Introduction that no one will read because we all know we just skip ahead to the picks. Thu neus hver fro kip rifferetion da. The second sentence didn’t even have any words and no one will notice! Whatever. I don’t care if you hate the picks. Just enjoy the mock because at the end of the day NO ONE knows what will actually happen in the 2021 Draft.
1 Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Duh
2 Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Jets will run a heavy play-action offense under Mike LaFleur and Wilson is the perfect fit. The big question for the Jets is what to do with Sam Darnold. Is there a market for Darnold? If I were Joe Douglas I would be calling Washington, Denver and New England very soon.
3 Panthers (MIA (HOU)): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Carolina comes up to get their quarterback! I expect the Panthers to be aggressive in acquiring a quarterback and it may cost them a 2022 first round pick – but they’ll do it. Justin Fields could be QB1 in most drafts but Carolina gets him at No. 3 in 2021 and Joe Brady gets a big arm, mobile quarterback before leaving to be a head coach.
4 Patriots (ATL): Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
New England has filled most of their needs through free agency and have 10 picks in this year’s draft – I expect them to be aggressive in moving those picks to get their quarterback in this class ahead of the 49ers. Even if it costs a few picks this year and a future first. The Patriots must have liked what they saw in Cam Newton’s athletic ability and Lance can offer a similar skill set, while sitting behind the former MVP for a year.
5 Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
With the signing of Riley Rieff and moving Jonah Williams to guard, the Bengals can get some much needed protection for quarterback Joe Burrow. I wouldn’t rule out a receiver…or tight end here though as the Bengals might like their new look offensive line enough to pass on Sewell.
6 Eagles: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Eagles have a sneaky amount of team needs but they desperately need to find some weapons on offense. Kyle Pitts may be the most dynamic player in the entire draft and would provide a nice big target for second year quarterback Jalen Hurts…or Joe Flacco.
7 Lions: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Lions acquired Jared Goff in the offseason but Detroit has almost no one to throw to. Luckily, they have a top receiver fall into their laps at No. 7. Detroit is in a position that they could take the best player available, and Chase may be the best player available, but he also answers a huge need.
8 Dolphins (CAR) – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Miami trads back to eight and still lands a top receiver. Miami has a lot of picks and not a lot of needs so they may be happy staying at three, but someone (CAR) will offer them a deal they can’t refuse.
9 Broncos: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Denver misses out on trading up for a quarterback but they still land one of the best defensive players in the draft. Parsons can rush off the edge with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb or drop in coverage as the ultimate weapon. If the Broncos watched the Super Bowl they know how much of a difference an elite linebacker can make, especially when it comes to stopping the Kansas City Chiefs. The Broncos remain a quarterback away from being a very good team.
10 Cowboys: Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
Patrick Surtain lit it up at his pro day, just as he has been doing for the last three years at Alabama, and should have answered any questions Dallas had about him. The Cowboys have a weakness in the secondary and Surtain can remedy that problem as a field ready rookie opposite former teammate Trevon Diggs.
11 Giants: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
With Jaylen Waddle on the board the Giants could take the speedy receiver, but you have to ask yourself the question – “what would Dave Gettleman do?” The answer is take a defensive player. Micah Parsons is available so DG goes with the phenomenal athlete and edge rusher Kwity Paye.
12 49ers: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
The 49ers couldn’t compete with the offers Carolina and New England made to trade up but they still get a quarterback and don’t have to give up any picks to get him. Mac Jones has a Kirk Cousins/Matt Ryan feel to him and Kyle Shanahan won’t be able to resist taking another…”cerebral” quarterback.
13 Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Chargers already filled needs at center by signing Corey Linsley and now they can get a left tackle of the future to protect Justin Herbert. Slater may be one of the safest picks in the draft and can play tackle, guard or center if needed. But for now the Chargers will try him at left tackle.
14 Vikings: Alijah Vera Tucker, OL, USC
Many people have the Vikings taking Vera-Tucker so this is no shock. Minnesota should go with the best offensive lineman available – no matter the position. With Vera-Tucker the Vikings could have their left tackle, or left guard, but they’ll definitely have an upgrade somewhere on their line.
15 Falcons (NE): Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Atlanta traded way back in the draft from four to 15 but they have a lot of holes to fill and are in no rush to take a quarterback. Corner Caleb Farley is falling down draft boards due to a back procedure, but the Falcons can be patient with the young corner while stockpiling picks for their rebuild.
16 Cardinals: Jacee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Cardinals have added some huge names this offseason but they also have to replace corner Patrick Peterson who signed with Minnesota. Arizona continues to add players to their defensive high in the draft and can address other positions/needs later.
17 Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Big program? Check! Leader? Check! One of my favorite players? Check! Owusu-Koramoah fits the prototype for what Mayock and Gruden want, fills a big need, and pisses me off. Why wouldn’t they take JOK?
18 Dolphins: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Miami already added a receiver with Devonta Smith at No. 6 and can now turn their attention to the defense. Ojulari could be the top pass rusher in this class and will fit in perfectly with the Dolphins as a stand up rusher.
19 Washington: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Sorry. I know a quarterback would be great here but sadly there are none worth taking. Receiver is another popular option here but Washington has to be happy with the duo of Terry McLaurin and Curtis Samuel so they turn their attention to helping their future quarterback by addressing a big need at left tackle.
20 Bears: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Chicago is in the exact same position as Washington with no quarterbacks on the board and possibly even being out on Sam Darnold with the addition of Andy Dalton. The Bears have to find talent to protect their quarterback and Jenkins will slide in perfectly at right tackle OR right guard.
21 Colts: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
How the hell did Jaylen Waddle fall to 21? I really like Waddle but I worry about his ankle and not having a combine or pro day to prove he is healthy. Regardless, I think we will see at least receiver fall in the draft, as we did last year and the Colts reap the benefit here. They have bigger needs but this value is too much to pass up.
22 Titans: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Tennessee hasn’t had many team needs over the last few years but boy do they this year! The Titans could go OT, WR, CB, EDGE or TE in the first round so they will have to weigh their needs against the value here. Receiving options may be the biggest need with Jonnu Smith and Corey Davis gone and Toney compliments Aj Brown rather well.
23 Jets (SEA): Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
After adding their quarterback the Jets can keep adding pieces to their defense. Phillips rejuvenated his career at Miami and proved he was the first round talent many thought he was coming out of high school. Phillips can be a great fit in the Robert Saleh defense and you can never have too many pass rushers.
24 Steelers: Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama
The Steelers could take any position other than receiver in the first round and may be tempted to take an edge rusher here. But, Pittsburgh better find people to protect Big Ben because he is not running away from any sacks in 2021. Landon Dickerson could be a day one starter at center for a lot of teams and Pittsburgh will need him to be that after Maurkice Pouncey retired.
25 Jags (Rams): Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Jacksonville has done a good job of filling needs through free agency and obviously drafted football Jesus first overall. Now they can add defensive playmakers with their second first round pick.
26 Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Cleveland might have the least amount of needs in the NFL. Because of that they can add a weapon on defense to help slow Lamar Jackson. I like Collins as a pass rusher but he can also drop into coverage and take away tight ends. Sounds like a perfect way to confuse and defend the Ravens.
27 Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Ravens need receivers and they need big receivers. Rashod Batemon is one of the few big body receivers worth taking in the first two rounds. Baltimore could even be a candidate to trade down and address receivers later, but for now they will stay put and ensure they get Lamar Jackson some help on offense.
28 Saints: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
The Saints were able to score without Drew Brees last year but they could definitely take a receiver here with a few big names still on the board. Or they could take a linebacker and try to slow down Tampa Bay enough that they don’t have to score. Davis is a hot riser in the draft and could be the long term replacement for Damario Davis.
29 Packers: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Will the Packers take a receiver? Probably not. But they might want to if they want to keep Aaron Rodgers happy. Or maybe they don’t care about Rodgers and they want to give Jordan Love a young target. Either way they should take a receiver to help their quarterback.
30 Bills: Elijah Moore, WR, LSU
Buffalo lost John Brown and Andre Roberts in free agency and while they could go defense here they have a big need at receiver. Elijah Moore can fill the void left by John Brown and grow with Josh Allen and Stephon Diggs.
31 Chiefs: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
The Chiefs need offensive line help and they need it Week 1. Leatherwood can start immediately at left tackle and hopefully fill that need for the next 20 years. The Chiefs have also been eyeing receivers so don’t be surprised if Kansas City takes a receiver should one fall here.
32 Bucs: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
I hate how much I love this pick. Just like Kansas City in 2020, the Bucs don’t have many team needs and can take a running back in the first round. Najee Harris is a great pass catcher and will be a top running back in the league for years to come – he is everything they hoped Leonard Fournette would be.
Round 2:
33 Jaguars: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
34 Jets: Jaylen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
35 Falcons: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
36 Miami (HOU): Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
37 Eagles: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
38 Bengals: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
39 Panthers: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
40 Broncos: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
41 Lions: Liam Eichenberg, Ot, Notre Dame
42 Giants: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
43 49ers: Eric Stokes, CB Georgia
44 Cowboys: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
45 Jaguars (MIN): James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
46 Patriots: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
47 Chargers: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
48 Raiders: Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio State
49 Cardinals: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
50 Dolphins: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
51 Washington: Asanti Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State
52 Bears: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
53 Titans: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
54 Colts: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
55 Steelers: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
56 Seahawks: Patrick Jones, Edge, Pittsburgh
57 Rams: Dillon Radunz, OT, NDSU
58 Ravens: Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
59 Browns: Daviyon Nixon, DL, Iowa
60 Saints: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
61 Bills: Trey Smith, OL, Tennessee
62 Packers: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
63 Chiefs: Quinn Meinerz, C, Wisconsin-Whitewater
64 Bucs: Carlos Basham Jr, DL, Wake Forest