Updated 2021 NFL Mock Draft; After the Super Bowl
The season is over and the draft order is set, so let's see how my updated Mock Draft.
With the season just ending, all 32 picks of the draft are set so, let’s see who will get taken and at what pick they’ll be off the board.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson: It just makes sense. With new head coach Urban Meyer and very good young weapons, Trevor Lawrence could be the huge boost the Jaguars need to be a playoff team. Put him around James Robinson, D.J Chark, and Laviska Shenault Jr. and that offense will soar.
2. New York Jets: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon: Jets fans may not be thrilled with this pick but, Sewell is the best player in the draft. Put him on the opposite side as Mekhi Becton and whoever is throwing the ball for the Jets next season will have all the time in the world. Best case scenario the Jets scoop up a good QB with their twenty third pick.
3. Miami Dolphins via Houston: DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama: There is two ways the Dolphins can go at third pick. They could add to their defense and take Micah Parson out of Penn State but, DeVonta Smith, the Heisman winning receiver out of Alabama will give Tua Tagovailoa another big time weapon. If the Jets pass on Sewell then Brian Flores will jump all over him but, Smith would be an awesome pick to pair with Parker and Gesicki.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB Ohio State: The Matty Ice era in Atlanta is over. Some Falcons fans maybe sad, others may rejoice but, they’ll be in good hands if Justin Fields is steering the ship for the Atlanta offense. He’s shown his toughness and his talent the last few games and is proving why he should be a top 5 pick.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern: Joe Burrow is the future for Bengal football and you need someone that can successfully protect him and Rashawn Slater is that guy. Slater, has benefited immensely from the BIG Ten playing this season because, his draft stock has shot through the roof. He can play both guard and tackle for the Bengals and that versatility will be huge for Cincinnati to protect Joe Burrow.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU: Ja’Marr Chase is the best receiver in this draft even though Smith won the Heisman and oh boy, the Eagles receiving core is awful. Injuries and dropped balls plagued Carson Wentz and Jalen Hurts this season so adding a speedy and shifty route runner would be the best option at six. Philadelphia can only cross their fingers and hope Chase turns into another Justin Jefferson Jr.
7. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons, LB Penn State: If Micah Parsons is available at this point in the draft, Detroit needs to swoop him up. He has had a whole year off to prep for the NFL and Parsons would be an awesome fit alongside Jamie Collins and Jahlani Tavai. Parsons has the ability because, of his athletic nature to play inside and outside linebacker.
8. Carolina Panthers: Kyle Pitts, TE Florida: After taking no offensive players in last years draft, Matt Rhule needs to get Teddy Bridgewater some help. Imagine McCaffery, Moore, and Samuel with an elite and athletic tight end. That’s an offense that could shred through a lot of NFC defenses and make a push to the playoffs. I think Bridgewater should get one more year as the starter in Charlotte before you move on from his massive contract.
9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB Alabama: As much as I believe that inside linebacker is the biggest need for Denver, if Surtain is sitting at nine then the Bronco’s have to scoop him up. With A.J Bouye at one corner and Surtain II on another, this duo could lock down receivers like Hill and Hardman or Allen and Williams.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech: After Dallas lost Byron Jones in free agency last season, corner has been a bit of a soar spot for the Cowboys defense. Farley also, could fit well as a nickel corner because, of his very physical play. He took this season off as many college athletes did due to Covid-19 so, a year of preparation for the draft could be extremely beneficial.
11. New York Giants: Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan: Edge rusher is a huge need for the Giants but, the Giants defensive line played really well this year, partly due to d-line coach, Sean Spencer. Coach Spence could turn Kwity Paye into a monstrous and powerful edge rusher.
12. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Wilson, QB BYU: I said it in my first mock draft and I’m going to say it again, San Francisco needs to move on from Jimmy Garoppolo and bring in Zach Wilson. Wilsons athletic style in Kyle Shanahan’s offense would be unreal. The 49er’s could flip Garoppolo for a second round pick or a positional need like guard or linebacker.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Samuel Cosmi, OT Texas: Bryan Bulaga is on the last leg of his career and the left tackle position has been uncertain the past two seasons for the Chargers. If Bulaga can play two more healthy seasons with Cosmi at the other tackle then Justin Herbert won’t need to worry about running for his life. L.A is in the same situation as Cincinnati; they need to protect their young and talented quarterback.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Wyatt Davis, IOL Ohio State: The offensive line position was a hinderance for the Vikings this season and part of the reason why they couldn’t make the playoffs. Wyatt Davis is plug and play ready if the Vikings can re-sign Riley Reiff and Brian O’neill. Dalvin Cook was able to rush for over 1500 yards this year behind a poor o-line, now bring in an athletic and physical guard and Cook could push for 2000 yards.
15. New England Patriots: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE Miami: The last time the Patriots had an elite level pass rusher was Chandler Jones and Greg Rousseau could become that next great New England edge rusher. If Belichick puts Rousseau and Winovich on opposite sides of each other, that could great a huge problem for opposing offenses.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame: Owusu-Koramoah has been the best linebacker in college football this season and his draft stock has shot him into the top half of the draft. Owusu-Koramoah can play off the line in coverage and rush the passer adding to an extremely athletic linebacking core that includes Chandler Jones, Hassan Reddick, and Isaiah Simmons who is more of a hybrid player.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Shaun Wade, CB Ohio State: Wade did not have the most fruitful College Football Playoff experience but, I still believe he can be an elite level corner in the right scheme. If Gruden can get his hands on him, he can mold Wade into a great player.
18. Miami Dolphins: Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech: The 6’5 monster out of Blacksburg, VA could be a big-time asset to Miami. They used the third pick to get an elite weapon for Tua, now they need to get someone to protect Tua’s blindside. Like I said with L.A and Cincinnati, Miami must protect their young quarterback at all costs.
19. Washington Football Team: Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame: Just like is fellow golden-domer, Owusu-Koramoah, his draft stock has skyrocketed and Washington is an awesome fit for Eichenberg. Morgan Moses is very injury prone and Trent Williams went to the 49er’s last season so protecting whoever is throwing the ball in D.C next year is key.
20. Chicago Bears: Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State: There really isn’t much to say. Big Cat is just hoping that Lance is better than both Foles and Trubisky combine. Quarterback is an absolute necessity if Chicago wants any hope to get over the hump in a very difficult division.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Mac Jones, QB Alabama: Unless the Colts want to give money to a free agent quarterback like Carson Wentz, Mac Jones is a solid pick at 21. He will be a prototypical Colts quarterback; a player that is a tall pocket passer that can push the ball downfield.
22. Tennessee Titans: Alex Leatherwood, OT Alabama: Derrick Henry managed to run for over 2000 yards this season behind a broke offensive line. Taylor Lewan tore his ACL, Jack Conklin left Nashville last season, and Isaiah Wilson’s off the field issues may have him out of the league soon. Leatherwood could lock down the right side of the offensive line with Nate Davis or bump over to left tackle if Lewan gets hurt again.
23. New York Jets via Seattle: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama: Now the Jets could reach at 23 and take Kyle Trask or Jamie Newman but, that would be a wasted pick. Waddle would be a big time weapon for whoever is throwing the ball in the Big Apple.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chuba Hubbard, RB Oklahoma State: If Pittsburgh can get rid of James Conner and run the ball with Hubbard and Snell then the AFC North could get hit with a mean 1-2 punch. The other option at 24 would be offensive line but, at this pick, any lineman would be a reach and Hubbard is a phenomenal athlete that opted out to prep for the draft.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars via L.A Rams: Jalen Mayfield, OT Michigan: The Jags have the QB of their dreams now, they need a guy to keep him upright and Mayfield would be a phenomenal pick up. Jacksonville can hope to land another lineman in the second round to pair with Mayfield to help protect Trevor Lawrence.
26. Cleveland Browns: Christian Barmore, DL Alabama: Barmore had a tremendous season and it only got better when he balled out in the College Football Playoff. Barmore would be a super great addition to an already good Browns defensive line. At 6’5, 310 pounds, Barmore has the quickness of a defensive back and a tenacious pass rush.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR LSU: If Baltimore wants their air attack to flourish, then Hollywood Brown cannot be their number one option. Browns hideous route running only hurts the Ravens offense. Marshall Jr., at 6’4 will serve as a big and physical weapon for Lamar Jackson and can hopefully take over as the number one option.
28. New Orleans Saints: Joseph Ossai, OLB Texas: Ossai’s ability to rush the passer will be a big time asset in the Saints system. Alexander and Davis are better in coverage so, bringing in an athletic and strong edge rusher to go on the opposite side of Trey Hendrickson will be a matchup nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and offensive tackles.
29. Green Bay Packers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL USC: After watching the way Green Bay’s o-line played against Tampa Bay, they desperately need help. Vera-Tucker can play right guard and help to lock down their right side. If they add Vera-Tucker, then their offensive line looks close to complete when healthy.
30. Buffalo Bills: Zaven Collins, EDGE Tulsa: Jerry Hughes is getting older so having a young pass rushing duo with Collin and Epenesa would be huge. Collins recorded 4 sacks, 4 interceptions, and 54 tackles this past season, which has shot his draft stock into the first round.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Dylan Moses, ILB Alabama: The Chiefs will be elated if Moses can fall right into their lap at 31. Eventually, Moses will start alongside Gay Jr. and make for a phenomenal young duo. Moses hits like a freight train and is pretty solid in coverage.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina: Could Horn follow in the foot steps of Stephon Gilmore and become the next great Game Cock defensive back? Tampa definitely hopes for that because corner back is all around their weakest position.
Now, with the combine in mind, you may read an updated version that is absolutely ass backwards from this one but, after the Super Bowl, these picks definitely make the most sense.