Minshew has a career record of 7-9, including a 1-3 record this season. While Jacksonville will need to rebuild on both sides of the ball, they should look for a new franchise quarterback.
If the Jaguars are able to improve, even if only slightly, they could be drafting in the middle of the 2021 NFL Draft. If that’s the case, it’ll be much easier for the franchise to justify the move, rather than if they made the move in the top ten. With that being said, if Kyle Trask continues to play at a high level, it could take a top ten pick to nab him in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
4. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers have the lowest strength of schedule amongst all 2-2 teams in the NFL, which would have them draft 14th if the season were to end today.
Over the offseason, the Panthers brought in QB Teddy Bridgewater with a three-year $63 Million contract, although they do have a potential out following next season. If Carolina is looking to find a franchise QB of the future in the 2021 NFL Draft, Kyle Trask could be an interesting target. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady had success last season at LSU with joe Burrow leading the offense. By selecting Trask, they could essentially run a very similar offense.
If the Carolina Panthers do end up selecting a quarterback, such as Kyle Trask, early in the NFL Draft, they’ll need to surround him with talent on the offensive line. This season at Florida, Trask is having ton of success in a clean pocket. However, the Panthers left tackle Russell Okung is in the final year of his contract. Greg Little, their second round pick from last season, is his backup. However, if Carolina isn’t sold on his long-term success, an offensive tackle is a need for them.
3. New Orleans Saints
As it stands, New Orleans has the 20th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft if the season were to end today.
Drew Brees has, at times, shown his age this season. If he does decide to hang up his cleats following this season, he’s had a brilliant career. The Saints have Jameis Winston under a one-year contract, as well as Taysom Hill, but let’s assume that New Orleans isn’t sold on either long-term.
Sean Payton would be a perfect head coach for Kyle Trask to develop under in this league. Additionally, I don’t know if there’s a better ‘plug-and-play’ option at quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Saints have the talent to surround Trask with from day one to be successful. Quite frankly, this would be an ideal situation for the Florida Gators quarterback.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
If the season were to end today, Tampa Bay would be selecting 21st overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In this situation, Kyle Trask would most likely sit for the 2021 season, assuming that Tom Brady returns for the second of his two-year deal. However, Bruce Arians would be a great mentor for Trask in the early part of his career in the NFL.
Additionally, it should be noted that Tampa Bay continues to load this team with talent around Tom Brady. Why is this important? They’re just more weapons for Kyle Trask to utilize in this offense. Given how well he’s looked this season with TE Kyle Pitts playing at a high-level, Trask should be able to do the same for the Buccaneers.
1. Chicago Bears
Currently, the Chicago Bears are slated to end up with the 25th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With that being said, I don’t think there’s anyone that actually believes that they’ll end up drafting there.
As the saying goes, ‘if you have two quarterbacks, you have no quarterbacks’. After three weeks of starting Mitch Trubisky, the Bears went to backup Nick Foles. In relief last week, he was able to lead the Bears back to a win. However, the offense looked stale this week against the Colts.
Assuming that the Bears aren’t able to find a spark with Nick Foles, and move on from Trubisky, they’ll be back in the hunt for a franchise quarterback. Judging by the way that both have played throughout their career, Kyle Trask is a definite upgrade at the position.