Thursday, April 29: Latest rumors and buzz around the 2021 NFL Draft
Make sure to check in throughout the week, as this article is updated regularly with all the latest rumors from the 2021 NFL Draft. The most recent information will be updated at the top of this section. Be sure to also follow me on Twitter: @TonyPauline, along with Pro Football Network: @PFN365.
Latest on Penei Sewell to the Bengals at No. 5
(7:50 PM ET) Talking with people here in Cleveland the feeling is there’s no way the Bengals are taking Penei Sewell — or the team is putting up a great smokescreen.
New York Jets moving up?
(7:50 PM ET) Word I’m hearing is the Jets would like to move up from pick 23 if they can swing a deal. The players they are targeting are either of the top corners, Surtain or Horn, or one of the top remaining offensive lineman.
Are teams trying to trade into the top half of Round 1?
(4:00 PM ET) I’m told right now teams are trying to move into the top half of Round 1 for either of the top cornerbacks, Patrick Surtain or Jaycee Horn, or offensive lineman Rashawn Slater or Alijah Vera-Tucker. Vera-Tucker, who I had mocked to the Vikings at the 14th pick, could end up as a top-12 pick.
Does Aaron Rodgers want out of Green Bay?
(3:50 PM ET) With news of friction between Green Bay and QB Aaron Rodgers starting to surface, I am hearing that Rodgers wants to have a say in personnel decisions for whatever team he is on — both in the draft and free agency.
Will the Falcons draft a QB?
(1:30 PM ET on PFN’s Draft Insiders) The chances of the Atlanta Falcons drafting a quarterback are higher than what is being reported right now. If they go QB, look for them to potentially trade back to No. 6 with the Miami Dolphins.
Is a trade already in place between the Patriots and 49ers?
(1:30 PM ET on PFN’s Draft Insiders) By Friday night, the New England Patriots are going to have a new quarterback. Whether it’s Trey Lance, Justin Fields, or whether it’s a Davis Mills or Jimmy Garoppolo, they will have a new quarterback. I was told that people believe there is a trade in place and that if the Patriots cannot get their quarterback in the draft, they will trade promptly for Jimmy Garoppolo. If Garoppolo is traded over the next two or three days, what that means is he very likely already visited New England and possibly had his physical.
Will Zach Ertz be traded during the 2021 NFL Draft?
(1:30 PM ET on PFN’s Draft Insiders) I am hearing that the Jaguars would like to trade for tight end Zach Ertz. It is very unlikely to happen because if Howie Roseman of the Eagles trades Ertz to the Jaguars, Ertz is going to ask for a new contract. The Eagles tight end has about seven teams or so he wants to be traded to, primarily the Indianapolis Colts. If any of those teams that he is traded to is not a competitive team that is on the verge of making the playoffs or taking the next step in the playoffs, my feeling is, and my sources tell me, that he is going to ask for a new contract.