2021 NFL Draft: Panthers trade up, QBs go early in 2021 NFL mock draft
Pick Analysis. Defensive Tackle. Alabama. player. Scouting Report. Christian Barmore. 17. 60
After a trade back, the Minnesota Vikings are sitting well with an extra third-round selection in their back pocket. This Minnesota team took a hit last season after a slew of cuts last March, and now it’s time to rebuild the vaunted Mike Zimmer defense. It starts up front.
The defensive line class is weaker in the 2021 NFL Draft, but there are some big-time talents at the top. Christian Barmore is the best of the bunch, and he’s the pick at 17. Barmore can be a force in the middle of the defense like Linval Joseph, eating up space and getting after the quarterback from the nose/1 technique.
59. Scouting Report. Edge. Miami. Gregory Rousseau. player. Pick Analysis. 18
The Miami Dolphins are back up, and after getting a playmaking threat in Waddle, turn their attention to the defense, a unit that excelled under Brian Flores in 2020. They added bargain free agents on the edge with good length to play tough against the run and collapse the pocket as pass rushers, and that philosophy spills over to the 2021 NFL Draft.
Gregory Rousseau fits the bill for Flores in that way. He’s got excellent length and athleticism to rush the passer and play on all three downs. He needs to work on his rush technique, but he can develop behind a deep group on the defensive line.