2021 NFL mock draft: What each team should do in the first round
Another day, another 2021 NFL mock draft. Everybody in the industry is making their final predictions ahead of Thursday’s 2021 NFL Draft and we seem to have an idea of what is going to happen at the top. While there is always plenty of uncertainty, we at least have a solid idea of what the first few teams will be looking to do at the top of the draft. However, none of that matters in this 2021 NFL mock draft.
We are going to do things a bit differently here. In this 2021 NFL mock draft, I am not making any predictions. Instead, I am going to make picks for all 32 selections in the first round based on who I believe would be the best fit for the team. Team needs will be taken into account but this 2021 NFL mock draft will primarily be based on my evaluations on this draft class. Also, we are going to leave trades completely out of this exercise.
Without further ado, here is a complete first-round non-predictive 2021 NFL mock draft. What should these teams do on Thursday night? Let’s find out.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 1st overall
QB. Jacksonville Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence. 1. player. 52.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will make the obvious pick at No. 1 on Thursday night and select Trevor Lawrence as their franchise quarterback. Lawrence is a supremely gifted quarterback prospect who undoubtedly has massive upside at the next level. He has the talent to immediately reshape the future of their franchise and remains the clear top pick in this mock draft.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 2nd overall
2. player. 30. . QB. New York Jets. Justin Fields
At this point, it would be absolutely shocking if the New York Jets took anybody other than Zach Wilson with the second overall pick on Thursday night. I like Wilson as a prospect and do not think he will be a terrible choice for the Jets at No. 2. That being said, I do struggle to put him ahead of Ohio State’s Justin Fields.
Fields is an incredibly gifted quarterback prospect whose combination of size, athleticism and natural arm talent is extremely impressive. Fields has the arm to make every throw on the field and does so with arguably the best accuracy in the entire class. He is also an incredible dual-threat quarterback who fits the modern NFL extremely well. Wilson is a solid choice for the Jets at No. 2, but Fields would be the best choice.