To preface my 2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0, which I am writing as of 1/7/2021, I have chosen to use Tankathon.com draft order as of this date, before any playoff games are played. With that being said, future version of my mock drafts may have the draft order changed depending on the results of the playoffs and future offseason trades.
Round 1
- Jacksonville
Team Needs: QB, NT, Safety
Pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Do I need to even give an explanation here? Lawrence has been a unanimous Number 1 pick for what seems to be since his freshman year. As much as I love Minshew Mania, Gardner is no the answer, and unless Lawrence interviews bad at the combine and the Jags brass hates him, then he will be the top pick this year.
- NY Jets
Team Needs: RB, OL, NT
Pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Jets are bad, but since they managed to win two games, there is a giant question mark on how they use this pick. Lots of people are saying the issue is Sam Darnold, but on the other hand, you had terrible coaching from Adam Gase. So, where most people have a QB mocked here, I think it becomes more difficult.
Now in the weird world we are in right now, the Jags might hire Urban Mayer to become their next head coach, which could mean he may try to draft Justin Fields the Ohio State QB. Thus, Trevor Lawrence falls into the laps of the Jets. However, I do not see that happening.
If I was 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 huge on Wilson since I scouted him before the start of the year, and if you want to know more about him, check out my scouting report on him.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Jets go with Penei Sewell here as well and give Sam Darnold one more chance. If he fails again, they could draft a Sam Howell or Kedon Solvis in next years draft.
- Miami (From Houston)
Team Needs: OL, WR, ILB
Pick: Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
The Dolphins got this pick from the Tunsil trade to Houston, and they will land a can’t-miss prospect in Penei Sewell to play OT for the next 15 years. Obviously Sewell plays LT for Oregon, but I think he is talented enough to be able to move over to the right side for the Dolphins so he can protect Tua’s blindside. Sewell is also a fantastic run blocker, so if the Dolphins want to keep him on the left, he will be awesome for paving the way for Gaskin, Breida, and Ahmed.
- Atlanta
Team Needs: CB, Edge, QB
Pick: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami
There are a few teams in this draft that have aging veteran (potentially Hall of Fame) quarterbacks that their franchises will need to start to think about replacing. The Falcons are one of those teams with Matt Ryan nearing the end of his career. I think this 4th pick is too early for the Falcons to go QB as I think Ryan has at least a few years left of being a solid passer. So rather than a QB such as Justin Fields here, I am going with Miami’s Gregory Rousseau.
The Falcons have had issues coming off the edge for years now, and I think Rousseau is a player that has the potential to become this generation’s legendary pass-rusher.
- Cincinnati
Team Needs: TE, OL, LB
Pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
I am not as high on Micah Parsons as most are (including a lot of my colleagues here at the East West Football Network). However, I do believe he is the best linebacker prospect in this draft, but I think he is more of a mid-1st round guy. I have the Bengals taking Parsons here as he fits a major need in Cincinnati, and he will be a solid scheme fit in their 4-3 defense.
- Philadelphia
Team Needs: LB, OL, RB
Pick: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
A dream scenario for Philly would be that Cincinnati decides they want to get Joe Burrow a weapon and they fall in love with someone like tight end Kyle Pitts. Thus, Micah Parsons falls to them, but I don’t see that happening unless Pitts comes in first in every combine drill.
There isn’t anyone here that really fits a big need for the Eagles, so I have them taking the best player on the board, which is Devonta Smith, the Heisman winner from Alabama. He is a dynamic playmaker, with great YAC ability, who can also contribute in the return game. The Eagles also made it seem that Jalen Hurts is their man of the future, so why not get him a weapon that he already has chemistry with?
- Detroit
Team Needs: Edge, Safety, QB
Pick: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Lions are another one of those teams with an interesting QB situation in Matthew Stafford. Do you draft his successor early, and hopefully it lights a fire under him like the Love-Rodgers scenario in Green Bay this year, or do you draft a weapon for him in hopes it will help him more?
I really want to Mock Kwity Paye from Michigan here as it fits a need, and he’s the in-state school product, but I don’t think Paye is a top-10 pick.
I also think this pick will come down to the new GM and Head Coach. If they want to go and get their guy, than I could see them taking a QB here as well.
I am picking Chase here as he is arguably the best receiver on the board, and with the Lions’ top receiver in 2020, an aging Marvin Jones, potentially headed to free agency, Chase will be a good one-two punch with Golladay (as I predict they will resign him over Jones) for years to come.
- Carolina
Team Needs: TE, ILB, Safety
Pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Pitts is a pick of need here, and he is a dynamic playmaker that, in my opinion, made the Florida offense tick this season. Without Pitts in the last two games of the season, the Florida offense was really lack-luster as he opened up a lot for his teammates. I think the same thing will happen in Carolina under Matt Rhule. He will find ways to get Pitts open, and if defense start to focus on him, it can only open up more for guys like DJ Moore, Robby Anderson, and Curtis Samuel.
- Denver
Team Needs: NT, QB, OL
Pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Now this will be a dream scenario for Fields to fall all the way down to number 9 for Denver. He would have to drop past at least seven teams that potentially could go in a different direction at QB for him to make it here, but if he does, Denver has to move on from Drew Lock and take him here. Fields is a dynamic QB who preforms well under pressure and can beat you with his arm and legs. He would be the face of the franchise for years to come. Also, it helps that he is used to playing in the cold weather already.
- Dallas
Team Needs: OL, CB, LB
Pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Patrick Surtain II is easily the best CB in this draft class, and I think he fits the Cowboys archetype of long, tall, strong CBs perfectly. He fits a need in this draft, and pairing him with his Alabama teammate in Trevon Diggs could be an awesome pairing at CB for years to come.
- NY Giants
Team Needs: OL, Edge, CB
Pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Farley has the potential to be the first CB off the board as well, so I would not be surprised if this pick and the previous Dallas pick flip-flop. But, it will all depend on combine testing and interviews. Farley will give James Bradberry a solid partner, and pairing those two with Jabrill Peppers and either Logan Ryan or Xavier McKinney, will make the Giants secondary a strength of the team.
- San Francisco
Team Needs: LB, QB, OL
Pick: Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio State
Now this pick will depend on two things. The first being Trent Williams hitting free agency, or will the 49ers resign him, and the second being on how they view Jimmy G going forward. If Trent Williams hits free agency, I have SF going with the best OT on the board in Rashawn Slater. If they resign Williams, I will predict they go for a QB such as Kyle Trask, Mac Jones or Trey Lance here and either immediately move on from Garoppolo or give him one more year and let the drafted QB develop under him and learn the game.
In reality, I think the 49ers will resign Williams and give Garoppolo one more year to prove himself that he is a competent game manager (which is all he needs to be if the defense and run game is doing well), therefore I have them going with the best player on the board and filling a need on the OL with Wyatt Davis, who will slot in at Guard and make an impact right away.
- LA Chargers
Team Needs: OL, WR, OLB
Pick: Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech
The Chargers got their future in Justin Herbert at QB, and now they need to get him weapons and protection. Left Tackle, or the blindside blocker, is the weakest part in my opinion on the Chargers offensive line, and they really need to protect their future. Darrisaw was this years Outland Trophy winner and I believe he will be a solid plug and play starter on day 1.
- Minnesota
Team Needs: Safety, OLB, Edge
Pick: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
The Vikings are in dire need of an edge rusher across from Danielle Hunter, so I think this is a good spot to address it and get a quality player. Kwity Paye isn’t the best pass rusher out there, but he will be a great addition to help in the run game and with teams focusing on guys like Hunter and Michael Pierce, it will free him up a bit more to get after the QB.
- New England
Team Needs: QB, WR, DL
Pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
The new era of Patriots begins after a year to forget with QB Cam Newton at the helm. The Patriots could go a number of ways here at QB with Jones, Trask and Lance all still on the board, but I think Bill Belichick will take the advice of his former coaching partner and friend Nick Saban and take the Alabama prospect Mac Jones. Part of me does want to put Trey Lance here as that seems like it would be the Belichick thing to do, but I think Bill learned this year he wont be able to get a solid QB in Free Agency or in the 6th round again.
- Arizona
Team Needs: OL, NT, CB
Pick: Creed Humphrey, OL, Oklahoma
As a Cardinals fan this pick is painful to make, especially where I have prospects ranked and the needs of the team. The cardinals have needed a number 2 CB for what seems like forever now, and now that Byron Murphy is becoming a stud, Patrick Peterson needs to be replaced. Corey Peters is solid, but he is aging as well as Chandler Jones.
I don’t necessarily think Creed Humphrey is ranked this high (in fact the Cardinals should trade down here if they can’t get Kwity Paye in my opinion, as they can get Humphrey lower down) but he is a major need for this team at Center. Gaillard and Cole are both young still and have shown flashes of potential, but I think Humphrey is a much better prospect at Center.
- Las Vegas
Team Needs: LB, Safety, CB
Pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
I have the Raiders take JOK here as he will be able to take the Raiders defense to the next level. He is a dynamic linebacker than can play in a handful of different systems as well as he has the athleticism to make plays sideline to sideline. Pairing him with Johnathan Abram could be interesting as they both have similar play styles from different positions and thus you could get creative on coverages and blitzes, utilizing their similarities. This pick would also allow the Raiders to move Corey Littleton back to the MAC Linebacker spot.
- Miami
Team Needs: OL, WR, ILB
Pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Pick number 2 in the first round for the Dolphins, and since we already got Tua some protection, why not give him another weapon to work with. Jaylen Waddle is a fantastic receiver and he already has chemistry with Tua. This would be a win-win situation for both the Dolphins and Waddle.
- Washington
Team Needs: QB, OL, WR
Pick: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
This Pick will come down to how comfortable Ron Rivera is with Alex Smith leading the charge, or a free agent QB. Clearly Haskins wasn’t the answer in D.C. as he was cut after 1 season, and even if Alex Smith is the QB of next year he is 36 so you have to find a replacement soon.
Trask was fantastic this year and with the demand for a franchise QB I think he will be taken in the first round.
- Chicago
Team Needs: OL, QB, Safety
Pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
As much as the Bears franchise wants to make it seem like Foles and Trubisky are viable options at QB, they are not. Yes, maybe they got you to the playoffs this year, but a quality football team cannot be flip flopping back and forth between QBs all season.
Trey Lance has some question marks for sure. Is he a one-year wonder? Was he benefitted by the powerhouse FCS team he played for? I think he is worth a shot, as there is no other QB on the board right now worth the 1st round pick, but he is easily the biggest boom or bust prospect in the first two rounds this year.
- Jacksonville (From LA Rams)
Team Needs: QB, NT, Safety
Pick: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
You take Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick so it only makes sense to go get him a weapon right. The Jags could go a few ways here, with either Rondale Moore, Rashod Bateman or one of the top two running backs, Travis Etienne or Najee Harris.
It would make sense for me to take a stud running back here that can make an impact in the run and passing games. James Robinson was a huge surprise for the Jags this year being an undrafted free agent and the only player to get over 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the Jags, but if you add a dynamic Back in Travis Etienne, you will only make this team better, but he already has chemistry with Trevor Lawrence and therefore they already have solid handoffs, passing, and blocking communication.
- Indianapolis
Team Needs: Edge, QB, TE
Pick: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
The Colts are in desperate need of some youth on the Edge to replace Justin Houston and at QB to replace Phillip Rivers, however I don’t think there is any prospect in those positions that are worth taking here (maybe Carlos Basham Jr, but that’s a stretch for me at this point).
Pat Freiermuth is a fantastic Tight End, who is a threat as a blocker and a pass catcher, a safety blanket for a young QB if you will. He is a need for the Colts as they as the Tight Ends on the Colts roster really were unimpressive this year, and then maybe they get a Free Agent Quarterback or try to run with Brissett or Eason again and revisit the QB position in next years draft if neither option work.
- Cleveland
Team Needs: ILB, Edge, OLB
Pick: Joseph Ossai, Edge, Texas
Cleveland’s team needs are interesting as they need more production off the Edge and in the second level, but the good news for them is they have a lot of young players with solid potential that they are trying to develop.
Ossai seems super comfortable standing up so I think he would be a good versatile prospect to take here and he could either be developed as an OLB or as a 4-3 End on the opposite side of Myles Garrett.
- Tennessee
Team Needs: DL, NT, WR
Pick: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
The Titans could use another weapon on offense and Rondale Moore is exactly that. He is smaller in size (5’9 180lbs), but the Titans don’t seem to mind that as they have two receivers under that size and a smaller Adam Humphries that should be improved on for a number 3 option. Moore is can also help in the Jet Sweep/Misdirection game which will open up running lanes for Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry as well as open up options down field for AJ Brown, Corey Davis, and Jonnu Smith.
- Tampa Bay
Team Needs: OL, QB, DL
Pick: Samuel Cosmi, OL, Texas
Tampa Bay needs an upgrade for the future at Left Tackle from Donovan Smith, and Cosmi is an outstanding Tackle that will be a plug and play starter right away. Cosmi is also versatile enough to play either Tackle spot, and therefore if last years top pick Tristen Wirfs gets injured, they could swap Cosmi to the right side and put Smith in as a backup.
- Baltimore
Team Needs: Safety, DL, OL
Pick: Jevon Holland, Safety, Oregon
Holland seems to be super underrated in most draft circles, including ours here at the East West Football Network. I am not sure if people are forgetting how good he is due to him opting out for the covid season, or if its because people aren’t staying up to watch the Pac-12 games, but I can for sure tell you that Holland has the talent to go way higher than 26. Holland is versatile enough to play in a cover 3 or 1 scheme as a center fielder, or as part as a two high safety scheme, but he can also be an impact player as a slot defensive back, and he plays man well.
- Jets (From Seattle)
Team Needs: RB, OL, NT
Pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Like the Jags, the Jets draft their franchise QB at the beginning of the round, and now they need to pair him with a blocker or a weapon. One of the best ways to take the pressure off a young QB who is adjusting to the NFL speed (especially if they Draft Wilson who is a not a Power 5 QB) is to have a strong running game, and the Legendary Frank Gore is no longer the answer.
Najee Harris is arguably the best Running Back in this draft, and he will be able pound the rock to help this offense thrive and learn from the legendary Gore for a year.
- Pittsburgh
Team Needs: NT, QB, OL
Pick: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
The Steelers need a big upgrade at Right Tackle, and even though he opted out this year, I think that Rashawn Slater is the best option at Right Tackle at this point in the draft. He is a great run blocker who will be able to learn from 3 of the best OL in the NFL once he lands in Pittsburgh. The Steelers are also one of those teams that should be planning to replace their legendary QB but there isn’t a great option at this spot.
- New Orleans
Team Needs: QB, WR, TE
Pick: Terrance Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Like the team one pick above, Drew Brees could be done after this season and that could be the determining factor of what the Saints do here. I feel like an easy pick here would be to stay in state and take LSU’s Terrance Marshall to become the solid number 2 across from Michael Thomas that the Saints have been needing.
- Buffalo
Team Needs: Edge, OL, OLB
Pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Buffalo’s big need is Left Guard and most people are mocking Alijah Vera-Tucker to move from his Left Tackle spot to become an interior lineman. Vera-Tucker is a powerful blocker that will help the Bills get better on the ground and give Josh Allen more time in the pocket.
- Green Bay
Team Needs: DL, CB, WR
Pick: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
The big need for an extremely well-rounded Green Bay Packers squad is a stud 3-4 End. Barmore is the top guy available that would be a scheme fit, and he has improved from just being an interior pass rusher, but now he has begun playing the run extremely well too.
- Kansas City
Team Needs: Edge, LB, CB
Pick: Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest
With the final pick in the first round the Superbowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs will take Carlos Basham Jr. to solidify an upgrade from Alex Okafor and a new partner for stud pass rusher Frank Clark. Like the Packers, the Chiefs are really well rounded, but they can take a scheme fit and need or they can go with the best player available in their eyes.
Round 2
- Jacksonville
Team Needs: QB, NT, Safety
Pick: Marvin Wilson, NT, Florida State
To start off Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft the Jags decide to bloster their defense and take the instate prospect Marvin Wilson who is a plug of a nose tackle. He will help stuff the run by eating up multiple blockers, and he has some capability to get after the QB as well.
- NY Jets
Team Needs: RB, OL, NT
Pick: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
The Jets continue to upgrade their offense, this time getting their new Qb some protection with a top offensive tackle in Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood.
- Atlanta
Team Needs: CB, Edge, QB
Pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Atlanta needs to improve at CB and since they got an edge rusher in the first round, I have them going to fill the CB spot with Jaycee Horn who is long corner that seems to fit what the Falcons like in their DBs.
- Miami (From Houston)
Team Needs: OL, WR, ILB
Pick: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Miami Address their top two needs in the first round so why not get a stud linebacker to fill their final need here early in the second round. Dylan Moses was once regarded as the top linebacker in this draft but after a bad injury in 2019, he may have fallen down a lot of people’s boards. After watching him this season, I can confirm he is still a solid MAC backer.
- Philadelphia
Team Needs: LB, OL, RB
Pick: Walker Little, OL, Stanford
Another guy I am a lot higher on than most right now is Stanford’s Walker Little. He was considered a Top 15 pick before he went down with a season ending injury in 2019, but after watching him in 2020, I can say the talent is still there.
- Cincinnati
Team Needs: TE, OL, LB
Pick: Jaylen Mayfield, OL, Michigan
Cincy has a need on the OL at a few spots, but I feel like the Right Tackle spot is the biggest need. Jaylen Mayfield is a physical road grader that will be able to start from day one at Right Tackle for the Bangles.
- Carolina
Team Needs: TE, ILB, Safety
Pick: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Bolton again fills a need for the Panthers as they really noticed the lack of production from the MAC linebacker spot this season without Luke Kuechly. Bolton is uber athletic and can make plays all over the field.
- Denver
Team Needs: NT, QB, OL
Pick: Rashad Weaver, Edge, Pitt
Von Miller is a free agent so in the scenario he walks away from the Broncos this offseason they will need to get another playmaker across from Bradley Chubb. Weaver had a huge season this year and he has a bunch of hype surrounding him going into this years draft.
- Detroit
Team Needs: Edge, Safety, QB
Pick: Patrick Jones II, Edge, Pitt
Detroit really struggled to get after the QB this season so I have them taking an edge rusher here and potentially again later on in the draft. There are a few solid options here, and it will depend on the new scheme but I will go back to back Pitt Edge rushers and take Patrick Jones II as he really impressed me this year with his ability to get to the QB.
- NY Giants
Team Needs: OL, Edge, CB
Pick: Liam Eichenberg, OL, Notre Dame
The Giants big need on the offensive line is at Right Tackle, and I think Eichenberg is a better run blocker than he is a pass blocker, and therefore he should be considered as a prospect to be moved to the right side of the line.
- San Francisco
Team Needs: LB, QB, CB
Pick: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Richard Sherman is not only at the end of his career, but he is also a free agent this off season. If Robert Salah isn’t given a Head Coaching opportunity else where in the league, I believe that Shaun Wade is a perfect scheme fit to play in Salah’s cover 3 zone.
- Dallas
Team Needs: OL, CB, LB
Pick: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
Its time to find Sean Lee’s replacement and Chazz Surratt is a young athletic backer who will be able to work with Leighton Vander Esch and Jaylon Smith to form one of the best linebacking corps in the NFL for years to come.
- Jacksonville (From Minnesota)
Team Needs: QB, NT, Safety
Pick: Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU
Jacksonville has addressed their other two needs and even got a surplus weapon for their new QB by this point in the draft so why not knock their last top need off the list and take a big safety to patrol the center of the field.
- New England
Team Needs: QB, WR, DL
Pick: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Pats got their next franchise QB, so why not get him a weapon and cross another top need off the list. Chris Olave has first round potential and will most likely be the top receiver in New England from day 1.
- LA Chargers
Team Needs: OL, WR, OLB
Picks: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Chargers need some more weapons for Justin Herbert, so why not address a need by taking the best player on the board and take the Red Zone threat out of Minnesota.
- Las Vegas
Team Needs: LB, Safety, CB
Pick: Andre Cisco, Safety, Syracuse
The Raiders need to upgrade from Jeff Heath, and Cisco is a solid Free Safety that can play single high while Abram plays closer to the LOS.
- Arizona
Team Needs: OL, NT, CB
Pick: Jay Tufele, NT, USC
As I mentioned earlier, Corey Peters has been solid for the Cardinals, but he is getting long on the tooth, so I think it is time to find his replacement at NT and move him to the 3-4 DE spot. Jay Tufele is a big body plug that will not only help ruin an opponent run game, but he shows some ability to get after the QB as well.
- Miami
Team Needs: OL, WR, ILB
Pick: Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
The Dolphins have more than one hole to fill on the OL, so why not go back to that need and take a solid SEC talent to fill the gap at one of the guard spots?
- Washington
Team Needs: QB, OL, WR
Pick: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Washington got their QB of the future in Trask in the first round. So why not go back to the same swamp and get his running mate from the University of Florida? He has chemistry with Toney, which would make his transition even easier.
- Chicago
Team Needs: OL, QB, Safety
Picks: Jaylen Tywman, DL, Pitt
Tywman is a great interior pass rusher, and pairing him with Mack, Hicks and Quinn will create the disruptive front the Bears need to dominate the NFC North.
- LA Rams
Team Needs: OL, NT, ILB
Picks: Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
Nixon is coming off a year where he was named the Big 10 Defensive Player of the Year award. He is a solid pick here that fits a team need and has some 1st round hype behind his name.
- Cleveland
Team Needs: ILB, Edge, OLB
Pick: Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa
Collins is a unique prospect that can play all over the defense, sort of like a raw version of Isaiah Simmons. Cleveland needs help at both ILB and OLB, and Collins will help bring pressure and provide pass coverage from both spots, while also being capable to come off the edge on passing downs.
- Tennessee
Team Needs: DL, NT, WR
Pick: Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington
The Titans have some holes to fill on the defensive line in their 3-front scheme. Onwuzurike has the ability to play both a 3-4 end and a NT depending on what Mike Vrabel needs him to do on the down of distance.
- Indianapolis
Team Needs: Edge, QB, TE
Pick: Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn Sate
With this pick, the Colts find a player to replace the veteran Justin Houston on the edge. Oweh allegedly ran a 4.33 40-yard dash, and he can play stand up or with a hand in the ground.
- Baltimore
Team Needs: Safety, WR, OL
Pick: Deonte Brown, OL, Alabama
The Ravens could go either WR or OL here, and I don’t think there is a receiver at this spot that will give you a lot more value than what the Ravens have been getting from Willie Snead and what hopefully Dez Bryant will give them. Brown can be a dominate Right Guard who will take the Ravens run game to the next level, and he is also athletic enough to pull and act as a lead blocker for Lamar Jackson.
- Tampa Bay
Team Needs: OL, QB, DL
Pick: Aiden Hutchinson, DL, Michigan
Ndamukong Suh isn’t getting any younger, so I see the Bucs grabbing a solid 3-4 defensive end that can learn under him and play across from him while replacing William Gholston.
- Pittsburgh
Team Needs: Edge, QB, OL
Pick: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
The Steelers have a need for a dominate pass rusher across from TJ Watt. Yes, Bud Dupree is solid when he is healthy, but that is not often. Alex Highsmith played well in 2020 as well, but I see Ojulari as an upgrade.
- Seattle
Team Needs: OL, WR, Edge
Pick: Teven Jenkins, OL, Oklahoma State
The Seahawks need to address the trenches here either with a solid pass rusher (as Jamal Adams led the team in sacks this past season – unacceptable), or with an offensive lineman to help protect Russell Wilson as he ages. It seems like the last time the Seahawks drafted a stud Offensive Tackle was Russell Okung, so why not go back to Stillwater, OK and get another Cowboy Tackle in Teven Jenkins, who can slot in at Right Tackle on day 1.
- New Orleans
Team Needs: QB, WR, TE
Pick: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
The Saints get another weapon on offense here and a replacement for Jared Cook. Last time New Orleans drafted a Miami Tight End, it worked out pretty well with Jimmy Graham.
- Buffalo
Team Needs: Edge, OL, OLB
Pick: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami
Buffalo needs to address the edge. Jerry Hughes is nearing the end of his career, and AJ Epenesa didn’t really make the impact I thought he would. I don’t think Jaelan Phillips is the best pass rusher on the board right now, but he is the best with his hand in the dirt, which makes him a better scheme fit in the Bills’ 4-3 defense.
- Green Bay
Team Needs: DL, CB, WR
Pick: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
Time to get the Packers the help across from Davante Adams that Aaron Rodgers wanted in last year’s draft. The Packers love long, fast, receivers, but they don’t really have anyone to be a playmaker in the slot. If Wallace tests well at the combine and is completely healed from his injury in 2020, he has more than enough talent to be a day 2 pick.
- Kansas City
Team Needs: Edge, LB, CB
Pick: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The Chiefs need a real No. 1 corner to pair with L’Jarius Sneed. Adebo may have hurt himself in 2020 by opting out of the Covid season. However, I strongly believe he has first round talent, so I will be surprised if he drops any further than the last pick in the second round.
