2021 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl first-round NFL mock draft
By Ian Higgins
EDGE. Texas. 30. player. Scouting Report. College Stats. 16. Joseph Ossai
Following a franchise-turning season that saw the Buffalo Bills dethrone the New England Patriots and challenge the Kansas City Chiefs for the top of the AFC, the Buffalo front office needs to capitalize on their momentum and add win-now pieces to their roster in the 2021 NFL draft. Currently, with two aging edge-rushers, Buffalo could look to improve on their 15th-ranked sack total from the 2020 season (38).
Still finding his place in the position, Joseph Ossai is a high-ceiling edge-hybrid out of Texas who has experimented from off-ball to three-point stance in his time with the Longhorns. Having settled in as a 3-4 edge, Ossai uses his raw athletic ability to chase down the ball and create plus-plays for the defense.
Although Ossai doesn’t fit into the conventional mold of a 4-3 defensive end for Buffalo’s defensive front, at six-foot-four, 254-pounds, he is more than capable of holding the edge with the right coaching.
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Alabama. Alex Leatherwood. 124. OT. 31. player
After being exposed throughout Super Bowl 55 by base four-man pressure packages and heavy coverage, the shortcomings of an injury-marred Kansas City Chiefs offensive line made themselves apparent and made their need in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft clearly apparent. If Kansas City is to return to form, they need to bring in pass-protection that can afford Mahomes the time to wait for their deep-breaking passing plays to develop.
Thankfully, the deep offensive tackle class of the 2021 NFL draft comes to the rescue again with an aptly-sized Alabama product. Utilizing his skills as the blindside-protector to Mac Jones in their run to the national championship, Alex Leatherwood is a six-foot-six offensive tackle with ample size and a bonafide SEC resume. Powerful when he gets his hands into the defender, Leatherwood still needs to work on quickening his feet against bendy 3-4 edges.
48. Scouting Report. Daviyon Nixon. 32. DT. Iowa. player. College Stats
Following their second super bowl in franchise history on the back of a dominant performance out of their defensive line, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will need to supplement incoming free-agent losses to continue their success. Potentially losing both Ndamokung Suh and Shaquill Barrett this offseason, Tampa Bay will be hard-pressed to directly replace the raw talent being lost.
An instinctive three-technique defensive tackle out of Iowa, Daviyon Nixon is one of few interior linemen in the 2021 NFL draft who could become an impactful interior pass-rusher in their rookie campaign. Explosive off of the snap with quality instincts, Nixon managed 5.5 sacks in five games this past season. With the tools to replace Suh, Nixon could create a young, nightmarish pairing for NFC South quarterbacks with Vita Vea.