2021 NFL Mock Draft (Picks #1-16)

NFLCameron Mendler

The NFL Draft is in two weeks and rumors are swirling and trades are being made leading to what should be an incredibly exciting draft. This mock draft is done without trades considering the unpredictably of them, but you can expect at least one more team to try and trade up for a QB.

 

Pick #1 – Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence: QB / Clemson / 6’6” / 220 lbs.

Put it in sharpie. The odds right now, according to Draft Kings, of Lawrence going #1 are -10000. Taking out all your life savings and throwing it on him heading to Jacksonville would be advisable. It’s free money. In all seriousness, he has the ideal build for a star QB and has produced on the biggest stage for almost three years. Most QBs coming out of college never have the experience that he has. He is being compared to Andrew Luck out of college, I would not go that far but he is as much of a sure thing you can have at a QB coming out of school.

There's 1 Flaw With Trevor Lawrence Heading To The NFL

Pick #2 – New York Jets – Zach Wilson: QB / BYU / 6’3” / 210 lbs.

Before shipping off Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers for a 2nd, 4th, and a 6th round pick, teams were calling the New York Jets looking to trade up to their spot and told teams they are not interested. This guarantees that they will go with a QB for the 2nd overall pick. All signs so far have led to the Jets leaning towards Zach Wilson and the betting odds would agree. Wilson, shot onto the scene this year with incredible throws off any platform which has led to comparisons to Patrick Mahomes. He is miles away from Mahomes but the plays he can make do remind you of him. He does have some concerns with ball placement, and many speak about the lack of competition he played but the upside is too much to turn down if you are the Jets.

Pick #3 – San Francisco 49ers (via Miami) – Justin Fields: QB / Ohio St. / 6’3” / 228 lbs.

This is where the draft really starts. The 49ers gave up a fortune to move up to #3 from the #12 spot and hindered their draft position for years to come. You do not do that unless you are in hopes to snag your franchise QB. Kyle Shanahan has finally realized that Garoppolo is not the answer after giving him a huge contract extension. The talk amongst front office executives and scouts is that the 49ers are leaning towards Mac Jones. And with Shanahan and their GM choosing to go to Alabama’s pro day over Ohio State’s show they may end up taking Jones. Taking Jones over Fields or even Lance would be a huge mistake for San Fran after trading all their future picks.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen Taking Heat For Comment About Justin Fields

Pick #4 – Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Pitts: TE / Florida / 6’6” / 240 lbs.

This looks like a prime spot for a team to trade up to grab one of either Lance or Jones, teams like the Broncos or Patriots are contenders. The Falcons should go with a QB after seeing Matt Ryan decline and having the ability to cut him in a year or two with no cap penalties and giving a QB drafted here time to develop under a former MVP. It seems as though the Falcons feel they can compete and want someone who will help them immediately next year. They have studs at receiver in Julio and Calvin Ridley and adding Kyle Pitts to that receiving core would be incredible. Kyle Pitts is not just a TE, he’s a versatile weapon who can line up anywhere and make plays. His route tree is superb as he can run any route with precision and efficiency and is a massive mismatch for any LB that tries to line up across from them. With his massive catch radius and speed at his size, he will instantly be one of the better tight ends in the league.

Pick #5 – Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell: OT / Oregon / 6’6” / 330 lbs.

Teaming up Ja’Marr Chase and Joe Burrow would be an awesome story but would not be ideal if the Bengals want to win more games and protect their franchise QB, who just went down with a torn ACL. The Bengals already have two great young receivers in Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, and Burrow has enough weapons but is always running for his life. Snagging Sewell would give Burrow his blindside blocker for years. Sewell is an incredible athlete and a menace in the run game but there are concerns after he sat out last year. If the Bengals chose Chase over Sewell, Burrow will be hit before they can even get him the ball. Sewell should be the pick.

Pick #6 – Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia) – Ja’Marr Chase: WR / LSU / 6’0” / 208 lbs.

The Dolphins would be wise here to consider a QB here but giving up on Tua this early would be a shame. Getting him some weapons to help out should be the only option here. Signing Will Fuller gives them an elite deep threat but he is often injured, and Devante Parker has not quite lived up to his expectations as the X receiver in this offense. They have an out after this year on his contract and can bring in Chase to replace him. Ja’Marr Chase sat out this year, but his game tape was unbelievable the year prior. 50-50 balls for him are almost guarantees and combing that with his elite speed and separation, his ceiling is a Julio Jones-like player.

LSU star Ja'Marr Chase, the nation's top WR, opts out of season and declares for 2021 NFL Draft - CBSSports.com

Pick #7 – Detroit Lions – Jaylen Waddle: WR / Alabama / 5’10” / 182 lbs.

This offseason the Lions were a part of an offseason blockbuster where they shipped off their franchise QB, Matthew Stafford to the Rams for 2 firsts and Jared Goff. Jared Goff is a game manager and has proven to not be an elite QB. The Lions have a chance to grab one here but ultimately will look at their WR depth chart and see that Quintez Cephus and Tyrell Williams are their top receivers. If they don’t go QB here, WR has to be the pick and Jaylen Waddle can be argued as the best receiver in this class. He has elite speed (4.37 40-yard dash), elite separation and when he gets the ball in his hands, good luck. He has a small frame but still is a great jump ball receiver and has a large catch radius. Injury concerns are real considering he missed a good chunk of last season with a broken ankle but there is no muscle damage, which is optimistic. Jared Goff would be ecstatic to throw to Waddle.

 Pick #8 – Carolina Panthers – Rashawn Slater: OT / Northwestern / 6’3” / 305 lbs.

Trading for Sam Darnold eliminates them looking to grab a QB to move on from Bridgewater, but protecting him would be ideal. Corner could also be an option here but passing on arguably the best offensive lineman in the draft to reach for a corner could be a mistake. Darnold has had a long run of having awful protection but he will now have incredible weapons in DJ Moore, Robby Anderson and Christian McCaffery. Adding a stud OT to protect him would lead the Panthers to know quickly if he is their franchise QB.

Pick #9 – Denver Broncos – Trey Lance: QB / North Dakota St. / 6’4” / 226 lbs.

Drew Lock has been bad in his few years as their starting QB. If Trey Lance went to a Power 5 school, he would have much more talk of being up there with Wilson and Fields. The Broncos would still have the option to develop him under Lock, but he is much better than him and would most likely win the job out of camp. Lance has elite traits, arguably the best arm in the draft and an incredible runner at the position. Saying he has not played any competition is fair, but he made incredible throws and it can translate to the NFL level especially paired with the Broncos young receiving corps.

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Pick #10 – Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II: CB / Alabama / 6’2” / 203 lbs.

Besides Trevor Lawrence to the Jaguars, Surtain to Dallas seems like the most obvious pick of the first round. He seems to be the best bet for the first defensive player off the board.  He has great size for the position and will match up incredibly with another team’s X receiver. Dallas’s defense has many holes which were clear to see when teams were consistently putting up 30+ points against them. After losing Chidobe Awuzie this offseason, pairing Surtain with Trevon Diggs would solidify the corner position for the Cowboys.

Pick #11 – New York Giants – Kwity Paye: EDGE / Michigan / 6’4” / 272 lbs.

The Giants could go a plethora of ways with this pick. WR seemed like the likely option until they were able to bring in Kenny Golladay. Interior Offensive Line could also be the pick here but besides Leonard Williams, the Giants had no pressure on the QB last year. Elite edge rushers do not come easy and are incredibly expensive so being able to find one here would be ideal. Jaelen Phillips also seems like a viable option but with past injury concerns and Paye showcasing his elite athleticism and ability to maneuver around tackles with ease this past year, his upside is too much to turn down here for the Giants.

 Pick #12 – Philadelphia Eagles (via San Francisco) – Devonta Smith: WR / Alabama / 6’1” / 175 lbs.

The Eagles feel they can pick up future picks and move back while still having the ability to grab one of the elite players in this class. It seems like that is a great possibility. They gave up on Carson Wentz this offseason after he had no weapons and an injured offensive line, not upgrading the receiving corps would leave Jalen Hurts with the same issue and inevitable failure. Getting the Heisman Trophy winner will help Hurts tremendously. Smith is an elite route runner and when he gets the ball in his hands, he is tough to bring down even with his small frame. His small frame does come off as a weakness, but he has never been seriously injured, so I’m sure teams will not dwell on it. If Hurts struggles next year with Smith, the Eagles might be thinking they should have stayed put at six and grabbed a QB.

Heisman Winner 2020: Alabama's DeVonta Smith Awarded Trophy | PEOPLE.com

Pick #13 – Los Angeles Chargers – Alijah Vera-Tucker: OL / USC / 6’4” / 315 lbs.

Justin Herbert shot onto the scene and had an incredible rookie season while winning Rookie of the Year.  But many times, during last year he was sacked in seconds. Protecting your franchise QB must be priority #1, similar to the Bengals. They could opt to go tackle or guard here which makes Vera-Tucker the prime option as he is elite at guard and can easily slide over and play tackle. Los Angeles can decide at a later date where he would play but his versatility, athleticism and experience make him the best option to protect Herbert.

Pick #14 – Minnesota Vikings – Christian Darrisaw: OL / Virginia Tech / 6’5” / 314 lbs.

Offensive Line is the #1 priority for Minnesota after they cut Riley Reiff this offseason. Interior OL is also another huge hole which makes Darrisaw a great pick. He can play at guard or become their new blindside blocker and produce immediately. You could argue that Darrisaw is the best tackle in the class and the Vikings would be pleased to add him anywhere on their line.

Pick #15 – New England Patriots – Mac Jones: QB / Alabama / 6’3” / 214 lbs.

Belichick has struggled after Brady left for Tampa Bay and with them winning the Super Bowl, Belichick will be sure to find the guy to come in and be his next Brady. He seems like the perfect fit for the Patriots offense, but he is not an exciting prospect by any means. He makes all the throws he needs to and is smart with the ball. He doesn’t have elite arm strength, he’s not athletic and you have to mention that Alabama receivers had nobody within 10 feet of them when catching his passes. He’s a low ceiling player and likely a game manager in his future.

Alabama Quarterback Mac Jones Reacts to Stunning Championship Win | PEOPLE.com

Pick #16 – Arizona Cardinals – Jaelan Phillips: EDGE / Miami / 6’5” / 266 lbs.

The Cardinal legend, Patrick Peterson moved on this offseason and left the Cardinals in need of a new CB1. Jaycee Horn could easily be the pick here, but Phillips is too good to pass on if you are the Cardinals. Hasson Reddick left in free agency and Chandler Jones is aging and his contract is up soon. Bringing in JJ Watt is a short-term fix and having Phillips, the former #1 high school recruit, come in and learn from two of the best to ever do it would do wonders for him. He is athletic and has a great burst off the ball. He is not elite in any area but is as well rounded as it gets with no glaring weakness. They can use him as a situational rusher in his first year and then unleash him as a star edge rusher for years to come after his rookie year.

Bucs NFL Draft Target: Edge, Jaelan Phillips (Miami) - Bucs Nation

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