NFL Mock Draft 2021: 2 rounds post-free agency first wave
The first big wave of the 2021 NFL Free Agency signing period is in the books, meaning 2021 NFL mock drafts are going to be needing some freshening up.
Despite the fact that every NFL team is dealing with a decrease in the overall salary cap, big moves have been made across the league and some teams (looking at you, Patriots) are spending like this year’s free agent crop is an “everything must go, store closing” sale.
Free agency should never replace the NFL Draft, and it won’t for the good teams, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid free agency altogether if you have cap space to improve your team.
With every team making some kind of interesting move in the early goings of NFL Free Agency, let’s take a look at a 2021 NFL Mock Draft scenario with all of those moves considered.
2021 NFL mock draft: 1st pick
Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. QB. Trevor Lawrence. player. Clemson. 1. 52
Jacksonville Jaguars key additions so far:
- CB Shaquill Griffin
- S Rayshawn Jenkins
- WR Marvin Jones
- DL Malcom Brown
- DL Roy Robertson-Harris
- DL Tyson Alualu
- DL Jihad Ward
- DB/WR Jamal Agnew
- RB Carlos Hyde
The Jacksonville Jaguars have been quite busy in year one of the Trent Baalke/Urban Meyer era.
With an obvious emphasis on improving the defense through outside free agent acquisitions, the Jaguars are clearly poised to bring in Trevor Lawrence to hopefully expedite their rebuilding process.
Meyer and company were on hand to watch Lawrence’s pro day at Clemson, and up to this point, there’s no indication that anyone else will be their selection.
Jacksonville made an underrated signing, getting veteran receiver Marvin Jones away from the Detroit Lions. Jones is a tremendous all-around receiver who could be a significant weapon if the team is going to be primarily in 11 personnel offensively.
The Jags also need to add a tight end (check back later in the mock draft for that) but things are taking shape for 2021 on both sides of the ball.
In particular, Jacksonville’s secondary with newly signed Shaquill Griffin and 2020 first-round pick CJ Henderson along with safety Rayshawn Jenkins (Chargers) and Sidney Jones is taking interesting shape. There’s plenty of talent on the back end there.
It’s a work in progress for Jacksonville, but there are important pieces being put into place to surround the most important piece, Lawrence.