Final NFL Mock Draft

The day of the 2021 NFL Draft is finally here and it is time for my final mock draft. I posted a group mock draft several days ago of fans picking what they want their teams to do, while this mock draft will be what I think will happen tonight.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars select Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)

The first pick is a shoe-in, the Jags will be taking Trevor Lawrence. He’s been regarded as a future #1 pick since his days in high school and his performance at Clemson further validated him. Oft compared to Andrew Luck, here’s to hoping Jacksonville takes better care of Trevor than Indianapolis did for Andrew.

2. New York Jets select Zach Wilson (QB, BYU)

For a while, it was unclear how the Jets would use the #2 pick, but with Sam Darnold shipped away and reports of former New York QBs prepping Wilson, it appears that Zach Wilson will be the selection. Zach burst out in 2020, showing off his athleticism and playmaking ability as he led BYU to one of their better seasons in recent memory. Joe Douglas has a chance to get his franchise guy, and from here it’ll be about surrounding Wilson with the tools to succeed.

3. San Francisco 49ers select Mac Jones (QB, Alabama)

This is where the draft truly starts, at least in the sense that this is the first pick with no certainty of who will be taken. Narrowed down to Trey Lance and Mac Jones, my gut tells me that Shanahan wants Jones to be the leader of his offense. Mac took over for an injured Tua Tagovailoa in 2019 before leading Alabama to a title this past season. He’s not as mobile as the other top QBs, but he has the traits to be successful in a Shanahan offense.

4. Atlanta Falcons select Kyle Pitts (TE, Florida)

I originally had the Falcons moving down, but as the draft has crept closer, I think they’ll stay at 4. They could select the QB of the future, but I’m gonna guess they go out and get the biggest freak in the draft, Florida TE Kyle Pitts. Pitts proved himself to be nearly unguardable last season, a WR in a TE’s body. Pitts with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley would create quite the three-headed monster of pass catchers.

5. Cincinnati Bengals select Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)

Ja’Marr Chase to Cincinnati has been hot in the streets lately, but I’m gonna guess and hope that the Bengals do the wiser thing and select Penei Sewell to shore up the OL. Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, but his tape and production from his Sophomore season does justice to just how good he is (and can be). Joe Burrow is coming off a brutal injury, protect your QB with big Penei.

6. Miami Dolphins select Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU)

The Dolphins have shuffled around with picks, but they get exactly who they wanted in WR Ja’Marr Chase. Like Sewell, Chase opted out of the 2020 season, but was the Biletnikoff Award recipient as a Sophomore, playing a key role in LSU’s title run. Chase is a QB’s dream, perfect for former college foe Tua Tagovailoa as he enters his second season in the league.

7. (TRADE) New England Patriots (via DET) select Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State)

Trade! The Patriots brought back Cam Newton, but he’s not a viable long term option as the signal caller. Enter Justin Fields, who was nothing short of magnificent at Ohio State over the past two years. Fields is a mobile QB who could use time to sit and learn from Newton, then take over as the next great Belichick QB.

8. Carolina Panthers select Rashawn Slater (OL, Northwestern)

With the acquisition of QB Sam Darnold, that likely puts the Panthers out of the QB sweepstakes. They have ample weapons, so why not add in some protection for whoever is at QB? Slater is a plug-and-play guy that can fit wherever he's needed on the line.

9. Denver Broncos select Trey Lance (QB, North Dakota St.)

The acquisition of Teddy Bridgewater could put Denver out of the QB sweepstakes, but Teddy B. isn’t a guy who can drastically shift a franchise. Trey Lance, however, could be a franchise altering kind of guy with his arm talent and mobility out of North Dakota State. He’s young and a little raw, which makes Denver a good landing spot for him to sit and learn before being given the keys to the offense.

10. Dallas Cowboys select Patrick Surtain II (CB, Alabama)

The draft never goes according to plan, but Surtain has been linked to the Cowboys for a very long time. Assuming Jerry Jones’s draft crush Kyle Pitts isn’t available, I expect Dallas to take Patrick Surtain II, who has been making big time plays since his Freshman year at Alabama. He won’t magically fix the defense, but he has the tools to be a star at CB.

11. New York Giants select Micah Parsons (LB, Penn State)

The Giants could go several ways here at 11, with some reports saying they’ll take one of the Alabama WRs. They could go that way, but Dave Gettleman isn’t your average GM and I think he’ll fall in love with the idea of Penn State’s Micah Parsons leading his defense. Parsons is another 2020 opt-out, but was a star when he was on the field for the Nittany Lions.

12. Philadelphia Eagles select DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama)

Philadelphia has their pick of the Alabama WRs (or several CBs) and I think they’ll land on DeVonta Smith to reunite with QB Jalen Hurts. Smith returned for his Senior season and put up one of the greatest seasons from a WR ever, bringing home the Heisman Trophy. His slim frame may be concerning to some, but his talent is off the charts.

13. Los Angeles Chargers select Christian Darrisaw (OT, Virginia Tech)

A reunion with former college teammate Penei Sewell couldn’t quite happen for Herbert, but Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw is a great consolation prize. He anchored the Hokies offense and can hopefully help keep LA’s franchise QB upright.

14. Minnesota Vikings select Alijah Vera-Tucker (OL, USC)

Alijah Vera-Tucker is possibly the most versatile linemen in this draft, projected as an OG, but with the ability to play OT. The 6’4" 300 lbs OL provides versatility and could slot in anywhere for the Vikings, hoping to patch up the offensive line woes.

15. Detroit Lions (via NE) select Jaylen Waddle (WR, Alabama)

The Lions traded back eight spots in this, yet are still able to land explosive WR Jaylen Waddle. Prior to his injury in the 2020 season, Waddle was actually outplaying the future Heisman winner, DeVonta Smith. Waddle is dangerous with the ball in his hands, showing off his burner wheels through the air, on end arounds, and as a punt returner. Kenny Golladay left a void for Detroit that Waddle could fill nicely.

16. Arizona Cardinals select Jaycee Horn (CB, South Carolina)

CB is a thin group for the Cardinals, so enter Jaycee Horn, son of former NFL player Joe Horn. The younger Horn is as physical as they come, a welcomed trait to any defense. He’s gone toe-to-toe with some of the best receivers in the country by way of playing in the SEC, so he should be up to the task in a division with great receivers.

17. Las Vegas Raiders select Alex Leatherwood (OL, Alabama)

The Raiders, under Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden, have shown a tendency to overdraft high character players from big schools like Alabama, Clemson, and Ohio State. Alabama offensive linemen Alex Leatherwood fits that mold, starting for three seasons at Alabama, playing both interior and at tackle. He probably isn’t the absolute best option here, but he’s a talented and versatile guy that fits the Las Vegas draft tendencies.

*Shoutout to Jacob Siegel for putting this pick in my mind*

18. Miami Dolphins select Jaelan Phillips (EDGE, Miami)

For the Dolphins second first rounder, I have them grabbing local EDGE talent Jaelan Phillips. Phillips is ferocious on the football field, which he reminded the football world since he transferred to Miami. For Jaelan, it’s about staying healthy because if he can do that, he can be a special player.

19. Washington Football Team select Rashod Bateman (WR, Minnesota)

Washington added Curtis Samuel this offseason, but why not add more to the WR core by way of Minnesota stud Rashod Bateman? Bateman can do it all and make opposing defenses pay when they hone in on Samuel on Terry McLaurin. In a normal WR class, the former Gopher could be a WR1 candidate.

20. Chicago Bears select Kadarius Toney (WR, Florida)

The Bears could go a number of ways here, but with no viable QB option at 20, let’s have them add Florida playmaker Kadarius Toney. Toney is versatile, plays bigger than his size, and makes plays with the ball in his hands. WR Allen Robinson could exit Chicago after the 2021 season, so Kadarius Toney could be a built-in replacement.

21. Indianapolis Colts select Kwity Paye (EDGE, Michigan)

Kwity Paye took a big step forward his Junior season in Ann Arbor, launching himself onto NFL teams radars before returning for his Senior season. He's an athletic freak who has already shown to be a great run defender and has a ton of potential to be an elite pass rusher in the NFL. Offensive Tackle could be in play here, but the value for Paye makes sense.

22. Tennessee Titans select Greg Newsome II (CB, Northwestern)

A replacement for Corey Davis could be in play here, but we’ll roll with Newsome II, the standout CB from Northwestern. Adoree Jackson also departed from Tennessee, meaning Newsome could get big playing time early and show off his length and strength.

23. New York Jets select Teven Jenkins (OL, Oklahoma State)

The dream for New York would be Alijah Vera-Tucker here, but with him off the board, they’ll settle for the 6’6” monster in Jenkins. Whether he plays OT or OG remains to be seen, but he has shown the makings of a quality pro linemen during his time at Oklahoma State.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers select Creed Humphrey (IOL, Oklahoma)

With the retirement of Maurkice Pouncey and the need to rebuild the line, the Steelers roll with an experienced IOL from the Big 12 in Creed Humphrey. The former Freshman All-American was a stalwart at C for Lincoln Riley and has the intangibles to be a starter in the NFL for a long time.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars select Trevon Moehrig (S, TCU)

The Safety class is pretty weak this cycle, but TCU’s Trevon Moehrig is a first round talent. He’s a playmaker on the back half of the defense that can make an instant impact for a Jaguars team that won a singular game in 2020.

26. Cleveland Browns select Christian Barmore (DL, Alabama)

In this spot, the Browns opt to take one of the BPA (best players available) and beef up the DL depth with Christian Barmore. Barmore broke out his R-SO season at Alabama, leading the team with 8 sacks and winning Defensive MVP of the National Championship with 2 TFLs and a sack. Barmore can be a big barrier in the middle of Cleveland’s pass rush and spearhead the run game.

27. Baltimore Ravens select Azeez Ojulari (EDGE, Georgia)

The Ravens have a talented defense, let's build on that with the disruptive former Georgia Bulldog. Ojulari possesses great upper body strength and has some eye-popping tape that gets you excited for his NFL potential. With a landing spot like Baltimore, Azeez could be a dark horse DROTY candidate.

28. New Orleans Saints select Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB, Notre Dame)

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah was the leader of one of the best defenses in college football last season, forcing him onto NFL radars. Although he’s a bit of a tweener between LB and S, his speed and agility is special regardless of how he is classified. JOK could quickly become a leader for the Saints defense.

29. Green Bay Packers select Zaven Collins (LB, Tulsa)

The Aaron Rodgers debacle is probably all that’s on the minds of Packer fans, but I don’t know if that drastically alters their drafting gameplan. Zaven Collins was one of the most productive defensive players in the country last year. His freak blend of size and athleticism perfectly fits the new age mold of NFL defenders.

30. Buffalo Bills select Asante Samuel Jr. (CB, Florida State)

The Bills could dip into the RB realm, but after taking Zack Moss last year, I tend to think they’ll opt to look at that position later. Asante Samuel Jr. is indeed the son of the notable Asante Samuel, and Junior has a knack for forcing tough contested catches. His size, amongst other flaws, may limit him to day two, but I think the Bills take a chance on the Florida State product, banking on coaching and the presence of Tre White to help Samuel blossom into a star.

31. Baltimore Ravens select Elijah Moore (WR, Ole Miss)

With EDGE checked off at 27, the Ravens can add a weapon for Lamar Jackson here at 31. While DeVonta Smith was setting the world on fire, Elijah Moore was quietly tearing up the SEC himself, reeling in Ole Miss records in 86 catches for 1,193 yards in only 8 games. He’s a hair under 5’10”, but his production speaks to how talented the guy is.

32. (TRADE) New Orleans Saints select Caleb Farley (CB, Virginia Tech)

To conclude the first round, I have the Saints re-entering the top 32 and taking a chance on CB Caleb Farley. Injury concerns have Farley allegedly falling out of the first round, but rumors have said that the Saints could still be interested in the former Virginia Tech star. Back injury aside, Farley is a lanky DB who can succeed in press coverage. The Saints have shown previous aggressiveness to make moves for prospects they like (i.e. DE Marcus Davenport), so I don’t think it would be crazy to see them add a second first rounder.

Trade Recaps

New England Patriots receive #7 from Detroit

Detroit Lions receive #15 (+ more) from New England

New Orleans Saints receive #32 from Tampa Bay

If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading! Who will the 49ers take at #3? Do the Bengals pass up on Ja’Marr Chase? Who do you want your favorite team to take? Let me know down in the comments below!

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