2021 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl first-round NFL mock draft

With the end of the Roethlisberger-era inbound and franchise left tackle Alejandro Villanueva likely to find a new home in free agency, the Pittsburgh Steelers need to find a long-term solution at the tackle position to not only remain competitive but also serve as a long-term stalwart. In a 2021 NFL draft class sporting a suitable stock of first-round offensive tackles though, Pittsburgh can still find their guy without having to trade up.

Having shown all of the conventional qualities. of a starting NFL offensive tackle, Virginia Tech’s Christian Darrisaw has been a consistent presence for the Hokies offensive line. Displaying both the size to dominate at the point of attack and the fluidity to move in space and get to the second level, Darrisaw has the tools to replace and potentially exceed the value of Villanueva on a much more affordable rookie contract.

As an insurance policy to protect franchise-messiah Trevor Lawrence, the Jacksonville Jaguars find a high-value selection at the back of the first round of the 2021 NFL draft with a physically gifted offensive tackle who can immediately compete in pass-protection. At six-foot-seven, Texas tackle Samuel Cosmi is possibly the most physically-dominant lineman of the class behind Sewell.

Cosmi has been discussed as the best pass-blocker of the 2021 NFL draft with his long reach, but still needs to implement more natural strength into his blocking to compete with powerful 4-3 defensive ends. Also having shown a poor tendency to lean out over his toes and leave himself vulnerable to counter-moves, Cosmi will need to grow fast throughout training camp in order to secure the day one job, but can certainly compete.

After a season that saw a return to success for the Cleveland Browns on the shoulders of their offense led by Baker Mayfield, the next set of needs to elevate this roster circulate around a struggling defense in desperate need of depth across the board. The most pressing of these issues though was the lack of a complimentary pass-rusher across from Myles Garrett.

With plenty of edge talent spread throughout the latter portion of the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, the Cleveland Browns bring in Georgia’s predominant playmaker on the defensive side of the ball. With 9.5 sacks and four forced fumbles in a 10 game season for the Bulldogs, Azeez Ojulari always seemed to be in the right place at the right time with his high-motor and aggressive head-down pass-rush style.