Tanking for Trevor Lawrence lands the Jaguars a franchise quarterback in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft while the Raiders tab Trey Lance to lead in Las Vegas.
Trevor Lawrence is the ultimate prize in the 2021 NFL Draft. Any team that has even the slightest need at quarterback likely has their eyes on the Clemson superstar. And while “tanking” is the taboo word in the NFL, saying that Lawrence is worth tanking for isn’t a far stretch of the imagination. So at the top of this early 2021 NFL mock draft and every subsequent projection, it’s all about who wins the proverbial “Tank for Trevor”.
Of course, Lawrence isn’t the only top-tier prospect that will be available in the 2021 NFL Draft. In fact, he isn’t the only elite quarterback in the class as Ohio State’s Justin Fields certainly will have his claim while Georgia’s Jamie Newman, Minnesota’s Tanner Morgan, Iowa State’s Brock Purdy and even North Dakota State’s Trey Lance will all have suitors early by my estimation.
So what does that mean for this mid-May edition of a 2021 NFL mock draft? Obviously, we haven’t even had a preseason game played in the 2020 NFL or college football seasons. But as things stand now in terms of projected records and where we are with these prospects (with a little projection mixed in for them as well), this is how each team can improve their future in the 2021 NFL Draft.
This 2021 NFL mock draft was compiled using the NFL Mock Draft Database simulator.
Trevor Lawrence is already among the all-time great quarterback prospects in the NFL Draft and he hasn’t touched the field in his junior season with the Clemson Tigers. That’s how impressive he’s been from the moment he was a high school recruit up until now. He’s absolutely everything that an NFL team could need under center.
As the No. 1 recruit in the 2018 class, it should come as no surprise that Lawrence is the physical prototype at the position. He’s 6-6, 220 pounds with a great, long, built frame. Furthermore, he has elite throwing mechanics to go with athleticism, which he put on display in a big way during his sophomore season.
Some may wonder why Lawrence hasn’t been burning up the record books at Clemson but he’s still thrown for 6,945 yards, 66 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions with a 65.5 percent completion rate over two seasons — even without starting the first four games as a freshman. Moreover, he’s also had a first-round caliber running back to feed in the offense.
Though the Jacksonville Jaguars clearly want to see more from Jacksonville Jaguars, they shouldn’t let a good player hinder them from getting a great player. Lawrence has superstar potential and they could possibly trade Minshew to help out the rest of a rebuilding roster. That would be a tremendous step forward for the franchise.
Just behind Trevor Lawrence in the 2018 college football recruiting class was another quarterback, Justin Fields. Initially landing at Georgia, Fields spent his true freshman season essentially being wasted by the Bulldogs as they wanted to retain continuity with Jake Fromm. Thus, Fields transferred to Ohio State, got a waiver from the NCAA and won the starting job for the 2019 season.
In his first season with the Buckeyes and as a college starter, Fields looked like an absolute stud. He threw for 3,273 yards, 41 touchdowns and only three interceptions as part of one of the best offenses in the country and completing 67.2 percent of his passes. For good measure, the standout signal-caller also rushed for 484 yards and 10 touchdowns as well.
Even that doesn’t totally do Fields justice. Just take a look at the magic he could create on the football field.
If the Washington Redskins end up with the second overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft after picking at No. 2 this past year, then there’s a good chance that new head coach Ron Rivera and rebuilt front office might be ready to cut bait with Dwayne Haskins, who they didn’t have a hand in drafting.
Should that be the case, Fields could be the answer to their prayers. His dual-threat ability makes him elite and he’s an even better thrower than many give him credit for. He could be the savior in Washington they’ve been looking for over quite some time.
After using the No. 1 overall pick this year on Joe Burrow, the Cincinnati Bengals have the foundation for their future. Moreover, they have some nice pieces, particularly on offense.
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Tyler Boyd is going to be a long-time NFL wide receiver, Joe Mixon is a stud and Burrow will have the Bengals’ 2019 first-round pick, offensive tackle Jonah Williams, finally taking the field after missing his rookie year due to injury.
Having said that, there are still a number of holes on the Bengals roster that must be addressed, hence why they would be picking at No. 3 in the 2021 NFL Draft. Their defense has a ton of holes that need to be filled on every level, especially in terms of adding youth. Moreover, they could use a replacement for A.J. Green as he might be gone after this year. Protecting Burrow, though, should be their top priority and the offensive line isn’t set. Selecting Penei Sewell would help solidify that unit in a big way.
Had he been eligible to come out in 2020, Sewell would’ve been the top offensive tackle off the board. He’s that good. With size at 6-6, 331 pounds, the Oregon product moves extremely well at all levels and plays with tremendous technique for a player who’s only 19 years old right now with both his hands and feet. Pairing him with Williams will give Burrow and Cincy a long-time offensive tackle pairing that most teams would kill for.
The only thing that is going to keep Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons from being a top-five pick is the position he plays. We saw people question Isaiah Simmons in this past year’s draft, though Parsons is much more of a prototype for the position than Simmons. And even though he does play linebacker, the Nittany Lions star should still be a top-10 lock because he’s one of the best prospects at the position in quite some time.
Brad Kelly of Cover 1 broke down why Parsons shows all the necessary traits of a prospect that has the potential to be a top-tier NFL linebacker:
"Parsons has elite traits for a linebacker from a size and athleticism perspective, but what makes him so intriguing is his instincts for the position. He has the versatility to take reps and thrive at stand-up linebacker, edge rusher and the overhang. Parsons has the potential to be the best linebacker prospect in years, and will be an early favorite for a top pick in 2021. With his production, traits shown on film and continued development from his time as a top five overall recruit, Parsons has the makings of a future All-Pro in the NFL."
The Carolina Panthers made NFL Draft history in 2020 as they used every selection they had on a defensive player. That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t take another defensive prospect at the top of the 2021 NFL Draft, though. They need a replacement to anchor the middle of the field with Luke Kuechly gone and Parsons checks every box to be the best chance at filling that hole.
Ja’Marr Chase is a monster. There’s no other way to put it. While playing with Joe Burrow at LSU this past season while the eventual No. 1 overall pick broke one passing record after another certainly didn’t hurt the Tigers wide receiver, the simple fact of the matter is that the 6-1, 200-pound pass-catcher was open and making plays routinely.
While Chase’s running mate, Justin Jefferson, led college football in receptions last season, it was Chase that set the pace elsewhere with his huge production. He finished the 2019 season in Baton Rouge with 1,780 yards on 84 receptions and found the end zone an incredible 20 times on the year. Whether it was big plays or lining up in the red zone, Chase made plays at every level.
It’s worth noting that Chase isn’t necessarily the biggest receiver and he’s not going to be running in the 4.2s when he tests at the NFL Combine. But when you look at his hands, vision and ability to win in 50-50 situations, none of that matters. Just watch the film and you see a potential game-changer for an NFL offense.
There is no question that the New York Giants, at some point soon, need to start addressing their defensive holes, which are numerous. Having said that, they also need to put quarterback Daniel Jones in the best spot to succeed. Considering the weapons currently suiting up for Big Blue, they need a bonafide top-tier wide receiver for Jones to work with and Chase is readymade to be that guy.
The reviews on the Miami Dolphins’ much-anticipated 2020 draft class were mixed. While they undeniably filled holes and, of course, knocked it out of the park at No. 5 by selecting Tua Tagovailoa, there were a number of situations where the team seemingly reached. Furthermore, there were a couple of head-scratching selections along the way. But it’s clear that this is a long-term rebuild in South Beach.
You could certainly make the case that the Dolphins should look to get Tua some more weapons in the passing game. DeVante Parker finally had a big year many have been waiting for in 2019 and Preston Williams flashed before getting injured. Outside of those two and maybe tight end Mike Gesicki, though, the Dolphins pass-catchers are scarce. However, I believe they need can’t pass up a game-changer on defense.
Gregory Rousseau redshirted the 2018 season at Miami to put on some muscle so he could be an effective pass-rusher off the edge and it paid off in a huge way for the Hurricanes. The defensive end exploded as a redshirt freshman with 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss as the star of the Miami defense.
Though the Dolphins spent big money on the defense in free agency, the edge rushers they added like Shaq Lawson, among others, aren’t necessarily individual game-changers. For this defense to take shape, they need that type of player. If Rousseau can build off his redshirt freshman campaign, there’s every sign that he’s capable of being a routine double-digit sack artist in the NFL.
Justyn Ross introduced himself to the world in a big way in the 2018 College Football Playoff. In matchups against Notre Dame and Alabama en route to Clemson winning the National Championship, Trevor Lawrence took advantage of the physically gifted then-true freshman. Ross topped 300 yards on 12 catches and scored three touchdowns to help push the Tigers to the natty.
In his sophomore season after posting 1,000 yards and nine scores as a big-play threat in his first season, Ross’ role changed. Tee Higgins was clearly the favorite target of Lawrence in the passing offense while running back Travis Etienne had to be fed as well. He became less of a big-play threat as he had 20 more receptions on the year but had just 865 yards and eight scores on the year.
No one is going to mistake Ross for a burner in the mold of Henry Ruggs III or a litany of other prospects that win with speed. However, he’s fast enough to create separation and has an elite frame at 6-4, 205 pounds to win at the catch point against anyone. He also has a great feel for the game and nice hands to make plays.
Though the Detroit Lions have plenty of needs, they could be hurting at wide receiver soon as both Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. could become free agents after the 2020 season. Even if they re-sign one or both guys, the Lions would be wise to add to that group with a player like Ross who could hopefully help Matthew Stafford be able to lead this team to actual success.
It’s hard to argue with what the New York Jets did this offseason. They clearly valued protecting quarterback Sam Darnold moving forward so that he’s not constantly being pressured and, thus, “seeing ghosts” anymore. In free agency and then in the first round of the draft with Mekhi Becton, the Jets fortified the offensive line. They did turn their eyes to the wide receiver spot in the second round of the draft, though.
After losing Robby Anderson in free agency and once again having Quincy Enunwa dealing with injuries, the Jets traded back and got Denzel Mims at the end of the second round. However, that’s not enough for a receiving group that needs a ton of help. So while the defense still needs help in the front seven, the pick of Jaylen Waddle makes a ton of sense still.
Over his first two years at Alabama, Waddle has been playing fourth fiddle in perhaps the greatest college football wide receiver group ever. But with Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs now in the NFL, Waddle will have a much bigger role and appears primed to shine.
While Waddle has only 78 receptions over two years, he’s averaged 18.1 yards per catch and has 1,408 yards and 13 touchdowns. Throw in his elite ability as a return man and he’s been even more impressive. Waddle has top-end speed and quickness to win both before and after the catch and should be a dominant big-play threat at the NFL level, something the Jets still need.
It feels like a lot of pressure to put on a redshirt sophomore playing in the FCS, but North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance might be the next quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft after Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields. That’s how impressive the young signal-caller was in his first season as the starter for the Bison.
As a redshirt freshman, Lance put up insane numbers while leading NDSU to yet another FCS title. The quarterback completed 66.9 percent of his passes for 2,786 yards, 28 touchdowns and an incredible zero interceptions. And if that wasn’t enough, he also rushed 169 times for 1,100 yards and 14 touchdowns as well. If you’re doubting the validity of those numbers, just watch the young man work:
Lance has the arm strength to push the ball downfield, the size at 6-3, 221 pounds with great athleticism to make plays with his legs and seemingly has a great feel for the position, especially considering he didn’t play quarterback until ninth grade in high school. Yes, he’s not perfect as his accuracy could be improved and he needs to do what he did in 2019 again. But the reasons why a team like the Las Vegas Raiders would be willing to take him in the top 10 are clear.
Jon Gruden has seemingly been ready to part with Derek Carr since he arrived, even if it hasn’t happened yet. Now in a new city with a revamped group of offensive weapons, though, it may come time to finally make a change at quarterback. And Lance could be the highest-upside pick that the silver and black could make as they adopt change under center.
In what ended up being a strong 2020 draft class at offensive tackle, there was talk coming into last college football season that Stanford’s Walker Little might be at the top of that group. However, we ultimately didn’t get to see that. After just a couple weeks of the 2019 season, Little was ruled out for the remainder of the year due to a knee injury. Even still, there was talk that he could come out in 2020.
Had he done so, he still might’ve been one of the top offensive tackles off of the board. Jacob Infante of Draft Wire had this to say at the time of the injury:
"Little will have a tough road to recovery ahead of him, and his draft stock will surely fall a bit as a result of his injury. However, his tape is good enough to still warrant using an early pick on him. If he chooses to declare for the 2020 draft, he could still end up being a first-round pick to a team in need of a blindside protector."
Little will have the opportunity to help his draft stock in 2020 as he returns to the Cardinal. He’s a big, strong player at 6-7, 309 pounds that plays with great strength. While he has some technique work to clean up, the tools are there for him to be a high-end NFL offensive tackle.
One of the biggest shortcomings of the Chargers’ offseason was not drafting a starting left tackle. Outside of quarterback as Justin Herbert will need some development behind Tyrod Taylor, left tackle might be the one weakness on this roster. Thus, taking Little would make a ton of sense for the Bolts.
Saying that Samuel Cosmi will be the third offensive tackle off of the board in the 2021 NFL Draft and the No. 11 pick undoubtedly has some projection involved. Make no mistake, the Texas Longhorns tackle was impressive in the 2019 season but he has some stiff competition in this class to go this high. However, I see all the tools for him to be that type of prospect and be a breakout stud in 2020.
Griffin McVeigh of Longhorns Wire did a succinct job of breaking down Cosmi’s profile:
"Selected to second-team All-Big 12 last season, Cosmi is one of the best offensive lineman coming back next season. Playing left tackle for Sam Ehlinger, his athletic ability and quickness are what make him so special. He even was able to display it by scoring a touchdown against West Virginia last season."
Cosmi is a phenomenal mover on the edge of the offensive line and has tremendous footwork and mobility. While he does need to show some improvement with his functional strength, the tools are there for him to be a strong left tackle in the NFL.
After retooling their offense in the 2020 draft, the Denver Broncos will likely need to fortify the offensive line. Garret Bolles hasn’t worked out to this point and should likely be replaced. Cosmi could be that guy if he comes out for Texas this season and continues to progress off of an already impressive performance thus far in his college career.
Had he not elected to return to Florida State for the 2020 season, there’s a good chance that defensive tackle Marvin Wilson would’ve been a top-50 pick in this year’s draft. However, he’s back in what should be a substantially better situation in Tallahassee this year and he’s in line to cement himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the 2021 draft class.
At 6-5, 311 pounds, Wilson is a mammoth of a man on the interior of the defensive line. He isn’t just size, however, as he plays with tremendous power and a great motor on the interior. Consistently, he can win with his strength, especially when he keeps his pad level low. Furthermore, he has a great feel for the position as both a run and pass defender. Take a look at the type of plays he can make.
While Wilson may not be the most explosive player, he has enough juice to go with his power and enough technique as well to be a substantially effective player on an NFL defensive line.
The Cardinals need to continue addressing their defense after using their first-round pick on Isaiah Simmons. Their next area of focus should be in the trenches where they lack any players who they will likely be able to consistently rely upon for the long haul. Adding Wilson here changes their fortunes in that regard.
The Atlanta Falcons have been looking for a boost for their pass rush for what feels like forever at this point. They took Takkarist McKinley in the first round of the 2017 draft but he has not panned out while also letting Vic Beasley Jr. walk this offseason. They’ve taken some dart throws for the 2020 season as well with Dante Fowler Jr. and Charles Harris.
However, the simple truth is that the Falcons don’t have any viable long-term options when it comes to their edge rushers. That’s something they need to change for this defense to find a form that will help lead them back to the playoffs and possibly on a postseason run. So that’s why they take Clemson’s Xavier Thomas with the No. 13 pick.
After posting 3.5 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2018 as a rotational player in a limited role, Thomas was supposed to be a breakout star for the Tigers last season as a highly touted 5-star recruit. However, injuries largely threw him off track and he had only 1.5 sacks and 8.0 tackles for loss.
Because of the year he had in 2019, there is projection with saying Thomas can be a top-15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, his blend of skills at 6-2, 265 pounds and the fact that he was such a celebrated recruit lead me to believe that, if healthy, he can star for the Clemson defense and play his way into this draft position.
Many expected all three of the leading Alabama wide receivers from last season — Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III and Devonta Smith — to come out with Tua Tagovailoa in the 2020 draft. The first two indeed did that, landing with the Broncos and Raiders, respectively. But Smith elected to return to Tuscaloosa one more season and has a chance to be a record-breaker for the Crimson Tide.
Now the no-question top target in the Alabama offense, Smith is coming off a highly productive season, albeit one with ups and downs. He had a five-touchdown game and other multi-score games but wasn’t always heard from in the crowded wide receiver room. Even still, he ended the 2019 season with 68 catches for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns.
While there are some questions at quarterback for Bama, if Smith can be a more consistent star for the Crimson Tide, he’ll be a first-round lock in the 2021 NFL Draft. And why not make the Dolphins his new home.
Using the other first-round pick that they acquired from the Houston Texans in the Laremy Tunsil trade, Miami reunites Tagovailoa and Smith to give their offense a jolt. With his route-running and ability to separate downfield, Smith will be a welcome sight as the Dolphins likely try to make a surge up the standings starting in the 2021 season.
For fans that really enjoy watching great football, not getting to see Dylan Moses last year with Alabama was a bummer. The linebacker tore his ACL in the preseason and never saw the field. Even then, he might’ve been a first-round pick in 2020 but instead returned for a season to prove himself further on the field.
Joe Marino of The Draft Network was high on Moses coming into the 2019 season prior to his injury, particularly with his athletic tools and instincts as a run defender:
"Terrific physical upside in terms of size and mobility. Has the frame and range the NFL is looking for in today’s second level defenders. Love how he flows laterally, finds windows and attacks downhill when defending the run. Processes and diagnoses run plays with natural ease. Excellent tackler that does well to wrap up and he features good hitting power/contact balance. Has the athletic ability to win in man coverage. Takes tight angles when scraping and filling."
Moses’ ability as a player and leader was evident in Tuscaloosa as the defense struggled without their proverbial quarterback on the field. We’ll see that in a big way in the 2020 college season.
That should intrigue the Cleveland Browns in a huge way. This team has a gaping hole at the position as Mack Wilson and Sione Takitaki leave a lot to be desired, even if Jacob Phillips is a rookie they like too. Moses can be a steadying force in the middle of this defense and perhaps take the Browns to another level, especially if they look good in year one under Kevin Stefanski.
When the Jacksonville Jaguars made it to the AFC Championship Game despite having Blake Bortles at quarterback, the success of that team was predicated on how well their defense played. And while they had a number of highly talented players on every level, having Jalen Ramsey and then A.J. Bouye added later at cornerback was a big reason for their success.
Now that those two corners are gone, as are many other pieces to start a rebuild, the Jaguars are left putting together a new secondary. They added C.J. Henderson with one of their two first-rounders in 2020, an elite man coverage player with great finesse, speed and length. So after taking Trevor Lawrence at No. 1, they add a great complement to Henderson.
Patrick Surtain II obviously has great bloodlines given the productive NFL career of his father but he’s ready to make his own name in football. Through two years at Alabama, he has only three interceptions but his film shows he’s more than that — as do his 15 pass defenses.
The Crimson Tide cornerback is a physical player that knows how to use his 6-2, 203-pound frame, especially in press-man coverage. While he may not be an elite athlete, he has enough goods in that regard to hang with anyone, which makes him a great running mate to give the Jaguars another top-tier pair of young cornerbacks.
Things have gone just about as poorly as you could’ve ever imagined for the Chicago Bears at the quarterback position. Nevermind the fact that they traded up from No. 3 to No. 2 in the 2017 draft to take Mitchell Trubisky over Deshaun Watson and Patrick Mahomes, the Bears also went all-in on their roster around the quarterback with the belief that they could contend.
Instead, Trubisky has been the one keeping the Bears from contending. Now, Chicago didn’t pick up his fifth-year option for the 2021 season, meaning he’s likely gone after this year. Moreover, they traded for Nick Foles — a bad move on paper in itself — to just try and provide stability or competition at the position. But even he may be gone sooner rather than later.
While it may not be general manager Ryan Pace making the pick, Chicago needs to find their answer at quarterback for the long term now. And there’s a good chance that, after transferring from Wake Forest, Jamie Newman might put his name in that mix while at Georgia.
Newman is a dual-threat signal-caller that showed a ton of positive things at Wake Forest. He has a nice arm and, while his accuracy comes and goes, his ability to extend and make plays with his legs makes him dangerous at all times. If he can develop further with the Bulldogs in a better situation, he could insert himself in the first-round quarterback conversation.
Throughout his college career with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, defensive end Carlos Basham Jr. has consistently improved and has now become one of the most dominant players in the ACC at the position. That’s a testament to his work ethic and mentality but also to the level of prospect that he’s become.
After registering no sacks and just two tackles for loss in limited work as a freshman, Basham flashed in a bigger role in the 2018 season as he put up 4.5 sacks and 11.0 tackles for loss. He upped that production even more this past year as the 6-5, 275-pounder dominated with 10.0 sacks, 18 tackles for loss and 57 total tackles.
Basham isn’t the most explosive player and won’t be mistaken for a speed rusher. However, he has enough juice to go with his motor, technical refinement and power off the edge to make him an enticing player in the right type of NFL system, especially if keeps improving further.
His blue-collar style seems to fit perfectly with the Minnesota Vikings, who have a need on the edge. With Everson Griffen leaving this offseason, the team is fine enough up front but they could use an infusion of talent. Basham would provide that and give them a steadier future in the trenches, which is where the Vikings like to dominate on defense.
Ohio State ultimately had two cornerbacks selected in the top 20 picks of this year’s NFL Draft with Jeffrey Okudah and Damon Arnette going off of the board. Though Arnette may have been a reach regardless, had Shaun Wade come out, he likely would’ve gone ahead of Arnette and given the Buckeyes three players at the position coming off of the board in the first round.
Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network broke down why Wade could be a great, movable secondary piece in the NFL prior to his decision to return to school:
"Wade is a tone setting player who beats up would be blockers outside the hashes and excels at stepping down as an enforcer vs. screen game and the run. A reliable tackler, Wade has fascinating upside as a chess piece weapon/hybrid defender in the NFL game. His recognition skills as it relates to spacing multiple layers of routes make him a desirable prospect in coverage."
While he plays largely in the slot for the Buckeyes, Wade’s size and overall talent lend to the belief that he can stay there or play on the boundary. Regardless, he could be an asset for the Colts.
Quietly, the secondary in Indianapolis has a lot of question marks going into 2020, enough to make you think that could be what sinks possible Super Bowl chances after adding Philip Rivers. Selecting Wade in Round 1 would help alleviate those woes and give the Colts a chance to possibly give Rivers another run at a title.
One of the biggest shockers of the 2020 offseason was the Tennessee Titans trading Jurrell Casey for only a seventh-round pick. It was clearly a salary-cap dump, potentially to make way for another free agency move. But regardless, his departure leaves a hole up front as Jeffery Simmons can step up but only plays one position. That’s why they could look at someone like USC’s Jay Tufele in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Charlie Campbell of Walter Football gave some quick insight into how Tufele has developed in his time with the Trojans and what could make him a nice player at the next level:
"In 2019, Tufele was a disruptive presence for USC, totaling 42 tackles with 4.5 sacks and a pass batted. His run defense was improved, and he looks like he has upside to improve as an upperclassman. After redshirting in 2017, Tufele made an impressive debut for the Trojans in 2018, racking up three sacks with 23 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss and a blocked field goal. Tufele has the upside to grow and be better as he gains experience."
The 6-3, 305-pound Trojan could be the replacement for Casey in Tennessee. His ability to both affect the rushing and passing attacks up front could mirror what Casey did for the Titans, even if he’s not a star-caliber player to that degree. For a team that clearly has a nice vision, Tufele would seemingly fit.
Getting robbed of seeing Rondale Moore for the entirety of the 2019 college football season simply stinks. As a freshman with the Purdue Boilermakers, the wide receiver was electric as he had 114 receptions for 1,258 yards and 12 touchdowns, 21 rushes for 213 yards and two scores, and 33 kick returns for 662 yards. He was among the most electric players in the country.
If you don’t believe me, just watch the tape:
Unfortunately, after putting up 29 receptions for 387 yards and two scores in only four games this past year, Moore suffered an injury that held him out for the rest of the season. Now slated to come back healthy, the hope is that he can stay that way and continue to provide Purdue with the elite playmaking he’s capable of, despite his diminutive 5-9, 180-pound frame.
Agree with it or not, the New England Patriots appear to be sticking with Jarrett Stidham and believe in him. And if they end up picking at No. 21, that likely means they weren’t entirely wrong. Subsequently, they get the young quarterback a weapon here in Moore. He’s the type of playmaker with the versatility that isn’t found on the Pats’ roster right now that could open up the offense and give Stidham the best chance to become “the guy” if he has it in him.
Alex Leatherwood has done it all throughout his career with the Alabama Crimson Tide. A highly touted recruit, he played at guard early in his career while waiting to start at tackle. He was great there, then took over at left tackle and, lo and behold, he remained proficient at that spot as well. Now he’s returning for the 2020 season under Nick Saban and we can only expect more of the same.
There was hype about Leatherwood potentially coming out in the 2020 NFL Draft but he elected to return to Alabama. Even last year, though, Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network praised the athleticism that allows him to be so versatile:
"Man, Leatherwood is athletic! He moves really well in space and his mirror ability is something to take note of. He’s not afraid to embrace the path of least resistance as a blocker in zone concepts, consistently turning out defenders and using momentum against them to win spacing. Shows a ton of natural power and strength as a blocker to win and reset the LOS, pairing it with a dynamic first step to gain ground and win on the correct side of the line of scrimmage. Athletic build carries weight very well, he’s a natural mover and can thrive in gap or zone concepts."
We should probably stop expecting the Seahawks to do the smart thing in the NFL Draft but, if we’re talking about what they should do, this is it. Leatherwood is the talented and movable piece that their saloon-door offensive line has needed for so long and getting him here would be a huge asset for Seattle’s offense.
Coming out of the 2019 season, there were two areas where the Philadelphia Eagles desperately needed help, in the secondary and at wide receiver. And throughout the offseason, they were able to make moves in both areas to help those position groups. At wide receiver, they took Jalen Reagor in the first round of the 2020 draft. At cornerback, they pulled off a trade for Darius Slay.
However, one of the curiosities of the Eagles’ 2020 draft, Jalen Hurts pick aside, was that they chose not to really double-down heavily at either wide receiver or cornerback, particularly the latter. For as good as Slay is, the rest of the Philadelphia defensive back group still has question marks. That’s why the position is their first-round target for this 2021 mock draft.
Paulson Adebo was another in a long list of surprising returns to school. The Stanford product was projected by many to be one of the top cornerbacks in the 2020 class had he chosen to forego his final year with the Cardinal. Yet, he’s back for another year and could help his stock by cleaning up some issues from 2019 that he didn’t show the year prior — and staying healthy.
Even still, Adebo has shown his coverage and ball skills are top-notch as he has eight interceptions and 27 pass defenses over his 22 games with Stanford thus far. If he can work further on his hand technique and prove his foot speed when healthy, he should be a first-round lock in 2021 and a player that would give the Eagles a dynamic cornerback duo when paired with Slay.
While P.J. Fleck was still entrenching himself and his mentality at Minnesota in 2018, freshman wide receiver Rashod Bateman started to make a name for himself, even if the Golden Gophers as a whole weren’t quite there yet. The youngster had 51 catches for 704 yards and six scores. However, as Minnesota took off in the 2019 campaign, Bateman was one of the breakout stars.
In the 2019 season, the 6-2, 210-pound wide receiver was one of the best big-play threats in the country. Catching 60 balls on the year, Bateman averaged 20.3 yards per reception as he totaled 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year. Now, with Tyler Johnson gone for the NFL, Bateman could be in line for an even bigger year in the 2020 season with quarterback Tanner Morgan.
The fact that the Green Bay Packers didn’t select a wide receiver, regardless of what you think about the Jordan Love pick, in the 2020 draft is downright criminal. But even still, you have to believe that the front office will at least change that in trying to give both Aaron Rodgers a weapon to help with Davante Adams now and someone Love can grow with.
Bateman seemingly has the goods to be that type of player for the Packers offense. With size, speed and the ability to win as a vertical threat, he would be a nice asset to complement Adams and help this offense thrive in ways it struggled to in 2019 and likely will in 2020 as well.
Trey Smith made the decision to return for his senior season with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2020 despite how highly he could’ve been selected in this year’s draft. Smith would’ve likely been off the board in the first two rounds as he was widely regarded as one of the top interior offensive linemen in the country. However, he’s ready to move back to tackle where he can star.
While there are some medical red flags with Smith as he dealt with issues regarding blood clots in his lungs, the tape on the big man in Knoxville shows a tremendous NFL prospect. He’s unbelievably powerful at the point of attack and can move well all things considered for a player with his strength and power.
Furthermore, returning for the 2020 season at Tennessee could benefit Smith’s stock in two ways. For one, if he stays healthy, that will help check a box for him. More than that, however, if the Vols are able to take a step forward as a team, that will naturally put more eyes on him and what he’s able to do on the offensive line.
The Buffalo Bills have built a strong overall roster, especially if Josh Allen can develop further. However, the offensive line could use an infusion of youth and perhaps a talent upgrade as well. With Smith’s positional versatility, he could be a huge asset for this team in the trenches.
Tanner Morgan played in nine games for Minnesota as a freshman and showed some promise. He only threw 152 passes but completed 58.6 percent of them for 1,401 yards, nine scores and six picks. But as the Golden Gophers enjoyed their best season in 50 years in 2019, it was Morgan who helped lead the way as he threw for 3,253 yards, 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions while completing 66.0 percent of his passes.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. touted Morgan as a prospect who is very much being discussed for the 2021 NFL Draft when talking to Charley Walters of the Pioneer Press:
"“(Morgan) is heavily on the radar,” Kiper opined for the Pioneer Press. “He’s a guy to watch, potentially a future starter in the NFL. He’s got good pocket presence, throws a nice, catchable ball and he’s accurate. And he’s a leader.”"
Admittedly, I’m higher on Morgan than most, especially with the projection of him now having a full year of experience as a starter. He has enough arm strength to make all the throws and clearly has a great feel in the pocket.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have Tom Brady now and, thus, have Super Bowl aspirations. But if they’re planning for the future, they need to plan for life after the 43-year-old for however long he’s there. Bringing Morgan in would do that, giving him time to adjust to the NFL and then stepping into a phenomenal situation with all the weapons the Bucs have.
The fact that Travis Etienne made the decision to return for another season with the Clemson Tigers was perhaps the most shocking 2020 NFL Draft decision of them all. I mean, what else does this young man have to prove? He already owns the record books at Clemson and has been a key cog in dominant teams.
Regardless, the dynamic big-play threat will be terrorizing ACC defenses for another season and there’s no question that he’s only going to continue drawing rave reviews. Whenever he touches the ball, he’s a threat to go the distance with the vision, quickness, agility and top speed to hit a home run at any moment. Seriously, just watch him work:
The Pittsburgh Steelers are in an interesting position at running back as James Conner’s contract expires after this season. Even putting aside the general notion of paying a running back, the Steelers have to be concerned with Conner’s long-term durability and, thus, his viability.
That’s why they’re willing to use a late first-round pick on Etienne at this point. He’s a different player than Conner but he could be a huge asset for this offense as they try to milk as much as they can from the final years with Ben Roethlisberger at the helm.
Speaking of, it also wouldn’t be surprising to see the Steelers potentially trade up for a quarterback in the 2021 draft as well.
There’s no question that the Dallas Cowboys were one of the big winners of the 2020 draft. However, one curiosity in the class was they didn’t address what many called their biggest need, which is safety. They have a stopgap in place with Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to pair with Xavier Wods but now they get Hamsah Nasirildeen to be the future at the position once Clinton Dix leaves.
The 2020 season at Florida State could be huge for Nasirildeen. He played extremely well in 2019 but there’s still some rawness to his game. Joe Marino of The Draft Network spoke to the Seminoles safety’s incredible physical attributes:
"Physically gifted. Features great length and an exciting frame to grow into. His stocky build is noticeable from the waist down and it’s apparent that he isn’t anywhere near maxed out in the upper half. Explosive and fluid mover in all directions, rounding out his highly appealing physical skill set. Has some impressive flashes of a quick trigger and attacking downhill. Ball production is lacking but there are exciting instances on tape of him confidently attacking the football in the air. Natural athlete that is comfortable in space."
Players that are 6-4, 215 pounds shouldn’t be able to do all the things Nasirildeen is capable of as he can play a hybrid role and move all over the field, be it in the box or dropping into coverage. He’s the type of chess piece Dallas’ defense has long lacked and could be a needle-mover for the Cowboys.
Pat Freiermuth has garnered quite a following throughout his two years in Happy Valley. The Penn State tight end hasn’t exactly been out-of-this-world productive for the Nittany Lions but he has been impressive enough overall to gain many fans that have called him “Baby Gronk”, which is sure to turn heads in the NFL.
In 12 games as a freshman, Freiermuth caught only 26 passes but showed how dangerous he can be as he took those receptions for 368 yards and eight touchdowns. Despite some inconsistency from a young quarterback in 2019 as a freshman, the big tight end was still productive, catching 43 balls for 507 yards and seven scores in 13 games.
He elected to return for another year at Penn State, despite the chance to possibly be TE1 in the weak 2020 class. However, he could still be TE1 in the 2021 NFL Draft. The 6-5, 256-pounder is a big body that can block in line but also make plays as a bulldozing pass-catcher in the open field and in the red zone.
The Saints are still in need of adding weapons in the passing game outside of Michael Thomas and, though Jared Cook has been good for them, his best days may be behind him now. Replacing him with Freiermuth would be a boost for this offense, whether it’s Drew Brees or someone else at quarterback.
Despite moving around and playing on teams with varying levels of success, Quincy Roche was nothing but productive for the Temple Owls throughout the first three years of his college career. He began his career with 7.0 sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss as a freshman. The next season, though those numbers dipped to 6.0 sacks and 9.0 tackles for loss, he posted a career-high 57 total tackles.
This past season with the Owls, however, Roche was a dominant force as a pass-rusher off the edge. He exploded for 13.0 sacks and 19.0 tackles for loss and also ended the year with five pass defenses and 49 total tackles. Oh yeah, he also has six forced fumbles throughout his career as well.
Now, Roche has transferred to play for the Miami Hurricanes and has a huge opportunity ahead. If the 6-4, 235-pounder can be an explosive threat off the edge opposite of Gregory Rousseau, he could produce enough to be a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
That’s the case here and the Baltimore Ravens get a player who fits them like a glove. Roche’s frame is ideally suited as a stand-up rusher they could need to either replace or complement Matt Judon on the edge and his mentality as a do-it-all force from that spot fits the mold of what Baltimore has looked for over the years.
One of the risers for the 2021 NFL Draft in the 2019 season was South Carolina cornerback Israel Mukuamu. After playing in only five games as a freshman and notching just one interception and one pass defense, the big-bodied corner came out and delivered a fantastic season for the Gamecocks last year.
Including a huge three-interceptions game against one South Carolina’s biggest opponents, the Georgia Bulldogs, Mukuamu had four interceptions and nine pass defenses on the year, including a pick-six to his credit as well. Furthermore, he showed a nice willingness to make plays not on the ball with 59 total tackles on the season as well.
At 6-4, 205 pounds, the frame and length that Mukuamu possesses are rare traits that make him enticing for the NFL. He has the size to match up with No. 1 wide receivers at the pro level and clearly has the tools and technique in coverage to do the same as well.
For as good as Richard Sherman and the 49ers secondary played in the 2019 season, they need some help for the future to make sure that area remains a strength in San Francisco. Using a late first-round pick on the Gamecocks standout would be a great way to ensure that happens.
In the most shocking yet not all that shocking move in the first round of this year’s draft, the Kansas City Chiefs elected to not improve their defense but, rather, to add another weapon on offense. So what makes us think they won’t go after another player to help Patrick Mahomes and the offense in 2021, this time targeting someone to help in the trenches?
Creed Humphrey has a case to be the best interior offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft class. The Oklahoma product is an elite player who could’ve come out in 2020. Neal Driscoll of Pro Football Network broke down what makes Humphrey such a valuable NFL prospect:
"His best traits are his overwhelming power, his ability to play with a terrific pad level, and as mentioned above, his ability to win with leverage. Out of all of the 2021 offensive linemen, you’d be hard-pressed to find any that have the power that Humphrey possesses. He is built short and compact, so when he fires out of his stance and stays low, he can control his opposition with ease. His power at the point of attack is elite, as is his hand usage. His hand placement and ability to lock onto defenders is exceptional."
Humphrey would be an upgrade at either guard spot or even at center in Kansas City. The versatility he would bring would give the Chiefs another upgrade on what is already the league’s best offense. And at the end of the day, KC wins with the ball in their hands, so it makes sense that they look to stay elite on that side of the ball however they’re able to.