Round One:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Is there even anything new to say about Trevor Lawrence anymore? I’m not sure he’s on the level of Andrew Luck, but he’s the best prospect in this draft, hands down. Send it in.
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Sam Darnold experiment clearly failed for the Jets, but with a new regime, New York can easily make this selection and fix their quarterback problem by taking the second best signal-caller in the class.
3. Miami Dolphins (via HOU) - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
There will be quite an extensive debate over who is WR1 in this draft. DeVonta Smith, Ja’Marr Chase, and Jaylen Waddle all have a solid case. However, the LSU product is likely the safest of all options. Miami needs a sure-fire weapon to get their offense going with Tua Tagovailoa. Chase can provide instant action and elevate this team’s ceiling in year one.
4. Atlanta Falcons - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
To me, Justin Fields is an interesting prospect. Some claim that Fields is a “one-read thrower,” but with a year to sit under veteran Matt Ryan, I believe Fields could turn into a franchise quarterback when given a great supporting cast, and Atlanta offers that with the likes of Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Cincinnati fans will be happy to see this selection. Sewell is an athletic freak with an All-Pro ceiling and can be Joe Burrow’s number one bodyguard for the next eight-to-ten years.
6. Philadelphia Eagles - Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Philadelphia has yet to sort out their quarterback situation for 2021, and while the uncertainty continues for their offensive outlook for the future, bringing in an elite separator in Devonta Smith can give the Eagles a true number one receiver to rely on, something that they’ve missed on in previous drafts with the recent selections of J.J. Arcega-Whiteside and Jalen Reagor.
7. Detroit Lions - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
This one’s a little bit out of left field, as wide receiver seems to be the consensus for Detroit. However, Micah Parsons mustn't be overlooked. Despite some flimsy concerns over character issues, Parsons will likely be the number one defensive player taken in the draft, and for good reason. He’s an elite athlete with great size and instincts. After seeing what Devin White and Lavonte David did for Tampa Bay’s defense in the Super Bowl, off-ball linebacker will be a highly coveted position going forward.
8. Carolina Panthers - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
This may be the highest Carolina will pick in the first round for the foreseeable future, and they must avoid quarterback purgatory by taking a chance on a polarizing prospect in Trey Lance. While Lance only started one “showcase” game in 2020, he possesses the athleticism to navigate the pocket and extend plays that will delight Carolina, as they lack a competent offensive-line at the moment. The only problem with Lance is inexperience, and if he’s given time to sit behind reliable veteran Teddy Bridgewater, he can turn into what superstar Josh Allen has become for the Buffalo Bills, but only time will tell if Lance can accelerate his processor to play up to the NFL level.
9. Denver Broncos - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
For some reason, unbeknownst to me, Kwity Paye seems to be falling down draft boards. That’s right — a versatile, 6’4”, 271-pound defensive lineman who is rumored to have run a 4.57 40-yard dash time, 4.15 pro shuttle time, 6.37 3-cone time, jumped a 34-inch vertical, and knocked out six single-leg squats with a 200-pound kettlebell chin high and three weighted vests on — is falling down draft boards. Need I say more about Mr. Paye? While Von Miller is regressing and dealing with some off-the-field babel, the Broncos would be right to soon search for his replacement. In the meantime, a defensive front consisting of Kwity Paye, Jurell Casey, Von Miller, and Bradley Chubb is downright nasty.
10. Dallas Cowboys - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Dallas needs to attack defense in this draft as they surrendered 29.6 points per game in the 2020 season (5th most in the league), and their secondary crumbling against some of the top wideouts in matchups against the Browns and Falcons this past season only put their putrid defense on display. Caleb Farley can be an excellent scheme fit for Dan Quinn’s cover 3 scheme, and provide help to the Cowboys secondary that allowed the most average receivers to torch them beyond the last level of the defense.
11. New York Giants - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
It was all but a few years ago that the New York Giants sent shockwaves through the league by gearing up an offensive brigade of Odell Beckham Jr., Saquon Barkley, Sterling Shepard, and Evan Engram. Well, it sort of fell flat on its face. OBJ was traded, Saquon can’t stay healthy, Shepard has hit a plateau, and Engram hasn’t learned that you have to catch the balls. It’s about damn time the Giants reloaded by adding another spark to their offense. Barkley should be returning to full force next season and Darius Slayton is a high-end number two. But they’re still missing the “Odell” piece, the x-factor. I’m not saying Jaylen Waddle is going to become the best wide receiver in the sport. But with his ability to stretch the field, and Jones letting it loose, defensive coordinators will be sweating when they have a trip to Metlife booked on their schedule.
12. San Francisco 49ers - Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
With Richard Sherman likely on his way out and Robert Saleh rebuilding the culture in New York, the 49ers need a leader in the secondary, and that’s exactly what Patrick Surtain can bring to the table. While being a superb press-man corner that is physical at the line of scrimmage, Surtain was arguably the best player in the Alabama secondary, and San Fransisco can utilize his physicality to their advantage in a much different scheme that is run by DeMeco Ryans.
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
There is a simple formula to starting an offense over from scratch. It goes a little bit like this: Get a franchise-altering quarterback, and then get a franchise-altering left tackle. Easier said than done? The Chargers may disagree. While L.A. will have to load up on deep threats if they’re gonna want to compete with the Chiefs for the next ten years, the value here is just too good. Slater may not have the upside of Penei Sewell, but he’ll be a bonafide anchor for Justin Herbert going forward.
14. Minnesota Vikings - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Minnesota already has committed themselves to one of the best pure runners in Dalvin Cook, so why not amplify their outside zone scheme with a profound technical ability to run block. Darrisaw showed gradual improvement in every season at Virginia Tech, and will be a hot commodity for a team in need of a great run-blocker in a zone scheme, something that fits the bill for the Vikings.
15. New England Patriots - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Well, well, well...another generational tight end falls in the lap of the New England Patriots. This is just too easy. After a down year in Foxborough, Belichick and company will be scouring the market and the draft board for offensive firepower. Lucky for them, that’s exactly what Kyle Pitts brings to the table. A positionless player who can dominate in the red zone as a “jumbo receiver”, and in between the twenties, torching cornerbacks up the seam. McDaniels is going to know just how to use Pitts, and with the right quarterback, the Patriots’ offense could soon be back on track.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
With Patrick Peterson leaving town, the Cardinals are in need of a physical cornerback to line up opposite of young standout Byron Murphy Jr, and Jaycee Horn can be a number one man-to-man cornerback. Horn can press at the line of scrimmage, hand-fight with wide receivers, and often prevent receivers from getting separation through his physicality in coverage. The only downside with Horn is that he frequently gets too physical the line of scrimmage which can lead to DPIs and holding penalties, but Horn can transform into a standout corner with the proper technical development from the Cardinals.
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
What do the Raiders need? Defense, defense, and more defense. While there aren’t any blue-chippers at the EDGE position this year, the Georgia product has the potential to be an All-Pro type of player. With a mean twitch and a nasty bend around the edge, Ojulari could end up reconciling for the Raider’s previous selection of Clelin Ferrell in 2019.
18. Miami Dolphins - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Tua Tagovailoa will need great pass-protection to manipulate the pocket, and veteran Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi can provide that with his ideal length at the position. Expect Miami to kick Cosmi to left tackle and shift Austin Jackson to right tackles, as he started 21 games at the position with the Longhorns.
19. Washington Football Team - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Jeremiah Owusu-Kormoah — or Joker, as the kids call him — is the amalgamation of the modern day hybrid-linebacker. Often compared to Darius Leonard, JOK is fast, fluid, rangy, and knows the position well. He can play all over the field, including safety, and can take this Washington defense from great to elite.
20. Chicago Bears - Liam Eichenburg, OT, Notre Dame
The Bears still have a major quarterback problem, but they can partially make it easier on their future signal-caller by taking Liam Eichenburg, who is a physical tackle that can use his powerful hands to block efficiently in the run game. And that aforementioned run game was a staple of the Bears offense last season with breakout running back David Montgomery, as he rushed for 1,959 yards and 14 touchdowns without a consistent run-blocking tackle.
21. Indianapolis Colts - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Mac Jones may not be my cup of tea, but he’s perfect for a team like the Colts, who are honestly a quarterback away from being true contenders. He’d be able to get acquainted with Frank Reich’s offense in no time, and could be a solid year-one starter for a playoff team.
22. Tennessee Titans - Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
As Jadeveon Clowny will more than likely test the free agent market, the Titans will need a consistent edge rusher to complement Harold Landry and Jefferry Simmons, and Joseph Ossai’s stout ability to rush the passer and quickly navigate his way to the quarterback gives Tennessee and excellent replacement for Clowney. Ossai will likely be a great scheme fit for the Titans, who run a 3-4 defensive scheme where the aforementioned Ossai thrives in as he generated five sacks and three forced fumbles in his junior season at Texas.
23. New York Jets (via SEA) - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Running back in the first round isn’t in style anymore. Luckily, Travis Etienne is much more than a running back. It sounds cliche, but he’s really just a weapon. With elite quickness and long speed, Mike LaFleur will be able to utilize Etienne’s abilities in the slot, in the backfield, on jet sweeps, on the goal line, or anywhere else he can think of. Paired with Zach Wilson, this Jets’ offense could get going in no time.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
The Steelers still need to resolve their run game issues with the lack of a true three-down back, but Jalen Mayfield gives Pittsburgh guard versatility as he doesn’t possess the ideal frame for a tackle, but he can transition to right tackle with the proper coaching which Pittsburgh has to offer. The Steelers found a gem in the draft with Kevin Dotson playing at guard, but will need more offensive line help to protect Ben Roethlisberger as he continues to age into what could be his final season.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR) - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Now that Jacksonville has their franchise QB, they need to get him some targets to throw to. D.J. Chark is a star and James Robinson proved that he can be a rock-solid starting running back for years to come. But after that, it's somewhat disparate. In every great Urban Meyer offense, there’s a lightning quick, versatile wide receiver/running back hybrid who acts as a toy for the offensive play caller. Percy Harvin, Curtis Samuel...now Kadarius Toney can be that guy. He fits the bill and will take the ease off Trevor Lawrence immediately.
26. Cleveland Browns - Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
If the Browns want to be taken seriously in the postseason, they need to address the defense, and that begins with the front-seven. Zaven Collins is an extremely swift player at the off-ball linebacker position, and can fill in for the replaceable backers in aging Malcolm Smith and the younger Sione Takitaki.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
In the divisional round playoff game against the Buffalo Bills, it became clear that a bigtime WR1 was the Baltimore Ravens’ most pressing need. I’m not sure if Terrace Marshall Jr. will be the automatic antidote. But at the very least he’ll serve as a nice compliment to Hollywood Brown, and has the upside to be that guy in the future.
28. New Orleans Saints - Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
The Saints still have plenty to figure out as they are up against the salary cap, being a mere $70 million dollars over the cap for 2021. As they continue to make cuts and restructure contracts, New Orleans can focus on off-ball linebacker Nick Bolton, who is a sideline to sideline backer that is quick to attack ball carriers, and can likely serve as a true MIKE for the Saints, a position that in question with Alex Anzalone starting at this time.
29. Green Bay Packers - Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Packers fans rejoice, it’s a first round wide receiver! Rondale Moore has gotten some chatter lately, and it's for good reason. A viral video was “leaked” of him jumping off the planet with a 42-inch vertical. Moore is an athletic freak of nature, whether it's turf or gym mats. While Marquez Valdes-Scantling showed off some big-play ability this past season, Moore’s going to be an immediate upgrade and a field-stretcher for Aaron Rodgers.
30. Buffalo Bills - Asante Samuel Jr, CB, Florida State
It was clear that Buffalo was unable to cover Tyreek Hill in the AFC Championship (he caught 11 passes for 172 yards in their second meeting this past season, by the way), so why not bring in another defensive back to provide the opportunity to stop another potential dynasty? I’m not saying Asante Samuel Jr can singlehandedly contain the explosive Kansas City offense, but with his efficient ability to matchup with pass catchers in the slot and quickness in coverage, it gives them a chance, which is something the Bills should take on the son of former cornerback Asante Samuel.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
If there’s a single post-Super Bowl mock draft that doesn’t have the Chiefs selecting an offensive tackle then there’s something wrong. There’s a decent chance that both Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz have already played their final games, and if not, they’re soon to come. Dillon Radunz may not be a day-one replacement, but with good size and technique, he projects as a future starter at the left tackle position.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
If Shaq Barrett elects to test the market and sides with another team, why not develop one of the most talented edge rushers in this class? While Rousseau may be a raw prospect that will need time to refine his set of pass rush moves, the Buccaneers offer the proper coaching as defensive coordinator Todd Bowles will likely place him in an ideal position to succeed, and to become a key pass rusher in the future as he did with Shaq Barrett, who broke out after signing with Tampa Bay in 2019.
Round Two:
33. Jacksonville Jaguars - Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC
34. New York Jets - Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
35. Atlanta Falcons - Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
36. Miami Dolphins (via HOU) - Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
37. Philadelphia Eagles - Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
38. Cincinnati Bengals - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
39. Carolina Panthers - Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
40. Denver Broncos - Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
41. Detroit Lions - Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
42. New York Giants - Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
43. San Francisco 49ers - Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee
44. Dallas Cowboys - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
45. Jacksonville Jaguars (via MIN) - Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
46. New England Patriots - Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
47. Los Angeles Chargers - D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
48. Las Vegas Raiders - Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
49. Arizona Cardinals - Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
50. Miami Dolphins - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
51. Washington Football Team - Chatarius Atwell, WR, Louisville
52. Chicago Bears - Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
53. Tennessee Titans - Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
54. Indianapolis Colts - Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
55. Pittsburgh Steelers - Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
56. Seattle Seahawks - Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
57. Los Angeles Rams - Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
58. Baltimore Ravens - Creed Humphrey, IOL, Alabama
59. Cleveland Browns - Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
60. New Orleans Saints - Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
61. Buffalo Bills - Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
62. Green Bay Packers - Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
63. Kansas City Chiefs - Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington