Draft season is upon us! Your favorite and least favorite teams (Cowboys, I’m looking at you) have been gearing up for months, or years in the cases of those taking aim at Trevor Lawrence. Free agency has more or less come and gone with a few solid players left on the scrap heap. The 2021 draft features strong depth at the quarterback, wide receiver, and cornerback position while being a tad top heavy in the trenches this season. Now is the time for your team to find that hot shot young prospect that'll become the face of your franchise, or if you're anything like my Eagles; drafting another player way too early who will ultimately be released in three or four years. So without further ado, welcome to the 2021 NFL Mock Draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock...
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson
It’s a shame to see Minshew Mania end seeing that he and I could be brothers but Lawrence is the best QB prospect we’ve seen since Luck. Lawrence could go down as the best QB in Jags history after Year One.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU
Any thought of the Jets building through the trenches or adding playmakers to their offense changed once Sam Darnold was dealt to Carolina. Wilson comes in and adds an elite skill set and persona that bodes well under the bright lights of New York.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State
Many draft pundits believe that the Niners moved up in the draft to grab Alabama QB Mac Jones, but with such a creative mind in Kyle Shanahan calling the plays, the explosive Fields is a great fit to sit a year and learn before being handed the keys to the franchise in 2022.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, Wide Receiver/Tight End, Florida
The pick comes down to building for the future with a rookie QB behind Matty Ice or making one last run with a playmaker. Pitts is arguably the best overall player in the draft and gives the Falcons another weapon to gear up for one more playoff push while giving the next QB a safety blanket target already in house.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Oregon
A great QB can make any wide receiver look good but a bad offensive line will kill the confidence of even the brightest young QB. Cincinnati grabs a franchise Left Tackle to protect their investment in Joe Burrow.
6. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia): Jamar Chase, Wide Receiver, LSU
Hot take: with improved QB play, this year's Dolphins team will not be far behind the Bills and could win the AFC East. Miami is playing with house money with the extra 1st round pick and will add the top wide receiver in the draft to an improving team and give Tua a guy who will go get the ball for him.
7. Detroit Lions: Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern
As a former blocking tight end, new coach Dan Campbell knows the importance of dominating at the line of scrimmage. What better way to institute a culture of toughness then by adding one of those big maulers on the line to protect new QB Jared Goff. If you watched Slater block Chase Young in ‘19, you’ve seen just how dominant he can be.
8. TRADE!!! New England Patriots: Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama
“Feels like ‘11” ought to be the motto in New England after the Patriots splurge in free agency (specifically two high profile tight ends) to find offensive weapons. Problem is that Cam Newton is still under center and no, he is not going to recapture his MVP days. Belichick seizes the opportunity to move up for a NFL ready pocket passer who reminds him of the guy who just won a Super Bowl with Tampa.
(Copyright: USA TODAY)
9. Denver Broncos: Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State
It feels like every year the Broncos are solid QB play away from being a playoff team. Well Drew Lock has shown that he is not the long term answer at QB so how about the guy who can throw the ball a country mile and who has phenomenal mobility, all in the tough conditions of the midwest. Lance’s lack of game tape won’t scare the Broncos who hope to have found their QB for years to come.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Alabama
This pick has name recognition written all over it and that is a huge draw for Jerry Jones. Not only does he bring in a guy with name recognition, but also brings in arguably the best corner in this draft and fills one of the ‘Boys biggest holes.
(Copyright: Alabama)
11. New York Giants: Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech
A late riser in the draft process but a second team All-American, Darrisaw is an extremely smooth and technically sound tackle with a high ceiling but middling floor. Going to the New York Football Giants allows Darrisaw to plug and play on the right side. Pairing him with last year's top pick Andrew Thomas giving the Giants their hopeful bookend tackles for the next decade.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (from Miami via San Francisco): Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, South Carolina
Talk radio has been talking up a wide receiver for the Eagles for weeks now with the reigning Heisman winner popular in this spot. I don’t see it. The Eagles currently are a dumpster fire and have invested multiple high picks over the past seasons on wide receivers. The Junior Horn has a tantalizing combo of size and length while remaining very solid in his technique. Plug him in as CB2 next to Darius Slay and maybe the Eagles will be able to slow down an offense next season.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Lineman, USC
Is Vera-Tucker a guard or is he a tackle at the next level? That is the question the Super Chargers will need to decide as they look to protect their franchise quarterback from taking unnecessary shots. Vera-Tucker is very solid in run blocking but his calling card is his plus pass protection skills and toughness.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami
Gone are the days of prime Everson Griffin wreaking havoc in opposing backfields so why not look to finally replace him with a young, athletic edge rusher who fits the mold the Vikings look for. As good as Phillips is as a rusher, he is equally as good at setting the edge in run defense, a plus for the Vikings who have athletic players behind him who will fly to the ball.
15. TRADE!!! Carolina Panthers: Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama
The one trade we look at in this mock has the Panthers picking a player who many liken to Tyreek Hill. I won't go that far but the profile of Waddle reminds me a lot of a guy the Panthers let go this offseason in Curtis Samuel. Adding a big play weapon that just needs the ball in open space will go a long way to help Run CMC and new quarterback Sam Darnold.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Fairley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech
The fit between the Cardinals and Fairley is a match made in heaven. While no corner can replace the Hall of Fame talent that was Patrick Peterson, Fairley has a very similar physical profile as a big, physical corner. There are some significant injury concerns with Fairley as he tore his ACL a few years back and had a rather significant back injury just a month ago but the talent is too good to pass up.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State
Oh how much a year away can make you forget just how talented Parsons is. In his last season at PSU, Parsons was arguably the most dominant defensive player in college not named Chase Young. A linebacker in the mold of Myles Jack, Parsons is strong in both the run game and in pass coverage, giving the Raiders a player to lead their defense they have not seen the likes of in quite some time.
(Copyright: USA TODAY)
18. Miami Dolphins: Kwity Paye, Defensive End, Michigan
A defensive leader who reminds me a lot of another former Wolverine end in Brandon Graham, Paye is an explosive end who to me doesn’t have a true elite skill but is solid across the board. Limited production is scary but Paye is a guy you can keep on the field for 4 downs as he can play the run well and will contribute around eight sacks a season.
19. Washington Football Team: Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU
Washington could be in play to move up for a quarterback but with the big five off the board, they take a guy in the back end who can lead their vastly improved defense. Moehrig has great size and range in the secondary and is not afraid to come up and meet the running back in the A gap if the situation calls for it.
20. Chicago Bears: Zaven Collins, Edge, Tulsa
If a 6th quarterback goes in the 1st round, this is a spot I could see it with Davis Mills out of Stanford the name to watch. In this scenario though, we are going to look at the Bears to add to their 3-4 pass rush in Collins. While he may not be a natural pass rusher, Collins is a terrific tackler and has had consistent production as a three-year starter. A great compliment to Khalil Mack who should see the ball comes his way often.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Teven Jenkins, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma St.
The redshirt senior Jenkins is a big bodied, broad framed tackle who is ready to step in for the retired Anthony Costanzo from day one and look to protect Carson Wentz’s blindside. When you invest what you did to get your QB, you need to ensure he is able to stand upright in the pocket and Jenkins has no problem playing extremely physical. Jenkins and Quinton Nelson next to each other will provide us with some phenomenal pancake blocks.
22. Tennessee Titans: Devonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama
The slide ends for the Heisman winner who lands in Music City as the replacement to the departed Corey Davis. Smith is knocked often for his size but he has the best hands of any wide out in the draft and with defenses loading up the box to stop King Henry, Smith will get a lot of single man coverage. For as thin of a body Smith has, he brings a toughness to his game that will be appreciated by the Titan faithful. (Copyright: Getty Images)
23. New York Jets (from Seattle): Javonte Williams, Running Back, North Carolina
The first running back taken may surprise you but is a great fit for what the Jets will be looking to do. First time coach Robert Salah will look to implement a toughness and ground game similar to the one he saw in San Francisco and Williams has the necessary traits to be that guy. A willing pass protector and route runner, Williams is a three-down back who will bully his way through defenses.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama
Back to back running backs...insanity! Harris was an unsung star in the Alabama offense who is a tough, three-down runner with plus size and is improving in pass protection as well as his ability as a receiver out of the backfield. The Steelers need a back to replace James Conner and Harris gives them a guy who can run between the tackles while also breaking one on the outside.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams): Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher, Miami
Rousseau’s sophomore year was something to see as he was an absolutely dominant pass rusher and in a normal year, we may be talking about a top 10 pick. The Jaguars are playing with house money with this pick and can take a chance on a high ceiling, low floor rusher who is extremely long and rangy. He could be a star in the DeMarcus Lawrence mold or he could easily be a bust in the George Selvie mold...yeah, bet you don't remember that name.
26. Cleveland Browns: Asante Samuel Jr., Cornerback, Florida State
The former NFL bloodlines in this draft is wild and the sun of the former All-Pro corner is no slouch in the back end. Samuel Jr., unlike his father, loves to play physical and fights for the ball in the air as well as any corner in this draft. Samuel allows too many catches in front of him but he plays with solid technique and that can be taught over time. Pair him with Denzel Ward and you have the makings of a strong secondary.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Azeez Ojulari, Edge Rusher, Georgia
Casual Ravens fans are reading this saying who but are in for a treat. After losing Matt Judon in free agency, the Ravens need some additional pass rush off the edge and Ojulari is a perfect fit as a 3-4 rush linebacker. Ojulari has a very similar profile to Ravens longtime rival Joey Porter, he is very aggressive but smart and has no issue getting his hands dirty in the running game as well.
28. New Orleans Saints: Carlos Basham, Defensive End, Wake Forest
Cam Jordan is not getting any younger and Trey Hendrickson is now in Cincinnati so the Saints will be looking for additional pass rushers. “Boogie,” as he is affectionately referred to, is a big build end who will lay into you with power, causing fumbles at a higher rate than his counterparts. We aren't looking at a star with Basham but we are looking at a guy who will be a great rotation piece before taking over for Jordan in a couple seasons.
29. Green Bay Packers: Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver, Minnesota
No quarterback in the first this year will make the reigning MVP happy. Bateman put up solid production on a bad Minnesota team. What makes this pick best is Bateman has reps playing in the frigid conditions and is geared up well for the Frozen Tundra of Lambeau. Bateman has pro-ready hands and very much reminds me of Michael Gallup. A player like that would do wonders next to Davante Adams and make Aaron Rodgers life a little bit easier.
30. Buffalo Bills: Greg Newsome, Cornerback, Northwestern
Personally my favorite corner in the draft, Newsome is a long-limbed corner in the mold of Darius Slay who is extremely physical in press coverage and talented enough to backpedal to gain depth of his coverage assignments. Loves to tackle which will play well in Buffalo and does a great job of locating the ball in the air. Give him some time to find his footing and we are looking at a possible star.
(Copyright: Getty Images)
31. Baltimore Ravens: Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Lineman, Alabama
This pick at the time of writing this was just traded to the Ravens from the Chiefs for Tackle Orlando Brown along with some other picks coming to Baltimore. Losing Brown leaves a big hole on the Baltimore line, a line that has not replaced the great Marshal Yanda all that well. Leatherwood can step right in on Day 1 as either a guard or right tackle and with his athleticism, be extremely valuable in the Ravens offensive schemes.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Notre Dame
While Devin White and Lavonte David are both back for the Super Bowl champs, neither is guaranteed to make it through the season unscathed. David signed a two year extension in the offseason which allows the Bucs to groom Koramoah, the reigning Butkus award winner to be his eventual replacement. An extremely twitchy, explosive athlete whose not afraid to fight in the trenches, Koramoah down the line could end up being one of the better defensive players in the draft.
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