2021 NFL mock draft: What each team should do in the first round
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 15th overall
. WR. New England Patriots. Rashod Bateman. 15. player. 47
If the board were to fall this way on Thursday night, the New England Patriots would likely select Mac Jones as their new franchise quarterback. While there is a lot to like about Jones as a quarterback prospect, he is unlikely to be the kind of player who can carry a team. Jones will need a lot of talent around him to be successful at the next level and the Patriots simply are not in a position to support him well enough.
Instead of opting for Jones in the 2021 NFL mock draft, the Patriots improve their group of offensive playmakers with the selection of Rashod Bateman. Bateman is a smooth and athletic wide receiver prospect who displays impressive natural route-running ability. He can shake defenders with ease against man coverage and shows impressive instincts to find open space when facing zone coverage.
Bateman also displays impressive ability as a contested-catch player and is an exciting playmaker with the ball in his hands. The Patriots have done a nice job of improving their group of pass-catchers this offseason but there is more work to be done. Snagging Bateman at No. 15 would undoubtedly be a major step in the right direction.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 16th overall
16. player. 32. . CB. Arizona Cardinals. Caleb Farley
Caleb Farley was once a near-lock to be a top 10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. However, nagging back injuries have hurt his draft stock in a major way and determining where he will land is now nearly impossible. That being said, Farley is still a supremely gifted cornerback prospect who has massive upside at the next level.
Farley is a long and athletic cornerback prospect who shines in man coverage. He locks up opposing receivers at the line of scrimmage, changes directions quickly and attacks the ball in the air extremely well. The Arizona Cardinals have a massive need at the cornerback position and while taking Farley would be risky, it could also pay off in a major way.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 17th overall
OT. Las Vegas Raiders. Christian Darrisaw. 17. player. 28.
The Las Vegas Raiders have torn apart their offensive line this offseason and simply must make a major addition up front in the draft. In this 2021 NFL mock draft, Christian Darrisaw falls to No. 17, making this an easy decision for the team.
Darrisaw is an athletic and powerful offensive tackle prospect who undoubtedly has exciting upside at the next level. Darrisaw played left tackle in college but should be able to make a smooth transition to the right side at the next level, where the Raiders have a massive need.