Tomorrow is the day that we have all been waiting for: the 2021 NFL Draft. I have made updates and revisions to my original mock draft, which I wrote prior to the playoffs starting a couple of months ago. Since then, we have seen Pro Days, Free Agency, and trades all factor into who I think each team should draft, or who I would draft if I were the GM. I am looking forward to seeing how it all plays out tomorrow, as well as over the weekend!
Round 1
- Jacksonville
Team Needs: QB, Safety, TE
Pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
As I had in my first Mock Draft, Trevor Lawrence is the still the guy in Jacksonville, and the rumor that he already has a copy of the playbook further confirms that.
- NY Jets
Team Needs: QB, OL, CB
Pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
If I were in charge of the Jets, I am taking Zach Wilson. Wilson is a fantastic passer, and he can beat teams with his legs. I have been big on Wilson, since I scouted him before the start of the year. If you want to know more about Wilson, check out my scouting report on him.
The Jets still need to fill a lot of other areas but, with the trade of Sam Darnold to the Panthers, this confirms they will be taking Quarterback at number 2 overall. They could also possibly pick Justin Fields here as well.
- San Francisco
Team Needs: WR, LB, OL
Pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
The rumors for the last month, since the 49ers traded up to number 3, have been that they will be taking Mac Jones (the QB out of Alabama). This week’s rumors are that they are going with either Jones or Trey Lance; however, I think it would be in their best interest to take Justin Fields here, and I think they could be playing their cards close to their chest so the Jets don’t pick Fields.
QB is a good option here; however, I think Jimmy G is a fine game manager for the Shanahan system. For this reason, I think a smarter move would be to get Penei Sewell here, which I would do if I were the GM. This way, they could plug him in at Guard for a season and then move him to the outside if Trent Williams were to leave!
- Atlanta
Team Needs: OL, Edge, DB
Pick: Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
There are rumors of Atlanta going QB here as well, but doesn’t matter if it is Matt Ryan under center or some rookie because they need OL help badly either way. Sewell is a generational talent, in my eyes, who will be a great player for a long time.
- Cincinnati
Team Needs: TE, OL, LB
Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Pitts is an unreal talent and, if Sewell isn’t available here, it would be nice to fill a need and get a safety blanket for a young Joe Burrow.
Burrow’s LSU teammate Ja’Marr Chase or Rashawn Slater could be an option here as well.
- Miami
Team Needs: OL, RB, LB
Pick: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
Slater fits a major need in Miami, and some people in the draft community think he is even better than Sewell.
- Detroit
Team Needs: OL, Safety, WR
Pick: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
With Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. departing this offseason, Detroit has no real number 1 Receiver, so why not go Ja’Marr Chase here, the consensus top Wide-Out in this year’s draft?
- Carolina
Team Needs: OL, LB, Safety
Pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Now, to be honest, I think Carolina might trade down from here if Kyle Pitts is gone. Micah Parsons may have elite talent, but his character concerns may scare some teams. This would be a high-risk, high-reward pick, but I think it will work out well for the Panthers.
- Denver
Team Needs: NT, QB, OL
Pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
I like Teddy Bridgewater, but I think John Elway realizes that neither Teddy nor Drew Lock are the long term answers here, thus I still feel that Denver may go QB. Trey Lance will be able to come in and learn under Bridgewater for a year, and then be thrust into the starting job in 2022.
- Dallas
Team Needs: OL, CB, LB
Pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
This has been a lock in everyone’s Mock Drafts for almost a year now. The Cowboys have a huge need at Corner, and Surtain II is the best one in the market.
- NY Giants
Team Needs: OL, Edge, LB
Pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
The Giants need to fill a few spots on the OL, and I think Vera-Tucker can play either Guard or Tackle without any issues. I like what I have seen from scouting Matt Peart (last year’s 3rd round pick) at Right Tackle, so I think they can slide in Vera-Tucker beside him at Guard. This gives Daniel Jones more time to get the ball to the new weapons that they signed in free agency.
- Philadelphia
Team Needs: WR, LB, OL
Pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Waddle, to me, is the better of the two Bama Receiver prospects. This is why I would take him here, as Jalen Hurts doesn’t have a true number 1 to work with as of now.
- LA Chargers
Team Needs: OL, WR, Edge
Pick: Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech
The Chargers are awful on the OL, and, in the two spots they are good at, those two players have an average age of 30. Darrisaw can come in, shore up a Tackle spot, and Justin Herbert will live to see another down.
- Minnesota
Team Needs: OL, OLB, Edge
Pick: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
Another pick that will be hard to mock, as Minnesota needs OL help bad, but there aren’t any outstanding options here besides Teven Jenkins, unfortunately. In a somewhat weaker Edge Rusher class, the Vikings get Kwity Paye, who commands some respect and makes the lives of Danielle Hunter, Michael Pierce, and Dalvin Tomlinson a lot easier.
- New England
Team Needs: QB, Safety, WR
Pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
As I had in my first Mock Draft, I still like Mac Jones here. Cam Newton isn’t the long term option, but Jones can sit behind him for a year and learn before he becomes the next great New England QB.
- Arizona
Team Needs: CB, TE, OL
Pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
This pick should be a toss up between Horn and Caleb Farley, and nobody else. The Cardinals have needed a CB2 since 2011, when they drafted Patrick Peterson, and they never gave him help until they drafted Byron Murphy in 2019. Now that Peterson is gone, and Murphy is considered more of a slot Corner, it is finally time to get a reliable outside Corner.
Farley would be a great pick here; however, his back injury scares me enough to pass on him for the more nasty and physical Jaycee Horn.
- Las Vegas
Team Needs: LB, CB, OL
Pick: Teven Jenkins, OL, Oklahoma State
The Raiders destroyed their OL this offseason, and they need to fix it ASAP! Teven Jenkins is a nasty road grader who reminds me of an old school Oakland Lineman from the Al Davis days.
- Miami
Team Needs: OL, RB, LB
Pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
With OL addressed at the top of the round, it’s time to get Tua a weapon, so why not someone with whom he is familiar with? People are nervous about the Heisman Winner’s small frame, but speed kills and, if defenders can’t catch him, the frame will take no damage.
Najee Harris or Travis Etienne Jr. could make sense here as well to fill the Running Back need; however, there are still solid options later in the draft.
- Washington
Team Needs: QB, OL, LB
Pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Ryan Fitzpatrick is not the answer going forward, but he should be serviceable for a season at the very least. Time to fill the Linebacker need and get one of the most versatile defenders in this year’s draft in JOK.
- Chicago
Team Needs: OL, QB, CB
Pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Chicago has some decent Corners, but no real number 1 in my eyes. Caleb Farley is expected to have no issues with his back, so this would be a solid value spot for him.
- Indianapolis
Team Needs: LB, Edge, OL
Pick: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
Indianapolis needs a blindside blocker for Wentz but, with no great value here, they should just go Pass Rusher. Ojulari will provide some solid speed and pass rushing abilities from day 1.
- Tennessee
Team Needs: OL, TE, WR
Pick: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
Tennessee needs a solid Nose Tackle and some pass rush help; luckily for them, Barmore is a fantastic interior rusher who can fit right in and free up both Harold Landry and Bud Dupree from double teams.
- NY Jets
Team Needs: QB, OL, CB
Pick: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
The Jets could go OL here and make sure their new QB is able to stay upright; however, they really do need to improve at Cornerback if they ever hope to stop any opposing offenses. Newsome II is a tall Corner who will be able to start on the outside immediately.
- Pittsburgh
Team Needs: OL, RB, QB
Pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The Steelers Offensive Line is possibly the worst in the league going into the draft but, again, there aren’t too many options here without them being reaches. So, why not take Najee Harris, who is a big bruising back who can take hits, and hope that he and Big Ben can make the most out of a season with a bad OL?
- Jacksonville
Team Needs: QB, Safety, TE
Pick: Jevon Holland, Safety, Oregon
You got QB1, now it is time to get the leader of your defense for the future. Holland is a rangy and versatile Safety who can play nickel, dime, single high, or split coverage without any issues.
- Cleveland
Team Needs: ILB, OLB, NT
Pick: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Collins is an extremely versatile Linebacker who can play inside, outside, or come off the edge. He plays coverage well, and will be a huge upgrade from what the Browns are currently working with right now.
- Baltimore
Team Needs: OL, Edge, ILB
Pick: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami
A lot of people are higher on Jaelan Phillips than I am, but there is some high-risk, high-reward in the next grouping of Edge Rusher prospects, so I feel that he may be the best option here.
- New Orleans
Team Needs: QB, OLB, CB
Pick: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
There isn’t a great QB here to replace Drew Brees, so the Saints will need to rock with Jameis Winston (and Taysom Hill) for at least one season. They are lacking depth at Cornerback, so this would be a great time to address that need.
- Green Bay
Team Needs: LB, WR, OL
Pick: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Aaron Rodgers finally gets what he has been asking for: another solid weapon across from Davante Adams. Moore reminds me a lot of former Packer Randall Cobb, and he should be an awesome weapon from the slot for HC LaFleur and Rodgers.
- Buffalo
Team Needs: Edge, OL, OLB
Pick: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Davis has been flying up draft charts recently, and I think, if he is going to go in the 1st round, he would be picked towards the end of it. He would be a good fit in Buffalo, and they would also be addressing a need.
- Baltimore
Team Needs: OL, Edge, ILB
Pick: Samuel Cosmi, OL, Texas
With the trade of Orlando Brown Jr. to the Chiefs, I am sure the Ravens will be looking to take an Offensive Lineman in the First Round. Cosmi can play Right Tackle and start from day 1.
- Tampa Bay
Team Needs: DL, OL, QB
Pick: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami
Tampa Bay will return all of their starters in 2021, which would be fantastic if the majority of them weren’t nearing the end of their respective careers. The Super Bowl Champs can have the luxury of selecting, potentially, the top defensive player to come out of this draft. This would be a win-win for Rousseau as well, as he doesn’t need to start right away, and he can just learn from the talented veterans on the Bucs roster while also being used as part of a NASCAR package on passing downs.
Round 2
- Jacksonville
Team Needs: QB, Safety, TE
Pick: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Trevor Lawerence gets a weapon at the top of the Second Round, with a fantastic X Receiver in Bateman.
- NY Jets
Team Needs: QB, OL, CB
Pick: Creed Humphrey, OL, Oklahoma
The Jets need help all over the Offensive Line, so I have them starting off day 2 addressing that need with the versatile Creed Humphrey, who I believe can start at either Center or Guard in the NFL.
- Atlanta
Team Needs: OL, Edge, DB
Pick: Trevon Moehrig-Woodard, Safety, TCU
Erik Harris is a quality Safety, in my eyes, but he isn’t good enough to be a starter. Moehrig-Woodard is considered, by most, as the top Safety in this year’s class, and he would be a good pick here if he slides out of the First Round.
- Miami
Team Needs: OL, RB, LB
Pick: Travis Etienne Jr., RB, Clemson
With Miami going OL and WR on day one, why not continue to build a dominant offense by picking the best Running Back, in my eyes, in this year’s draft? Etienne Jr. is great both as a runner and a pass catcher, which will give Tua a reliable check down option.
- Philadelphia
Team Needs: WR, LB, OL
Pick: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
Cox is an uber-athletic Linebacker who can do multiple things for a defense. He would fit in well in Philly, as they have a major need at Linebacker.
- Cincinnati
Team Needs: TE, OL, LB
Pick: Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama
Like Humphrey, I think Dickerson could also play Guard or Center in the NFL, and Dickerson is talented enough to be a day one starter for the Bengals.
- Carolina
Team Needs: OL, LB, Safety
Pick: Walker Little, OL, Stanford
Before his injury issues began, Walker Little was one of the top Offensive Lineman in the nation, and he was being considered as an early First Round pick. I think this is a great spot for him to land, if he slides this far.
- Denver
Team Needs: NT, QB, OL
Pick: Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington
Denver need to upgrade their Nose Tackle core, and Levi Onwuzurike is a solid prospect who would be great value here at pick 40.
- Detroit
Team Needs: OL, Safety, WR
Pick: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
I am not that high on Leatherwood, and I think teams will reach on him; also, I do see more value in him as a Guard then as a Tackle. If the Lions take him here, he could start from day 1 at Right Guard or Tackle.
- NY Giants
Team Needs: OL, Edge, LB
Pick: Joe Tyron, Edge, Washington
Tyron has some serious upside to him, and he would be an upgrade at Edge from Oshane Ximines or Ifeadi Odenigbo across from Lorenzo Carter.
- San Francisco
Team Needs: WR, LB, OL
Pick: Terrance Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Marshall Jr. has the size that the 49ers are lacking on the outside at Wide Receiver. With Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk being more slot oriented Receivers, Marshall would be a great addition to this already solid offense.
- Dallas
Team Needs: OL, CB, LB
Pick: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Bolton is good enough to play inside or outside in a 4-3 defense, and the same can be said with current Cowboys Jaylon Smith and Leighton Vander Esch. This is a need addressed here, and these three players can be viewed as interchangeable pieces in the defense.
- Jacksonville
Team Needs: QB, NT, Safety
Pick: Daviyon Nixon, DL, Iowa
Nixon can probably play your End or your Nose in a 3-4 defense, and Jacksonville can use an upgrade at both spots, so this pick makes total sense to me.
- New England
Team Needs: QB, Safety, WR
Pick: Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State
Oweh stole the show at the Penn State Pro Day, and he would be an extremely athletic defender that Bill would find to use in multiple different ways.
- LA Chargers
Team Needs: OL, WR, Edge
Picks: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Chargers Wide Receiver room is made up mostly of guys over 6’0″ tall, so Toney fits the mold there; however, I think he brings a bit more speed to that room, which will give Herbert another weapon in the slot.
- Las Vegas
Team Needs: LB, CB, OL
Pick: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
The Raiders need an upgrade at Corner, and either Georgia prospect would be great here; however, Stokes just has another level of speed that you know Mike Mayock will love.
- Arizona
Team Needs: CB, TE, OL
Pick: Jalen Mayfield, OL, Michigan
The Cardinals could go either TE or OL here, and I wouldn’t be disappointed with the decision. I still think there is potential for Maxx Williams to work out at Tight End so, if I were in control, I would add to the OL that needs a bit more help.
- Miami
Team Needs: OL, RB, LB
Pick: Liam Eichenberg, OL, Notre Dame
Miami continues to give Tua all the help they can get, and so they draft another Offensive Tackle who can play on the Left Side and doesn’t need to worry about being the blind side blocker for Tua.
If Miami goes all in with their first four picks on offense and Tua still isn’t preforming to where they want him to be, then they can at least say that they gave him all the talent for him to be successful, allowing them to move on from him, then, with no issues.
- Washington
Team Needs: QB, OL, CB
Pick: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Washington could use an upgrade at starting Outside Cornerback, so taking the big-framed Campbell here would be a solid option for Ron Rivera’s zone defense.
- Chicago
Team Needs: OL, QB, CB
Picks: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Chicago has reached for Quarterbacks before, but I don’t think this is too big of a reach. Trask showed he has tremendous talent but, if he can sit behind a fairly successful veteran in Andy Dalton for a season or two, I think this could be a good pick.
- Tennessee
Team Needs: OL, TE, WR
Picks: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Freiermuth is a good option here, especially if the Titans want to continue to run a lot of 12 personnel (two Tight End offenses), even after Arthur Smith has left for Atlanta. Freiermuth is a solid receiver and a good enough blocker to help Derrick Henry continue to dominate.
- Indianapolis
Team Needs: LB, Edge, OL
Pick: Dillon Radunz, OL, North Dakota State
The Colts need to upgrade the LT position to solidify their Offensive Line, and Radunz seems like a solid small school prospect who would work well in Indy. Plus, there is a possibility that he speaks some of the same offensive language that Carson Wentz does, which would make his transition that much easier.
- Pittsburgh
Team Needs: OL, RB, QB
Pick: Quinn Meinerz, OL, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Meinerz has been flying up draft boards since his Senior Bowl performance, and he is a gritty small school Lineman who can play Center or Guard at the NFL level. The Steelers could upgrade at both positions, so this would be a great pick for them.
- Seattle
Team Needs: CB, OL, Edge
Pick: Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest
I really enjoy Basham Jr.’s game, and a lot of people are expecting him go in the First Round so, if he falls to Seattle, this would be a dream. He could be compared to Michael Bennett and play on the Edge as a run defender in early downs, and then move inside to be a quicker Pass Rusher on passing downs.
- LA Rams
Team Needs: Edge, OL, QB
Pick: Joseph Ossai, Edge, Texas
The Rams could still use another Pass Rusher, and Ossai gives lots of speed and athleticism off the edge.
- Kansas City
Team Needs: LB, CB, Edge
Pick: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
Melifonwu has a long frame that will be a huge asset on the outside of the KC defense and across from rookie sensation L’Jarius Sneed.
- Cleveland
Team Needs: ILB, OLB, NT
Pick: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
The Browns decide to get more help in the Linebacker corps, with another guy who can play both the inside or outside in their 4-3 defense. Surratt is super athletic, so that means that they could leave both him and Collins in their dime heavy defense.
- New Orleans
Team Needs: QB, OLB, CB
Pick: Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi
Moore would give the Saints another solid option in the Slot, and that would take some pressure off Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara.
- Buffalo
Team Needs: Edge, OL, OLB
Pick: Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio State
I think that the Bills could improve at Guard in the Second Round, and Davis would be a better option than Jon Feliciano, who they currently have slotted in to start at Right Guard.
- Green Bay
Team Needs: LB, TE, OL
Pick: Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
Like Buffalo, the Packers can also upgrade at Right Guard, and Trey Smith could be a day 1 starter.
- Kansas City
Team Needs: LB, CB, Edge
Pick: Rashad Weaver, Edge, Pittsburgh
Weaver would fit well in their KC 4-3 under defense. He would be able to focus more on stopping the run rather than playing contain, and he could move inside (if need be) on passing downs to free up some blocks on Frank Clark and Chris Jones.
- Tampa Bay
Team Needs: DL, OL, QB
Pick: Brady Christensen, OL, BYU
Donovan Smith isn’t a long-term answer for the Bucs at Left Tackle. Christensen doesn’t need to start right away, but he could come in half way through the year and do a fine job protecting Tom Brady.
