This three-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft sees the Eagles give DeVonta Smith to Jalen Hurts, the Bears land Mac Jones and Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow team up once again.
Once again, the NFL offseason is going to be a strange one to navigate as we are still in the midst of a major pandemic. Due to that, the league has canceled the 2021 NFL Scouting Combine and while that will impact how incoming players are scouted, there will still be plenty of film out there for teams to make their decisions on.
In addition to what we already have, there will be some individual workouts as well that will make the rounds. Of course, these do help but it seems as though we already know who the main players are in the upcoming draft.
With that being said, we dive into the first pick in this three-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft — a pick that belongs to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
With the first pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars add the top player in the class, Trevor Lawrence. The Clemson quarterback is one of the safest picks that we have seen in decades — and it has been several years now that he’s been seen as the top quarterback in the nation.
Lawrence checks all the boxes with his arm strength, accuracy, intelligence, and leadership ability. He would instantly give the Jacksonville franchise some credibility. But will it be enough?
For years, the Jags have struggled to find their identity and with Urban Meyer running the show, they’re already off to a rough start. Meyer tried to hire Chris Doyle, who was accused of some heinous acts while at the University of Iowa. Meyer was incredibly tone-deaf in making the move and even after the backlash, he still didn’t fire Doyle as Doyle ended up being the one to end the relationship.
Hopefully, Lawrence will be able to succeed with this club — but he will need them to make some smarter decisions around him so they don’t waste his talent.
There were rumors that the New York Jets could go after Deshaun Watson — and that the Houston Texans quarterback had the Jets in mind as one of his potential landing spots. That is no longer the case, as Watson apparently said recently that he might not want to go there. And who can blame him considering how bad things have been in New York for so long now.
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Of course, things could finally be changing for them. They made arguably the best hire of the offseason when they landed Robert Saleh. The former San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator is a young star in the game and should finally command the respect that Adam Gase could not.
Now, they come in with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft — which is the first of two picks for them in this opening round. That selection is used in this mock on Justin Fields and it would be surprising to see anyone other than Fields get the call when this pick is announced.
Fields is an elite playmaker who can deliver any throw necessary and can hurt teams with his legs as well. He should be the franchise quarterback they hoped they were landing with Sam Darnold a couple of seasons ago — and while it’s not Darnold’s fault things have been so bad, both sides can benefit from a change.
(Pick via Houston Texans): There are a couple of ways the Miami Dolphins could go with the No. 3 pick in this NFL Draft — a pick they obtained from the Houston Texans in the big Laremy Tunsil trade. One way the Texans could go is to add a No. 1 wide receiver which would benefit young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and his growth as a player.
While it’s tempting to do this, the Dolphins might also need to fix their offensive line once and for all. Last season, the Dolphins had Austin Jackson at left tackle and Robert Hunt on the right side. Jackson struggled some as a rookie but should be able to lock one of the starting jobs down long-term.
As for Hunt, he’s a better fit as a guard and could slide inside to take over for Solomon Kindley — or could take Ereck Flowers position if they wanted to save some money. In order for that to happen, they need a new offensive tackle and that’s where Penei Sewell comes in.
Sewell, who played on the left side in college, might move to the right side in the Dolphins scheme since that will be the blindside for the southpaw Tua. He could also move to Jackson’s spot and allow the 2020 first-round pick to move to the other side.
Whatever they decide, this move would give them a great starting five and they still have another pick in the first round to add talent to the offense with.
Should the Atlanta Falcons move on from Matt Ryan (yes, they should) or should they keep him and let him mentor a young prospect (they probably will). That’s the question they’re going to need to answer this offseason as new head coach Arthur Smith is taking over this coming season.
Smith will be installing his own offense and the Falcons as a whole need to be turning the page. Matt Ryan gave them a real shot at a Super Bowl and while he can still get the job done even at the age of 36 (which he will turn in May), the fact is, this team’s Super Bowl window has closed.
Ryan and the Falcons have been struggling in recent seasons with three-straight losing campaigns. Now, on the heels of a 4-12 record, the Falcons could try and get future picks by trading their remaining stars away. Being able to do so would mean that they have another option ready to go, which is why they use the No. 4 pick on Zach Wilson out of BYU.
Wilson got better every season for BYU and really took off in 2020. During his final season, Wilson had 3,692 yards with 33 touchdowns against just three picks. He added another 10 touchdowns on the ground to show he can get it done with his legs as well when the play breaks down. It won’t be easy to turn the page, but adding Wilson would be the right move for this franchise.
What better way to help your young quarterback grow than to get him one of his favorite targets from his collegiate days? Sure, there will be cries for the Cincinnati Bengals to add another offensive lineman here, and it will be tempting to do so.
In fact, the majority of the mock drafts we have done do just that — with Penei Sewell being the primary pick. However, Sewell is off the board here so that brings up a tough situation for the Bengals. They can try and pick up Rashawn Slater or Christian Darrisaw here, which would be a bit of a reach. Or they can take an elite playmaker who had 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2019 while working with Joe Burrow.
Adding Chase is the move here, but there will be some backlash, especially since Burrow is coming off a terrible ACL tear. But, one could contend the injury had more to do with his lack of help in the passing game, rather than the offensive line.
Burrow did take his share of punishment, but the play where he was injured was one where he took off and ran with the ball when no one was open. He might not have to rely on his legs as much with Chase lined up across from Tee Higgins, which could make a huge difference in keeping Burrow in the pocket rather than out in open space.
The Philadelphia Eagles took a wide receiver in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, so there’s no way they will do so again in 2021, right? Not so fast.
Philly took Jalen Reagor 21st overall last season and that paid off to the tune of 31 receptions for 396 yards and one touchdown. He missed five games and the offense as a whole was a mess — especially since they couldn’t get great quarterback play from Carson Wentz or consistent play from Jalen Hurts.
Having said that, this feels like a common theme with Reagor. His numbers took a massive nosedive in 2019 with TCU and it was blamed on quarterback play as well. Maybe, in the end, it will be proven that he’s a stud and only needed a better passer, but as it stands now, the Eagles don’t have anyone who stands out as a No. 1 wideout.
For that reason, they use the No. 6 pick to land the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, DeVonta Smith. The Alabama product took off this season with an unbelievable 117 receptions for 1,856 yards and 23 touchdowns. He can win on all three levels and will give immediate credibility to the Philadelphia receiving corps.
Plus, if we are being honest, his addition could be huge for Reagor as well. Taking pressure off of him could allow his big-play ability to shine through.
There will be some who believe the Detroit Lions will go for a quarterback here and that probably wouldn’t be a terrible surprise. They recently moved on from Matthew Stafford, trading him for a package of draft picks but they also landed Jared Goff in the process.
Goff might not be the long-term answer for Detroit, but they are going to be paying him an awful lot of money and on top of that, he’s a former No. 1 overall pick who has led a team to the Super Bowl. For those reasons, look for the Lions to at least give him one season as the starter to see if he can recapture some of the form he showed that convinced the Rams to give him a long-term contract.
With that being said, the Lions go for a different position here as they land Jaylen Waddle from Alabama. An ankle injury limited him in 2020 which was supposed to be a huge year for him. Even with the limited time, he showed off his talent and should still be a high draft pick.
Waddle is capable of playing on the outside as well as in the slot and even can be used in the backfield. Detroit’s turning the page and Waddle could become the new focal point of their offense as they do so.
There will be some serious consideration for a quarterback here when the Carolina Panthers are on the board, but the fact is, head coach Matt Rhule likely believes in Teddy Bridgewater enough to give him one more season before making a big move. Sure, Bridgewater isn’t ever going to be Tom Brady, but he’s a player who can win when the team around him is good — and the defense keeps the score low.
They have already focused on improving that defense some, with the addition of Derrick Brown out of Auburn with their No. 7 overall pick last season. The big defensive tackle showed flashes as a rookie and should be a defensive cornerstone for years to come.
Now, they continue to add talent to that side of the ball with the selection of Patrick Surtain II out of Alabama. The son of a former NFL Pro Bowler, the younger Surtain seems to have an even higher bar than his father.
A former five-star recruit, Surtain showed out as a boundary corner who excelled in large part due to his size and length. The 6-foot-1, 203-cornerback has the makings of a No. 1 corner who can help rebuild the Carolina secondary. Eventually, the Panthers will add a new signal-caller, but Rhule is a team-builder who will likely want to add the QB as the last piece rather than trying to plug one into a bad roster.
Up next is the Denver Broncos, who have the No. 9 pick in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Denver was a team that added a lot to their offense this past draft and while it didn’t pan out just yet, it still could.
The Broncos now turn their attention to the defensive side of the ball as they add Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley. An intriguing prospect, Farley has experience at several positions, and as good as he already is, he’s still an ascending prospect as pointed out by Joe Marino of The Draft Network.
"“Virginia Tech cornerback Caleb Farley enters the NFL after playing quarterback in high school, beginning his college career as a wide receiver, and then transitioning to defense where he shined as a cornerback for the Hokies in 2019. While he is new to the position, his film does not resemble a player that is still learning the ropes. Farley brings a rare blend of physical traits to the table in terms of size, length, quickness, fluidity, and athleticism that he pairs with exceptional man coverage skills that make him an exciting NFL prospect.” —Marino, The Draft Network"
Denver was once an elite team due to their defense and this pick will help them try and return to the form we once saw on that side of the ball.
Throughout the 2020 NFL campaign, it was apparent that the Dallas Cowboys needed help on the defensive side of the ball. They were simply awful when it came to stopping the run or the pass and they were terrible in terms of creating turnovers.
Then as the season came to an end, they started to improve some. While they never were adept at stopping the opposing team from moving the ball, they did start to create some turnovers — finally. There were also a few young pieces to be encouraged with like Trevon Diggs and Donovan Wilson.
On top of that, they moved on from defensive coordinator Mike Nolan who clearly wasn’t a great fit with these players. Dan Quinn might have fallen out of favor as the Atlanta Falcons head coach but he should be an improvement over Nolan. For that reason, they can turn their attention to the offensive line here, which they do by adding Rashawn Slater from Northwestern.
Slater would be there to replace Tyron Smith who has become unreliable due to injury concerns. Smith is one of the best left tackles in the NFL, but he hasn’t been able to shake the durability concerns and it’s time for Dallas to part ways with the 2011 first-round pick.
As hard as that might be to admit, the addition of Rashawn Slater will ease the pain. He’s a technician who manned the left tackle spot for the Wildcats and should be able to do the same in the NFL — even if some want to kick him inside. Dallas will be able to let him play on the outside and if you watch his tape from Northwestern, you will probably agree that he will succeed for them.
Before the 2020 season, the New York Giants picked up the fifth-year option on tight end Evan Engram, meaning they will have their former first-round pick back in 2021. However, he didn’t take the step forward they had hoped for this past season.
Engram’s numbers weren’t terrible at first glance — 63 receptions for 654 yards and a touchdown — but they can be misleading. Engram saw his catch rate drop all the way from 64.7 percent to 57.8 which was his lowest since his rookie campaign. He struggled with drops, including one that cost them a game against the Philadelphia Eagles.
While one drop isn’t enough to move on from a player, the decline overall in 2020 is enough to make a move. On top of that, the Giants find themselves on the board at No. 11 in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft with Florida tight end Kyle Pitts there for the taking.
Pitts is one of the more dangerous weapons in this class and is head and shoulders above the pack when it comes to tight ends entering the draft. As a junior, he had 770 yards and 12 touchdowns on 43 receptions. Those numbers are impressive for a tight end, but even more so when you realize he did this in only eight games for the Gators.
New York needs a No. 1 target on offense and while that usually falls on the shoulders of a wide receiver, Pitts is more than capable of becoming the top receiving threat for them and should open their game plan up tremendously.
While they haven’t moved on from Jimmy Garoppolo just yet, all the whispers that it’s going to happen aren’t a great sign for his future in San Fran. Garappolo has proven that he can win for the Niners and is a good fit in the Kyle Shanahan offense. No, he isn’t exactly a superstar but he did enough to get them to the Super Bowl.
The problem is, he’s struggling to stay healthy. Far too often, the 49ers have to turn to Nick Mullens or C.J. Beathard and they can’t keep doing this while hoping to remain competitive in the NFC West. They have to get some stability under center and that’s why they pull the trigger on Trey Lance here.
Lance is an interesting prospect since he put up some insane numbers for North Dakota State. In fact, he had only one interception his whole career which is absurd. The problem is, he hasn’t played against elite competition, and this season we only got to see him in one game due to their league’s shortened season.
Having said all that, he could become a top-tier quarterback, and as tiring as it is to hear how Kyle Shanahan can make any quarterback work (and no, that doesn’t mean Josh Rosen will suddenly be worth a darn in Frisco) he actually could be a great coach for Lance.
There was a time where the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers defense was one of the toughest in the league to deal with. The reason for that was the pass-rushing duo of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. Bosa joined the team in 2016 as a first-round pick and had 10.5 sacks despite missing the first four games of the season.
Playing across from him was their veteran edge rusher, Melvin Ingram who added eight sacks. Then in 2017, Ingram tied his career-high with 10.5 sacks and Bosa set a personal best with 12.5. Since then, they’ve continued to play well together but this past season, Ingram missed nine games and will likely be gone in free agency.
Now, Bosa becomes the experienced veteran and the Chargers add a young pass rusher to develop across from him in Kwity Paye from Michigan. Paye looks like he was built to play defensive end in the NFL at 6-foot-4 and 277-pounds. He’s also an ascending talent who is still improving as a player.
He’s never had more than 6.5 sacks in a single season but the potential is there for him to be even better in the pros once he puts all his athletic tools together on the field.
This past season, the Minnesota Vikings defense took a step backward which makes it feel as though they should go with someone to help that unit. However, head coach Mike Zimmer understands how to get the most out of his defenders and he also knows they had a lot of younger players who might need time to grow.
On offense, they had some explosion for Dalvin Cook and Justin Jefferson but there were far too many times the offensive line let them down. For that reason, they use their first pick on Alijah Vera-Tucker out of USC.
Vera-Tucker played left tackle for the Trojans but is expected to move inside at the next level. Having said that, Drae Harris from The Draft Network thinks his ability to play on the outside in a pinch is just one of the many intriguing things about this young man.
"“He is an easy mover who demonstrates his athleticism in the passing game, particularly in his kick slide. He plays with very good competitiveness when he is bull rushed. In the run game, he comes off the ball hard to strike and he excels by getting his body in favorable positions. He’s played this year at left tackle, affording him much more value due to his ability to play that position in a pinch at the next level.” — Harris, The Draft Network"
This is a big season coming up for the Vikings considering how poorly things went in 2020. They need to prove that campaign was a fluke or else some seats could start to get a little warm.
At No. 15, the New England Patriots are on the clock and they have quite a few holes to fill. For the first time since 2008, they failed to make the playoffs — thanks to the fact that Tom Brady left for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Ironically enough, that 2008 season when they missed the playoffs, they were also without Brady after he tore his ACL in Week 1. They did win 11 games that year, but it wasn’t enough to make the playoffs.
This past season, they limped to a 7-9 record as Cam Newton wasn’t an ideal replacement for Brady. With his style of play not fitting what the Pats do, they are going to move on from Newton and that will lead to some speculation that they’ll go for a quarterback here. However, Bill Belichick seems to think he can find one without using a day one pick, which means they will go elsewhere with this pick.
Where we land in this mock is on Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. He might not have the ideal size for a linebacker but Owusu-Koramoah is a fantastic player who can destroy an offense’s game plan. Belichick prefers to win with great defense, and that won’t change even without Brady on offense.
Back in 2011, the Arizona Cardinals used the No. 5 overall pick on LSU cornerback Patrick Peterson. That happened to be one of the more stacked draft classes in recent memory with players such as Peterson, Cam Newton, Julio Jones, A.J. Green, Tyron Smith, J.J. Watt, Robert Quinn, and Cameron Jordan all landing in the first round.
Really, it felt like a draft where any team with a major need could find a long-term starter and that’s what Arizona found in Peterson. He spent the past 10 seasons with the Cardinals and has 499 career tackles with 91 pass defenses and 28 interceptions.
Now, it appears Peterson might be done in Arizona as he’s set to hit free agency. With that being the case, the Cardinals look for a replacement here in Jaycee Horn. The son of former New Orleans Saints wideout Joe Horn, Jaycee proved to be a physical force for the Gamecocks.
He entered 2020 as a borderline day one pick but then put together his strongest season to date. Horn ended up leaving the team early to focus on the draft but it was understandable as he stepped away at the same time Will Muschamp was fired.
In Arizona, he will have no problem asserting himself as a starting corner and could very well be their No. 1 corner for the next 10 years just as Peterson was.
This one feels weird to predict since it goes contrary to what Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock like to do. The Las Vegas Raiders head coach and general manager have made no apologies for their tendency to draft players from Alabama and Clemson, saying that the winning programs often produce winning players.
For that reason, picking a player outside of those schools is difficult but Micah Parsons slides rather far here — and he just so happens to play a position of need for Las Vegas. And while Gruden and Mayock do prefer championship teams, they have taken other picks in the first from different programs if they fit a need such as Kolton Miller from UCLA in 2018 and Johnathan Abram from Mississippi State in 2019.
Parsons is a player that will be impossible for them to skip on since he’s more than just an average linebacker. He’s capable of playing in the middle of the defense but can also bring the heat as a pass rusher and is no slouch in coverage.
He opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns but Parsons did plenty in his first two seasons with Penn State to guarantee a spot in Round 1. Parsons had 82 tackles and two forced fumbles as a freshman before recording 109 tackles, five sacks, fice pass defenses, and four forced fumbles in 2019.
A running back this early? Typically, taking a running back in the first round is never a great idea but there can be some exceptions. In this situation, it works for a couple of reasons. One, the Miami Dolphins already had a first-round pick, which they used in this mock draft to shore up the offensive line. Two, the running back has to be a transcendent star.
That’s the case with Najee Haris, who was on an absolute tear in 2020 for Alabama. After returning for his senior season, Harris went off and recorded 1,46 yards and an insane 26 touchdowns. He also showed a lot of growth as a receiver, pulling in 43 catches for 425 yards and four more touchdowns.
Now, he rejoins his old collegiate quarterback but can also take a lot of the stress off of Tua. As a rookie, Tua struggled to adjust to the speed of the NFL game but he also didn’t have a lot of talent around him. Thanks to this 2021 NFL Mock Draft, he now has an offensive line that can compete with any in the league and a running back capable of carrying the load by himself.
Another reason using this pick on Harris makes sense is that the Dolphins will be able to exercise a fifth-year on his contract. There’s never any reason to extend a running back — none that get big deals have led their teams to a Super Bowl and most get cut after a couple of seasons. However, adding Harris here means they can lean on him for five seasons before letting someone else overpay him for what he did in Miami.
The Washington Football Team needs to get their quarterback situation figured out but after giving Taylor Heinicke a two-year extension, it looks as though they might try and see what they have with him and Alex Smith.
Heinicke was a revelation as he played phenomenally against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the playoffs, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be the franchise guy. As for Smith, he just won the NFL Comeback Player of the Year award after returning from a horrific leg injury.
Smith never seems to light the world on fire with his play but he does win. And so far in Washington, he has a career record of 11-5 and is 61-31 since leaving San Francisco and is 80-36-1 since the 2011 season. In short, they’ll likely roll with Smith for one more season and see where the chips will fall.
Of course, they know they need to do a better job of protecting him which is why they take Samuel Cosmi here at No. 19. Cosmi has experience at both left and right tackle and is solid in the passing game but great when it comes to run blocking. He fits what head coach Ron Rivera is looking for and should help the entire offense improve.
At pick No. 20, the Chicago Bears draft their potential starting quarterback of the future in Mac Jones. For the second season in a row, an Alabama quarterback is taken in the opening rounds and while Jones goes much later than his predecessor Tua Tagovailoa did, he could still find just as much success at the next level.
Jones replaced Tua in 2019 and the Tide didn’t lose a step. He finished that season with 1,503 yards and a 14-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. He was even better in 2020 when he took the reins full-time, finishing with 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns against just four picks. Even more impressive was how accurate he was, completing 77.4 percent of his passes.
There are still those who doubt Jones as a day one pick, but they shouldn’t. He can make all the throws and has shown that he can be a leader even on a team crowded with talent. And the Bears need a player like that, who the team can rally around.
Mitchell Trubisky had plenty of the tools needed but his inconsistent play was too much to overcome. It was also obvious there were times the team just didn’t believe in him, which can be a death sentence for a quarterback — ask Carson Wentz. Jones might not be a perennial All-Pro, but he will make Chicago competitive on offense.
Somehow, the Philadelphia Eagles landed Carson Wentz in a trade and didn’t have to give up anything earlier than their third-round pick this season. Of course, that’s an over-simplification of the trade. The Colts did give up a third in 2021 and at least a second in 2022, but that could turn into a first if Indianapolis makes the playoffs with Wentz starting at least 70 percent of the snaps this season.
In the long run, that’s probably a better deal for the Eagles since it means the Colts can put more talent around Wentz this season. Philly will clearly want them to succeed in 2021, so they can take their better picks the following season.
And while Wentz fell apart with the Eagles, it’s highly possible that he will find success with his new team. One reason is that he’s replacing Philip Rivers who was the quarterback of an 11-win team. That means Wentz isn’t joining a rebuild, but trying to continue what they built on in 2020.
Another reason to believe in his chances would be Frank Reich. The Colts head coach was with Wentz in Philly in 2017 when the quarterback was playing out of his mind.
Reason No. 3, they add a No. 1 wideout here in Rashod Bateman. Say what you will about Jalen Reagor, but the Eagles whiffed on that pick. They could have had Justin Jefferson but instead took a guy who has a ceiling of a No. 2 receiver. Then in the second, they drafted Jalen Hurts, so it wasn’t as if that team was all-in on getting it right for Wentz. Only time will tell, but this could be a great spot for the quarterback and Bateman is an excellent addition for them here.
The Tennessee Titans once again made it into the NFL playoffs but they were unable to make it past the first round. The season prior, they were in the AFC Championship Game, but this time, the Baltimore Ravens knocked them off by a score of 20-13 in the first round.
It was a frustrating end to the season and while they had just 13 points, it wasn’t the offense that caused them problems for the majority of the season. Instead, it was the Titans defense that took a step back from the previous campaign.
One of the big reasons for this was their lack of pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Tennessee had just 19 total sacks with Harold Landry leading the way with 5.5. This wasn’t what they had expected after landing Jadeveon Clowney in free agency, but the former No. 1 overall pick was nearly non-existent, finishing with 19 tackles and no sacks in eight games before being lost due to an injury.
With Clowney unlikely to return, the Titans need another pass rusher which is what leads to the selection of Joseph Ossai from Texas here. Ossai spent time as a linebacker and defensive end for the Longhorns which stunted his maturation. With Tennessee, he will be able to find a role as a pass-rushing outside linebacker which will help him develop his immense talent.
(Pick via Seattle Seahawks): Their first of two Round 1 picks obtained in the Jamal Adams trade comes up here as the New York Jets own the Seattle Seahawks pick in this round. Seattle had hoped the addition of Adams would be what pushed them back over the top but instead, they finished how they have for the past couple of seasons — in the playoffs but short of their ultimate goal.
As good as Adams can be, this still feels like a ridiculous price to have paid and the Jets have to be ecstatic that they can increase the speed of their rebuild. They used their own pick in this round to land Justin Fields and there will be some temptation to add a wide receiver here to work with Fields.
Having said that, this class has some decent options available that the Jets could land with their early pick in the second round, which will allow them to fill another need. And that’s what leads us to the selection of Gregory Rousseau from Miami.
Rousseau is still a work in progress and while he could have pushed himself into the top-10 with a big season in 2020, he instead opted out of the campaign. That might have hurt his stock some since he didn’t get to show whether or not he improved but his athleticism and ceiling are already monstrous. He should have no problem developing for New York and having Robert Saleh as his head coach will only help speed that process up.
There could be trouble brewing in the Steel City this offseason. Following an 11-0 start, the Pittsburgh Steelers went 1-4 down the stretch to back into the AFC playoffs. They tried to spin it as one of those games was them resting their starters, but the Cleveland Browns team that beat their backups by just two in Week 17 then throttled the starters in the Wild Card game.
Now, they could be looking to revamp their offensive line, replace Bud Dupree as a second edge rusher, get a new No. 1 running back and possibly find a new wide receiver with James Conner and JuJu Smith-Schuster hitting free agency. Oh, and the front office admitted out loud that they were thinking about replacing Ben Roethlisberger.
There’s some irony here, as Big Ben openly contemplated retirement a couple of seasons ago then completely lost it when the Steelers drafted Josh Dobbs and Mason Rudolph in consecutive years to be ready for when No. 7 did hang it up. Now, they’re considering putting him out to pasture before he’s ready.
Anyway, there are many ways they can go but the Steelers have always been at their best when they’re an elite defense. For that reason, they get more beef for their defensive line and take Christian Barmore here. Barmore can play on the end in the Pittsburgh three-man front and then slide inside on passing downs.
He proved during the College Football Playoffs that he belongs in the first round and the Steelers land a good one here.
(Pick via Los Angeles Rams): On the board for the second time in this draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars now add a left tackle to block of their new quarterback, Trevor Lawrence in Christian Darrisaw from West Virginia.
Darrisaw has drawn the attention of many who study the draft and Cory Kinnan from With the First Pick is high on his potential. The main thing Kinnan likes is how Darrisaw can move, calling him a versatile player while saying he is on the rise.
"“The first thing that pops off the charts when tuning into Darrisaw’s tape is how well he moves for his size. Against Boston College this year, Darrisaw can be seen sprinting 30 yards downfield on a screen pass in order to continue to clear a path for his running back on the way to the endzone. He can move laterally towards the boundary as a puller as well, making him a scheme versatile asset at the next level for whatever lucky team selects him in the 2021 NFL Draft.” — Kinnan, With the First Pick"
The Jaguars are hoping to finally fix their flaws and while landing Lawrence will help, they also need to make sure he’s not playing 1-on-11 every week. Adding some legit blockers will go a long way toward making sure that’s not the case.
2020 was a sensational season for the Cleveland Browns. They had their first winning season since 2007 and made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2002. That wasn’t enough for them either as they won their first postseason game since Bill Belichick was their coach — and nearly took out the Kansas City Chiefs as well.
All that happened despite having a porous defense, which is likely what they will try and fix this offseason. That’s the plan for them in this mock as they add another starting cornerback to play opposite Denzel Ward.
Ifeatu Melifonwu might not be a consensus first-round pick but he slides into the back end of the opening round here and the Browns will likely look brilliant should they make such a move. Melifonwu is a former safety who moved to cornerback and really started to excel. He has a great mix of size and speed and while some call him a zone coverage guy, he showed in the Senior Bowl that he can hold his own in man coverage as well.
That excellent performance in the Senior Bowl is what pushes him over the top here. For Cleveland, he can be a big part of their defensive rebuild as they look to stay competitive following their breakout season.
The Baltimore Ravens won 11 games this past season but did so with a less-than-impressive passing game. Lamar Jackson, who won the NFL MVP in 2019, still ran all over opponents but had just 2,757 yards passing. As for their receivers, Marquise Brown led the way with 769 yards and tight end Mark Andrews was behind him with 701.
From there, they had Willie Snead (a pending free agent) with 432 yards and then 266 for Miles Boykin. To summarize, Baltimore’s wideouts aren’t getting it done. For that reason, they use their top pick in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft on LSU’s Terrace Marshall, Jr.
In 2020, Marshall took off with Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase out of the way. He has excellent size at 6-foot-3 and 200-pounds and can win in a multitude of ways. He can line up in the slot or on the outside and in addition to his excellent route-running, he’s also able to create after the catch as well.
Baltimore is a top contender in the NFL thanks to the playmaking skills of Lamar Jackson and their elite defense. Now adding a potential No. 1 wide receiver in this mock completes their roster and could be what they need to take their next step.
Last season, it seemed as though the New Orleans Saints were going to get a No. 2 wide receiver to pair with Michael Thomas. If they weren’t going to go that route, then it was possible they would add another secondary member. What wasn’t expected was for them to take the No. 1 center in the draft, which is exactly what they did.
Michigan’s Cesar Ruiz was their pick at No. 24 overall despite the fact that they already had a starting center in Erik McCoy and a talented offensive line around him. However, the front office wanted to continue to build up that line and Ruiz came in and played guard as a rookie — and in the future, it will be likely that he and McCoy could switch roles but either way, they expect both to be with them for a long time.
Since that pick, a lot has changed. The Saints are waiting to see if Drew Brees will retire and they also have roughly $80 million in salary cap space to shed just to get out. of the red. Needless to say, this season could be interesting for them.
As for their draft pick, they add Florida receiver Kadarius Toney here, a player who took off in his senior season for the Gators. Toney had 984 yards and 10 touchdowns on 70 receptions and even showed off his skill coming out of the backfield. He’s the kind of weapon Sean Payton loves and could be a success in New Orleans.
For the past two seasons, the Green Bay Packers have gone 13-3 but fell one game shy of the Super Bowl. There are those who believe they could have made it past Tampa Bay this season, had the front office drafted more help for Aaron Rodgers rather than going for a backup quarterback to groom in Jordan Love.
Here, they do get help for Rodgers but it’s not in the form of a skill position player. Instead, they get him a new blocker, and according to Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network, it’s a good one they land in Alex Leatherwood from Alabama.
"“As a prospect, Leatherwood most often wins with his size and power. At 6-foot-6, 316 pounds, Leatherwood is a massive bookend blocker. He also has absolute levers for arms. His length allows him to extend toward linemen, and he has the play strength to maintain his anchor once he has both hands on his target. In pass protection, Leatherwood has the length to disrupt incoming edge rushers, and he also has the grip strength to keep a hold on them through the play. Additionally, Leatherwood is fairly smooth when shuffling along the edge. He has good footwork and stable lower-body mechanics, and he keeps his shoulders square to his assignment.” — Cummings, Pro Football Network"
The Packers lost Bryan Bulaga ahead of the 2020 season and can use a new right tackle. Leatherwood can be that for them, and can even play inside if they decide that’s where he’s best suited.
There aren’t too many athletes that can do as much as Zaven Collins does in this class. The Tulsa product is listed at 6-foot-4 and 260-pounds, which has him looking like a defensive end. However, he played linebacker in college and that will probably be his permanent home in the NFL.
Having said that, his experience doesn’t end there. Collins also played quarterback and safety in college. That can be seen in how he approaches the game now since he’s able to find the ball with ease due to his understanding of the offense. Also, in coverage, he knows where he’s supposed to be and moves like someone 40 pounds lighter in coverage.
All that being said, he feels like a steal for the Buffalo Bills at No. 30. Buffalo just had one of their best seasons in recent memory and that had a lot to do with how much Josh Allen developed as a starting quarterback — plus there was the addition of Stefon Diggs at wide receiver which helped tremendously as well.
With all that being true, the defense wasn’t what the Bills had come to expect. That’s why they address that side of the ball here and Collins gives them someone who can replace Matt Milano while also offering much more in terms of athleticism and versatility.
There was a time when Dylan Moses felt like the sure-fire No.2 linebacker in this class after Micah Parsons. However, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah and Zaven Collins both started to impress this season to the point where there leap-frogged the Alabama middle linebacker. For the Kansas City Chiefs, this ends up working out perfectly fine since it means they’re on the clock at No. 31 and Moses is still there for the taking.
As it stands now, the Chiefs linebackers weren’t exactly standing out as stars. While neither Anthony Hitchens nor Damien Wilson was a liability for Kansas City, both had their shortcomings and ranked in the middle of the pack at linebacker. Add to that the fact that Wilson is now a free agent who might not be coming back and the Chiefs could stand to get younger — and better — at linebacker.
Moses has played multiple linebacking spots for the Alabama defense and has always done a great job wherever they line him up. He’s a technician when it comes to tackling and moves quickly in space. Where he really shines is when he flies to the ball carrier in the running game and blows up the opposing ground game.
As for Moses, if this mock were to come to fruition, he would get to leave one elite program for another, which feels like a win for this young man.
After not making the playoffs since 2007, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won it all following the 2020 NFL campaign. Of course, they fast-forwarded a lot of the roster-building that many teams have to do in order to win it all, and they did so with a simple formula — sign Tom Brady.
The former New England Patriots star won his seventh Super Bowl in his first season in Tampa Bay and since he’s coming back in 2021, there’s no reason to think they won’t be in the mix again.
While it’s true that Brady and the offense were the reason for most of their success, the defense was phenomenal in the Super Bowl. They kept Patrick Mahomes and the high-flying Chiefs offense out of the end zone all game, holding them to just nine points.
What stood out in that game was their pass rush, which made life miserable on Mahomes. As great as the Bucs pass rushers were in that game, they’re all a bit long in the tooth. Jason Pierre-Paul is 32 and Shaquil Barrett will turn 29 this season. That means they need to get a younger player to groom, which is what they land here with Azeez Ojulari.
The Georgia prospect has been climbing up the draft boards and could end up going much higher than this as long as teams aren’t scared off by his 6-foot-3, 240-pound frame. That being said, his measurables are close to that of Barrett’s and in the end, this could be a great landing spot for him where he can pick the brain of another stellar pass-rushing linebacker as he learns the speed of the pro game.
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Asante Samuel, JR., CB, Florida State
The Jaguars turn their attention to the defensive side with their first pick in the second round. Here, they add Asante Samuel, Jr. from Florida State. The son of a former NFL Pro Bowler, Samuel, Jr. looks prepared for a long NFL career.
34. New York Jets: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
After adding Justin Fields and Gregory Rousseau in the first, the Jets now fill a need at running back. Travis Etienne can do it all and should be a huge help for Fields as he transitions to the next level.
35. Atlanta Falcons: Jalean Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Takk McKinley never panned out for the Falcons and he’s no longer with the team. Now, they try again for a starting defensive end with Jalean Phillips from Miami.
36. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans): Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Nick Bolton is a borderline first-round talent, making him a steal for the Dolphins at this spot.
37. Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
The Eagles cornerbacks have been a liability as of late, which leads to the selection of Eric Stokes from Georgia. Stokes came on late in his career and should be an instant contributor for Philly.
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Tevin Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Tevin Jenkins should be a starter in the NFL and with him across from Jonah Williams, the Bengals offensive line could start coming together now.
39. Carolina Panthers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Taylor Moton is a free agent and the Panthers will want him back. If they can’t convince him to re-sign, Jalen Mayfield would be a great replacement.
40. Denver Broncos: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Jayson Oweh is a projection player but has an insane ceiling. If the Broncos can coach him up, they could find a diamond in the rough here.
41. Detroit Lions: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
North Dakota State has turned out some decent players and Dillon Radunz could become one of their better contributions to the NFL in recent years. He’s not ready to start out of the gates, but he can be a long-term answer for them.
42. New York Giants: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
Deandre Baker didn’t work out for the Giants, so now they look for a new starter in UCF’s Aaron Robinson.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
Wyatt Davis is one of the top interior linemen in the draft and the San Francisco 49ers give him a home here. He should help them improve an already impressive ground game.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Dallas fans will do backflips if they finally add one of the best safety prospects in the class. Trevon Moehrig will not only be the best safety they have now, but possibly the best they have had in a decade.
45. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Minnesota Vikings): Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Now the Jaguars add a dynamic tight end by taking Pat Freiermuth out of Penn State. His presence gives Trevor Lawrence a massive target in the middle of the field that can open up their offense.
46. New England Patriots: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington
Another defensive player for the Patriots, Levi Onwuzurike is a bit undersized as a defensive tackle but the Pats know how to get the most out of everyone, even if they don’t hit all the “measurable” marks.
47. Los Angeles Chargers: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
The second UGA cornerback to go in this round, Tyson Campbell was passed up by Eric Stokes but should still have a long NFL career.
48. Las Vegas Raiders: Jay Tufele, IDL, USC
Jay Tufele is a steal at this point. The Raiders need another starting defensive tackle and they end up with a possible first-round talent halfway through the second.
49. Arizona Cardinals: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Kenyan Drake was good in 2020 but not great. And he’s a free agent. Rather than overpaying to keep him, they add Javonte Williams from North Carolina here and go with a younger option.
50. Miami Dolphins: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Rondale Moore is a big play waiting to happen and should be exactly what the Miami offense needs to improve this coming season.
51. Washington Football Team: Richie Grant, S, UCF
Washington needs help in the secondary and Richie Grant is an ascending prospect who can help them get better.
52. Chicago Bears: Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma
Mac Jones needs to have help around him to succeed and they get him some assistance with Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey. Young quarterbacks need time in the pocket and a premier blocker such as Humphrey helps in that regard.
53. Tennessee Titans: Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
Again, the Titans focus on defense as they look to get better on that side of the ball. Daviyon Nixon is a 304-pounder who can be very disruptive.
54. Indianapolis Colts: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
The Colts got a lot from Xavier Rhodes last season but even if they bring him back, they need someone younger who can develop into a starter for them. That’s where Greg Newsome comes in.
55. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
Eric Ebron is talented but the Steelers have often employed two tight ends, which is why they’re comfortable with bringing in Brevin Jordan here.
56. Seattle Seahawks: Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama
Russell Wilson is not happy with the Seahawks pass blocking as of late — and who can blame him. They try and get better for him here by taking the best lineman on the board in Landon Dickerson from Alabama.
57. Los Angeles Rams: Joe Tyron, EDGE, Washington
Joe Tyron is 6-foot-5 and 260-pounds and has experience as a stand-up pass rusher. He’s a great fit for the Los Angeles Rams and can be a great value pick here.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee
One of the better offensive linemen in the draft, Trey Smith had some medical concerns but as long as he can suit up every week, he will be a beast.
59. Cleveland Browns: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
The Browns offense couldn’t get deep at all against Kansas City and that could change with this pick. Tutu Atwell is the exact type of deep threat they need.
60. New Orleans Saints: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Shaun Wade hurt his stock by returning this past season but he can still play in the slot and perhaps at safety.
61. Buffalo Bills: Carlos Basham, Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
Buffalo needs help on the defensive line and Carlos Basham is a great fit. He has a high floor which makes up for his ceiling not being too high.
62. Green Bay Packers: D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
Green Bay needs more wideouts and while Aaron Rodgers would probably be happier with a first-round pick, D’Wayne Eskridge is at least a solid option — and they spent their top two picks on players who won’t be back-ups at best.
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
Sammy Watkins is going to hit the open market and it would be surprising to see him return. Nick Collins could be a decent replacement.
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tommy Togiai, IDL, Ohio State
The Bucs continue to add help for their front seven, this time by taking Tommy Togiai from Ohio State. Ndamukong Suh was solid for them in 2020 but is in his mid-30s and could be gone in free agency, meaning Togiai could slide right into a starting job.
65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
The third-round again kicks off with the Jaguars and this time, they take a safety from Oregon in Jevon Holland. He should be another key piece to their rebuild.
66. New York Jets: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
Robert Saleh gets another starting defender here as they take Baron Browning from Ohio State with their first pick in the third.
67. Houston Texans: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The Texans are finally on the clock since they traded away most of their picks to be a terrible team. They at least get a solid player here as Paulson Adebo slides to pick 67.
68. Atlanta Falcons: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
More defensive help for the Dirty Birds here as they add Chazz Surratt out of North Carolina.
69. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Myers, IOL, Ohio State
The Bengals get another offensive lineman as their plan for 2021 and beyond is clear — make life easier on Joe Burrow.
70. Philadelphia Eagles: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
Philly is well into a rebuild whether they want to admit it or not and they start to stockpie players they can develop into starters.
71. Denver Broncos: James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
Denver’s offensive line needs to improve some and James Hudson is a player who gets overlooked some due to where he played. He should be a contributor early on in his career.
72. Detroit Lions: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
Cameron McGrone was great in 2019 for Michigan and still did well in 2020 despite playing just five games. He fits Dan Campbell’s tough approach and might even be willing to bite knee caps.
73. Carolina Panthers: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
Back-to-back linebackers being picked here proves that Round 3 is where you go for this position. Pete Werner might not do anything great, but he does nothing poorly.
74. Washington Football Team (via San Francisco 49ers): Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
From one Washington to the other, Elijah Molden makes the trip across the country and could be a starter very early in his career despite sliding to No. 74.
75. Dallas Cowboys: Alim McNeill, DT, NC State
Neville Gallimore is a good defensive tackle with a lot of potential but the Cowboys need more help on that line, which leads to the selection of Alim McNeill here.
76. New York Giants: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, US
He might not be a No. 1 wideout, but the Giants need more help at wide receiver and Amon-Ra St. Brown can be a good fit for them.
77. Los Angeles Chargers: Deonte Brown, IOL, Alabama
The Patriots are supposed to be on the clock now but had to forfeit the pick, so we jump to the Chargers who improve their offensive line with the addition of Deonte Brown from Alabama.
78. Minnesota Vikings: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
Anthony Harris could be on the way out, so the Vikings get a replacement in Florida State’s Hamsah Nasirildeen. It’s not a great safety class but he could be a solid player in the NFL.
79. Arizona Cardinals: Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston
Payton Turner could develop into a player on the edge and pairing him with Chandler Jones could help push his progress along.
80. Las Vegas Raiders: Aaron Banks, IOL, Notre Dame
Still no picks from Alabama, but the Raiders improve the interior of their line with Notre Dame’s Aaron Banks.
81. Miami Dolphins: Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt
Listed at 6-foot-6 and 276-pounds, Dayo Odeyingbo can play defensive end as well as the three-technique. Head coach Brian Flores will be happy to have him on the line as a chess piece to move around.
82. Washington Football Team: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
Terry McLaurin has been a stud for the Washington Football Team but they need more help around him. That’s why they take Elijah Molden here out of Ole Miss.
83. Chicago Bears: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
The Bears wide receiver corps could look much different if they lose Allen Robinson in free agency and they begin to rebuild here.
84. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis Colts): Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina
The first of the two picks the Eagles get from the Colts for Carson Wentz is used here. Philly takes Israel Mukuamu who is listed as a cornerback but they will likely move him to safety.
85. Tennessee Titans: Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
Jackson Carman blocked for Trevor Lawrence on his blindside but could move inside in the NFL. For Tennessee, he’s a depth piece that they can try in more than one spot to see where he fits best.
86. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
The Jets need more help at wide receiver and while many would expect them to go for a player earlier than this, they do at least land a highly productive player here.
87. Pittsburgh Steelers: Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE, Oregon State
He won’t replace Bud Dupree on his own, but if the Steelers do fail to keep their former first-round pick, Hamilcar Rashed could soften the blow.
88. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Keith Taylor, Jr., CB, Washington
Another Washington cornerback gets his number called here as the Lions continue to build up their defense.
89. Cleveland Browns: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
Olivier Vernon is likely out and the Browns find a replacement here in Ronnie Perkins. He won’t be able to step in and completely replace Vernon but he can produce as a rotational edge rusher and has a tremendous ceiling.
90. Minnesota Vikings (via Baltimore Ravens): Marlon Tuipulotu, IDL, USC
Minnesota once had a dominant defensive line but that’s no longer the case. Adding Marlon Tuipulotu here is a step in the right direction to remedy that.
91. Cleveland Browns (via New Orleans Saints) Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
LSU north continues to tap into the pipeline as the Cleveland Browns add Jabril Cox. A transfer student, Cox came on late in his career and was a standout performer in the Senior Bowl.
92. Green Bay Packers: Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse
There are two Syracuse defensive backs in this class who could be long-time factors in the NFL. One went in the first already and now, Trill Williams gets a shot with the Green Bay Packers.
93. Buffalo Bills: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
Buffalo adds a massive blocker here in the 6-foot-9, 314-pound Spencer Brown out of Northern Iowa.
94. Kansas City Chiefs: Osa Odighizuwa, IDL, UCLA
Osa Odighizuwa is built to play on the edge of the Chiefs’ three-man defensive line.
95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
There’s a very good chance the Bucs could lose Chris Godwin in the offseason and if they do, they could land a deep threat here in Dyami Brown to try and help replace some of his production.