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

Received via trade for Jalen Ramsey, the Jacksonville Jaguars can pair a first-round talent with their newly acquired franchise quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. With a suitable stash of weapons surrounding Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville would be wise to upgrade his pass-protection after seeing the gruesome injury sustained by 2020 number one overall selection Joe Burrow.

At only 6-foot-3, Rashawn Slater has been in the discussion as a top tackle prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft behind Sewell. Despite a lack of reach on the edge, Slater has shown his ability to make up for measurable shortcomings with quick feet and hand positioning against some of college football’s premier edge-rushers.

This includes an outstanding performance in 2019 against Ohio State in which Slater was able to stifle future number-two overall selection Chase Young rep after rep. With talks of sliding inside to guard at the NFL level, Slater has the versatility and talent to settle into the Jaguar’s offensive line.

In an unfamiliar draft position for the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns will still be seeking long-term defensive talent to play alongside Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward with their late first-round selection. Besides a legitimate number two pass-rusher to help take some of the hefty responsibility off of Garrett’s plate, Cleveland’s primary defensive concern has been an underdeveloped linebacking group that has both struggled against the run and mismatch offensive weapons such as divisional rival Mark Andrews.

Despite the lack of name recognition for the program, Tulsa’s Zaven Collins broke out as one of college football’s premier inside linebackers, winning the Chuck Bednarik Award for the best defensive player in the nation.

With both range and instincts from the interior of the defense, Collins is a sure-tackler who perfectly defines the linebacker position. As the cornerstone linebacker for the Browns, Collins can set the tone of the unit with his calculated playstyle for a unit lacking clear talent.

With the impending loss of two key linebackers in Shaquill Barrett and Lavonte David, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have their work cut out for them in replacing such integral talents. Despite all attention being directed to the offensive talents surrounding Tom Brady, the Buccaneers defensive unit has impressed with young secondary pieces.

Possibly one of the most developmental first-round prospects within the 2021 NFL Draft, Texas’s Joseph Ossai provides dual-level athleticism as a hybrid 3-4 linebacker. Ossai possesses typical size for an elite edge at 6-foot-4, 254-pounds. Although underdeveloped in his pass-rush technique, Ossai is still capable of producing with his instinctive play and nose for the football. Ossai has also shown flashes of promise in coverage, able to cover open-field and meet receiving backs at the boundary.

After a highly criticized season for the Baltimore Raven’s passing attack despite the late-season success, the 2021 NFL Draft needs to bring in a weapon that can take the weight off of the shoulders of Marquise Brown and Mark Andrews. Whilst many will be calling for a big-body prospect such as LSU’s Terrace Marshall Jr to fill the void of size on the boundary for the Baltimore offense, there may just be a better fit to capitalize on the explosive sideline-to-sideline offense of the Ravens.

Rondale Moore has faded from the college football landscape in recent seasons due to a combination of injuries and a short-lived 2020 COVID opt-out, but those who remember his 2018 campaign for the Purdue Boilermaker’s will be reminded of his explosive playmaking ability and phone-booth escapability.

At only 5-foot-9, 180-pounds, Moore is one of the smallest wideouts of the 2021 NFL Draft but easily makes up for the lack of size with post-catch production on short crossing routes and screens, as well as deep-threat speed to threaten safeties back to there center-field positioning. Within a Ravens offense that loves speedy playmakers to stretch the defense laterally, Moore could explode onto the NFL scene after his collegiate absence.