We are roughly at the midway point of the weirdest NFL season in recent memory. Some teams are racing towards the playoffs, while others race towards the bottom. Regardless of your team’s record, it’s never too early for a little 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
As a bit of housekeeping, I am using the updated NFL Draft standings from this weekend, and will not be looking at playoff teams yet. I will also not be projecting trades, but will mention if I could see a trade happening.
1. NYJ: QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
And the first player off the board in the 2021 NFL Mock Draft is… I mean, is this even a question? It doesn’t matter if the Packers get the number one overall pick, they’re taking Trevor. The Jets are just lucky enough to suck this bad in a year with Trevor as their prize.
Alternative: C’mon
2. JAX: QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
Jacksonville has a lot of needs to fill, but QB is number one on the list. Minshew Mania is drawing to a close, and Jacksonville has struggled to find their franchise QB since the BOAT left in free agency… Ok, they struggled to find their franchise QB long before that. Could Justin Fields be the answer in Duval?
Alternative: QB Trey Lance, NDSU
3. DAL: OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
Yes, I know, Dallas has a lot of issues on the defensive side of the ball. However, their offensive line has struggled this year, allowing two QBs to go down long term, and Zeke is struggling. As their line gets older, now is the time to replace it. I also don’t see a defensive back worth taking at three, and that’s what Dallas needs. They would either take Penei, or trade back.
Alternative: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
4. NYG: WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
While the Giants could continue to build their offensive line, with Sewell off the board, this makes the most sense. Even though he sat out this season, Chase is the best wide receiver in this class. Just look at his 2019 rankings.
Ja'Marr Chase national rankings:
— Cody Worsham (@CodyWorsham) December 2, 2019
– Yards/game: 132.5 (1st)
– Touchdowns: 17 (1st)
– Deep yards: 676 (1st)
– Deep TDs: 11 (1st)
– Deep drops: 0 (1st)
– Deep completion %: 73.1 (1st)
– Yards: 1,457 (2nd)
– Avoided tackles: 21 (3rd)
– NFL Rating: 140.5 (4th)
– YAC: 585 (7th) pic.twitter.com/Sf1WENMOWN
This is the kind of dynamic playmaker the Giants could use, and would give their offense a boost. It would take pressure off of the run game, and would show the Giants if Danny Dimes is the real deal.
Alternative: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
5. WFT: QB Trey Lance, NDSU
The Dwayne Haskins experiment failed. Kyle Allen isn’t too exciting, and Alex Smith is 36 with one leg. Unless the US Government starts investing in a Robocop type program (my e-mails have gone unanswered) for Smith, the Football Team will be in the market for a QB. With Lawrence and Fields gone, Trey Lance is the next best option.
Alternative: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
6. LAC: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
The Chargers are the best team with a top ten pick, and have the luxury to go in any direction. While bolstering their offensive line to protect Just Herbert should be the priority, there aren’t many options available that should be drafted this high. Improving the secondary will always help, and Surtain is the best available.
Alternative: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
7. MIA (via HOU): ILB Micah Parsons, Penn State
Miami made a plethora of moves last year, and are sitting at 5-3 due to their efforts.
Parsons is 6’3, 245 lbs., and an athletic freak. By drafting him, they have another cornerstone on their defense to allow Tua time to develop. While they could look for another weapon for Tua, with Parsons on the board he’s hard to pass up.
Alternative: WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
8. NE: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
The Patriots have tried to rebuild on the fly this year, and it has not worked up to this point. They cannot pass up on any of the quarterbacks available in round one, the only question is which one will they pick. Mac Jones can throw a pretty deep ball, Trask… well he’s played okay in the SEC, or Wilson. With limited weapons, it would be a concern how either of the first two QBs would do in Foxboro, leading Wilson to be the odds on favorite to go to New England.
After reports the Patriots wanted to trade up for Baker if he fell in 2018, it drives home the point more. In an offense with limited weapons, his mobility will help greatly, and he’s smart enough to learn the difficult Patriots playbook.
Alternative: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
9. CIN: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
Cincinnati just took Joe Burrow first overall, and now it is time to protect him. With Tee Higgins looking like a true number one receiver and Joe Mixon showing flashes, bolstering a bad offensive line is a top priority, and at 6’7 309 lbs., Cosmi fits a need.
Helping out the defense that has allowed over 400 yards a game this year can wait if it means keeping Burrow upright.
Alternative: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
10. CAR: EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
While Carolina’s defense has been better than expected, Gregory Rousseau is hard to pass up here. After opting out, Rousseau only had one season of tape at the college level, which forced him to fall.Sstill top ten, he could have been top five if he continued his production from last season. With the size and pass rushing ability, he would be a big help for a division that could have Tom Brady, Drew Brees, and Matt Ryan (or whoever the Falcons draft) at QB next season.
Alternative: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
11. ATL: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Your new #Heisman front runner: @MacJones_10#RollTide #CFB
— Korner Booth Podcast ? (@KornerBoothPod) November 2, 2020
pic.twitter.com/gCHjEiD97U
I know, I know, the Falcons defense has been atrocious the past few years. With Rousseau off the board, the Falcons should look to find their QB of the future. Look no further than Mac Jones. Deep balls form Mac to Ridley or Julio would be a thing to behold, and could bring the Falcons back to prominence in the NFC South.
Alternative: CB Caleb Farley, VT
12. DET: OL Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Please, for the love of God, protect Stafford. This man literally broke his back for your team, get him some protection. Leatherwood is the best lineman available, and would keep Stafford upright.
Alternative: OL Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
13. MIN: RG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
Minnesota’s defense hasn’t been great this year, but it is young and improving. By adding an interior offensive lineman, they will help improve their 27th ranked pass protection, and even make things a little easier on Dalvin Cook.
Alternative: DT Christian Barramore, Alabama
14. DEN: OL Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
Denver doesn’t really need more skill positions on offense. I am not yet sold on Drew Lock, but any QB taken now would be a reach. Why not give Lock some protection, and help out the 24th ranked OL give him time to get the ball to the receivers the Broncos have used high picks on?
Alternative: CB Caleb Farley, VT
15. SF: CB Caleb Farley, VT
I felt like the last few picks, Farley was giving off “Always the bridesmaid, never the bride” vibes. So he is finally off the board.
This 49ers team is built on defense and the run game. With an aging Richard Sherman on IR, it could be time to find your next CB1. By adding him, the Niners can keep doing what got them to the Super Bowl last year: smother offenses and let the team run the ball.
Alternative: CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State
16. CHI: QB Kyle Trask, Florida
Chicago, I am sorry. After feeling pressure from fans, Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy fear for their jobs and take the best quarterback available. They were hoping Mac Jones would fall, but Atlanta took him. Whoever takes a QB next will be happy, because they’re a guaranteed stud.
Alternative:
17. CLE: LB Dylan Moses, Alabama
Cleveland’s offensive line is fine, and they have more weapons than Baker knows what to do with. The defense could use some work, and why not take the heart of Alabama’s defense and bolster their front seven.
Alternative: CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State
18. IND: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Jaylen Waddle is, arguably, the most explosive player in this draft. Even after season ending ankle injury, most teams would love to have this guy. With T.Y. Hilton on the wrong side of 30 and has shown struggles to stay healthy, it wouldn’t hurt to have an explosive pass catcher.
Alternative: WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
My first 2021 NFL Mock Draft. I’ll continue doing these as we get closer to the draft, and eventually include the playoff teams as seeding becomes more clear. So, go yell at me on Twitter (@BellyUpKev) if you disagree, and keep an eye out for my 2021 NFL Mock Draft Part 2.
