2021 NFL Draft: Offense leads the way in this 2021 NFL mock draft

As the rich continue to get richer, Miami capitalizes on their haul of draft capital from Houston to bring in their new number one target for Tua Tagovailoa. Ja’Marr Chase was the favorite target of Joe Burrow during their championship run at LSU, and Chase showed all of the tools of a conventional X-receiver.

Chase pairs his natural athletic ability with an immense feel for downfield positioning. Chase has an uncanny ability to present himself to the quarterback and create easy receptions for himself. Alongside the physically imposing Devante Parker, speedy Jakeem Grant, and ever-consistent Mike Gesicki,

After trading for Detroit star-corner Darius Slay, Philadelphia found their man to match up one-on-one against a team’s best receiver. Still, the Eagles secondary lacks the depth to compete with receiving units sporting three viable options.

Caleb Farley is another man-corner who fits the prototype mold at six-foot-two but implements an unconventional amount of physicality into his coverage technique. Farley carries the aggression downfield, which can pay its price via double-moves and jump-ball positioning.

Although New York currently sports three sufficient wideouts and an athletic tight end for Daniel Jones, they are still missing the necessary offensive firepower to elevate themselves as the best offense in the ever-dreadful NFC East.

Devonta Smith has been the lead receiver within the Crimson Tide offense, utilizing polished route-running technique (likely from many reps against cornerback Patrick Surtain II) to create separation downfield. This veteran-like proficiency will make him an immediate contributor within any offense, but especially one which currently houses a young quarterback who needs to continue to develop confidence with easy completions.

The other half of Alabama’s two-headed aerial monster, Jaylen Waddle, is the lateral playmaker who can turn a well-defended screen into a backbreaking chunk gain. None of the Lions’ current top four receivers are contracted for the 2021 season, forcing them to likely spend their top selection on an inexpensive, explosive rookie wideout. Stafford has typically worked with receivers who find their advantage through stature, and such a weapon could be a welcome sight to the veteran seeking postseason success to legitimize an otherwise impressive career.

Yet again, the 2021 NFL Draft sports a cornerback who has been built into the prototypical man-corner. Although Horn stands at six-foot-one, he possesses long arms which reach to and stay on the hips of the receiver to help him in trail-man coverage, and on downfield jump balls, these long arms and consistent hand-usage at the point of attack make a receiver’s life much more difficult. Both corners for the Niners are free agents to be, and Horn can be a secondary player to build a physical man defense from.