2021 NFL mock draft: First-round predictions one last time
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 13th overall
Carolina Panthers. Jaycee Horn. 13. player. 87. . CB
This feels like an ideal scenario for the Carolina Panthers. After trading down from No. 8, the Panthers still find themselves in a spot to select a fantastic player at a premium position that is also a position of need.
Snagging Jaycee Horn after picking up extra draft capital in the trade-down would be a home run for this team. Horn is an extremely talented cornerback prospect whose combination of length speed and athleticism gives him massive upside at the next level. Make no mistake about it, Horn could grow into a premier shutdown cornerback for the Carolina Panthers.
Projected Trade
Tennessee Titans receive: 2021 first-round pick (14th overall)
Minnesota Vikings receive: 2021 first-round pick (22nd overall) and second-round pick (53rd overall)
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 14th overall
player. 35. . WR. Tennessee Titans. DeVonta Smith. 14
This trade up to No. 14 would not be cheap for the Tennessee Titans, but wide receiver is an obvious position of need for this team and DeVonta Smith could be an absolute star. Spending extra capital to come up and get Smith could make sense for the Titans and here, they trade just ahead of the Detroit Lions who would surely take him at No. 15. A starting duo of A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith is incredibly impressive and could take this team to the next level.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 15th overall
50. . LB. Detroit Lions. Micah Parsons. 15. player
With off-field concerns, Micah Parsons is a player whose value is incredibly difficult to judge. That being said, Parsons is an extremely gifted defensive player who would likely appeal to the rebuilding Detroit Lions. In this 2021 NFL mock draft, the Lions find significant value in their trade-down scenario and also pick up a possible defensive superstar in Parsons.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 16th overall
32. . OL. Arizona Cardinals. Alijah Vera-Tucker. 16. player
Alijah Vera-Tucker had an extremely successful college career where he shined for USC as both an offensive guard and tackle. Vera-Tucker is likely best-suited to play guard at the next level but could probably handle a move back outside if needed. Either way, adding Vera-Tucker to the Cardinals’ offensive line mix would help them in a major way. This team must work to improve their protection for Kyler Murray and adding Vera-Tucker would undoubtedly help.
2021 NFL mock draft: Round 1, 17th overall
28. . OT. Las Vegas Raiders. Teven Jenkins. 17. player
This pairing feels incredibly likely to happen. After trading Trent Brown this offseason, the Las Vegas Raiders have an obvious need at the right tackle position. Teven Jenkins is an impressive right tackle prospect whose physicality up front will likely appeal to the Raiders in a big way. Jon Gruden and company love tough and they have consistently valued these players extremely high. Jenkins fits their profile incredibly well.