2021 NFL Draft: Chicago Bears trade up for QB in two-round mock draft

As we get later into the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, we start to find more and more teams with well-rounded rosters. Teams that don’t have many glaring needs that they absolutely have to address, opening up their options with their selection.

Here, a talented Tampa roster opts to add arguably the best player remaining on the board in Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw. Many people have Darrisaw being selected in the top 10 or even the top 5 in the 2021 NFL Draft, so this really is a steal for a team that still needs to protect Tom Brady at all costs.

Darrisaw is a mountain of a man who is a complete mauler in the run game. He uses his powerful grip and lower body to engage and manipulate defenders, opening up holes for his running back. While not the greatest mover, Darrisaw has a mean streak when getting to the next level.

While run blocking really seemed to be his strength, Darrisaw can hold his own in pass protection as well. His pass sets are fairly sound but will need to improve a bit technically against some of the elite pass rushers if he wants to stay in front and keep them at bay.

Virginia Tech was a run-heavy, creative blocking offense so I rarely saw Darrisaw in true one-on-one, prototypical pass-rush situations. He was great at recognizing and absorbing smaller blitzers off the edge but seemed to struggle at times against more powerful bull rushes.

Darrisaw has the size, strength, and potential to be a great blocker in the NFL. I think he could play on either side and even bump in to guard if need be. After nailing the Tristan Wirfs pick on the right side a year ago, could the Bucs go back to back and land their left tackle of the future in the 2021 NFL Draft?

He may need to be coached up a bit and could benefit from a year behind Donovan Smith, but Darrisaw could make an impact right away if need be and should develop into a very reliable player in the near future for whoever is playing quarterback.