NFL Mock Draft 2021

The first round of the 2021 NFL Draft is Thursday April 29th on ABC starting at 8pm EST.  The selections of this mock draft will be based on team need or player fit.  There are no mock trades in this mock draft.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson

Lawrence busted onto the scene his freshmen year at Clemson winning a National Championship.  He continued his consistent play every year at Clemson and can do everything that QB must do.  He has been the consensus 1st pick for the last two years for this draft.  Jags need a QB and get one of the top QB prospects in the last 10 years.

  1. New York Jets: Zach Wilson QB, BYU

The Jets traded QB Sam Darnold during the offseason and are ready to select Wilson according to most.  Wilson has an ability to make big plays from nothing and has an accurate arm with strength.  He climbed up draft boards after his stellar season last year and has all the tools to be a great QB.

  1. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance QB, NDSU

The 49ers will either select Lance or Mac Jones in this position.  I would lean Lance in this case because Jones has similar traits to the 49ers current QB (Jimmy Garoppolo).  Lance has a high ceiling and can reach his full potential with Kyle Shanahan (49ers Head Coach).

  1. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts TE, Florida

The Falcons could entertain a QB with this selection, but with the rumors of Julio Jones on the trade block they will most likely select Pitts.  The Florida TE is a freak athlete for his size and can outrun anyone who covers him.  He could play on the line and play split out as a receiver.  

  1. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell OT, Oregon

The Bengals need to prioritize protecting QB Joe Burrow after he tore his ACL last season.  Sewell will be able to guard Burrow’s blindside for the next ten years if he is selected.  Sewell has all the attributes needed to be a great tackle in the NFL.  He blocks incredibly in open space and did it all for Oregon, winning the Outland Trophy (best lineman in college football) his sophomore year.  He also is an emotional leader.

  1. Miami Dolphins: Jamarr Chase WR, LSU

Chase had one of the best seasons ever as a wide receiver in college football his sophomore year.  He is the most well rounded WR in the class because he does everything at a high level.  His release off the line is second to none and he never drops passes.  He has a strong upper body and can run every route in the book to perfection.  Dolphins need a go to guy for Tua.

  1. Detroit Lions: Devonta Smith WR, Alabama

Smith had an unbelievable season winning the Heisman trophy at Alabama.  His route running is incredible as well as his ability to diagnose coverages to find open spots on the field.  He does need to gain a little muscle to avoid getting injured, but he has the talent to be an NFL great.  The Lions let their best receiver (Kenny Golladay) leave in free agency and need a top prospect to replace him. 

  1. Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater OL, Northwestern

The Panthers have needed help on the offensive line for a while and Slater is perfect at this point in the draft.  Slater can play multiple positions on the line and is good in pass protection and run blocking.  Will probably play guard to start his career.

  1. Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons LB, Penn State

Parsons is a cannot miss prospect and fills a position of need for the Broncos.  His ability to go sideline to sideline is like Devin White and his intelligence on the field shows up on tape.

  1. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain CB, Alabama

The Cowboys have prioritized a CB with ball skills and Surtain is the best CB in the draft.  Surtain has great ball skills and has played consistently for 3 years at Alabama.  

  1. New York Giants: Jaycee Horn CB, South Carolina

Horn is the best corner in man coverage in this draft because of his aggressiveness and footwork.  The Giants need another CB to pair with James Bradberry, but an offensive lineman or receiver could be possible selections.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaylen Waddle WR, Alabama

Despite the Eagles taking a WR last draft in the first round, it is likely that they will select another one this year.  Waddle is a big play receiver who is also productive in the return game. 

  1. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw OT, Virginia Tech

The Chargers need line help to protect Justin Herbert and Darrisaw fits the criteria.  He is big and physical but could improve on his footwork a bit.  

  1. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker OL, USC

Minnesota needs line help with veterans moving on or being released.  Vera-Tucker can play multiple positions on the offensive line and gets to the second level quickly.

  1. New England Patriots: Justin Fields QB, Ohio State

Fields had a great couple seasons in Columbus playing for Ohio State.  He has a great ability to run the ball as a QB and has an accurate arm.  If he did not have a couple bad games this past season, he would be a sure top 5 pick.  New England will need a guy to replace Cam Newton for the long term.  

  1. Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins LB, Tulsa

The Cardinals need a linebacker and Zaven Collins is the best available.  In most years, he would be the best LB in the class.  He has great size and can cover very well.  He can do anything that a LB needs to do and will be a great player in the NFL.

  1. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah OLB, Notre Dame

The Raiders need a big play guy on defense after their defense struggled all year.  JOK is a versatile player who can play a lot of positions but will need to add some weight to be an OLB every down.  He makes big plays in every way possible whether it is a pass breakup or a sack.

  1. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris RB, Alabama

The Dolphins are targeting a running back and Harris is a great fit for them.  He is an all around back meaning he can run and catch affectively.  He is incredible elusive and shows his athleticism by hurdling guys with ease.

  1. Washington Football Team: Teven Jenkins OT, Oklahoma State

The Football Team always need offensive line help and have neglected that position group for too long.  Jenkins plays with bad intentions and always finishes his blocks with an exclamation point.  He would be great for the Football Team’s run and pass game. 

  1. Chicago Bears: Mac Jones QB, Alabama

It either the 3rd pick or slide for Jones this year.  Jones is a great pocket passer and processes coverages better then any guy in the draft.  The Bears signed Dalton as a short-term guy and need QB for the long-term.  

  1. Indianapolis Colts: Jaelan Phillips DE, Miami

Phillips is the best pass rusher in the class because of his ability to use different type of rush moves.  He also has better size then all the other prospects this year at his position.  Phillips rarely gets fooled by misdirection and can bend well coming off the edge.  The Colts could use a premier pass rusher to help bolster their already solid defense.  

  1. Tennessee Titans: Terrace Marshall WR, LSU

Marshall is a big receiver who can stretch the field and play in the slot.  The Titans let Corey Davis walk this past offseason and have a need to fill at WR.

  1. New York Jets: Azeez Ojulari OLB, Georgia

The Jets need starters at a lot of positions and Ojulari can be a starter for them immediately.  He will need to gain some weight this offseason if he wants to play every down.  He is great as a speed rusher off the edge. 

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers: Caleb Farley CB, Virginia Tech

Farley has great size and speed making him a top corner in this draft.  The steelers need a corner and Farley has the upside to be the best in this draft.  Steelers could select OL or RB here too.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Kandarius Toney WR, Florida 

The Jags need playmakers for their new QB Trevor Lawrence and Toney is one of the best in the draft.  He has good size for his quickness and always has the chance to make a big play with the ball in his hands.

  1. Cleveland Browns: Christian Barmore DT, Alabama

The Browns need help in the interior and Barmore is the best interior defensive lineman in the draft.

  1. Baltimore Ravens: Kwity Paye Edge, Michigan

The Ravens need to replace Matthew Judon who left in free agency and Paye fits in his position.  He does need to put on a little weight but has big upside.

  1. New Orleans Saints: Jamin Davis LB, Kentucky

With the top corners gone, the Saints will look at linebacker as a position of need.  Davis is the best available at the position and fits the traits the Saints need.

  1. Green Bay Packers: Greg Newsome CB, Northwestern

Packers have gotten torched on in the passing game because of their lack of depth at corner.  Newsome has solid traits as a corner and has great hips which enables him to stay with top receivers.  

  1. Buffalo Bills: Javonte Williams RB, North Carolina

Bills could get a star in Williams at running back which could help their offense big time.  Williams breaks tackles as will and can run people over with his lower center of gravity.  He also has great ball skills for a running back.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: Wyatt Davis OL, Ohio State

Chiefs have improved their offensive line this past offseason but still need some help in the interior.  Davis is a quick guard who can get to the second level fast.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gregory Rousseau Edge, Miami 

Rousseau was a player with top ten talent but slid on draft boards because he did not play this past season.  Tampa do not have any big needs, but another pass rusher never hurts.  

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