2021 NFL Mock Draft: Full four-round projection on draft day
A four-round 2021 NFL mock draft to familiarize fans with the players that could be the next stars of their favorite teams.
Is anything better than the NFL Draft? It’s like having three Christmases where all you have to do is sit on your couch and receive the gifts. So, technically, it’s better than Christmas!
The drama, the trades, the shocker of a team valuing one player so differently than the rest of the league. Round after round of surprises. Unless, of course, if you choose to read this mock draft, then you will know how the first four rounds are likely to go. Because when has an NFL mock draft ever been wrong?
Let’s get to it with a four-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
2021 NFL mock draft: First Round
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Okay, this pick is chalk and it should be. While many of the players in this draft are superstars-in-the-making, Lawrence has already arrived.
2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Jets kept fans in suspense for as long as they could. After watching Zach Wilson put on a display during his pro day, the Jets knew that he was the one.
3. San Francisco 49ers – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
I believe that, when the 49ers moved up to this spot, their intentions were to select Mac Jones out of Alabama. However, Lance has shown since then that he has Jones’ mental acuity along with game-changing athleticism and arm talent.
4. Atlanta Falcons – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
It’s not every day that a new GM has a bonafide stud quarterback fall into his lap. Justin Fields is the chosen son of the state of Georgia and is coming home to lead the Falcons into a new era.
5. Cincinnati Bengals – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Bengals aren’t denying that they have needs on their offensive line. It’s just that Chase is simply too good to pass on. His addition to the receiving corps will give the Bengals a true vertical threat that can also result in less pressure on the quarterback since opposing defenses will not be able to crowd the line of scrimmage.
6. Miami Dolphins – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
It seems unnatural to simply refer to Pitts as being a tight end. He’s so much more than that and will be the cornerstone of one of the league’s most exciting young offenses.
7. Detroit Lions – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
This pick says everything you need to know about the kind of program the Lions are building. Parsons will be the signature player of a franchise that is still known for being Barry Sanders’ team. The Lions are the new Bad Boys of Detroit.
8. Carolina Panthers – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Panthers have opted to try to reclaim Sam Darnold to be their franchise quarterback. Adding a bookend left tackle like Sewell will go a long way to ensuring a successful venture.
9. Denver Broncos – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
With the top four quarterbacks and Micah Parsons off the board, the talent-rich Broncos turn their attention to fortifying their offensive line. Slater is a top-five player in this draft and will give the Broncos a franchise left tackle for whoever is playing quarterback.
10. Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Here comes a draft dad joke — Surtain is certain to be the Cowboys pick. The most pro-ready cornerback in this talented class is a Day 1 starter.
11. New York Giants – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The Giants improved their offense with some key additions through free agency. I expect them to shift their focus to improving their defense. Paye has gone through hell to get where he is at. Couple that determination with a non-stop motor and you have a Dave Gettleman “hog mollie.”
12. Philadelphia Eagles – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Eagles will likely add an Alabama receiver with their first pick. The question becomes Waddle or Smith. Smith’s stock has taken a knock due to this diminutive physical profile, so Waddle is the pick.
13. Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Chargers made it a priority to rebuild their offensive line and provide protection for their young quarterback. Darrisaw is a natural left tackle who looks like a 10-year starter in the NFL.
14. Minnesota Vikings – Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
“This is a bad defense. Worst one I’ve ever had.” – Mike Zimmer, Head Coach, Minnesota Vikings
15. New England Patriots – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Good fortune shines on the Patriots as the talented Crimson Tide quarterback slides to No. 15. Known for his in-game processor speed, MacBook Jones, also has alpha-dog leadership traits and the best pocket footwork of any quarterback in this class.
16. Arizona Cardinals – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Horn is arguably the best player on the board and conveniently fills a pressing need for the Cardinals secondary.
17. Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
The term to know here is positional scarcity. The Raiders could opt for an offensive lineman like Teven Jenkins with this pick and they would be satisfying a need. However, Barmore is by far the best and most disruptive interior defensive lineman in what looks to be a shallow draft class. They’ll have plenty of chances to address their O-line.
18. Miami Dolphins – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Dolphins have a clear and singular objective: surround Tua with talent. Getting to reunite Tua Tagovailoa and Smith after falling to 18 is simply too good to be true and impossible for the Phins to pass up.
19. Washington Football Team – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Washington opts to strengthen their already stout defensive unit by selecting the linebacker safety hybrid from Notre Dame. Owusu-Koramoah — or JOK, as the kids like to say –will add a jolt of athleticism and versatility to the backend of their defense.
20. Chicago Bears – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Bears were forced to franchise tag star receiver Allen Robinson. Pairing him and Bateman will give Chicago a formidable receiving tandem and future insurance at the position.
21. Indianapolis Colts – Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL/OT, USC
Vera-Tucker’s versatility is an underrated and tremendous asset for a team whose starting left tackle retired this offseason.
22. Tennessee Titans – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Tennessee has more glaring needs in their secondary, however, Collins’ profile is a perfect match for the “Patriot” defense that the Titans run.
23. New York Jets – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
GM Joe Douglas shores up the offensive line to provide Zach Wilson with the kind of protection that Sam Darnold never got to experience.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
It’s no secret that Pittsburgh has needs along the offensive line. And they will surely be tempted at the notion of taking Najee Harris to help fix their broken running game. But the AFC North is won by defense. Newsome is a gritty and physical cornerback and the type of player that Pittsburgh typically covets and usually misses out on.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
This pick may come as a shock to some but not to those who have studied Freiermuth’s film. The man they call “Baby Gronk” will be a valuable addition to the blocking scheme, as well as, rookie quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s new best friend.
26. Cleveland Browns – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Farley is arguably the top lockdown cornerback in this draft. His stock has slipped due to some health concerns with this back. If he can get those issues behind him, then Cleveland could possibly have the steal of the first round.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Lamar Jackson can’t do it all by himself. Baltimore failed to woo the top receivers in free agency, so they must get a guy here though this is not a reach by any means. Marshall has the talent and profile of a legit No. 1 receiver in the NFL.
28. New Orleans Saints – Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Moehrig is the top safety at a position of need for the Saints. He is a physical, tone-setting defender who can play the box just as well as he plays centerfield.
29. Green Bay Packers – Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
The Packers experienced firsthand just how disruptive an uber-athletic inside linebacker can be. If you disagree, I suggest you watch last year’s NFC Championship Game.
30. Buffalo Bills – Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
The Bills are another team that will likely be desperately tempted to select a running back here. But they didn’t lose the AFC Championship because of their offense. Ojulari is a perfect scheme fit here with a good shot at having a major impact on Buffalo’s pass rush.
31. Baltimore Ravens – Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Baltimore lost a pair of talented pass rushers through free agency. Oweh has the kind of athleticism and size that is rarely seen. If anyone can unlock all that talent, it would be the Ravens.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
Naturally the GOAT will get most of the praise for leading the Bucs to a Super Bowl win. But their defense was also a major reason for their success. And while Tom Brady doesn’t age, everyone else does, so the Bucs select Joe Tryon to rotate and replenish their defensive line.