2021 NFL Draft: Post-Super Bowl first-round NFL mock draft
By Ian Higgins
In a move to ensure they get one of the fastest-rising prospects of the 2021 NFL, the Indianapolis Colts trade their second-round selection for a sixth-round pick in order to move up six spots in the first round. With numerous teams ahead of them in the draft order who could realistically steal their guy out from under them, Indianapolis makes sure they score with their first-round selection of the 2021 NFL draft, even if it means losing out on a potentially valuable defensive addition in the second round.
15. player. College Stats. QB. Alabama. 46. Scouting Report. Mac Jones
After a relatively successful campaign under veteran-rental Philip Rivers, the Indianapolis Colts proved that they have the roster to compete in the AFC on the shoulders of their defense. Now entering the 2021 NFL draft, Indianapolis needs to find their quarterback of the future by trading up in the first round.
Following a long absence of quarterbacks after the initial fight for the top four, Alabama standout Mac Jones falls into the lap of Indianapolis as one of the most day-one ready prospects of the 2021 NFL draft. Demonstrating immense knowledge and control of the offense under the pressure of the national championship game, Jones is a savvy player who can quickly adapt to the NFL and the Colts offense as a starter.
CB. South Carolina. Jaycee Horn. 32. Scouting Report. College Stats. player. 16
With current franchise cornerback Patrick Peterson remaining an unknown for the future, it is time for the Arizona Cardinals to acquire a potential replacement for the former All-Pro. Possessing the best length within the position group in the 2021 NFL draft, South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn is another athletic press-man corner who can blanket a wide receiver throughout the course of a game and remove them from the offensive gameplan.
Horn is still raw around the edges, getting grabby with his long-reaching hands which help him to feel the route of the receiver through their hips. Given time to develop and learn under Peterson though, Horn is a potential shutdown corner that will haunt the likes of D.K. Metcalf and Robert Woods in an offense-driven NFC West.
17. College Stats. EDGE. Miami. Gregory Rousseau. player. 28. Scouting Report
With defensive end Maxx Crosby thus far outplaying number four overall selection Clelin Ferrell (17.0 to 6.5 sacks through two seasons), the Las Vegas Raiders need to consider bringing in additional edge-rushing talent to supplement the lack of production. Having fallen outside of the top-fifteen due to concerns of his ‘tweener’ label, Miami’s athletic freak-of-nature could be the subsequent solution for Jon Gruden.
At six-foot-seven, 265-pounds, Gregory Rousseau possesses rare length of a defensive end, likely capable of outreaching the majority of tackles he will be lining up against in the NFL. The mark against him though has been the lack of mass on his frame, making him appear as an undersized nose tackle. Such notions need to be thrown to the wind, as Rousseau has the athleticism to operate as a 4-3 defensive end in the NFL.
Still needing work on his pass-rushing technique in one-on-one scenarios, Rousseau will bring day one value with his run-defense, setting the edge and wrangling ballcarriers with his long-reaching wingspan.