The NFL Draft is less than two months away. Here’s what I have each team doing in the first round of my latest 2021 mock draft.
The 2021 NFL Draft is going to be one for the ages. Without an NFL Combine this year and with a massive number of players who chose to opt-out of the 2020 season, there could be more randomness this year than we have ever seen.
While this draft class may not be the most spectacular all-around, it is widely considered a terrific quarterback class with a very deep group of offensive tackles and cornerbacks. Here’s who I have each team selecting in the first-round of my 2021 NFL mock draft:
2021 first-round NFL mock draft:
This pick is a no-brainer and it’s no doubt part of the reason Urban Meyer was so willing to coach in the NFL. Trevor Lawrence was the number one recruit coming out of high school and is regarded by many to be the best QB prospect to ever enter the NFL Draft – rivaling Stanford’s Andrew Luck in 2012. Lawrence is as close to a ‘can’t miss’ prospect as they come. Jacksonville will run this card to the podium on draft day.
There have been plenty of rumors this offseason that the New York Jets may be willing to stick with Sam Darnold. Still 23 years-old, Darnold’s lackluster play might be the product of a bad organization. However, I’m not buying that the Jets will be willing to pass on a player like Zach Wilson with the second overall pick. Wilson has incredible arm talent and is a wizard when it comes to extending the play and completing passes down the field. He has the potential to be an upgrade over Darnold from day one.
I truly believe that Justin Fields should be the pick here, as even a small upgrade at quarterback can make all the difference on the football field. However, after just investing a high draft choice in Tua Tagovailoa last April, I think Miami takes the best offensive tackle prospect in the class with this pick. Penei Sewell still has some things he needs to work on, but his size, power, feet, and athletic traits could allow him to develop into one of the best offensive tackles in the league a few years down the line.
NFL Draft analysts are torn on whether or not Atlanta would be willing to take a quarterback with the fourth overall pick this year. Matt Ryan is still under contract through the 2023 season, but the Falcons could technically get out of it next offseason. If this were the case, Atlanta could sit Justin Fields for a year and play Ryan during his age-36 season before moving on. Fields is an incredible prospect who would be the number one pick in the drafts in most years. He’s got all the tools and traits you could ask for at the position.
Offensive lineman Rashawn Slater seems like a smart pick here, as Cincinnati’s offensive line was atrocious last season, but this is the Bengals we are talking about. Still, it’s going to be hard for them to pass up a receiver like Ja’Marr Chase. Joe Burrow found a favorite target in rookie Tee Higgins last season, but Chase could be a true number one receiver in the NFL. He is brilliant at the catch point.