Cover Photo taken from pff.com & All Logos were taken from wikipedia.org
It is Draft Day! Trades have happened, rumors are flying, yet we will find out what’s really true tonight. After months of preparation every fan and analyst believe they have an idea on what will happen. However, that’s what makes the Draft so awesome, it is incredibly unpredictable. This Mock includes three first-round trades that are explained at the end. Finally, here is my final 3-Round 2021 Mock Draft.
*Indicates Compensatory Pick
Round 1
- Jacksonville Jaguars
Selection: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
We have known for several months now that Trevor Lawrence will be the first player selected. Nothing has changed since then. Urban Meyer gets his franchise Quarterback with his first pick as an NFL Head Coach.
2. New York Jets
Selection: Zach Wilson – QB – BYU
With the known fact that Trevor Lawrence will be gone, the Jets have had the chance to determine who they want to lead their franchise. The Jets GM Joe Douglas was open about the fact that the Jets have zeroed in on a QB. Although he hasn’t publicly said it was Zach Wilson, all signs are pointing that way. The Jets get to start over with Sam Darnold being shipped to Carolina. With a new Head Coach and new Quarterback, New York looks to get on the right track with this pick.
3. San Francisco 49ers (from Houston via Miami)
Selection: Mac Jones – QB – Alabama
The buzz around the league continues to be that San Fran loves Mac Jones, and deservedly so. Most experts have Mac Jones listed as the 5th best QB in the class and the only reason for that is because he isn’t flashy. Arm talent wise, Mac is a gifted and an incredibly accurate passer. He is sneaky athletic and will thrive in Kyle Shanahan’s offence. San Fran better get this pick right, otherwise it will be talked about for years to come
4. Atlanta Falcons
Selection: Kyle Pitts – TE – Florida
Atlanta is rumored to be in the Quarterback market. However, that does not make a lot of sense to me. The only thing the Falcons did well last year was throw the ball! Matt Ryan still has multiple years left in him so adding Pitts to the lineup should be a no-brainer. Not many teams will be able to stop a receiving corps of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Kyle Pitts, and Hayden Hurst.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Selection: Ja’Marr Chase – WR – LSU
I have gone back and forth on this pick. It seems to be between Chase and Sewell but this off-season, Cincy added veteran Riley Reiff to their roster and have a developing Tackle with Jonah Williams. Even after opting out of the 2020 season, Chase remains as the top Receiver in this years class. Joe Burrow will be jumping for joy on his torn ACL once this pick is announced. Cincy cannot pass on the potential super star.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia)
Selection: Penei Sewell – OT – Oregon
With Chase off the board, Miami can simply take the best player available. Penei Sewell will anchor the Dolphins line for the next decade, allowing Tua to come into his own.
*TRADE*
7. New England Patriots (via Detroit)
Selection: Justin Fields – QB – Ohio State
After what would be described as an “unusual” season for the Patriots, they are the first team to move up in order to select one of the top Quarterbacks. New England was aggressive in free agency and have a number of players returning from opting out. Although Cam Newton was brought back, Quarterback remains their biggest priority. Justin Fields may not see the field right away but he will be ready when his time comes.
*TRADE*
8. Washington Football Team (via Carolina)
Selection: Trey Lance – QB – North Dakota State
Rumors have been swirling lately that Washington would like to move up and getting ahead of Denver for a Quarterback might be critical. Washington may already have a good enough roster to win the NFC East but they need to figure out their long-term plan at the QB position. Trey Lance has the size and the skill to be an All-Pro in the NFL and learning from Ryan Fitzpatrick for a year will help him develop.
9. Denver Broncos
Selection: Micah Parsons – LB – Penn State
With the recent addition of Teddy Bridgewater, I strongly believe Vic Fangio is giving the keys to Drew Lock. It is his job to lose and show that he can develop as a professional Quarterback. With that being said, the only major need for this Broncos team is the Middle Linebacker. Micah Parsons is not only the best Linebacker in this draft class, but he is the best defensive player.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Patrick Surtain II – CB – Alabama
I have been saying all along, Surtain II is the best Cornerback this year and Jerry Jones should be running to submit this pick. Dallas needs to address their defense, they were atrocious last season. It won’t matter how many points Dak and the gang put up if their defense cannot stop anyone. Pairing Surtain II and his former Bama teammate Trevon Diggs will bring continuity to the Dallas secondary.
11. New York Giants
Selection: DeVonta Smith – WR – Alabama
Although the Giants need to address the Offensive Line, they cannot pass up on a playmaker like DeVonta Smith. with the return of Saquon and the addition of Kenny Golladay, Daniel Jones has no excuses to play better.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (from San Francisco via Miami)
Selection: Jaylen Waddle – WR – Alabama
After trading back and accumulating picks, the Eagles can put some weapons around Jalen Hurts. The selection of Jaylen Waddle will give their offense a dynamic playmaker. Waddle has been compared to Tyreek Hill and if that’s true, he will be a Pro Bowler year-in and year-out.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Selection: Rashawn Slater – OT – Northwestern
It is no secret that the Chargers need to address their offensive line. Investing in players that protect your franchise Quarterback is never a bad idea. Slater has All-Pro written all over him and I will not be surprised if he is the best Offensive Lineman to come out in this years class.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Selection: Alijah Vera-Tucker – OL – USC
The toss-up of Offensive Lineman or Pass Rusher continues for the Vikings. With a deep Pass Rusher class, the Vikings would be foolish to pass up on Vera-Tucker. He can play both Tackle or Guard and will be paving holes for Dalvin Cook come the 2021 season.
*TRADE*
15. Detroit Lions (via New England)
Selection: Caleb Farley – CB – Virginia Tech
After trading with the Patriots, the Lions address their secondary for the second year in a row. Some scouts are worried about Farley’s back injuries but his talent is top-notch. Farley and Okudah will be put to the task against Kirk Cousins and Aaron Rodgers twice a year.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Selection: Jaycee Horn – CB – South Carolina
Long-time Arizona Cardinal Corner Patrick Peterson is gone, his replacement is no other than Jaycee Horn out of South Carolina. With the return of Chandler Jones and the addition of JJ Watt, the secondary is the biggest hole on the Cardinals roster. No more excuses for Kliff Kingsbury, now is the time to make a run in the playoffs.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Selection: Kwity Paye – DE – Michigan
The Clelin Ferrell experiment hasn’t worker out, it was a reach to tale him as high as they did back in 2019. The Raiders have consistently underachieved and have been unable to rush the passer. Adding Paye to a rotation of Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue should help solve their problem.
18. Miami Dolphins
Selection: Jaelan Phillips – DE – Miami
After taking Penei Sewell earlier, the Dolphins address the pass rush with this pick. Staying local with the Defensive End out of Miami. Phillips had a monster year in 2020, proving that he is one of the best pass rushers in this years Draft.
*TRADE*
19. Carolina Panthers (via Washington)
Selection: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB – Notre Dame
Carolina has been rumored to move back in the draft and with the QB needy team such as Washington ready to move up, the move happens. Carolina spent all of their draft picks on defensive players last season and that trend continues here. Adding a do-it-all Linebacker like JOK will help that defense take that next step.
20. Chicago Bears
Selection: Christian Darrisaw – OT – Virginia Tech
As hard as it may be to believe, Matt Nagy and Ryan Pace must have a plan in place. Chicago may be a team that moves up for a Quarterback because as we all know, Andy Dalton is not the solution. However, in the mean time the Offensive Line needs to be better. Christian Darrisaw is one of the top Tackles in this years class and is a prime prospect for the Bears to target.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Selection: Samuel Cosmi – OT – Texas
Colts fans might be angry with me because this pick has remained the same throughout the entire off-season. But there is a reason for that. Cosmi screams Colts to me and taking over the LT spot for Anthony Castonzo on one of the best Offensive Lines in the league just makes sense.
22. Tennessee Titians
Selection: Greg Newsome II – CB – Northwestern
Cornerback and Pass Rusher remain the two biggest weaknesses in Tennessee. Although I am weary on their big Free Agency signing of Bud Dupree who is coming off of a torn ACL, they must begin rebuilding their secondary. Greg Newsome II has been flying up draft boards and I see a lot of Darius Slay in his game. Newsome II has all the tools to be a lockdown Cornerback
23. New York Jets (via Seattle)
Selection: Rashod Bateman – WR – Minnesota
I have said it before and I will say it again, I am extremely high on Bateman, despite him not playing in 2020. He might be the best route-runner in the class and has reliable hands. The Jets took Zach Wilson with the second overall pick and now they’re surrounding him with the pieces to succeed.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Najee Harris – RB – Alabama
As a Steeler fan, this is my dream pick. Najee Harris is my RB1 and is a dynamic ball carrier. As I have said in the past the Steelers offense was hard to watch down the stretch last season as Big Ben was forced to throe the ball forty-five times a game. Adding a run game to this team may be exactly what they need to reach the Super Bowl.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams)
Selection: Trevon Moehrig – S – TCU
Moehrig is the best and arguably the only first-round caliber Safety in this years draft class. Moehrig can control the back end of that Jags defense as he is great in coverage as well and down in the box. Jaguar fans should be excited for their teams future if they can land Lawrence and Moehrig in the first round.
26. Cleveland Browns
Selection: Christian Barmore – DL – Alabama
After the surprise release of Sheldon Richardson, beefing up the defensive line becomes a need for Cleveland. For the first time possibly ever, Cleveland is the real-deal and have one of the most complete rosters in football. As a Steeler fan it makes me nervous, but as a football fan, it makes me excited for this teams potential. Barmore will be a day one starter eating up blockers for guys like Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki to come up and make plays.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Selection: Azeez Ojulari – OLB – Georgia
With the departures of Yannick Ngakoue and Matt Judon in Free Agency, adding a Pass Rusher should be priority number one for GM Eric DeCosta. Ojulari is best as a stand-up Outside Linebacker and fits the Ravens scheme perfectly.
28. New Orleans Saints
Selection: Zaven Collins – LB – Tulsa
The Saints may have had the biggest roster turnover amongst NFL teams this off-season. Kwon Alexander was released and Demario Davis isn’t getting any younger, which makes Linebacker a top priority for the Saints. Zaven Collins is a grown man and can cover sideline to sideline.
29. Green Bay Packers
Selection: Kadarius Toney – WR – Florida
As I’ve said before, the Packers drastically need to give Aaron Rodgers some weapons. A true number two option beside Devante Adams may be exactly what the Packers need to get over the hump. Toney may be the shiftiest player in this years Draft. He may drop a pass here and there but adding him to the lineup will take some of the Defensive attention away from Devante Adams.
30. Buffalo Bills
Selection: Gregory Rousseau – DE – Miami
Gregory Rousseau remains as my top EDGE rusher but I think he might fall a bit. Luckily for Buffalo, he falls right into their laps. Buffalo already has one of the best Secondary’s and Linebacker groups in the NFL. Adding a top-tier pass rusher will help take their defense to the next level.
31. Baltimore Ravens (via Kansas City)
Selection: Terrace Marshall Jr – WR – LSU
After the recent trade with Kansas City, Baltimore finds themselves back in the first-round. With the addition of Ojulari, Baltimore shifts their focus to the Offensive side of the ball. Adding a true number one receiver and giving Lamar a weapon is exactly what they do here.
*TRADE*
32. Detroit Lions (via Tampa Bay)
Selection: Teven Jenkins – OT – Oklahoma State
Every year we see a team trade into the back-end of the first-round. Tampa Bay has their entire team returning and trading out is the most logical move for them. Detroit is able to move up and snag Teven Jenkins before someone beats them to it. Jenkins is a physical blocker and putting him on the opposite side of Taylor Decker will create a great Offensive Line to build upon.
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars
Selection: Rondale Moore – WR – Purdue
34. New York Jets
Selection: Joe Tryon – DE – Washington
35. Atlanta Falcons
Selection: Jayson Oweh – DE – Penn State
36. Miami Dolphins (via Houston)
Selection: Travis Etienne – RB – Clemson
37. Philadelphia Eagles
Selection: Asante Samuel Jr – CB – Florida State
38. Cincinnati Bengals
Selection: Creed Humphrey – IOL – Oklahoma
39. Carolina Panthers
Selection: Jalen Mayfield – OT – Michigan
40. Denver Broncos
Selection: Ronnie Perkins – OLB – Oklahoma
*TRADE*
41. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Detroit)
Selection: Levi Onwuzurike – DT – Washington
42. New York Giants
Selection: Carlos Basham Jr – DE – Wake Forest
43. San Francisco 49ers
Selection: Richie Grant – S – UCF
44. Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Wyatt Davis – IOL – Ohio State
45. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Minnesota)
Selection: Pat Freiermuth – TE – Penn State
*TRADE*
46. Detroit Lions (via New England)
Selection: Chatarius Tutu Atwell – WR – Louisville
47. Los Angeles Chargers
Selection: Joseph Ossai – DE – Texas
48. Las Vegas Raiders
Selection: Jamin Davis – LB – Kentucky
49. Arizona Cardinals
Selection: Nick Bolton – LB – Missouri
50. Miami Dolphins
Selection: Eric Stokes – CB – Georgia
*TRADE*
51. Carolina Panthers (via Washington)
Selection: Kyle Trask – QB – Florida
52. Chicago Bears
Selection: Elijah Moore – WR – Ole Miss
53. Tennessee Titans
Selection: Dillon Radunz – OT – North Dakota State
54. Indianapolis Colts
Selection: Jay Tufele – DT – USC
55. Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Liam Eichenberg – OT – Notre Dame
56. Seattle Seahawks
Selection: Alex Leatherwood – OT – Alabama
57. Los Angeles Rams
Selection: Walker Little – OT – Stanford
58. Kansas City Chiefs (via Baltimore)
Selection: Jabril Cox – LB – LSU
59. Cleveland Browns
Selection: Amon-Ra St. Brown – WR – USC
60. New Orleans Saints
Selection: Kelvin Joseph – CB – Kentucky
61. Buffalo Bills
Selection: Javonte Williams – RB – North Carolina
62. Green Bay Packers
Selection: Baron Browning – LB – Ohio State
63. Kansas City Chiefs
Selection: Hamilcar Rashed Jr – DE – Oregon State
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selection: Tylan Wallace – WR – Oklahoma State
Round 3
65. Jacksonville Jaguars
Selection: Daviyon Nixon – DT – Iowa
66. New York Jets
Selection: Jevon Holland – S – Oregon
67. Houston Texans
Selection: Quincy Roche – DE – Miami
68. Atlanta Falcons
Selection: Michael Carter – RB – North Carolina
69. Cincinnati Bengals
Selection: Tyler Shelvin – DT – LSU
70. Philadelphia Eagles
Selection: Brevin Jordan – TE – Miami
71. Denver Broncos
Selection: Quinn Meinerz – IOL – Wisconsin-Whitewater
*TRADE*
72. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (via Detroit)
Selection: Dayo Odeyingbo – OLB – Vanderbilt
73. Carolina Panthers
Selection: Hamsah Nasirildeen – S – Florida State
74. Washington Football Team (via San Francisco)
Selection: Dylan Moses – LB – Alabama
75. Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Chris Rumph II – DE – Duke
76. New York Giants
Selection: Trey Smith – IOL – Tennessee
77. Los Angeles Chargers
Selection: Aaron Robinson – CB – UCF
78. Minnesota Vikings
Selection: Patrick Jones – DE – Pitt
79. Las Vegas Raiders (via Arizona)
Selection: Deonte Brown – IOL – Alabama
80. Las Vegas Raiders
Selection: D’Wayne Eskridge – WR – Western Michigan
81. Miami Dolphins
Selection: Cameron McGrone – LB – Michigan
82. Washington Football Team
Selection: Tommy Tremble – TE – Notre Dame
83. Chicago Bears
Selection: Davis Mills – QB – Stanford
84. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis)
Selection: Chazz Surratt – LB – North Carolina
85. Tennessee Titans
Selection: Amari Rodgers – WR – Clemson
86. New York Jets (via Seattle)
Selection: Kenneth Gainwell – RB – Memphis
87. Pittsburgh Steelers
Selection: Landon Dickerson – IOL – Alabama
88. Los Angeles Rams
Selection: Pete Werner – LB – Ohio State
89. Cleveland Browns
Selection: Monty Rice – LB – Georgia
90. Minnesota Vikings (via Baltimore)
Selection: Dyami Brown – WR – North Carolina
91. Cleveland Browns (via New Orleans)
Selection: Elijah Molden – CB – Washington
92. Green Bay Packers
Selection: Jackson Carman – OT – Clemson
93. Buffalo Bills
Selection: Tyson Campbell – CB – Georgia
94. Baltimore Ravens (via Kansas City)
Selection: Josh Myers – IOL – Ohio State
95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Selection: Rhamondre Stevenson – RB – Oklahoma
*96. New England Patriots
Selection: Ifeatu Melifonwu – CB – Syracuse
*97. Los Angeles Chargers
Selection: Jaylen Twyman – DT – Pitt
*98. New Orleans Saints
Selection: Osa Odighizuwa – DT – UCLA
*99. Dallas Cowboys
Selection: Hunter Long – TE – Boston College
*100. Tennessee Titans
Selection: Caden Sterns – S – Texas
*101. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams)
Selection: Shaun Wade – CB – Ohio State
*102. San Francisco 49ers
Selection: Trey Hill – IOL – Georgia
*103. Los Angeles Rams
Selection: Tommy Togiai – DT – Ohio State
*104. Baltimore Ravens
Selection: Justin Hilliard – LB – Ohio State
*105. New Orleans Saints
Selection: James Hudson – OT – Cincinnati
TRADES
Lions – Patriots Trade
NE: 7th — DET: 15th, 46th, 2022 2nd
Washington – Panthers Trade
WAS: 8th — CAR: 19th, 51st, 2022 1st
Lions – Bucs Trade
DET: 32nd — TB: 41st, 72nd, 2022 6th