2021 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl first-round NFL mock draft
By Ian Higgins
LB. Penn State. Micah Parsons. 45. College Stats. 9. player. Scouting Report
After expending the vast majority of their draft capital on offensive firepower to surround Drew Lock in last year’s draft, the 2021 NFL draft signals a return to the core of the Denver Bronco’s former glory. With franchise pass-rusher Von Miller nearing the end of his tenure and being subsequently replaced by Bradley Chubb, Denver has a significant void complimenting him at off-ball linebacker.
Potentially one of the most physically gifted inside linebacker in recent memory, Penn State product Micah Parsons weighs in at 245-pounds and is still expected to run in the 4.4’s during his combine workout. Capable of matching mismatch tight ends, Parsons will also be a centerpiece in the Broncos run-defense as a punishing gap-shooter.
College Stats. CB. Alabama. 10. 123. Scouting Report. Patrick Surtain II. player
Following a defensive implosion during the 2020 season, the Dallas Cowboys need to turn their focus to the defensive side of the ball for the entirety of the 2021 NFL draft. Having lost Byron Jones to the Miami Dolphins via free agency last offseason, Dallas needs to supplement their need for a true number one cornerback with their first-round selection.
The more technically polished of the top-two cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL draft, Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II fits the bill for a number one press-man corner who can shadow an opposing team’s wideout throughout the course of a game, week after week. Using his length effectively to make plays on the ball whilst trailing the receiver, Surtain is a potential day one solution to NFC East wide receivers such as Terry McLaurin and fellow rookie Ja’Marr Chase.
Florida. 11. 31. College Stats. TE. Kyle Pitts. player. Scouting Report
For an offense needing legitimate weapons to surround franchise quarterback Daniel Jones, the New York Giants opt for Florida’s weapon-of-mass-production rather than Alabama’s NBA-esque iso-playmaker despite already possessing a dynamic tight end on their roster.
Entering the final year of his contract, Evan Engram managed to recover his former volume-production from his rookie campaign with 63 receptions and 654 yards but has still lacked the red zone scoring production to earn himself a hefty second-contract. Having improved his run-blocking though, Engram can be a key offensive cog at the right price.
In a game that continues to move away from positional labels, both Engram and Pitts blend the border between receiver and tight end. Able to split out as an X-receiver whilst also sealing the edge in the run game as an in-line tight end, having both of these multi-tool weapons on the field will give defenses nightmares regarding not only their receiving ability but also the personnel mismatch on any given snap based on alignment.