21 Lessons From Round 1 Of The 2021 NFL Draft – The Dynasty Continues!!!

It has finally arrived!!!  The day all Draftniks have waited for is upon us.  After months of mock drafts and player profiles (Lord, please let Justin Fields go to a great team tonight!  He’s earned it.), the 2021 NFL Draft is upon us.

Tonight, I will be watching ESPN’s coverage because of my affinity for the broadcast crew of Reece Davis, Louis Riddick, Mel Kiper, Booger McFarland, Chris Mortensen, and Adam Schefter.  From a leadership perspective and unfiltered critical analysis, I think they will give me the best content.

Just a note, I will not be analyzing the picks themselves.  As Michael Lombardi, former scout and NFL executive, points out – unless you know a team’s culture and philosophy and what the coach looks for in players for his scheme, “you have no idea what you’re talking about.”  Therefore, I will forego that type of analysis and just stick with leadership.

Also, if you missed it, I posted the following Draft preview articles this week.  Make sure you check them out!

• Bill Polian’s Philosophy On The NFL Draft, Drafting Quarterbacks, and 4 Psychological Traits Players Must Have
• Nick Saban’s 2 Most Important Words You Need To Know About Creating Value For Yourself

Now, the following are the team selections and leadership lessons we learn from the pick and analysis provided:

Pre-Draft Coverage primarily centering on Aaron Rodgers.  

My leadership thoughts are you can’t leapfrog leaders.  Prior to moving up into the first round of the 2020 Draft to select quarterback Jordan Love, Rodgers should have at least been consulted.  Whether he agreed with the organization’s decision or not, he should not have found out about it watching the Draft like the the rank and file.

Another lesson is the top performers in your organization should be supported in every manner possible – financially, emotionally, supporting personnel, and resources.  When organizations minimize top performers or take them for granted, institutional dysfunction ensues.

Now onto some additional pre-Draft comments:

1. “Aaron Rodgers has leverage.  He is a 2020 MVP and a 3-time MVP and Super Bowl champion.” – Ryan Clark
2. “You don’t want to be the GM who sent Aaron Rodgers down the road after he just won the MVP.” – Riddick
3. “There is no one to blame but the GM at Green Bay.” – McFarland
4. “If you don’t communicate with your star quarterback who has personality issues, that’s on you.” – Riddick
5. “Quarterbacks don’t be quarterbacks.  Teams beat quarterbacks.” – Kiper
6. “He’s not going to lose you games in critical moments because of dumb errors and/or not knowing what to do.” – Riddick on Mac Jones

First 15 Picks of the First Round

1. Leaders Must Minimize What They Don’t Do Well – Jacksonville Jaguars select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence.  McFarland said, “They are going to have to protect him… Then minimize what he doesn’t do well.” For more on Trevor, click 20 Quotes On The Faith And Leadership Of Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence.
2. Great Leaders Continually Improve – Kiper on the New York Jets selection of BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, “The improvement he showed this year from 2019 and 2018 was incredible… He went from 62% completion in 2019 to 73.5 this year.  He went from 11 touchdown passes to 30.”
3. Pay Whatever Price You Need To Pay To Get The Right Leader – Now the Draft really begins.  The 49ers traded 3 first round picks and a 2022 3rd pick for the privilege of selecting North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance.
4. Even The Best Leaders Need Support – Kiper said of the generational talent, “One (Green Bay Packers) didn’t support the quarterback.  One organization did in the selection of Kyle Pitts.”
5. It Is Important For Leaders To Be Comfortable With Their Teammates – Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrough was sacked 32 times in just 10 games last season.  However, they went with Burrough’s former teammate wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase.  He caught 20 touchdown passes from Burrough in 2019.
6. All Great Teams Are Made Up Of Difference Makers – Great pick here!  The Miami Dolphins selected Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle scored 17 touchdowns averaging 44.5 yards.  Riddick said, “He is an angle destroyer.  He is going to get the ball and run away from everyone else.”
7. Leaders Must Know What Their Full Potential Is And Develop A Plan To Achieve It – The Detroit Lions selected tackle Penei Sewell.  Several scouts told McFarland, “If you could can’t on one guy to be a Hall of Famers, it would be Penei Sewell.”
8. Smart Teams Are Committed To A Process And Stick To It – Mel Kiper said of the Carolina Panthers selection of South Carolina corner Jaycee Horn, “They are committed to the defense.”  The team used every 2020 draft pick on defense and maintains that approach.
9. All Successful Leaders Are Fundamentally-Sound Leaders – The Denver Broncos selects Patrick Surtain II with the 9th pick.  Wow!!!  McFarland said, “He’s been coached by Nick Saban who coaches the DBs.  He’s a technically, fundamentally-sound corner.”
10. Great Leaders Produce Results – The Philadelphia Eagles moved up from 12 to 10 taking the Cowboys’ pick and selected DeVonta Smith.  The Cowboys picked up a 3rd round pick in the deal.  Riddick said of Smith, “They need someone who has produced at a high level in college… He is just a big play waiting to happen… As a group, the Philadelphia Eagles had the 3rd lowest receiving yards in the league last year.”
11. We All Love A Redemption Story – The Chicago Bears moved up from 20 to 11, giving up a 1 next year to select Justin Fields.  Great pick!!!  Hopefully, general manager Matt Nagy will get some redemption after drafting Mitch Trubisky over DeShawn Watson and Patrick Mahomes three years ago.  For more on Justin Fields, click 10 Lessons From The Courageous Leadership Of Ohio State Quarterback Justin Fields.
12. Great Leaders Solve Problems – Last year, the Dallas Cowboys gave up 473 points (the most in franchise history), 158.8 rush yard per game (31st in the NFL) and 5.0 yards per rush (30th in the NFL).  This year, they picked the best linebacker in the Draft, Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
13. Sometimes It’s Better To Be Lucky Than Good – Northwestern tackle Rashawn Slater fell to the Los Angeles Chargers.  No one is happier tonight than quarterback Justin Herbert.  He may be the big winner in this year’s Draft.
14. Smart Leaders Do Not Make Unnecessary Mistakes – After drafting Zach Wilson, the Jet traded up to 14 to select USC tackle Alijah Verra-Tucker.  Kiper said, “He had only two holding penalties in 849 snaps and allowed only two sacks.”
15. Young Leaders, Don’t Look For Great Money.  Look For Great Cultures And Great Management. – Quarterback Mac Jones fell to the New England Patriots at 15.  The dynasty continues!!!

College Recruiting Stats from the 2021 NFL Draft

• 7 of the 32 selections were 5-star prospects coming out of college
• 10 were 4-star prospects
• 7 of the top 12 selections were ranked in the Top 100 in their recruiting class
• Alabama had 6 first round selections – more than the Pac 12 and Big 12 combined.  They also tied the ACC.
• The SEC as a conference led the way with 12 of the 32 first round picks (37.5%).

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