Updated Mock Draft For The 2021 NFL Draft
Things just keep getting crazier and crazier so here is my updated Mock Draft.
We are less than a week out and the last time I did my mock draft, the 49ers were picking at twelve and were praying that a quarterback would drop to them and now they have prime pick to get a franchise quarterback. So much more has changed since free agency so here is my updated mock draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, Clemson Quarterback: Not too much to say here, absolute lock for Lawrence to land in Duval.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, BYU Quarterback: Another pick that honestly feels like a lock. Wilson will be a great fit in the Jets system to replace ;. He is super athletic and has a great ability to push the ball downfield. Add some weapons around him and he can help the Jets compete.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Miami Dolphins): Trey Lance, North Dakota State Quarterback: I actually don’t like this pick at all but my gut feeling says that Kyle Shanahan wants Lance over Fields. This isn’t a knock on Lance but I think Fields is tougher and mechanically a more sound player than Lance. Lance played FCS football and didn’t play this past season.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, Ohio State Quarterback: This pick really depends on what the 49ers do. If they take Fields then Atlanta takes Lance but, I think the 49ers will take Lance and Atlanta lucks out and gets the third best quarterback in this years draft in Fields. Fields will be a great replacement for Matty Ice in Atlanta and could lead them back to the playoffs.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, Oregon Offensive Tackle: If Sewell falls into the Bengals lap, they need to take him. He is the best player in this years draft and feels like a generational talent. The Bengals offensive line is bottom of the league and they need to focus on keeping Joe Burrow healthy.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia Eagles): Ja’Marr Chase, LSU Wide Receiver: Chase is the best receiver in a stacked draft class of pass catchers. He’ll be a great number one option for Tua Tagovailoa. Chase feels NFL ready and could have a Justin Jefferson like impact for the Dolphins.
7. Detroit Lions: Jaycee Horn, South Carolina Cornerback: The Lions are hoping that this corner won’t be a dud like last years pick in Jeff Okudah. Horn is super physical and locked down various, elite SEC receivers this past year. He is great in press coverage and can take over as the Lions number one corner.
8. Carolina Panthers: Kyle Pitts, Florida Tight End: Pitts is the second best player in this years draft and with the addition of Darnold and the loss of Curtis Samuel, Pitts can step up and be the new number one threat in Charlotte. He is big, fast, and physical with the ability to play tight end and receiver.
9. Denver Broncos: Mac Jones, Alabama Quarterback: Drew Lock has proved he isn’t the “chosen one” in the Mile High City and Mac Jones could be that guy. I believe he is the fourth best quarterback in the draft but, that’s not a bad thing. This quarterback class is stacked and Jones will be set up for success with the amount of weapons around him in Denver.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, Alabama Cornerback: The Cowboys lost Byron Jones and Chidobe Awuzie so they are without a number one corner. I would love to see Surtain II and Trevon Diggs reunite in Dallas after being an elite cornerback tandem in Tuscaloosa.
11. New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle, Alabama Wide Receiver: While Waddles counterpart Devonta Smith won the Heisman, I think that Waddle is the better receiver. He will be a good number two for Daniel Jones and could take the Giants offense to the next level. He is a great route runner with blazing speed.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via San Francisco 49ers): Devonta Smith, Alabama Wide Receiver: I do think Waddle is better than Smith but not by that much. Smith is much like Waddle where he is extremely quick and a super efficient route runner. The Eagles wide receiving core is terrible and bringing Smith in to catch balls from Hurts would be a huge addition.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, Northwestern Offensive Tackle: Much like the Bengals, the Chargers have a young and talented quarterback in Herbert and need to protect him. Slater can play both guard and tackle and is plug and play ready. He will be a big time player for the Chargers and huge in Herberts success.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC Offensive Guard: The Vikings need to address their offensive line issues and Vera-Tucker can be a plug and play fix at that position. He has shorter arms so he’ll be limited to playing guard which works perfect for the Vikings.
15. New England Patriots: Michah Parsons, Penn State Linebacker: Parsons is a phenomenal athlete who’s stock dropped due to him opting out of last season. He will be a great fit with Kyle Van Noy and Hightower and will be a youthful plug in the Patriots defense.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Greg Newsome II, Northwestern Cornerback: Pat Pete departed north this offseason to the Vikings and the Cardinals went out and signed Malcom Butler. Now, they need a number two corner. Newsome II is a young stud that will bite your ankles on a tackles and is effective in press coverage.
17. Las Vegas Raiders; Kwity Paye, Michigan EDGE: Paye is the top edge rusher in this years draft and him falling to 17 isn’t a surprise because the teams in the top half of the draft have very certain needs. The Paye and Crosby duo is one that could reek havoc across the league for seasons to come. Crosby is a slim and quick rusher while Paye is beefy and stout in the run game.
18. Miami Dolphins: Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech Offensive Tackle: The Dolphins are back on the clock and they are looking to grab a guy to keep Tua upright. Darrisaw is a good pass protector but has a tendency to lunge and can get beat but, if he latches onto you in the run or pass game, say goodnight.
19. Washington Football Team: Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State Offensive Tackle: Morgan Moses has been banged up and the WFT lost Trent Williams. They need to protect whoever is slinging the rock in D.C next season and Jenkins is a great pickup. He plays with a tenacity that other offensive linemen in the draft don’t have and he leaves it all on the gridiron.
20. Chicago Bears: Jaelen Phillips, Miami EDGE: If Phillips ends up in Chicago, he can be an early DROY candidate. He’ll face single teams on many occasions due to Khalil Mack being opposite of him so he can turn into a big time player. Phillips knows how to bend the edge and has elite level quickness.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame Linebacker: JOK was a beast at Notre Dame. He’s a bit undersized but the game is built for players like him. He draws comparisons to Jamal Adams but with better coverage skills. JOK hits like a train and will be a great addition to a solid Colts defense.
22. Tennessee Titans: Gregory Rousseau, Miami EDGE: Rousseau has a different play style than his counterpart Phillips. He is bigger and more physical with less finesse but brings a strong bull rush. He will be able to replace Clowney who was lousy last season, even though I think he’ll bounce back. Tennessee is in desperate need for a big time pass rusher.
23. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Zaven Collins, Tulsa Linebacker: The Jets got their franchise guy at two and now they can take one of the best athletes in the draft. Collins played inside and outside linebacker along with edge rusher at Tulsa where he racked up sacks, tackles for loss, and even pick sixes. A true hybrid player that has size, speed, and athletic ability.
24. Pittsburgh Steeler: Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame Offensive Tackle: Eichenberg embodies what it means to be a Steel City player. He’s tough as nails and a physical run blocker. With the loss of Villanueva this offseason, someone needs to fill the void at left tackle and Eichenberg can be that guy.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams): Trevon Moehrig, TCU Safety: Moehrig is the best safety in the draft and possibly one of the best in years. Many people may want the Jags to get a weapon for Lawrence but they have a young core of receivers that are reliable. Moehrig would be an instant leader on a young defense.
26. Cleveland Browns: Christian Barmore, Alabama Defensive Tackle: If the Browns take Barmore, their defensive line would be SCARY! Myles Garrett and Clowney on the edge with a massive dancing bear to plug up the middle is a dangerous trio and would cause problems for offensive lines.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, Minnesota Wide Receiver: Hollywood Brown isn’t a clear cut number one and Rashod Bateman could be that guy. He is a crafty route runner with reliable hands and is any quarterbacks best friend. Whether the Ravens go Bateman or Wallace, they just need a new weapon.
28. New Orleans Saints: Pat Freiermuth, Penn State Tight End: This pick feels like a bit of a reach but a two tight end set of Freiermuth and Trautman could be a huge help to Winston or Hill next year. Freiermuth will put his nose in the dirt and block but can also beat you with his sneaky speed over the top.
29. Green Bay Packer: Jalen Mayfield, Michigan Offensive Tackle: Green Bay showed how vital it is to have depth on the offensive line in the NFC Championship so I think they will address those needs. Mayfield can start at right tackle and even play left if Bakhtiari gets banged up again.
30. Buffalo Bills: Najee Harris, Alabama Running Back: Harris, in my opinion, is the best back in the draft and could be a huge boost to the Bills rushing attack. The Bills lacked in the backfield last season and the addition of Harris could push them over the top.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Sam Cosmi, Texas Offensive Tackle: The Chiefs cut former All Pro Mitchell Schwartz and ex number one pick Eric Fisher this offseason and have a vacancy at the tackle position. Cosmi is a phenomenal pass blocker and could be the blind side protector for Patrick Mahomes. Kansas City is set on the interior with Thuney and Long, now they must address the tackle position.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Azeez Ojulari, Georgia EDGE: Ojulari isn’t my favorite player in this years draft but he fits well in Tampa. He has the ability to learn from two of the games best in Barrett and JPP so there will be no lack of knowledge. He can start as a rotational player and even work his way into the starting lineup at the end of the season.