The 2021 NFL Draft could see several teams trying to move up in the first round to get their quarterback of the future. In this 2021 NFL mock draft, we see two teams make big moves up in the draft to hopefully accomplish this goal. Later in the draft, we see Tampa Bay making a surprise pick and the Pittsburgh Steelers taking their next great running back.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 1st overall
Every credible NFL mock draft out there has Jacksonville taking a quarterback at the top spot for a reason, and that reason is Trevor Lawrence is by far the best player in the draft. He has all the skills needed in a franchise quarterback including arm strength, football intelligence, accuracy and a desire to be great.
Lawrence would likely be a day one starter for the Jaguars and is the type of prospect they will look to build around. This includes adding several pieces for him in the rest of the 2021 NFL Draft with their ten other picks in this draft.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 2nd overall
What happens with this pick all depends on what the Jets do with Sam Darnold this offseason. However, when you look at all the signs it looks like New York will likely select a quarterback with this pick. These signs include that this will be Darnold’s last year of his rookie contract, as the team is unlikely to pick up his fifth-year option. The team is also breaking in a new coach and the offensive scheme the team will be running doesn’t really fit Darnold’s skillset.
The quarterback who would fit the system offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur will be running is BYU’s, Zach Wilson. The requirements of this system include the mobility to play out of the pocket and overall accuracy. These are two skills that Wilson definitely has which is why he would make so much sense with this pick.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 3rd overall
The first trade in this NFL mock draft happens when the San Francisco 49ers decide to trade up and take one of the top quarterbacks available in the draft. This move makes sense for the 49ers as Jimmy Garoppolo doesn’t look like the quarterback of the future for the team. In terms of making sense for the Miami Dolphins, the team would be wise to trade down as no wide receiver is worth the third pick in the draft and it is way too soon to give up on Tua Tagovailoa.
In Justin Fields, the 49ers get a player who would fit Kyle Shanahan’s system, which is very similar to what the New York Jets who picked just ahead of the 49ers will be running. Fields is a very mobile quarterback who shows nice accuracy when rolling out of the pocket. He has also been a multi-year starter in a Power-Five conference which is not the case with Trey Lance who would be the other quarterback option with this pick.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 4th overall
The fourth quarterback to come off the board with the fourth overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With this selection we see the Atlanta Falcons take Trey Lance. This is a need for the Falcons as Matt Ryan will be 36 next year, and there is no potential replacement for him on the roster.
Trey Lance would make sense here as he has a much higher upside than Mac Jones and because he would get at least one year to sit behind Matt Ryan. As a prospect, Lance has an exciting blend of arm strength, mobility and leadership skills. If given time and not rushed into action he could turn out to be an All-Pro quarterback.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 5th overall
The Bengals’ top priority this offseason is to upgrade its offensive line. This is such a big need as the team gave up 48 sacks last year which was the sixth-most in the NFL. The poor offensive line also led to the season-ending injury of 2020 number one overall pick Joe Burrow. The team could be sitting in a great position to upgrade their offensive line if the top four picks in the 2021 NFL Draft are quarterbacks.
With the fifth selection in the draft, the team could walk away with a true franchise left tackle in Penei Sewell. Despite sitting out the 2020 season Sewell has been one of the most dominant linemen in college football. He brings a rare combination of athletic ability to the NFL and should be a day one starter for Cincinnati.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 6th overall
The Philadelphia Eagles made one of the biggest moves of the offseason so far when they traded Carson Wentz to the Indianapolis Colts. This move likely makes Jalen Hurts their quarterback for the 2021 season, and in order for him to succeed they are going to need to surround him with offensive talent.
Wide receiver is an area the team must upgrade as they already cut DeSean Jackson this offseason and will likely cut Alshon Jeffery. The team has little else at this position as 2020 first-round pick Jalen Reagor only caught 31 passes last season. In LSU’s Ja’Marr Chase the team gets the top wide receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 7th overall
New England makes a big move up the draft board to get their quarterback of the future in Mac Jones. The team will likely consider a move like this as Jones is the only quarterback left on the board who is widely regarded as a first-round pick. The team also desperately needs a quarterback to develop around since it is doubtful Cam Newton will return and the team doesn’t seem to have much faith in Jarrett Stidham.
While Mac Jones may not be the most athletic quarterback in the draft, the Patriots have had great success building around quarterbacks who aren’t overly mobile including Tom Brady and Drew Bledsoe. Also, like these two quarterbacks, Jones has outstanding accuracy and is clutch in critical games. While it would be ridiculous to ask Jones to play at either Brady or Bledsoe’s level he is someone who can start early in his career and be a solid NFL starting quarterback.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 8th overall
If the top five quarterbacks are off the board by the time the Carolina Panthers pick, they will likely look to address one of their other needs in the 2021 NFL Draft. While left tackle may be a more pressing need, tight end is also a position the team will look to fill. After the team moved on from Greg Olsen the position only accounted for 27 receptions for 204 yards and three touchdowns.
Florida’s Kyle Pitts is one of the most dynamic playmakers in this year’s draft class. Last season he accounted for 43 receptions and 12 touchdowns. He could be a key cog in the Panther’s passing game and be a nice security blanket for whoever is the team’s starting quarterback next year.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 9th overall
Cornerback became a pressing need for the Denver Broncos after they cut A.J. Bouye earlier this offseason. The team’s top remaining corner is Bryce Callahan who might best be served as a nickel corner. Due to this need, it would not be a shock if the team signed a premier free agent at this position and also drafted one early in the 2021 NFL Draft
One corner who would be able to start from day one is Alabama’s Patrick Surtain. Last season, Surtain was only targeted 48 times all year yet was still able to break up a team-high 12 passes. If you need more proof that Surtain has the skills just look at what his coach Nick Saban has to say about Surtain: “Does everything the right way. Smart, takes coaching well. I can’t say enough about this guy in every regard. He’s gonna be very successful, no doubt.”
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 10th overall
Dallas will look primarily at two positions with this pick which are cornerback and offensive tackle. However, the better value might be at corner as Caleb Farley is still available. This is a need as the team struggled in coverage some last season. Dallas also might lose two of its top corners in Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis in free agency.
Farley is a prospect who is still learning the finer points of the cornerback position, having only played it for two seasons in college. However, he has already shown the ability to be a high first-round pick. In 2019 he led all ACC corners with four interceptions and he only allowed 38% of the passes thrown at him to be completed. He definitely has the potential to team up with Trevon Diggs and give the Cowboys two young promising corners.
Lowest completion percentage allowed, FBS CBs (min. 35 targets):
— Cam Mellor (@CamMellor) December 9, 2019
1. Corey Straughter, ULM - 28.6%
2. Damarri Mathis, Pitt - 31.9%
3. Christian Braswell, Temple - 34.5%
4. Caleb Farley, Va Tech - 38.0%
5. Anthony J. Taylor, Texas St. - 39.0%
6. Jermaine Waller, Va Tech - 39.2%
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 11th overall
The New York Giants use their first pick in the draft to add one of the best playmakers in the class. Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle is one of the most explosive players in the 2021 NFL Draft class and has been a proven big-play threat averaging over 18 yards per catch during his college career.
Waddle would likely come in as the Giants’ number one receiver since the team has already moved on from Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard has had his struggles. In addition to helping out in the passing game, he could also help out in the return game as he was electric in this area for Alabama, having returned three kicks for touchdowns during his career.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 12th overall
The Miami Dolphins would be thrilled if they could trade down this far and grab DeVonta Smith, who just last month was projected to go to them with the third pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Smith would do wonders for the Miami passing game that finished 20th in passing yards per game, and for Tua Tagovailoa who only averaged 6.3 yards per attempt last season.
As a prospect Smith is one of the most refined wide receivers to come out of college in recent memory. He runs very crisp routes and does an outstanding job of gaining separation. In addition to his route running skills, he has reliable hands. In fact, last season he dropped only 2.9% of the passes thrown his way which is the best of any receiver in the 2021 NFL Draft.
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2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 13th overall
The Chargers must upgrade their offensive line this offseason as they need to do a better job protecting franchise quarterback Justin Herbert. The team needs to improve its run blocking since they only ranked 30th in yards per carry last year with an average of only 3.8 yards per carry. The Chargers also could lose three of its top linemen in free agency as Sam Tevi, Forrest Lamp and Dan Feeney are set to be free agents, as well.
Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater would make sense for the Chargers for a variety of reasons. The first one being that he is a smart technically sound offensive lineman with great production. In 2019, Slater did not give up a single sack and only allowed one pressure on the season. Another reason he makes sense for the Chargers is he has the ability to play either guard or tackle in the NFL, which is important for Los Angeles as the team has multiple holes to fill across its offensive line.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 14th overall
Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer stressed at the end of the 2020 season that one of the team’s goals this offseason was to upgrade the pass rush. This is a tremendous need for the Vikings as they ranked 28th in the NFL last season in sacks per game registering just 1.4 sacks a game. To make matters worse, the team’s leader in sacks last year was Yannick Ngakoue and he was traded to the Baltimore Ravens in the middle of the 2020 season.
A player who knows how to get after the passer is Miami’s Gregory Rousseau. Before sitting out the 2020 season, Rousseau recorded 15.5 sacks in 2019 which placed him second in the nation in that category. As a pass rusher, he shows tremendous quickness off the ball and is one of the best athletes in the 2021 NFL Draft defensive end class. If he continues to develop he should be able to record double-digit sack numbers consistently.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 15th overall
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
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.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 17th overall
The Raiders are another team that needs defensive help as they placed 30th in points per game last season. One of the reasons for such a poor defense was a lack of pass rush which only accounted for 21 sacks on the year. The interior of the defensive line was the weakest area in this department as this unit only recorded 3.5 sacks on the year.
The best pass-rushing and overall interior defensive lineman in the 2021 NFL Draft is Alabama’s Christian Barmore. Last season, Barmore recorded eight sacks on the year which was the second-most in the SEC and the most from an interior defensive lineman. He also has the size and strength to hold up well against the run, which the Raiders also need help in as they ranked 23rd in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game in 2020.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 18th overall
Indianapolis has one glaring hole they need to fill this offseason and that position is offensive tackle. With Washington and Chicago picking just ahead of them and both teams needing an offensive tackle a trade-up would make sense for Indianapolis. Miami could be a willing trade partner as they love to have draft capital and no player is a must-have at this pick.
In Virginia Tech offensive tackle Christian Darrisaw the team gets the third-best offensive tackle in the 2021 NFL Draft. Darrisaw shows the overall athletic ability to play left tackle and should be an early starter for the Colts.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 19th overall
With the top quarterbacks off the board by the time Washington picks, the team has to address one of its other needs. The two positions it will likely consider with this pick are linebacker and offensive tackle. In this mock draft though the team decides to grab an offensive tackle as Brandon Scherff is a free agent who the team might only be able to sign to a one-year deal. Even if Scherff is signed to a long-term deal Washington still would like to upgrade the offensive line.
While Tevan Jenkins might be one of the more overrated prospects in the draft, Washington might like him enough to pull the trigger on him in the first round. The team might be willing to spend such a high pick on Jenkins due to his overall strength and the fact he can play multiple positions of the offensive line.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 20th overall
We see the third straight offensive tackle taken off the board when the Chicago Bears take Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi with the 20th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Neither of the Bears’ current starters Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie are a lock to return and both had their struggles last season.
Texas offensive tackle Samuel Cosmi is a long offensive tackle (6-foot-7) with great feet. These tools should allow Cosmi to play left tackle for the Bears if they decide to move on from Leno. He also has the versatility to play right tackle as he has played that position as well during his college career. One other positive with Cosmi is the team should be very familiar with him as they hired his old college coach Tom Herman as an offensive analyst.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 21st overall
The Miami Dolphins made a surprise move last week when they released linebacker Kyle Van Noy. Even though this move creates significant salary-cap space for the team, it also creates a need at outside linebacker.
Zaven Collins is a player the team would be able to get at the end of the first round to fill this need. Collins is a versatile linebacker who shows outstanding coverage skills, yet can also be used as a pass rusher. He is the type of linebacker head coach Brian Flores loves and would be a great fit in the Dolphins defensive scheme. The team could also consider a running back at this point in the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 22nd overall
To say the Tennessee Titans lacked a pass rush last year is an understatement, as the team tied an NFL record for the lowest sack total from a playoff team with only 19 sacks on the year. Part of the reason the team struggled so much in this area is they whiffed on free agent signings in Vic Beasley and Jadeveon Clowney.
Look for the Titans to try and fill this need in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft where they will likely select a pass rusher. One of the prospects who makes the most sense here is Kwity Paye of Michigan. Paye is an excellent athlete who shows a high upside and if given proper coaching could develop into a very solid NFL defensive end.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 23rd overall
The New York Jets could go in multiple directions with this pick. The team needs to add some protection for Zach Wilson so he is not beat up like Sam Darnold was and actually has a chance of being successful in New York. The team could also add some playmakers at wide receiver. However, the team’s best value and a player who fills a need is Georgia outside linebacker Azeez Ojulari.
Last season, New York finished 26th in scoring defense giving up 28.6 yards per game and a lot of the reason for this lack of success was a lack of pressure on the quarterback. The team really lacked production from their outside linebackers as Tarell Basham led this unit with only 3.5 sacks. In Georgia’s Azeez Ojulari the team gets a dynamic pass rusher who has recorded 11 sacks over the previous two seasons.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 24th overall
While a lot of mock drafts have the Steelers taking an offensive tackle in the first round, with four offensive tackles already off the board the team might not get great value at that position. This could allow the Steelers to try and upgrade the running game by taking the top running back in the 2021 NFL Draft.
In Alabama running back Najee Harris, the team gets an extremely productive running back who can be a complete back for the team. Harris is also the type of running back Pittsburgh has preferred over the years in that he is a big physical runner. He would be a good replacement for James Conner and a significant upgrade over Benny Snell.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 25th overall
Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has stressed how the team wants to add some size to their defensive line and also get some more pass rush from the players they bring in. A player who would fit both of these needs is Miami’s, Jaelan Phillips. Due to this need and the ideal player sitting at this spot, it would make a lot of sense for Buffalo to trade up to take him with the 25th pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Last season, Phillips finished second in the ACC with eight sacks showing a nack to get after the passer. He also held up well against the run finishing with 15.5 tackles for loss. Phillips also has the size Beane wants in a defensive end coming in at 266 pounds.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 26th overall
The main priority in Cleveland this offseason is to upgrade a defense that finished 21st in yard per game. One area the team will look to address in the 2021 NFL Draft is to find someone who can play opposite of Myles Garrett. This is a need as Olivier Vernon ruptured his Achilles tendon in the regular-season finale and is a free agent. The team also does not have anyone else on the roster who could move into the starting lineup.
While Jayson Oweh’s production has been spotty he is the type of player Cleveland usually doesn’t shy away from in that he is an outstanding athlete with a lot of untapped potential. Oweh flies off the ball and will likely test out as one of the most athletic players in the 2021 NFL Draft. It might be hard for him to make an impact next season, but he is the type of prospect who could excel two to three years down the line.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 27th overall
If the Ravens want to prove Lamar Jackson is not just a flash in the pan and is someone who can actually operate a successful NFL offense they better start surrounding him with offensive talent. The team’s only legitimate starting receiver is Marquise Brown and he is more of a big-play threat than someone you can count on down after down. This makes finding a possession receiver a must for this offseason.
One of the players in the 2021 NFL Draft that fits this role is Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman. Bateman runs crisp routes and has some of the best hands in the draft. He has also had outstanding production as he caught 60 passes for 1,219 yards in 2019. The team could also look at tackles at this spot if they move on from Orlando Brown.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 28th overall
A lot of the Saints’ draft needs have yet to be determined as they will depend on what free agents the team lets go of. Due to the uncertainty with how their team will look, the Saints go with Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah with this pick.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a versatile linebacker who can do multiple things for New Orlean’s defense. This includes matching up in coverage which he excelled at while at Notre Dame. He also has proven he is capable of getting to the quarterback as he recorded 10 sacks over the last two seasons.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 29th overall
It is starting to look like starting cornerback Kevin King will leave in free agency this offseason. If he does leave the team lacks much cap space to sign someone to take his spot so they could end up drafting someone in the first round to fill his void.
A prospect that would make sense late in the first round is Georgia cornerback Erick Stokes. Last year, Stokes had four interceptions on the season which was the second-most in the SEC. At 6-foot-1 Stokes has ideal length and also has the speed to develop into a solid NFL corner.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 30th overall
One of the biggest weaknesses on the team last year was Jacksonville’s secondary. The Jaguars finished 26th overall in passing yards per game and one of the weakest members of the secondary was Josh Jones. This would be the ideal spot to replace Jones as the top safety in the 2021 NFL Draft is still on the board.
TCU’s Trevon Moehrig is a ballhawk who shows great range in the secondary. Over the past two season’s Moehrig intercepted six balls and broke up nine passes this year in just ten games. He would fit well as a free safety for Jacksonville as he shows the ability to be an NFL caliber starting free safety.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 31st overall
The Kansas City Chiefs’ top tackles Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher are coming off significant injuries and the interior offensive line has been suspect. Due to these issues look for the Chiefs to take a lineman who can play multiple positions.
While USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker’s best pro position is offensive guard, he did hold up well for the Trojans at left tackle last season. Vera-Tucker is also a good fit for the Chiefs pass-happy offense due to his strong pass blocking skills. In 2020, he only allowed eight pressures the entire season. The team could also look to take an offensive tackle like Liam Eichenberg of Notre Dame with this pick.
2021 NFL mock draft Round 1, 32nd overall
This could be a surprise pick at the end of the first round, as this is not a position of great need for the Buccaneers. However, the team could lose both Chris Godwin and Antonio Brown in free agency. Even if that were to happen though this would still not be the biggest need the team has, but Tampa Bay may think Florida’s Kadarius Toney is just too much of a value pick to pass up.
In Toney, the Buccaneers would be getting one of the more dangerous players after the catch. Last season, Toney averaged 14 yards per reception and in 2019 he averaged an even more impressive 19 yards with a lot of these yards coming after the catch. He could be the ideal slot receiver in Tampa Bay which would make the team’s passing offense even more dangerous.