2021 NFL Mock Draft (2/23)

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

There is no confusion or intrigue as to what the Jaguars are doing with their first overall pick. Since they “won” this pick from the New York Jets in the waning weeks of the regular season and hired Urban Meyer, no one has really questioned that Jacksonville will be moving forward with one of the best quarterback prospects this side of John Elway. Trevor Lawrence is still young and lean, but the National Champion comes with a proven track record and an ability to make the quarterback position look easy.

2. Houston Texans (from NYJ) – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

HOU receives: 2nd overall pick, 23rd overall pick, 87th overall pick, 2022 first-round pick, 2023 first-round pick

NYJ receives: Deshaun Watson, 67th overall pick

A lot of debate has been had over whether Zach Wilson or Justin Fields is the better prospect behind Trevor Lawrence in this draft class. The two quarterbacks have proven themselves as likely top-5 picks in very different ways. While Justin Fields comes with a higher floor and a better track record/experience than Wilson, Wilson’s dual-threat capabilities and overall ceiling could prove more enticing for a team that will have to trade away Deshaun Watson.

3. Miami Dolphins – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Penei Sewell has gotten lost in all the quarterback chatter, but he is the Trevor Lawrence of the offensive line class. Miami could not only replace, but potentially upgrade on Laremy Tunsil and ensure that Tua Tagovailoa doesn’t have to look over his shoulder throughout his Miami career. The Oregon offensive tackle could become this generation’s Joe Thomas if he lives up to his potential.

4. Atlanta Falcons – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

As much as I can see Matt Ryan leading this team for the next five years, the Falcons could look to restart their franchise under a rookie quarterback. Fields, a Georgia native, would be the type of move that Falcons fans would welcome to end the Matt Ryan era after the 2021 season. While Fields is capable of being a day-one starter, the Georgia-transfer could fall into a perfect development situation behind one of the most consistent passers in the league over the past decade.

5. Cincinnati Bengals – Kyle Pitts, TE/WR, Florida

In a draft class where a Heisman-winning wide receiver is coming off of a legendary college championship game despite only playing a half, and the number one receiver on the 2019 LSU offense, one of the best units in college history are both available, Kyle Pitts has emerged as potentially the most tantalizing weapon at the next level. In Cincinnati, the former Florida Gator could take over the A.J. Green role as a big receiver who can dominate 50-50 balls or provide a matchup nightmare over the middle of the field. Joe Burrow could have a treasure trove of weapons if the Bengals do choose to take care of the receiver position in the draft.

6. Philadelphia Eagles – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Ja’Marr Chase didn’t need a 2020 season to ensure that he will be a top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. While the Eagles might be sick of their front office taking shots at receivers after the recent selections of Jalen Reagor, Nelson Agholor, and J.J. Arcega-Whiteside, Philly would be getting their best prospect at receiver possibly in their team history. Whether the starter next season is Jalen Hurts or a veteran QB, Chase will be a favorite target in that offense that already involves Reagor, Dallas Goedert and Miles Sanders.

7. Detroit Lions – Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Despite the Lions’ need for a backup plan in case Jared Goff continues his struggles into his Detroit tenure, it might be for the best that Detroit to secure a weapon that could help out any quarterback. Devonta Smith might fall behind Pitts and Chase as pro prospects due to Smith’s less imposing build, but the dynamic receiver has shown his ability to carry an offense around him and could end up making teams regret not making him the number one receiver in the draft.

8. Carolina Panthers – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

The Panthers are interested in moving on from Teddy Bridgewater due to a potential lack of physical ability, so it could be possible that Carolina goes for the raw, but physically gifted Trey Lance. While Lance could benefit from a year behind a starting quarterback, like the situation I mocked Fields into, Joe Brady could be capable of tailoring an offense that Lance could thrive in if the offensive coordinator takes advantage of the passer’s dual-threat capabilities.

9. Denver Broncos – Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

With the Broncos likely moving on from Von Miller this offseason, another edge rusher could be looked at in this situation. Rousseau’s draft stock has been dipping a little bit since he opted out of the 2020 season, but the one-year wonder at Miami looked like a top-5 prospect the last time he took the field and could be in contention for the first defensive player off the board.

10. Dallas Cowboys – Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

The Cowboys offensive line is aging and regressing due to a litany of injuries, so it could be a good time to find a standout replacement that can piece in anywhere they so choose. Despite my high praise for Sewell earlier, Slater might be the more polished of the two candidates, and has a huge boost on his resume from both his positionlessness and his impressive work against Chase Young in 2019.

11. New York Giants – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Before Waddle’s injury, there was a lot of potential to see Waddle rated higher as a prospect than 2019 draftees Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III. Waddle remains at a similar level of prospect, and could see his draft position be very similar to his former teammates. The Giants need a few more weapons to help Daniel Jones take more steps forward in his development, and Jaylen Waddle’s speed and elusiveness when healthy could give the team a DeSean Jackson-like talent.

12. San Francisco 49ers – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

The son of the former NFL defensive back (one of two in this draft class along with Assante Samuel Jr.), Surtain II has the desired size and cover skills that many teams would want in their cornerback. The 49ers, who are losing Richard Sherman at least in their defensive backs room, could use a sizeable replacement for the veteran. While his lack of straight-line speed could be taken advantage of at the next level, Surtain would flourish in a defensive system like the 49ers’ have developed under previous DC Robert Saleh.

13. Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

Christian Darrisaw is one of the players who helped himself out the most by not opting out of the 2020 college football season. His steady improvement over the past three years has helped propel his name into the top tackle prospects of this draft class. Darrisaw is a pure left tackle that could excel early in his career if he can add more bulk to his frame.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers (from MIN) – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

PIT receives: 14th overall pick, 116th overall pick

MIN receives: 24th overall pick, 55th overall pick, 2021 second-round pick

The Steelers have not made it clear yet that they want Ben Roethlisberger back. But even if Big Ben wears black and yellow for another season, Pittsburgh needs to tab a successor for their franchise. Mac Jones has been rising up draft boards and has been rumored to be in the mix for a top 10 pick. If he falls into the teens, look for a team like the Steelers to try and get ahead of the Patriots.

15. New England Patriots – Kwity Paye, DL, Michigan

This is the type of prospect who would thrive in the Patriots’ way. Paye can line up anywhere in the 4-3 and provide pressure as a power rusher. The Michigan product is somewhat raw, but has an unstoppable motor and could end up going among the top defensive players in the draft due to that motor combined with impressive athleticism.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Like Surtain, Caleb Farley is a big cornerback that enters the league with solid cover-skills and enough speed to cover up most wide receivers on the outside. While Farley is newer to the position, he is a natural man corner that knows how to use his hands in coverage. With the Cardinals losing Patrick Peterson, a new first-round cornerback could be the proper replacement for the former fifth-overall pick.

17. Las Vegas Raiders – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Some teams have reportedly removed Parsons from their draft board due to character concerns revolving around a hazing scandal in which he was named as a prime participant, but once Parsons drops out of the top 10, it could be too tempting for teams to pass up. Jon Gruden seems like the type of coach and personality to deal with these players head on, such as when he held onto his locker room despite the Antonio Brown debacle of 2019. If the character concerns are a thing of the past, the Raiders would be getting the consensus number one linebacker in the draft at great value.

18. Miami Dolphins – Jaelen Phillips, Edge, Miami

Jaelen Phillips wouldn’t have to go too far from his alma mater to play for the Dolphins. The former Hurricane and UCLA Bruin took over for Gregory Rousseau in 2020 and didn’t disappoint, collecting 15.5 tackles for a loss throughout this past season and proving to be a force off of the edge regardless of the situation. Despite 2020 being his only season of extended play, Phillips is regarded as a similarly impressive prospect as the player to wear number 15 before him.

19. Washington Football Team – Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

The loss of Trent Williams was mitigated by an impressive 2020 season by Cornelius Lucas, but Washington should not ignore the fact that they played an entire season without a proven left tackle. Jalen Mayfield is being treated as a developmental project with a huge payoff if a team puts him in the right situation. With a line consisting of Brandon Scherff, Morgan Moses, and Chase Roullier, the WFT would be one of the teams that could offer that role to Mayfield.

20. Chicago Bears – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC

Alijah Vera-Tucker is arguably the most explosive athlete among the offensive line class of 2021, but he ends up as the fifth one off of the board in my mock due to the fact that he might be better-suited at guard for the next level. Chicago, a team with a fair share of holes along the offensive line, would be able to find a spot for an athletic mauler like Vera-Tucker to succeed in protecting for whoever starts at QB for the Bears moving forward.

21. Buffalo Bills (from IND) – Zaven Collins, Edge/LB, Tulsa

BUF receives: 21st overall pick

IND receives: 30th overall pick, 94th overall pick, 2021 fourth-round pick

With the top tackle prospects all of the board before the Colts can replace Anthony Castonzo, they trade down and screw Tennessee out of a promising edge-rusher in Zaven Collins. The Bills are said to be looking at help off of the edge in free agency, but if they can’t land a big fish like J.J. Watt or Trey Hendrickson, Collins could be a great consolation prize. Collins’ versatility could see him take over Lorenzo Alexander’s role, an off ball linebacker that is adept at getting into the backfield and a role the Bills missed sorely last season.

22. Tennessee Titans – Joseph Ossai, Edge/LB, Texas

While Joseph Ossai isn’t quite the prospect the Zaven Collins translates to be, the Texas standout was another linebacker who seemed to always be in the opposing offense’s backfield. With 29 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks over the past two seasons, Ossai could excel across from Harold Landry off the edge in Tennessee.

23. Houston Texans (from NYJ) – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

The son of former NFL receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee Horn is praised for his physicality and the development of his ball skills throughout his college career. He’s comparable in size with Caleb Farley and Patrick Surtain, but like Surtain, has concerns in the draft community over potentially being a step slow. Still, Houston likes their physical corners and could use a starter opposite of Bradley Roby.

24. Minnesota Vikings (from PIT) – Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest

Carlos Basham could end up going higher, as he is among the best 4-3 defensive ends in the draft. While he lacks the scheme or position versatility that some of the other defensive linemen in this draft class have, Basham is deceptively athletic and productive off of the edge. The Vikings could also benefit from his ability to not only work around tackles, but his inside moves can place pressure on the middle of the pocket as well.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Alex Leatherwood, OT/G, Alabama

The Jaguars could stand to improve from Cam Robinson at the left tackle position. Leatherwood, like Vera-Tucker, isn’t a home run at the left tackle position, but even if he cannot protect Trevor Lawrence’s blindside at the next level, he is a gifted run blocker who could pair with Andrew Norwell and open up even more lanes for James Robinson out of the backfield.

26. Cleveland Browns – Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State

Cleveland still needs more help in the secondary, as only Denzel Ward, Terrance Mitchell and Ronnie Harrsion looked like worthwhile pieces to keep. Asante Samuel Jr. comes in with the athleticism and instincts that makes him a plug-and-play in this defense. Samuel could try a few different spots in the secondary before settling into a role, or could be a Tyrann Mathieu-like positionless player.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Trey Smith, G, Tennessee

Failing to replace Marshal Yanda last year hurt Baltimore down the stretch, especially when they lost Ronnie Stanley. Given the trade demand from Orlando Brown, Baltimore needs to address extra attention into the offensive line this year. Trey Smith would be a perfect fit into Baltimore’s run-heavy scheme at either guard or eventually right tackle. A big and powerful mauler with experience at left tackle, Smith has some of his best days of football ahead of him.

28. New Orleans Saints – Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

Marcus Williams is reportedly unlikely to be re-signed by the Saints in the offseason, so New Orleans could look to the draft to secure a replacement in the secondary. Andre Cisco missed most of this past season due to injury, but the former Orange standout was famous for his ability to make plays as a ballhawk, a trait that Saints fans would welcome in replacement of the safety who gave up the Minnesota Miracle to Stefon Diggs.

29. Green Bay Packers – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

Finally, Aaron Rodgers gets another weapon to go with Davante Adams in the receiving corps. Kadarius Toney is developing buzz around NFL circles due to his unique running style, and could be a yard-after-the-catch nightmare in Green Bay that pairs great with the possession receiver Adams and Marques Valdes-Scantling, the deep threat.

30. Indianapolis Colts (from BUF) – Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

The Colts have a chance to grab another scheme-versatile first-round corner to group with Rock Ya-Sin. Tyson Campbell is a big corner that has occasionally struggled to make plays on the ball, but has all of the assets needed to succeed in most schemes at the next level.

31. Kansas City Chiefs – Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson

The Super Bowl might have looked a lot different if the Chiefs were able to field Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, so here’s an offensive lineman that can develop on the inside at guard before eventually taking over for one of the team’s offensive tackles. Carman struggles against speed rushers and might be better at guard in the pros, but the offensive lineman was largely able to keep Trevor Lawrence’s blindside clear against some of the best defenses college football had to offer.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

Christian Barmore can step in and fill the hole that Ndamukong Suh will leave when he departs for free agency. The big defensive tackle could help Vita Vea neutralize the entirety of the interior offensive line, allowing for more damage to be done by Jason Pierre-Paul and whoever replaces the likely-gone Shaq Barrett.

Stay tuned! A second round will be added for my next installment, featuring trades involving Sam Darnold and Orlando Brown.