NFL Mock Draft 2021: First-round bold predictions, Justin Fields falls, final full picks and trades from Chris Simms

By NBC Sports StaffApr 29, 2021, 8:02 PM EDT

The 2021 NFL Draft starts tonight and NBC Sports has you covered with everything you need to know, including a 2021 mock draft from Chris Simms. Click here for the full 2021 NFL Draft order, and be sure to check out PFT’s one and only 2021 mock draft.

Keep reading to see Chris Simms’ full first-round mock draft including proposed trades, picks (where will QB Justin Fields go?) and bold predictions. Plus, watch the video above for even more analysis from Simms before the start of the draft on Thursday.

2021 NFL Mock Draft

Round 1 (Day 1)

Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
San Francisco 49ers – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Cincinnati Bengals – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Miami Dolphins – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Detroit Lions – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Washington Football Team (Proposed trade with Carolina) – Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
Denver Broncos – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
New England Patriots (Proposed trade with New York) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Minnesota Vikings – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
New York Giants (Proposed trade with New England) – Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Arizona Cardinals – Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Las Vegas Raiders – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Miami Dolphins – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Carolina Panthers (Proposed trade with Washington) – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Chicago Bears – Rashawn Slater, T, Northwestern
Indianapolis Colts – Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Tennessee Titans – Teven Jenkins, T, Oklahoma State
New York Jets – Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
Pittsburgh Steelers – Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama
Jacksonville Jaguars – Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
Cleveland Browns – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Baltimore Ravens – Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
New Orleans Saints – Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Green Bay Packers – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Buffalo Bills – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Baltimore Ravens – Alex Leatherwood, T, Alabama
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

VIDEO: Picks 9-16 analysis

VIDEO: Picks 17-24 analysis

VIDEO: Picks 25-32 analysis

Be sure to follow ProFootballTalk for more draft coverage, mock drafts, news, and analysis. Plus, check out PFT’s one (and only) mock draft here.

NFL quarterback rankings 2023: Chris Simms’ top 40 QB countdown ahead of upcoming NFL season

By Annie CoryJun 7, 2023, 12:00 PM EDT

While the NFL is a league that is ever-changing, some things are set to stay the same in 2023 — like the revealing of Chris Simms’ top 40 QB countdown.

Last year’s list saw Josh Allen take his place atop the quarterback throne, with Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes and Los Angeles’ Justin Herbert not far behind at No. 2 and No. 3, respectively. It was, however, Mahomes who would ultimately reign over all NFL quarterbacks at the end of the season, as the 27-year-old collected both the NFL MVP honors and his second Lombardi Trophy.

This NFL offseason, however, has brought some intriguing adjustments that are likely to shake up Simms’ rankings.

While some signal-callers such as Jalen Hurts and Lamar Jackson found their prolonged home with massive contract signings, others will be venturing to a new franchise in search of a fresh start. Aaron Rodgers‘ trade to the New York Jets is unquestionably the most staggering shift, but other quarterbacks on the move such as Derek Carr and Jimmy Garoppolo cannot be forgotten.

And with three of the first four picks in the 2023 NFL Draft being spent on a quarterback, emerging talent will likely turn the tides for some franchises this upcoming season.

See below for Chris Simms’ top 40 QB countdown ahead of the upcoming season. Be sure to subscribe to Chris Simms Unbuttoned for more on the 2023 NFL season as well as an unfiltered look at the NFL featuring player access, unabashed opinion, X&O film breakdown and stories from a life in and around football.

Chris Simms’ 2023 Top 40 QB Countdown:

40. Desmond Ridder (ATL)

39. Sam Howell (WAS)

38. Bryce Young (CAR)

37. CJ Stroud (HOU)

36. Anthony Richardson (IND)

35. Mike White (MIA)

34. Gardner Minshew (IND)

33. Taylor Heinicke (ATL)

32. Jarrett Stidham (DEN)

31. Jordan Love (GB)

30. Davis Mills (HOU)

29. Tyler Huntley (BAL)

28. Andy Dalton (CAR)

27. Sam Darnold (SF)

26. Brock Purdy (SF)

25. Kenny Pickett (PIT)

24. Baker Mayfield (TB)

23. Justin Fields (CHI)

22. Jimmy Garoppolo (LV)

21. Tua Tagovailoa (MIA)

20. Mac Jones (NE)

19. Kyler Murray (AZ)

18. Derek Carr (NO)

17. Jared Goff (DET)

16. Ryan Tannehill (TEN)

15. Geno Smith (SEA)

14. Russell Wilson (DEN)

13. Dak Prescott (DAL)

12. Kirk Cousins (MIN)

11. Daniel Jones (NYG)

10. Matthew Stafford (LAR)

9. Deshaun Watson (CLE)

8. Aaron Rodgers (NYJ)

7. Jalen Hurts (PHI)

6. Trevor Lawrence (JAX)

5. Lamar Jackson (BAL)

4. Justin Herbert (LAC)

3. Josh Allen (BUF)

2. Joe Burrow (CLE)

1. Patrick Mahomes (KC)

2023 NFL Schedule Release: Start time, how to watch, live stream, channel

By Annie CoryMay 10, 2023, 5:03 PM EDT

With another exciting NFL Draft in the books, teams can now turn their gaze toward the road to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The path to Super Bowl glory, however, is about to become abundantly more clear with the 2023 NFL season schedule release.

This year’s NFL season schedule release is nearly here, with the entirety of the 2023 NFL schedule being unveiled on Thursday, May 11 at 8 p.m. ET on both Peacock and NFL Network. See below for everything you need to know for one of the offseason’s most anticipated events.

When will the 2023 NFL season schedule be released?

While all 272 matchups have been known since the conclusion of the 2022 regular season, the order and dates for these games have remained a mystery. The secret is nearly out, however, with every NFL game on the brink of revelation.

The full 2023 NFL schedule will be released on Thursday, May 11 at 8:00 p.m. ET.

How can I watch the 2023 NFL season schedule release?

The 2023 NFL season schedule release will take place Thursday, May 11 on Peacock, NFL Network, NFL.com and the NFL app at 8 p.m. ET.

While the entirety of the schedule will be unveiled at that time, select games have already been and will continue to be released prior to the official event. Ahead of the 2023 NFL season schedule release, the following games will be announced:

International Games – May 10 on NFL Network and ESPN
Black Friday Game – May 10 via Amazon
Select individual games – May 10 on Fox & Friends and CBS Mornings
Select individual games – May 11 on Today Show and Good Morning America

Who will play in the 2023 NFL Kickoff game?

The first game of the 2023-24 NFL season will see the reigning Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs take the field in Arrowhead Stadium.

The opponent that will meet Patrick Mahomes and company in Kansas City, however, remains to be revealed.

Which NFL teams have international games in 2023?

While the majority of the matchups set to take place next season have yet to be announced, the league has already revealed which teams will head overseas for international showdowns.

Below is the full list of international NFL games for the 2023-24 season, with three in London, U.K., and two in Frankfurt, Germany.

Falcons vs. Jaguars: Week 4, Oct. 1 at 9:30 a.m. ET | Wembley Stadium in London, U.K.

Jaguars vs. Bills: Week 5, Oct. 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, U.K.

Ravens vs. Titans: Week 6, Oct. 15 at 9:30 a.m. ET | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, U.K.

Dolphins vs. Chiefs: Week 9, Nov. 5 at 9:30 a.m. ET | Frankfurt Stadium in Frankfurt, Germany

Colts vs. Patriots: Week 10, Nov. 12 at 9:30 a.m. ET | Frankfurt Stadium in Frankfurt, Germany

When is the Super Bowl and where will it be taking place?

Stars will be shining bright in Las Vegas, Nevada, for Super Bowl LVIII, set to take place on Feb. 11, 2024, at the home of the Raiders in Allegiant Stadium.

This will be the first Super Bowl to ever take place in Las Vegas, which hosted the 2023 Pro Bowl and 2022 NFL Draft.

Be sure to follow ProFootballTalk for the latest news, updates, and storylines about the upcoming NFL season!