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

As the era of Drew Brees comes to a close in New Orleans, with or without his absence next season, consistent offensive weapons will need to be brought in to complement the future quarterback of the New Orleans Saints (likely Taysom Hill). Currently, in the Saints’ tight ends group, aging veteran Jared Cook looks to hit the open market, and former draft selection Adam Trautman seeks an increased role in the passing offense.

Behind clear-cut TE1 Kyle Pitts, the gap in talent is apparent and noticeable on tape. Penn State’s Pat Freiermuth though still brings first-round value to the tight end position with his balanced style of play and size (6-foot-5, 260-pounds).

This trademark mismatch size will make him a day one receiving threat against conventional linebackers, and paired with Trautman would make an imposing run-blocking presence on the edge. Although his run-blocking is imperfect, Freiermuth has a high ceiling in this facet and could become a personal bodyguard to Alvin Kamara.

Despite an impressive season protecting quarterback Josh Allen, the Buffalo Bills’ offensive line is not only aging but expensive in the wake of new salary cap restrictions. Buffalo is one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, and in an effort to save money could expend their first-round selection on an athletic offensive lineman who can step into the place of a previously costly tackle or guard. The 2021 NFL Draft also sports one of the deepest rosters of first-round offensive line talent in recent memory, meaning there is no better time to invest in the unit with a late selection.

One of the few offensive line prospects who can rival the athletic prowess of Sewell, Trey Smith has been a consistent physical presence for the Vol’s offense in the running game. At 6-foot-5, Smith has NFL size and length with long-reaching arms which reign in pass-rushers but will need to continue to develop his footwork to better sync with his hands and opposing pass-rushers.

Smith also possesses the athleticism and skill set to slide inside to guard and become a pure mauler in the run game from day one, making him a potential immediate asset to the Buffalo offensive line.

The Green Bay Packers are entering a crucial offseason in which two of their interior offensive linemen, as well as running backs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams, hit the open market. With little cap space to go around the league and Jones figuring to demand a hefty paycheck, Green Bay needs to find affordable alternatives for their inevitable free agency losses.

Creed Humphrey has led one of the best offensive lines in college football for the past three years, quickly assuming the starting center role as a redshirt freshman. Humphrey is not only a capable blocker at 6-foot-5, 320-pounds but also an intelligent presence in the center of the offense. In preparation for the end of Aaron Rodgers’ career, Humphrey would continue to be a consistent presence within his unit adjusting protections and identifying pressure.

Although the projected super bowl champions may have little in the way of weakness throughout their roster, efficiently spending their late first-round selection on defensive talent in the 2021 NFL Draft could very well continue to supplement their dominance. Having been unable to fully recover the form of their championship defense thus far, the Kansas City Chiefs could add to a currently uninspiring linebacking group.

Bringing needed athleticism to the Chiefs front-seven, Dylan Moses is a gap-shooting inside linebacker standing at six-foot-three, 240-pounds. According to an article posted March 14, 2017, by Andrew Holleran, as a freshman Moses ran a 4.46 forty-yard dash at a similar 235-pounds. This would place him among the elite athletes at the linebacker position from day one. Moses will need to work on limiting his down-to-down aggression and pursuit angles, but otherwise is a prime athlete to develop over the course of his rookie campaign.