2021 NFL Mock Draft

Its here and its one of my favorite events of the year. Yes I am one of those football nerds that sits there and watches all 7 rounds Thursday-Saturday of people more athletic then me achieving a dream I had never had a chance at. I just love the game. Full disclaimer: This is just what I think the team should do based off of needs, value, scheme, etc. It is not what I think they will do. I am not doing any trades, that is far to hard to predict. So here is my second annual NFL Mock Draft

Pick 1) Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson

I mean obviously. We all knew this was where he would go after his Freshman year. Easy pick

Pick 2) New York Jets- Zach Wilson QB, BYU

Wilson has a big arm and makes all the throws. Guy is mobile and can be accurate. I honestly dont think theres a huge difference between him and Fields and Lance, but a lot of guys have Wilson here and its not crazy.I do think its a little concerning that he only did it this past season at BYU, but he looked really good.

Pick 3) San Francisco 49ers- Justin Fields QB, Ohio State

To me Fields is the third best QB in this draft AND perfectly fits Kyle Shanahans offense. I think he could start by week one. At worst you have a QB that runs 4.4 you could use on short down packages for the fist couple of weeks. Or you could just get rid of Garropolo and Im sure Shanahan could win with this guy. Hes accurate, he can run, hes played at a high level. This is the guy San Fran needs if hes there.

Pick 4) Atlanta Falcons- Kyle Pitts TE/WR, Florida

Heres where things can get funky. I have Pitts going here because I think this team just has too many holes so they might as well try to score 100 a game. I dont think they go QB because Ryan is going to be on the roster for at least the next two years because of his contract. If they trade Julio at least they have someone to replace him. Honestly this could go a lot of ways but Pitts is going to help them out the most the soonest.

Pick 5) Cincinnati Bengals- Jamar Chase, WR

Heres the thing with the Bengals, their offensive line was 16th in pass protection per PFF. So not as bad as people think. I also think Burrows input has some weight here. Chase is going to be a stud and gives the Bengals a pretty solid young core on offense. I think a tackle here would work too. They cant really go wrong here.

Pick 6) Miami Dolphins- Jaylen Waddle WR, Alabama

The only reason I have Jaylen Waddle going over Devonta Smith is the YAC factor. When you look at Miamis offense they have DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, and Mike Geisicki. Waddle is a guy that can stretch the field and fit right into the offense day one. Also lets not forget that when Waddle was healthy he was more productive then Devonta Smith was. So if Waddle doesnt get hurt does Smith win the Heisman? Im not sure he does.

Pick 7) Detroit Lions- Penei Sewell OT, Oregon

These are my boys and there are more holes on this team then anyone else. The whole team needs an overhaul. So take best player available here. Sewell is gonna start either at Guard or Right Tackle day one and for the next 10+ years. This is also a spot to look for a trade down because this roster needs as many guys as possible. This would be a homerun pick for the Lions

Pick 8) Carolina Panthers- Rashawn Slater OT, Northwestern

Build around Darnold. I am telling you Darnold will be the guy if you give him a competent offense. Slater is 1A at tackle with Sewell and will be a day one starter at LT. Another homerun pick. This is my team to watch out for next year.

Pick 9) Denver Broncos- Trey Lance QB, North Dakota State

This to me is the perfect situation for the Broncos. Trey Lance is my favorite QB in this draft but does have a whole lot of questions to answer. I think its essential they let Lance sit for at least the first half of the season. Maybe do what the Dolphins did last year and just let him take his time. Its inevitable that Lock screws it up at some point. This team is loaded with weapons though, and a running game, and a pretty good defensive coach. Could make the Broncos a competitive team in the next two years. As I write this the Broncos trade for Teddy Bridgewater, but I still view Lance as the pick here because Bridgewater is not the long term answer and gives Lance the opportunity to sit for as long as he needs to be ready to go.

Pick 10) Dallas Cowboys- Patrick Surtain DB, Alabama

Notice I put DB not CB up there. I think Jaycee Horn is a better player, but Surtain fits the Cowboys better and could even eventually just get moved to Safety. Hes tall, hes long, and the Cowboys suck on defense. Luckily their offense is elite, so they just need to slow teams down and force turnovers.

Pick 11) New York Giants- Jaelan Phillips EDGE, Miami

Draft couldnt have fallen any better for the Giants. They fill their biggest need with the best player at the position. Phillips at this spot could end up being DROY easy. I guess we will find out how good Daniel Jones is this year because this roster doesnt leave many more excuses for Jones.

Pick 12) Philadelphia Eagles- Devonta Smith WR, Alabama

I know Smith slips a little in my draft, but Im a big size guy and he only weighs 166 pounds. Which is around how much I weigh at 5’10’’ and I could not make it the NFL. I know hes obviously a better athlete then me but thats my reasoning. I do think he is a productive NFL receiver and is an actual weapon for Jalen Hurts.

Pick 13) Los Angeles Chargers- Micah Parsons LB, Penn St

This is a Chargers pick. Just sit in the middle of the first round and take the best player. Micah Parsons helps the pass rush. Hes gonna fill in for Melvin Ingram who is gone now. He can play all three downs and immediately makes the team better. The defense is loaded with athletic freaks now in the front seven.

Pick 14) Minnesota Vikings- Kwitty Paye EDGE, Michigan

I easily think the Vikings could go with an offensive lineman here but I think Zimmer wants to help out his defense and Paye helps against the run and the pass. I think Paye has a higher ceiling then what people think also. Guys an athletic freak and could be a great bookend to Daniele Hunter.

Pick 15) New England Patriots- Mac Jones QB, Alabama

I think we all know this wont happen but New England gets a guy here. Im not sold on Mac Jones. He was mostly throwing to wide open receivers and Devonta Smith on screens. Its just concerning to me. Hes not a bad athlete but hes definitely not like any of the other guys coming into the NFL. Maybe Im wrong but I think Mac Jones is maybe like a Chad Pennington or Eli Manning at best.

Pick 16) Arizona Cardinals- Jaycee Horn CB, South Carolina

My number one corner in a loaded corner class finally goes. Arizona gets the guy to replace Patrick Peterson on easily their worst position on the roster. Hes a day one starter and helps out the defense which is starting to look a lot like one of Kingsburys Texas Tech defenses that gives up 70 points a game. Cardinals can go either way for me next year. Just cause Kyler can carry the team but it might be a similar situation to what Deshaun Watson was looking at last year.

Pick 17) Las Vegas Raiders- Teven Jenkins OT, Oklahoma State

This guys a man, not a boy. Classic Gruden pick, they get rid of Brown and pick up a mauler at RT in Jenkins. Day one starter for Gruden on the Oline.

Pick 18) Miami Dolphins- Zaven Collins LB, Tulsa

This is 100% a Brian Flores pick. He gets his Donta Hightower. Miami is building something special with all the picks they have

Pick 19) Washington Football Time- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB, Notre Dame

Washingtons defense is elite. The last piece is adding a long term solution at QB but Koramoah is the best cover linebacker in this class and is basically a safety. The Dline will keep him clean and he will make a lot of plays at the second level for the Football Team.

Pick 20) Chicago Bears- Alijah Vera-Tucker IOL, USC

Chicagos a mess. When Im picking players in the first round I want guys that are going to start and make a difference. Almost anyone is an upgrade for them on the Oline. Expect them to be picking high in next years draft but Vera-Tucker gives them a headstart on the interior of their Oline

Pick 21) Indianapolis Colts- Christian Darrisaw OT, Virginia Tech

This might be a sleeper pick because I have heard a lot of good shit about Darrisaw recently. The Colts said they were going to move Nelson to LT which they still could do and move Darrisaw inside, or they could just slide in Darrisaw there if hes ready. Either way going to be important to keep Wentz upright. Ballard is one of the best GMs when it comes to the draft so whoever they take her Im sure its gonna be the right move.

Pick 22) Tennessee Titans- Rashad Bateman WR, Minnesota

Titans lose Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith but get some production out of Bateman. Bateman is a good compliment to AJ Brown. What worries me about the Titans is if Derrick Henry goes down theyre done. Im not sure how far Tannehill is going to carry them without Henry. Bateman at least gives you a chance and a solid young receiving core.

Pick 23) New York Jets- Greg Newsome CB, Northwestern

Name one cornerback on the Jets roster… Neither can I. QB was the only position more important then corner and they got their guy earlier. They should probably spend multiple picks at corner in this draft. Newsome is fast and a good fit in Salehs scheme. He does have some injury concerns but if he stays healthy hes a solid starter for the Jets

Pick 24) Pittsburgh Steelers- Najee Harris RB, Alabama

Great pick for the Steelers here and I know the Oline needs some help, but its Bens last ride so might as well get someone that can help them now at RB because they arent going to win many games behind Benny Snell and Anthony McFarland. So instead of getting the 6th best Olinemen they get the best RB for one last ride with Big Ben

Pick 25) Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevon Moehrig S, TCU

This pick could go a lot of ways but Urban Meyer always had strong secondaries at Ohio State and here he gets one of the top safeties. Again this is a guy that starts day one and helps out the back end of a piss poor Jacksonville secondary.

Pick 26) Cleveland Browns- Jamin Davis LB, Kentucky

This is probably going to be my AFC Super Bowl pick. This roster is straight up loaded. Jamin Davis is an athletic freak that is great in coverage and looks like a superhero. I think that he puts this defense over the top as an elite unit and the offense is up there as well. Love this roster

Pick 27) Baltimore Ravens- Kadarious Toney WR, Florida

Had a tough time with this pick because all the elite receivers are off the board but Toney kinda fits the Ravens offense. Hes kind of a gadget player that they can use on jet sweeps and move out of the backfield. This would work perfectly in the Ravens offense. Just another weapon. Also look out for a potential Julio Jones trade here.

Pick 28) New Orleans Saints- Terrace Marshall WR, LSU

So rumors are that the Saints right now are trying to trade up for Caleb Farley who I actually have still available right here. But I still think WR would be a better pick for them. Theyre going to want to help out whoever the QB is there as much as possible next year. Marshall is a guy that can stretch the field and catch 50/50 balls and would compliment Michael Thomas who only runs short and intermediate routes.

Pick 29) Green Bay Packers- Rondale Moore WR, Purdue

They probably should have went WR last year but this really makes the offense scary. Moore can help a lot out of the slot and in the return game. Interior Oline and anywhere on defense could be on the table here, but I like getting Rogers another guy to throw to who slipped because of injury issues but has shown a lot of upside

Pick 30) Buffalo Bills- Pat Friermuth TE, Penn State

If Pitts wasnt a freak of nature I think Friermuth would be regarded much higher. He had kind of a down year just like the whole Penn St team. This guy can ball though. He gives Josh Allen a legit receiving threat at TE that he hasnt had. Id also look for them to go possibly RB or DLine here.

Pick 31) Baltimore Ravens- Jaylen Mayfield OT, Michigan

John calls up his brother Jim and gets a guy to replace Orlando Brown Jr, who he traded for this pick. He has slipped a lot because of a down 2020, but I think has the possibility to slide in and replace Brown here

Pick 32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Carlos Basham EDGE, Wake Forrest

I admit I am higher on Basham then most people. To me though he looks a lot like Cam Jordan. Hes like 280 but gets after the QB off the edge. He can move inside on passing downs and rush from the inside. Tampa already is returning all 22 of their starters and then some. Basham is a guy that I think can help the pass rush even more and get Brady more chances to score points.