2021 NFL Mock Draft
Which players will make up this year’s top ten?
It’s been a week since the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. That means mock draft season is in full swing. With that being said, the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.
- Jacksonville: Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)
The worst kept secret in sports is who Jacksonville will select with the number one pick. Everyone knows Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence will be the pick, despite the Jaguars saying they’re evaluating everyone. Jacksonville needs a quarterback. Lawrence will be their guy.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson (QB, BYU)
The number two pick is where the real draft starts. The Jets are on the clock and have a boatload of options. They could keep Sam Darnold and draft Penei Sewell. They could trade down for more picks. They could trade for Deshaun Watson. Or in this scenario, they trade away Darnold and draft a new quarterback to pair with their new head coach. Wilson was electric this season, leading to his rise up draft boards. BYU’s lack of competition doesn’t eliminate his upside, making Wilson the number two pick.
3. Miami: DeVonta Smith (WR, Alabama)
The Dolphins could look to address their weak offensive line here. Instead, they let their rookies from last year develop more and target the biggest hole on their team: receiver. Miami only had one wide receiver go over 400 yards last season. With wideout being the choice, the debate is between DeVonta Smith and Ja’Marr Chase. The Heisman winner gets the slight edge due to his outstanding play this season.
4. Atlanta: Patrick Surtain II (CB, Alabama)
Despite selecting a cornerback in round one of last year’s draft, Atlanta’s pass defense still struggled. They finished last in passing yards allowed per game. It’s tough to lock down what the Falcons will do with this pick, but it should be Alabama’s Patrick Surtain II. Last year’s SEC Defensive Player of the Year has true number one corner ability. Surtain would be a massive upgrade for a weak Atlanta secondary.
5. Cincinnati: Penei Sewell (OL, Oregon)
The focus for Cincinnati should be protecting their franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. While some mock drafts have the Bengals selecting a receiver, that just doesn’t make sense. Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins are more than serviceable. Cincinnati instead will select tackle Penei Sewell to improve their 30th ranked offensive line (according to Pro Football Focus). Sewell is one of the best tackle prospects of the generation. Getting him at five would be a steal for the Bengals.
6. Philadelphia: Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU)
Philadelphia has fallen from the graces since their Super Bowl win during the 2017 season. They have holes on the offensive line and on defense. There’s not a bigger need however, than receiver. Last year, Philadelphia’s leading receiver finished with 539 yards. Even after using their first round pick on a receiver last year, the Eagles double down by selecting Ja’Marr Chase. Chase, who had 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns the last season he played, has the potential to be the top receiver in this class. Philadelphia would gladly take his services.
7. Detroit: Micah Parsons (LB, Penn State)
Detroit is in full rebuild mode after trading away Matthew Stafford. That leads to a best player available approach for the Lions. Good thing for them the best player available also addresses a glaring need. Detroit allowed the most yards per game, and the fifth-most rushing yards per game last season. They need a leader on defense, and Micah Parsons can be that guy. Parsons, who opted out last year, accumulated 109 tackles, five sacks, and four forced fumbles during the 2019 season. He will provide much needed toughness and talent for Detroit’s defense.
8. Carolina: Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State)
The Panthers aren’t happy with Teddy Bridgewater’s performance last year. That’s clear with reports of the team inquiring about Matthew Stafford. Carolina will likely take a QB with the eighth pick. The question is which one? Fields will probably be the selection after an impressive Ohio State career. Some questions about his poor play against teams like Northwestern and Alabama won’t be critical as Fields can sit behind Bridgewater for a year.
9. Denver: Caleb Farley (CB, Virginia Tech)
Bryce Callahan and Michael Ojemudia were solid corners for Denver last season. However, with the team releasing A.J. Bouye, Denver could still use some help at the position. Caleb Farley has all the tools to be a number one cornerback in the NFL. Even with opting out of last season, Farley still finds himself in the top ten.
10. Dallas: Kwity Paye (DL, Michigan)
The Cowboys would probably like to select a cornerback with this pick. But with the top two already off the board, that leads to Dallas addressing the second-worst rush defense in the NFL. Paye only played in four games last season due to COVID-19 issues at Michigan. During the 2019 season however, he racked up 12.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. If Paye’s the selection, he would fill a massive need for Dallas.
