NFL 2021 Mock Draft 2.0

Adamo Marinelli

April 29, 2021

At the end of April every year, all 32 NFL teams have the opportunity to improve their roster with a plethora of college superstars. Here is the second edition of my first-round mock draft. 

1st overall - Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson: He is a generational talent with a strong arm, high football IQ, athleticism, and accuracy. He is mobile and is consistent too. The Jaguars have been spinning their tires finding a franchise QB for several years; this is an obvious choice. 

2nd overall - New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU: After a successful 2020 season - Wilson, who is athletic, accurate, and has a strong arm - will be helpful in boosting the firepower of this mediocre offense that just added new weapons like Corey Davis.

3rd overall - San Francisco 49ers (via Miami from Houston): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama: The 49ers gave up a big haul to move up, signifying they have their franchise QB. There have been rumors that the 49ers are between Jones and Lance. Physically, Jones isn’t the most athletic but his fundamentals are great, he has a strong arm, he’s accurate and his football IQ is high.

4th overall - Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida: Pitts is a generational talent at the tight end position. He has the biggest wingspan of any wide receiver or tight end in a long time, he is explosive off the line, speedy, agile, can run routes, and has good hands to make plays downfield. He is also a great run blocker.

5th overall - Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon: The Bengals drafted their franchise QB last year in Joe Burrow, however, he got hurt because of a lack of protection. Sewell is a generational talent at left tackle with great size, strength, elite foot quickness, and agility to make blocks. He is excellent both in the run and pass protection and has great fundamentals. He keeps a clean pocket and does not allow many sacks. He is speedy for his size.

6th overall - Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia): Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU: The Dolphins developed a great defense last season under head coach Brian Flores and appear to have their franchise QB in Tua Tagovailoa. What the Dolphins need is an elite receiver for Tua to throw to. Chase is arguably the best receiver in the class, with speed, agility, and good hands. 

7th overall - Detroit Lions: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State: The Lions do have Jared Goff, who is still young, but they will take a chance on developing a young QB. Fields is very athletic and a dual-threat at QB. He has a strong arm, is pretty accurate, protects the ball, and can extend plays with his legs when needed. He has a high football IQ.

8th overall - Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern: Slater is a versatile prospect with excellent athleticism, elite footwork, and good fundamentals. He can easily advance to the second level and create holes in the run game and keeps opponents in front of him with his strength in pass pro. His ideal role is at left tackle as blindside protection but he can also play right tackle due to his versatility.

9th overall - Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons, OLB, Penn State: The Broncos made some serious improvements to their secondary, bringing back key pieces and adding new ones. Parsons, alongside Von Miller and Bradley Chubb, can make the pass rush a top 5 unit in the NFL. He is a great athlete, with speed and agility and can rush the passer. His size and instincts are good too. His coverage can improve, but he can be good despite character concerns. 

10th overall - Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama: The Cowboys’ secondary was one of the worst, if not the worst in the league last season. Surtain is a very good choice in the secondary and will improve any defense he plays for. He is a shutdown, cover corner, and excels in man defense. He has a high football IQ, speed, agility, and great hands. 

11th overall - New York Giants: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan: The Giants could go wide receiver to add more depth to help Daniel Jones excel, but an edge rusher is exactly what Gettleman’s Giants need to bolster their defense even more. For his size, he is explosive off the line, speedy, agile, physical, can shed blocks and his excellent turning ability can help him get past tackles. 

12th overall - Philadelphia Eagles (from San Francisco via Miami): Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina: His pro-day performance consisting of a 4.4 40-yard dash, a 41.5-inch vertical, a 133-inch broad jump, proved he is a blue-chip prospect in this year’s draft. He has an athletic combination of speed, agility, length and can become a lockdown corner. The Eagles need help all over their secondary, this pick would be wise.

13th overall - Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OL, Virginia Tech: Justin Herbert had an outstanding rookie campaign but needs protection, especially on the blindside, if he wants his production to continue. Darrisaw is a pure left tackle, is physical, strong, has good size, and is good at run blocking and pass blocking. This is a great pick alongside Corey Linsley at the center spot.

14th overall - Minnesota Vikings: Devontae Smith, WR, Alabama: The Vikings could address their offensive line and pass rush here, but Smith won the Heisman for a reason. He is fast, explosive off the line, a great route runner, and has great hands. With Theilen, Jefferson, and Smith, the Vikings’ receiving corps could be one of the best in the NFL.

15th overall - New England Patriots: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State: The Patriots signed several wide receivers and tight ends to help their offense. Trey Lance is a great QB who received comparisons to Deshaun Watson. Lance has a big frame, but is speedy and agile and can move outside of the pocket to evade pressure to extend plays. He has a strong arm, is pretty accurate, and is dangerous if given a running lane. He should thrive with the new tools.

16th overall - Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech: The Cardinals need a cornerback to solidify their secondary. A strong secondary will allow their linebackers more time to rush the QB, something they can do with J.J. Watt. He has all the characteristics of an NFL CB: size, speed, length, ball skills, he can do it all. He can make up any cushion down the field with his 4.3-second speed.

17th overall - Las Vegas Raiders: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State: After shipping RT Trent Brown to the Patriots, Jenkins, a natural right tackle is a good athlete, with strength, agility, aggressiveness, and is well-leveraged. He may not be the best tackle on the board but his impact is undeniable on tape.

18th overall - Miami Dolphins: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma: The Dolphins had the 11th worst rushing attack in 2020. With Humprhey’s strength, size, tenacity, and consistency, he will help to create holes in the interior of the offensive line for whoever is in the backfield. As the best center in the draft, he’ll help boost the rush attack and that will open up the passing game for Tagovailoa.

19th overall - Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame: Owusu-Koramoah is an intense heat-seeking missile in the box who can rush the passer, shed blocks and he also has the flexibility to shift into the slot. He is versatile enough to stop the run and can also play pass coverage against slot receivers. He and Chase Young would be deadly.

20th overall - Chicago Bears: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama: The Bears appear to have a quarterback, at least for the short term, with Andy Dalton. They franchised tagged Allen Robinson and Waddle would provide a deep threat option for Dalton, quick separation from cornerbacks, explosiveness off of the line, and an elite yards after catch ability.

21st overall - Indianapolis Colts: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas: The Colts have a great offensive line, a young run game, and a new quarterback, in Carson Wentz who had his best year under Colts’ coach head coach Frank Reich. One of their biggest needs is a pure pass rusher. Ossai has an elite combination of explosiveness, length, speed, and agility. It’ll take some time to refine his pass-rushing arsenal, but there is a huge upside.

22nd overall - Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota: The Titans could go cornerback with this pick, after moving on from both of their corners, but after trading Corey Davis and Adam Humphries, I think they go receiver. Bateman is very athletic, but despite his smaller frame, can succeed in the NFL. He is a speedy receiver with great hands and body control and excels at YAC. 

23rd overall - New York Jets: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa: With new defensive-oriented head coach Robert Saleh, Collins should make a great addition at linebacker adding to a core of C.J Mosely, Blake Cashman and Jarrad Davis. Collins offers an elite combination of size, athleticism, and strength. He also has a high football IQ, can read the field and opposing plays very well, and is a strong tackler who can excel on the Jets’ defense

24th overall - Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama: Harris is an elite talent at running back, with speed, explosiveness, elusiveness, physicality, and he is a true workhorse running back that can run inside or outside. His versatility allows him to catch passes out of the backfield and he can make defenders miss. The Steelers had the worst running game in the league which caused their offense to be one-dimensional. He will improve the Steelers’ backfield immensely. 

25th overall - Jacksonville Jaguars: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern: Ever since the Jaguars lost Jalen Ramsey, they have been inconsistent in their secondary. Newsome is a sound investment at cornerback. Newsome is an excellent athlete with the length to disrupt passes, and he’s also astute and reads the field well. He’s tough, athletic, and has excellent technique to shut down opponents. If he stays healthy, he’ll be a great addition.

26th overall - Cleveland Browns: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia: At 6’4”, 249 pounds, he is the perfect size to be a pure pass rusher in a base 3-4 scheme. He has the speed, agility, physicality, and juke moves to rush the passer and has the strength to shed blocks. He can also stop the run. He doesn’t have the size to be a 4-3 defensive end, but is versatile and can transition to LB.

27th overall - Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU: The Ravens brought in Sammy Watkins, who is a reliable target. They also have a pretty good run game. To help out Lamar Jackson develop, even more, Marshall Jr. is a good late first-round choice. Marshall boasts an elite size/speed combination, and he is a player who can make plays all over the field. He also has a good route running ability, good body control, and can make plays after the catch.

28th overall - New Orleans Saints: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky: The Saints had to shed a lot of salary to get under the cap. The Saints could go cornerback or defensive line, however, after cutting Kwon Alexander, the Saints feel linebacker is the best route. Davis is very athletic, had a great college career, and put up incredible numbers at his pro day, including a 4.48 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical, and a 132-inch broad jump. He can stop the run and he is physical. 

29th overall - Green Bay Packers: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida: The Packers could go with a center after the departure of Corey Linsley, however, they have depth on the o-line, versatile players that can play multiple positions, and a multitude of picks later in the draft to address OL. Toney is agile, athletic, explosive off the line of scrimmage, which creates separation from CBs, has good hands, and can make huge plays after the catch. He would excel with Matt Lafleur.

30th overall - Buffalo Bills: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami: The Bills still have a talented defense, with a great secondary and a good linebacker core led by Matt Milano and Trumaine Edmunds. However, they became an offensive-oriented team last year with Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs. Philips is arguably the best edge rusher in the draft. He has exceptional hand quickness, explosiveness, juke moves, block-shedding ability, and precision for his experience level. He has promise despite injury concerns.

31st overall - Baltimore Ravens via Chiefs: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC: There were some concerns about the Chiefs’ offensive line after the Super Bowl and they cut both of their tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. After making a few trades for great free agent lineman, they stabilized their offensive line. For Baltimore, they need to stabilize their offensive line to ensure protection for Lamar Jackson and to open up the run game. Vera-Tucker is versatile and has excelled at both the tackle and guard positions. With size, speed, athleticism, strength, and good fundamentals he’ll stabilize the o-line in Baltimore.

32nd overall - Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama: The Bucs brought back all 22 of their starters, which is incredible but rare. With no glaring weaknesses or needs,

this signing will provide even more depth to an already phenomenal defense. He had a great year with the Crimson Tide. On tape, he flashed athleticism, strength, and heavy hands, and rotating behind veterans like Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, and William Gholston is beneficial.