If anyone thinks that the predictions in any of these mock drafts are going to end up anywhere close to the actual draft results, then I volunteer to be their bookie. There will be a lot of teams trying to trade down due to the fact that there are very few players that really stick out compared to their competition and teams in general would rather have more picks than take high risks. In saying that, there is value to doing a mock draft in order to start researching teams and what their holes are coming into the 2021 NFL football season. My approach do doing this mock draft I believe can be more valuable than the rest due to the fact that it not only breaks down who we think they might pick, we also talk about what these teams “should” do based on their needs.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Who I think they will pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Who they should pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Seriously? Trent Baalke got lucky that the Jets decided to win last year. I haven’t seen this kind of leadership out of someone who was a true Freshman. Laurence is the epitome of solid and I do not think that he had that great of an O-line or WRs last year. Lawrence knows when to take off running with the ball which is a quality that not many NFL quarterbacks possess. He also knows how to get down and avoid injury. His 6’6 frame allows him to see over the offensive line with ease. 70% completion and a 24-5 TD/INT ratio. The Jaguars have three more picks in the top 45 at Nos. 25, 33 and 45 — to plug other holes, and they need to hit on those. Lawrence is a no-brainer as the top signal-caller in this class. Trevor Lawrence has the highest floor out of anybody in this draft.
2. New York Jets
Who I think that they will pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Who they should pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
I Like Zach Wilson but I think that Justin field edges him out a bit. BYU was awesome last year and Zach Wilson was a huge part of that reason but we can’t forget that their schedule ranked 104th in difficulty on Sagarin. Wilson has an amazing 77% completion percentage from last year with 33 Tds and only 3 interceptions. Watch out NFL! Wilson has a high ceiling but his floor is a bit low for me.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA through HOU)
Who I think that they will pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Who they should pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
This is a strange situation because San Francisco is acting like they are infatuated with Mac Jones, but, according to Vegas having Justin Fields as the favorite here, I have to think that there is going reason to bye into the conspiracy. Here is what is behind it.
John Beck, who played under Shanahan and his father Mike in Washington, has been working with Fields ahead of the 2021 draft.
Ron Veal also has been working with Fields for the past three months in Southern California, according to Silver, and is heavily involved with the QB Collective alongside the Shanahans, Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay and Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur among many others.
For Fields, the combine really said it all to me. A 4.44 40 yard dash speed was very impressive for an accurate quarterback like Justin who performed well in the pocket.. Justin can through the ball accurately down field as well as hit the seams with precision. Fields has proven that he could take a beating and keep on ticking in that Clemson game. Let’s just hope these beatings do not continue unless it is done in the playoffs. 70% completion last year with a 26-6 TD/INT ratio.
Chaos: This is the spot in the draft where all of the chaos is projected to happen. Lots of teams will want to move up and down.
Projected trade: Denver Moves up to Atlanta’s number 4 spot.
The cat is out of the bag that new GM George Paton wants to take another shot at a franchise quarterback and this is a good spot to do it. Let’s face it, Atlanta needs a ton on defense only ranking 28th in opponent passing yards per attempt, and a mediocre 15th against the run. They also only ranked 31st in rushing yards per attempt and could use some offensive lineman. Atlanta did not make a big splash in free agency so I can assume that they will want more picks.
4. Denver Broncos (Via mock trade with Atlanta)
Who I thank that they will pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Who They should pick: Not trade up is one thing but I think that Mac Jones, QB, Alabama is a winner if it’s a QB you lost picks for.
Trey Lance – Ok, this whole Carsen Wentz thing has gotten out of hand in my opinion and I think that Lance is going to be a project. Let’s face it. North Dakota State is the best system in the FCS but it really isn’t a pro style offense. Lance produced a huge redshirt freshman season in 2019, completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,786 yards with 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also ran for 1,100 yards with 14 touchdowns on the ground – his rushing yardage was actually bigger, but college football deducts sack yardage from a quarterback’s rushing totals. Trey Lance reminds me of Jordan Love who has a lot of upside but will need to be coached.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Who I think that they will pick: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Who they should pick: Trade down and get some more picks. I don’t hate this pick at all but Cincinnati needs so much and their are other top OL lurking out there.
The Bengals need so much that trading down is the best option but Penei Sewell grades out just fine but I personally do not want to take a guy this early who sat out last season. Sewell’s pro day wasn’t that great with only 30 bench presses of 225 and a shuttle of 4.68. Instead I would take Tevin Jenkins out of Oklahoma State. He is a beast who benched 36 reps and had a nice 32.5 inch vertical jump. Trading down is best though still because offensive line is loaded this year without anybody who really sticks out.
6. Miami Dolphins (from Philadelphia)
Who I think that they will pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Who I think that they should pick: Devonte Smith, WR, Alabama
6’5 height, 4.44 40 yard dash at 240lbs. Are you kidding me? I watched this kid play college at Florida and he was absolutely unstoppable vs any of these SEC defenses. Pitts has the best football instincts that I have seen in a pass catching tight end coming out of college since Vernon Davis. Now Pitts is a game changer for sure but I must say that I slightly favor Devonta Smith here due to the fact that Tua has played with him a few years at Bama. Don’t get me wrong, it’s close but I think that Smith is also a transcending athlete at his position comparable to an Emmanuel Sanders or maybe even with the upside of a Tyreke Hill. The Dolphins need o-line as well but the position is deep so a second round pick would be ok.
7. New England Patriots (via mock trade with Detroit)
Who I think that they will pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Who they should pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Remember when the Patriots drafted Tom Brady in the 6th round? You might not see a better valued pick every again. Being that the Cam Newton experiment didn’t work, I think that it is quite obvious that the Patriots need a QB and why not Mac Jones from Alabama’s championship team. Mac showed that he can check down extremely well, he can read defenses pre and post-snap, and he can throw pretty much any rout in any situation. There is no secret that Bill Belichick and Mac’s coach Nick Saben are buddies. The two knocks on Mac Jones are that he played with the best athlete’s in college and that Alabama quarterback’s do not turn out well in the NFL. Still, 77% 41/4 TD/INT is hard to argue with.
8. Carolina Panthers
Who I think that they will pick:: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU (2019)
Who they should pick: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU (2019)
JaMarr Chase is a fantastic talent and his presence will certainly help Sam Darnold’s confidence with Curtis Samuel moving on to Washington. Matt Rhule is offensive oriented and they will not be able to turn down this pick. Carolina has been very busy in the free agency market signing a bunch of tier 2 and 3 guys. Ja’Marr Chase is the 2019 Biletnikoff Award winner who led the country in that season with 1,780 receiving yards and 20 touchdown. Ja’Marr ran a very fast 4.34 40 yard dash and he is about 30 lbs heavier than Devonta Smith so he will be favored by most teams.
9. Atlanta Falcons (via mock trade with Denver)
Who I think that they will pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Who they should pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
So new general manager Terry Fontenot and coach Arthur Smith move down 5 spots to get more picks to fill some serious needs. I don’t think that the Falcons need a pass catcher more than they need defense here and, Patrick Surtain is the safest cornerback out there. Patrick ran a nice 4.42 40 and he is a great height and weight at 6’2 208 lbs. I expect him to make some noise right away.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Who I think that they will pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Who I think that they should pick: Trade down to get more picks
This is a tough one because Dallas needs everything and Jerry Jones is a fool when it comes to drafting. Would you really be surprised if he took Jalen Waddell here? Big D needs a lot but let’s face it, they really don’t have much of a chance this year. Dallas’s offensive line has taken a big step back so they might go in that direction. One thing that we do know is that Dallas lost Chidobe Awuzie to free agency and have yet to make up for that spot. Farley just had another back surgery so he is risky but does Jones care?
11. New York Giants
Who I think that they will pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Who they should pick: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
The Giants did a good amount in free agency getting Kenny Goliday and John Ross along with a few but I think that Dave Gettleman will still continue to avoid the pass rush and draft big names. Micah Parsons is over-rated in my opinion and he is another guy that sat out last year. Pass rush is weak and not deep at all in this draft but Azeez Ojulari stands up on top of this class. Azeez fits the 3-4 defense perfectly and having 8.5 sacks last year in a tough SEC was fantastic. At 6’3, 240lbs running a 4.63 40, I think Azeez is the best Edge guy available.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA through SF)
Who I think that they will pick: Devonte Smith, WR, Alabama
Who they should pick: Devonte Smith, WR, Alabama
Devonta Smith or Jaylen Waddell I suppose. Now I actually like the idea of putting Smith back with QB Jalen Hurts who threw to him some in 2017 and 2018, and this comradery could be good for this team. Smith was so great that we didn’t even notice that Jalen Waddell wasn’t there due to injury. The only knock on Smith is that he is a bit small, but what I say is so was Marvin Harrison when he came out back in the 90s. Smith had 23 TDs last year and over 1800 yards in a shortened season.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Who I think that they will pick: Rashawn Slater, OT/G, Northwestern
Who they should pick: Trade down but if not, Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern is a good pick.
The Wildcat’s offensive line was fantastic from 2018-2019. He was the only Tackle in the Big 10 that I saw that could somewhat contain Chase Young from Ohio State. I have to wonder how the Wildcat offense could have been better had he played. I think that Rashawn’s technique might be the best in this draft. I like the 4.91 40 and the 4.45 shuttle time as well. His only knock is that he is a little short for Tackle and his arms are only 33 inches. I like how he can play both guard and tackle positions coming into the next level. Great value pick here.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Who I think that they will pick: Alija Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
Who they should pick: Trade down and if not, pick Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
The Vikings did some in free agency trying to help the defense in getting Dalvin Tomlinson, Patrick Peterson, Xavier Woods and Stephen Weatherly, but this D was so bad last year that I think they should trade down and get more picks. Alija Vera-Tucker is a great tackle prospect from USC. He had a nice 36 rep bench with a 5.05 40 yard dash. This will help take some pressure off Cousins but I also think that Alex Leatherwood is the safer pick from Bama.
15. Detroit Lions (via mock trade with NE)
Who I think that they will pick: Jaylen Waddell, WR, Alabama
Who they should pick: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
16. Arizona Cardinals
Who I think that they will pick, Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Who they should pick, Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
With Patrick Peterson having left for Minnesota, and the Cardinals preferring to keep Byron Murphy in the slot, drafting an outside corner make some sense. The speedy and physical Horn has the traits necessary to be a No. 1 corner in the NFL and he played against the best competition in college. The Cardinals signed Malcomb Butler for about half the Peterson price making their biggest need in my opinion is against the run. Christian Barmore is the best defensive lineman in the draft and I do not necessarily trust Steve Keim to do the right thing here. Jaycee Horn is a nice player but Barmore could help much more. I suppose I should have asked Steve Keim who he was going to pick last weekend when I saw him at coach pitch T-ball with his kid playing against my son, but I think that it is much more fun to speculate.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Who I think that they will pick, Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Who they should pick: trade down or pick Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The Raiders had big changes in their offensive line this offseason, trading away tackle Trent Brown, guard Gabe Jackson and center Rodney Hudson. According to PFF, Darrisaw allowed zero sacks and six total pressures out of 293 pass-protecting snaps in 2020. Sports Info Solutions charged him with just one sack and seven blown blocks (four runs, three passes) which is phenomenal. Maybe general manager Mike Mayock and coach Jon Gruden know that they can address the O-line here in round 1 due to it’s depth, but they still have other voids to fill. Darrisaw is my 5th ranked OT, but I have Teven Jenkins and Alex Leatherwood both ranked higher at this position.
18. Miami Dolphins
Who I think that they will pick: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Who they should pick: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Lots of mocks say the Dolphins will go edge here but they did at least rank 9th in sacks last year and the glaring need for me is to fix the run game and give Tua more protection. I think now that Chris Grier got his pass catcher, he will now put Tua in with another familiar face from Alabama in Alex Leatherwood to help give Tua more comfort in the pocket. Leatherwood is a big guy with a nice 4.94 40 time and he is familiar with the pro style offense. Leatherwood has experience at both Tackle and Guard so he knows how to turn block where Miami only ranked 29th in yards per rushing attempt.
19. Washington Football Team
Who I think that they will pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Who they should pick: Trade down or pick Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Washington could go a few different ways here because the need O-Line, Linebacker, Cornerback and a backup quarterback but Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah seems to be who they are targeting. Jeremiah is extremely versatile and he lined up as a slot corner for the Fighting Irish at times last season. He is fast although he didn’t run his 40 at pro day. The knock on him is that he is small and light so I like how Jamin Davis from Kentucky grades out better,.
20. Chicago Bears
Who I think that they will pick: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Who they should pick: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Let’s face it. Ryan Pace is the worst GM in football. He not only doesn’t understand how to build a team, he is also a very poor judge of talent through the scouting process. In saying that, his lack of knowledge makes it harder to predict what he is going to do. The Bears signed Andy Dalton and at the point that they did that, it was really their only option. I do not know if the Bears will try and trade up or down in this draft. I am not even sure that Bears vice president Ted Phillips would allow Pace to mortgage the next drafts by giving up future draft picks so I have to think that they will stay here or trade down. The Bears lost Kyle Fuller and Bobbie Massie to free agency but since they signed Desmond Trufant, I think they will go with OT and Teven Jenkins is the best one out there. I love his 6’5 frame and 4.66 shuttle drill. He might be the best tackle in the draft. The Bears might go QB later but they also might take a cornerback here.
THIS IS WHERE THE GOOD TEAMS START DRAFTING MINUS THE JETS and THE JAGS
21. Indianapolis Colts
Who I think that they will pick: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
Who they should pick: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
The Colts need pass rush after losing Denico Autry to the Titans. Justin Houston is also sitting unsigned and we are not sure what they will do with that one. I think that the Colts will try and address the OT Anthony Castonzo void the next round in the draft. Paye has some good measurables and he is pretty fast at a 4.51 40, but at only 6’2, he is a little short for this position. I also don’t like the fact that he only had 2 sacks last year. Jaelan Phillips from Miami is 6’5 and ran a 4’56 40 so I like him more.
22. Tennessee Titans
Who I think that they will pick: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
Who they should pick: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
The Titans addressed the pass rush by getting Bud Dupree in the offseason. Tennessee had the worst pass blockers in the league last year ranking 32nd in sack percent. Being that many of the top OTs will be already drafted by the time Tennessee comes up, I think that they will try and replace the Corey Davis vacancy with a speedy slot receiver. I personally would draft O-Line first and grab Rhondale Moore instead in the second round but that’s just me. Elijay Moore is an Ole Miss guy just like their top WR AJ Brown and this makes some sense here. Elijah ran a nice 4.35 40 yard dash on his pro day. I think that Liam Eichenberg fits the bill here because he has great measurables and is already a great run-blocking tackle. The Titans need to protect Tannehill more than give him another WR.
23. New York Jets (from SEA)
Who I think that they will pick: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Who they should pick: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Now that Robert Saleh has his franchise quarterback, it’s time to build on that defense and no better way to do it than getting Greg Newsome II from Northwestern. Being a Badger fan, I saw Newsome play and the kid is legit. at 6’0 and a 4.39 40 yard dash, you might not find a better CB prospect in this draft.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Who I think that they will pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Who they should pick: Trade down and get an O-Line and maybe Najee or Etienne later.
Pittsburgh has some position groups to address after Maurkice Pouncey retired and Bud Dupree left in free agency, but this team likes to draft the best player available. Steelers owner Art Rooney II talked about establishing a much better run game. The Steelers ranked last in that department last year. Drafting Harris would give the Steelers a chance to feature the run game in a way they haven’t been able to since Le’Veon Bell left. Adding to the offensive line in the draft is another important part of doing so, but a deep draft class there will allow Pittsburgh to address the trenches in a later round.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from LAR)
Who I think that they will pick: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
Who they should pick: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
Now that the Jaguars have their franchise, QB, what better way to start than drafting Azeez Ojulari. He is the best Edge prospect in my opinion in this draft and he fits the 3-4 scheme that Joe Cullen ran in Baltimore. The speedy pass-rusher Ojulari had 8.5 sacks and three forced fumbles last season. As I stated earlier, Azeez fits the 3-4 defense perfectly and having 8.5 sacks last year in a tough SEC was fantastic. At 6’3, 240lbs running a 4.63 40, I think Azeez is the best Edge guy available.
26. Cleveland Browns
Who I think that they will pick: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Who they should pick: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Davis was amazing last season with 96 tackles, three interceptions and a sack. Davis covered a lot of the field making plays. He could play any of the linebacker spots for the Cleveland 4-3 defense. Being that the Browns lost DT Larry Ogunjobi in free agency, I could also see them going that rout, but Jamin Davis makes sense and the DT position can be covered in the next round. Edge was also a need but with the signing of Jadaveon Clowny, edge is somewhat covered. The Browns are close to being a great team and they proved that vs Kansas City in the playoffs last year.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Who I think that they will pick: Jayson Oweh, edge, Penn State
Who they should pick: Trading back but if not, Jayson Oweh, edge, Penn State
Trading back is best because I don’t love the rest of the Edge guys on a 3-4 defenses. After losing both Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue in free agency, the Ravens need some answers. Oweh’s lack of sacks in his final year at Penn State is not ideal, but PFF charted him as having 15 hurries and five QB hits in his seven games last season, showing that he was still affecting opposing QBs. Jason didn’t play organized football until his junior year of high school so the coaching staff can help him develop. Oweh ran a 4.36-second 40 yard dash, which is absurd for an athlete his size at 6’5 257 lbs. Oweh backed it up with a pro-shuttle time of 4.21, 21 reps at 225. He’s a freak but let’s hope that he isn’t someone who looks like Tarzan and plays like Jane.
28. New Orleans Saints
Who I think that they will pick: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Who they should pick: Trade down for more picks or Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
The Saints literally “GOT NO MONEY.” They lost a ton in free agency including DE Trey Hendrickson, DT Sheldon Jenkins, and CB Janoris Jenkins. I think the Saints are known for stuffing the run and will want to keep that going by picking a big guy like Barmore. I think that Christian could be a great 3 technique that could also get to the quarterback. As I stated before, Barmore is an Alabama guy who looked great last year. That last thing that I like about this pick is that rumor has it that the Tampa Bay bucks want him.
29. Green Bay Packers
Who I think that they will pick: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Who they should pick: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Zaven Collins had a good pro day and the Packers could use someone to help stop the run. Green Bay’s only real weakness has been against the run on defense and it has showed up a few times last year. The Packers obviously could give Aaron Rodgers some more weapons but Zaven Collins is a beast at 6’4 259 pounds and I saw him make the best play of the season in OT vs Tulane. Zaven has some great football instincts and should be able to start contributing day 1.
30. Buffalo Bills
Who I think that they will pick: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Who they should pick: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Buffalo could use another DE with Jerry Hughes starting to show his age and Jaelan Phillips from Miami fits right in. Phillips had a phenomenal pro-day. Standing at 6’5 259 lbs, he ran a 4.56 40 which was off the charts for that size of a player. In 2020, Phillips totaled 45 tackles, eight sacks, an interception and three passes defended.
31. Baltimore Ravens (via the Chiefs)
Who I think that they will pick: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Who they should pick: Samual Cosmi, OT, Texas
After the Ravens traded Pro-Bowl offensive tackle Orlando Brown to the Chiefs, it basically opened up the same hole in their team that the Chiefs had. This was a good trade for both teams because of the question, how long does Lamar Jackson really sit in the pocket before he takes off running anyways? Mayfield was a starter at right tackle for the Wolverines but also got some snaps as a fill-in left tackle as a freshman. Mayfield could be ok, but the Wolverines were pretty bad last year. Samual Cosmi had the best combine of all the Tackles with 36 reps on the bench, a 4.87 40 yard dash, and a 4.39 shuttle. Cosmi is a bit green and plays a bit high, but that can all be fixed in the next level.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Who I think that they will pick: Gregory Rousseau, edge, Miami
Who they should pick: Trade down or Gregory is fine here
What does a team do when they don’t need anything? I suppose trading down is the best thing that they can do but drafting the best player available isn’t a bad idea and I think that Gregory Rousseau fits the bill. Gregory had to sit out last season to help his parent who were front line workers during Covid. Rousseau had 15.5 sacks in 2019 and he ran a decent 4.68 40 time at 6’7 260 lbs, that is not bad at all.
TOTALS
18 Offense – 14 Defense
5 QBS
7 OLine
4 CBs
4 WRs
1 TE
1 RB
0 S
