2021 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl first-round NFL mock draft
By Ian Higgins
Pick Analysis. IOL. Wyatt Davis. 27. 26. Scouting Report. Ohio State. player
A rushing offense paired with a poor offensive line is not a situation that breeds offensive success, as shown in the Baltimore Ravens 2020 campaign. Having lost All-Pro guard Marshall Yanda, Baltimore has been unable to impose their will against opposing defensive fronts as they had during Lamar Jackson’s MVP season. Thankfully for Baltimore, the 2021 NFL draft has a physically-dominant interior lineman placed directly within their draft range.
Having been the anchor of the Buckeye’s rushing attack in their run to the national championship, guard Wyatt Davis has been a people-mover on the inside who can match against even the most imposing of defensive linemen. At six-foot-four, 315-pounds, Davis moves downhill quickly and translates this force well into the block with well-placed hands and raw aggression.
Still needing work on his pass-protection to reign in that same aggression, Davis could be a solution to the lack of physicality within the Ravens offensive front.
Tulsa. player. 15. Scouting Report. LB. College Stats. Zaven Collins. 28
Despite having seen linebackers Parsons and Koramoah go off the board before him, Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins may be the most well-rounded conventional inside linebacker of the 2021 NFL draft. With 54 tackles (7.5 for loss), 4.0 sacks, and four interceptions through eight games, Collins won both the Bednarik and Nagurski awards for best defensive player in the nation.
Lacking any sort of star power in the heart of their defense, the New Orleans Saints would be more than welcome to bring in an inside linebacker to their defense with such a chock-full resume. Although Alex Anzalone was serviceable for the Saints defense with 41 tackles, Collins would be an immediate upgrade who can offer multi-dimensional production.
Rondale Moore. player. 49. College Stats. Purdue. 29. Scouting Report. WR
After a loss of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC championship, there is a distinct missing element to the Green Bay Packer’s passing attack. Between starting receivers Adams, Lazard, and Valdes-Scantling, there is a complete lack of playmaking within the group. Davante Adams may very well be the best route-runner currently in the NFL, but both Lazard and Scantling are long-limbed downfield threats who struggle to make plays short of the sticks.
Purdue’s Rondale Moore may be the solution to the void in personnel though bringing a dimension of isolation-playmaking not seen at Lambeau in a home uniform since Randall Cobb. With his speed and phone-booth elusiveness, Moore will take the pressure off of Aaron Rodgers downfield-dramatics and create yardage from behind the line of scrimmage.
Questions still surround Moore regarding his injury history and durability in the NFL, but at the 29th selection in the 2021 NFL draft, Moore is worth the risk considering the potential value he provides to the receiving unit.