2021 NFL Mock Draft: Fifth Edition

 Here is the fifth edition of my 2021 NFL Mock Draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Clemson: This is as big of a slam dunk as Joe Burrow to Cincinnati at this time a year ago, but maybe even bigger. Lawrence is someone that along with the presence of Urban Meyer that will rejuvenate this franchise for years to come. Lawrence is the best quarterback prospect since perhaps Peyton Manning in 1998.

2. New York Jets- Zach Wilson, Quarterback, BYU: This pick seems like a lock at this point as well as Wilson wasn't even considered the consensus number two pick six months ago. Despite not playing for a power conference school, Wilson really had a dominant senior season after being inconsistent before than.

3. San Francisco 49ers (from Houston Texans via Miami Dolphins)- Justin Fields, Quarterback, Ohio State: The past few weeks, many people were speculating that Mac Jones was the target for San Francisco. Some folks out there are saying, "they gave up THAT MUCH for Mac Jones?!?" The 49ers saw Fields's second workout which had people speculate that Fields could be the guy here, which makes so much more sense due to his tremendous upside and pedigree.

4. Atlanta Falcons- Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida: The Falcons are open to trading down in this first round and I feel they should absolutely entertain offers. I can see Pitts being there selection whether it's here or down a few spots (if he is still on the board). Pitts is the best tight end prospect since Rob Gronkowski due to his route running and opposing defense's inability to stop him.

5. Cincinnati Bengals- Ja'Marr Chase, Wide Receiver, LSU: The Bengals should take Penei Sewell here to sure up their offensive line, but passing on Joe Burrow's former  college teammate might be a hard thing to do. Chase has tremendous upside and would instantly become Burrow's top option again- except in the pro's this time.

6. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia Eagles)- Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama: Similar to the previous pick in this mock, I have a former college quarterback-wide receiver duo reunion. This time, it's Tua Tagovaiola and Waddle reuniting as the Dolphins get Tua a top wideout with tremendous speed and runs great routes.

7. Detroit Lions- Penei Sewell, Offensive Tackle, Oregon: The Lions should be a team open to trading down here because of themselves being in what could be a lengthy rebuild, but passing on a franchise tackle in Sewell won't be easy to pass up on. Sewell will instantly make the Lions offensive line better and would help keep Jared Goff upright.

8. Carolina Panthers- Patrick Sutain II, Cornerback, Alabama: The Panthers have some options here with this selection. Despite going all defense a year ago in the draft, Sutain would be a nice fit here as the Panthers need secondary help after some free agent losses.

9. Denver Broncos- Mac Jones, Quarterback Alabama: The Broncos are rumored not to be in love with Drew Lock and were sniffing around veterans. Why not take a shot at Jones, who showed tremendous potential in his Senior season at Alabama, although some question whether Jones was a product of great talent around him or not.

10. Dallas Cowboys- Jaycee Horn, Cornerback, South Carolina: Patrick Sutain II has been the hot name mocked to Dallas in most mock drafts, but here I have them taking Horn. I feel that Horn was super underrated in college due to playing on a bad team, but he's someone that has done outstanding against great SEC competition in the past.

11. New York Giants- Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Northwestern: The Giants goal this offseason was to give Daniel Jones all the resources to succeed. They continue on that promise by taking the versatile lineman in Slater, whom is rising up draft boards and there is talk he may go before Penei Sewell, which would be insane to some.

12. Philadelphia Eagles (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins)- DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Alabama: The Eagles have to be delighted here to have Smith fall into their laps. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner in this scenario is reunited with former college teammate Jalen Hurts as Hurts has his new top option as his former top option at Alabama.

13. Los Angeles Chargers- Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Virginia Tech: This would be a very good pick for the Chargers, who need to get protection for Justin Herbert. Darrisaw would really make the Chargers offensive line a strength at left tackle with his run blocking ability and versatility.

14. Minnesota Vikings- Kwity Paye, Defensive End, Michigan: The Vikings are a bit of an unknown here, but I think they should go improve one of the offensive or defensive lines. The latter is the choice here and Paye is someone that had a great Pro Day performance and is draft stock is rising due to it.

15. New England Patriots- Trey Lance, Quarterback, North Dakota State: The Patriots should not take a quarterback with this pick, unless they make a bold move and move up for Justin Fields due to the fact that their offseason moves indicate that they want to return to Super Bowl contender status. Lance to the Pats has been a popular take of late and if anyone could help develop Lance into his potential not many saw, it's Bill Belichick.

16. Arizona Cardinals- Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State: If this were to be the case, this would be the second draft in a row where a top linebacker falls into the Cardinals lap. Parsons is somebody that would have been a top five pick if he didn't opt out this past season. Parsons and Isiah Simmons would be a nice pair of linebackers if they play up to potential.

17. Las Vegas Raiders- Alijah Vera-Tucker, Guard/Offensive Tackle, USC: Most people are projecting the Raiders to go defense here, but they would be wise to go offensive line here as well due to some offseason departures. Vera-Tucker is someone that would really help the interior, if he is to play there, but his versatility is what makes him attractive.

18. Miami Dolphins- Jaelan Phillips, Defensive End, Miami: Here is a homecoming scenario as Phillips gets to stay in Miami and play for the Dolphins. This would be a nice pick since the Dolphins are in dire need for young blood on their pass rush. What could have teams have pause on Phillips is his injury history, but if he remains healthy, those concerns will go away.

19. Washington Football Team- Zaven Collins, Defensive End/Outside Linebacker, Tulsa: Washington has some options here and I think a trade down or even up is in play too. Collins is someone that was overshadowed due to playing at Tulsa, but he would certainly make an already decent front seven even better.

20. Chicago Bears- Greg Newsome II, Cornerback, Northwestern: The Bears have some glaring needs on their roster and corner is one of them. Newsome is someone that will come in and start for the Bears right away due to his athleticism, size, and length and will replace the released Kyle Fuller.

21. Indianapolis Colts- Teven Jenkins, Offensive Tackle, Oklahoma State: With the retirement of Anthony Costanzo, the Colts now have a hole on their offensive line. Jenkins is someone who's stock is rising with the draft coming up in nine days as he moves his feet well and in space, which would help Carson Wentz.

22. Tennessee Titans- Carlos Grasham, Defensive End, Wake Forest: Grasham would be looked upon as a reach for many, but the fit here is fine. The Titans have a need in their pass rush even with the addition of Bud Dupree as he can't do it alone and Grasham would start here right away alongside Dupree.

23. New York Jets (from Seattle Seahawks)- Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Virginia Tech: This would be a steal for the Jets as Farley is somebody that was being mocked as a top ten pick not long ago. Farley's injury issues and the fact he opted out last season is what causing his fall down boards.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers- Najee Harris, Running Back, Alabama: Another hot rumor as the draft is nine days away is that the Steelers are eyeing a running back with their first round pick as they are trying for one last hurrah with Ben Rothlisberger. Harris is someone that is a three down back and would be an upgrade over the departed James Conner.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams)- Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU: Here I have the Jags adding to their young asset collection on defense with Moehrig. I always felt that Moehrig was overshadowed due to playing in the Big-12 and he is super athletic and would be a nice fit in the Jags young defense.

26. Cleveland Browns- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Notre Dame: This would be a nice fit for the Browns as they go with a position of need. Owusu-Koramoah is somebody that can play three downs and provides versatility and is super athletic.

27. Baltimore Ravens- Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver, Minnesota: The Ravens could go in any direction here and here I have them snagging the talented receiver in Bateman. His big play ability and being a red zone threat is something that Lamar Jackson and this offense can use.

28. New Orleans Saints- Terrance Marshall, Wide Receiver, LSU: Marshall is someone that is just flat out underrated due to being in a loaded wide receiver draft class and was overshadowed by Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in his collegiate career. Marshall would really help the Saints offense as they need to replace Emmanuel Sanders.

29. Green Bay Packers- Jamin Davis, Linebacker, Kentucky: Davis I feel is one of the more underrated players in this entire draft, reminding me of former Texas Tech Red Raider and current Seahawks linebacker Jordin Brooks. The Packers lack a difference maker in the middle of their defense and Davis could be that.

30. Buffalo Bills- Asante Samuel Jr, Cornerback, Florida State: The Bills are a bit of a wild card as they can go with numerous positions or possibly trade out. Samuel is someone that reminds folks of Jaire Alexander and if he's even a poor mans version, he and Tre White would be a great cornerback duo.

31. Kansas City Chiefs- Alex Weatherwood, Offensive Tackle, Alabama: The Chiefs are a team in dire-need of offensive line reinforcements after releasing Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. Weatherwood would be a great option here as he has been battle-tested in college several times and could start right away.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Azeez Ojulari, Defensive End, Georgia: The Buccaneers really don't have any needs as they are bringing the band back together to try for a repeat. Ojulari makes sense here because Jason Pierre-Paul isn't getting any younger and they don't have much depth behind him and Shaq Barrett as Ojulari can play some snaps and work his way to being a full time starter down the road.