2021 NFL Mock Draft
1 | Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB | Clemson
Prospect Grade: 7.40
Size: 6’6” | 220 lbs
2020 Passing Stats: 10 GP | 69.2 PCT | 3153 PaYDs | 24 PaTDs | 5 INTs
2020 Rushing Stats: 203 RuYDs | 3.0 AVG | 8 RuTDs
Breakdown: Not much to say here. Lawrence is a generational talent and he’s going first overall.
2 | New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB | BYU
Prospect Grade: 6.50
Size: 6’3” | 210 lbs
2020 Passing Stats: 12 GP | 73.5 PCT | 3692 PaYDs | 33 PaTDs | 3 INTs
2020 Rushing Stats: 254 RuYDs | 3.6 AVG | 10 RuTDs
Breakdown: Wilson has good athleticism, arm strength, and accuracy. He has all the makings of a successful NFL quarterback, and he appears to be the favorite to land in New York here.
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields could be an option here as well after two great seasons with the Buckeyes.
3 | San Francisco 49ers (via Houston Texans from Miami Dolphins)
Mac Jones, QB | Alabama
Prospect Grade: 6.33
Size: 6’3” | 214 lbs
2020 Passing Stats: 13 GP | 77.4 PCT | 4500 PaYDs | 41 PaTDs | 4 INTs
2020 Rushing Stats: 14 RuYDs | 0.4 AVG | 1 RuTD
Breakdown: The 49ers appear to be down to a choice between Jones and North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance. Between the two, Jones appears to be the better fit given his play style and the style of the quarterbacks currently on the roster.
Again, Fields should be considered here as well.
4 | Atlanta Falcons
Kyle Pitts, TE/WR | Florida
Prospect Grade: 7.19
Size: 6’6” | 246 lbs
2020 Receiving Stats: 8 GP | 43 RECs | 770 ReYDs | 12 ReTDs
Breakdown: With the Falcons furiously trying to trade all-time great and future Hall-of-Famer Julio Jones, they are likely looking for his replacement with this pick. Pitts is a prototypical player with a great combination of incredible size, speed, and soft hands. On paper, he’s mismatch nightmare as both a tight end and as a wide receiver. His blocking needs a lot of work, but he’s could be one of the top receivers in the draft.
Speaking of the top receivers in the draft, LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith could be options to replace Jones here too. Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell may be a viable option here as well as a way for the team to increase Matt Ryan’s useful life.
5 | Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase, WR | LSU
Prospect Grade: 7.12
Size: 6’0” | 208 lbs
2019 Receiving Stats: 14 GP | 84 RECs | 1780 ReYDs | 20 ReTDs
Breakdown: The Bengals failed to protect Joe Burrow last season and they desperately need to keep their young starter upright. Sewell makes a lot of sense here, but this draft is loaded with talented offensive tackles and Burrow is likely pulling for his current team to draft his former teammate and favorite target at LSU. With AJ Green in Arizona, the Bengals have a strong need at receiver as well.
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6 | Miami Dolphins
DeVonta Smith, WR | Alabama
Prospect Grade: 7.13
Size: 6’0” | 166 lbs
2020 Receiving Stats: 13 GP | 117 RECs | 1856 ReYDs | 23 ReTDs
Breakdown: Tua Tagovailoa had a rough final outing against the Buffalo Bills and their stifling defense in Week 17. The Bills have a talented defense and it forced Tua into some bad decisions, but some of his best passes of the day often ended up in the dirt, courtesy of his receivers’ drops. Starting from the beginning, Tua didn’t have a traditional offseason due to the pandemic, which prevented the rookie from developing invaluable rapport with his receiving corps. Furthermore, Tagovailoa is a left-handed quarterback. There are not a lot of lefties in the history of the NFL and the last lefty to start a game before Tua was current Cowboys offensive coordinator Kellen Moore in 2015. It’s something new for a lot of receivers and requires adjustments that the team didn’t have time to make. Enter DeVonta Smith. The newly crowned Heisman was arguably Tagovailoa’s favorite target at Alabama, where he competed for targets among the likes of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs III, and Jaylen Waddle, and often outplayed his fellow stars. Sewell is definitely an intriguing choice here and it would be hard to pass up more protection for Tagovailoa, especially after trading away starting guard Ereck Flowers and moving right tackle Robert Hunt inside to replace him, but the first receiver to win the Heisman Trophy since Desmond Howard in 1991 deserves strong consideration.
7 | Detroit Lions
Penei Sewell, OT | Oregon
Prospect Grade: 6.73
Size: 6’6” | 330 lbs
Breakdown: The Lions have other pressing needs but when a player of Sewell’s caliber falls it’s very difficult to pass him up. If the Lions have any hope of Jared Goff playing well this season, they have to give him time and protection.
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is a possibility to quarterback the defense for the Lions while they could also take Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II to pair with Jeff Okudah. Alabama receiver Jaylen Waddle could end up in Detroit as well given that the Lions have a significant need for a receiver for Goff. The Lions are also in a good spot to trade back and pickup more picks.
8 | Carolina Panthers
Rashawn Slater, OT | Northwestern
Prospect Grade: 6.70
Size: 6’4” | 315 lbs
Breakdown: The Panthers are in desperate need of a cornerback which could lead them to drafting Patrick Surtain II, but the Panthers also made a huge trade for Sam Darnold this offseason and may be focused on putting him in the best position to succeed.
Other than Slater and Surtain, the Panthers may also be interested in Jaylen Waddle to replace Curtis Samuel.
9 | Denver Broncos
Micah Parsons, LB | Penn State
Prospect Grade: 6.89
Size: 6’3” | 245 lbs
2019 Defensive Stats: 109 TKs | 14 TFL | 5 SKs | 4 FFs
Breakdown: After trading for Teddy Bridgewater, the Broncos could shift their focus to adding a quarterback on the defensive side of the ball as well with Parsons to pair with starting linebacker Josey Jewell.
Patrick Surtain is a strong possibility as well, but linebacker looks like the biggest area with the best player available to fill that need.
10 | Dallas Cowboys
Patrick Surtain II, CB | Alabama
Prospect Grade: 7.02
Size: 6’2” | 202 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 37 TKs | 3.5 TFL | 1 INT
Breakdown: Jerry Jones has mentioned that the Cowboys could wind up with the top defensive player in the draft without being forced to trade up. That title has often been applied to Parsons throughout the draft process but Surtain is coming off a great season at Alabama and would potentially fill the top need for the Cowboys.
Other options could include Miami defensive lineman Jaelan Phillips or South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn.
11 | New York Giants
Jaylen Waddle, WR | Alabama
Prospect Grade: 6.86
Size: 5’10” | 182 lbs
2020 Receiving Stats: 6 GP | 28 RECs | 591 ReYDs | 4 ReTDs
Breakdown: Kenny Golladay was a huge signing for the Giants this offseason, but they could use a more reliable speed threat than John Ross and Dante Pettis. Waddle is multidimensional player with the speed and ability to impact the game as a receiver, runner, and as a distraction. Waddle would give Daniel Jones and the Giants a vast wealth of offensive talent that will either allow Jones to truly shine or highlight his shortcomings.
Another option for the Giants would be a pass rusher like Michigan’s Kwity Paye or either one of Miami’s Gregory Rousseau or Jaelan Phillips. They may also be interested in a linebacker like Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah or Tulsa’s Zaven Collins, but they are likely to take Waddle if he’s available.
12 | Philadelphia Eagles (via San Francisco 49ers from Miami Dolphins)
Jaycee Horn, CB | South Carolina
Prospect Grade: 6.46
Size: 6’1” | 205 lbs
2019 Defense Stats: 7 GP | 16 TKs | 1.0 TFL | 2 INTs | 6 PD
Breakdown: The Eagles need a good young cornerback to pair Darius “Big-Play” Slay and horn would fit that billing especially after an impressive showing at his Pro Day.
Linebacker is a significant need as well so Zaven Collins or Owusu-Koramoah could be options here. The Eagles could also draft Justin Fields or Trey Lance but those are unlikely scenarios.
13 | Los Angeles Chargers
Christian Darrisaw, OT | Virginia Tech
Prospect Grade: 6.45
Size: 6’5” | 311 lbs
Breakdown: Justin Herbert had a record-setting rookie season and the Chargers should focus on protecting their prized young quarterback with a big, strong blocker like Darrisaw.
Other lineman like USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker or Rashawn Slater (if he falls) could also be options here. The Chargers could also shore up their secondary by selecting a cornerback like Darrisaw’s teammate Caleb Farley or Northwestern’s Greg Newsome.
14 | Minnesota Vikings
Kwity Paye, EDGE | Michigan
Prospect Grade: 6.44
Size: 6’4” | 272 lbs
2020 Defensive Stats: 4 GP | 16 TKs | 4 TFL | 2 SKs
Breakdown: The Vikings moved on from Everson Griffen last season and unexpectedly lost Danielle Hunter for the season before it even began. Hunter should be back and healthy this season, but the Vikings still need to pair him with a reliable young pass rusher. Paye may be the top edge rusher in the draft and could be available to the Vikings without needing to move up. His production was lackluster in college, but he has the tools to be an effective defender at the NFL level.
15 | New England Patriots
Justin Fields, QB | Ohio State
Prospect Grade: 6.45
Size: 6’3” | 228 lbs
2020 Passing Stats: 8 GP | 70.2 PCT | 2100 PaYDs | 22 PaTDs | 6 INTs
2020 Rushing Stats: 383 RuYDs | 4.7 AVG | 5 RuTDs
Breakdown: The Pats are reportedly attempting to trade up for Fields but could end up with him anyway by just staying put. Of course, that’s unlikely with trades but Fields is likely to find himself in New England if they have their way.
Trey Lance could also be an option here.
16 | Arizona Cardinals
Greg Newsome II, CB | Northwestern
Prospect Grade: 6.40
Size: 6’1” | 190 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 3 GP | 12 TKs | 1 INT | 7 PD
Breakdown: Projected starting outside cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and Robert Alford are both on the wrong side of 30 and will spend the season on one-year deals. Newsome would be a necessary influx of youth, health, and talent at the position.
If Caleb Farley was healthy, he’d be a likely pick here and could still end up in the desert, but some speculate that Farley could require more surgeries and back procedures before he will be fully healthy. The Cardinals are likely hoping that Jaycee Horn or Jaylen Waddle can slip to them, but there’s not a big chance of that happening. There are also reports that the Cardinals may draft Zaven Collins if neither of those players are available here, so he’s another name to watch.
17 | Las Vegas Raiders
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB | Notre Dame
Prospect Grade: 6.82
Size: 6’1” | 215 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 12 GP | 62 TKs | 11 TFL | 1.5 SKs | 1 INT | 3 PD | 3 FFs
Breakdown: Owusu-Koramoah is a tough and productive player who can bring a lot of energy to this Vegas defense.
Beyond Owusu-Koramoah, the Raiders could consider fellow linebacker Zaven Collins or TCU safety Trevon Moehrig. UCF safety Richie Grant could be a potential surprise with this pick as well.
18 | Miami Dolphins
Najee Harris, RB | Alabama
Prospect Grade: 6.46
Size: 6’2” | 230 lbs
2020 Rushing Stats: 13 GP | 1466 RuYDs | 5.8 AVG | 26 RuTDs
2020 Receiving Stats: 43 RECs | 425 ReYDs | 4 ReTDs
Breakdown: Harris carried the Crimson Tide to a National Title and could soon be carrying the load for the Dolphins. The athletic, big-bodied back could quickly step in and be the bell cow for Miami if he is the selection here.
The Dolphins could also draft an offensive tackle like Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins, Notre Dame’s Liam Eichenberg, or Vera-Tucker. They could also draft a pass rusher with potentially both Hurricane defensive lineman Rousseau and Phillips available here.
19 | Washington Football Team
Trey Lance, QB | North Dakota State
Prospect Grade: 6.47
Size: 6’4” | 226 lbs
2019 Passing Stats: 16 GP | 66.9 PCT | 2786 PaYDs | 28 PaTDs
2019 Rushing Stats: 1100 RuYDs | 6.5 AVG | 14 RuTDs
Breakdown: Ryan Fitzpatrick is a good quarterback, but at 38-years old, the well-traveled veteran is almost at the end of his journey. Lance put up some pretty unique numbers in 2019, but he lacks experience against top level competition. He can earn some experience while learning the game behind one of the longest lasting quarterbacks in the league.
Washington could spend this pick on Vera-Tucker or another offensive lineman. Cornerback is an option with Farley potentially still on the board.
20 | Chicago Bears
Kadarius Toney, WR | UF
Prospect Grade: 6.36
Size: 6’0” | 193 lbs
2020 Receiving Stats: 11 GP | 70 RECs | 984 ReYDs | 10 ReTDs
2020 Rushing Stats: 161 RuYDs | 8.5 AVG | 1 RuTD
Breakdown: The Bears are set to move on from wide receiver Anthony Miller. They can find his replacement right here with speedster Kadarius Toney. The Bears want a quarterback and they’re sniffing around picks 7-10 for a potential trade partner but Toney could be their pick if they strike out on the top five passers in the draft.
If the Bears do manage to trade up, it’s likely that they’d be aiming for Justin Fields. Caleb Farley could be an option here too after the Bears released cornerback Kyle Fuller this offseason.
21 | Indianapolis Colts
Zaven Collins, EDGE/LB | Tulsa
Prospect Grade: 6.39
Size: 6’4” | 260 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 8 GP | 54 TKs | 7.5 TFL | 4.0 SKs | 4 INTs | 2 FFs
Breakdown: Losing Anthony Walker could push the Colts to draft a new, young, award-winning linebacker in Collins to pair with star Darius Leonard.
The Colts also lost star left tackle Anthony Castonzo this offseason and they should have a few options to replace them
22 | Tennessee Titans
Caleb Farley, CB | Virginia Tech
Prospect Grade: 6.38
Size: 6’2” | 207 lbs
2019 Defense Stats: 10 GP | 20 TKs | 4 INTs | 12 PD
Breakdown: Adoree’ Jackson joined the Giants in the Big Apple and Malcolm Butler headed to the desert with the Cardinals leaving the Titans without their two starting cornerbacks from last season. Farley has some serious health concerns about his back, and he opted out last season due to Covid-19, but a fully healthy Farley could be the best cornerback in the draft given his size, athleticism, and instincts and has the potential to be a starter from Day 1.
Edge rusher could be the focus for the Titans if all the top corners are off the board at this point. After finishing with just 19 sacks last season, despite signing Jadeveon Clowney and Vic Beasley to shore up that front, the Titans could look at some of the top available edge rusher to help bolster a unit with a lot of new faces again this year. Some names to watch include Gregory Rousseau, Jalen Phillips, and Azeez Ojulari.
23 | New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks)
Travis Etienne, RB | Clemson
Prospect Grade: 6.71
Size: 5’10” | 205 lbs
2020 Rushing Stats: 12 GP | 914 RuYDs | 5.4 AVG | 14 RuTDs
2020 Receiving Stats: 48 RECs | 588 ReYDs | 2 ReTDs
Breakdown: The Jets are in dire need of a playmaker and Etienne is one of the best and can contribute as both a runner and a receiver, unlike Frank Gore, their leading rusher last season. Zach Wilson will need a reliable outlet and there are not many better than Etienne here.
The Jets may also look to add a cornerback like Greg Newsome II or Caleb Farley if they manage to fall this far.
24 | Pittsburgh Steelers
Alijah Vera-Tucker, iOL | USC
Prospect Grade: 6.43
Size: 6’4” | 315 lbs
Breakdown: The Steelers are keeping a close eye on the running back market and reportedly aren’t afraid to pull the trigger on top talent runner, likely Najee Harris. With both Harris and Etienne gone at this point, the Steelers could pull the trigger on North Carolina’s Javonte Williams or they could draft the best available lineman in Vera-Tucker after their offensive line took a few hits this offseason.
They also reportedly have interest in Zaven Collins, but Collins would need to make it past the Cardinals and the Colts before he could land here. Unlikely, but not impossible.
25 | Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams)
Trevon Moehrig, DB | TCU
Prospect Grade: 6.35
Size: 6’2” | 202 lbs
2019 Defense Stats: 10 GP | 47 TKs | 2 TFL | 2 INTs
Breakdown: The Jaguars pass defense was terrible last season and only got worse after trading away starting safety Ronnie Harrison. The Jags have a lot of holes and could use this pick on an offensive tackle to protect their rookie quarterback, but the value may not be there for this pick and with another pick coming up quickly, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Jaguars leapt on Moehrig here.
Other names worth watching are Richie Grant, Teven Jenkins, Michigan offensive tackle Jalen Mayfield, and Alabama defensive tackle Christian Barmore.
26 | Cleveland Browns
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE | Miami
Prospect Grade: 6.39
Size: 6’5” | 266 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 10 GP | 45 TKs | 15.5 TFL | 8.0 SKs | 1 INT
Breakdown: The Browns are a team with few holes remaining, and with the signing of Jadeveon Clowney, they hope to bolster their pass rush, but he may not be enough. Clowney has three total sacks in the last two seasons combined including zero in eight games with the Titans last year. Furthermore, Clowney’s has never reached double-digit sacks in a season, reaching his career-high of 9.5 back in 2017. That being said, Clowney has always been a disruptive force on the edge, but his impact has been lessened recently as even his tackle for loss and QB hits numbers have fallen in the past two years. Furthermore, the Browns only signed Clowney to a one-year deal which could signal a short stay in Cleveland. Behind Clowney is former Falcons first round pick Takk McKinley. Though young, McKinley has struggled to maintain good football shape, and doesn’t inspire much confidence going forward. These are significant factors that could lead to the Browns using this pick on pass rushing reinforcements, especially if a player as good as Phillips is still on the board. Athletic, physical, and aggressive, Phillips dominated and terrorized opposing offenses as he racked up eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss, both career-highs, in just ten games in 2020. Phillips has undeniable talent, with Cris Collinsworth even declaring that Phillips is the “best defensive player in this year’s draft” even going far as to say, “I don’t even think it is close.” But Phillips isn’t without his downfalls. The former five-star recruit suffered through two injury-riddled seasons with UCLA before medically retiring. Two years later, Phillips was out of retirement and starring for the Miami Hurricanes, but it’s still a risk to draft a player who has already retired once due to injury concerns. The Browns are built well enough at this point that they can take that risk. If Phillips can stay healthy, he’s sure to bring energy off the edge and quickly mold into a rotational player behind Clowney and Myles Garrett with the potential to become a starter in the event that Clowney moves on after the season. Christian Barmore could replace Sheldon Richardson here too, but the Browns did leave the door open for Richardson to make his return.
27 | Baltimore Ravens
Gregory Rousseau, EDGE | Miami
Prospect Grade: 6.30
Size: 6’7” | 265 lbs
2019 Defensive Stats: 54 TKs | 19.5 TFL | 15.5 SKs | 2 FFs
Breakdown: The Ravens’ pass rush lost some of its potence after Matt Judon joined the Patriots this offseason, but they’re in good position to improve it with a high-caliber player in Rousseau. The Ravens still have star defensive end Calais Campbell who would likely be more than willing to help develop his fellow Miami alumni.
28 | New Orleans Saints
Azeez Ojulari, EDGE | Georgia
Prospect Grade: 6.39
Size: 6’3” | 240 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 10 GP | 31 TKs | 12.5 TFL | 9.5 SKs | 4 FFs
Breakdown: The Saints want to trade up for a top cornerback talent but with four off the board, they may be forced to focus on their pass rush that took a hit when Trey Hendrickson headed north to Cincinnati. Ojulari managed to wrap up almost ten sacks in just ten games and flashed professional pass rushing talent.
If the Saints are able to trade up, they’re likely aiming for Caleb Farley, and they’ll need to at least sneak ahead of the Titans for a chance at him.
29 | Green Bay Packers
Rashod Bateman, WR | Minnesota
Prospect Grade: 6.27
Size: 6’0” | 190 lbs
2020 Receiving Stats: 7 GP | 48 RECs | 731 ReYDs | 10 ReTDs
Breakdown: Will the Packers finally draft a wide receiver for Aaron Rodgers in the first round? Don’t bet on it, but Bateman to the Packers makes a lot of sense. He’s a sure-handed, big-play receiver with good size and plenty of experience playing and catching in the cold.
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis is a possibility as an uber-athletic defender to replace Christian Kirksey. The Packers could also look to add an offensive lineman to fortify their protection of reigning-MVP Rodgers.
30 | Buffalo Bills
Jayson Oweh, EDGE | Penn State
Prospect Grade: 6.44
Size: 6’5” | 252 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 7 GP | 38 TKs | 6.5 TFL
Breakdown: After recording zero sacks in 2020, Oweh could be seen as a high potential pick but he has the athleticism and physicality to be a big time playmaker and a dominant edge setter.
The Bills could draft a different edge rusher like Washington’s Joe Tryon. Barmore is an option here too.
31 | Baltimore Ravens (via Kansas City Chiefs)
Terrace Marshall Jr., WR | LSU
Prospect Grade: 6.34
Size: 6’3” | 200 lbs
2020 Receiving Stats: 7 GP | 48 RECs | 731 ReYDs | 10 ReTDs
Breakdown: The Ravens pick up an athletic, big-bodied receiver for Lamar Jackson to help his development as a passer.
Offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg and Teven Jenkins would also make sense to replace Orlando Brown Jr, but the Ravens are expected to make a veteran signing at the position so they could have the luxury of drafting a flashy playmaker like Marshall here.
32 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Christian Barmore, DT | Alabama
Prospect Grade: 6.70
Size: 6’5” | 310 lbs
2020 Defense Stats: 11 GP | 37 TKs | 9.5 TFL | 8 SKs | 3 FFs
Breakdown: The Buccaneers returned every significant contributor from their Super Bowl run and could walk out of the first round with the top defensive tackle in the class in Barmore. Ndamukong Suh will retire sooner rather than later so the Bucs could add his future replacement here and Barmore could quickly become a rotation player up front and help Suh stay fresh throughout the game.
The talent at defensive tackle in this draft is close so Washington’s Levi Onwuzurike and Iowa’s Daviyon Nixon are also possibilities here, especially if Barmore is gone by this point. The Bucs may also draft a safety like Richie Grant or Oregon’s Jevon Holland to pair with Antoine Winfield after his standout rookie campaign last year.
