The Dallas Cowboys address their defense and Justin Fields falls to the ninth pick overall in this three-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft
The 2021 NFL Draft is right around the corner and we’re starting to get a better feel on what many of the teams are going to attempt to do.
Sure, there will always be smokescreen and some attempt at deceit but with free agency largely in the rearview, rosters have taken much better shape than even a few weeks ago. For that reason, we’re able to better guess which players will be targeted by each franchise.
With all that being said, we dive into our latest three-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft which continues to be unsurprising at pick No. 1 with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking the podium with a rather easy pick to predict.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
There’s really no drama here. The league has been trying for years now to keep from ‘tipping’ the picks and that seems to include the No. 1 pick. In the past, teams would not only let it be known who they were taking, but they even engaged in contract talks.
But now, we’re supposed to believe it’s suddenly such a grueling decision that they need the entire offseason plus the final 15 minutes once on the clock to actually make the move. It’s pretty funny, but hey, that’s entertainment, right?
Even with the Jaguars not coming out and saying it, they’re going to pick Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall. Urban Meyer is taking over this franchise and if he’s going to succeed, he needs to get a franchise quarterback and there hasn’t been one as ready to start as Lawrence in nearly 10 years.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The suspense as to whether or not the New York Jets would actually pull the trigger on a quarterback at No. 2 is now a thing of the past. Of course, the majority of the sports world knew what was going to happen here but as long as Sam Darnold was on the roster, there was a hint of doubt that some could play off of.
That ended as soon as Darnold was shipped to the Carolina Panthers for future draft picks. The move ended up making sense for both sides — as well as the player. Darnold never lived up to his status as the No. 3 overall pick in 2018 but not all was on him. He had a pretty bad roster of talent around him and Adam Gase really did him no favors at all.
Sending him to Carolina allows him to have a fresh start, which both sides really needed. As for the Panthers, they understood at No. 8 there was no guarantee a solid starting quarterback would be available. Instead of waiting, they elected to see if they could salvage the former USC star.
Back to the Jets pick, they end up with Zach Wilson from BYU here — a move that can be criticized on its own. Wilson does have all the talent in the world but he didn’t put together as many good seasons as Justin Fields. Still, there seems to be something about him that really caught the Jets’ eye and they make Wilson their latest quarterback of the future.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Houston Texans through Miami Dolphins): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Originally, this pick was owned by the Miami Dolphins as part of the Laremy Tunsil trade package. If they hadn’t already proven to have won this trade before, the Dolphins decided to make it even more apparent by adding a couple of first-round picks in a deal with the San Francisco 49ers. They used one of the picks added to get back to No. 6 but still added plenty of draft capital in order to move back three spots.
As for the 49ers, they gave up a huge amount of assets to jump from No. 12 to No. 3 in order to get their guy. And that guy, according to most reports, is none other than Mac Jones from Alabama. Now Jones did have a lot of success with the Crimson Tide and it seems as though he could be a decent NFL quarterback.
Having said that, it’s hard to say he’s better than Justin Fields or Trey Lance — but the Niners seem set. There is a school of thought that Kyle Shanahan likes the way Jones fits into his system better than the other two, but that still feels odd. Yes, he has had success with quarterbacks who have quick triggers and don’t have the deepest toolbox, but wouldn’t it be better if they did?
Perhaps there’s some smokescreen here, but if not, this could be a very interesting pick that will lead to scrutiny for years to come.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
This is one of the first picks that will be very difficult. The Atlanta Falcons have a good quarterback in Matt Ryan, but he’s in his late 30s and it’s not as if he will be playing much longer. They also don’t know when they will draft this high again to be able to take a potentially elite quarterback — and with Justin Fields on the board, it feels like a great time to make a move.
While that’s the way I would go personally, there’s no clear indication from Atlanta where they would lean. Of course, the fact that they didn’t trade Ryan during the offseason suggests new head coach Arthur Smith believes he can win with him, but we won’t know for sure until draft night.
All that being said, we go away from the signal-caller here and take Kyle Pitts from Atlanta. A complete matchup-nightmare, Pitts is an electric pass-catcher who stands above every other tight end in this class. He was already a hot name even before his pro day workouts where he tested off the charts in just about every category.
Atlanta does have Hayden Hurst, who was good in 2020 but he still isn’t on the same level as Pitts. Time will tell if it’s a mistake to pass on a signal-caller, but at least they know they got a stud here.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Conventional wisdom says that the Cincinnati Bengals should take an offensive lineman at this spot. They did land Joe Burrow last season and the former LSU quarterback was well on his way to being in the mix for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (although it would have been hard to knock off Justin Herbert) but then disaster struck.
Burrow took a hit to the knee and suffered a serious injury where several ligaments were torn. The knee-jerk reaction (no pun intended) would be to load up on offensive linemen to prevent further injuries and keep Burrow protected. While it’s true they need to do this, it’s also true that having more weapons on offense could help.
On the play where Burrow was hurt, he was on the run, something he might not have to do as much with better weapons. Here in this mock, we go with that approach and add a legit star for him to work with, and one he knows very well in Ja’Marr Chase.
A stud wideout from LSU, Chase opted out of the 2020 season but was on fire in 2019 during the team’s title run. He was the No. 1 receiver on a team that featured Justin Jefferson and Terrace Marshall and should have no problem reconnecting with Burrow.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia Eagles): Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Had the Miami Dolphins stayed at No. 3, they likely would have taken Ja’Marr Chase from LSU. There’s no denying that he would have been a great addition, but the drop off between him and DeVonta Smith isn’t great — and is well worth the extra picks they got in order to move around.
Smith was considered a solid receiver entering this campaign after going for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns on 68 receptions. That season, he proved to be able to work well with both Tua Tagovailoa and Mac Jones. But in 2020, with Jones under center and Jaylen Waddle hurt for much of the season, Smith really took off.
The senior wideout ended up winning the Heisman Trophy after catching 117 passes for 1,856 yards and an insane 23 touchdowns. He was the offensive focal point of the best team in the nation and would be reunited with his former quarterback, Tagovailoa, in Miami. Such a pick would be huge for Miami who would go from questionable pass-catchers to a team that has Smith, DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, and Mike Gesicki.
Whether or not Tua is the answer is still undecided, but we do know that would be more than enough weapons to accurately judge what he brings to the table.
7. Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
From one Alabama wideout to another. Jaylen Waddle is the next player to come off the board as he gets passed up by his former teammate, DeVonta Smith but still lands in the top-10 as the Detroit Lions take him at No 7. Waddle was ahead of Smith entering the season when it came to pro prospects, due in large part to his ability to get deep.
After Jerry Jeudy and Henry Rugs III went pro last season, it was supposed to be Waddle who took off. Unfortunately for him, an ankle injury slowed him down and held him to just six games this season. His numbers in those games were solid, finishing with 591 yards and four touchdowns on 28 receptions — most impressively, he had an average of over 21 yards per catch. He also risked further injury to play in the NCAA Championship Game despite being clearly hobbled which shows his desire to be on the field.
Looking ahead to his prospects as a pro, Waddle still looks like a game-changer. He’s listed at just 5-foot-10 and 183-pounds but he can absolutely fly past the defenders. He’s also a solid route runner overall with great hands.
For the Lions, he fills a huge need. They lost Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in free agency and are pretty thin at wide receiver. They’re also shifting from Matthew Stafford under center to Jared Goff, so it won’t be as easy to move the ball without some star playmakers at receiver.
8. Carolina Panthers: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
In a bit of a surprise move, the Carolina Panthers elected to send a future second and fourth-round selection as well as a sixth-round pick in this round to the New York Jets in exchange for Sam Darnold. Adding Darnold was a huge move for them as it gave them someone to replace Teddy Bridgewater, who they clearly didn’t believe in.
It also meant they didn’t have to try and make any crazy moves in this draft to get high enough for a starting quarterback. Of course, in this mock, a couple of options are still available but that has to do with trades not being predicted. With possible trades not happening here, we look at the best option on the board for the Panthers and that ends up being Penei Sewell from Oregon.
Carolina did just place the franchise tag on Taylor Moton and they also have Greg Little. If they feel comfortable with them long-term, this pick could still work since Sewell can really play anywhere on the line.
Adding him simply means they can put another solid starter out there for Darnold to feel comfortable in the pocket and then they have someone to fall back on as a tackle if Moton doesn’t get an extension following this season.
9. Denver Broncos: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Yes, there’s a chance Drew Lock can still turn into a decent NFL quarterback but that doesn’t mean the Denver Broncos should blindly go into 2021 thinking he’s the guy. There should be even less of a chance of them doing that if the draft falls the way this 2021 NFL Mock Draft has.
With Denver selecting at No. 9, they find themselves facing the opportunity to draft Justin Fields from Ohio State. This happened due to the Carolina Panthers making a move for Sam Darnold and the San Francisco 49ers taking Mac Jones instead of Fields.
For Denver, they shouldn’t care at all why it happened, but they should just sprint to the podium and take Fields. Arguably one of the more talented prospects in years, Fields is really the only quarterback who can hold a candle to Trevor Lawrence in this class. He has the arm strength, the intelligence, and even showed off some amazing speed at his pro day which adds another dimension to his game.
Fields would instantly be an upgrade for the Broncos under center and while Lock could still become a good quarterback, Fields has the potential to be an elite one. That’s simply too much to ignore.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
The Dallas Cowboys round out the top-10 and they’ve been a team in need of some defensive help for quite some time. Last season, for example, it seemed as if they were going to go with either a cornerback or a defensive end. They ended up shocking everyone though as they went with Oklahoma wide receiver CeeDee Lamb.
Looking ahead to this draft, there’s a debate in Cowboys nation about what they should do. Practical thinking suggests defense while there are those who want to see their offense get even better by adding Kyle Pitts. That dilemma is solved for them in this mock as Pitts is long gone, so that means there’s really no debate as to who they should pick — it has to be Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
Dallas has struggled for years in the secondary and it only got worse in 2020 after they let Byron Jones leave in free agency. They did replace him with Trevon Diggs — a former teammate of Surtain — but now they lost Chidobe Awuzie. Adding Surtain will actually be an upgrade over Awuzie (who is still better than he gets credit for) and could lead to some positive change in this secondary.
Listed at 6-foot-2 and 202-pounds, Surtain possesses the perfect frame for matching up against taller receivers but also has the speed to keep up with burners. He should have no problem developing into a No. 1 corner for Dallas.
11. New York Giants: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
The New York Giants really did a solid job in free agency this year. They added a couple of weapons on the outside in Kenny Golladay and John Ross. Golladay is a player who looks ready to prove he can be a legit No. 1 wideout in the NFL. As for Ross, he was a bust for where he was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals but in New York, he comes in as an affordable pass-catcher with 4.2 speed that can change the game in a single play.
On top of that, they added tight end Kyle Rudolph who can be a red-zone weapon. If that wasn’t enough, Saquon Barkley is returning from his knee injury meaning this offense should be immensely better than the one we saw in 2020. That’s great news for Daniel Jones, who is running out of time to prove that he’s the guy.
The best part about the good offseason for New York is that they can now enter the draft without any major holes. That means they can look for the best player available and in this mock, that ends up being Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons.
A linebacker by trade, there’s really no limit to how Parsons can help this defense. He’s a heat-seeking missile in the run game but can hold his own in pass coverage as well. He’s also been used as a pass rusher on the blitz and does a tremendous job in that regard as well. Simply put, Parsons is a game-changer and should improve New York’s defense in a big way.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via San Francisco 49ers through Miami Dolphins): Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Philadelphia Eagles added more draft picks in their move with the Dolphins that moved them from No. 6 to No. 12. Those moves will surely help them in 2022 when they also will cash in on the deal made with the Indianapolis Colts who added Carson Wentz in a trade with Philly this offseason.
For the Eagles, this now becomes a crucial season. They took themselves out of the race for a quarterback which means Jalen Hurts will be given every opportunity to prove he’s the guy to lead this team back to the Super Bowl. The problem is, Hurts needs a lot of help around him and this drop-down in the draft could hurt the Eagles in their pursuit of weapons for him.
With all the primary wideouts off the board, the Eagles instead decide to go after a cornerback in Jaycee Horn, while waiting on another receiver to pair with 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor. Such a move would be criticized but the Eagles do need help in their secondary as well. Horn is the type of player who can bring a great mix of size, physicality, and confidence to the position.
The son of former NFL wide receiver Joe Horn, Jaycee also brings NFL bloodlines and an understanding of what it takes to be successful at the NFL level.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
There is already a debate going on about whether or not the Dolphins messed up in taking Tua last season out of Alabama. True, the former Crimson Tide gun-slinger had his share of growing pains as a rookie but he didn’t look awful. Instead, he looked like a first-year quarterback trying to get up to speed with the NFL game.
So why the question? Well, you can thank Justin Herbert. The Los Angeles Chargers took Herbert after Miami took their quarterback and the Oregon quarterback was out of this world. He threw for more than 4,300 yards and 31 touchdowns in 15 games and never looked like he was new at the professional level.
None of that should be a knock on Tua, but it’s just an example of how good Herbert is and the Chargers should be thrilled to know he’s going to be the future of their organization. Of course, with that being said, they need to surround him with more talent — and protect him better in the pocket especially after losing some of their offensive linemen in the offseason.
That’s the goal here as they take Rashawn Slater out of Northwestern. Slater is a great pick since he has experience at left tackle but can also play inside. There’s really nowhere on the line he can’t succeed and that gives Los Angeles a chess piece to move around and find where he’s best suited and best helps the team as well.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC
Could the Minnesota Vikings make a splash and trade up for a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft? There are some who have asked that question and with the way they struggled on offense last season, there’s reason to believe they could be looking for an eventual replacement for veteran Kirk Cousins. However, this draft doesn’t feel like the right time to make such a drastic move.
Cousins is still able to get it done when he has time in the pocket, which has been a bit of an issue for him in recent years. Minnesota tries to fix that here with the addition of Alijah Vera-Tucker with the No. 14 pick overall. The USC offensive lineman is much like the aforementioned Rashawn Slater in that he played left tackle in college but could be moved around the line.
Minnesota could decide to play him at guard where he would certainly succeed. However, they could also try him out at left tackle where they recently released Reily Reiff — who was unable to prove to be the answer on the blindside for them. Minnesota has several holes on the offensive line, but Vera-Tucker could surely help them get that figured out.
15. New England Patriots: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
In free agency, the New England Patriots added Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, but neither of them is a No. 1 wide receiver in the NFL. They do have N’Keal Harry but so far, he too has been a question mark.
They did also add Hunter Henry and Jonnu Smith, which indicates a return to a tight end dominate offense, but why stop there? Bill Belichick is clearly on a mission to make sure he never again goes 7-9 and has spared no expense. So why stop adding weapons in the draft?
His win-now mantra leads to the Patriots grabbing yet another great option in the passing game as he picks up Rashod Bateman at No. 15. For years, Belichick has been struggling to land an elite receiver in the draft, and with Harry looking to be the next in a line of failed selections, Belichick decides to replace him quickly.
Bateman is one of the more refined wideouts in this class. He might not stand out like Ja’Marr Chase or have the Heisman Trophy like DeVonta Smith, but he really has no hole in his game. He’s got a full route tree, great hands, and more than enough speed to get deep. Put him on the same field as Bourne, Agholor, Henry, and Smith and this suddenly looks like a competent offense.
In the end, whether or not they’re a success will lie in what Cam Newton does — assuming they don’t make a move for someone such as Jimmy Garoppolo. That’s a big question after 2020, but at least we know it won’t be a lack of skill players on offense that holds this team back.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
It was hard not to be excited for the Arizona Cardinals last season when they started to put some wins together. In Kliff Kingsbury’s second season as their head coach, they began to show they can contend with just about anyone.
Kyler Murray took a big step forward as the leader of the offense and DeAndre Hopkins was more than worth the investment they made in him during the offseason. Their chemistry should be even better in 2021 and Arizona also added A.J. Green which could be a savvy move should he prove to be healthy.
Defensively, they should be better too after bringing in J.J. Watt — who may not be the same player he was a few years ago but can still be disruptive.
If there is anywhere that they’re not where they would like to be, it’s at running back. Kenyan Drake left in free agency and their big addition to replace him was James Conner. The former Steelers running back will be a decent player in a committee but he hasn’t proven to be a franchise back. That’s why they land Najee Harris here.
The Alabama running back has no problem carrying the load and will be a bell-cow back. He can not only carry the load himself but he will also benefit from having Conner on the team as a veteran mentor.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
It feels like Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock might be running out of time. It’s true that Gruden was given a 10-year deal to be the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders and is only entering year three, but things aren’t trending the way he and general manager Mayock need them to.
They went from 4-12 in 2018 to 7-9 in 2019 which was an impressive swing. Then in 2020, they looked to be a team on the rise but a late-season slump left them 8-8 and outside of the playoffs race.
As a franchise, they still are looking for their first winning season since 2016 as well as just their second since 2002. While it’s encouraging that they have improved as much as they have, Las Vegas made a lot of questionable moves this offseason.
They let some of their better offensive linemen go and then paid Kolton Miller a whole lot of money — arguably more than he could have gotten had he hit the open market. They also let Nelson Agholor leave in free agency, banking on a leap in performance from Henry Ruggs and Bryan Edwards.
Perhaps it will all work out and drafting Christian Darrisaw helps tremendously here. He can start day one on the right side as the tackle opposite Miller. It won’t fix the interior of their line but he should help Derek Carr feel a little more comfortable in the pocket than the current roster would.
18. Miami Dolphins: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Adding a star wide receiver with the first pick really opens up the offense for the Miami Dolphins. But they’re not done yet as they have a second pick in the first round — after having three last season. If they hit on all these picks, there’s no denying they could become one of the more formidable teams in the AFC.
Here, they do land a player who seems to be very low on the risk factor. Georgia EDGE Azeez Ojulari comes in as a replacement for Shaq Lawson who was traded in the offseason. Ojulari is a bit undersized at 249-pounds but he has the frame to add muscle and he himself recently said he can get to 255-260-pounds which would make a difference.
As for his playing style, he has been able to play both in a stand-up pass-rushing role as well as with his hand in the dirt. The good news is, head coach Brian Flores has plenty of experience using players such as Ojulari who offer various ways to get after the quarterback.
Last season, Miami had a breakout campaign from Emmanuel Ogbah who they signed in free agency. The former second-round pick had nine sacks and looks set to continue to grow as a pass rusher. Adding the rookie defender to the same line will only make this defense more dangerous, especially when you throw in the talented secondary they already have.
19. Washington Football Team: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Entering 2021, the Washington Football Team has one of the easiest quarterbacks in the NFL to root for set to start for them in Ryan Fitzpatrick. The veteran journeyman is fresh off a successful stint with the Miami Dolphins and will be filling the shoes of Alex Smith — while also serving as a mentor for the young Taylor Heinicke.
Last season, Heinicke was under center in the team’s playoff loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and won many fans over with his performance. Once the offseason began, Washington signed him to a two-year deal to see if the performance was a one-time thing, or if they actually have something to work with.
Even with all that being true, the Football Team (which should never, ever change their name) can’t just ignore Trey Lance if he does end up falling to them. In this mock, that’s exactly what happens as they’re on the clock at No. 19 and Lance is still there looking for a home.
The North Dakota State star was beyond dominant during his days with the Bison. He ended up throwing just one interception in his career and the idea that his mechanics need work feel greatly exaggerated. Perhaps he needs time to be comfortable at the NFL level, but that just makes this an even better fit as he can learn behind Fitzpatrick and with Heinicke there, he might not have to play at all in 2021 if head coach Ron Rivera decides he’s not ready.
20. Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
This offseason didn’t really go as planned for the Chicago Bears. After realizing Mitchell Trubisky wasn’t the answer, they went out in search of a new quarterback and ended up with Andy Dalton. Now, no offense is meant to Dalton who has had a solid NFL career, but at this stage, it really doesn’t feel like he’s an upgrade over Trubisky.
Having said that, the Bears knew they had to move on and Dalton is nothing more than a stop-gap for them — and it’s pretty likely that he will be the starter for the entire 2021 season. That’s because Chicago is picking at No. 20 and there’s almost no chance they get one of the top quarterbacks in this class, without trading up.
With all that being said, the Bears simply have to try and address some of the holes on their roster, which they do here by taking Greg Newsome II from Northwestern. Newsome has been climbing up boards as of late and for Chicago, he would help them replace Kyle Fuller who was released in the offseason.
Newsome is a lengthy corner who stands in at 6-foot-1 and 190-pounds and is very good at attacking the ball in the air. He does need to turn more of his plays into interceptions but that comes with time and experience. The real concern, however, is his health. Newsome has yet to play a full season, so he will need to convince teams he can stay healthy. As long as they believe he can, he should be a first-round pick.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
Carson Wentz was never given the tools he needed in Philadelphia to succeed. Or at least that wasn’t the case after the 2017 season. Following their Super Bowl win, the Eagles turned things back over to Wentz but never really made sure to put elite talent around him, and then he took all the blame when the team faltered.
Yes, he does deserve some of the blame but the fact is, Wentz has shown he can get it done at the highest level. This is why the Indianapolis Colts had no problem giving up a future draft pick to reunite Wentz with Frank Reich. Now, the Colts make sure to get enough players around Wentz to keep him trending in the right direction.
They already re-signed T.Y. Hilton and Michael Pittman but they still look toward the future with the selection of Elijah Moore at No. 21. Undersized at 5-foot-9 and 185-pounds, Moore was electric in 2020 with 86 receptions for 1,193 yards and eight touchdowns in just eight games for Ole Miss. He might not look the part of a No. 1 receiver in the NFL but he would be a solid player to learn from Hilton and eventually replace him as the starter opposite Pittman.
22. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
There was a time where Caleb Farley seemed to be a lock in the top-15 or higher. The Virginia Tech product was one of the best corners in this class and possesses great size for the position. His tape from 2019 also showed a player who was on top of his game, which is impressive considering he’s still new to the position.
A former wide receiver, Farley took to cornerback naturally and the expectation is that he will only improve as a player. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to see any development in 2020 since he opted out of the season but he was still on the radar to go early. But then, an injury muddied the waters for him.
Farley hurt his back while working out but he should be good to go for training camp. Still, some teams will be scared off since it was a back injury but that plays into the hands of the Tennessee Titans who have a major need at the position.
Tennessee moved on from Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson in the same offseason. They now need to replace both those players and while Farley can only fill one spot, he does at least give them a potential No. 1 cornerback with a very high ceiling.
23. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
The New York Jets got their quarterback early on in this draft and they’re now back on the board at No. 23 with one of the first-round picks they acquired from the Seattle Seahawks in the Jamal Adams trade. New York did give up a big-time talent in Adams but it’s hard to say they lost this trade.
Seattle still had a disastrous defense in 2020 even after landing Adams. Sure, he made some big hits but their inability to cover anyone was hard for them to deal with. And now, they still have to pay the two first-rounders. Of course, the positive side could be that they have been bad at picking in Round 1 and great in every round after that. So maybe this will be good for them.
Back to the Jets, this is a spot where it seemed they could get some weapons for Zach Wilson but they did just sign Corey Davis in the offseason which at least gives them a No. 1 wideout. Across from him is Denzel Mims who should take a big step forward with Adam Gase gone — then again, the whole team should.
With all that being said, New York elects to go with an edge rusher here as they take Jaelan Phillips out of Miami. Pairing him with another new addition, Carl Lawson, gives the Jets a formidable pass-rushing duo.
There is a concern with Phillips though. He’s arguably the best pass rusher in this class but he actually stepped away from the game in 2018 after suffering several concussions with UCLA. He decided to come back and was healthy in 2020 for Miami but the medical concerns are still there and have to be taken into consideration when making this pick.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The Pittsburgh Steelers suddenly have a rough-looking running back room and that’s led to some speculation that they could go after Najee Harris in this draft. Unfortunately for them, Harris is long gone by the time they’re on the board so they go with another position of need — offensive tackle.
Their choice is Teven Jenkins, who is a very experienced player from Oklahoma State who excels in pass sets according to Jordan Reid of The Draft Network.
"“Playing in 37 career games (35 starts) at Oklahoma State, Teven Jenkins experienced time at right guard, left tackle, and right tackle. With a bulk of his experience coming at right tackle, he blossomed during his final two seasons. Playing in the first eight games of the season, he elected to opt out after suffering what was reported as lower back issues. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound fifth-year senior offensive tackle is a top-heavy blocker that has experienced success in the team’s Air Raid offense. A quick setter that’s prone to take horizontal pass sets, he’s created a habit of establishing quick wins by striking his hands and controlling defenders.” — Reid, The Draft Network"
Jenkins would be a great addition for the Steelers especially since he’s solid in pass protection since they will be doing a lot of that. They were heavily dependent on the pass even before electing to let James Conner leave and now it’s even more likely they throw it all day long — unless, of course, they do land a potential workhorse later in the draft.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams): Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Much like the New York Jets, the Jacksonville Jaguars are also trying to rebuild as much of their team as they can in this draft and they not only got their quarterback of the future but also have a second pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Also like the Jets, this pick comes from a trade where they gave up a talented defensive back and received two first-round picks in exchange.
Jacksonville had surrendered Jalen Ramsey’s rights to the Los Angeles Rams, where he’s gone on to become one of the highest-paid in the business for them. As for the Jags, they landed K’Lavon Chaisson from LSU with their first pick from L.A. and now they use this pick to add another defensive player as they take Trevon Moehrig from TCU.
The Horned Frogs safety has separated himself from the rest of the class — and while it’s not considered a very deep class at the position, he stands out as a player who should not only start right away but should also have a long NFL career.
Listed at 6-foot-1 and 208-pounds, Moehrig is solid at playing the deep safety role and has seven career picks. His ability to take the ball away is his biggest asset and the Jags, who are quickly improving on defense, still aren’t where they need to be and sometimes the best way to help speed their growth along is to get a player who can give the offense a short field.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
General manager Andrew Berry has done a great job rebuilding the Cleveland Browns in a short time. Last season, he added Jack Conklin, Jedrick Wills, and Austin Hooper to shore up the offense. All those moves were made with head coach Kevin Stefanski in mind, getting him a roster he could work with. Now this offseason, Berry worked on fixing the defense for defensive coordinator Joe Woods.
Berry signed safety John Johnson III, cornerback Troy Hill, defensive end Takk McKinley, linebacker Anthony Walker, and defensive tackle Malik Jackson. If that wasn’t impressive enough, he went out and added former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney to the roster as well.
These moves have been huge since it means the Browns no longer have any glaring holes. Yes, there are positions that need to be improved upon and they need some youth with several of the aforementioned players on one-year deals, but there’s no need to reach at 26. Instead, they can take the best player available which happens to be Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah from Notre Dame.
Listed as a linebacker, Owusu-Koramoah is more of a hybrid player at 216-pounds.
He’s a perfect fit for Cleveland’s defense which wants to use more of a 4-2-5 look where they emphasize coverage. Having JOK not only allows them to continue with this but his skill as a linebacker would also mean they’re not sacrificing anything against the run either.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
This offseason, the Baltimore Ravens lost Matt Judon, who signed with the New England Patriots. It wasn’t surprising at all to see Baltimore let Judon walk, as they have shown in recent years that they don’t mind letting someone else overpay the veterans while they replace them with younger talent.
That’s what happened when C.J. Mosley went to the New York Jets and then one year later, the Ravens added Patrick Queen in the draft. They also allowed Judon to take over as the primary pass rusher when Za’Darius Smith left for the Green Bay Packers a couple of seasons ago. Now, with Judon on his way out, they decide to use their first-round pick on Kwity Paye from Michigan.
Listed at 6-foot-4 and 272-pounds, Paye started to break out in 2019 with 50 tackles (12.5 for a loss) and 6.5 sacks. A shortened season in 2020 only allowed him to play four games and he had 16 tackles (four for a loss) and two sacks in that time. He’s solid off the edge but still needs to refine some of his game.
He also played with his hand in the dirt which would be a transition for Baltimore who would want him in a stand-up role as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. He should be able to succeed in this role, even if it takes time to get him used to the change.
28. New Orleans Saints: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
This coming season will be weird for the New Orleans Saints. For the first time since 2006, they won’t have Drew Brees starting under center for them as the best quarterback in franchise history ended up calling it a career following the 2020 campaign. With him gone, New Orleans finds itself in an interesting spot.
They already had to do a lot of work just to get out of the red in the salary cap which also hurt the strength of their roster. They’re also set to have Taysom Hill (the ultimate gadget player who signed a fake extension this offseason) compete with Jameis Winston for the starting job. Either way, the Saints will find themselves starting a player with a stronger arm than what Brees had at the end but without his football mind.
As for the rest of their roster, they could go a couple of ways here. They do need a cornerback but there’s also a strong need at wide receiver — especially after they released Emmanuel Sanders. They elect to go that route with this pick, taking Kadarius Toney out of Florida.
Toney could end up being another great weapon for the Saints considering he’s a utility player who can throw the ball and has great speed. As a wideout, he’s still raw since he was primarily a receiver for just one full season but he was exceptional in that campaign.
29. Green Bay Packers: Terrace Marshall, Jr., WR, LSU
It’s hard to figure out what the Green Bay Packers are going to do. Last season, for example, they traded up for Jordan Love who is unlikely to see the field anytime soon with Aaron Rodgers showing no signs of slowing down. Then in the second round, they took A.J. Dillon which would have allowed them to move on from Aaron Jones and turn things over to a younger (more affordable) running back.
Green Bay then gave Aaron Jones a new deal, which means Dillon will still be second-fiddle at best. Of course, he will probably still see the field more because second contracts rarely work out for running backs — but hey, the Packers think Jones is different. Kind of like how Dallas thought Ezekiel Elliott was different. And Arizona thought David Johnson was different. And Los Angeles thought Todd Gurley was different. And, well, you get the point.
Back to this draft, the Packers should be looking to add more weapons in the passing game with Davante Adams having to do far too much of the heavy lifting without consistent help around him. We have been expecting that help to come early in the draft for years now and they keep skipping on it. In this mock, we finally add that player in Terrace Marshall, Jr. from LSU.
After playing behind Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase, he finally got a chance to be the No. 1 guy in 2020 with Jefferson in the pros and Chase opting out. Marshall made the most of that opportunity and proved that he can be a top receiver and should have no problem in the NFL taking pressure off of a player such as Adams.
30. Buffalo Bills: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
The Buffalo Bills were one of the surprise teams in the NFL last season. While they were expected to be a good team after making the playoffs in 2019, they weren’t expected to make the improvements they did on offense.
Adding Stefon Diggs in a trade with the Minnesota Vikings proved to be the missing piece on offense as they suddenly were one of the best passing attacks in the NFL. The rapport Diggs had with quarterback Josh Allen was on full display and it even helped Cole Beasley do more damage since he wasn’t receiving as much attention as he did during the previous campaign.
Allen played so well that he was in the mix for the NFL MVP and it wouldn’t have been crazy to see him win the award. Now, he and the Bills have to see if they can continue to shine with even more eyes on them. On offense, they added Emmanuel Sanders in place of John Brown which will hold them over on that end. On defense, they can use a few more starters and that’s where they go in this mock.
At No. 30, Buffalo add Georgia’s Eric Stokes who wowed everyone with a sub 4.3 time in his 40-yard dash at his Pro Day. Stokes needs to become a more consistent player but he can still start opposite Tre’Davious White and give the Bills a solid set of corners as they look to take the next step in their progression.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Kansas City Chiefs fell short of their ultimate goal, which was to defend their Super Bowl title from a season ago. Their defeat at the hands of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had to be discouraging for them but the truth is, they’re still a team that’s loaded with talent but they just ran into a squad that had everything going their way.
Not only was Tampa Bay playing lights out, but they were also at home in the Super Bowl. While many made a big deal out of them being the first true home team in the playoffs, the Chiefs were the first team with a legit road team disadvantage in the championship game.
Fast-forward to the offseason and the Chiefs are trying to get themselves back on track. They had to say goodbye to Sammy Watkins — although his signing never really produced the numbers they wanted — and also moved on from some of their offensive linemen. They did add Joe Thuney and convinced Kyle Long to in-retire, but the Chiefs need to get better at tackle.
For that reason, they take Samuel Cosmi out of Texas at No. 31. At 6-foot-6 and 314-pounds, Cosmi comes in with an NFL body and has three years of starting experience for the Longhorns. It’s been a while since Texas has had an offensive lineman taken in the first round and while he’s on the fringe of making the cut, he should be a long-term starter at the next level.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Tom Brady ended the GOAT talk this past season.
When he left the New England Patriots and joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the two teams went on completely different paths. The Patriots missed the playoffs for the first time since the 2008 season whereas the Bucs made it for the first time since 2007.
If that wasn’t enough, they then became the first team to ever play a Super Bowl at home and knocked off the Kansas City Chiefs in the process. It was a season to remember and they could be looking to repeat this coming year.
Tampa Bay did what most Super Bowl-winners can’t do as they kept their starting team together on both sides of the ball. Usually, players go out and cash big checks but the guys in Tampa wanted to come back for another run.
That ends up giving them a lot of flexibility in the upcoming draft. With their starters in place, the Buccaneers can simply look for the best player and add someone who can help in a rotation now and develop into a future starter. That’s exactly what they hope for with the selection of Christian Barmore from Alabama.
Barmore really broke out during the 2020 season for the Tide and that all came to a crescendo in the NCAA College Football Playoffs when Barmore was just bulldozing everyone who tried to block him. With the Bucs, he can work behind Ndamukong Suh, who is entering his mid-30s, and take over for him when he does decide to retire.
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Travis Etienne is a solid running back who can do it all. Jacksonville had a big season from James Robinson last year but Etienne is much more dynamic.
34. New York Jets: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
If Rondale Moore was a bit taller, he would be a day one pick for sure. As it stands, he ends up with the Jets early in the second in this mock.
35. Atlanta Falcons: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
A developmental prospect with plenty of fans out there, Jayson Oweh lands with the Falcons here as a replacement for Takk McKinley who was let go during the season in 2020.
36. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans): Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Zaven Collins is an intriguing player due to his size (6-foot-4 and 260-pounds) and versatility. Brian Flores will enjoy moving him around his defense and maximizing his talent.
37. Philadelphia Eagles: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Another linebacker as the Eagles bolster their defense with the selection of Nick Bolton here.
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
They didn’t take a tackle in Round 1 but it works out with Liam Eichenberg still on the board at 38. He’s a plug and play starter for the Bengals.
39. Carolina Panthers: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Jamin Davis has been climbing boards at an amazing rate lately. He inches closer to the first round here.
40. Denver Broncos: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
Denver bolsters their defense with Baron Browning from Ohio State.
41. Detroit Lions: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
Jeff Okudah is the real deal but the Lions could use another starter across from him. Enter Kelvin Joseph who proved at Kentucky that he can defend elite talent in the SEC.
42. New York Giants: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
North Dakota State is a well-known small school and they send out another potential NFL starter in Dillon Radunz. The Giants offensive line has been a problem, so they start to rebuild here.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama
Landon Dickerson is a solid interior offensive lineman and the 49ers love to control the clock with the run game. He will help in that regard.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Tyron Smith is still in Dallas but no one knows if he can stay healthy. For that reason, the Cowboys take Jalen Mayfield out of Michigan at No. 44. He can end up being the left tackle of the future for them while providing insurance in 2021.
45. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Minnesota Vikings): Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
Back on the clock again, the Jaguars now add Alex Leatherwood from Alabama. He can play tackle but some have him as a guard. Either way, he will improve their line.
46. New England Patriots: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
A star at the Senior Bowl, Jabril Cox does a lot of things right. He’s the type of player who could excel for New England.
47. Los Angeles Chargers: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Gregory Rousseau could fall out of the first and if he does, some team will be very happy. The Chargers are that happy team in this mock.
48. Las Vegas Raiders: Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma
They need to rebuild their line — well maybe the whole roster even. Las Vegas gets a new center here in Creed Humprhey to start reloading for another mass release in a few years.
49. Arizona Cardinals: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Patrick Peterson left in free agency, so the Arizona Cardinals need to add more help in the secondary. Enter Tyson Campbell from Georgia who has been passed up by Eric Stokes but can still get the job done.
50. Miami Dolphins: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Javonte Williams could prove to be the missing piece to Miami’s offense. Having a running back to lean on could make a huge difference for them going forward.
51. Washington Football Team: Asante Samuel, JR., CB, Florida State
Asante Samuel, Jr. has a big name to live up to. He should have no problem doing so since this is one talented player.
52. Chicago Bears: Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
If Andy Dalton is going to be successful in Chicago, they are really going to have to give him time in the pocket. With that goal in mind, the Bears take Wyatt Davis at 52.
53. Tennessee Titans: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Amari Rodgers doesn’t have the pedigree that Corey Davis did coming into the NFL but he can be a decent replacement for him.
54. Indianapolis Colts: Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington
Indianapolis has really done a solid job rebuilding their defense in recent years. They continue to add to that side of the ball with the addition of Washington defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike.
55. Pittsburgh Steelers: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
Pittsburgh needs to get younger in the secondary and Aaron Robinson helps. He can study under Joe Haden and eventually become a starter.
56. Seattle Seahawks: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
Aldon Smith gives them some depth but he’s not a long-term answer. For that reason, Seattle adds Joe Tryon from Washington as a developmental player on the edge.
57. Los Angeles Rams: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
Los Angeles also adds an EDGE here, taking Ronnie Perkins from Oklahoma. He can provide a rotational pass rusher with starting upside down the road.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
The Ravens get a stud safety in Jevon Holland. He’s a playmaker who isn’t getting the love he should and that works out perfectly for Baltimore.
59. Cleveland Browns: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Jadeveon Clowney joining the Browns gives them a formidable set of defensive ends but they can’t avoid the position in the draft. Here, they take Joseph Ossai as a player who could step in once Clowney assumedly leaves in 2022.
60. New Orleans Saints: Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
New Orleans needs another starter across from Marshon Lattimore and Elijah Molden can end up being that for them.
61. Buffalo Bills: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Buffalo adds a big red zone target to their offense in Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth. He would provide an upgrade over Dawson Knox who has been solid but not great so far in his young career.
62. Green Bay Packers: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
Green Bay kept Kevin King but he left them with a lot of questions following a decline in 2020. Here, they add Ifeatu Melifonwu who could push him for snaps and eventually take his job.
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
Kansas City can use more depth at wide receiver and that leads to the selection of Dyami Brown. A quick riser, Brown is a wideout who can do it all and would shine in this offense.
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carlos Basham, Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
Carlos Basham is a player who just does a lot of things the right way. That makes him a great fit for Todd Bowles offense.
65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
The Jaguars continue to add solid talent at a good value. Nico Collins look the part of a legit NFL receiver and could work nicely in a committee with the Jags.
66. New York Jets: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
New York adds a talented tight end in Brevin Jordan from Miami. He could end up being a great fit in that offense while giving Zach Wilson a security blanket in the middle of the field.
67. Houston Texans: Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
The Houston Texans are a mess. We give them a good defensive tackle here but they need so much more to fix what’s broken here.
68. Atlanta Falcons: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
Atlanta adds a versatile linebacker in Chazz Surratt. A former quarterback, he’s still learning to play linebacker and should get better in time.
69. Cincinnati Bengals: Josh Myers, IOL, Ohio State
Another offensive lineman is added for the Bengals as they take Josh Myers from Ohio State. His talent makes him a steal here and he could become another starter for them quickly.
70. Philadelphia Eagles: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
The Eagles need wide receivers and while Tylan Wallace isn’t exactly a No. 1 wideout, he does a lot of things well. He will be a solid contributor for this offense.
71. Denver Broncos: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
Paulson Adebo was a player to watch in 2020 but opted out of the season. That left a lot of questions about him unanswered but he still has the potential to be a difference-maker.
72. Detroit Lions: James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
James Hudson showed during his time at Cincinnati that he can get the job done. Here, he lands with the Lions and could prove to be a great value pick for them.
73. Carolina Panthers: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
Notre Dame tight ends are never a bad idea. Tommy Tremble also never really got to show everything he’s capable of and could be a sleeper to watch.
74. Washington Football Team (via San Francisco 49ers): Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana
Another secondary member for the Football Team as they grab safety Jamar Johnson here from Indiana.
75. Dallas Cowboys: Milton Williams, DT, Louisiana Tech
Milton Williams is a player on the rise and the Dallas Cowboys need a defensive tackle. The two sides connect here as he can help their porous line improve going forward.
76. New York Giants: Olaijah Griffin, CB, USC
New York had a decent defense in 2020 but they can use more depth in the secondary. Enter Olaijah Griffin from USC who can help now and has some upside to work with.
77. Los Angeles Chargers: Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Minnesota
The Chargers moved on from Desmond King last season and now, they add a new cornerback in Benjamin St-Juste as they re-stock the secondary.
78. Minnesota Vikings: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
There are rumors that Adam Thielen could be a trade piece. Eventually, that could come to fruition, so the Vikings grab Tutu Atwell, who can turn into a solid No. 2 across from Justin Jefferson.
79. Arizona Cardinals: Richie Grant, S, UCF
Richie Grant is a fats-climbing safety who lands with Arizona here. Their secondary continues to get better.
80. Las Vegas Raiders: Tommy Togiai, IDL, Ohio State
Maurice Hurst was a surprise release but the Raiders at least get someone who can help replace him in Tommy Togiai from Ohio State.
81. Miami Dolphins: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
Miami has some very good cornerbacks on their roster but they could stand to add more depth at safety. They land some here with Hamsah Nasirildeen who is a steal at this point. Tall and instinctive, Nasirildeen could end up being a good defender at the next level.
82. Washington Football Team: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
A solid linebacker who is good in coverage, Pete Werner joins the Washington Football Team at No. 82.
83. Chicago Bears: Braden Christensen, OT, BYU
Again, getting the most out of Andy Dalton will only happen with a better O-line. On top of that, the Bears need to build that up for the rookie who will take over in 2022.
84. Philadelphia Eagles (via Indianapolis Colts): Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
If he can stay healthy, Syracuse safety Andre Cisco could outperform several players taken ahead of him. Philly takes him here as a player who can try and fill the void left by Jalen Mills’ departure.
85. Tennessee Titans: Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
Jonnu Smith went to the Patriots and made a ton of money to do so. Now, the Titans get another tight end in Hunter Long out of Boston College.
86. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
New York gets a solid running back in Kenneth Gainwell which will give Zach Wilson some much-needed help as they look to turn that offense around.
87. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
Jackson Carman was the blindside protector for Trevor Lawrence and now goes to Pittsburgh to help them re-tool their line.
88. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Quinn Meinerz, IOL, Wisconsin-Whitewater
A fast-rising star in this class, Quinn Meinerz from Wisconsin-Whitewater lands with the Lions. He proved himself at the Senior Bowl and that helps him land in the back half of the third.
89. Cleveland Browns: Israel Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina
With the 89th pick, the Browns add cornerback Israel Mukuamu who is a lot of fun to watch. He’s big and physical and could fit their defense perfectly whether as a cornerback, safety, or a hybrid role between the two.
90. Minnesota Vikings (via Baltimore Ravens): Janarius Robinson, EDGE, Florida State
Janarius Robinson is a solid prospect who shouldn’t be around this late. He is, however, which is a blessing for the Vikings who need defensive ends.
91. Cleveland Browns (via New Orleans Saints) Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, US
The Browns additions this offseason make it easier for them to select a wide receiver and not feel like they neglected the defense. Injuries depleted this unit in 2020, so Amon-Ra St. Brown is an addition aimed at keeping them competitive no matter what’s thrown their way this season.
92. Green Bay Packers: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
The Packers now add some more help to the offensive line with Spencer Brown from Northern Iowa. He’s a massive player who has his way with pass rushers when he’s on.
93. Buffalo Bills: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
More pass rush is never a bad thing and Quincy Roche knows how to get after the quarterback. He didn’t take off at Miami as hoped but his time at Temple showed he can get past blockers.
94. Kansas City Chiefs: Jay Tufele, IDL, USC
Jay Tufele has fallen down many boards and it’s hard to see why. He’s a versatile defensive tackle and if he slides this far, the Chiefs will be thrilled to add him to the mix.
95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee
Tampa Bay adds some muscle to the interior of their line with Trey Smith. If he ever reaches his full potential, the Tennessee product could be a force.
96. New England Patriots: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
The compensatory picks start off with the New England Patriots picking at No. 96. While they still need a quarterback, it seems unlikely they will go for one early but taking a flier on Stanford’s Davis Mills does feel like something Bill Belichick might try and do. He has a lot of growing to do but has the arm talent to be a success with the right coaching.
97. Los Angeles Chargers: Ar’Darius Washington, S, TCU
Another overlooked safety, At”Darius Washington is added by the Chargers.
98. New Orleans Saints: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Shaun Wade had a lot of struggles in 2020 and hurt his stock by playing last year. The problem wasn’t his talent though, it was the position he played. He’s not a boundary corner but he can play in the slot or at safety. New Orleans grabs him here and he likely will fill a safety role for them.
99. Dallas Cowboys: Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston
Dallas let Aldon Smith leave and they will turn to Tarell Basham, Randy Gregory, Dorance Armstrong, and Bradlee Anae in his place. None of those players have really taken off as pros yet, so they get another player who could develop into a legit starter in Payton Turner from Houston. Other than Gregory, he probably has a higher ceiling than any of their current options across from DeMarcus Lawrence.
100. Tennessee Titans: Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida
How can you not love an offensive tackle named Stone? At 6-foot-8 and 307-pounds, he’s built like a rock. A mountain of a man, Forsythe is hard to move. Sorry about that.
101. Detroit Lions (via Los Angeles Rams): Marlon Tuipulotu, IDL, USC
The other USC defensive tackle is taken as Marlon Tuipulotu is added at 101. He comes in and helps replace Danny Shelton who signed with the Giants in the offseason.
102. San Francisco 49ers: Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
With Richard Sherman out, the 49ers need more bodies at cornerback. With this pick, they take Robert Rochell who didn’t play against elite talent at Central Arkansas but still showed he can hold his own during his days with them.
103. Los Angeles Rams: Cameron McGrone, LB, Michigan
Cameron McGrone joins the Rams at pick No. 103, as they finally start to get a few selections that they haven’t traded away yet.
104. Baltimore Ravens: D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
Baltimore added Sammy Watkins but that doesn’t solve all their receiving woes — especially when you consider how often he’s hurt. For that reason, they take D’Wayne Eskridge from Western Michigan here.
105. New Orleans Saints: Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
At No. 105, the New Orleans Saints close out the third round with their comp pick. They end up taking Jordan Smith from UAB, an intriguing EDGE who could help them replace Trey Hendrickson.