2021 NFL mock draft: 49ers and Patriots trade up for quarterbacks
By John Blair
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 15th overall
Penn State. 15. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. Micah Parsons. player. 50. OLB
If new Lions coach Dan Campbell is going to be successful in Detroit, he is going to need to upgrade the team’s defense. Last season, the Lions set a franchise record for most points and yards allowed in a season. The team also gave up 6.3 yards per play last season which was the worst in the NFL.
A player who could help this defense immensely is Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. Parsons is an amazing athlete who can help out in coverage and also get after the pass as he recorded five sacks in 2019. While Parsons has the natural tools to be the top defender in the 2021 NFL Draft his lack of great instinct and off-the-field concerns is why he could slip this far in the draft.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 16th overall
32. CB. South Carolina. Jaycee Horn. 16. player. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
The Arizona Cardinals filled one of their bigger needs this offseason last week with the signing of defensive end J.J. Watt. This likely means the Cardinals will focus on the secondary when it comes to their first-round pick. The secondary is a need as the team could lose both of its corners Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick in free agency.
A bigger physical corner who has a similar playing style to Patrick Peterson is South Carolina’s, Jaycee Horn. Despite only playing half the season Horn had an outstanding season in 2020 as he only allowed receivers to catch eight balls against him in six games. He is also still developing as a prospect so his upside is high as well, especially if he is used as a press corner.