2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0
1. Jacksonville Jaguars Trevor Lawrence QB Clemson
Trevor Lawrence is the clear cut, number one quarterback in this draft class. I call him "the messiah" and Urban Meyer would be crazy not to take him first overall!
2. New York Jets Zach Wilson QB BYU
While Zach Wilson isn't my second ranked quarterback in this class, he has the potential to end up as the best quarterback in this draft if he's taken by the Jets or the 49ers. He fits perfectly in the Shanahan style west coast offense and belongs in New York. This is like Josh Allen to the Bills, just a perfect connection between player and team.
3. Miami Dolphins Penei Sewell OT Oregon
Penei Sewell is an absolute tank. Tua Tagovailoa dealt with injuries in college and the Dolphins need to protect him play side! They can kick Austin Jackson to play side and have Robert Hunt play the swing tackle. That is how you put Tua in a position to succeed.
4. Atlanta Falcons Justin Fields QB Ohio State
I'm not sold on the Falcons taking a quarterback, but I can see Arthur Smith wanting to get his guy. Fields would be in a position to sit behind Matt Ryan and the Falcons get the home town kid. Fields with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley, come on man! That is a formula for winning. There is a good chance the Falcons trade out of this pick.
5. Cincinnati Bengals Rashawn Slater OT Northwestern
The Bengals MUST protect Joe Burrow. In his rookie season, Burrow was beaten up. By drafting Slater, the Bengals can kick Jonah Williams to the inside which will be more natural for him. Slater would be a great pick up for Cincinnati.
6. Philadelphia Eagles Kyle Pitts TE Florida
The Eagles offense just needs a play maker. This pick will either be Devonta Smith or Kyle Pitts, but given the receiver depth in this draft I think the Eagles go Pitts. Assuming the Eagles trade Zach Ertz, Nick Sirianni will need another tight end to run his 12 personnel offense. The young trio of Jalen Hurts, Miles Sanders, and Kyle Pitts is lethal. Not to mention Jalen Reagor, Dallas Goedert, and a potential second round WR.
7. Detroit Lions Micah Parsons LB Penn State
The Lions are in a position where they need to build their team with players who can set a culture. That is Micah Parsons. Him across from Jamie Collins? That is cold. Drafting a quarterback here would put him in a position to fail, this team needs a veteran quarterback and there are greater needs. I could also see Detroit either trading back or grabbing one of the top receivers.
8. Carolina Panthers Trey Lance QB North Dakota State
My favorite quarterback in this year's draft is Trey Lance. He reminds me so much of Josh Allen and he is a franchise quarterback that the Panthers can build around. Lance also gets the opportunity to sit behind and learn from Teddy Bridgewater and this is a win-win for both Lance and the Panthers. I can also see Carolina trying to trade up with the Dolphins to try and snag Justin Fields before the Falcons.
9. Denver Broncos Jaelan Phillips EDGE Miami
This may be one of the biggest reaches in the draft; however, if the Broncos can't get one of the top quarterbacks Phillips could be the pick. Phillips is a high potential player that can play with both Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Miller is only on a one year deal and in his rookie year he can both learn from Miller and be a situational pass rusher. This could be a chess piece that pays off in the long run.
10. Dallas Cowboys Patrick Surtain II CB Alabama
The Cowboys desperately need to add key pieces to their defense. By adding Surtain, they reunite him with his college teammate Trevon Diggs. Surtain is looked at as the number one corner in this draft and he lands with America's team at number ten.
11. New York Giants Jaylen Waddle WR Alabama
Surprisingly, I expect the receivers to fall in this draft. The Giants just signed Kenny Golladay, but now they can pick a speed demon to play across from him. This would be a perfect pick up for Big Blue.
12. San Francisco 49ers Jaycee Horn CB South Carolina
If I know one thing, John Lynch loves him some South Carolina players. In his past two drafts he's selected both Deebo Samuel and Javon Kinlaw in the first two rounds. Horn would be a great fit in Demeco Ryans' defense and he is my number one corner in this year's draft!
13. Los Angeles Chargers Christian Darrisaw OT Virginia Tech
The Chargers need to find a way to keep Justin Herbert healthy at all costs. Signing Corey Linsley was an awesome addition for the team and by adding Darrisaw they'd be protecting Herbert's blindside. Jaylen Waddle and Kyle Pitts would be awesome additions as well if they're available.
14. Minnesota Vikings Caleb Farley CB Virginia Tech
With the Vikings drafting Caleb Farley, the Vikings find their guy on the other side of Patrick Peterson. Not to mention, the Vikings also drafted Jeff Gladney last year so Mike Zimmer has to be fired up to have a great DB core. I could see Minnesota being aggressive and moving up to draft Patrick Surtain II, but they can't be mad about Farley. I expect the Vikings to target a safety on day two.
15. New England Patriots Ja'Marr Chase WR LSU
No mock drafts have Ja'Marr Chase falling in the draft; however, the depth of this receiver class has to have teams feeling like they can get a good receiver later. Chase will be joining N'Keal Harry, Kendrick Bourne, Nelson Agholor, Jonnu Smith, Julian Edelman and Hunter Henry on the New England offense. Cam Newton has all the weapons and this would make the Patriots a legitimate contender in the AFC.
16. Arizona Cardinals Najee Harris RB Alabama
The Cardinals are quickly building a great team. They have two proven receivers, a quarterback with MVP potential, and now they have the opportunity to add the best running back in this draft class. Harris is a four down back that can both take 25 carries a game and be the Cardinals leading receiver. Another guy the Cardinals could target is Alijah Vera-Tucker.
17. Las Vegas Raiders Alijah Vera-Tucker G USC
The Raiders might have had the most questionable offseason out of any NFL team so far, but this would be an awesome pick for them. Tucker fits perfectly and can be the guard on the other side of Richie Incognito. This pick just makes too much sense.
18. Miami Dolphins Devonta Smith WR Alabama
Devonta Smith is my number one receiver in this year's draft and the Dolphins are about to get an absolute steal. Smith is a guy who could be picked as early as number three to Miami, but if the receivers fall like I expect them too this has to be the biggest steal of the draft.
19. Washington Football Team Rashod Bateman WR Minnesota
The Washington Football Team doesn't have a ton of needs. By adding Bateman, they're adding a legitimate number three receiver with number one potential. Teven Jenkins and Samuel Cosmi are both potential prospects for Washington as well.
20. Chicago Bears Mac Jones QB Alabama
If you have read my draft report on Mac Jones, you know how I feel about him. I am very low on Jones, but I think Matt Nagy would be a good coach for him. Jones is projected to be a top 15 pick, but I just don't get the hype. I have a day three grade on him.
21. Indianapolis Colts Teven Jenkins OT Oklahoma State
The Colts don't have that many needs; however, they could really use a new left tackle with Anthony Castonzo retiring. Teven Jenkins is a big time tackle and would be a great protection piece for Carson Wentz and the Indianapolis Colts
22. Tennessee Titans Elijah Moore WR Ole Miss
This pick may be wishful thinking, but this would be a great fit. The Titans lost Jonnu Smith, Corey Davis, and Adam Humphries through free agency and desperately need to add more play makers. Elijah Moore was college teammates with AJ Brown and he can be Ryan Tannehill's safety blanket. In my opinion, Moore has top three hands in the draft. If I was the Titans general manager, Jon Robinson, I would consider trading back, then drafting a receiver. Also look for Tennessee to target either Pat Freiermuth or Brevin Jordan on day two.
23. New York Jets Azeez Ojulari EDGE Georgia
Knowing Robert Saleh, he is going to want to add another defensive lineman. I know he already has Carl Lawson and Quinnen Williams, but we saw what he did in San Francisco. It seemed like the 49ers drafted a first round defensive end one year after the other, I expect the Jets to build through their defensive line. In round two, I expect them to draft both a taller corner and a fast running back.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers Landon Dickerson IOL Alabama
This isn't being talked about enough, but with both the Pouncey brothers retiring, the Steelers need to revamp their offensive line. They also need another corner and running back, but offensive line comes first. Dickerson is the prototypical AFC North player and fits perfectly with the Steelers offense. Big Ben takes a lot of big hits and the Steelers need to protect him.
25. Jacksonvile Jaguars Kadarius Toney WR Florida
Kadarius Toney is one of those players who I've fallen in love with in this draft process. He is my number two ranked wide out and him with Laviska Shenault and DJ Chark is a really solid receiving core. Trevor Lawrence will quietly have a good receiving core in his rookie year.
26. Cleveland Browns Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB Notre Dame
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was one of those players who just always stood out on tape for me. I'll be watching a skill position player against Notre Dame, and I just see #6. The same thing happened for me with Patrick Queen last year. JOK is always around the ball and would be a major addition for the Browns' linebacker core. JOK is one of my favorite defenders in this year's draft.
27. Baltimore Ravens Gregory Rousseau EDGE Miami
The Ravens lost Matt Judon in free agency this year and need to add a pass rusher. Everybody thinks that receiver should be Baltimore's priority; however, I think they can wait to draft a guy like Amon-Ra St. Brown on day two. Rousseau falls perfectly into their lap to be a guy who can take over for Matt Judon.
28. New Orleans Saints Zaven Collins LB Tulsa
The Saints are going through some what of a little reset. They lost both Kwon Alexander and Alex Anzalone to free agency so an athletic line backer is needed for their defense. Zaven Collins is fantastic in coverage and will take the spot of Anzalone.
29. Green Bay Packers Kwity Paye DE Michigan
For a team that is from Wisconsin, they sure do love drafting themselves some Michigan players. By adding Kwity Paye, the Packers would have an offensive line with both Paye and Gary as well as the Smith Brothers. This would be a solid pick up for Green Bay.
30. Buffalo Bills Jayson Oweh DE Penn State
The Bills need to add more pass rushers if they want to stop the Chiefs. They had no chance of stopping Patrick Mahomes last year, but adding Jayson Oweh would give them a much better chance at beating the Chiefs this year. Oweh is a raw prospect with freakish genetics. Sean McDermott will look to use him in a Julius Peppers type of role.
31. Kansas City Chiefs Sam Cosmi OT Texas
The Chiefs are very fortunate to be in a tackle heavy draft this year, because they now have options after letting go of Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher. Cosmi is just one piece to the puzzle and should help protect Mahomes in the long run.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Asante Samuel Jr. CB Florida State
Asante Samuel Jr. is one of my favorite corners in this year's draft. It seems like the Buccaneers are really just drafting for depth, I'd expect them to trade this pick but Samuel Jr. is a very technical defensive back who is very good in man coverage. Todd Bowles will be very happy to add Samuel Jr. to the squad this year.
