In less than one week, 2021 NFL mock draft season will be over. Won’t you all miss it? The 2021 NFL Draft is merely days away, and rumors are swirling all over the place. The drama is about to unfold, and we only get a few more cracks at predicting what it will look like.
Although you’ve probably got a better chance of filling out a perfect bracket for the NCAA basketball tournament than you do getting even half of an NFL mock draft correct, we’re here for the volatility of it all.
Big things are going to go down in this year’s NFL Draft, which frankly is one of the hardest to predict in recent memory.
History could be made in the form of four quarterbacks coming off the board in the first four selections, and five in the top 10 overall. There might not be a defensive player off the board within the first nine picks.
This year’s wide receiver crop could be even better than last year’s impressive group.
At this point, there’s not going to be much drama with the top two picks, which everybody knows to be Trevor Lawrence and Zach Wilson. The word is out. The San Francisco 49ers moved up into the third overall spot presumably to take a quarterback and they’ve spent the month of April trying to figure out which guy that will be.
Even after the 49ers’ blockbuster trade and the moving around by the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles, there are bound to be even more teams making bold moves to go and get players that can fill immediate needs and make an instant impact.
There could potentially be big-name veteran players on the move via trade like Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz.
All of the twists, turns, and surprises will be explored in this three-round NFL mock draft scenario.
2021 NFL mock draft: 1st pick
Jaguars GM/HC: Trent Baalke/Urban Meyer (1st year together)
The duo of Trent Baalke and Urban Meyer, along with pretty much everyone else on the Jacksonville Jaguars’ staff, enter their first NFL Draft together with quite possibly the easiest decision for a new regime since Andrew Luck came out of Stanford in 2012.
Trevor Lawrence’s game has been put under the microscope and picked apart just like everyone else, but frankly, it’s hard to find a lot of negatives with this guy.
Lawrence may not be quite what Andrew Luck was coming out of Stanford, but he’s been a projected top overall pick since he was in high school. It’s plenty impressive that, in three years at Clemson, nothing he did deterred anyone from that thought.
Lawrence is plenty athletic. He has a much more wiry frame than Andrew Luck or other quarterbacks coming out at nearly 6-foot-6, only 215 pounds, and with less than 32-inch arms.
Built like a Manning with plenty of athleticism and speed, Lawrence’s ceiling is certainly as a top 3 quarterback in the NFL, and that’s why the Jaguars are taking him first overall in this NFL mock draft scenario and undoubtedly in the real 2021 NFL Draft.
The Jaguars finally have a chance to build around a guy at the quarterback position with a very high floor and a chance to be elite sooner rather than later.
2021 NFL mock draft: 2nd pick
Jets GM/HC: Joe Douglas/Robert Saleh
After trading Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers, it’ll be a new era of New York Jets football again in 2021.
Rookie head coach Robert Saleh and general manager George Douglas have done a good job of resetting this roster and getting Saleh some good talent to work with on the defensive side of the ball with their massive stockpile of draft selections this year and next.
After the additions made in free agency — notably guys like Carl Lawson, Corey Davis, Sheldon Rankins, and Lamarcus Joyner — the Jets are poised to make Zach Wilson the second overall selection in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Wilson didn’t exactly come out of “nowhere” in 2020 but he was certainly this year’s biggest riser at the position. A shoulder surgery in 2019 (labrum) and thumb injury that season (which also required surgery) limited Wilson to 16 starts in his first two years at BYU where he was the youngest starting quarterback in school history at the age of 19.
He blew up in 2020 with 43 total touchdowns (33 passing, 10 rushing) and only three interceptions while completing 73.5 percent of his passes for nearly 3,700 yards through the air.
Wilson makes throws that remind you of guys like Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers. You hate to see guys pumped up by hyperbole this time of year, but watching Wilson work is truly a sight to behold.
Although nobody is saying that you’re looking at a surefire league MVP here, that’s what you’re buying into. You’re buying into the tools, the tremendous arm talent, the athleticism, and the big-time potential. It’s a copycat league and everyone wants a guy like Mahomes who can make ridiculous throws to all levels of the field seemingly at will.
Wilson is a rare type of guy who can do the little things well as well as make those highlight-reel plays with regularity.
2021 NFL mock draft: 3rd pick
49ers GM/HC: John Lynch/Kyle Shanahan
For weeks, people in the know have been saying that the San Francisco 49ers’ blockbuster trade to move up from the 12th pick to the 3rd pick was for Mac Jones, or at least that’s what it sounds like.
To rattle off a few of them:
- Chris Simms of NBC Sports, who knows Shanahan well
- Adam Schefter of ESPN
- Ian Rapoport of NFL Network
- Peter Schrager of NFL Network
- Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Network
Do we need to rattle off some more?
Many 49ers fans seem to be in denial about this even though the heaviest of heavy hitters in the media are reporting it. Ultimately, nothing is set in stone until the team turns in a card on draft night, but all of the smoke is leading to the Mac Jones fire for the 49ers.
But why?
For one, Jones was one of the most accurate passers in all of college football the past couple of seasons. He was tremendous under pressure this past season. Despite the fact that he isn’t as athletic as the other top quarterbacks in this class, he’s no hack out there.
The 49ers understandably want to be solidified at this position for the foreseeable future and Jimmy Garoppolo is not the player they envision solidifying it. He’s struggled badly with injuries and at this point, they just can’t count on him staying healthy for a full season.
Jones comes from playing in Steve Sarkisian’s offense at Alabama after Sarkisian had initially replaced Shanahan with the Atlanta Falcons following the 2016 season. The Falcons apparently wanted Sarkisian to run Shanahan’s offense (which had helped Atlanta to an NFC title in 2016) so it’s likely that Sarkisian had concepts in his offense at Alabama with Mac Jones that appeal to the 49ers on tape.
With the 49ers’ group of skill position players excelling after the catch as well as at the catch point and Jones excelling at distributing the ball and making accurate throws downfield, it’s not so crazy to think this could work.
2021 NFL mock draft: 4th pick
Falcons GM/HC: Terry Fontenot/Arthur Smith
The Atlanta Falcons could help make history here by taking a quarterback, which would be the first time in NFL history quarterbacks went 1-2-3-4 to start the NFL Draft.
I think a quarterback here could make a lot of sense for the Falcons. Here’s why:
- New GM/HC almost always means new QB
- Falcons probably don’t envision picking this high again soon
- Reasonable to believe Trey Lance or Justin Fields are their QB2 or QB3
With all of that being said, the Falcons have not shown any signs that they intend on a full-blown rebuild. They pushed a bunch of Matt Ryan’s money into 2022 leaving them with more than $40 million in dead money if they cut him loose.
The Falcons aren’t all that far removed from having a good enough team to make it to the Super Bowl, and at 35 going on 36, Ryan should still have plenty of good football left in him.
Adding a playmaker like Kyle Pitts will allow Arthur Smith to keep up his 12 personnel looks he highly favored when he was with the Tennessee Titans as their offensive coordinator (2nd-most in the league with two-tight end sets).
Pitts has an unparalleled catch radius, tremendous versatility, and most consider him to be the best non-quarterback in this draft class.
Putting him in an offense with Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Hayden Hurst, and Matt Ryan at quarterback? That’s a group that could potentially be one of the best in the NFC in 2021.
2021 NFL mock draft: 5th pick
Bengals GM/HC: Mike Brown/Zac Taylor
Will Joe Burrow be reunited with his college teammate Ja’Marr Chase despite the perception from so many that the Bengals need an offensive tackle?
People keep asking if they should put money down on Chase going at 5.
— Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) April 22, 2021
There are no sure bets when it comes to the draft. Anything can happen. Things get weird. Players fall. Reaches happen. Information ends up being partially incorrect. Life happens. Yes you should.
It sure seems that way, doesn’t it?
Although anything can happen, the buzz around Ja’Marr Chase and the Bengals has only been growing for the past few weeks and even longer than that.
Chase is a special talent who would be coming in to replace Bengals legend AJ Green as well as former first-round pick John Ross III.
Green and Ross are a fascinating microcosm of the volatility of the NFL Draft even at one specific position, but the Bengals have to get Burrow in a position to succeed sooner rather than later.
With former first-round picks Jonah Williams and Riley Reiff penciled in at the tackle positions and a very deep draft for the offensive tackle position in general, the Bengals can afford to make the pick of Chase here because they’re not getting a Ja’Marr Chase in round two.
When you watch this guy in the open field, he reminds somewhat of former Cardinals and Ravens receiver Anquan Boldin. When you watch him at the catch point, it’s hard to believe this guy is not even 6-foot-1.
This guy is as competitive as you will find at the receiver position coming from the college ranks. Every ball is his. He will fit right back in with Burrow and give the Bengals a really fun trio at the receiver position with Chase, Tee Higgins, and Tyler Boyd.
2021 NFL mock draft: 6th pick
Dolphins GM/HC: Chris Grier/Brian Flores
The Miami Dolphins have a very interesting decision before them in this mock draft scenario.
After trading down from the third overall pick, Miami made their bed. They decided when they struck their trade with the San Francisco 49ers that they were okay missing out potentially on Kyle Pitts and Ja’Marr Chase.
By moving back up into the sixth spot, paying a first-round pick in 2022 to do it, the Dolphins indicated there’s someone (or multiple someones) they are not potentially willing to pass on.
The key for Miami is going to be finding ways to best surround Tua Tagovailoa with this top selection. They could go with an offensive lineman here — Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater or Oregon’s Penei Sewell — but it would be difficult for them to pass on the opportunity to draft someone like Waddle who has already got chemistry with Tagovailoa.
Waddle does present some level of risk.
While there are those who feel like his game-breaking play speed could bring the next version of Tyreek Hill to some NFL offense, there have to be some questions about medicals. He fractured his ankle last season but showed incredible toughness by attempting to return for the National Championship.
You can move this player all over your offensive formation and the Dolphins undoubtedly would with DeVante Parker and now Will Fuller in the mix at the outside receiver positions. With that said, Waddle could be a nightmare as a rookie working out of the slot and even returning punts for the Dolphins.
Miami avoids the temptation here to trade out or take an offensive tackle, getting Tua Tagovailoa a special talent at receiver to get the ball to.
TRADE: Lions trade 7th pick to Patriots for 15th pick, 46th pick, 2022 1st-round pick
Patriots GM/HC: Bill Belichick (David Ziegler)
Finishing in third place didn’t sit well with Bill Belichick.
Watching Tom Brady pass the Lombardi Trophy from one boat to another as a member of the New England Patriots?
That had to downright drive him crazy.
Don’t take my word for it, though. The New England Patriots spent more money in free agency in 2021 than any other year in franchise history (obviously) despite the fact that the salary cap went down this offseason.
In addition to re-signing Cam Newton, the Patriots brought in:
- EDGE Matt Judon
- TE Jonnu Smith
- TE Hunter Henry
- LB Kyle Van Noy
- DL Davon Godchaux
- OT Trent Brown
- WR Nelson Agholor
- DL Henry Anderson
- DB Jalen Mills
Besides the Houston Texans, the New England Patriots might have made the most transactions of any team in the league this offseason.
They’ve set the team up quite nicely for the quarterback, and as aggressive as they’ve been, they might continue to do some things out of character and trade up for a quarterback.
With the offensive infrastructure put in place in the 2020 season with Cam Newton as quarterback and Newton coming back for the 2021 season, is there a more perfect option to be his understudy in this draft class than North Dakota State’s Trey Lance?
Some might argue Justin Fields, but Lance might be better equipped to run the offense Josh McDaniels installed in 2020 after Tom Brady bolded for the Bay.
There will be no pressure to force Lance onto the field sooner than he is ready. He has the type of work ethic and personality I think Bill Belichick will fall in love with, and he gives the Patriots a viable option to build around for the future with the Bills having an MVP candidate in Josh Allen, the Jets getting Zach Wilson, and the Dolphins in year two with Tua Tagovailoa.
2021 NFL Draft: 8th pick
TRADE: Panthers trade 8th pick to Chargers for 13th pick, 97th pick, 2022 pick
Chargers GM/HC: Tom Telesco/Brandon Staley
Eight picks into this 2021 NFL mock draft scenario and still not a single defensive player off the board.
It would almost be surprising to see something different, although the Carolina Panthers could surprise us all and just take Jaycee Horn here.
The Los Angeles Chargers cleaned house on their coaching staff after Justin Herbert had one of the best years for a rookie quarterback in league history.
The change in coaching staff may or may not be cause for concern with Herbert’s development. Hopefully, Joe Lombardi (the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator) is able to apply some of the things he learned under Sean Payton in New Orleans that didn’t work as well the last time he got an OC gig with the Detroit Lions (2014-15).
Herbert’s development also can’t be stunted because the Chargers failed to do everything they could to protect the guy.
Herbert was sacked 32 times in 2020 and while that number is not outrageous, the Chargers would obviously like to cut it in half if at all possible. Herbert has a playmaker gene and he’s going to take some sacks as a result of that, but adding a player like Penei Sewell will solidify the Chargers’ left tackle spot for a decade.
A number of linemen departed the Chargers’ program this offseason:
- Russell Okung
- Mike Pouncey
- Forrest Lamp
- Dan Feeney
The Chargers did bring in Matt Feiler and one of the best centers in the league Corey Linsley to begin the process of rebuilding that unit, but it’s still a work in progress. I would say the chances the Chargers will take an offensive tackle in the first round of this draft are around 100 percent, and the odds they trade up for a guy they like are high as well.
2021 NFL mock draft: 9th pick
Broncos GM/HC: George Paton/Vic Fangio
Let’s do some quick math.
New Denver Broncos general manager George Paton said at his pre-draft press conference that he thinks we might see five quarterbacks go within the top-10 picks.
Three are guaranteed to go in the top three picks.
Beyond that, we know that the Dallas Cowboys (10th), Cincinnati Bengals (5th), and Miami Dolphins (6th) are not taking quarterbacks with their selections.
That leaves the Atlanta Falcons, Detroit Lions, Carolina Panthers, and Denver Broncos as teams who could use their picks on a quarterback or trade them to someone who will if Paton’s prediction is to come to fruition.
To finish up this math lesson, that seems to be at least a 50 percent shot (two quarterbacks, four teams) that Paton will be one of those teams to draft one of those five quarterbacks should the right guy present himself at pick number nine.
Paton has reiterated that the Broncos do like Drew Lock. They see Lock’s potential and they’re willing to not take a quarterback in this class if the guy they like is not there.
At pick 9, how could you not like Justin Fields? Fields isn’t a perfect quarterback prospect but as Paton himself stated, he’s a high-ceiling player. He was plays the most important position on the field and what player makes more sense here?
Rashawn Slater, maybe?
The Denver Broncos could easily bring Fields in and have him compete with Lock for the starting job as a rookie. There is no pressure for Paton to play him right away as there was for the coaching staff to play Drew Lock.
The Broncos sent key representatives to both of Justin Fields’ pro day throwing sessions (Paton and offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur among them) so they are obviously intrigued at the very least, seriously interested at most.
You could argue here that Fields is easily the steal of the draft at pick number nine after showing some number one pick type stuff at times in the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
2021 NFL mock draft: 10th pick
Beyond the top couple of picks, is there a 2021 NFL mock draft selection you are more…certain about than this one?
The Dallas Cowboys have to revamp their defense and they’re going to have to do it one piece at a time. They brought in some of Dan Quinn’s guys with the Falcons in Keanu Neal (who is transitioning to linebacker) as well as Damontae Kazee.
Surtain is a guy that Dan Quinn is going to be able to rely on as a rookie no matter what he’s asking him to do.
There’s no such thing as a “sure thing” in the NFL Draft, but Surtain is pretty close to it. He has taken some really weird heat for his athletic profile.
How’s this look for you?
Size. Strength. Explosiveness. Long speed. Length. Production. Consistency.
What more are you looking for here?
Surtain earns the right in this mock draft of being the first defensive player off the board, and frankly, that feels pretty fitting for what he accomplished the past three seasons with the Crimson Tide.
2021 NFL Draft: 11th pick
TRADE: Giants trade 11th pick to Cardinals for 16th pick, 2022 pick
Cardinals GM/HC: Steve Keim/Kliff Kingsbury
The Arizona Cardinals have been the ultimate aggressors in the 2021 offseason.
They must see an opening in the NFC West, because they have made significant moves to upgrade the roster and get veterans into their program who can help them win right now.
JJ Watt was the first big-name veteran to come aboard for the Cardinals, and shortly after that followed fellow 2011 NFL Draft classmate and one of the best receivers in the NFL over the last decade, AJ Green.
After Green’s arrival, the Cardinals brought in other veterans like cornerback and Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler (a true troll job on the Seahawks) and running back James Conner.
The Cardinals enter the 2021 NFL Draft with very little in the way of pressing areas of need. They could use more in the defensive backfield, but there are other ways they can acquire talent there. What the Cardinals may not want to pass up on?
The chance to add the dynamic DeVonta Smith to their already impressive offensive lineup.
The Cardinals, in this scenario, would be able to trot out a receiver group of DeAndre Hopkins, AJ Green, and DeVonta Smith with Kyler Murray providing his dual-threat abilities from under center. James Conner was a very worthwhile free agency flyer type of pickup, and Arizona would be able to utilize the rest of the rounds of this draft class plus other trades or free agency moves to fortify the rest of their roster.
DeVonta Smith would be able to give them what Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella — up to this point — have not.
Smith is slight at under 180 pounds, but he’s a dynamic playmaker who will enter an NFL camp ready to roll in terms of playing any of the receiver positions, running great routes, and making big plays to all levels of the field.
The Cardinals pay the price to move up and add a dynamic weapon to an offense that already has a bunch of them.
2021 NFL mock draft: 12th pick
Eagles GM/HC: Howie Roseman/Nick Sirianni
After trading down from the sixth overall selection, the Philadelphia Eagles have sent a signal fire to everyone that they are kind of, sort of, not so subtly rebuilding.
The Eagles made the bold move to trade away quarterback Carson Wentz even though they were barely into their long-term investment in him. Wentz took a big enough step backwards in 2020 that the Eagles decided to not only move on from him, but the head coach that helped them win a Super Bowl — Doug Pederson.
Will the Eagles move forward with Jalen Hurts at the quarterback position? They obviously don’t have any interest in drafting one of the top quarterbacks from this class or they would have stayed put with the sixth overall pick.
So, it’s either Hurts or veteran Joe Flacco, who has become a journeyman in recent years.
The Eagles could also trade away Zach Ertz sometime between now and the 2021 NFL Draft, and you almost expect that to happen with everything else that’s gone down.
What can the Eagles do with this pick? All of the top three receivers and Kyle Pitts are gone. Again, that’s the bed this team made. The best defensive players in this class are probably defensive backs, and Jaycee Horn will contend with Patrick Surtain to be the top defensive player off the board.
Horn fits the bill in what Howie Roseman has coveted in recent drafts — speed, speed, and more speed.
In fact, Horn’s athletic profile might be the best ever for a cornerback prospect.
Jaycee Horn is a CB prospect in the 2021 draft class. He scored a 10 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1 out of 1748 CB from 1987 to 2021.
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 24, 2021
Splits projected, times unofficial. Another contender for a top spot emerges.https://t.co/TJ155mBS7N #RAS pic.twitter.com/xi3YxOTlxY
Height, weight, speed, length, NFL bloodlines, production, upside, attitude…it’s all there for Jaycee Horn. Just like with Patrick Surtain, there are no sure things in the NFL Draft, but this guy feels like he’s about as close as you can get at a very valuable position.
2021 NFL mock draft: 13th pick
Panthers GM/HC: Scott Fitterer/Matt Rhule
Even after trading down from the 8th overall pick, the Carolina Panthers come away with a player in Rashawn Slater who could very well be the Panthers’ pick at 8 if they stay put.
Make no mistake about it — Penei Sewell is not the unanimous OT1 in this year’s draft and there is no guarantee that Sewell comes off the board before Slater.
Slater put together some impressive seasons at Northwestern, even though he opted out of the 2020 season completely. He proved he could play at a high level both as a left tackle and right tackle and put some of his best work on tape against Ohio State’s Chase Young in 2019.
Although both Slater and Sewell have less-than-ideal length for the position, they more than make up for it with power and athleticism, especially Slater with the latter.
The Panthers invested three draft choices (a 2021 sixth-round pick and 2022 second-and fourth-round picks) in quarterback Sam Darnold. Some pundits are warning that the acquisition of Darnold does not take the Panthers out of the quarterback derby in the 2021 NFL Draft, but what sense would that make?
If you made the trade for Darnold, you have to commit to doing what the Jets couldn’t — put the right roster around him.
The Panthers franchise-tagged Taylor Moton and they are obviously hoping for healthy seasons for Christian McCaffrey, DJ Moore, and Darnold’s old pal Robby Anderson. Put some of the final pieces of the puzzle in place. Get a left tackle like Slater who can help protect the investment you just made in Darnold.
2021 NFL mock draft: 14th pick
Vikings GM/HC: Rick Spielman/Mike Zimmer
In this 2021 NFL mock draft scenario, I searched high and low for ways the Minnesota Vikings could trade down and make it make sense to do so.
On the one hand, the Vikings have clear needs right now on the offensive line, off the edge, and at safety. On the other hand, if they trade down, there could be a huge run on offensive linemen right behind them here.
Alijah Vera-Tucker could legitimately start for the Vikings in 2021 at left tackle or offensive guard, so I am not certain they could or would pass on him here.
While some team could try and move up for a Greg Newsome, I have the Vikings staying put here and addressing one of their top needs.
Vera-Tucker played both guard and tackle for the USC Trojans and many were surprised to see how well he played this past season taking over for Austin Jackson at the left tackle spot.
With Riley Reiff departed for the Bengals, this fit seems solid. The Vikings would probably love to move back and recoup the second-round pick they lost in the Yannick Ngakoue trade, but they have multiple third-round picks and can find good value off the edge and at safety there.
2021 NFL mock draft: 15th pick
Lions GM/HC: Brad Holmes/Dan Campbell
The Detroit Lions are one of a couple of teams that have said to the rest of the NFL world in big, bold letters this offseason:
WE ARE REBUILDING.
Detroit brought in a new general manager in Brad Holmes from the Los Angeles Rams, and Holmes promptly sent quarterback Matthew Stafford back to his old team for a variety of draft selections.
In addition to the draft pick bounty, Holmes got back the QB he had with the Rams — Jared Goff.
With Goff under center, who knows what direction the Lions will go in the 2021 NFL Draft? They could potentially take a quarterback, but there’s certainly no guarantee of that with Goff on the roster and likely the starter for 2021 regardless.
They could take a receiver with the 7th pick, but the Lions seem to me like a team that won’t pass on the chance to trade down for even more future NFL Draft capital.
Dan Campbell said at his introductory press conference that he wants his team to bite off some hypothetical kneecaps if they get knocked down, and perhaps no player embodies that mindset better than Teven Jenkins.
Jenkins allowed just two sacks in over 1,100 snaps in his time at Oklahoma State and he’s a mauler in the running game. The Lions keep collecting picks, and they will start building this roster through the NFL Draft brick by brick.
2021 NFL mock draft: 16th pick
Giants GM/HC: Dave Gettleman/Joe Judge
Despite acquiring James Bradberry last offseason and Adoreé Jackson this offseason, the New York Giants are rumored to be in the market for more cornerback help.
It just so happens that there is not likely better value than Greg Newsome with this selection anyway.
In this scenario, the Giants moved down with the Arizona Cardinals to acquire future capital and they passed on Jaycee Horn to do it. There are some who believe that Newsome should be in the same conversation with guys like Horn and Patrick Surtain II, and there are a variety of reasons for that.
Although the sample size on Newsome is not the same as with Surtain or even Horn, there is no question that this guy has CB1 capabilities.
He’s long, fast, tough, and he has experience playing both in the nickel role and as an outside corner.
Greg Newsome II allowed 0.44 yards per coverage snap in 2020
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 23, 2021
Lowest in the 2021 NFL Draft class pic.twitter.com/NEhZzqhvgQ
Quarterbacks didn’t find much success at all throwing Newsome’s way in 2020, and even in a shortened season, his production is impressive.
With his combination of inside/outside versatility, strength, length, speed, and explosiveness, Newsome would be a tremendous pickup for the Giants.
2021 NFL mock draft: 17th pick
Raiders GM/HC: Mike Mayock/Jon Gruden
Since Jon Gruden came aboard in 2018 and Mike Mayock in 2019, the Las Vegas Raiders have been under the microscope.
Despite Gruden’s prior experience in the NFL, how would he handle the NFL Draft after his time away? How would Mike Mayock, who was known for going against the grain while he was with the NFL Network, approach drafting for his own NFL team?
It’s been unconventional, to say the very least.
The Raiders’ first-round picks since Mayock came aboard in 2019:
- Clelin Ferrell (4th overall)
- Josh Jacobs (24th overall)
- Johnathan Abram (27th overall)
- Henry Ruggs III (12th overall)
- Damon Arnette (19th overall)
The early returns on those first-round selections have not been overly positive, to say the very least.
This year’s draft is going to be crucial for Mayock, in particular, as it seems Gruden has a bit more long-term security. Then again, those guys seem to absolutely love each other, so who knows?
The Raiders are good for something unconventional in the NFL Draft with those two guys running the show, and it has been rumored that some team in the teens loves Christian Barmore.
The Raiders have had an affinity for Alabama and Clemson players since Mayock came aboard, so it wouldn’t surprise anyone if they were one of the team’s most interested in Barmore.
The Raiders took some shots on Quinton Jefferson and Solomon Thomas in free agency, and both players should play substantial roles in 2021, but they need to add more on the interior defensive line.
With a number of the top offensive tackles off the board, the Raiders elect for the guy in this year’s draft class who most resembles a rabid Yeti when the ball is snapped.
His 6-foot-5, 310-pound frame and insane length are a lot to handle as is, but Barmore has impressive quickness and strength.
He’s still very young, but if he takes coaching he could be a nightmare for opposing interior offensive linemen in the mold of a Chris Jones type of player.
2021 NFL mock draft: 18th pick
Dolphins GM/HC: Chris Grier/Brian Flores
Which edge rusher will be the first selected in the 2021 NFL Draft?
There are a handful of guys to choose from, but right now, no one knows which NFL team is going to pull the trigger on one first and what order they will have those guys in.
At this point, Jaelan Phillips seems like as good of a bet as any.
Although injury history has to be considered here, it’s possible that no pass rusher has greater potential in this class than Phillips. It’s also reasonable to say that no one had a better 2020 season.
A former five-star recruit in high school, Phillips showed promise in his initial collegiate years at UCLA. He blew up this past season as a member of the Miami Hurricanes with 15.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks in 10 games.
While many expected Gregory Rousseau or even Quincy Roche to be the top Miami pass rusher selected in this class, Phillips has given NFL clubs a lot to think about.
After going with somewhat of an injury risk earlier in this mock draft in Jaylen Waddle, Phillips would represent a high-risk, high-reward first round for the Dolphins, who could be getting someone here at a greatly discounted rate simply because of his college sample size.
Phillips can play a traditional defensive end role, he could stand up, and he could move inside to rush. I think the Dolphins and Brian Flores will love his potential.
2021 NFL mock draft: 19th pick
Most 2021 NFL mock draft scenarios have the Washington Football Team going after an offensive tackle or even a quarterback, but this situation is about as interesting as you will find in my opinion.
Ron Rivera has assembled quite the defense in a short period of time with Washington. He has maybe the game’s top young star off the edge in Chase Young, and a very good young bookend in Montez Sweat.
Washington has a very tough defensive front but there is some star power missing from that second level of defense.
While questions about immaturity off the field have merit, there is no denying Parsons’ on-field talent and his ability to be an impact player in Ron Rivera’s defense.
Parsons came to Penn State as a pass rusher and he departs as one of the more intriguing defensive weapons in the class. He needs some coaching as he typically just dominated games with his superior athleticism and speed.
Seeing what Parsons was able to do with just his raw talent, it’s fun to think about what he could be with a coach like Rivera helping him along. It’s odd to even type this, but the right infrastructure might even be in place for Parsons to grow as a person as well.
Putting him in the same defense as Chase Young and the rest of the young studs Washington has right now is a very fun thought.
2021 NFL mock draft: 20th pick
Bears GM/HC: Ryan Pace/Matt Nagy
The Chicago Bears are committed to Andy Dalton for the 2021 season after trying (and failing) to acquire Russell Wilson.
Because of that attempt to trade for Russell Wilson, I don’t think we’ll see the Bears move up for anyone in this draft. I think if anything, they may attempt to stockpile more picks for 2022 and take a crack at acquiring Wilson again, hoping things continue to sour between he and the Seahawks.
For this mock draft, the Bears stay put and grab a potential starting offensive tackle in Christian Darrisaw.
Darrisaw is one of the meanest run blockers in this draft with the potential to absolutely mow people down in space. He was tremendously improved this past season as a pass protector, even if Virginia Tech didn’t ask him to do that as much as other FBS programs ask of their tackles.
The Bears are going to have to establish a strong and consistent ground game in 2021, and that’s not going to happen with the kind of offensive line play we saw from them a season ago.
Although Darrisaw is boring by comparison to trading your next three draft classes for Russell Wilson, patience could very well pay off for Ryan Pace.
2021 NFL mock draft: 21st pick
Colts GM/HC: Chris Ballard/Frank Reich
In the initial stages of building this mock draft, I had the Colts trading this selection to the Baltimore Ravens to acquire offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr.
The Kansas City Chiefs struck a deal to acquire Brown in the midst of me writing this blurb.
Alas, the fortunate news for me (and the Indianapolis Colts) is that Kwity Paye makes sense in this selection slot.
Some feel like Paye is the best edge rusher in this draft class, and while that might be a bit of projection, there is no denying Paye’s physical skills. He has tremendous size and quickness along with raw power, but his skills are a bit unrefined at this point.
The Colts could easily go after an offensive tackle here with this selection, but with the Chiefs acquiring Brown, it now makes more sense that the Colts would be a team to go and get a guy like Eric Fisher after the draft and fill that left tackle void with another veteran.
As obvious as the Colts’ need at left tackle is, where are the guys who are going to bring heat off the edge?
The Colts could still try to bring back free agent Justin Houston as a veteran piece, but they need some playmakers off the edge. There is undoubtedly a chance that Paye could be that as a rookie.
2021 NFL mock draft: 22nd pick
Titans GM/HC: Jon Robinson/Mike Vrabel
It would have been impossible to know at the time, but the Tennessee Titans swung and missed badly on their first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Former Georgia offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson is essentially out of the league at this point, less than a year after he signed his rookie contract with the Titans. The Titans tried to help Wilson and be patient with him as he displayed tremendous immaturity off the field, but they ended up trading him to the Miami Dolphins.
The Dolphins have already let him go.
Needless to say, after letting Jack Conklin walk in 2020 free agency, the Titans still have a need at the right tackle position.
Although he played only left tackle at Notre Dame, Irish head coach Brian Kelly talked at the Notre Dame pro day about his senior Liam Eichenberg being an ideal fit at the NFL level at the right tackle position.
The Titans have to protect themselves here and take as little of a risk as possible, even if it means “reaching” for a guy.
Eichenberg doesn’t strike as an overly exciting selection, but he is going to come into Vrabel’s program, likely earn a starting job early, and provide them consistency on and off the field.
Why Eichenberg here? Somewhat surprisingly, he’s the guy that many are saying has a chance to be picked in the first round as opposed to players like Samuel Cosmi, Alex Leatherwood, and others.
2021 NFL mock draft: 23rd pick
Jets GM/HC: Joe Douglas/Robert Saleh
Another slight surprise in the top 25 picks, Joe Tryon to the New York Jets (or any team here in the early to mid 20s) could be a rumor with some legs.
Feels like there isn't enough conversation around Joe Tryon...
— Benjamin Allbright (@AllbrightNFL) April 20, 2021
Gonna go earlier than you think.
The New York Jets already acquired free agents Carl Lawson and Sheldon Rankins to upgrade their pass rush this offseason, but Tryon would give them another weapon off the edge to wreak havoc in Robert Saleh’s defense.
You don’t bring in a coach like Saleh and not get him some young tools to work with. Player development was one of his top strengths with the 49ers, and Tryon would be a good fit on that basis alone.
Tryon opted out of the 2020 season but he has a ton of raw talent and had 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks a season ago.
He checked in at the Washington pro day in tremendous shape at 6-foot-5, 259 pounds with a 4.65 in. the 40-yard dash and a 35-inch vertical jump. With his long arms, strength, quickness, and upside, it’s easy to see why the league might be higher on Tryon than the mock draft machines have been.
2021 NFL mock draft: 24th pick
Steelers GM/HC: Kevin Colbert/Mike Tomlin
The Pittsburgh Steelers have watched a number of big-name players walk in free agency this offseason, but they were able to bring back Juju Smith-Schuster and they have Big Ben Roethlisberger back for another go-round.
The Steelers also re-signed Mike Tomlin to a new contract, providing some stability and assurance at the head coach spot for the foreseeable future.
James Conner was one of the big-name free agents to depart Pittsburgh this offseason and although the team seems to be able to plug skill position guys into their program regardless of the round they were drafted and have success, I don’t think the Steelers would wait long to snatch up Najee Harris if he’s on the board at 24.
Many in the NFL Draft community are vehemently against picking a running back in the first round of the NFL Draft on principle, but Najee Harris is truly a rare breed at the position and a guy that would unquestionably be worth a first-round investment, especially this late in round one.
In addition to being an excellent runner with a combination of power, vision, patience, and burst, Harris is one of the best receiving backs I have seen come out in some time. Rarely do you see colleges willing (or able) to split their top running backs out as wide receivers, but Alabama did it with Harris with regularity.
The Steelers could have a rookie of the year on their hands in Harris with the rest of the talent they have offensively around him.
2021 NFL mock draft: 25th pick
Jaguars GM/HC: Trent Baalke/Urban Meyer
After selecting Trevor Lawrence with their top pick, where will the Jacksonville Jaguars go?
It’s never a bad idea to invest in helping the quarterback immediately after drafting one, and getting a playmaker like Kadarius Toney certainly helps the quarterback.
With DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault already in place, the Jaguars have the foundation for a very fun offense with Lawrence as the man under center. Adding Toney into the mix would give this unit a dynamic speed element and someone who can win both downfield and after the catch.
After three years of working his way into the rotation and missing time due to injury, Toney exploded onto the scene for the Gators in 2020 with 10 touchdown catches and 161 rushing yards, along with a rushing touchdown.
With his speed, quickness, and explosiveness, Toney would give the Jaguars an intimidating trio of young receivers with diverse skills.
Jacksonville could go any number of directions here, but having Toney would give them a variety of playmakers who excel at creating offense.
2021 NFL mock draft: 26th pick
Browns GM/HC: Andrew Berry/Kevin Stefanski
Any number of players would make sense for the Cleveland Browns here. They could go with a receiver like Rashod Bateman or even another pass rusher after signing Jadeveon Clowney and Takk McKinley in free agency.
The value of Caleb Farley, despite his back injury, might be too good to pass up on.
The Browns have a variety of players on their roster right now that, if they can stay healthy, would probably be big-time assets for them.
Offensively, obviously, the big name is Odell Beckham Jr. Defensively, recent high draft choices like Greedy Williams and Grant Delpit showed star potential in their college careers.
Would the recent injuries to those guys deter the Browns from a talent like Caleb Farley? It’s certainly possible. With that being said, Farley was once considered a no-doubt top cornerback prospect in this class and with his size, speed, ball skills, and playmaking ability, he could potentially feast with the pressure this Browns defensive front is expected to generate.
Farley is a converted quarterback and wide receiver who will not have strapped up in pads for over 600 days by the time he takes an NFL field, but the talent and upside are tremendous.
With Denzel Ward established as one of the top cornerbacks in the NFL right now, Farley could come in and get a lot of opportunities to make plays on the ball as a rookie.
Nothing like a trial by fire after not playing since November 2019, right?
2021 NFL mock draft: 27th pick
Ravens GM/HC: Eric DeCosta/John Harbaugh
After initially projecting the Baltimore Ravens to trade Orlando Brown Jr. to the Colts (for the 21st pick) for the rights to draft a pass rusher, they get one of the best in this year’s draft off the edge anyway.
Azeez Ojulari lacks ideal size but since when have ideal metrics ever made any difference to the Baltimore Ravens?
This team is all about player and talent development, and more often than not, they maximize the talent of the guys they bring in.
Ojulari has strong, violent hands and a really nice first step. He might be the quickest around the edge in this year’s draft class.
With his combination of length, strength, and burst off the ball, Ojulari can be a terror for the Ravens as a rookie after they watched their top pass rusher — Matt Judon — bolt in free agency for the New England Patriots.
Baltimore doesn’t typically make a ton of big moves in free agency each year, but they certainly know how to make splashes in the NFL Draft.
Eric DeCosta is all about having dart throws because he knows that with his scouting department and front office, they are going to hit bullseyes more than most teams.
It’s typical of the Ravens to come away from every round of the NFL Draft on an annual basis with a player that many consider to be an insane value. Ojulari would represent that here at pick 27 and he’s certainly capable of going sooner.
The Ravens have the flexibility of another pick in round one after the Orlando Brown Jr./Chiefs trade.
2021 NFL mock draft: 28th pick
Saints GM/HC: Mickey Loomis/Sean Payton
Ultimately, it would be slightly shocking if the New Orleans Saints were able to make this selection.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is just about the ideal matchup defender and he has two years worth of tape at Notre Dame doing a lot of the same things we saw Isaiah Simmons do at Clemson last year at Clemson.
This guy plays aggressively, instinctively, and fast.
He can line up on the defensive line, as an off-ball linebacker, as a safety, or as a nickel defensive back. He can really do it all.
The Saints’ defense took a big step forward after their in-season trade for Kwon Alexander last year. They had to make plenty of sacrifices on the roster this year because of the cap decrease, so Owusu-Koramoah would be a welcomed playmaker for New Orleans’ defense.
You have to think this team is also a potential landing spot for a quarterback in the first round as there is growing buzz that a sixth quarterback — whether it’s Davis Mills of Stanford or Kellen Mond of Texas A&M — could be taken among the top 32 picks.
Drew Brees’ retirement puts the Saints in a state of transition. As strong as the roster was last season, they have had to let some key guys walk out the door and they’ve also got to put a lot of faith in either Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill for the 2021 season.
The Saints will be a fascinating team to watch on draft night.
2021 NFL mock draft: 29th pick
Packers GM/HC: Brian Gutekunst/Matt LaFleur
After the Green Bay Packers selected Jordan Love with their first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, Aaron Rodgers went out and won the NFL’s MVP award and became a candidate to be the long-term host of the TV game show Jeopardy.
Rodgers was a man on a mission in 2020, and he played arguably the best football of his life with frankly one of the most underwhelming sets of skill players in the league.
With all due respect to the players the Packers have on their roster, upgrades need to be made at receiver and Rashod Bateman would be a pretty wild value here with the 29th overall pick.
Bateman was the Big Ten’s receiver of the year in 2019 and he initially opted out for 2020 but decided to come back and play a few games.
Some have compared Bateman coming out to Keenan Allen of the Chargers, and those comparisons are warranted.
Bateman is a very good route runner who knows how to get himself open despite the fact that he’s not the most sudden or explosive athlete.
With Davante Adams eating up targets on one side, the Packers need a player who can be trusted to work himself open on the other. Not only does Bateman run strong routes, but he’s got strong hands and he can make plays after the catch.
Ultimately, adding Bateman would be a significant upgrade for the Packers’ offensive weaponry as would a number of players in this slot.
2021 NFL mock draft: 30th pick
Bills GM/HC: Brandon Beane/Sean McDermott
The Buffalo Bills have built a very fun contender around quarterback Josh Allen.
Allen, who looked like he might be a lost cause after his first two NFL seasons, has become a star and legitimate MVP candidate. He has one of the most fascinating tool kits in the entire NFL with his big arm, tremendous athleticism, and now plethora of weapons to get the football to.
Sean McDermott has his defense well-coached, which is part of what got him the job in Buffalo in the first place, but the time has come to invest a bit more on that side of the ball.
In the defensive backfield, the Bills have one of the NFL’s best safety tandems in the league in Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde. At cornerback, Tre’Davious White is arguably the top cover corner in the NFL right now.
Eric Stokes would be a tremendous addition to this unit with an intriguing combination of size, speed, and playmaking ability.
He had four interceptions this past season including two that he returned for touchdowns.
At this juncture of the first round, the Bills have no clear direction they absolutely need to go. The roster is so well-rounded at this point that they can take a shot on a player like Stokes, who could be a Pro Bowl-caliber player with the right coaching.
It’s safe to say that the environment in Buffalo would give him a great shot to reach his full potential.
2021 NFL mock draft: 31st pick
Ravens GM/HC: Eric DeCosta/John Harbaugh
The Baltimore Ravens’ faithful would likely go nuts if the team passed on the wide receiver position in the first round of this year’s draft, but there will be other mock draft scenarios.
Why might the Ravens pass on receiver?
Well, for one, they have invested more draft picks in that position in the first three rounds than any other team in the league. For another, they have other needs on the roster and this is primarily a running team.
Baltimore brought in free agent receiver Sammy Watkins after trying for guys like JuJu Smith-Schuster, and ultimately that move may not move the needle of the fans as much as they’d like, but this team has been bullish about the guys they’ve selected in recent years.
On the offensive line, the loss of Marshal Yanda proved to be more detrimental than the Ravens had hoped. With Alejandro Villanueva coming in as a possible post-draft free agent to play tackle, and Kevin Zeitler stepping in at right guard, the stage is set for the Ravens to complete their offensive line with this selection.
Does anyone think the Ravens are staying put with these two first-round picks? It’s not overly likely. With that being said, if they are staying put, Humphrey makes a lot of sense.
Out goes one former Oklahoma lineman (Brown) and in comes the nasty Humphrey. Humphrey was a three-time All-American, two-time team captain, and he’s proven himself time and time again as a future long-term NFL starting center.
Plug and play for the Ravens.
2021 NFL mock draft: 32nd pick
Buccaneers GM/HC: Jason Licht/Bruce Arians
Amazingly enough, it’s two straight 2021 NFL mock draft scenarios with Davis Mills to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Bucs do not have a clear backup quarterback situation although Ryan Griffin will be back as an option. Not only could Davis Mills come in as a backup option, but he would also have a chance to learn from Bruce Arians and Byron Leftwich as well as behind Tom Brady, and what better situation could there be for him?
Maybe in New Orleans, but there is no doubt that being on the Buccaneers’ roster would benefit Mills.
The Bucs return their entire Super Bowl-winning starting lineup and the roster would be in great position for him to take over if Brady retires anytime soon.
Of course, no one knows exactly when that will happen.
So what if the Bucs don’t go with a quarterback?
They could go any number of directions, including wide receiver. At this point, they have not brought Antonio Brown back, so they could bring someone in to replace his presence in the lineup.
Defensively, they could try to get younger on the defensive line, but they have a tremendous group there as well.
This seems like the prime spot to take a shot on the quarterback position, and Mills is as intriguing as you will find. They won’t be able to get him at 64, in all likelihood.
Second Round
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
34. New York Jets: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
35. Atlanta Falcons: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
36. Miami Dolphins: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
37. Philadelphia Eagles: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
39. Carolina Panthers: Elijah Molden, DB, Washington
40. Denver Broncos: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
41. Detroit Lions: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
42. New York Giants: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
43. San Francisco 49ers: Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama
44. Dallas Cowboys: Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
45. Jacksonville Jaguars: Richie Grant, S, UCF
46. Detroit Lions: Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
47. Los Angeles Chargers: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
48. Las Vegas Raiders: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
49. Arizona Cardinals: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
50. Miami Dolphins: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
51. Washington Football Team: Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
52. Chicago Bears: Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
53. Tennessee Titans: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
54. Indianapolis Colts: Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
55. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
56. Seattle Seahawks: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
57. Los Angeles Rams: Quinn Meinerz, OL, Wisconsin-Whitewater
58. Kansas City Chiefs: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
59. Cleveland Browns: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
60. New Orleans Saints: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
61. Buffalo Bills: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
62. Green Bay Packers: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
Third Round
65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU
66. New York Jets: Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
67. Houston Texans: Levi Onwuzurike, DL, Washington
68. Atlanta Falcons: Payton Turner, EDGE, Houston
69. Cincinnati Bengals: Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio State
70. Philadelphia Eagles: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
71. Denver Broncos: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
72. Detroit Lions: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
73. Carolina Panthers: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
74. Washington Football Team: Aaron Robinson, DB, UCF
75. Dallas Cowboys: Daviyon Nixon, DL, Iowa
76. New York Giants: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
77. Los Angeles Chargers: Jamar Johnson, S, Indiana
78. Minnesota Vikings: Stone Forsythe, OT, Florida
79. Las Vegas Raiders: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
80. Las Vegas Raiders: Divine Deablo, S/LB, Virginia Tech
81. Miami Dolphins: Milton Williams, DL, Louisiana Tech
82. Washington Football Team: Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
83. Chicago Bears: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
84. Philadelphia Eagles: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
85. Tennessee Titans: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
86. New York Jets: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
87. Pittsburgh Steelers: Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas
88. Los Angeles Rams: Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
89. Cleveland Browns: Marlon Tuipulotu, DL, USC
90. Minnesota Vikings: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
91. Cleveland Browns: Janarius Robinson, EDGE, Florida State
92. Green Bay Packers: James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
93. Buffalo Bills: Jay Tufele, DL, USC
94. Baltimore Ravens: D’Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina
95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dayo Odeyenigbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt
96. New England Patriots: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
97. Carolina Panthers: Josh Myers, OL, Clemson
98. New Orleans Saints: Victor Dimukeje, EDGE, Duke
99. Dallas Cowboys: Tommy Togiai, DL, Ohio State
100. Tennessee Titans: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
101. Detroit Lions: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
102. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Sermon, RB, Ohio State
103. Los Angeles Rams: Brenden Jaimes, OT, Nebraska
104. Baltimore Ravens: Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
105. New Orleans Saints: Marco Wilson, CB, Florida