2021 NFL Mock Draft: 1.0

 

        We are less than 30 days away from the NFL draft, in Cleveland, OH and it's going to likely be another very interest and unpredictable draft. However, based off team needs, I will be attempting to predict what teams will do in the form of my own personal mock draft. Now, while I don't put a lot of stock in drafts. I still believe that they're fun to do and read over. 

 Here we go...

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson - Obviously it's the start of a new era with first-year head coach, Urban Meyer. The Jaguars are needing a face of the franchise and the consensus pick for the no.1 pick usually the best player in the draft or the best quarterback. Lawrence just might be both. 
2. New York Jets: Justin Fields QB, OH State - A new head coach usually breeds a new direction and typically a new quarterback. With Trevor Lawrence likely to be taken with the no.1 pick, the Jets will have the opportunity to draft the next-best quarterback on the board, Justin Fields, in my opinion is the second most pro-ready quarterback in this draft. 
3. San Francisco 49ers: Zach Wilson QB,BYU  - San Francisco traded up from the no.12 pick and with them already having re-signed All-Pro Left Tackle Trent Williams, they'll likely go best quarterback available. It was reported that John Lynch, 49ers' General Manager was at the BYU pro day, where Wilson showcased his talents in drill form. I'm assuming that he was impressed. 
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts TE, Florida - The Falcons lost Austin Hooper in 2020 due to free agency and with wide receiver Julio Jones on the back end of his prime, as well as quarterback Matt Ryan, it's time for the Falcons to go all in. Pitts is a freak of an athlete and he's an automatic mismatch for defenses. former NFL pro scout, current NFL insider Daniel Jeremiah said he believes Pitts could be the best player in the draft. 
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell OL, Oregon - The biggest concern for the Bengals this year should be protecting second-year quarterback Joe Burrow who is coming off an ACL injury. Burrow was the most sacked quarterback prior to being hurt against the Washington Football team in week 8 of the 2020 season. The Bengals have to protect their former 2020 no.1 overall pick. Sewell is seen by a lot of scouts as the best offensive line. 
6. Miami Dolphins: Ja'Marr Chase WR, LSU - The former LSU wide receiver took the  2020 season off due to Covid-19. The last time we saw Chase play was the 2020 NCAA National Championship game. Even with that being said, Chase is still seen as one of the top 3 receivers in this draft and one of the top 10 players. The Eagles are in a very odd place. Trying to figure out if second-year quarterback Jalen Hurts is the future is likely going to be the biggest question of 2021. New head coach, Nick Sirriani, coming over from the Indianapolis Colts has a lot of work to do, the first thing has to be putting a premiere target on the field with Jalen Hurts. 
7. Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle WR, Alabama - The Lions are likely to lose two of their best receivers in Kenny Galloday and Marvin Jones Jr. to free agency and they'll look to replace those targets. The new coaching staff are looking to make an impression in the NFC North that has a lot of offensive fire power. After trading Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff, the Lions have to put their new quarterback in position to succeed. Waddle was over-shadowed by teammate and Heisman winner DeVonta Smith in 2020. However, some scouts say Waddle is poised to be the better NFL receiver. 
8. Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance QB, ND State - With the team likely over the Teddy Bridgewater experiment after just one season, the Panthers will probably looking towards the future and this draft pick might solve their problems. Lance is one of the more interesting players in the draft. He's skilled no doubt and him being a 19-year-old prospect gives him time to be groomed if they don't see him as a day-one starter. 
9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley CB, Va. Tech  - This team has a lot of areas that they need to address. But being in the same division as the Kansas City Chiefs and an up-and-coming Los Angeles Chargers team the Broncos have to be able to stop those big-play receivers. They have been looking for a lock-down cornerback since trading Chris Harris Jr. I believe Farely could be the guy that can solve their problems at corner. 
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II CB, Alabama - The Cowboys don't have a lot of areas that they need to improve at. But the secondary has been the biggest issue with this organization for years. I think with Dan Quinn as the new defensive coordinator that is something that he will look to improve immediately! Surtain can play in the zone or man-coverage. His father was a former pro bowl player and I believe he can be too. 
11. New York Giants: Micah Parsons LB, Penn St - The Giants signed their no.1 receiver Kenny Golladay to a four-year deal. Now, with the offense looking to be in a decent position, it's time to take the defense to the next level. I think that Parsons has a huge impact day-one. He can cover, rush the passer, stop the run ... running a 4.39 at his pro day really raised his stock and I think Parsons can be an all-pro level play some day. 
    
12. Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith - The Eagles need to re-establish some sort of offensive identity. I think their is enough belief in Jalen Hurts within the organization and at no.12 you have to go with a player that you really believe can impact this team right away. Smith is that player. When I look at the receivers and play-making ability, Smith and Chase are the top two receivers with that ability. The Eagles are would be gifted a championed receiver at no.12 after trading back with the Miami Dolphins. 
13. Las Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater OT, Northwestern - Rookie offensive Player of the Year, quarterback, Justin Herbert was sacked 32 times last season (tied-9th most). When you have your franchise quarterback you have to protect them and Slater is a great start to doing that. Some scouts have him ranked as the highest offensive lineman in the draft. It has been said that he can play all five positions on the line. I think Slater is a slam dunk at no.13
14. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye Edge, Michigan - The Vikings have to get back to what made them great under head coach, Mike Zimmer and that is defense. Zimmer had one of the best pass-rushing units in 2017 when the Vikings made it to the NFC Championship game. After basically losing the entire line since then they have to revamp it and Paye is a way to do that. 
15. New England Patriots: Landon Dickerson OL, Alabama - The Patriots look like they are planning on going all in this season with Cam Newton and are building a team to compete again. Dickerson is solid, very quick feet and has even come down some in weight since the season ended while training to get even faster. I believe they'll look into protecting Cam Newton at all costs and see what they can get out of him when he has a full deck. 
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn CB, South Carolina - They just lost their franchise cornerback for the past decade in Patrick Peterson in free agency. They need a no.1 lockdown corner on this team and Horn would be the best available on the board at this point. He showed he has elite speed in his pro day after running a 4.39 40-yard day and nearly a 42-inch vertical jump at 6-foot-1 it'll be tough to pass on Horn when you're serious need of a cornerback. 
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Greg Newsome II CB, Northwestern - The Raiders were at near the bottom of the league in pass yards allowed in 2020. This team is in desperate need for an upgrade to the secondary. Newsome is great in pass coverage, had a great pro day to show he is physically gifted and his tape shows he can cover and is a sure tackle in open space. 
18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Philips Edge Rusher, Miami - After addressing the need at wide receiver help with the no.6 pick, the Dolphins need to add to the pass rush also. They don't have to go far to get him either. Philips can go in and instantly make an impact for Brian Flores and the Dolphins defense. 
19. Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis LB, Kentucky - Davis is arguably the best linebacker in this draft, skill wise. Davis absolutely impressed at his pro day. Insert Davis into an already very good defense and Ron Rivera has quickly turned this team around to a force. They hit a homerun with Chase Young. This would be another. 
20. Chicago Bears: Christian Darrisaw OT, Virginia Tech - The Bears' offensive line is need of help, Darrisaw is one of the top 3 OT in this draft. Even if Andy Dalton isn't the quarterback of the future, Darrisaw could be protecting that quarterback when they find him. 
21. Indianapolis Colts: Azeez Ojulari De, Georgia - The Colts will look to add to an already solid defense and make it more intense. Championship looks to be the goal, in the near future, for the Colts with the addition of Carson Wentz from the Philadelphia Eagles. 
22. Tennessee Titians: Kadarius Toney WR, Florida - Toney is a shifty, speedy play-making receiver. This will be a great addition to the Titans' offense after losing no.2 receiver and former first-round-pick Corey Davis. 
23. New York Jets: Alijah Vera-Tucker G, USC - The Jets draft a quarterback at no.2 (if they haven't traded out) And it's only right to have the proper protection for them. Vera-Tucker is probably the best interior offensive lineman in this draft. The Jets in a better position than their fans think. I'm interested to see the direction of this team with the new coaching staff. 
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris RB, Alabama - The Steelers need a running back to carry the load. Harris is the best running back prospect in this draft to many scouts. Alabama running backs have shown that they can make a pretty big impact at the next level, I don't see Harris being any different. They are looking to bounce back from the playoff embarrassment. 
25.  Jacksonville Jaguars: Wyatt Davis OL, Ohio State - Davis and head coach Urban Meyer have a relationship already, that helps. Also, if you look at Urban Meyer's teams from college coaching years, he [Meyer] likes to build his teams starting with the lines. And drafting your franchise quarterback at no.1 you need some insurance. 
26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins Edge rusher, Tulsa - Collins is a stud! I don't know how else to put it. Put on film from the Tulsa defense and he is jumps off the screen on almost every play. He's smart, tough, great pass-rush instincts and is always watching the football. Adding him to this Browns defense is scary. I also wouldn't be surprised if they go defensive back here. 
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman WR, Minnesota - It's hard for me to put any other position than receiver for the Ravens who are in serious need of that no.1 receiver (No disrespect to their current receiving core). However, Bateman is an absolute beast of a prospect. Big in frame, great hands, very good speed and can go up for the 50-50 balls. Giving Lamar Jackson a weapon like Bateman is dangerous for the rest of the league. This is a very important pick for the Ravens and this would be a homerun pick. We could look back at this draft and say Bateman should've been drafted in the top 15. 
28. New Orleans Saints: Gregory Rosseau DE, Miami - The Saints will be looking to add some depth on the defensive front after losing Trey Hendrickson to the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. Rosseau didn't play in 2020 but had an outstanding 2019 campaign with 15.5 sacks. Rosseau will be someone that can get to the quarterback at the NFL level and it'll be especially important in the NFC South. 
29. Green Bay Packers: Asante Samuel Jr. CB, Florida St. - The Packers need to add more depth to the secondary and need someone for the future to go along side Jaire Alexander. The Packers secondary is probably what prevented them to making it to a Super Bowl. Samuel's instincts are some of the best of all defensive backs in this draft. 
30. Buffalo Bills: Samuel Cosmi OT, Texas - The Bills have to do what they can to keep quarterback Josh Allen healthy. Cosmi is very good in pass protection and even better in run protection. Cosmi would be one of the best offensive lineman on the board at 30.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Terrace Marshall Jr. WR, LSU - Marshall Jr was probably the brightest spot of 2020 for the LSU Tigers. Double-digit touchdowns in back-to-back seasons for someone is special at the collegiate level. What's more impressive, he had 13 touchdowns on a team that also had Ja'Marr Chase, who is ranked as the best receiver in the 2020 draft. The Chiefs need a bigger, more physical receiver now that Sammy Watkins has departed as a free agent. 
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mac Jones QB, Alabama - The reigning Super Bowl champions have re-signed the key members of the championship team and now they have to think about the future after Tom Brady is gone. Mac Jones has gotten a lot of praise of being a similar talent as Brady. I would assume that the goal is to have Brady groom Jones and have him to fill his shoes after Brady retires.