This is a way to early look at the 2021 NFL Draft. Many things including draft placement could be changed in the coming weeks. However, we hope you enjoy the first edition of our Mock Draft.
Pick 1- Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson
This pick by the Jaguars is a no brainer. Picking up a potential franchise quarterback would be the best move for this Jacksonville team who just a few years ago was in the AFC Championship. They have some good offensive weapons that will pair nice with Lawrence. You have James Robinson and D.J. Chark.
Pick 2- (Trade) Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon
This surefire move by the Bengals to improve their offensive line will set Bengals fan's minds at ease. Penei Sewell is number two on Mel Kipers board and I think we will see him stay at that spot here via trade between the Jets and Bengals. This is the best tackle, and the Bengals will make the move to jump ahead of other potential suitors. I don’t think Sewell will make it to pick five and the Bengals agree with me here. Joe Burrow is the real deal. They just need to keep him upright.
Pick 3- Miami Dolphins: Micah Parsons, LB Penn State
Miami goes the safe route and gets the dynamic linebacker out of Penn State Micah Parsons. He still has some more growth that needs to be made at the next level. However, Miami takes the safe pick and gets the anchor on their defense for years to come. He is really good on third downs and teams are always looking to get off the field.
Pick 4- Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB Ohio State
This is a tough pick. The reason for that is that Matt Ryan has quite an ugly contract however, the Falcons might choose to get someone younger and who is the hometown kid. Justin was born in Georgia so it just feels like this pairing might just be meant to be. Justin Fields has College Football National Championship aspirations. While the Falcons are going to be looking to break some of the misfortune that they have been experiencing since the infamous 28-3 Super Bowl against the Patriots.
Pick 5- New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB BYU
The Jets were looking to go 0-16 and then all of a sudden they started to win games and now are looking at potentially moving on from Sam Darnold and looking elsewhere. The Jets built more capital by trading the 2nd pick to the Bengals and in this alternate reality, they trade Sam Darnold as well and get even more draft capital to build their team around Zach Wilson. Zach Wilson threw for 33 touchdowns to 3 interceptions. This is a guy that New York needs to change the narrative of their franchise.
Pick 6- Philadelphia Eagles: Gregory Rousseau, Edge Miami
Philadelphia might need to look in other areas but when they see a player of Gregory’s caliber, they find it hard to ignore. The edge rusher out of Miami is quite new to the edge position because he spent most of his high school career as a wide receiver and a safety. It will be interesting to see him and how he translates onto the next level after opting out of the 2020 season.
Pick 7- Detroit Lions: Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
Another opting out player going in the top 10. This would be a good move for the Lions who could potentially look to bolster up Stafford’s weapons and give him Joe Burrow’s former favorite target to help the Lions possibly get over the hump. This is assuming that the Lions stick with Stafford for another year which in this case he will.
Pick 8- New York Giants: Patrick Surtain II, CB Alabama
New York opts to take one of the top corners in the draft to improve their defense. This move will very much do that. He is the ideal size for a cornerback in the NFL at his position.
One of the widespread concerns though with him is his tackling abilities which may need to be worked on.
Pick 9- Carolina Panthers: Kyle Pitts, TE Miami
Kyle Pitts is the second Gator to be drafted in the top 10. Kyle will end up trying to be an adequate replacement for Greg Olsen. This will be a very tall task, but Kyle has all the measurables to be a successful tight end in the league. It also helps Teddy Bridgewater’s development on this offense having a weapon like Pitts. It also seems like he will be able to help block for CMC. Everyone wins with this scenario. Kyle goes somewhere he can compete immediately and make a strong impact.
Pick 10- Denver Broncos: Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State
The Broncos are looking for some competition for Drew Lock and picking up Lance might just give the Broncos the edge for the chance at contention. Drew Lock has been hot and cold, and Elway’s seat has to be getting warmer after not finding the successor to Peyton Manning. It feels as if Detroit’s Matthew Stafford might also be a good option for the Broncos to trade for. In 2019, Lance threw for 28 total touchdowns and zero interceptions. Although, this year he wasn’t able to play the sport he loves due to COVID-19 concerns.
Pick 11- Dallas Cowboys: Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech
The AP All-American ends up landing on America’s Team and makes an instant impact on the Cowboys' offensive line in the goal of protecting their franchise quarterback Dak Prescott who was injured last year. This pickup will also help Zeke Elliott get back to his old self and help lead the Cowboys back to contention. Losing Dak really hurt the Cowboys this year. The NFC East was basically going to be given to them if he was able to stay healthy.
Pick 12- LA Chargers: Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech
This is two Hokies’ selected in a row. This pickup will help the Chargers in the transition from their aging cornerback room. Casey Hayward and Chris Harris are both still very capable. However, they are getting up there in age, and thinking about the future is definitely not a bad thing.
Pick 13- Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan
This pick by Minnesota will help strengthen up their aging defense. The Vikings realize that they are stuck with Cousins and they decide to continue to bank on him and stay with the idea of building up their defense. Justin Jefferson had an immediate impact on their offense. The Vikings are hoping that Kwity Paye has the same level of impact, this time on the defensive side of the ball.
Pick 14- New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB Alabama
The Patriots sucked this year without Tom Brady. It’s obvious that Cam Newton isn’t the answer, and that Tom Brady is so far reaping the benefits of their breakup. He is well on his way to another Super Bowl with the Buccaneers. The Patriots are trying to see if they can find a successor to Brady in the draft and Belichick selects Mac Jones out of Alabama to try and see if he can translate into the league at the next level.
Pick 15- San Francisco 49ers: Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern
The 49ers choose to address their offensive line here and help keep Jimmy Garoppolo upright. It’s a very safe pick to help address this problem of the 49ers team and Rashawn will make an instant impact. It’s as simple as that.
Pick 16- Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame
They make this pick to help improve their defense. They once again opt to give Derek Carr another chance at giving this team a chance at making the playoffs. I think the 2021 season is the season for them to do this. At pick 16 they are definitely in the middle of the road. However, Jeremiah makes an instant impact for the Raiders and he makes a solid impression in Vegas.
Pick 17- Arizona Cardinals: Wyatt Davis, OG Ohio State
This Buckeye will end up protecting the Cardinals quarterback of the future in Kyler Murry. This pickup will help the Cardinals make a run at the Super Bowl for this first time since Carson Palmer. However, they understand that protecting Murray is the most important thing in the goal for a chance at the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Pick 18- Indianapolis Colts: Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina
The Colts further strengthen their defense here and pick up Jaycee Horn in order to improve their defense even more. In this reality, Phillip Rivers signs another deal with the Colts to try and make it to the Super Bowl. It will be his “Last Dance” if you will. I think improving the defense via this pick will help the team as a whole.
Pick 19- Washington Football Team: Kyle Trask, QB Florida
The Washington Football Team makes a move to find their Quarterback of the future. After letting Haskins loose, this pick makes sense for the team and going into the future. He will have a chance to learn behind Alex Smith and that just might be the best thing for Kyle at this stage. He definitely has potential, however, there is still much improvement needed for him, however, he has the blueprint. He just needs to show out.
Pick 20- Chicago Bears: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
Jaylen Waddle is definitely a raw talent. The Bears decide to develop the quarterbacks they have on their team and bring in another dynamic piece to their offense. Waddle will thrive in the Bears system and will be a good piece to their offense and plans for the future.
Pick 21- Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB Clemson
The Jaguars make a surprising pick up here and take Lawrence’s teammate to pair the two together in the next level and the two end up being very successful in the league. Etienne and Lawrence can potentially win a National Championship together and now they are in the NFL trying to take the Jaguars to the next level and compete for a championship. Even with James Robinson, it’s hard to ignore the potential of pairing Etienne and Lawrence.
Pick 22- Cleveland Browns: Trevon Moehrig, S TCU
This pickup is without controversy. The Browns need to sure up the back end of their defense after Anthony Sendejo hasn’t seemed to really work out. I know every single Browns fan will agree with me here. Not much more needs to be said.
Pick 23- Miami Dolphins: Devonta Smith, WR Alabama
Devonta Smith will be a good addition to helping out Tua’s development as the future of the Miami Dolphins. Brian Flores decides to get Tua’s former teammate to get a boost in their receiving room. Which is a solid move for a team that is right on the edge of contention.
Pick 24- Baltimore Ravens: Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame
The Rat-Birds decide to help protect Lamar and build up some depth on their offensive line. Their line was decimated due to injuries. So, it will be nice to have Liam in the room ready to start on Day 1.
Pick 25- Tennessee Titans: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE Georgia
The Jadeveon Clowney experiment was not a success. The Titans decide to move on from him and pick Azeez Ojulari and see what kind of impact he can make on their defense on Day 1. Titans are in good shape to continue to contend for a championship. Next year, they definitely will be in contention once again and this pick definitely will help them in the future.
Pick 26- Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Samuel Cosmi, OT Texas
This pick by the Buccaneers continues to help protect the ageless wonder that is Tom Brady and having bodies in front of him will always help in that task. Let’s assume that 2021 is the last year for Brady and protecting him will be priority number 1.
Pick 27- New York Jets (From Seahawks): Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota
Rashod Bateman is a very talented receiver and the Jets will be looking to continue to improve their receiver room after it being quite obvious that they need some help. Bateman had 19 touchdown catches for Minnesota in his career there. He, like a lot of prospects, decided to opt-out and prepare for the NFL Draft. That decision ultimately pays off and he ends up going in the first round to the New York Jets.
Pick 28- Buffalo Bills: Alex Leatherwood, OT Alabama
The Bills continue to invest in their offense and continue to protect Josh Allen and this pickup keeps them improving for the future and keeps Josh Allen upright for the long-haul. Especially, when he is going to be demanding quite a huge extension. You need to protect your investment and what better way to do that than drafting Leatherwood out of Alabama.
Pick 29- New Orleans Saints: Jay Tufele, DT USC
This pickup for the Saints gives them some depth at the position. Tufele had 7.5 sacks in his career at USC. He definitely has the measurables and the potential to be great. He decided to opt-out of the season. However, he makes an impact on the Saints immediately.
Pick 30- Kansas City Chiefs: Joseph Ossai, EDGE Texas
The Chiefs will continue to build up their defense. Their defense will be pivotal in sustaining success with Mahomes. Their offense is already unstoppable and Mahomes will terrorize the league for years to come. The Chiefs draft a player that they hope will do the same on their defense which he ends up doing.
Pick 31- Green Bay Packers: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
Ohio State always has great wide receivers and Olave will be Rodgers' new target in this draft. Olave has had some good seasons at Ohio State and he will continue his fortunes in the NFL being drafted in the first round by the Packers.
Pick 32- Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB Alabama
After the Steelers' glorious Super Bowl win over the Green Bay Packers, it is quite evident that the Steelers are going to need a capable running back in the years after Ben Roethlisberger. They decide to go after Najee here and help improve their running back room. James Conner in this scenario ends up leaving in free agency and signs a small prove-it deal elsewhere. Najee has been one of the main reasons for Alabama’s success in this unprecedented season.