The Cleveland Browns land Micah Parsons while the Falcons make Kyle Pitts a top-five pick in a three-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft after the first wave of free agency.
NFL free agency kicked off on March 17 and teams had their fun landing some big-name targets. Players such as Bud Dupree, John Johnson III, Matt Judon, Carl Lawson, and many more landed with new teams.
There were also some players landing big contracts to stick with their teams. Trent Williams got an extension with the San Francisco 49ers and Dak Prescott agreed to an extension with the Dallas Cowboys just to name a couple.
Now, with the dust settling some from the opening flurry of signings, we’re ready to look at the draft with our latest three-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Again, this draft starts out with the same signal-caller making his way to Jacksonville.
Post-free agency first wave 2021 NFL mock draft with 3 full rounds.
While the Jacksonville Jaguars haven’t announced it yet, Trevor Lawrence will be the face of the franchise in 2021. The Clemson quarterback is easily the most recognizable person in this class and he’s arguably the most pro-ready prospect since Andrew Luck back in 2012.
Lawrence joins a roster that has been reloaded with the signing of cornerback Shaquill Griffin and wide receiver Marvin Jones. They’re also preparing for their first season under head coach Urban Meyer.
Meyer has had success at every stop during his NCAA career but is taking the leap to the pros for the first time. Having a player such as Lawrence will go a long way toward deciding just how well he does in his new venture.
The New York Jets have decided to go all-in this offseason as they’re trying to revamp their roster. They added talent on both sides of the ball, coming to terms with pass rusher Carl Lawson and wide receiver Corey Davis early on in the process. They weren’t done there either as they also signed former Jacksonville wideout Keelan Cole to a one-year deal and safety Lamarcus Joyner.
These moves all make them a much better roster but the question from here is whether or not they believe in Sam Darnold as their quarterback. The truth is, Darnold could still find himself having a solid career but he probably needs a fresh start — and the Jets probably do as well. With a new front office and first-year head coach Robert Saleh having no ties to the former No. 3 overall pick, they’re likely ready for their own guy as well.
Enter Zach Wilson, who lands with New York at No. 2 in this mock. Wilson is a player with a huge ceiling but he might have more concerns than players such as Justin Fields considering he really only had one season of elite play. Still, he showed enough leadership and gamesmanship in his 2020 campaign that he leaps to No. 2 in this mock.
(Pick via Houston Texans): After just missing out on the playoffs despite winning 10 games, the Miami Dolphins are in great shape in the 2021 NFL Draft. They own this selection from the Houston Texans and they have filled a couple of their biggest needs as well in free agency. So far, their biggest signing was Will Fuller, who gives them a player capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.
Miami also landed Matt Skura who will start at center and running back Malcolm Brown — giving them someone capable of handling the load there. They also were able to bring in Robert Foster, rounding out their receiving corps. Miami even replaced Ryan Fitzpatrick with the signing of Jacoby Brissett and with the struggles Tua has had staying healthy, landing a solid No. 2 quarterback was a wise move.
In recent mock drafts, Miami has been all-in on a wide receiver but that changes with the commitment they made to Fuller. Putting him and DeVante Parker on the same team gives them a capable receiving corps so instead, they take the best player available in Penei Sewell from Oregon.
If the Dolphins want to take the next step on offense, improving their line will be key. Right now, they’re not terrible in this regard but a sure-fire starter such as Sewell is hard to pass up.
So far, the Atlanta Falcons have been rather quiet in free agency but they did make one significant move. Atlanta restructured the contract of quarterback Matt Ryan to drastically lower his cap hit this season. He will still count quite a bit going forward but this move clearly was made with the intention of him being with the team in 2021.
With that being the case, new head coach Arthur Smith seems ready to trot out the veteran signal-caller rather than going after a rookie. While Justin Fields and Trey Lance would be tempting here, the restructure makes it seem more likely that they could look to add some elite talent around Matty Ice in an effort to make one last run with him under center.
Now on the clock at No. 4, the Falcons land a playmaker to help Ryan in Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. With Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Hayden Hurst already on the roster, it might feel like a stretch to add Pitts but he’s clearly an upgrade over Hurst — although no disrespect is meant to Hurst in the slightest. He proved to be a great find for them but Pitts is more athletic and could really open up that offense.
There is a little risk involved here since they could stand to get better on defense but the talent Pitts has is too much to pass on.
Despite already having Tee Higgins and Tyler Boyd, the Cincinnati Bengals were looking into Kenny Golladay this offseason before he landed with the Giants. They were wanting to put even more talent around quarterback Joe Burrow who was fantastic as a rookie but suffered a serious knee injury that cut his first season short. While they might not have landed that in free agency, they make up for it with the No. 5 pick in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
The selection for Cincinnati is Ja’Marr Chase, who was fantastic in 2019 for LSU before opting out of the 2020 season. And as many of us should remember, it was Burrow who was throwing him the ball during that breakout campaign, meaning there will instantly be a connection between the two once they’re reunited.
Taking Chase could lead to some criticism since the Bengals didn’t truly upgrade their offensive line — they did sign Riley Reiff although he was less than spectacular in Minnesota. Having said that, Penei Sewell seems to be the main offensive lineman worthy of being a top-five pick and when Miami took him in this mock, Cincy went in a different direction.
On top of that, it wasn’t the O-line’s fault he was hurt as Burrow was injured on a play where he took off and ran. Perhaps he doesn’t have to do this as much with a more explosive receiving corps.
Dan Orlovsky was on record recently saying something about how the Philadelphia Eagles shouldn’t even consider taking a quarterback at No. 6. His reasoning was that they needed to show support for Jalen hurts, which he says is something they didn’t do for Carson Wentz. Of course, Orlovsky makes no apologies for his fondness of Wentz and we could argue whether or not the failure of the former No. 2 quarterback was on him or the team.
Having said that, the ESPN analyst is absolutely right about the Eagles needing to go with something other than a quarterback here. They did themselves no favors drafting Hurts in 2020 while still trying to show a commitment to Wentz and as soon as the pick was made, the writing was on the wall — Hurts would be a starter.
Now, they need to build around Hurts and give him the tools he needs to succeed. He might be able to take them back to prominence or he might fail. But the only way to figure that out is to give him full control of this offense — and find him players who can help him take the next step.
That’s where Devonta Smith from Alabama comes in. The 2020 Heisman Trophy winner was surgical last season and found a way to destroy defenses at all three levels. He would also help their top pick from 2020 improve as well as Jalen Reagor is better suited as the No. 2 wideout whereas Smith could be the top option. Suddenly a weakness becomes a strength in Philly.
Another Alabama wide receiver comes off the board as the Detroit Lions take Jaylen Waddle here. This selection always seemed to be the way they could go but it became even more evident when they lost Marvin Jones and allowed Kenny Golladay to leave the building.
Waddle was supposed to be the star for the Crimson Tide but he suffered an ankle injury that sidelined him for the majority of the season. That opened the door for his teammate Devonta Smith, who took full advantage.
Smith would end up leading the offense all season and won the Heisman Trophy but no one is going to forget how impactful a healthy Jaylen Waddle can be.
In Detroit, this team is currently under renovation. They recently moved on from Matt Patricia, who was clearly not up to the task of fixing this team. Now, they bring in Dan Campbell who is trying to instill a tough attitude for the team.
The biggest move, however, was trading away Matt Stafford. The former No. 1 overall pick is now with the Los Angeles Rams and he’s expected to do big things. As for the Lions, they picked up Jared Goff in the trade which gives them another former No. 1 overall pick, although he hasn’t had the personal success that Stafford has. Instead, Goff has been helped greatly by his coaching staff and the talent around him.
Perhaps he will silence the critics with his play in Detroit and if that’s going to happen, he will need to have plenty of talent around him. Landing Waddle is a step in the right direction in that endeavor.
Justin Fields was already considered a stud in the 2021 NFL Draft but then he just reminded everyone how athletic he really is during his pro day. While just about every quarterback looks great in the passing drills while wearing shorts with no pads (sorry Teddy Bridgewater who happens to be the current quarterback for the Carolina Panthers), Fields stood out due to his speed.
The former Ohio State standout posted a 4.41 in the 40, which is phenomenal for a quarterback. While that speed is amazing, Fields is special since he doesn’t need to utilize it very often. Yes, he can flip field position in the blink of an eye when there’s a lane but he’s still a quarterback who will make his money with his arm.
And in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft, he lasts until the eighth pick, which is where the Panthers gladly take him. Current starter, Teddy Bridgewater is in the second year of a three-year contract but there’s been no indication that the team wants him to be the guy full-time. Instead, he appears to be a stop-gap player and while he’s one of the easiest players to root for, it’s hard to envision him beating out Fields even with the rookie never taking a snap in the NFL.
It looked for a while as though the Denver Broncos weren’t going to extend free safety Justin Simmons. After placing the franchise tag on Simmons in 2020, they weren’t able to extend him initially and had to give him the tag once more. Then they finally came to terms with their star defender, giving Simmons a four-year deal worth $61 million.
That’s a massive contract for a safety but Simmons is currently one of the best — if not the best — in the game right now. Locking him down will do wonders for the Broncos but they still need to get better at cornerback. They did sign Kyle Fuller, which is a great move but they need more depth. For that reason, they target Patrick Surtain II here, as yet another Alabama player gets selected in the top-10.
Surtain has NFL bloodlines, following in the footsteps of his father who was a Pro Bowl defensive back who played for 11 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Denver once featured one of the greatest secondaries in the game, known as the ‘no-fly zone’. Led by Chris Harris, Jr. and Aqib Talib, passing on them was a nightmare and they hope to begin to get back to that point by adding Surtain along with Simmons and Fuller in their defensive backfield.
In 2020, the Dallas Cowboys found themselves signing several veterans who were on the wrong side of their primes in hopes of finding lightning in a bottle. Unfortunately for them, Dontari Poe, Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, and Gerald McCoy all failed to live up to expectations with only Poe actually making the initial 53-man roster.
This season, they seem to be taking a better approach as they’ve been signing players who might not be as well known, but who are in their primes. Carlos Watkins and Tarell Basham are both 27-years old and have starting experience. They also signed Brent Urban who will be 30, but he’s fresh off his best season as a pro and should be fine in 2021.
While those moves could prove fruitful, Dallas still needs to improve its secondary. They do have a visit scheduled with free safety Damontae Kazee who would be a solid fit given his experience in Dan Quinn’s system. But even if they sign him, they need more help, especially at corner. That’s why the No. 10 pick is used on Jaycee Horn from South Carolina.
There will be those who think Horn is a stretch here and that they should take Farley, but Horn is more of a sure thing. Farley might have a higher ceiling but he hasn’t played the position as long whereas Horn has plenty of experience and vastly improved during his final season with the Gamecocks.
The New York Giants have been rather active in free agency. On Saturday, they landed their No. 1 wide receiver, coming to terms with Kenny Galloday on a four-year deal. That also ended up signing Kyle Rudolph and while the veteran tight end is not what he used to be, he does offer up a player with sure hands who understands his role in an NFL offense.
On top of that, the Giants have Jason Garrett as the offensive coordinator and he’s shown in the past that he loves to get his tight ends involved in the game. In the end, Rudolph could take over for Evan Engram who struggled with drops, or maybe he could push him to improve as a player.
With the additions made to the offensive side of things in free agency, the Giants turn to defense in this mock by taking Caleb Farley from Virginia Tech.
Farley opted out of the 2020 season due to concerns over COVID-19 which kept us from being able to see him get another season of experience under his belt. That could have gone a long way in evaluating him since Farley is a converted wide receiver who has been great since switching to the defensive side of the ball. He doesn’t look like a player with hardly any experience as a corner but that doesn’t mean he comes with some question marks.
There are those who believe he’s a boom-or-bust prospect, which is why he lasts until No. 11 after Dallas went for Jaycee Horn in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
Up at No. 12 is the San Francisco 49ers and it seems pretty obvious where they should turn their attention. San Francisco went all-in with Jimmy Garoppolo as their quarterback and it’s hard to say he has been a bust for them. He boasts a record of 22-8 as the starter and even took them to the Super Bowl following the 2019 season — where they almost upset the Kansas City Chiefs.
The problem is, Jimmy G has been struggling to stay healthy. He missed 13 games in 2018 and then 10 more in 2020. With him out, the team has had to turn to Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard which hasn’t gone well every time — and if they stick with Garoppolo, they will likely have to keep turning to their reserves. Late in the 2020 season, there were reports that the 49ers were concerned with their quarterback situation and reports such as that are never good for the signal-caller.
All of that being said, they start to transition away from Garoppolo by taking Trey Lance out of North Dakota State. Lance is considered the No. 2 quarterback by some and the No. 4 by others in this class. It’s hard to say exactly where he will end up but due to his shortened season in 2020 and the fact that he played against lesser talent, he falls behind Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson, and Justin Fields here.
For San Francisco, they now just need to decide how to proceed. They could elect to sit Lance for now and get him comfortable in Kyle Shanahan’s office before making the transition or they could throw him to the fire and see what they can get for their veteran starter.
Melvin Ingram appears to be on the way out for the Los Angeles Chargers which means they need another defensive end to play opposite Joey Bosa. While most teams do prefer to have two players capable of getting after the quarterback from the edge, it’s even more important for the Chargers considering how often Bosa has had to miss time.
He’s played a full 16 games just twice and missed four contests this past year. For that reason, Los Angeles uses the No. 13 pick in this mock on Georgia pass rusher Azeez Ojulari.
In Los Angeles, Ojulari would be mainly playing with his hand in the dirt and one misconception is that he won’t be as effective in this role. While it’s true the Bulldogs largely employed a three-man line, there were times when Ojulari moved to the line to rush the passer — and he did so just fine.
He’s also been climbing boards and in this mock, he becomes the first EDGE to be selected. Of course, seeing that first pass rusher come off the board at 13 is odd in itself, since the position is such a premium, but other needs and an abundance of quarterbacks worthy of being picked early play into the hands of the Chargers.
The Minnesota Vikings moved on from Everson Griffen in 2020 and they ended up landing Yannick Ngakoue in a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ngakoue was a good player for the Vikings, but they traded him to the Ravens when it became apparent their season wasn’t going to end as planned — and their salary cap situation made it nearly impossible to retain him in the coming offseason.
Now, the Vikings find themselves still needing to improve on the defensive line and that’s what they do by taking Kwity Paye out of Michigan. Paye, listed at 6-foot-4 and 272-pounds, boasts a powerful frame and was really coming into his own in 2019 for Michigan.
That season, he had 50 tackles with 12.5 going for a loss. He also had a career-high 6.5 sacks as he began to put all the tools he has together. Unfortunately, he was able to play in just four games this past season due to the shortened Big Ten season. Even with that being the case, he’s still one of the top defensive ends in the draft.
Minnesota could also elect to improve their offensive line, which was a big need even before releasing Riley Reiff, but the value here is simply too much to pass up.
The New England Patriots decided to go ahead and head into the settings screen and turn off the salary cap. They came to terms with several free agents, including edge rushers Matt Judon and Henry Anderson, defensive tackle Davon Godchaux, linebacker Raekwon McMillan, safety Jalen Mills, tight ends Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry, and wide receivers Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne.
These signings were in addition to giving Cam Newton a second contract, which allows him the opportunity to come in and try to win the starting job again in 2021. The Patriots could look to bring in a rookie for competition but it just doesn’t feel as though that would be Bill Belichick’s M.O. at this point.
Instead, he might wait to see if another veteran comes available to challenge Cam — with Newton being the ultimate fall-back plan. As for where they go with the draft since it might not be a quarterback, we can only guess what Double B will do. In this mock, the prediction is that he takes Notre Dame linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah.
Owusu-Koramoah is undersized at 216-pounds but he doesn’t play like it. He’s a player who is always around the ball and could be a stud in the defense run by New England.
At No. 16, the Arizona Cardinals elect to improve their offensive line with the selection of USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker. An offensive tackle for the Trojans, Vera-Tucker is expected to move inside at the next level but it seems to be a universal opinion that he will excel in this role.
One thing that many point to is the potential he has, which is echoed by Dan Schmelzer of NFL Mocks who says Vera-Tucker has “special upside.” What Schmelzer likes most about Vera-Tucker is his athleticism and ability to get out into space and make plays in the ground game as well as on screen plays.
"“When digging into Vera-Tucker’s game, the first thing that stands out is his ability to move. Vera-Tucker fires off of the ball quickly and moves extremely well in space. He is a balanced and smooth athlete who reaches the second level with ease and can be used as a weapon in the screen game.” — Schmelzer, NFL Mocks"
Arizona made some strides last season in Kliff Kingsbury’s second year as the head coach. There was a point where they looked to be one of the better teams in the NFC but a slow finish doomed them.
Adding Vera-Tucker could help since it will not only improve their running game but he will also be able to give Kyler Murray more time in the pocket ‚— something he could have used in 2020.
It’s really hard to figure out just what the Las Vegas Raiders are doing this offseason. They enjoyed one of the better offensive lines in the NFL last season but decided to make some moves in this area, moving on from Trent Brown and Rodney Hudson. While the Brown move made some sense considering he was overpaid, the Hudson trade was a real head-scratcher.
With those two gone, they’re suddenly looking like a team that needs to get better up front. That’s what leads to this selection as they take Rashawn Slater out of Northwestern. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Slater has climbed boards as of late and is considered by some as the best option at tackle outside of Penei Sewell — and for good reason.
Slater is praised for his athletic traits and technical approach to the game. He won’t hit all the measurables that scouts love to see for offensive tackles but he should still be able to play on the outside. For Northwestern, he was the left tackle and there’s a belief that he would excel in a west-coast style offense, which is what makes him a great fit for Jon Gruden and his offense.
This won’t make up for all the questionable moves Gruden and general manager Mike Mayock have made this offseason but they do land a day one starter here at No. 17.
With the Miami Dolphins landing a new offensive tackle earlier in this mock, they now decide to go after a running back as they take Najee Harris from Alabama. Just like their first pick in the draft, this one is all about helping Tua Tagovailoa improve as a starter. The former Alabama star was up and down as a rookie and while he went 6-3, there are more questions than answers at this point.
Miami is trying to get things moving for him with the addition of wide receiver Will Fuller and they even tried to gamble on former first-round offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson — who lasted around a week. Now with Penei Sewell (the third pick in this mock) and Harris, joining Fuller and company, the Dolphins offense looks much more dangerous than it did one year ago.
As for what Harris brings to the table, he’s a 6-foot-2, 230-pound back who can shed tacklers with ease. He had 1,224 yards in 2019 and 13 touchdowns which was impressive but felt like an appetizer compared to what he did in 2020. That season, the senior put up 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns while also catching 43 passes and four more scores as a receiver.
A great running game is one of the best ways to help a young quarterback improve and Harris will bring that to South Beach.
After signing Taylor Heinicke to a modest contract, the Washington Football Team turned around and released Alex Smith. It was tough to see Smith go especially after he overcame the serious leg injury he suffered. He was also still effective, winning five of his six starts in 2020.
Still, he made far too much money for what he brought to the table and Heinicke was impressive in his playoff start. That doesn’t mean they’re ready to turn it over to Heinicke as evidenced by the signing of veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The journeyman will likely start this coming season while Heinicke sits behind him. They might spend this year seeing if Heinicke can develop enough to be the guy in the future or if they will have to go for another quarterback soon.
As they look to ensure whoever starts for them has all the tools they need, the Football Team adds Rashod Bateman at No. 19. It might sound like overkill with Curtis Samuel already joining Terry McLaurin but in today’s NFL, you need three capable wideouts and that would give them three. It would also mean they would have two players capable of performing on the edge while allowing Samuel to play in the slot.
Yes, the Chicago Bears signed Andy Dalton and yes, they probably did tell him that he’s the starter. And at the time he was added to the roster, that was probably the case. Dalton — who was better in Dallas during a terrible season for that team — serves as a slight upgrade over Mitchell Trubisky. But again, the keyword is slight.
Dalton doesn’t offer up the same mobility that Trubisky had, but he’s not as errant with his passes as often as Trubisky can be. Then again, he also doesn’t get as hot as Trubisky can, but it’s the cold stretches that caused the Bears to move on.
Having said all that, Dalton isn’t the answer — so calm down Chicago fans. There’s no way they’re heading into 2021 without at least trying to find someone to groom behind Dalton which is what they do here by selecting Mac Jones out of Alabama.
The backup behind Tua, Jones broke out in 2019 when the former Crimson Tide starter suffered a hip injury. Then when Jones took on the job full-time in 2020, he really showed what he can do. Alabama quarterbacks have yet to take the league by storm but maybe that can start to change now.
Adding Carson Wentz in a trade with the Eagles was really a good move by the Indianapolis Colts. Wentz might have struggled over the past couple of seasons in Philly but he’s proven in the past that he can get it done — and he’s even played at an MVP level.
In 2017, he was one of the best quarterbacks in the game but the Eagles started to doubt him when he tore his ACL and Nick Foles came in and won the Super Bowl for them. They did end up signing him to an extension and let Foles leave but then Philly turned around and drafted Jalen Hurts not even a full calendar year after extending Wentz.
Now, Wentz rejoins Frank Reich who was his offensive coordinator in 2017 when he was on fire. Reich understands how to get the most out of Wentz and that could lead to a smooth transition as they have gone from Philip Rivers to Wentz.
Having said all that, the Colts can’t do what the Eagles did and leave it all up to Carson Wentz. They need to actually land some talent around him, especially at wide receiver. They do exactly that with the selection of Terrace Marshall, Jr. from LSU.
Marshall went from the third weapon behind Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase to the star of the team when Jefferson went pro and Chase opted out. He handled that with ease and proved he deserves to go on the first night of the draft.
The Tennessee Titans tried to replace Jack Conklin with a first-round pick last season and it seemed like a smart move. Conklin took a massive contract with the Cleveland Browns and while he was worth every penny, the Titans simply didn’t have the money to give him — since they already had to pay their quarterback and were trying to extend Derrick Henry.
Their selection was Isaiah Wilson out of Georgia who had his critics but still had enough talent to be a very good player in the NFL. The problem is, he never seemed to have his head in the game. He appeared on one contest with the Titans and general manager Jon Robinson then called him out for not wanting to do what he needed in order to play the game.
Wilson took to social media to say he was done with the Titans and not long after that, he was traded to the Miami Dolphins for a mere swap of seventh-round picks. Wilson made it three days in Miami which proved Robinson right.
All that is being said to point out that the Titans still need a new right tackle and they go for one in the draft again, this time taking Christian Darrisaw from West Virginia. Darrisaw is one of the top O-line talents in the draft and should be what they hoped Wilson would.
(Pick via Seattle Seahawks): Back on the clock with the first selection obtained in the Jamal Adams trade, the New York Jets go after Miami defensive end Jalean Phillips. New York added Carl Lawson in free agency which finally gives them a solid starter at EDGE. But if one thing was clear when it came to how Robert Saleh ran defense with the San Francisco 49ers, he likes to have more than one pass rusher which is why they add Phillips here.
Phillips had a fantastic season after transferring from UCLA and as Jonah Hovis of NFL Mocks pointed out, the Hurricanes edge rusher took advantage of Gregory Rousseau sitting out the season and went from an under-the-radar player to a star.
"“Phillips was completely under the radar coming into the year, but Rousseau declaring early gave him a golden opportunity. He has shown a nonstop motor and an impressive natural skill-set that has led to more and more attention for the 2021 NFL Draft.” —Hovis, NFL Mocks"
The Jets have spent a lot of money in free agency which could help but the best teams in the NFL win with a roster built through the draft. The key to them turning things around finally would be hitting on their two picks in the first round this season.
The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason went in a different direction than it originally seemed. After starting out 11-0, they dropped four of their final five games before losing to the Cleveland Browns in the playoffs. Then when they were heading into the offseason, there were discussions about how they could be moving on from Ben Roethlisberger as the starting quarterback.
Then, there was the belief that JuJu Smith-Schuster was going to be leaving in free agency. Things then started to change as Big Ben first decided to come back after signing a new deal. Then they ended up re-signing Smith-Schuster as well, which was unexpected.
However, they now find themselves returning in 2021 with the majority of the players they had last season. That could be good since they won 12 games but they do need to get better around their stars.
They look to improve their roster around them by drafting Teven Jenkins out of Oklahoma State. Listed at 6-foot-5 and 315-pounds, Jenkins is a redshirt senior who had a lot of experience during his collegiate days (37 games with 35 starts). Pittsburgh needs to get younger on the offensive line which is why they grab Jenkins.
His experience is in more of an air-raid offense but the Steelers scheme could actually benefit him since they’re often in passing situations.
(Pick via Los Angeles Rams): The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock for the second time in this draft, with the second of two first-round picks acquired in the Jalen Ramsey trade with the Los Angeles Rams. After adding Trevor Lawrence at No. 1, they now get a new offensive tackle here with Samuel Cosmi from Texas.
Cosmi is solid in the run game and offers a wealth of experience. That experience as well as his ability to fill out his frame more is intriguing to people such as Jordan Reid from The Draft Network.
"“Cosmi started in 34 of 35 games at offensive tackle for the Longhorns. Experiencing 14 games at right tackle and 21 at left tackle, he’s has a wealth of experience playing on both sides of the offensive line. At 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, he’s a lean offensive tackle that has plenty of room left on his frame to fill out. With plenty of capacity on his body structure, he has the build to pack on 10-15 more pounds of muscle. As a run blocker, he climbs to the second level with ease in order to latch and eliminate targets.” — Reid, The Draft Network"
Jacksonville used both of their first-round picks in 2020 on defense and now this draft is used to improve their offense.
A linebacker in the first round isn’t what the Cleveland Browns seem to want — with general manager Andrew Berry and defensive coordinator Joe Woods both seeing the position as one that’s easily replaced. However, they have done a great job in free agency adding talent at just about every position of need except linebacker. Add to that the fall of Micah Parsons in this mock draft and it simply makes sense.
Parsons is a genuine playmaker and even the analytical powers that be in Berea who aren’t sold on linebackers as game-changers can’t deny that Parsons is different. He’s a player who can be used in a myriad of ways. He’s a sure tackler, he’s good in coverage, and he can rush the passer.
Really, the only question about Parsons will be whether or not he has some rust to shake off when he does get to the field since he sat out the 2020 season. Even if that proves to be the case, he would still be the best linebacker on the team.
Right now, the Browns are hoping that Jacob Phillips or Sione Takitaki can develop into something special — or even Mack Wilson. However, no one stood out in 2020 and Phillips struggled with health. With all that being the case, Parsons can come in and start right away and change this defense for the better.
Matt Judon recently left in free agency as he signed with the New England Patriots. While that does take a talented pass rusher away from the Baltimore Ravens, they’re not about to panic. Allowing players to get paid elsewhere while they find equal — or better — talent in the draft is their M.O.
They proved this when they allowed C.J. Mosley to leave in free agency in 2019. Baltimore didn’t fight too hard to retain the player who had 579 tackles in five seasons for them and so far, it appears they were wise to do so. In two seasons, Mosley has played in two games after missing 14 games due to a groin injury in 2019 then opting out of the 2020 season.
Baltimore remained great on defense and then in 2020, they added Patrick Queen who had 53 tackles and three sacks as a rookie. Now, they again look to replace the higher-priced veteran with a first-round pick by grabbing Gregory Rousseau in this mock.
Rousseau’s another player who opted out and in doing so, it means he could slide some since he was seen as raw during his final season with Miami. However, even a ‘raw’ Rousseau was someone who wreaked havoc on opposing offenses and Baltimore is the kind of team where he could reach his potential very quickly.
The New Orleans Saints are an interesting team, to say the least. They finally got word from Drew Brees that he was retiring and while that was expected, the moves they made afterward were not. New Orleans promptly re-signed Taysom Hill to a four-year $140 million contract that had everyone scratching their heads.
Hill has yet to prove he can be a full-time starter but the money he got screamed elite player. But then when you look further into it, the contract really is all fluff. The Saints have nothing guaranteed in the deal and can let Hill go whenever they want after this season and pay him nothing for the remainder of the deal.
They also brought back Jameis Winston, which means he could still relegate Hill to fullback/tight end/receiver/special teams ace. It’s a strange dynamic but hey, it works for them.
As for this draft, they do have some players to replace after releasing Emmanuel Sanders and Jared Cook in salary-cap moves. Here, they decide to replace Sanders with the selection of Kadarius Toney, a player who really broke out in 2020 once he landed a defined role with the Gators.
Toney might not be as refined as Sanders but he’s capable of making a big play and can be moved all around the offense — like Taysom Hill. Maybe he too will eventually get a fake monster contract.
The Green Bay Packers could look to add more talent to the offense but they also need to fill a newly created hole at linebacker. That’s because they released Christian Kirksey after just one season which made sense due to his salary but they need to fill the position.
They do that here with the selection of Nick Bolton from Missouri who is pr-ready and shines in the passing game as indicated by Kyle Crabbs of The Draft Network.
"“Bolton has a pro-ready build and carries himself with confidence in traffic—for better and for worse. Bolton was a standout in Missouri’s defensive front and his role as the leader and enforcer of the Tigers’ defense has groomed him well for a featured role in the heart of an NFL defense. Bolton’s prowess in the passing game shines in zone coverage, as he can drive on shallow routes that flash in front of his face and make receivers think twice about coming over the middle.” — Crabbs, The Draft Network"
Aaron Rodgers will surely find a way to make all of us talk about his happiness if such a pick is announced. But the fact is, their offense can still put points on the board and while they need a wideout, the primary options are off the board so they decide to wait until at least Round 2 for that position.
2020 proved to be a great season for the Buffalo Bills who made it to the AFC Championship Game and had an MVP-caliber season out of Josh Allen. There will always be critics of Allen — because people hate to ever be wrong — but he was one of the best in the game last season.
Buffalo also added even more help for Allen when they signed Emmanuel Sanders in the offseason who will join Cole Beasley and Stefan Diggs to give them a deep receiving corps. The Bills do, however, need to improve some on defense.
Re-signing Matt Milano helped keep the group intact, even if the contract was a bit questionable but they still need more help on the defensive line and the secondary. They could leapfrog someone to get a top-tier edge rusher but in this mock we aren’t predicting trades so they stay put and end up with Eric Stokes from Georgia — who also fills a major need.
Buffalo has Tre’Davious White at one cornerback spot and he will be the starter for the foreseeable future. Across from him is Josh Norman, who doesn’t have much left in the tank at 33-years of age.
Not only is Stokes much younger, but he posted a blazing 40-yard dash time at his pro day, breaking the 4.3 mark. That kind of speed can be game-changing in the secondary and the Bills are happy to add that to theirs.
The Kansas City Chiefs decided to part ways with both their starting offensive tackles this offseason as they parted with Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher. So far, they haven’t really done much outside of bringing in Mike Remmers. Although, they did sign a couple of guards who will be starters for them in 2021.
Their biggest signing was Joe Thuney who was a star with the New England Patriots but hit free agency after playing on the franchise tag in 2020. They also picked up Kyle Long who decided to unretire and get back into the game with the Chiefs.
Now on the clock at No. 31, Kansas City continues to build their line as they take Jalen Mayfield from Michigan. The 6-foot-5, 319-pounder had just two years of starting experience under his belt but he showed off more than enough athleticism and power for the Wolverines to become a high draft pick — and a solid starter in the NFL.
During his time with the Wolverines, Mayfield was tested against some of the best pass-rushers in the nation and held his own time and again. He was solid against Julian Okwara, Anfernee Jennings, and more.
He’s said to be good enough to play guard in the NFL as well but the Chiefs will likely give him a chance to play on the outside, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see him succeed.
Tom Brady did it again. The future Hall of Fame quarterback left the New England Patriots and in one season, he completely turned the Tampa Bay Buccaneers around. Brady ended the “is he the GOAT” talk by taking a team that hadn’t made the playoffs since 2007 to the Super Bowl — where they were the first team to play in their own stadium — and they won it against the Kansas City Chiefs.
If that wasn’t enough, his old team went in the opposite direction. New England hadn’t missed the playoffs since 2008 and without Brady, they were 7-9 and had to go crazy in free agency this season in an effort to fix their roster.
Having said all that, Brady didn’t do it alone. While he was the leader of the team and spearheaded the turnaround, the Bucs landed some solid players around him and their defense was fantastic in the Super Bowl. They did a great job harassing Patrick Mahomes but the truth is, many of those players are seasoned veterans.
This means the Bucs should be looking to get younger on that side. That’s the plan as they take Christian Barmore from Alabama here. A borderline first-round talent, Barmore blew up in the playoffs for the Tide and showed just how good he can be.
Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles drew up an amazing gameplan against Kansas City and can do even more damage after adding a player such as this to his tool box.
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
The Jaguars continue to build around Trevor Lawrence with the explosive Elijah Moore to kick off the second round.
34. New York Jets: Greg Newsome II, CB, Georgia
Robert Saleh adds another defensive weapon, taking Northwestern’s Greg Newsome II early in the second.
35. Atlanta Falcons: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Both starting safeties for the Atlanta Falcons appear to be gone so they start to replace them here with the selection Trevon Moehrig out of TCU.
36. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans): Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Dylan Moses looked to be a sure-fire day one pick a while ago but now slides into the second. Miami ends up with a day one starter at 36.
37. Philadelphia Eagles: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
The Eagles need to get better in the secondary and Aaron Robinson helps them in that endeavor. A talented corner who can develop into a starter quickly.
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
The Cincinnati Bengals pick up Zaven Collins from Tulsa here. Collins can line up in several different spots and will help as a traditional linebacker as well as in pressuring the quarterback.
39. Carolina Panthers: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
Carolina signed Cam Erving to a pretty hefty contract but they can’t really think he’s a long-term starter. That’s why Alex Leatherwood is picked up here.
40. Denver Broncos: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
Denver bolsters their offensive line with the versatile Liam Eichenberg from Notre Dame.
41. Detroit Lions: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
There’s no telling what Dillon Radunz can end up being since he didn’t face elite talent at North Dakota State. Still, he’s an intriguing prospect who ends up landing with the Lions in this mock.
42. New York Giants: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Rondale Moore is another explosive wideout and while he’s not really a No. 1 threat, he would be a great compliment to the newly acquired Kenny Golladay.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
The 49ers are still a team that likes to dominate on the ground and adding Wyatt Davis helps them continue to get better in this area.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington
Dallas improved on the defensive line in free agency but they added players on short-term contracts. That’s why they draft Levi Onwuzurike here as a potential long-term answer.
45. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Minnesota Vikings): Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
C.J. Henderson replaced Jalen Ramsey but the Jaguars need more help in the secondary. Enter Kelvin Joseph from Kentucky who has been climbing boards lately.
46. New England Patriots: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
A pure potential selection, Jayson Oweh has a lot of upside but has yet to put it all together. Bill Belichick is the coach who can get the most out of him.
47. Los Angeles Chargers: James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
Protecting Justin Herbert will be key to the Chargers’ success going forward. That’s why they take James Hudson here, who is a talented lineman from Cincinnati.
48. Las Vegas Raiders: Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama
They got rid of just about all their offensive linemen so they draft another here in Landon Dickerson from Alabama.
49. Arizona Cardinals: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
With Kenyan Drake leaving in free agency, the Arizona Cardinals need a new starting running back and they land one here in Travis Etienne. He’s a player capable of winning on the ground and as a receiver which makes him a great fit in this offense.
50. Miami Dolphins: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
Shaq Lawson was traded away so now Miami goes for a new defensive end, landing Ronnie Perkins from Oklahoma.
51. Washington Football Team: Asante Samuel, JR., CB, Florida State
Asante Samuel, Jr. is the son of a former Pro Bowl player and is hoping to have just as long and successful of an NFL career. Washington can use the help in the secondary as well, making this a great pairing.
52. Chicago Bears: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
Nico Collins has the size to match up with big corners on the outside and Chicago might not be able to keep Allen Robinson much longer, so this could be a player to groom behind him.
53. Tennessee Titans: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
Jevon Holland looked to be a first-round talent at one point but now slides into the second. Tennessee is more than happy to snatch him up here.
54. Indianapolis Colts: Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
After adding a wideout in Round 1, the Colts now add a cornerback in Round 2 with Elijah Molden.
55. Pittsburgh Steelers: Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma
Pittsburgh’s offensive line is now without a center, which is why they take Oklahoma’s Creed Humphrey here.
56. Seattle Seahawks: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
A linebacker who really emerged as of late — especially with a great showing in the Senior Bowl — Jabril Cox lands with Seattle at No. 56.
57. Los Angeles Rams: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
The Rams hate draft picks, so it’s a surprise they have one here. They use this selection on linebacker Baron Browning from Ohio State as they try and rebuild their defense which saw a lot of departures in the offseason.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Richie Grant, S, UCF
The Ravens never really replaced Earl Thomas but they do that here with Richie Grant.
59. Cleveland Browns: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
Cleveland really improved their secondary with John Johnson and Troy Hill but they can’t count on Greedy Williams as the starter opposite Denzel Ward — not after playing only 12 games in two seasons. Ifeatu Melifonwu could replace him and allow Hill to stay in the slot where he would be at his best.
60. New Orleans Saints: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
New Orleans needs some more depth at cornerback and Tyson Campbell is a potential starter.
61. Buffalo Bills: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Buffalo didn’t land an EDGE in the first but they make up for that here with Joseph Ossai from Texas. He’s a great value at this spot.
62. Green Bay Packers: Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
The Packers continue to bolster their defense, this time with the selection of Iowa defensive lineman Daviyon Nixon.
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
They swung and missed on JuJu Smith-Schuster but Tuta Atwell could be a better fit in this system.
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
The second round concludes with Tampa Bay grabbing another player for their front seven. They kept Shaq Barrett but need a young pass rusher which is what they get in Joe Tryon from Washington.
65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Sometimes a quarterback’s best friend is a strong running game. James Robinson was good in 2020 but the Jags add more depth here with Javonte Williams from North Carolina.
66. New York Jets: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
New York adds Pat Freiermuth here, giving them a big red-zone target.
67. Houston Texans: Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee
Trey Smith has a ton of talent but medical concerns slowed his growth. Could end up being a starter for the Texans.
68. Atlanta Falcons: Carlos Basham, Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
The ceiling might not be too high for Carlos Basham, Jr. but his floor is also not very low. Feels like a safe pick at this point.
69. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Myers, IOL, Ohio State
The Bengals add an interior offensive lineman to help protect Joe Burrow.
70. Philadelphia Eagles: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
Zach Ertz will likely be playing elsewhere soon, so the Eagles get a potential replacement in Brevin Jordan out of Miami.
71. Denver Broncos: Tommy Togiai, IDL, Ohio State
Another Ohio State player gets the call, this time it’s Tommy Togiai who re-stocks the Broncos defensive line.
72. Detroit Lions: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Shaun Wade is a much better player in the slot and can probably play some safety. His star lost some of its shine but he can still be a solid NFL player.
73. Carolina Panthers: Jay Tufele, IDL, USC
Jay Tufele can bring the heat as a three-technique and the Panthers need to replace Kawaan Short.
74. Washington Football Team (via San Francisco 49ers): Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
Jackson Carman goes from blocking for one legend to another. He was able to protect Trevor Lawrence for years and now gets to keep the man, the myth, the legend — Ryan Fitzpatrick — upright.
75. Dallas Cowboys: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
Keanu Neal is likely going to play a hybrid linebacker role and Dallas might still sign Malik Hooker or Damontae Kazee. They will probably sign one or the other to a one-year deal but need a young player to groom. There might not be a better fit than Hamsah Nasirildeen for that role.
76. New York Giants: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
The Giants’ defense is good but they can be better. Adding Jamin Davis helps them improve, giving them a player capable of putting up triple digits in tackles.
77. Los Angeles Chargers: A’Darius Washington, S, TCU
A’Darius Washington comes in and replenishes the Chargers secondary.
78. Minnesota Vikings: Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
Andre Cisco could end up being one of the biggest steals in this draft. He can sit behind Anthony Harris in 2021 but could replace him the following season.
79. Arizona Cardinals: Marlon Tuipulotu, IDL, USC
Marlon Tuipulotu didn’t get the same love as Jay Tufele but goes just a few picks later. Arizona gets another 300-pound player for their improving defensive line.
80. Las Vegas Raiders: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
Pete Werner is a throwback linebacker and Jon Gruden loves that style of play.
81. Miami Dolphins: D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
The Miami Dolphins added Will Fuller but could use more depth, which is why they take D’Wayne Eskridge from Western Michigan here.
82. Washington Football Team: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
Chazz Surratt had 115 tackles in 2019 and 91 in 2020. He constantly finds himself around the ball and should do the same in the pros.
83. Chicago Bears: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
Spencer Brown is a big man with a lot of upside. He could develop into a quality right tackle at the next level.
84. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis Colts): Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, US
Amon-Ra St. Brown was on a great trajectory before this past season with 1,042 yards in 2019. He still went off in 2020 but had just six games to show what he can do.
85. Tennessee Titans: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Amari Rodgers, the Clemson wideout, broke out this season with 1,020 yards and could help replace Corey Davis.
86. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
Paulson Adebo has a lot of talent but needs to put it all together. If he can, he could have a long career in the NFL.
87. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
The Steelers running game hasn’t been what it used to be, but adding Michael Carter could help improve their ground attack.
88. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt
Detroit picks up Dayo Odeyingbo, a player who racked up 5.5 sacks last season for Vanderbilt.
89. Cleveland Browns: Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston
Takk McKinley was a great signing but he does come with some risk. Cleveland mitigates that with the addition of Payton Turner, a rising star from Houston.
90. Minnesota Vikings (via Baltimore Ravens): Deonte Brown, IOL, Alabama
Minnesota needs a new starting guard and Deonte Brown could become that for them.
91. Cleveland Browns (via New Orleans Saints): Alim McNeill, DT, NC State
Malik Jackson was a solid signing for the Browns but now, they add Alim McNeill to give them more depth at the one-technique.
92. Green Bay Packers: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
Dyami Brown is an underrated talent and while the Packers waited to add a wide receiver, they do at least end up with a good one here.
93. Buffalo Bills: Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pitt
More defensive line help for the Bills who are trying to get their defense back up to the standard they expect.
94. Kansas City Chiefs: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
Quincy Roche didn’t break out in 2020 as he had hoped which is why he slides to No. 94. He could be a steal if he reverts to the form he showed at Temple.
95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aaron Banks, IOL, Notre Dame
After focusing on defense early on, the Buccaneers now add Aaron Banks to beef up their offensive line.
96. New England Patriots: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
The New England Patriots kick off the compensatory pick portion of the third round with Tylan Wallace from Oklahoma State. They did add a couple of wideouts in free agency but this is a team that needs to overhaul that entire unit, which is why they target one here.
97. Los Angeles Chargers: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
Hunter Henry joined the Patriots in the offseason leaving a hole at tight end for the Chargers. Tommy Tremble might not have the same potential as a pass-catcher but he adds some much-needed talent to the room.
98. New Orleans Saints: Victor Dimukeje, EDGE, Duke
Trey Hendrickson moved onto the Bengals so the Saints replace him with Victor Dimukeje from Duke.
99. Dallas Cowboys: Tyler Shelvin, NT, LSU
Another defensive line addition here as the Cowboys grab the 360-pound Tyler Shelvin from LSU.
100. Tennessee Titans: Keith Taylor, Jr., CB, Washington
The Titans let Malcolm Brown and Adoreé Jackson leave in the offseason and they try and rebuild the unit with Keith Taylor, Jr.
101. Los Angeles Rams: Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE, Oregon State
The Rams defense again adds another weapon in Hamilcar Rashed, Jr. from Oregon State.
102. San Francisco 49ers: Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse
Another Syracuse defensive back joins the NFL as Trill Williams is selected by the 49ers at No. 102. Williams could end up being a long-time NFL player and the 49ers need the depth.
103. Los Angeles Rams: Ben Cleveland, IOL, Georgia
Ben Cleveland has a lot of talent and should be able to develop into a starting guard in the NFL. The Rams select him at No. 103 as they look to improve the interior of their line.
104. Baltimore Ravens: Demetric Felton, WR, UCLA
Baltimore needs to get better at wide receiver and Demetric Felton helps improve the corps.
105. New Orleans Saints: Marvin Wilson, Jr., DT, Florida State
The Saints have the final pick in the third round and they use that on Marvin Wilson, Jr. from Florida State. They had some departures on the defensive line and Wilson helps to ease some of the pain.