The 2021 NFL Draft is just days away and there will be lots of trades as these quarterbacks look for a home.
With the first round of the NFL Draft just days away, it is only fitting that a final mock draft is shown to the world. The entire internet will be littered with many different trials and tribulations of the first night but each will have its own uniqueness. This mock draft allowed for many teams to continue making trades even though many have already been done before the event began.
It should be an exciting night for these franchises, fans, and prospects as the first round ticks down. Even after the first round concludes there will be many solid prospects left on the board for the taking. History tells us that many hall of fame and star-caliber players will be available even after the draft ends with the signing of undrafted free agents.
It is always tough to gauge what each team is going to do when it becomes their time to select in the draft. Some might trade up, others will trade back, and most will stay put and select in their rendered spot. Each team has the same goal of raising that Lombardy Trophy after their final game of the season and that all starts here at the draft. Some franchises have better outlooks going into the year when compared to their peers but this draft could help cement those contenders into champions.
These mock drafts are always a fun thing for fans to try and gauge what could happen during the first round and that is exactly what these are meant for. They are guesses and estimations of what could happen on the first night so have fun and enjoy.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Trevor Lawrence has been the top prospect in this draft ever since he came out of high school. This is a no-brainer choice for this franchise that needs a savior.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Zach Wilson will have the monumental task of helping to turn around a sinking ship with the New York Jets all while he plays in a huge market. He has all the tools to be a top-level quarterback at the next level but he will need to continue his development going forward.
3. TRADE: 49ers receive pick 3 in 2021, Dolphins receive picks 12, 2021 3rd rounder, 2022 & 2023 first-rounders
San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
The San Francisco 49ers traded up to select their quarterback of the future and some think Justin Fields could go here. Recently Mac Jones has gained a lot of praise and many are expecting him to be the 49ers pick which would be somewhat of a surprise.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Kyle Pitts is one of the best overall prospects in the draft so his falling to the Atlanta Falcons is a great pickup for the team. They could always go quarterback here but they seem content with the players they currently have at the moment.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Ja’Marr Chase reuniting with Joe Burrow would be a great story and add a lethal weapon to this Cincinnati Bengals offense. They desperately need offensive line help but this was too hard for them to pass on and there will be some left in the rest of the draft.
6. TRADE: Dolphins receive pick 6 and a 2021 fifth-rounder, the Eagles receive picks 12, 2021 fourth-rounder, and 2022 first-rounder
Miami Dolphins: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Penei Sewell was just sitting there for the Miami Dolphins to take and they would love to see it. He is the best tackle on the board and they need to add pieces around their young quarterback.
7. TRADE: Denver receives pick 7, Detroit receives picks 9, 2022 first-rounder, and 2023 second-rounder
Denver Broncos: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Justin Fields fell some in this mock draft and this could happen where both he and Trey Lance fall a little out of the top six. Fields is a great talent that could become what Cam Newton was in his MVP season if everything works out. The Denver Broncos finally get the signal-caller that they have been looking for.
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Carolina Panthers just traded for Sam Darnold and they could always trade back especially as Trey Lance sits here. They stay put and pick one of the best deep threats in the draft here. Building around Darnold and giving him the best chance to succeed is what the Panthers need to prioritize going forward.
9. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Micah Parsons is the best linebacker in this draft and he could potentially be the best athlete for his size. The Detroit Lions desperately need help on defense and building around Parsons will help make for a bright future going forward.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The Dallas Cowboys will likely have their choice of corners as none will be taken earlier than them. Patrick Surtain and Jaycee Horn will be the decision but it seems like Surtain will be the choice here when the card is handed to the commissioner.
11. TRADE: Las Vegas receives picks 11 and 2023 fourth-rounder, New York Giants receives picks17, 2022, and 2023 first-rounders
Las Vegas Raiders: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
There is a rumor out there that the Las Vegas Raiders are interested in quarterbacks and could surprise some people when the clock starts ticking. If they want one then they will have to trade up and pay significant capital for a player. They saw Trey Lance fall out of the top ten and chose to move up and get their quarterback.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
DeVonta Smith just won the Heisman Trophy but he is still expected to drop some in this draft. His small stature is a concern but you cannot deny the explosive production that he puts up constantly.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
Los Angeles Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert better and they luck out with Rashawn Slater falling to them. He can play across the offensive line but he will play left tackle for this team.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Alijah Vera-Tucker is seen as more of a guard than he is as a tackle at the NFL level. He has played both in college so this versatility will be a welcome addition to the Minnesota Vikings.
15. New England Patriots: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Everyone will hate a good player falling to the New England Patriots but it is going to happen. Jaycee Horn is tied for the best corner prospect in this draft class because his tape is consistently solid and his athletic ability is shocking.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
The Arizona Cardinals have had a nice offseason thus far with their free-agent additions but they need to mold that defense some more. They get the best defensive tackle in the draft and add to an already dangerous front after the addition of J.J. Watt.
17. New Tork Giants: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
This scenario would be perfect for the New York Giants as they add a solid left tackle prospect after trading back and gaining major picks in the future. Christian Darrisaw is one of the best true tackle prospects in this class and would be a great addition to this offensive line that is still searching for answers.
18. Miami Dolphins: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
This is the first selection where a running back could come off the board as the team continues to try and build around their young quarterback. Travis Etienne is a dynamic back that can play in every phase of offense.
19. Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah would be a huge addition to this already dominant defensive front. Washington continues to add to their strength that got them into the playoffs last season.
20. Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Greg Newsome staying home in Chicago would be a nice story as the corner has shot up draft boards ever since last season. He showed up big time and this player will be the replacement for Kyle Fuller.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
Indianapolis has let Justin Houston out into the free agency waters and they will go in another direction. They need a replacement and Kwity Paye is the answer. He continues to get better every year and that growth will translate well at the NFL level.
22. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
At one point in the past year, Caleb Farley was the number one corner on many draft boards but other prospects had better seasons. He is still a great prospect that will play nicely in the NFL and the Tennessee Titans need help across their defense.
23. New York Jets: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
The Jets signed Carl Lawson in free agency but they need someone to help on the opposite side of the defensive front. Getting Azeez Ojulari here is a great selection as he rose up draft boards ever since his great season at Georgia.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Najee Harris has been mocked to the Steelers ever since he won the championship at Alabama. That normally means he won’t be the selection but it makes a ton of sense for a team that has struggled to find a premiere back.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig, Safety, TCU
Jacksonville has a lot of work to do even after they selected a franchise-altering quarterback first overall. They need to build a team around him and hopefully bring back a great defense. Trevon Moehrig is a guy many don’t talk about a lot in mock drafts but this is a solid player that will go late in the first round.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jaelen Phillips, Edge, Miami
The Browns just signed Jadeveon Clowney so this might shock some people but this player is too good to pass on. Clowney was only signed to a one-year deal and he hasn’t put up any solid numbers in years. Adding Jaelen Phillips provides depth and a great future pass rusher.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, Edge, Penn State
The Ravens lost Matthew Judon in free agency so there is a major hole at the edge position. Jayson Oweh had almost no production at Penn State but this guy is a freak athlete. They will need to mold him into a great edge defender but all the tools are there for him to be special.
28. New Orleans Saints: Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State
Janoris Jenkins is gone from the team and they will need to address this position in the draft at some point. Lucky for them, Asante Samuel Jr. was there for the taking at 28.
29. Green Bay Packers: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Corner is a major need for the Packers but Zaven Collins could be a special player in the NFL. They need an anchor for that defense and that is exactly what Collins will give them.
30. TRADE: Jacksonville receives pick 30, Buffalo receives picks 33 and 106
Jacksonville Jaguars: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Jacksonville saw all of these tackles dropping so they decided to move up and select Teven Jenkins. He is a nasty player that can be dominant at the point of attack. They need to protect Trevor Lawrence and they do that here with this selection.
31. TRADE: Baltimore receives picks 31, 94, 136, and a 2022 fifth-rounder, Kansas City receives Orlando Brown, picks 58, and 2022 sixth-rounder
Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
This was a huge trade announced days before the draft and it was a nice haul by the Ravens. They could always go tackle here to replace Orlando Brown but they need receiver help badly. They get Rashod Bateman out of Minnesota and he would’ve been higher in mock drafts if he didn’t opt out of last season.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Elijah Molden, Safety, Washington
The rich get richer here for the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. They add to their secondary that struggled earlier in the season before they began turning things around.
It is going to be interesting to see what teams move up while others trade down in the draft. There will be many solid prospects throughout this event and it should be another good crop of rookies moving forward.