The 2021 NFL draft is finally here. I felt it would only be right that I, like many others, follow up my original mock draft with a 2.0. So many things have happened since I did my original, there are sure to be a few changes. I will not be including trades in this mock draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson - This was the pick even before the college football season was over. The Jaguars will start a new regime under Urban Meyer with college football's best quarterback.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson QB, BYU - The Jets traded Sam Darnold and it's just as good as set-in-stone that the Jets will draft Wilson. 3. San Francisco 49ers: Justin Fields, QB Ohio St. - There have been a lot of rumors that the 49ers traded up to get Mac Jones. I don't think they had to jump ahead of Atlanta for Jones. There was talks that Atlanta had a lot of interest in Fields, as they are looking for the successor to Matt Ryan, over the past few months. San Fran has the opportunity to get the second best quarterback prospect (in my opinion) with the no.3 pick and I think they'll do just that. 4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE Florida - The Falcons will take the best player available if they can't get the QB they want. I'm a big believer that Pitts is the best overall prospect in this years draft and biggest mismatch for defenses. If the Falcons are interested in trading their All-Pro receiver, Julio Jones, drafting Pitts makes even more sense.5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase WR, LSU - The Bengals will have their pick between the consensus best offensive lineman in Penei Sewell and Chase (best consensus receiver). I think Joe Burrow is getting help with either pick. I really believe that the Bengals are looking to SCORE SCORE SCORE in 2021-22. Chase and Burrow will look to rekindle their magic and I believe the Bengals will hope they can. 6. Miami Dolphins: DeVonta Smith, WR Bama - Just like the Bengals will look to reunite the college buddies with the no. 5 pick. I, also, believe the Dolphins do the same and get another weapon for their second-year quarterback (Tua). Smith is coming off of a legendary college football season and is the 2020-21 Heisman Trophy winner. 7. Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle, WR Bama - The Lions lost their top two receivers from last year in free agency. And with Dan Campbell as a first-year Head Coach, I expect for this team to look for a new identity and they'll need a premiere receiver for new quarterback Jared Goff to throw to.
8. Carolina Panthers: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon - Carolina could go quarterback or chose to give newly acquired quarterback, Sam Darnold the best protection that they can. I believe that this coaching staff has faith in Darnold after trading Teddy Bridgewater to the Broncos. They'll get the best OL prospect if this happens.
9. Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons, LB Penn St. - With the Broncos trading for quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, I believe that this gives the Broncos the opportunity to get the best defensive prospect in the draft and possible the future leader of the defense.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II CB, Bama - The Cowboys have offensive weapons, there's no doubt about that. I believe that the Cowboys have to find a way to improve a secondary that was one of the leagues worst just a year ago. Surtain II is the best CB in the draft and I believe a can't-miss pick.
11. New York Giants: Rashawn Slater OL, Northwestern - The Giants need to be able to win in the trenches on offense and protect Daniel Jones. They now have a premiere receiver in Kenny Golladay and they'll need to give Jones time to get it to him. Slater is said to been the most versatile O-lineman in this years draft.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaycee Horn, CB S. Carolina - The Eagles have many needs, maybe none bigger than LB, CB and WR. With Waddle, D. Smith, Surtain II all off the board at this point, I'd imagine they'd take the best CB available in Jaycee Horn. Some say Horn is best CB prospect in this years draft class, even over Surtain II.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker G, USC - The Chargers have their quarterback of the future in Justin Herbert who is coming off the Rookie of the Year campaign. However, the downfall is Herbert was sacked 9th most (32 times) and they'll do their best to keep him healthy and hit as little as possible. Vera-Tucker is probably the best interior O-lineman in this years draft and it will be a good player to block for their franchise quarterback.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Azeez Ojulari Edge, UGA - Mike Zimmer has been looking to re-build the defensive line since last year. This is the best opportunity for them to get ahead on that. I believe in order for Minnesota to get back to the playoffs they'll need to get their defensive pass-rush back to form. Ojulari is built to play in a Zimmer defense - Fast off the line and can play on both sides of the defensive line.
15. New England Patriots: Trey Lance QB, N. Dakota St. - The Patriots have spent a lot of money during the free agency period. Now, they have even less needs to be a complete football team. I believe that them re-signing Cam Newton is a blessing in disguise for this draft pick. They can use Cam Newton to help groom Lance. With Newton going into his second season with the Patriots, this could be one of the best selections in the first round when we look back at this pick.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley CB, Va. Tech - The Cardinals have added some pieces to this team but they've lost the staple of their secondary for nearly the past decade in Patrick Peterson. Farley is seen by some scouts as the best cover-corner in this years draft and most pro-ready CB. Farley has some scares for some coming off a back surgery. However, if he's healthy this could turn into a steal of pick for the Cardinals. I also wouldn't be surprised if they traded back.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Kwity Paye Edge, Michigan - The Raiders have some big needs on defense. In 2020-21 season they gave up over 6,200 yards and didn't have one player get above 7 sacks. I believe that they need to address the issues on the defensive line to help out the secondary. Paye can be an elite pass-rusher in the NFL and I believe he's top-10 talent. This should be a no-brainer if he's still on the board this late.
19. Washington Football Team: Trevon Moehrig - Washington showed last year that this team is going to be a defensive powerhouse with Chase Young and giving Jack Del Rio the best safety prospect in this years draft will only build upon what they started last year. I believe this team is going to establish more offensively this year. However, Head Coach Ron Rivera will be able to upgrade an already stellar defensive unit with Moehrig.
20. Chicago Bears: Mac Jones QB, Bama - With Andy Dalton on a one-year deal and the Bears looking to establish a long-term plan, Jones is a young quarterback with lots of upside. He is coming from a winning college program and has a historic year for a quarterback at Alabama in 2020-21. I don't know if Jones is ready to drive the car yet ... But a year in driving school and I think we will see what he has.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Greg Newsome II CB, Northwestern - Newsome is a long-frame, physical and technical corner. I believe that they will rotate their corners to preserve their energy and I believe Xavier Rhodes only signing a short-term deal says a lot about his future. The Colts are getting a HIGH-QUALITY corner in Newsome and I think they could be in the SB conversation in 2021-22.
22. Tennessee Titans: Kadarius Toney WR, Florida - Toney isn't talked about as much as Pitts but he is an outstanding receiving prospect in this draft. They just lost Corey Davis and need a complement to pro bowl receiver A.J. Brown. I believe with Brown being more physical they need some speed and Toney provides that ability. Titans also need a pass-rushers but signing Bud Dupree gives them the chance to add an offensive weapon in the first round.
23. New York Jets: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB, Notre Dame - With their second pick of the first round, this is a great opportunity to protect their new quarterback or help improve the defense. I believe they go defense. Owusu-Koramoah is one of the most complete defensive players in this draft and under a Head Coach Robert Saleh this could be an outstanding player for nearly a decade. He can cover, he's a sideline-to-sideline play-maker and has leadership qualities that you look for in first-round talent.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris RB, Bama - Simple. Steelers need a running back, Harris is the best in the draft. Perfect fit.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Baron Browning LB, Ohio St. - Urban Meyer has an opportunity for 2 things with this pick: 1. Improve the defense; 2. Get a player that he is familiar with. I believe that Meyer is going to try to have a team that is build with a combination of size and speed. Browning would be a second-round pick if he slips past the Jaguars at 25.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jamin Davis LB, Kentucky - This is really a luxury pick for the Browns. They are getting a better team (on paper) back than what they had last season. I believe that they can be a Super Bowl favorite going into the season if they're healthy in September. Davis is way undervalued in this draft and he could develop into an All-Pro LB in the next 2-3 years.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman WR, Minnesota - Bateman was one of the most talked about players entering the 2020 season at Minnesota. However, with the team not seeing the same success they did in 2019, it was easy to overlook him. I do like Bateman a lot and believe he could be a pro-bowl-level receiver in the league. He would instantly upgrade the receiver group in Baltimore.
28. New Orleans Saints: Christian Darrisaw OT, Va. Tech - The Saints have to protect their starting quarterback, whomever that may be, next season. With no Brees this offensive group has to stay consistent and Sean Payton needs to make sure his quarterback has time to throw the ball. I wouldn't be surprised if they went receiver. However, Darrisaw is too much of a quality pick at 28 to pass on.
29. Green Bay: Asante Samuel Jr. CB, Florida St. - Green Bay needs to add another great cover corner to go opposite Alexander. I believe that they would be getting the most skilled corner if they are able to draft Samuel here. I know receiver is a position of need. But their secondary might have been the biggest cost of all in the playoff game. Outside of Alexander, it's hard to name a very good defensive back in that unit. I think they are solid but Samuel makes them really good.
30. Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau Edge, Miami - Even though he took the year off in 2020 (due to covid-19) Rousseau showed a lot of promise in his 2019 campaign. This is a luxury pick for the Bills. If he lives up to the potential they got a steal but if not he can be a rotational defensive end for an already good defensive front.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jayson Oweh Edge, Penn St. - The rich get richer. This pick would be adding speed and versality to an already stout defensive front. Todd Bowles will find a way to use Oweh in multiple packages and you could likely see a lot of rotation on the defensive line to preserve the energy of the unit.
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