We’re more than a week into the new league year, and already teams have added many impactful pieces to their rosters in free agency in the quest for a Super Bowl championship. While some teams have filled holes that they might’ve fixed through the draft, other teams have even more questions and other areas of need. In addition, some NFL Draft prospects have already had their scheduled Pro Days. With that said, let’s get into this mock draft!
(NOTE: There are trades included in this mock generated using Rich Hill’s trade value chart.)
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: The Jaguars’ moves so far in free agency (namely adding CB Shaquill Griffin and franchise-tagging LT Cam Robinson) shouldn’t affect the decision to draft Lawrence, the consensus QB prospect in this draft class.
2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU: Despite new acquisition Corey Davis’ comments, the Jets would still be better off moving on from Sam Darnold and selecting Wilson with the #2 overall pick. At BYU, Wilson operated in an offensive scheme similar to the one that new Head Coach Robert Saleh and OC Mike LaFleur will bring to New York from San Francisco. In addition to that, he has elite arm strength, solid mobility in the pocket, and improved accuracy from 2019, and this makes him very desirable for the new regime.
3. San Francisco 49ers (from Houston Texans via Miami Dolphins) – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: The 49ers executed a very pricey trade-up last week, moving up to the #3 overall pick while trading the #12 overall pick, a 2022 third-round pick, and first-round picks in 2022 and 2023. They didn’t do it just to take someone who isn’t a QB. Fields operated an offense at Ohio State similar to the one that the 49ers run, so he has some familiarity and experience with a Kyle Shanahan offense under his belt at least. Fields is also a threat to run with the ball, which would only make the 49ers run game even more dangerous (especially after they move on from Jimmy Garoppolo). In addition, he also has elite mobility and a solid deep ball as well.
4. Atlanta Falcons – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon: With the 49ers trading up with the Dolphins and taking Justin Fields, Atlanta decides to take the BPA and go with Penei Sewell. The Falcons could take a QB like Trey Lance here, but their decision to re-structure Matt Ryan’s contract indicates their commitment to him for the rest of his contract. With their entire roster in a state of limbo right now, an elite tackle like Sewell would go a long way in protecting Ryan while the front office waits until after the 2021 season to determine the direction the team wants to go in.
5. Cincinnati Bengals – Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern: With Penei Sewell off the board, the Bengals choose to fortify the interior of their horrid Offensive Line by selecting Slater. He would be joining 3rd-year starter Jonah Williams in the OL in addition to former Minnesota Vikings’ LT Riley Reiff, who the Bengals signed to a one year contract.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia Eagles) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU: The Dolphins seem committed to Tua Tagovailoa as their starting QB, so they are giving him some receiving help here with a true #1 receiver after moving around the draft board with various trades. Chase would give Tua a reliable target along the perimeter and make contested catches while also drawing away opposing CB’s; this can give other receivers like DeVante Parker, Will Fuller V, and Preston Williams more opportunities to get open.
TRADE: New England Patriots receive pick #7 (426 points) from Detroit Lions for picks #15 (315 points) and #46 (128 points).
7. New England Patriots (via Detroit Lions) – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: The Patriots were one of the most aggressive teams in free agency, signing the likes of OLB Matthew Judon and TEs Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, among other moves. They also brought back Cam Newton on a one-year deal, indicating he’s probably a placeholder for a new QB. The Patriots don’t let up off the gas pedal in the draft. They see the Panthers at #8 potentially looking for a franchise QB, so they decide to trade up to the pick in front of the Panthers and select Trey Lance. Lance showed solid arm strength and mobility at his Pro Day, and is coming from a run-first offense at NDSU. He can sit behind Cam Newton for a year and develop while the Patriots continue to add weapons to supplement him.
8. Carolina Panthers – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida: With the Patriots moving ahead of them to get Lance and the 49ers taking Fields, the Panthers pivot from QB and, for the first time under Matt Rhule’s leadership, draft an offensive weapon for Teddy Bridgewater. Pitts checks all the boxes as a pass-catcher, and can serve as an upgrade over both Curtis Samuel (who left in free agency) and the current Panthers TEs on the roster.
9. Denver Broncos – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame: The Broncos have spent their offseason revamping their Secondary and Defensive Line under new GM George Paton. So far, they’ve signed CBs Kyle Fuller and Ronald Darby; extended S Justin Simmons; and also brought back OLB Von Miller, iDL Shelby Harris, and S Kareem Jackson. J.O.K. has shown the ability to carry an entire defense, and is also one of the best coverage Linebackers in this class. For the Broncos and Head Coach Vic Fangio, he’s just another weapon in a very underrated defensive unit.
TRADE: Minnesota Vikings receive pick #10 (369 points) from Dallas Cowboys for picks #14 (325 points) and #90 (45 points).
10. Minnesota Vikings (via Dallas Cowboys) – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: One of Rick Spielman’s greatest strengths as the General Manager of the Minnesota Vikings is playing the draft board. Sure, the Vikings need help at OL and Edge Rusher too, but Spielman sees Smith falling and the three teams ahead of him (Giants, Eagles, Chargers) potentially looking at WR, so he decides to make an aggressive trade up. Behind an elite duo in Adam Thielen and Justin Jefferson, the Vikings don’t really have a lot of other inspiring WR options, so Smith would immediately help make this top-heavy unit even better. Smith is arguably the most well-rounded receiver in the draft, with top-tier speed and elite route-running. The Heisman winner would also help improve the Vikings’ abysmal return game on Special Teams from last year.
11. New York Giants – Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan: Like the Broncos, the Giants also addressed CB in free agency, signing former Tennessee Titan Adoree’ Jackson to pair with James Bradberry and Logan Ryan. On the Defensive Line, they lost their primary NT in Dalvin Tomlinson. Whether that means Leonard Williams moves inside to DT and Dexter Lawrence takes over at NT or not, new DE Ifeadi Odenigbo (signed from the Vikings) is better off as a rotational pass-rusher either way, and the Giants could use more help along the outside. Paye is a very talented and an athletic Edge Rusher who will help supplement a stout and well-coached unit.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (from San Francisco 49ers via Miami Dolphins) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: With Chase and Smith off the board, the Eagles try again at WR this year and take Waddle after trading back. Like Jalen Reagor, Waddle also possesses elite speed, though his route-running and separation are a lot more polished. Waddle is also familiar with QB Jalen Hurts, as the two were teammates at Alabama in 2018.
13. Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech: The Chargers addressed their interior OL in free agency by bringing in Corey Linsley (formerly of the Packers) at Center as well as former Steelers’ OL Matt Feiler. In the draft, they choose to fortify the Tackle position and select Darrisaw, an excellent pass blocker who would be inserted into the starting lineup on Day 1 to protect Justin Herbert’s blindside.
14. Dallas Cowboys (via Minnesota Vikings) – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama: The Cowboys trade back and still manage to get an elite CB prospect in Surtain. His underrated speed, strong discipline at the CB position, and ability to play both man and zone coverage will aim to fast-track the Cowboys’ rebuilding of their horrendous defense from last year.
15. Detroit Lions (via New England Patriots) – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State: Whether he’s actually an off-ball Linebacker or a better fit as an Edge Rusher, new Head Coach Dan Campbell is happy to trade back and still be able to add a tackling machine like Parsons to add onto a defense that is in major need of a rebuild.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: Yes, Farley’s back injury is a concern, but the speed and playmaking ability in man coverage that he showed on tape in 2019 is simply too good for the Cardinals to pass up on. With the loss of Patrick Peterson in free agency, the Cardinals need a CB who can effectively shadow the opponent’s #1 WR, especially with the defensive scheme DC Vance Joseph runs. Farley would be a great fit in that defense, which played in man coverage more than any team in the NFL last year.
17. Las Vegas Raiders – Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami: Under GM Mike Mayock, the Raiders have a tendency to take raw, athletic defensive players in the first round, and that trend continues here. There’s a lot to like about Rousseau’s game, from his height and pass-rushing technique to his excellent production in 2019. Whether he can keep that production up from a one-year sample size in the NFL remains to be seen, though.
18. Miami Dolphins – Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami: The interior of the Defensive Line looks solid for the Dolphins, with Christian Wilkins and Raekwon Davis (their second-round pick last year) at those spots. After releasing Kyle Van Noy, the Dolphins need to make sure their defense doesn’t regress from 2020, and they could use an Edge Rusher. Phillips is a very gifted and talented pass rusher, being able to use his feet to counter inside or just use his acceleration and quickness to beat his blocker along the outside. His athleticism would also come in handy in stopping the run, as he’s shown that he can keep up with even the fastest QB’s at the college level.
19. Washington Football Team – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: Washington’s decision to sign QB Ryan Fitzpatrick to a one-year deal in free agency indicates that they’re probably not confident in being able to get a franchise QB in the first round of the draft this year. The WFT’s receiving group was not very good last year, outside of Terry McLaurin, and they badly need help in that area. Bateman provides Washington with a high-upside receiving option who can play both on the outside and in the slot along with solid route-running.
20. Chicago Bears – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina: In an offseason that probably couldn’t have gone worse for the Bears, one of their biggest losses was All-Pro CB Kyle Fuller, who was released due to a high cap hit. Horn is a very physical corner who tested really well at his Pro Day, and so he would pair with CB Jaylon Johnson (who the Bears drafted in the second round last year).
21. Indianapolis Colts – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas: The Colts’ biggest move this offseason was acquiring QB Carson Wentz in a trade with the Eagles, significantly decreasing the likelihood they take a QB in the first round. Instead, they should be trying to replace franchise LT Anthony Castonzo, who retired after the 2020 season. Cosmi is one of the most athletic Tackles in this draft class, and he can make blocks in space to help emerging RB Jonathan Taylor improve in his second year.
22. Tennessee Titans – Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia: The Titans’ efforts to get a big-name Edge Rusher last offseason didn’t work out well for them, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them try again through the draft (even with Bud Dupree signed). Ojulari checks the majority of boxes in what the Titans need in an Edge Rusher, mainly his ability to get into open space and operate in a 3-4 defensive scheme like Tennessee currently runs.
23. New York Jets – Alijah Vera-Tucker, iOL, USC: The Jets spent the offseason fortifying their Defensive Line, bringing in EDGE Carl Lawson and iDL Sheldon Rankins to join this up-and-coming group. Even after drafting Zach Wilson, the Offensive Line for the Jets still needs some high-end reinforcements, especially on the interior. Vera-Tucker is a highly athletic Left Guard who showed impressive tape at the position, and he would line up next to second-year standout LT Mekhi Becton on the Jets’ OL.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama: It’s time. Ben Roethlisberger’s arm strength just isn’t there anymore, and he’s only going to hold the Steelers back the longer he stays on the roster. The Steelers need to select Roethlisberger’s successor now, and Mac Jones can be that after a year of sitting and developing behind Roethlisberger. Jones isn’t the most athletic QB in the world, but he rarely turns the ball over and can throw accurately into tight windows.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) – Jason Oweh, DE, Penn State: The Jaguars drafted LB K’Lavon Chaisson in the first round last year, but trying to turn him into a pass-rushing Linebacker hasn’t worked out too well for them so far. Oweh’s Pro Day, headlined by an extremely impressive 4.36 40-yard dash time, makes him an appealing option for a team in need of an Edge Rusher, despite his lack of production last season.
26. Cleveland Browns – Christian Barmore, iDL, Alabama: The Browns added to their Secondary in free agency with a couple of ex-Rams in S John Johnson III and CB Troy Hill on good deals, but they still need to replace iDL Larry Ogunjobi on the inside. Barmore’s ability to win battles with Guards on the interior, as well as being able to effectively stop the run, would make life a lot easier for Myles Garrett and the rest of the Browns’ Defensive Line.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue: The Ravens have not had success so far in finding a #1 receiver for Lamar Jackson this offseason (despite signing Sammy Watkins), so they have little choice but to address it in the draft. At 5’7”, Moore can be an excellent gadget player in Baltimore’s run-centered offense, which thrives on misdirection and every skill position player not named Mark Andrews to be a threat to run the football. Moore can act as both a rusher out of the backfield and as a receiver who can attack the short range of the field.
28. New Orleans Saints – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern: In an offseason largely marred by clearing cap space and gutting the roster for the Saints, one of the more prominent names let go was CB Janoris Jenkins. Newsome has great ball-instincts and doesn’t allow a lot of big plays in coverage. He doesn’t have a lot of production stats but, with Marcus Williams and Marshon Lattimore already on the roster, that’s not really going to be a problem for the Saints.
29. Green Bay Packers – Creed Humphrey, iOL, Oklahoma: Make no mistake, the key to the Packers’ success last season was because of their Offensive Line, and they know it. With Corey Linsley gone in free agency, David Bakhtiari coming back from injury, and Rick Wagner being cut, the Packers’ Offensive Line situation looks a lot worse compared to 2020. Humphrey tested very well on the athletic drills at his Pro Day, and can immediately step in to replace Linsley at the Center position.
30. Buffalo Bills – Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Clemson: When it comes to the passing offense, the Bills couldn’t have dreamt it up any better last season, as QB Josh Allen got several MVP votes while WR Stefon Diggs led the NFL in both receptions and receiving yards. The run game, on the other hand… The duo of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss (their 2020 3rd round pick) was never much of a threat, and the offense was largely carried by the passing game. Etienne would immediately come in and improve the Bills’ rushing offense, with an outstanding ability to break tackles and generate yards after contact on the ground while also being an elite receiving threat as well.
31. Kansas City Chiefs – Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State: The Chiefs’ deficiencies along the Offensive Line were exposed for the whole world to see in the Super Bowl. While they’ve reinforced the guard spots by signing Joe Thuney to an exorbitant contract and getting Kyle Long after he came out of retirement, they still need help at both LT and RT, since they’ve released Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. With a QB in Patrick Mahomes, who makes his best plays on the move, the Chiefs need an OL who can block on the run, and Radunz can do that very well. Radunz’s experience in a zone-run scheme and being in a run-first offense will also help improve an underutilized run game, largely due having an OL that ranked 31st in Run Block Win Rate in 2020.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri: The Buccaneers’ main goal this offseason was to keep the core that won them the Super Bowl last season intact. For the most part, they were able to accomplish this by re-signing EDGE Shaquil Barrett, LB Lavonte David, TE Rob Gronkowski, and (recently) RB Leonard Fournette. Coming off of a Super Bowl win, there’s not a lot to improve upon for the Buccaneers (luckily), but they could use another LB to add to their depth chart. Bolton can make a bunch of tackles in the middle of the field, freeing David and Devin White to play to their strengths and frequently blitz the QB.
