Another week of playoff football has come to a close, bringing four new teams to a solidified 2021 NFL Draft order. Los Angeles’ number one defense couldn’t keep up with the Packers. Lamar Jackson and the Ravens fell short in Buffalo.
The Browns came close to upsetting the Chiefs after a Patrick Mahomes exit, and the Bucs avenged their two regular season losses to the Saints. The Ravens, Browns, and Saints will be taking their spots in the first round order, but the Rams won’t have theirs thanks to the Jalen Ramsey trade.
Four more teams now shift to the offseason and the 2021 NFL Draft. That means it’s time for a fresh mock draft, featuring a couple of wacky trade-ups for quarterbacks and a plethora of offensive linemen coming off the board in the first round. Off we go!
2021 NFL Draft: 1st overall
The Jacksonville Jaguars lost 15 straight games after a surprising win over the Indianapolis Colts to start their season. Thanks to the Jets winning a couple down the stretch, they were able to secure the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars fired Doug Marrone and brought in Urban Meyer to be their new head coach. Meyer will bring a different atmosphere as head coach, and (of course hasn’t committed to who he will take with the first pick.
The obvious choice is still Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence had another strong season as a junior, throwing 24 touchdowns and just five interceptions, despite missing a couple of games due to COVID.
As the cream of the crop in the quarterback class, Lawrence has all the arm talent in the world to work with. His ability to fit the football into tight windows and make plays out of structure is second to none, and he stays calm amongst the chaos in the pocket. He isn’t perfect and needs work with his deep accuracy, but Lawrence has an incredibly high ceiling.
2021 NFL Draft: 2nd overall
A shocking trade starts things off with this mock, as the Jets stick with Sam Darnold in this scenario, moving back with the San Francisco 49ers. Even with Jimmy Garoppolo in the building, he might not be enough to put the Niners over the top. He carries a high cap number, and management hasn’t been transparent regarding his future with the team.
This is a move that could get San Fran back to the Super Bowl after a rough 2020 season. They have the pieces in place on their defensive line and the ultimate schemer on offense in Kyle Shanahan.
Justin Fields becomes the guy to run the show. Fields continues to be a polarizing prospect in draft circles, but there’s a chance he’s QB1 in a few other drafts. His toughness and competitiveness are the first few things that stand out about his game. Fields’ ability to come back from a major hit and win the College Playoff semifinal was nothing short of spectacular.
Fields has a great arm and throws the prettiest deep ball in the 2021 NFL Draft class. He can push the ball outside the numbers and displays the ability to work through progressions. Fields is also tough as nails as a runner. Once he becomes more comfortable with full-field reads, he will be a force in the NFL.
2021 NFL Draft: 3rd overall
Another trade! This time, it’s the Carolina Panthers moving up to the third overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft to the Miami Dolphins’ spot. Of course, this is all for yet another quarterback here early in the mock.
Despite the poor record, head coach Matt Rhule had the Panthers competitive for much of the season. The defense looked strong for how young they are and Joe Brady’s offense invigorated the team. While Teddy Bridgewater has played well, he isn’t the difference-maker this team needs to reach the postseason.
Zach Wilson has shot up boards significantly since the summer, and he’s done so with excellent tools. Wilson has a rocket arm and a fluid motion, and he can push the football outside the numbers and is accurate deep down the field. He can make plays off-platform and off-script and is an impressive runner. Wilson has the look of Kyler Murray “lite”.
While the tools are there, he has issues that need cleaning up. Wilson leaves clean pockets at times and his processing speed drops when pressure comes his way. He’s going to need to sit and learn, but his upside warrants the pick this early, and it’s a risk that could pay off for Carolina.
2021 NFL Draft: 4th overall
It was a rough season for the Atlanta Falcons, finishing near the bottom of the NFC and firing head coach Dan Quinn, along with general manager Thomas Dimitroff. The reset in the offseason will be interesting with former Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith set to be the new coach.
It’s hard to imagine this team moving on from Matt Ryan when he and the offense wasn’t really the issue. This team clearly hasn’t moved on from their Super Bowl collapse, blowing a few leads late in games again in 2020.
They need a steady hand and help on defense, one that allowed chunk play after chunk play during the regular season.
While Penei Sewell doesn’t help out their defense, he’s clearly the pick here at number four overall.
Despite sitting out all of 2020, Sewell is still the top offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft. His technique is top-notch and he demonstrates great movement skills when pulling and getting out in space.
Sewell’s balance and strength, especially his hand usage at first contact make him the ideal fit for left tackle in the NFL, and he could come in right away and protect Ryan. No prospect is perfect, but he’s pretty close.
2021 NFL Draft: 5th overall
The Cincinnati Bengals’ luck was looking up after landing Joe Burrow last April but little changed because of issues on the offensive line. Second-year head coach Zac Taylor had the offense improving every week until they lost Burrow for the season. Picking up a late win over the Steelers may have honestly saved Taylor’s job. Now, things need to turn around in a hurry.
They miss out on Sewell but select a former teammate of Burrow’s to boost the passing game even more. Ja’Marr Chase was another 2021 NFL Draft prospect to skip the season, and it shouldn’t hurt his stock one bit.
Chase brings the traits to be an “X” receiver at the next level. He’s extremely physical at the line of scrimmage and can make quick work of defenders trying to press him. He does good work after the catch, showing good short-area burst and the strength to run through tacklers.
His best trait is the work he can do at the catch point. Chase can win jump balls with ease and use his frame to box out defenders and stack them vertically. Burrow loves players like this, and the familiarity makes the fit even better.
2021 NFL Draft: 6th overall
What a wild season for the Philadelphia Eagles. The division favorite coming into the 2020 season, Philly melted down in the face of injuries, poor quarterback play, and a struggling secondary. Even worse, head coach Doug Pederson purposefully pulled Jalen Hurts in order to lose week 17 to Washington, losing him the locker room, and ultimately, his job.
Now, with minimal cap space and quarterback questions, the offseason could be a flurry of moves, including moving Carson Wentz. The secondary should be their main concern entering the offseason and 2021 NFL Draft.
Here, they select Alabama corner Patrick Surtain Jr. Surtain would finally give the Eagles a lockdown, number one corner in a division that features multiple top tier wideouts. The first thing that stands out with Surtain is his size and frame, which give him the ability to press at the line and be competitive at the catch point.
Surtain’s patience to stay in phase rather than flinch early in the receiver’s stem makes him so impressive. That patience, combined with his recognition skills, makes him a contender for the top corner in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Eagles finally start the repairing process on the back end and it’s a good start to it.
2021 NFL Draft: 7th overall
The Detroit Lions, like much of the teams in front of them here, experienced a lot of issues and turmoil in the 2020 season. They too fired their head coach, Matt Patricia, and general manager, Bob Quinn. The reason? Failure in recent drafts to bring in enough talent on the roster. Now, in a reset, there will be questions.
Is the roster barren enough to engage in a clean wipe? Matt Stafford is still a very good quarterback at 32 years old, but acquiring more 2021 NFL Draft capital could be the direction they take.
We will save that speculation for the coming months, but for now, this team needs a difference-maker on the defensive side of the ball. Jeffery Okudah should make a jump in year two, so they look to the second level for this pick.
Both Jarrad Davis and Jahlani Tavai didn’t pan out, but the hope here is that Micah Parsons will. Parsons is an all-world athlete and puts that on display when the film comes on. His range and explosiveness pop immediately, and he’s physical as a downhill presence.
There’s evidence that Parsons can be used as a rusher on the edge to get after the quarterback or drop quickly into coverage. However he’s deployed, the upside is tremendous.
2021 NFL Draft: 8th overall
The Miami Dolphins pick up a couple of extra second-round picks after the trade back with Carolina, and it should benefit what has been a very quick rebuild so far. Miami went 10-6 in their second season under head coach Brian Flores, narrowly missing out on a playoff spot. With two picks in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, they have the ammo to address what they want.
The biggest question mark right now is the weapons surrounding potential franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. The wide receiver room was thought to be a strength heading into the season, but Miami lacks a true game breaker and separator at the position. That all changes with the selection of Jaylen Waddle.
Waddle brings the element of speed and explosiveness that Miami doesn’t have. He can win over the top with this speed, stacking defensive backs, and he has natural explosiveness once the ball is in his hands. There’s a good chance he runs the fastest of anyone in the 2021 NFL Draft class. Waddle also high points the ball well.
The element of familiarity strikes again here, as Waddle and Tagovailoa were teammates at Alabama. That will be huge for Tagovailoa’s second year in the league.
2021 NFL Draft: 9th overall
The Denver Broncos were a popular playoff sleeper heading into 2020 and just didn’t end up delivering. The offense was inconsistent under second-year quarterback Drew Lock, and injuries and COVID weren’t kind to them, as they played a game without the entire quarterback room.
Next year will be a big one for Lock, as that will determine if his replacement is on the way.
As for the defense, they need to get younger at the cornerback position. Head coach Vic Fangio has a type when it comes to corners, so you can bet he will be doing his share of scouting throughout the 2021 NFL Draft process.
Virginia Tech corner Caleb Farley is the pick here for the Broncos, and he will have something to say about who’s CB1 in the 2021 NFL Draft. Like others, Farley opted out in 2020, so scouts have to go back to the tape in 2019.
They will like what they see. Farley excels in both man and zone coverage, and is physical at the line, and closes well when in off-man coverage. He stays in the receiver’s hip pocket vertically and has good timing at the catch point. Denver gets a good one here.
2021 NFL Draft: 10th overall
With a new head coach in Mike McCarthy and another stud receiver in CeeDee Lamb in the building, things looked promising for the Dallas Cowboys. Then, disaster struck as quarterback Dak Prescott had a gruesome ankle injury that cost him the season. Andy Dalton kept Dallas in the hunt, but they fell short of winning the division.
If the 2021 NFL Draft falls like this, I fully expect the Dallas Cowboys to trade back with someone looking to move up for a quarterback or “their guy” in the first. No trade partner was found, so they stick here and take corner Jaycee Horn.
Horn is the final corner in contention for tops in the 2021 NFL Draft, and it’s easy to see why. He’s got the confidence and competitiveness for the position and is a great processor despite tighter hips in coverage. Horn closes quickly when lined up deeper and is satisfactory with his lateral quickness.
Where he separates himself is his ability to dominate receivers down the field. He times pass breakups well and sticks like glue to his assignments in coverage. The Cowboys need help desperately on defense at all levels, and Horn helps them get started on rebuilding the secondary.
2021 NFL Draft: 11th overall
The New York Giants were in division contention until the final week of the season but ultimately didn’t get the help they needed from the Eagles in the final game of the year. Joe Judge did a solid job with the team, especially down the stretch. Instead, the focus shifts to the offseason and building around quarterback Daniel Jones.
They played their way out of an interesting discussion for taking a quarterback, so they’ll look elsewhere here.
The defensive line is a strength of this team, with Leonard Williams, Dexter Lawrence, and Dalvin Tomlinson disrupting from the interior, but they don’t have a presence on the edge to get after the quarterback.
Michigan’s Kwity Paye could be their answer. Paye had one of the better seasons for 2021 NFL Draft eligible defensive ends. It didn’t show up in the stat sheet as much, but Paye displayed very good hand usage, a good first step, and good bend around the arc.
He will test very well at the combine (if there is one), and this could vault him up boards come draft time. Paye is a bit of a projection with the traits, but the payoff could be good for an already dominant defensive line.
2021 NFL Draft: 12th overall
The New York Jets lost out on the number one pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, but there’s a chance, with new head coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas, that this team ultimately sticks with quarterback Sam Darnold. He’s only 23 and could have his best football ahead of him.
Here, they traded back with the Niners, acquiring a first-round pick and more second-round selections in the process. This should set them up well to build around Darnold.
The pick is obvious at this point in the 2021 NFL Draft. Besides Denzel Mims, there isn’t much receiver talent returning for 2021. DeVonta Smith would bring a fantastic skill set to help Darnold out.
Smith can play on the boundary or in the slot and has displayed excellent ability to gain initial separation with a quick-release game. He has a well-developed route tree and excellent hands. Smith can win vertically down the field with long strides and has shown this year to be difficult to handle after the catch.
His frame and size could bring about questions, but he’s been productive beyond belief and has the traits to be a successful receiver. He’d be an outlier, but he shouldn’t be doubted.
2021 NFL Draft: 13th overall
The Los Angeles Chargers have likely found their franchise quarterback in Justin Herbert, which takes the sting out of another rough season under Anthony Lynn. Lynn is now out as head coach, and with Brandon Staley coming to take the job, hopefully, they add an OC to unleash Herbert in 2021.
The question mark for this team has been, for a long time, the offensive line. It’s been patchwork for a long time, and the Chargers haven’t hit on their draft selections at the position. Los Angeles brought in Bryan Bulaga this past year which has helped a little, but finding someone long-term at left tackle is huge.
It’s probably getting ho-hum bringing up another player who opted out, but Rashawn Slater is still getting a ton of attention. His game against Chase Young in 2019 was as well as anyone who played against Young in college. It sounds like NFL teams are high on him.
Slater is as rock-solid as anyone, with strong lateral quickness and exemplary footwork. He has strong hands and is quick out of his stance. His pass sets are impressive and he can frame rushers well. Length may be a concern for some teams, but he will be just fine at left tackle.
2021 NFL Draft: 14th overall
The Minnesota Vikings hadn’t had a rough season under head coach Mike Zimmer, but after an offseason of needing to clear cap, things were rough. They were extremely young at corner and lacked a lot of help on the defensive line. Minnesota traded for Yannick Ngakoue and traded him away weeks later.
Danielle Hunter went on IR, and the offense was the only thing keeping them afloat. Dalvin Cook had a monster season on the ground, and Justin Jefferson played like a Pro Bowler.
Now, the team may look elsewhere at the quarterback position. Trey Lance is available here, but they may feel comfortable with Kirk Cousins and look elsewhere in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Fixing the defensive line would certainly go a long way. Alabama star Christian Barmore had a slow start to 2020, but finished very well, dominating in both of the playoff games for the Crimson Tide. He’s a dangerous rusher from the zero and one technique and has the lower body strength to get off of blockers and get into the backfield.
Getting Hunter back and having Barmore in the middle of that line will be instrumental in getting Zimmer’s defense back to where it’s been the past few years.
2021 NFL Draft: 15th overall
It’s hard to believe that the New England Patriots have such a barren roster and that they have cap issues, but here we are. This Patriots team didn’t play well enough with Cam Newton at the helm of the offense, and they limped along in 2020. Quarterback is up there on the list of needs, as are some weapons on the offense.
N’Keal Harry has struggled in his first two seasons, and the Patriots have been missing a dominant presence at tight end since Rob Gronkowski.
Lance is intriguing here for the Pats, but again, Bill Belichick might decide he wants to roll with a veteran quarterback in 2021.
Instead, getting that veteran a dominant receiving threat like Kyle Pitts is very intriguing. Pitts absolutely dominated the college football world in 2020 and cruised toward a potential top 15 selection in the 2021 NFL Draft. It comes to fruition here.
Pitts is every bit the matchup nightmare he’s made out to be. He’s more of a glider than a true route runner, but he will win over the middle of the field with his athleticism. Pitts has a strong pair of mitts and displays excellent body control.
He’s more dynamic than expected after the catch and actually holds up pretty well as a blocker with his length and balance. He’d be welcomed in New England.
2021 NFL Draft: 16th overall
The Arizona Cardinals made some strides in their second season with Kliff Kingsbury and Kyler Murray as a head coach/quarterback duo, staying in contention until the final week of the season. The offense made great strides after trading for DeAndre Hopkins, and the running back duo of Kenyan Drake and Chase Edmonds gave them another dimension.
The ultimate undoing of this team was the lack of star power in the trenches. Losing Chandler Jones during the year hurt them in a big way. They need other players on the defensive line to generate pressure.
Miami’s Gregory Rousseau is the pick here at 16. Rousseau is another prospect who could be polarizing throughout the 2021 NFL Draft process. Rousseau might remind analysts and fans of Rashan Gary coming out, with all the traits but is more of a projection.
He has the length and athleticism to win on the edge, but most of Rousseau’s production came from winning on the interior against less agile linemen. Rousseau mainly produced on the edge as a run defender, using that length to stack and shed tackles to make plays in the backfield.
It’s going to take some time for him to become a technical pass rusher, but teams will take a shot on that projection, and Arizona does here.
2021 NFL Draft: 17th overall
It was an interesting first season in Las Vegas, as the Raiders stayed competitive for much of the season and were eliminated in week 16 by a miracle throw from Ryan Fitzpatrick. The rebuild hasn’t been as quick as many Raiders fans hoped, but the team is steadily rising.
Their quarterback play was good enough this season between Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota, but it was the inconsistencies on defense that cost them.
Maxx Crosby has regressed a bit since his rookie campaign, and Clelin Ferrell just hasn’t found it. Finding more juice on the edge would be beneficial for this team, and they select Georgia defensive end Azeez Ojulari.
Ojulari has slowly been rising up the ranks throughout the season and could be EDGE1 in the 2021 NFL Draft. His ability to get out of his stance, get upfield with a quick first step, and bend around the edge might be second to none in the draft class. While many might believe he’s just an outside linebacker, Ojulari has his hand in the dirt plenty, meaning his fit in Las Vegas won’t be an issue.
To keep up with the young gunslingers, you need to get pressure on them. Adding Ojulari gives the Raiders someone who can do that on a consistent basis.
2021 NFL Draft: 18th overall
The Dolphins are back up here in the first round, and it’s tough to peg what they’re going to do. The offensive line makes a ton of sense here, but it’s hard to imagine that they’d consider a tackle after taking Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt in the top two rounds in 2020. It’s also potentially too early for an interior lineman here, as the class looks deep.
Here, the Dolphins go running back and select Najee Harris. While Salvon Ahmed, Matt Breida, and Myles Gaskin contributed well during the year, they don’t have a bell cow to be the feature in an offense. Harris can be that guy.
Harris played his way into the potential “RB1” in the 2021 NFL Draft, rushing for 1,466 yards and 26 touchdowns for the Crimson Tide. He was difficult to bring down all season long, often making the first man miss or getting through first contact.
Harris has extremely good contact balance, vision, and lateral quickness to process what’s in front of him and make quick cuts to find the open lane. He’s also great as a receiving back, showing off good hands and an affinity for high pointing the football in the red zone.
Once again, familiarity reigns here, and getting Tagovailoa another familiar weapon in Miami will help his development.
2021 NFL Draft: 19th overall
This might be a dream scenario for the Washington Football Team. The quarterback position in Washington has been rough for several seasons now. The Dwayne Haskins experiment didn’t work at all, and his conduct got him cut in just his second season with the team. Alex Smith, despite the amazing story to get back on the field, doesn’t have it anymore.
While Taylor Heinicke was fun to watch for a couple of weeks, he won’t be the difference-maker.
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance might be. There are certainly lingering questions about Lance’s game, and since he only played in one game in 2020, that game will be put under the microscope. He looked a bit off in that game with two turnovers, including his first college interception.
The talent is there though. Lance has a fantastic arm capable of unleashing the football deep. He displayed great touch on intermediate and deep throws back in 2019 and flourished in the play-action game. He’s a tough runner as well and has the versatility for any offense.
If Washington gives him a chance to sit and learn for a season, there’s a chance that Lance is the long term solution, and he’s well worth the choice at this point in round one in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL Draft: 20th overall
It was a fairly wild year for the Chicago Bears. They started out their season 5-1, then proceeded to lost five straight, but found their footing late in the year to secure the seven seed in the NFC. Led by their defense and an improving running back in David Montgomery, the Bears did enough to save the jobs of general manager Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy.
The key for them to stay beyond next year is nail things in free agency and the 2021 NFL Draft. Here, they are just out of range for one of the top four quarterbacks, meaning they’ll likely wait until day two of the 2021 NFL Draft to potentially address that need.
Instead, they look to the tackle position, where Charles Leno Jr. and Germain Ifedi aren’t the answer.
Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw might just be their long term answer here in round one. Darrisaw, at six foot five and 311 pounds, has the frame for the position. He also has incredible length to keep rushers off of his frame.
For his size, Darrisaw is an excellent mover in space and rarely gives up ground in pass protection. Plug him in to left tackle and help out whoever is under center in 2021.
2021 NFL Draft: 21st overall
The Indianapolis Colts, like the Chicago Bears, could very well be interested in moving up for a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. Philip Rivers is likely hanging it up, and Jacoby Brissett clearly isn’t the long term answer. General manager Chris Ballard may also want to see what he has in Jacob Eason before committing a lot of draft capital to get a quarterback.
The bigger issue, especially if they miss out on the top four at quarterback, would be left tackle. Anthony Castonzo is officially retiring after 10 seasons with the Colts, and that leaves a gaping hole on the offensive line.
Of course, it’s possible Indy moves Quenton Nelson over there for the long term and go from there, but let’s assume that doesn’t happen in this mock.
Instead, the Colts select Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi. At six foot seven, Cosmi has the profile for a left tackle in today’s NFL. For some reason, Cosmi is lost in the shuffle of the tackles in the 2021 NFL Draft, and he might have the best tools of any not named Sewell.
Cosmi has quick feet and is very athletic in space and working to the second level. His reps in pass protection were suspect in 2019, but 2020 looked much better for him, and he’s gotten to be more of a knee bender rather than a waist bender. Cosmi would come in and play right away for Indy.
2021 NFL Draft: 22nd overall
The Tennessee Titans once again fell short of the ultimate goal in 2020, and didn’t make it to the AFC Championship this game. Instead, they were bounced by the red hot Baltimore Ravens and Lamar Jackson.
Derrick Henry didn’t get anything going, and the defense, which has struggled all year, finally broke down and allowed big plays. Now, the Titans will look to patch up a defense that looked way better in 2019.
It starts up front, where the defensive line struggled to get home when rushing just four. Harold Landry is still a promising player, but tackles with strong initial strikes give him trouble. Jeffery Simmons will likely be the future of that defense, but getting another for that line in the 2021 NFL Draft would be important.
Enter Miami edge rusher Jaelan Phillips, who brings more tools to the table than your grandpa’s shed. Phillips has a deadly inside move, and he shows the athleticism to win on the outside track as well as corner to seven and dip under contact around the arc.
He’s getting better with his hand usage and has the makings of a Pro Bowler in the NFL. Pair him with Landry on the outside and watch two athletes get after opposing quarterbacks.
2021 NFL Draft: 23rd overall
The New York Jets are back up on the clock after selecting DeVonta Smith with their first first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The trade back with the 49ers will give them extra capital down the line, and they can continue to build around Darnold. Here at 23, there are a plethora of options. Edge rusher is clearly a need, as is cornerback.
However, there aren’t many players worth considering at those spots for the Jets right now on the board.
Instead, let’s shore something else up. The offensive line got a big boost from Mekhi Becton in year one, and he looks like the left tackle of the future for New York. The question now is will the Jets build on that in the 2021 NFL Draft. Here, they do.
The Jets select Alabama tackle Alex Leatherwood here. Leatherwood has played tackle the last two seasons for Bama, but many scouts and analysts believe he’s better suited to play guard.
After his 2020 campaign, it’s hard to argue he couldn’t play tackle. He’s rock-solid in the run game and in pass protection and shows good balance and enough quickness against edge rushers. If the Jets aren’t comfortable with him at right tackle, he could always slide in at left guard.
2021 NFL Draft: 24th overall
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ dream season ended with a crashing thud. After starting 11-0, Pittsburgh lost five of its last six games, culminating in a 48-37 loss to the rival Cleveland Browns in the playoffs, where Ben Roethlisberger threw four interceptions.
There’s a small chance that Roethlisberger retires, meaning quarterback rises up the ranks of need for the Steelers in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, he looks on track to return. Their other needs in the 2021 NFL Draft include running back, offensive line, and corner.
While boosting the run game and beefing up the protection make sense, here, the Steelers look to upgrade the secondary.
Eric Stokes from Georgia is the pick here at 24. Taking a corner in the first round may give Steelers fans a flashback to Artie Burns, but Stokes isn’t the same type of player.
Stokes fits right in with the toughness that is the Pittsburgh defense, as he’s feisty at the line of scrimmage and at the catch point. He’s super comfortable in zone coverage, which Pittsburgh likes to deploy.
Stokes struggles a bit with transitional quickness, but the fit will help mask that weakness. In a division with plenty of tough receivers, Stokes will be a welcome addition to the defense.
2021 NFL Draft: 25th overall
The Jacksonville Jaguars are back up once again, and in their full rebuild, no position is safe from an upgrade in the 2021 NFL Draft. In this mock, they’ve already selected their quarterback of the future in Lawrence.
Offensive line could be in play with this pick, as Cam Robinson has struggled at tackle and could use a permanent position switch to guard. Wide receiver looks pretty set with D.J. Chark and Laviska Shenault. Running back could also be in play, but it feels like a reach here, especially with much more 2021 NFL Draft capital on day two and three.
Instead, the Jaguars look to get another weapon for Lawrence, this time at the tight end position. Tyler Eifert had a bit of a resurgence in Jacksonville, but getting a game-breaker who can affect multiple phases of the game would be excellent.
Pat Freiermuth hasn’t been discussed much in draft circles recently, probably because of a down season for Penn State, but there’s a reason he was talked about being the potential top tight end in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Freiermuth can line up inline, at flex, and be split out wide. He can win matchups across the board as a receiving threat, showing great ability through contact and in a contested spot. He’s a tough blocker at the point of attack and could help out the run game as well in Jacksonville. Pairing him with Lawrence would be a ton of fun.
2021 NFL Draft: 26th overall
The Cleveland Browns had a fantastic year in 2020, playing to the level many thought they would back in 2019. New head coach Kevin Stefanski got the offense on the right track, feeding Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt all season long, and giving quarterback Baker Mayfield what he could handle as a young signal-caller.
Cleveland finished 11-5, earning a playoff spot, and reached the divisional round, where they contended with the Chiefs to the bitter end.
The offense should be potent again in 2021, and picking up a receiver on day two or three of the 2021 NFL Draft would make sense. But in round one, the need that stands out most is corner. Outside of Denzel Ward, this team lacks another player who can be successful in coverage. There are just too many holes on the back end of the defense to ignore.
A name for fans to remember now is Ifeatu Melifonwu. At six foot three and 213 pounds, Melifonwu is the definition of a tall, long boundary corner. Melifonwu will likely turn heads at the combine like his brother. On the field, he’s an effective corner in man coverage and short zones.
He has a knack for being difficult to handle at the catch point, registering 19 pass breakups in his career. He’s one to watch for round one in the 2021 NFL Draft and is a good fit for Cleveland.
2021 NFL Draft: 27th overall
The Baltimore Ravens, one year after being the one seed in the AFC, needed a major rally in November and December to reach the postseason. They rattled off five straight wins to end the year and kept the momentum rolling with a win over the Titans in the Wild Card round.
Alas, the season would end in Buffalo, as they struggled to find any footing on offense, and Lamar Jackson left the game in the fourth quarter with a concussion.
This offense, while dangerous, lacks a consistent receiving threat. Miles Boykin hasn’t become that, and Marqise Brown can’t do it on his own. Jackson needs someone he can trust on the perimeter as he continues to grow as a passer.
The good news is that the 2021 NFL Draft contains plenty of first-round talents, including Minnesota receiver Rashod Bateman. Bateman ended up playing in the 2020 season for the Golden Gophers, catching 36 passes for 472 yards and two touchdowns.
On film, Bateman displays great technical skills as a route runner, creating separation at the top of his routes. He’s mastered the slant and in-breaking routes, something that will help Jackson. Bateman can also win down the field and make the Ravens a more explosive passing offense, something needed in 2021.
2021 NFL Draft: 28th overall
The last of the divisional round exits, the New Orleans Saints are in for an offseason like one they haven’t seen before. After a four-turnover performance in a loss to the Buccaneers, it looks like quarterback Drew Brees will hang it up.
He is one of the greatest to ever play the position, and it will be difficult to replace him. Odds are, the Saints don’t address that position early in the 2021 NFL Draft, as they may roll with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill in 2021.
In what otherwise looks like a complete roster, the Saints will need to make some veteran cuts to get under the cap, as they are a staggering number of millions over right now. As far as pinpointing a need now, linebacker looked like the most pressing in their loss. Alex Anzalone struggled to get off blocks and struggled in coverage.
A player like Tulsa’s Zaven Collins could instantly boost the New Orleans defense. Collins has had a meteoric rise so far, and he may get a bigger boost in the 2021 NFL Draft process. In 2020, the six-foot-four, 260-pound Collins had 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, and four picks, including two touchdowns.
He was all over the field for Tulsa, showing off his insane range and speed. His testing numbers will be off the charts, and he could be a cornerstone for the Saints for a long time.
2021 NFL Draft: 29th overall
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still standing thanks to an impressive showing by their defense, who hadn’t had one that good in several weeks. Devin White’s return sparked the defense, and they created short fields for the offense to cash in. The team looks complete and could make a return to the Super Bowl on their home field no less.
If we look ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft, a couple of needs look pressing. Donovan Smith looks to be on his last leg, so tackle is in play. The defensive line and secondary could use some help as well, and a dynamic running back isn’t out of the picture either.
Here, the Bucs go with a pass rusher in Texas’ Joseph Ossai. Ossai has had a couple of impressive seasons down in Austin, registering 29 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in his last two seasons. His athleticism and ability to turn the corner on the edge is impressive, and while he’s still a little raw with his hand usage and counters, the sky is the limit for him.
It may be a luxury pick, but when your roster is good, you can afford it. It’s also impossible to have too many pass rushers.
2021 NFL Draft: 30th overall
What a season it’s been for the Buffalo Bills, as they are headed to their first AFC Championship game since the 1990s. They made quick work of the Ravens in the third quarter on Saturday, with a Stefon Diggs score and a Taron Johnson 101 yard pick-six. Bottling up Jackson is no easy task, and they sure made it look so.
Josh Allen has looked like an MVP candidate all season long, and really took a leap this season with the addition of Diggs and play calling of Brian Daboll. This Bills team looks here to stay and contend in the AFC for a long time.
Bills fans aren’t thinking about the 2021 NFL Draft right now, but it’s not too early to look at needs for them. The roster is pretty complete across the board, but the two most glaring needs would likely be tackle and corner. The talent at corner left on the board doesn’t scream first-rounder, so tackle is the direction here.
Jalen Mayfield is a very intriguing prospect at tackle. Mayfield is a superb athlete and has a bunch of tools. He’s comfortable in space, whether it be climbing to get to linebackers or working on the perimeter. Mayfield also has quick feet in pass protection. He needs work with his hands, and that comes with development at the next level.
2021 NFL Draft: 31st overall
The Green Bay Packers have been so much fun under head coach Matt LaFleur, reaching their second straight NFC title game, this time at home in the confines of Lambeau Field. Aaron Rodgers is enjoying an MVP season, and Davante Adams looks like the best receiver in football.
The running game has been effective, and they looked on point against the Rams, even without David Bakhtiari. The defense has continued to get better down the stretch as well.
Packers fans are still upset about the draft last year and hope the 2021 NFL Draft will bring a new receiver for the offense into town. It’s likely that will happen on day two or three in the 2021 NFL Draft, as Green Bay doesn’t put a premium on that position early.
Instead, the Packers opt for another versatile offensive lineman. Corey Linsley might not return, and that could force their best lineman, Elgton Jenkins, into playing center. In comes USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker to help things out.
Vera-Tucker played guard for the Trojans until this season, where he made the move to left tackle. He didn’t miss much of a beat out there, looking as ferocious a finisher as ever and well-equipped to handle any type of edge rusher. His versatility would be a fun addition for the Packers.
2021 NFL Draft: 32nd overall
Last, but certainly not least, in this 2021 NFL Draft mock is the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs narrowly escaped with a 22-17 win over the Browns after losing Patrick Mahomes to a concussion in the second. Hopefully, he will be back next week for their showdown with the Bills in the AFC Championship.
This team is primed for a repeat and should be the favorites to do so. Their offense is still as lethal as ever, and Mahomes is still playing elite football. Their defense looks good up front, and they’re getting a good year from rookie L’Jarius Sneed to help out that secondary.
One thing that has bothered the Chiefs this season is when teams can create pressure from the interior, collapsing the pocket and forcing Mahomes to escape, throwing off the rhythm of the offense. Finding some help there would be huge.
He has an ACL tear, which won’t give him great remarks in the health portion of scouting, but Alabama’s Landon Dickerson would be perfect to help out the Chiefs woes on the interior. He was the leader on that Crimson Tide offense and is the toughest player out there. He’s strong at the point of attack and can reset the line.
He could help get the Chiefs running game back on track in 2021 and better protect Mahomes.