2021 NFL Draft: Post-Wildcard round first-round NFL mock draft

After seeing Penei Sewell go off the board at number three overall, Cincinnati shifts their focus to the defensive side of the ball in their efforts to support Joe Burrow. Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons is the most impressive defensive prospect of the 2021 NFL Draft as well as one of the best athletes.

Although he may seem oversized at 6-foot-3, 245 pounds, Parsons is able to run with matchups in coverage and uses his weight well as both a run-defender and pass-rusher. Such an athlete is uncommon to come across among linebacking prospects, and Parsons manages to pair that with instinctive play. Cincinnati needs a centerpiece to their defense if they are to become competitive under Burrow, and Parsons is the 2021 NFL Draft’s answer.

Even after opting out of the 2020 college football season, Ja’Marr Chase has remained WR1 despite legitimate challenges from Alabama Heisman-winner Devonta Smith. The element within Chase’s game that has kept him atop draft boards has been his downfield production combining athleticism with instinctive positioning and ball skills.

The Philadelphia Eagles have lacked an intimidating number one wideout after numerous draft busts, but Ja’Marr Chase is a can’t-miss athletic prospect who can translate to almost any offensive system. After being the go-to guy for number one overall selection Joe Burrow, Chase could become something similar for projected 2021 starter Jalen Hurts. The Philadelphia Eagles have had the issue of a true leading receiver for years, and Chase could finally be the solution.

The Detroit Lions will be losing the vast majority of their starting receivers in the 2021 NFL offseason, meaning their top draft selection will likely be spent on one of the premier wideouts atop a deep receiver class. Matthew Stafford looks to be on the way out of Detroit with the recent lack of progression within the franchise, but pairing him with a dynamic rookie could entice a return.

Devonta Smith has done an incredible job challenging the absent Ja’Marr Chase for his place at the summit of the 2021 NFL Draft wide receiver class but has only come up short due to a single measurable which draws concern from many NFL front offices and pundits alike.

Whilst Chase was the downfield threat at LSU, Smith has shown to be productive from any alignment with his sharp route-running and lightning quickness. The very source of this quickness is also his biggest weakness, standing as a measly 175 pounds. This size draws questions to his durability despite an empty injury-history, as well as his run-blocking contribution if aligned in the slot.

Although the future of the Carolina Panther’s quarterback position is murky, the two years remaining on Teddy Bridgewater’s $63 million contract dictates that other areas of the roster need to be strengthened first. After investing solely into the defensive side of the ball in last year’s draft, the 2021 NFL Draft offers Matt Rhule the opportunity to introduce a player who embodies the team slogan “Keep Pounding.”

Wyatt Davis is a force of nature within the offensive line and is capable of single-handedly blowing open running lanes in both power and zone blocking schemes. Such physically dominant interior linemen rarely come along, and such a chance needs to be capitalized upon. Although in need of coaching for his pass-protection, Davis will be an immediate aide to franchise-halfback Christian McCaffrey.