2021 NFL Draft: Five quarterbacks go in first round of new mock draft
By Kyle Edmond
Pick 17 – Las Vegas Raiders
Pick Analysis. Michigan. Scouting Report. Kwity Paye. 17. player. 28. EDGE
Every team can almost always use more pass rushers and while the Las Vegas Raiders have an average defensive line, they can still take one early in the draft to improve the unit. Arden Key, Maxx Crosby and Vic Beasley are serviceable, but a player like Kwity Paye can take the unit to the next level.
Paye started the year well, but limited experience held him back from reaching the top of the draft. In four games, Paye tallied four tackles for loss and two sacks. His numbers from last year are bit more indicative of his performance with 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. There’s still a little work to be done before he’s dominant, but the raw talent is there to groom at the NFL level.
Pick 19 – Miami Dolphins
RB. Clemson. Travis Etienne. 59. Pick Analysis. Scouting Report. 19. player
As we said earlier, the Miami Dolphins took the NFL by surprise this season and just missed the playoffs. They were able to add the best defensive player in the draft with the third pick, being from the Houston Texans, but with their own pick, they can address the offense now in this mock draft.
The growing pains of any quarterback are changed based on the weapons around him and Tua Tagovailoa has found comfort in Mike Gesicki. However, beyond Gesicki there just hasn’t been much chemistry between Tua and others. To alleviate some of the growing pains, the Dolphins need to add a better rushing game and they can do that here.
Travis Etienne has been one of the best running backs in college football for a few years now and has had impressive chemistry with Trevor Lawrence. Taking him here, the Dolphins hope the same can develop with Tagovailoa while also providing a much-needed boost to their rushing attack.