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

As evidenced by the surprise selections laced throughout 2019 and 2020, the Raiders 2021 NFL Draft class under Jon Gruden could go any number of ways. After spending hefty amounts of not only cap space but trade assets on their linebacking corps, the Raiders defense failed to live up to expectations behind Corey Littleton, Nick Kwiatowski, and Raekwon McMillan. Looking to cut down salary entering the 2021 offseason, the Raiders find themselves looking for a new, young defensive centerpiece.

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defense has incorporated a new label to the outside linebacker position which has become the newest wave throughout the NFL. Dubbed the ‘rover,’ this linebacker operates inside the box as a sideline-to-sideline tackler that chases down the play from the backside and can keep pace with receivers who would typically be classified as mismatches against conventional linebackers. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramaoh has perfectly encapsulated this position at Notre Dame and looks to carry his play to the NFL.

After passing on WR1 Ja’Marr Chase at the number three overall selection, the Miami Dolphins still have a serious need for receiving threats on the outside to help Tagovailoa. Devante Parker has come into his own as a big-body deep-threat, and Jakeem Grant brings the needed dimension of speed and isolation-playmaking. The element missing from this unit though is a route-runner with well-rounded athleticism to offer week-to-week consistency.

Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman was unable to break his way into the top-tier of wide receivers in the 2021 NFL Draft class but has all of the measurables and skills to evolve into a league-leading receiver. At six-foot-two, 206 pounds, Bateman has an NFL ready body containing a surprising amount of explosiveness for his size. At Minnesota, Bateman not only operated as a high-volume safety-blanket on crucial conversions but was also capable of turning short gains upfield for chunk plays.

The Washington Football Team has gone through their own internal struggles to find their man under center, like many of their division rivals, and cut loose their most recent franchise signal-caller in favor of the people’s quarterback. Emergency quarterback Taylor Heinicke impressed with veteran-like discipline in a 300-yard passing effort against the Buccaneers in their wildcard defeat, but a deep 2021 NFL Draft quarterback class boasts bright options for long-term success.

Enter Trey Lance, the biggest unknown of the 2021 NFL Draft quarterback class. After only a single season of FCS play in 2019, Lance posted an incredulous stat-line of 28 touchdowns to zero interceptions, as well as 1,100 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Combine this with his athletic measurables, Lance is a premier prospect that could replicate similar success to Cam Newton during his days under Rivera in Carolina.

Although the Chicago Bears managed to scrape together a playoff birth, their issues entering the offseason are plentiful, as shown in a convincing loss to the New Orleans Saints. Between the quandary that is Mitchell Trubisky and a departing Allen Robinson, Chicago figures to weaken an already struggling offense unless immediate reinforcements are brought to the fray.

After a short absence prior to the college football playoffs in which Justin Fields struggled with two interceptions against Northwestern, Chris Olave showed just how valuable he is to the Ohio State offense with six catches for 132 yards and two scores. Olave has been the refined route-runner of the Buckeye’s offense and shown not only a sound route-tree but also instinctive positioning to present himself to his quarterback. A reliable target, Olave can provide security for a sputtering Bears offense.