{"id":98722,"date":"2020-11-28T09:58:57","date_gmt":"2020-11-28T14:58:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=98722"},"modified":"2020-11-28T09:58:57","modified_gmt":"2020-11-28T14:58:57","slug":"biggest-positions-needs-in-2021-nfl-draft-after-week-11","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2020\/11\/28\/biggest-positions-needs-in-2021-nfl-draft-after-week-11\/","title":{"rendered":"Biggest Positions Needs in 2021 NFL Draft after Week 11"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>This past weekend of the 2020 NFL season brought more surprises and upsets than previously anticipated. It showed there are several teams still a year or two from competing in the playoffs. There are also teams that look like they have regressed from their previous season. Regardless of how composed an NFL team is, they can always get better through the 2021 NFL Draft on April 29<sup>th<\/sup>. This past weekend in the NFL, four teams showed their biggest weaknesses on their roster. These are positions that these teams should probably address in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Biggest Positional Needs in 2021 NFL Draft after Week 11<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3>Cincinnati Bengals \u2013 Guard\/Tackle<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/bengals\/\" target=\"_self\">Bengals<\/a> found their franchise quarterback in <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BurrJo01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Joe Burrow<\/a><\/strong>, who had been playing well despite problems with the rest of the offense. The offensive line has been one of the most inconsistent units on Cincinnati\u2019s offense. Cincinnati\u2019s offensive line has allowed the second-most sacks in the league with 36. It would be a matter of time before Burrow would suffer an injury due to the terrible blocking from most of the starters. In the loss to <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/washington-football-team\/\" target=\"_self\">Washington<\/a><\/span>, Burrow&#8217;s leg was crushed by a holding <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JordMi01.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Michael Jordan<\/a><\/strong> and his defensive linemen. The Bengals cannot accept terrible performances from this unit and Jordan any longer. They will need a new guard to keep the pocket clean in-between the tackles. The Bengals currently are listed with the third overall pick. They have the capability to pick up Oregon Ducks tackle <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/penei-sewell-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Penei Sewell<\/a> and move some players around.<\/p>\n<h3>Jacksonville Jaguars \u2013 Quarterback<\/h3>\n<p>For multiple weeks, the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/jaguars\/\" target=\"_self\">Jaguars<\/a> have placed all their confidence in second-year quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MinsGa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Gardner Minshew II<\/a><\/strong>. He hasn\u2019t played terribly but he wasn\u2019t something that the Jaguars could develop with. Minshew is questionable to miss his fourth consecutive game and Jacksonville is switching from rookie <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/L\/LutoJa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jake Luton<\/a><\/strong> to veteran <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GlenMi00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Glennon<\/a><\/strong>. Having the second overall pick, it is time for the Jaguars to start thinking about the possibility of drafting a new franchise quarterback. Likely, Ohio State Buckeyes explosive quarterback <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/justin-fields-2.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Justin Fields<\/a> will be available, if the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/jets\/\" target=\"_self\">New York Jets<\/a> take <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/trevor-lawrence-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Trevor Lawrence<\/a> from Clemson. Jacksonville ranks 22<sup>nd<\/sup> in passing yards per game (229.7) and has only thrown 15 touchdowns in 10 games. Last season, Fields threw for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns, and only three interceptions on 238 completions (out of 354 passing attempts). Fields could be a solid franchise quarterback if given some more efficient weapons and a stout offensive line.<\/p>\n<h3>Atlanta Falcons \u2013 Cornerback<\/h3>\n<p>The NFC South is one of the most star-studded divisions in the league. Each team, including <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/falcons\/\" target=\"_self\">Atlanta<\/a>, has a roster full of unique Pro Bowl-caliber talent. The Falcons defense has many holes on the field that will need to be addressed through free agency and the Draft. Their defense ranks 31<sup>st<\/sup> in the league in passing yards allowed per game (300.3). They are one of five teams in the league to allow 22 passing touchdowns, which is the highest. Finally, they have allowed the highest quarterback rating so far this season with a 105.9 rating. The Falcons could use an upgrade to<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/ShefKe00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kendall Sheffield<\/a><\/strong>, who has allowed the sixth-most passing yards in coverage (499) this season. There are plenty of high-caliber cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL Draft. If the Falcons are able to take Alabama\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/patrick-surtain-ii-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Patrick Surtain II<\/a><\/strong> at seven overall, they cannot hesitate.<\/p>\n<h3>Baltimore Ravens \u2013 Wide Receiver<\/h3>\n<p>One of the most underwhelming playoff contenders this NFL season are the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/nfl-teams\/ravens\/\" target=\"_self\">Ravens<\/a> and their offense. The Ravens offense ranks 31<sup>st<\/sup> in the league (just ahead of the Jets) in passing yards per game (183.4). Their leader in reception yards is tight end <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AndrMa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mark Andrews<\/a><\/strong>, who has caught 38 receptions for 454 yards and six touchdowns. Outside of <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BrowMa04.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marquise Brown<\/a><\/strong>, the Ravens do not have a consistent deep-target receiver. It will not be likely that the Ravens go deep in the playoffs as a Wild Card team. A number one receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft that Baltimore could select and utilize efficiently would Alabama\u2019s<strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/devonta-smith-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeVonta Smith<\/a><\/strong> or Purdue\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/rondale-moore-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Rondale Moore<\/a><\/strong>. They may also make a move for Alabama\u2019s <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sports-reference.com\/cfb\/players\/jaylen-waddle-1.html\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Jaylen Waddle<\/a><\/strong> to run multiple different passing schemes and routes. He&#8217;d be a perfect weapon for quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/J\/JackLa00.htm\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Lamar Jackson<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Main photo:<br \/>\n<a id=\"Cqp7q_H2QEtRwJOCoSc6ZA\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/1229301165\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Cqp7q_H2QEtRwJOCoSc6ZA',sig:'VD0ZIQJ3o2n-kEwcZztyz-2Xj4jiYc8nmQ7m7nkMYOM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'1229301165',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Week 11 of the 2020 NFL season has given four teams in the league the opportunity to take action for position needs in the 2021 NFL Draft.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2349,"featured_media":98786,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1647,54],"tags":[6366,6669,115,174,330,4810,135,5819,1056,40],"class_list":["post-98722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-draft","category-editorials","tag-2020-nfl-season","tag-2021-nfl-draft","tag-atlanta-falcons","tag-baltimore-ravens","tag-cincinnati-bengals","tag-gardner-minshew","tag-jacksonville-jaguars","tag-joe-burrow","tag-lamar-jackson","tag-nfl"],"modified_by":"Connor Deitrich","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2349"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=98722"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/98722\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/98786"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=98722"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=98722"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=98722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}