2021 NFL Draft: Quarterbacks fall and a major run on tackle in mock draft

A physically dominant run-blocker with the potential to slide inside to guard in the NFL, Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins is a six-foot-six, 320-pound punisher who effectively applies his size and strength to defenders once locked into their shoulder pads. Short-strided in pass-protection, Jenkins relies on strong punches off of the snap to put a pass-rusher off of their initial trajectory in an effort to slow them enough to reign them into his reach.

One of the lead contributors in Chuba Hubbard’s rushing efforts, Jenkins could offer a transition in the intentions of Buffalo’s offense, taking weight off of the shoulder of quarterback Josh Allen in exchange for further focus on the two-headed rushing tandem of Devin Singletary and Zack Moss.

Also showing the ability to operate as a conventional mauling guard, Jenkins is a low-risk selection with clear value that could be expanded upon if he is able to develop as a well-rounded tackle prospect during his rookie campaign.

The third offensive tackle to be selected at the back-end of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Kansas City Chiefs address the elephant in the room following their exposing at the hands of the Bowles-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers defense. With tackle Mitchell Schwartz an unknown for the future of the organization Eric Fisher only under contract for one more year, Kansas City needs to protect the center of their franchise.

Having faced a plethora of college pass-rushers to be selected in previous draft classes, Michigan’s Jalen Mayfield is a capable run-blocker who showed his best work in pass-protection. Able to compete with the speed of bendy 3-4 edges, Mayfield doesn’t overextend himself with misguided punches and stabs but waits for the defender to engage him.

With a Chiefs offense whose ground attack focuses on offering a counter-attack to their dynamic aerial attack, Mayfield can successfully pin-down edge defenders and show his best work as a pass-protector in space against the threats of the AFC West.

With the final selection of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers find a versatile running mate to running back Ronald Jones. After pairing Jones with Fournette this past season, Tampa Bay looks to find a prospect who can offer a more ‘James White’-like presence to the offense in conjunction with quarterback Tom Brady.

Having been a successful scat-back for the top quarterback of the 2021 NFL Draft, Clemson’s Travis Etienne saw a steady increase in receiving production throughout his collegiate career, capping his senior season with four catches per contest and 588 yards. Also averaging 5.4 yards per carry mostly out of shotgun-zone handoffs, Etienne could be the perfect third-down complement to the Buccaneers group of backs.