N&D 2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0

Posted by henpunk2 on

For my first mock draft of 2021, I’m not considering any trades or speculating on who ends up where during the QB carousel. I do, very briefly, consider possible losses via free agency.

Some dates to remember: Free Agency officially starts on March 17, with legal tampering allowed on March 15. The NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 29.

I used TheDraftNetwork.com to make this mock draft.

  1. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: No need to over-think this. Lawrence is the best QB prospect to enter the draft since Peyton Manning.
  2. NEW YORK JETS- Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: I believe the new regime in NY will move on from Sam Darnold. Either they take Fields here or move the pick to get Deshaun Watson.
  3. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon: There is some chatter about Miami moving on from Tua already, not a chance. The Dolphins may trade out of this spot, but for now they take the best tackle in the draft.
  4. ATLANTA FALCONS- Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan: Many pundits think Atlanta will take Matt Ryan’s successor here, I’m not convinced yet. Instead I think they strengthen the defense with the best Edge rusher.
  5. CINCINNATI BENGALS- Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU: With Sewell off the board, Cincy reunites Joe Burrow with one of his favorite college targets.
  6. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES- DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama: Eagles continue their search for a true #1 receiver and land the Heisman trophy winner.
  7. DETROIT LIONS- Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: I had been targeting Zach Wilson here, but the Stafford/Goff trade changed that. Lions add what may be the most dynamic WR in the draft.
  8. CAROLINA PANTHERS- Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State: Another team that could be players in the QB market, but I like the fit of Parsons stepping into the Luke Keuchly void too much to pull the trigger here.
  9. DENVER BRONCOS- Zach Wilson, QB, BYU: Wilson won’t be here at #9 on draft night, and I’m not sure Denver trades up to get him, but they can’t pass up moving on from Drew Lock if given the chance.
  10. DALLAS COWBOYS- Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama: Unless they somehow let Dak Prescott walk, Dallas has to address the defense here.
  11. NEW YORK GIANTS- Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida: Pitts isn’t a normal TE, he’s a young Jimmy Graham type. Physical mismatch for any individual defender.
  12. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS- Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: Niners likely would need to move up to land Lance, but I like the fit here if they move on from Jimmy G.
  13. LOS ANGELES CHARGERS- Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern: LA found their franchise QB in Justin Herbert, now they need to protect him.
  14. MINNESOTA VIKINGS- Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas: It just feels like Mike Zimmer will address his defense with this pick.
  15. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS- Mac Jones, QB, Alabama: Jones might not last this long, but he feels like a perfect fit for a Belichick team.
  16. ARIZONA CARDINALS- Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: Arizona could go in several directions, just feels like defense takes priority.
  17. LAS VEGAS RAIDERS- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame: Another team that may be in the QB market. Owusu-Koramoah just feels like a Gruden guy to me.
  18. MIAMI DOLPHINS- Najee Harris, RB, Alabama: WR is a possibility here, but nothing helps a young QB like a solid running game.
  19. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM- Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas: Yet another team in the QB market, won’t have a shot without trading up, so they bolster the protection instead.
  20. CHICAGO BEARS- Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech: Chicago is also in the QB mix, but solidifies the line instead.
  21. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS- Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina: Another team in the QB market, they address defense instead.
  22. TENNESSEE TITANS- Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami: Feels like the Titans must address defense here.
  23. NEW YORK JETS- Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: This would be a home run of a first round for the Jets. Landing the franchise QB and a number one receiver.
  24. PITTSBURGH STEELERS- Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC: Steelers run game was atrocious this year. They address blocking first.
  25. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS- Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan: The Jaguars landed their franchise QB, now they need to protect him.
  26. CLEVELAND BROWNS- Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa: Cleveland finally ended their playoff drought, not many holes in this roster. Another disruptive force on defense is never a bad idea.
  27. BALTIMORE RAVENS- Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU: Giving Lamar Jackson another weapon seems a likely direction for the Ravens to go.
  28. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS- Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri: As good as the Saints’ defense can be, they’ve been a little lacking at the second level. Bolton can change that.
  29. GREEN BAY PACKERS- Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State: Improving the offensive line seems the most likely direction for the Packers to take.
  30. BUFFALO BILLS- Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami: Defensive side of the ball is Bills’ most pressing need. Can never have enough pass rushers.
  31. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS- Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame: As the Super Bowl proved, Chiefs need to protect Patrick Mahomes better.
  32. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS- Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama: Defending Super Bowl champs have the luxury of picking the best player available. Adding to an already impressive defense is an added bonus.

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