Here is the first edition of my 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson: If there wasn't any doubt. Lawrence is perhaps the best quarterback prospect to come out since Peyton Manning and there is no chance that the Jaguars, with Urban Meyer now in town, entertain offers for this pick let alone consider another player with this pick. Lawrence will certainly be someone who will make his teammates better, but the Jags still have other holes to fill on this roster.
2. New York Jets- Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU: This selection has become very popular among the mock drafts that are being made around the media circles and podcasters/bloggers (like myself). The Jets seem like there are willing to move on from Sam Darnold and start fresh with Wilson, who's coming off a great Senior season in college and could potentially start immediately assuming Darnold is elsewhere and there is not a journeyman/veteran in place.
3. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans)- JaMar Chase, Wide Receiver, LSU: This pick is certainly the most fascinating of perhaps the entire draft. The Dolphins are a team on the rise and they have been in the DeShaun Watson trade rumors and could offer this selection (which the Texans previously owned) and Tua Tagovailoa plus more assets to acquire Watson. Lets say things remain as they are now and they go with the talented receiver in Chase, who did not play a snap this past season as he opted out. The Dolphins are desperate for a top receiver and Chase has serious potential to be that.
4. Atlanta Falcons- Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State: At the moment, Matt Ryan is still the starting quarterback of the team and eventually they'll have to draft a possible successor for the veteran at some point. Fields is someone that was looked upon as a lock for the number two overall pick in this draft six months ago and perhaps the athleticism of Fields will be too good for the Falcons to pass up on as Fields may have to red shirt his first season.
5. Cincinnati Bengals- Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Oregon: The Bengals become instant draft winners if the draft plays out similar to what I project here. Sewell is the best offensive lineman to come out since perhaps Quenton Nelson from a few years back and he'll be a rock protecting Joe Burrow from another gruesome injury.
6. Philadelphia Eagles- Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida: Regardless of whether it's Carson Wentz, Jalen Hurts, or somebody else under center for the Eagles, they need more offensive fire power. With Zach Ertz rumored to be on the move, Pitts here makes a ton of sense and he's the best tight end to come out since TJ Hockenson a few years back.
7. Detroit Lions- DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama: I still think there is a chance that a quarterback is the selection here and the team moves Jared Goff elsewhere. Smith had one of the greatest seasons ever for a receiver in college football and won the Heisman Trophy in result of it and he would instantly become the Lions WR1.
8. Carolina Panthers- Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State: The Panthers have an interesting roster as Matt Rhule heads into his second season as coach. Teddy Bridgewater is only under contract for two more seasons and he's not the long term solution for the Panthers. Enter Lance, who showed a ton of potential in his college career and unfortunately for him, he only played in one game this fall.
9. Denver Broncos- Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech: The Broncos are a team that are rumored to explore potential upgrades or different options at quarterback, but I can see them going in a different direction. Farley is someone who you can argue is the best corner in this draft class and they need someone to come in and replace the recently released AJ Boyue.
10. Dallas Cowboys- Patrick Sutain II, Cornerback, Alabama: The Cowboys defense was the worst in the league this past season and they can use any reinforcements and upgrades they can get. Sutain is someone that can come in and be a CB1 immediately for the Cowboys with his ability to defend elite wideouts.
11. New York Giants- Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama: This would be a major steal for the Giants to land an elite wideout in Waddle. Often overshadowed by DeVonta Smith and due to his injury he suffered last season, Waddle has the ability to be special in the pros. He'll become the clear WR1 for Daniel Jones and the Giants offense.
12. San Francisco 49ers- Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern: Many mocks have the Niners taking a quarterback here, but lets assume that its Jimmy Garappolo or perhaps a different veteran under center. Slater is someone that is super versatile and even if they bring back Trent Williams, he can play on the interior.
13. Los Angeles Chargers- Alijah Vera-Tucker, Offensive Tackle, USC: This may seem like a stretch of a selection here and I feel that a trade down from this spot is certainly in play. Vera-Tucker provides versatility as he can play both tackle and guard and he would provide much needed protection for Justin Herbert.
14. Minnesota Vikings- Christian Barmore, Defensive Tackle, Alabama: The Vikings demise this past season was largely due to the regression of their defense which lost a ton of pieces from their pass rush due to injuries and trades. Barmore excels at stopping the run and really showed a ton of potential down the stretch of the season.
15. New England Patriots- Gregory Rousseau, Defensive End, Miami: The Patriots have some options here as there are a few possible blue chip defensive players on the board. Here I have them taking the talented pass rusher in Rousseau, who showed so much promise as a Freshman and I can see Rousseau succeeding under Bill Belichick.
16. Arizona Cardinals- Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, South Carolina: This would be a solid pick for the Cardinals as they get a potential blue chip prospect that is super physical in Horn. Depending on the situation regarding Patrick Peterson, Horn could potentially form a tandem with Peterson or replacing him.
17. Las Vegas Raiders- Kwity Paye, Defensive End, Michigan: The Raiders weakness since they dealt away Khalil Mack has been rushing the passer. Enter Paye, who could be a steal at this point and will help the Raiders improve their pass rush with his great athleticism and ability to rush the passer.
18. Miami Dolphins- Micah Parsons, Outside Linebacker, Penn State: Getting Parsons at this point would be a major steal for the fish as long as if he pans out to the guy that many projected as a top five pick in this draft back in September. Parsons has shown versatility and elite playmaking in his time in college and the Pats would have themselves a player on defense that they've lacked for sometime now.
19. Washington Football Team- Kadarius Toney, Wide Receiver, Florida: Washington certainly should address it's longterm quarterback situation after moving on from Dwayne Haskins, but lets say they acquire a veteran. Wide receiver is also a need as they don't have anyone reliable outside of Terry McLaurin and Toney is someone that was overshadowed in college due to the presence of Kyle Pitts and has shown the skills and speed to succeed.
20. Chicago Bears- Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech: Say all you want about the Bears quarterback situation, but their biggest weakness relies on their offensive line and they need reinforcements in the worst way. Darrisaw is someone that has great blocking skills and can come in and start at left tackle right away.
21. Indianapolis Colts- Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, South Carolina: The Colts probably want someone with experience to address their quarterback situation, but snagging Horn here is a major steal for the Colts. Free agency could create a hole at the cornerback position so getting the speedy and pro ready Horn would do them wonders.
22. Tennessee Titans- Jalean Phillips, Defensive End, Miami: The Titans are in dire need of youth and energy on their defensive front as their pass rush was non-existent this past season. Phillips is someone that was always overshadowed in college due to the presence of Gregory Rousseau.
23. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks)- Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama: The Jets have options with this selection and here I have them snagging the longtime Crimson Tide back in Harris. The running back situation with the Jets was not great last season and Harris can come in and produce for Gang Green, regardless of who's at quarterback.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers- Jalen Mayfield, Offensive Tackle, Michigan: The Steelers roster could be experiencing some turnover this offseason. Many will obviously point to the future of Ben Rothlisberger, but the offensive line needs some help as Alejandro Villanueva could depart as a free agent. Mayfield showed a ton of stability in college and did a great job against elite competition.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams)- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Notre Dame: Despite in all likelihood selecting Trevor Lawrence first, this Jags roster is still littered with holes on it. Owusu-Koramoah is someone that showed great playmaking and athleticism on an Irish defense that had some fine moments this past season.
26. Cleveland Browns- Azeez Ojulari, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Georgia: This would be a solid pick for the Browns, who can use some more pieces to their pass rush to help out Myles Garrett. Ojulari has shown great athleticism and speed in college and can come in and help right away.
27. Baltimore Ravens- Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Tackle/Guard, Alabama: The Ravens have some players they have to replace production from whether its due to free agency, trade, or retirements. Leatherwood is someone that can come in and play anywhere on the Ravens offensive line whether its replacing the retired Marshal Yanda at guard or the possible soon to be traded Orlando Brown at tackle.
28. New Orleans Saints- Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama: It seems likely that Drew Brees is going to announce his retirement sooner rather than later and despite what happens with Jameis Winston, the Saints should be thinking long term as well. Jones had a breakthrough season at Alabama but there is that possibility that the talent around him made him look greater than he actually is.
29. Green Bay Packers- Nick Bolton, Linebacker, Missouri: The Packers have some on their defense, even though it was exposed in the postseason against Tom Brady and the Bucs. Bolton has shown a ton of flashes in college with his playmaking ability and would be a nice fit in their front seven.
30. Buffalo Bills- Carlos Basham Jr, Defensive End, Wake Forest: The Bills defensive line got exposed in the postseason by the Chiefs and at times during the regular season against good offenses. Basham is someone that is fast and has great hands and could come in and have a nice impact.
31. Kansas City Chiefs- Rondale Moore, Wide Receiver, Purdue: The Chiefs land a possible steal here with Moore, who doesn't get the attention of the top three receivers in this class. With Sammy Watkins set to be a free agent as well as Byron Pringle and DeMarcus Robinson, this selection feels right.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Joseph Ossai, Defensive End, Texas: With Shaq Barrett set to be a free agent, the Bucs may have a need for an edge rusher. Ossai showed some flashes in college with the Longhorns the past few years and he can learn from some great veterans that the Bucs have on their pass rush.
