The 2021 NFL draft is coming up quickly. It is shaping up to be one of the more interesting first rounds in recent years with quarterbacks in high demand. This mock draft sees many moves happening.
It is now less than two months away from the first round of the NFL draft. This will be a very interesting year for trades on the first night. There will be five quarterbacks coveted this year for NFL teams that want the prized position to be selected. This mock draft shows how coveted the position really is.
Every year teams look to jump ahead of others to select the player they most desire. Sometimes that is a tackle, sometimes a quarterback, while other times it could be a totally different position. The Steelers traded up a couple of years ago to select Devin Bush but it doesn’t seem likely this time. Unless they trade up for a quarterback, expect them to sit and wait for pick 24 to come up.
The top ten seems like it could get a shakeup when the first round begins. Deshaun Watson has consistently demanded a trade and it would happen around or at the draft. That is the most plausible scenario if a trade happens. Players of his stature do not come on the trade landscape often so this would be a huge get for a franchise. Watson is better than any prospect in the NFL draft. Getting him would help alter their franchise for the better immediately.
Other than the first overall pick being Trevor Lawrence, the selections to follow could change between now and when the teams choose. It should be a fun and chaotic first round when the dominoes fall.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
This is obvious as Lawrence is the best prospect in this draft class. Hopefully, he can turn that franchise around.
2. TRADE: Houston receives picks 2, 23, 2022 1st rounder, 2023 1st rounder, Jets receive Deshaun Watson
Houston Texans: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Hello, here is the big trade! Watson goes to the big apple where he reportedly wants to go, The Texans do not want to trade him but it seems like they have little to no leverage. They will probably have to deal their franchise quarterback away but they get a slew of future picks.
With the second overall choice, they select the replacement for Watson with Wilson. He is a great prospect who has the most potential out of all the other players coming out in his position group. The Texans need to start rebuilding now. This is the biggest prediction in this mock draft.
3. Miami Dolphins: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Tua Tagovailoa will be their starting quarterback for this season unless they decide to bring back Ryan Fitzpatrick. Since Laremy Tunsil was traded away the Dolphins have not found an answer at the Left Tackle position, they do here with Sewell.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Matt Ryan is still there but bringing in someone to replace him seems like a wise decision. The Falcons have had no success since blowing that lead in the Super Bowl so change needs to happen.
5. TRADE: Carolina receives pick 5, Cincinnati receives picks 8,73, and a 2022 5th
Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
The Panthers need a quarterback but this is a great place for Lance. He does not need to start instantly as Bridgewater is still there. Lance is raw but is one of the most athletic in the class.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Zach Ertz will likely be a cap casualty so a replacement is found here with Pitts. He might even be an upgrade as he could help make the offense more impactful.
7. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Parsons is the best overall linebacker in this class. His size and speed ratio are off the charts and it will impress many. The biggest knock will be him opting out of this past season but his skills are there for this terrible defense.
8. Cincinnati Bengals: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
Slater is the most versatile offensive lineman in the draft. The Bengals need to protect Joe Burrow at all costs and getting Slater here is a great value. He can play anywhere they want him to and that is a great asset for any NFL team.
9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Broncos just released AJ Bouye and need to find a replacement. It will help a lot getting the best corner prospect in the draft.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Surtain is another solid corner and this need is too much for Dallas to pass on. Filling the major holes on defense will need to happen to make this team a true contender.
11. New York Giants: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Chase is the best receiver in this class. He is explosive and during his time playing with Joe Burrow, his numbers impressed many. This is a good choice so Daniel Jones has another target to throw to.
12. TRADE: Miami receives pick 12, 49ers receive picks 18 and 50.
Miami Dolphins: Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Miami has a lot of picks and moving up to help Tua even more makes this team better. They got his protection at the tackle position earlier and now a new target. A nice couple of picks in this NFL draft for the Dolphins.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Alijiah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
The Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert at all costs. Tucker is more of a guard prospect but fixing up that front will help this franchise to continue moving in the right direction.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Rousseau is one of the best pass rushers in this year’s NFL draft class. He opted out of this previous season and that could affect his draft stock somewhat. He will still likely go high and the Vikings finally get what they were looking for in the Yannick Ngakoue trade.
15. New England Patriots: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Paye comes off the board as some pass-rushers go quickly here. The shortened season affected his draft stock as he was a rising star for this upcoming season. The Patriots always make surprising picks in the NFL draft. It might not be a shocker for Paye going in the first but it’s a surprise that the team focused on this position early.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech
Arizona will likely lose Kelvin Beachum to free agency so they need to find a replacement along the offensive line. Darrisaw is a really nice prospect that could play inside or at tackle. It will be interesting to see if he rises up draft boards the closer April 29th comes.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Raiders have a lot of holes to fill on defense. The secondary is the weakest part of that unit so getting Horn here is a nice pick. He is getting more and more attention as the offseason draft process begins to play out. He could go sooner in most mock draft scenarios the closer the first round gets.
18. San Francisco 49ers: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
There is going to be an off-the-wall pick at some point in the first round. Davis is a second-round projection but he is one of the best guards in this class.
19. Washington Football Team: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Jones falling to this point in the mock draft is a saving grace for this franchise. Jones could be a very good franchise quarterback as he rounds out the position in the first round.
20. Chicago Bears: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Waddle falling to Chicago is another interesting situation in this mock draft. He is a very talented receiver and the Bears get a great pick here. Allen Robinson’s future is in limbo right now so getting a weapon here is a great choice.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Colts could make a move or two in free agency before the draft even begins. This position of need might become lesser between now and then. Cosmi is one of the best pure tackles in this class with great upside going forward.
22. Tennessee Titans: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Barmore falling to 22 is a great choice. He clogs up the middle and can get after the passer as well. This defense needs to be stronger and getting a player like him helps upfront immediately.
23. Houston Texans (from NYJ): Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
The Texans defense regressed significantly last season and need they to find a replacement for J.J. Watt. They do that here with an underrated pass-rusher in this draft class that many see going around this point in most mock drafts..
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
It was surprising that this player fell into the Steelers lap in this mock draft. He is a fast and physical freak that can play all over the field. He is a swiss army knife that can play linebacker or safety. He is a roamer and a great choice for the best player available at this point in the mock draft.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Rashad Bateman, WR, Minnesota
There are many holes to fill for the Jaguars. They got their franchise quarterback and now he needs someone to throw to. A big speedy target just might do the trick.
26. Cleveland Browns: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
The Browns have a very good team that is coming off their first playoff win in a very long time. That secondary needs some work still and this guy just seems like he should be in a Browns uniform.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
Leatherwood is more of a guard prospect even though he played tackle in college. He did not have the best pre-draft process and that made him slip some in this mock draft. He is still a nice prospect with a high pedigree and the Ravens get some insurance upfront to protect Lamar Jackson.
28. New Orleans Saints: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
Bolton is a speedy linebacker from a smaller program in the college ranks. His ability and tenacity will transition over to the NFL nicely as the Saints desperately need to keep up with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
29. Green Bay Packers: Landon Dickerson, OC, Alabama
Corey Linsley will be leaving via free agency and that will leave a huge hole in the middle of the offensive line. Getting Dickerson here brings a lot of stability for that front going forward.
30. Buffalo Bills: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Harris falls in this draft which will surprise some because many have him projected higher. Players fall in the draft that most expect not to. The Bills get a true number one back to add to that deadly offense.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The Chiefs got beat up on the offensive line at the worst time last season and it showed in the Super Bowl. Protecting the half-billion-dollar man should be the top priority and having Jenkins here at 31 is a great value in this mock draft.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Ossai is a nice option here for the Buccaneers as they might lose Shaq Barrett in free agency. They will need a replacement and this is a nice moldable prospect to end the first round.