Predicting the 2021 NFL Draft with a complete first-round mock draft
Week 2 of the 2020 NFL season is almost in the books and we already have a handful of teams that could be looking forward to the 2021 NFL Draft. It happens every year, bad teams establish themselves early and become the favorites to land the best prospects in the class.
Who are the teams most likely to find themselves in a position to snag the top-tier 2021 NFL Draft prospects? Let’s find out with a complete first-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 1
The first two weeks have not been kind to the New York Jets and they look like a legitimate candidate to hold the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. It may not totally be his fault, but Sam Darnold has not progressed well in the NFL and if the Jets end up having this awful of a season, the quarterback position has to be on their radar.
This team undoubtedly has to work to surround their quarterback with more talent, but it is nearly impossible to look at an opportunity to take Trevor Lawrence and pass. If the Jets end up holding the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence will be the pick.
Lawrence is one of the most talented quarterback prospects in recent NFL Draft history. He is an elite athlete at his position and has more natural arm talent than he will ever need. Lawrence does a great job of fitting the ball into tight spaces and using unique arm angles to create a path to success. He is extremely accurate to all levels of the field and can put the proper touch on his balls when needed.
His passing upside is obvious and he also does a great job of escaping the pocket and creating yards with his legs. Lawrence is an incredibly talented quarterback prospect who has massive upside at the next level. It may seem a bit early to give up on Darnold, but Lawrence is a special player who would reshape the Jets’ franchise. He is the only logical choice here.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 2
The Cincinnati Bengals are 0-2 through the first two weeks and are unlikely to make much noise this season. However, franchise quarterback Joe Burrow has played well and nothing is more important than that.
Burrow has done a nice job of making the most with what he has to work with, but he has been running for his life through the first two games of the season. The Bengals’ offensive line is an absolute mess and they simply must work to address the position next offseason. Cincinnati should aggressively attack improvements up front in both free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft.
In the 2021 NFL Draft, Penei Sewell stands out as the most obvious target for the Bengals. The left tackle out of Oregon is an incredibly talented player at an extremely important position and should be looked at as one of the premier players in this class.
Sewell shows an incredible combination of power and athleticism that he uses well in both pass protection and as a run blocker. He moves his feet quickly and efficiently, showing elite mirror skills in pass protection and a tremendous ability to reach the second level in the run game. Sewell is also extremely powerful at the point of attack and shows elite-level hand usage for such a young player.
Simply put, Sewell is a nearly perfect offensive tackle prospect who will be an extremely high pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Bengals need to work to improve their offensive line over the offseason and Sewell would immediately help take the entire unit to the next level.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 3
The Miami Dolphins are undoubtedly a team on the rise and could certainly become an exciting team to keep an eye on down the stretch this season. Unless they unexpectedly become competitive this season, Tua Tagovailoa will take over as their starting quarterback at some point this season and Miami will be working to get him ready for the 2021 season.
With Tua leading the way, the Dolphins undoubtedly have a high ceiling going forward. However, this team still needs plenty of work and should be looking to find as much impact talent in the 2021 NFL Draft as possible. In this mock draft, linebacker Micah Parsons stands out as the logical choice for this team.
Parsons is an elite athlete at the linebacker position who shows legitimate sideline-to-sideline range. He does a fantastic job of roaming around the field making plays against the run and shows tremendous natural instincts in zone coverage. He also shows a ton of upside as a man-to-man defender and is even a fantastic player in the blitz game.
Simply put, Parsons has it all at the linebacker position and would be an ideal fit for the Brian Flores’ defense in Miami. His ability to impact the game in a variety of ways would fit well in Miami and give them a star player who they could build their defense around. Parsons to the Dolphins at No. 3 certainly fits.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 4
I am sure that the Carolina Panthers love Teddy Bridgewater and currently feel comfortable moving forward with him as their franchise quarterback. That being said, if they have a chance to snag a quarterback the caliber of Justin Fields in the 2021 NFL Draft, I have a hard time thinking that they will pass up that opportunity.
Fields is primarily known for his ability to change the game as a runner. While his athleticism and powerful running style is impressive, do not sleep on this guy as a passer. Fields has a big arm that he uses to fit the ball into tight spaces, shows impressive accuracy to all levels of the field and does a nice job of putting touch on his ball when the situation calls. Fields is a high-level passer who undoubtedly has tremendous upside at the next level.
His ability to impact the game with both his legs and arm makes Fields an extremely dangerous player at all times and a particularly interesting fit for the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers are going to want to run a spread-out, fast-paced offense under offensive coordinator Joe Brady and RPO principles will be aplenty. Fields feels like the perfect quarterback for this offense and would give the Panthers a true franchise player to build around.
If snagging Fields is a possibility for the Panthers in the 2021 NFL Draft, they have to make the move. Bridgewater is a solid quarterback, but Fields has special upside that simply cannot be ignored.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 5
The Jacksonville Jaguars could easily end up changing directions and taking a quarterback in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. They appear to have full confidence in Gardner Minshew, but he was a sixth-round selection just a year ago. It is certainly possible that Minshew struggles throughout the rest of the season and quarterback looks like the obvious option for Jacksonville here.
That being said, for now, we are going to look in another direction and look to build the Jaguars around Minshew. With the fifth pick of this mock draft, Jacksonville brings in the top wide receiver prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class, Ja’Marr Chase out of LSU.
Chase is not the biggest or most explosive wide receiver in this class, but he is a solid and dependable target who has a strong overall mix of skills that translate well to the next level. Chase is a wonderful route runner who can shake man coverage and find soft spots against zone. He has strong and reliable hands and does a fantastic job of turning upfield quickly and creating yardage after the catch.
While Chase is not the most elite athlete in this class, he does show a ton of upside as a contested-catch receiver. He also tracks the deep ball incredibly well and is always making the most out of every single play.
Chase is an extremely talented wide receiver prospect who simply refuses to let the defense take him away. He is a true number one wide receiver who is undoubtedly going to make a massive impact at the next level. Pairing Chase with D.J. Chark would give the Jags an exciting wide receiver duo to build their offense around, while also giving Minshew the best possible situation to succeed in going forward.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 6
The New York Giants did invest in the cornerback position over the offseason when they signed James Bradberry to a major free-agent contract. However, the rest of the position is certainly a bit of a mess and Caleb Farley does stand out as one of the most talented prospects available on the board.
Farley is a 6-foot-2, 207-pound cornerback prospect who began his college career as a wide receiver. While he did not stay at the position long, it is easy to see why Virginia Tech liked him on the offensive side of the ball, this prospect has an impressive combination of size and natural athleticism and attacks the ball in the air extremely well.
Farley is a smooth athlete who mirrors opposing receivers extremely well and shows elite level click and close ability. He is also physical and aggressive at the line of scrimmage, consistently making life difficult on opposing receivers in press coverage. Essentially, Farley is a big, quick and athletic cornerback prospect who is sticky in man coverage and has tremendous ball skills. What more could you want?
The Giants could certainly use help at many positions, but cornerback is undoubtedly a need and an important position for the team going forward. Farley is a true shutdown cornerback in the making and would be an ideal addition for the Giants in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 7
Marvin Wilson is an ultimate interior disruptor who will undoubtedly be one of the best defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Wilson is a big and powerful man who can consistently man-handle opposing offensive linemen on the inside. His ability to anchor in and hold his own as a two-gap player is a top-notch skill and will undoubtedly translate to the next level. However, let’s not sleep on his ability to penetrate and create pressure.
Wilson is quick off of the ball and does a great job of getting thin and exploding through the gap. He shows impressive mobility for a big man and will undoubtedly make an impact as a one-gap penetrator at the next level.
Wilson is the kind of player who can fit in any system and come in and immediately thrive. Do you want him to primarily eat up blocks and hold his ground as a two-gap defender? You may be limiting his upside a bit, but he can certainly do that. Do you want Wilson to attack the pocket and wreak havoc as a one-gap penetrator? He can fill that role as well.
The interior defensive line stands out as a major position of need for the Detroit Lions and Wilson is a top-notch 2021 NFL Draft prospect who is certainly worth in this range. Wilson and Detroit feel like a logical pairing for this mock draft.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 8
Left tackle is probably the most obvious position of need for the Washington Football Team and I would not count out a first-round quarterback if Dwayne Haskins struggles to take the next step. That being said, Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II is clearly one of the best players available on the board and Washington certainly has a major need at cornerback as well.
Surtain is a big and long cornerback prospect who shows impressive natural instincts in coverage. He is extremely smart and patient in coverage, showing the ability to bait opposing quarterbacks into a poor throw and close on the ball quickly enough to knock it away. He has impressive raw speed on the outside and is also quick in short spaces.
With a strong combination of size, length and speed, Surtain certainly has plenty of upside in man coverage. However, he also shows impressive instincts in zone coverage, reading the quarterback well and attacking the ball in the air at an extremely high level.
Surtain is undoubtedly an impressive cornerback prospect who has massive upside at the next level. He is one of the premier defensive prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class and will likely only raise his profile at Alabama this season. Washington could certainly use some more talent at the cornerback position and Surtain stands out as a nice value selection in this range.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 9
*This pick comes to the Miami Dolphins via the Houston Texans
After addressing the defensive side of the ball earlier in this mock draft, the Dolphins would be wise to get franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa some help with this pick. They could look to address the offensive line situation, but wide receiver stands out as a more immediate position of need.
There are plenty of talented receivers in this 2021 NFL Draft class, but DeVonta Smith stands out as a particular fit for this team. Smith is a tremendous natural route runner who always seems to find space in the defense. He is extremely quick and explosive, and is also naturally elusive in the open field. Smith does a great job of using his elusiveness to separate from defensive backs and create after the catch.
Smith is a tremendous deep threat who tracks the ball in the air extremely well, but his ability to create after the catch also stands out. Simply put, Smith can impact the game at all levels of the defense and will undoubtedly be a major pass-catching threat at the next level. The Dolphins need playmakers and Smith certainly fits the bill. Plus, his rapport with Tagovailoa certainly does not hurt.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 10
The Cleveland Browns were able to take care of business in Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals, but their lack of depth on the edge was obvious in that game. Starting defensive end Olivier Vernon did not play in the game due to an abdominal injury and his replacement, Adrian Clayborn, left early in the game due to a hip injury. It was Myles Garrett and little else on the edge for the Browns on Thursday night and it was easy to see that they lacked quality depth at the position.
Vernon will hit free agency next offseason and Clayborn is an aging player who is unlikely to fit into Cleveland’s future plans. Simply put, this team must address their depth on the edge over the offseason and that could easily come early in the 2021 NFL Draft. With the 10th pick of this mock draft, Cleveland takes a swing for some upside at the position by bringing in Gregory Rousseau.
Rousseau is undoubtedly a talented player who filled up the stat sheet with 15.5 sacks and 19.5 tackles for loss last season. He is a tremendous athlete who shows a quick first step and fantastic upfield burst. His ability to bend around the edge and close on the quarterback is consistently impressive and he also shows the ability to set the edge and maintain his gap when asked to do so.
Rousseau has all of the upside in the world and could quickly turn into an impact player at the next level. He is undoubtedly a raw prospect who will need to clean up his game a bit, but pairing him with Myles Garrett could give the Browns an extremely dangerous long-term duo on the edge.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 11
The Denver Broncos have invested heavily in the development of quarterback Drew Lock over the last couple of years, consistently finding him exciting weapons in the passing game. In this mock draft, they find Lock some more help, while also filling arguably their biggest need on the offensive side of the ball.
Garett Bolles is not getting it done at the left tackle position for Denver, and they should look to replace him next offseason if the right opportunity presents itself. Here, the Broncos find them in a position to find a potential upgrade at left tackle, as Samuel Cosmi is still on the board.
Cosmi is an extremely athletic offensive tackle prospect who consistently moves well in space. His quickness off of the snap is impressive and allows him to get in good positions as both a pass protector and run blocker. Cosmi mirrors opposing edge rushers extremely well and does a nice job of shooting his hands quickly to stun the defender. He is also an impressive second-level run blocker who can get out in space and consistently take care of his responsibility.
Cosmi is not the most powerful player up front, but he does a nice job of using his athleticism to get in position to beat the defender. He will struggle against pure power players at times, but he has the upside to deal with any speed rusher on the edge. Simply put, he is an extremely talented player who could fill an important position of need for Denver.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 12
I absolutely love the idea of Dylan Moses in Atlanta, pairing him with Deion Jones at the linebacker position. Jones has struggled with injuries at times, but when he is on the field, he is undoubtedly one of the most talented and impactful linebackers in the NFL. Adding Moses to the mix would give the Falcons an incredibly exciting duo at off-ball linebacker.
Moses feels like a nice combination of a modern and traditional NFL linebacker. He shows impressive natural athleticism at the position, ranging from sideline-to-sideline making plays all over the field. He also shows impressive natural playmaking ability against the run and plays tough in the middle of the field. Moses displays strong block-shed ability and is also a reliable tackler in space.
His strong combination of size, speed and athleticism should also lead to a lot of long-term upside in man coverage. However, he is a bit underdeveloped in this area at this point of his career and it will be interesting to see him grow in this area this season. Moses does show good instinct in zone and can certainly create pressure on the quarterback in the blitz game.
Simply put, Moses is a rock-solid linebacker prospect who undoubtedly has a high ceiling at the next level. He fits the modern NFL extremely well and adding him to the mix would give the Atlanta Falcons arguably the best young off-ball linebacker duo in the entire league.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 13
In the actual 2021 NFL Draft next April, North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance will likely go much higher than this projection. He is a legitimate top-tier quarterback prospect who could easily land in the top five. However, he slips a bit in this mock draft to the extreme benefit of the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Raiders have done a nice job of stockpiling young talent on both sides of the ball in recent years and could become competitive in the near future. That being said, their ceiling is always going to be a bit limited with Derek Carr under center.
Carr is a solid NFL starting quarterback, but he is not a game-changing player who raises the play of his teammates. If Jon Gruden and company find an opportunity to improve at the quarterback position in the near future, they must pounce. That opportunity arises in this mock draft as Lance is available at No. 13.
Lance is a big, strong and athletic prospect who shows plenty of ability with the ball in his hands. He stands strong in the pocket, feels pressure well, can win with his legs and slings the ball all over the field with ease. He has impressive natural arm talent and legitimate accuracy to all levels of the field. Lance is a fantastic dual-threat quarterback who fits the modern game well and also does a great job of taking care of the football.
As talented as Lance is, there is still plenty of unknown to his game. Going from the FCS level to the NFL is difficult for everyone and Lance will likely be making that jump as a one-year starting quarterback.
Whoever drafts Lance must do so with a patient, long-term approach in mind. With Carr on the roster, the Raiders would be a team in a good position to bring Lance along slowly. They could let Carr remain the starting quarterback for the 2021 season and look to trade him after the season when Lance would be more ready for the NFL game.
More than anything, adding Lance to the mix would undoubtedly raise the long-term ceiling of this franchise.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 14
The Los Angeles Chargers lack impact talent on the offensive line and if they ever expect young quarterback Justin Herbert to reach his ceiling, they need to invest in the unit. Ideally, they would be able to add a legitimate franchise left tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft, but with both Sewell and Cosmi off of the board, an offensive tackle here feels like a reach.
Instead, the Chargers make a big addition to their interior by bringing in Ohio State offensive guard Wyatt Davis here at No. 14 overall. Davis is a mean and nasty interior offensive line prospect who shows incredible natural power at the point of attack. He fires off of the ball quickly, gets his hands on the defender in an instant and consistently drives them down the field. Davis is an elite run blocker who is going to consistently clear out rushing lanes at the next level.
While his incredibly raw power immediately stands out on tape, Davis also moves well for an offensive lineman. He can handle speed rushers on the inside and is also a tremendous run blocker at the second level. He is probably best suited for a gap scheme, but Davis certainly adds plenty of value to zone rushing plays as well.
In this writer’s opinion, Davis is easily the best interior offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft class. He has a chance to quickly become one of the premier players at this position at the next level and would undoubtedly fill an important position of need for the Chargers up front.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 15
Let’s add some explosiveness to the Chicago Bears’ offensive attack. Allen Robinson is a clear number one receiver on one side of the field, but he is a free agent after the 2020 season. Anthony Miller is coming along nicely, but this team still undoubtedly lacks impact depth at the wide receiver position at the moment.
Luckily for Chicago, this draft class is loaded with talent at wide receiver again and Jaylen Waddle stands out as one of the most interesting players at the position.
Waddle is a freak athlete who shows an incredible combination of quickness and speed at all times. He changes directions on a dime, gets up to speed in an instant and easily separates from the defense with his tremendous burst. Waddle is an extremely dangerous deep threat and is also a fantastic playmaker with the ball in his hands.
He is also a solid route-runner who can separate from man coverage and has an impressive catch radius for a guy who primarily wins with speed. Waddle is also an impact special teams player who will undoubtedly make an impact in the return game at the next level.
Chicago simply needs to find more impact playmakers on the offensive side of the ball and Waddle has a chance to quickly become one of the best in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Snagging him here at No. 15 feels like a potentially franchise-changing move for Chicago.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 16
After two great seasons as the primary slot cornerback for Ohio State, Wade could have left early for the 2019 NFL Draft and been an early-round pick. However, he decided to return to school and is back with the team now that the Big Ten fall season is back on. Wade is expected to take over outside cornerback duties for the Buckeyes this season and there may not be a player who I am more interested in seeing during the 2020 college football season.
Wade is a long and athletic cornerback prospect who shows an impressive combination of short-area quickness and long speed. He is extremely tough at the line of scrimmage and shows fantastic mirror skills in man coverage. Wade has already proven himself as a fantastic slot cornerback prospect, but if he can shine on the outside this season, his 2021 NLF Draft stock will likely soar.
The Philadelphia Eagles love to build through the trenches and will undoubtedly have the offensive and defensive line on their radar in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. That being said, they cannot continue to ignore their less than ideal cornerback situation and Wade stands out as a fantastic value pick in this range.
Whether Wade plays inside or outside at the next level, he will be a quality defensive player who his team can count on in all aspects of cornerback play. The Eagles need stability at cornerback, making Wade an obvious fit for the team.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 17
It has been a tough start to the season for the Minnesota Vikings, but they are still a talented team that could turn it around and make a run in the NFC North. No matter how Minnesota ends up finishing the season, they could certainly use some help on their offensive line, with needs at the position at both guard and tackle.
In this 2021 NFL Draft scenario, Alex Leatherwood stands out as a strong option for this team here at No. 17. Leatherwood has shined at both guard and tackle throughout his college career and stands out as a player who will translate well to the next level.
Leatherwood is an extremely aggressive offensive lineman who fires off of the ball quickly and shows tremendous power at the point of attack. He does a great job of securing the first level as a run blocker and has the quickness to secure the second level as well.
Leatherwood is also extremely active in pass protection, doing a nice job of getting into his vertical pass sets quickly and always continuing to look for work. Simply put, he is a rock-solid offensive lineman who could make an impact at either guard or tackle at the next level.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 18
The Indianapolis Colts have put together a strong overall with few needs on either side of the ball. Sure, they will need to find a long-term franchise quarterback eventually, but this is a strong team that is set up to win right now.
In this mock draft, the Colts address their edge-rusher situation by bringing in Quincy Roche out of Miami. Roche is making an impact for Miami this season after shining at Temple for the three seasons prior.
Roche shows an impressive combination of length and athleticism on the edge, and is typically able to create pressure on the passer with speed moves. He is explosive off of the ball, shows tremendous upfield burst and can bend around the edge with ease. Roche also shows a quick inside move that always seems to leaves offensive tackles baffled.
Roche is an explosive edge rusher whose game is primarily built on speed. However, do no sleep on his physicality and toughness up front. He uses his length extremely well to set the edge and shows strong overall instincts against the run.
The Colts love to find quick and explosive players on the defensive side of the ball and Roche undoubtedly fits the bill. He is a talented and well-rounded football player who could bring immediate value to a potentially contending team in Indianapolis.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 19
Tight end Jonnu Smith has really grown into an exciting weapon for the Tennessee Titans in the passing game. He is an extremely athletic tight end who fights hard for the ball in the air and shows impressive run-after-catch ability. Smith’s presence may make a tight end pick seem unnecessary, but Pat Freiermuth is a talented and well-rounded player who would undoubtedly be worthy of this selection.
Freiermuth is a big and athletic tight end prospect who is undoubtedly going to become a matchup nightmare at the next level. He is a sharp route runner who uses his speed well to create space and also shows great concentration in contested-catch situations.
Freiermuth is without a doubt an exciting weapon in the passing game, but do not sleep on his ability to make an impact as a blocker. Freiermuth is quick off of the snap, does a great job of maintaining proper pad level and shows great hand usage for a tight end. He is a strong blocker who has a chance to quickly become one of the premier blocking tight ends in the entire NFL.
The Titans are an extremely talented team who could undoubtedly make another deep run in the playoffs. They do not have many obvious needs on either side of the ball so adding a well-rounded offensive weapon like Freiermuth who would be a contributor in the run and passing game seems like a strong choice.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 20
This pick comes to the Jacksonville Jaguars via the Los Angeles Rams
The Jacksonville Jaguars passed up an opportunity to select a new franchise quarterback earlier in this mock draft, instead opting to snag an offensive playmaker for current signal-caller Gardner Minshew. With their second first-round selection, the Jags continue to build their offense around Minshew, adding running back Travis Etienne to the mix.
Etienne is the top running back prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class and undoubtedly has massive upside at the next level. He is a quick and explosive runner who sees the hole quickly and always hits it hard. Etienne has tremendous burst through the hole and elite long speed. If the defense gives this guy a crease, he will take it to the house from anywhere on the field.
Etienne is not a power-based runner, but his speed leads to some legitimate power in his game. When he is in the open field, Etienne is able to pick up some serious momentum and pick up extra yardage with his power after contact. He does a great job of running low, keeping his feet moving and maintaining his balance through the contact.
The Jaguars are getting nice play out of undrafted rookie running back James Robinson, but Etienne is a special player who could help take their offensive attack to the next level. Minshew is proving himself as a legitimate franchise quarterback for this team and if that keeps up, the Jags could certainly look to stockpile offensive talent around him in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 21
The Arizona Cardinals are quickly becoming one of the most interesting teams in the entire NFL. Led by young quarterback Kyler Murray, the Cardinals have put together an exciting offensive attack, a playmaking defense and a legitimate contender in the NFC West this season. They will likely use the 2021 NFL Draft as an opportunity to continue to build around their young franchise quarterback and improving the offensive line feels like the best way to do that.
Creed Humphrey is an extremely smart offensive lineman who consistently calls out responsibilities and leads the offensive line from the center position. He understands his responsibility on every play and undoubtedly has the skill-set to make the block.
Humphrey shows an impressive combination of quick feet and power up front. He gets off of the ball quickly and does a fantastic job of blocking at the second level. He also moves his feet well in pass protection and can sink in and anchor against bigger players.
The Oklahoma product shows impressive power at the point of attack, but his ability to drive through and maintain blocks is even more impressive. Humphrey does a great job of playing in a phone booth, showing strong overall hand usage and fantastic pad level. He understands how to play with leverage and consistently uses his strong and squatty frame to his advantage.
The Cardinals have issues across their offensive line and would be wise to address the unit over the offseason. Humphrey is the best pure center prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft class and would be a tremendous addition to the mix in Arizona. They need someone to lead the offensive line up front and Humphrey feels like the perfect player for the job.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 22
The Pittsburgh Steelers love to take defenders in the first round. They did not make a first-round selection in the 2020 NFL Draft, as they traded the pick away for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. However, Pittsburgh took a defensive player in the first round of the NFL Draft in the seven years prior. The trend continues in this mock draft, as Pittsburgh brings in interior defensive lineman Christian Barmore out of Alabama.
Barmore was only a part-time player for Alabama last season, but he showed a ton of upside for the powerful Crimson Tide. Barmore is quick off of the ball an incredibly powerful at the point of attack. He has long arms that he uses well to keep offensive linemen off of his body and is a stout run defender in the middle of the defense.
Barmore is a stout defender in the middle of the defensive line, but he has also shown a ton of upside as a one-gape penetrator. He shows an excellent swim move off of the snap and does a great job of getting thin and bursting through the line of scrimmage. His combination of quickness and power is impressive and undoubtedly gives Barmore a ton of upside at the next level.
While he is still an unproven player, Barmore is undoubtedly an exciting talent who could quickly become an important part of the Steelers’ defense. Barmore will get more of an opportunity to prove himself at Alabama this season and if he can continue to thrive in his expanded role, his 2021 NFL Draft stock should soar.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 23
One does not have to watch much of the New England Patriots this season to see that this team lacks impact playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. They simply need to find more players who can create for the team and make plays on their own. With their first-round selection in this mock draft, New England adds one of the most dynamic offensive playmakers in the 2021 NFL Draft class.
Rondale Moore missed most of last season with a hamstring injury, but was one of the most dynamic players in college football as a true freshman the year prior. Moore shows explosive speed and incredible elusiveness at all times on the field. He is a quick and decisive route runner who creates space with ease and is an incredible playmaker with the ball in his hands. Moore can shake any defender in the open field and is a threat to score from anywhere.
There are some concerns with his hands, but Moore is undoubtedly a talented playmaker who can make plays as a deep receiver and can dominate as a run-after-catch player. Whether Cam Newton ends up being their long-term quarterback or not, the Patriots need to find more offensive skill-position talent if they expect to seriously compete going forward. Adding Moore to the mix would certainly be a step in the right direction.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 24
The Dallas Cowboys have put together an extremely talented roster with few holes on either side of the ball. They did a lot of work to their secondary over the offseason, but it is still an underwhelming unit that could get them in trouble when push comes to shove.
Whether it is cornerback or safety, the secondary feels like a great position to target for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Here, they grab an impact safety prospect who stands out as an ideal fit for the team.
Andre Cisco is an incredible natural playmaker on the back-end who shows tremendous range and high-level instincts in zone coverage. He is an ideal single-high safety at the next level, consistently displaying the ability to defend the back end by himself. This guy is built well for the modern NFL, standing out as an exceptional defensive playmaker who has an incredible nose for the ball.
Cisco is one of the best safety prospects in the 2021 NFL Draft class and stands out as a guy who can come in and make an immediate impact at the next level. The Cowboys could certainly use a deep coverage safety and Cisco has a chance to become one of the best in the business. A strong pick for Jerry Jones and company here at No. 24.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 25
In Tre’Davious White, the Buffalo Bills have arguably the best cornerback in the entire NFL. White has grown into an absolute lock-down defender at the cornerback position and is one of the most impactful defensive players in the league. Led by White and a strong safety group, the Bills have put together a fantastic secondary that helps lead their great defensive unit.
However, they do have a hole at the second cornerback position. If the Bills can find the right cornerback to pair with White, their secondary would become absolutely dominant. Here, Buffalo swings for some upside at the position, adding Georgia’s Tyson Campbell to the mix.
Campbell is a long and athletic cornerback prospect who shows impressive short-area quickness and is smooth in coverage. He is a tough press coverage defender at the line of scrimmage but also shows the ability to click and close on the ball in off-coverage. Campbell is a slick man coverage defender who undoubtedly has a bright future at the next level.
If Campbell could come into Buffalo and reach his ceiling, the Bills would have an elite secondary and a defensive that could legitimately lead them to a title. Big, long, athletic and instinctive, what more could you want out of a cornerback on the outside?
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 26
The Green Bay Packers have had an incredible start to the 2020 season, knocking off division rivals in back-to-back weeks to kick off the year. Aaron Rodgers and company should be looked at as legitimate contenders in the NFC this season and will likely be picking late in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. In this mock draft, they pick at No. 26 overall, where they are able to get Rodgers an exciting offensive weapon.
Rashod Bateman is not the biggest, strongest, fastest or most athletic wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft class, but he has a solid combination of everything that he uses to win on a consistent basis. Bateman is a strong route runner who understands how to set up opposing defenders and create space for himself on a consistent basis. He also displays strong hands and great concentration in contested-catch situations.
Bateman is an exciting target who can make an impact in a variety of situations, but he really stands out as a playmaker with the ball in his hands. The Minnesota product is not the most explosive ball-carrier, but he is a smooth and smart runner who knows how to create after the catch. Bateman gets upfield quickly after the catch and shows an impressive combination of natural elusiveness and power at the point of contact. Simply put, he is hard to bring down.
At some point, the Packers need to invest in their wide receiver situation and this feels like a great opportunity to attack the position. Bateman is a fantastic player who would fit the team well and provide immediate value for Rodgers in the passing game.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 27
With Tom Brady under center, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are undoubtedly in win-now mode. With this in mind, this team will likely be looking to add whichever player can help them immediately in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Addressing the offensive tackle position here is tempting, but it would feel like a bit of a reach and none of the tackles available would likely replace Donovan Smith anyway. Running back is also an option, but the Bucs have enough at the position not to force the pick, especially with Etienne off of the board. Instead, Tampa Bay looks to the defensive side of the ball and finds a player who can make an immediate impact, even if it is in a part-time role.
Kwity Paye is an explosive athlete on the edge who fires off of the ball quickly and shows tremendous natural power at the point of attack. He is not the kind of guy who is going to bend around the edge with precision and grace, but he is an impressive athlete who shines with a strong combination of size, power and quickness.
Paye undoubtedly has a ton of upside as a bull rusher at the next level and could certainly make an impact both on the edge and on the inside. He may not fill the most obvious need on the Bucs’ roster, but Paye is undoubtedly a gifted player who could come in and make an immediate impact for a contending team.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 28
*This pick comes to the New York Jets via the Seattle Seahawks
With the first overall pick of this mock draft, the New York Jets added a new franchise quarterback to the mix. Getting Trevor Lawrence some help in the passing game is tempting, but the Jets have blatant needs on the defensive side of the ball that must be addressed as well. Here, they clean up the edge rusher position with the selection of Carlos Basham Jr.
Basham is never going to be the most dynamic or exciting player at the edge rusher position, but he is a tough and dependable player who is always going to do his job well. Basham is a smart player who identifies what the offense is doing quickly and adjusts his assignment accordingly. He is a strong player who sets the edge well and does a nice job of sniffing out the run and helping stop the play.
Basham is not overly explosive off of the edge, but he does get off of the ball quickly and is always working hard. He can win with speed around the edge at times, but is not afraid to adjust his path in order to create real pressure on the passer. Basham is a high motor player who is always going to do whatever he can to get to the quarterback.
The Jets have not had stability at the edge rusher position for a very long time and while Basham is unlikely to be a star edge rusher at the next level, he can help them solidify their situation up front. Snagging Basham here is not a sexy pick, but it is one that can help this team in a big way.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 29
When it’s all said and done, the San Francisco 49ers may be picking much higher than this in the 2021 NFL Draft next April. This team is getting hammered with important injuries and they are only going to be able to survive for so long without their most important franchise players. Do not be surprised if San Fran finds themselves out of the playoffs in a tough NFC West and picking in the top half of the draft.
That being said, they go on the clock here at No. 29 in this mock draft, leading to the selection of Pittsburgh safety Paris Ford. Ford is an exciting safety prospect who displays an impressive combination of coverage skills and in-the-box ability.
Ford can be an enforcer in the middle of the field, stepping up into the box to make life difficult for receivers coming over the middle. He is an extremely aggressive and physical football player who is not afraid to play the game with authority and is also an impressive tackle in space. Letting this guy roam and attack the line of scrimmage is a path to success at the next level.
On top of that, Ford shows an impressive combination of speed and ball skills on the back-end that leads to some impressive upside in deep zone coverage. Simply put, he is a jack-of-all-trades who has a chance to come into the NFL and be an immediate impact player on the defensive side of the ball.
The 49ers already have a talented defense and Ford could be the player who takes the unit to the next level.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 30
The Baltimore Ravens are a difficult team to pick for in these mock drafts. I mean, what do you give a team that has everything? How about an athletic defensive lineman who can make an impact all over the field in a variety of ways.
Aidan Hutchinson is listed by most as an edge defender, but the truth is that he has impressive versatility across the offensive line. Hutching displays a fantastic combination of size, length, power and athleticism that allows him to shine in a variety of roles.
Personally, I like Hutchinson most as a one-gap penetrator on the inside. He does a fantastic job of getting upfield quickly and collapsing the pocket from the inside. However, there is still plenty to like about Hutchinson’s game on the edge, especially on early downs.
Hutchinson is a tough and dependable run defender who sets the edge well and can two-gap at a high level. He has strong hands and consistently plays the game with an extremely high motor.
Simply put, Hutchinson is a versatile chess piece who should be able to impact the game in a variety of ways at the next level. He certainly looks different than most Ravens’ defensive linemen, but Hutchinson is undoubtedly a talented player who could fill a role early in his career.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 31
The New Orleans Saints are another team that is difficult to pick for, as their positions of need are few and far between. That being said, their linebacker depth is shaky and if the right opportunity presents itself, addressing the position would certainly make sense. Here, the Saints address their off-ball linebacker need with the addition of Nick Bolton out of Missouri.
Bolton always plays the game hard, consistently flying around the field making plays for his team. He is an extremely physical football player who will come up and lay the wood on a consistent basis. Bolton fills rushing lanes well, has impressive block-shed ability and tackles well in space.
He is not the most explosive athlete at the linebacker position, but Bolton certainly has plenty of speed to hold his own. He is a strong short zone coverage linebacker who also makes an impact as a pass rusher in the blitz game.
When it comes down to it, Bolton is a rock-solid football player who would fill one of the few holes on this Saints’ roster. Pairing him with Demario Davis in the middle of the field give New Orleans a dynamic duo at the linebacker position worth getting excited about.
2021 NFL Draft: Round 1, Pick 32
Can the Kansas City Chiefs repeat as Super Bowl Champions? Well, at least in this make-believe scenario they do. Patrick Mahomes leads a well-oiled machine for the Chiefs on the offensive side of the ball and their defense has undoubtedly improved in a big way over the last year or so. This is an extremely talented team that is ready to make another run and simply sitting back and taking the best player available would make sense here.
Jaylen Twyman stands out as an exciting 2021 NFL Draft prospect in this range because of his ability to put pressure on the quarterback from the interior. Twyman is an explosive athlete who flies off of the ball with ease and consistently gets great upfield burst in the pass rush. He is strong, athletic and wins with a variety of pass-rush moves on the inside.
Twyman is a high motor athlete who will work hard on every play and he does a nice job of keeping his pad low and winning with leverage. His run defense needs some work, but Twyman is the kind of guy who you can stick in a three-technique and let him work as a one-gap penetrator immediately. Pairing him with Chris Jones would be incredibly dangerous for opposing offensive lines.
While his role may be fairly limited with Kansas City as a rookie, this team could undoubtedly find situations for him to come in and make an impact. Twyman is an extremely gifted interior defensive lineman whose long-term upside stands out in a big way in this range.