2021 NFL Mock Draft
Ben Fader '21 Editor in Chief
Although the NFL season just ended 3 weeks ago, front offices for teams around the league know it’s their time to shine. The most cost-effective way to upgrade your team is through the draft, meaning the importance of drafting well cannot be overstated. Howard senior Nick Boyle said, “I hope the Steelers draft a running back. Our run game was terrible last year.” Another thing teams can do is trade picks in the draft for players that they are interested in. Senior Camren Kovach thinks the Eagles might trade: “we might need another QB. If we don’t give up much for a pick then I’d be happy.” Below are my picks for the 2021 draft taking into consideration everything up to February 25th.
1st: JAX takes QB Trevor Lawrence. They fill their glaring need at Quarterback with a franchise guy and allow him to grow with the new coaching staff led by Urban Meyer. 2nd: NYJ takes QB Zach Wilson. After a mediocre two years in New Jersey, Sam Darnolds replacement is here. Wilson is a great pick considering they are likely to land a top receiver as well. 3rd: HOU (Via MIA) takes WR Devonta Smith. Deshaun has asked out of Houston multiple times and I think he lands in Miami. With the probable loss of Fuller, Smith is the best receiver in the draft and already has a rapport with Tua Tagovailoa. 4th: ATL takes QB Justin Fields. Matt Ryan’s time is ending fast. A quarterback with an extraordinarily bright future could set the Falcons on track for winning football again in the near future. 5th: CIN takes OT Penei Sewell. The best lineman in the draft will go to the Bengals who look to get loads of protection this offseason for their talented young quarterback, Joe Burrow. 6th: PHI takes TE/WR Kyle Pitts. A star in college will be a top guy immediately for a team struggling to find reliable receivers. 7th: DET takes WR Ja’Marr Chase. The lions could lose Jones, Golloday, or both this offseason. What better way to begin the Jared Goff era in Detroit than to take a receiver that can produce right away. 8th: CAR takes QB Mac Jones. Although he only played one full season in college, Jones looked nothing but experienced on his way to an undefeated championship season. A great pick for a team that already has exceptional skill position players. 9th: DEN takes LB Micah Parsons. MLB is a weak spot on the Broncos defense and if Parsons makes the leap and performs at the next level, he can thrive on a young team. 10th: DAL takes CB Patrick Surtain. Although I don’t believe Surtain is the best corner in the draft, defense is a necessity for the Cowboys and Surtain fits their style of play. 11th: NYG takes EDGE Gregory Rousseau. A defense that surprised many at times this year, will pick a great edge rusher with potential that can make an immediate impact. 12th: SF takes OL Alijah Vera-Tucker. It appears that Garrapolo will return as the starter, while Tucker is a solid Lineman who can improve an above average group. 13th: LAC takes OL Rashawn Slater. Slater is widely believed to be the 2nd best OL prospect in this year's draft after a great season and will get dirty in the trenches to protect the former ROTY. 14th: MIN takes DL Kwity Paye. The product from Michigan will be added to a poor front seven in an attempt to revive a bottom 6 defense in the league. 15th: NE takes WR Jaylen Waddle. No matter who starts at quarterback, with Edelman healthy, the duo could be dangerous. 16th: ARI takes CB Caleb Farley. Cardinals steal the top Corner prospect in the draft in my opinion, to replace Patrick Peterson. 17th: LV takes LB Azeez Ojulari. Raiders improve their pass rush tremendously picking Ojulari with a very high ceiling. 18th: MIA takes RB Najee Harris. Early for Najee? The Dolphins will be desperate to get a solid core for Watson and Harris absolutely dominated at Alabama. 19th: WFT takes OT Christian Darrisaw. A solid Lineman to protect whoever is starting for WFT next year. 20th: SEA (Via CHI) takes OL Alex Leatherwood. A bad O-Line gets an NFL ready product to protect newly acquired Mitchell Trubisky. 21st: IND takes WR Kadarius Toney. Part of the best passing attack in college last year, Toney joins a young, unproven offense. 22nd: TEN takes LB Zaven Collins. DEFENSE!!! 23rd: NYJ takes DL Jaelan Phillips. After additions to the offense, Phillips is a solid addition to a young D-Line. 24th: PIT takes QB Trey Lance. Not high on this prospect but the position is a question mark in Pittsburgh. 2022 could be a battle between Haskins and Lance. 25th: BAL (Via JAX) takes OL Wyatt Davis. Davis will fill a much needed hole on the interior after being part of an elite rushing attack in college. 26th: CLE takes S Trevon Moehrig. Adding Moehrig to this secondary would be huge for a team looking to get back to the postseason. 27th: BAL takes EDGE Quincy Roche. A stud in college last season will look to replace Judon and Ngakoue outside. 28th: NO takes DB Jaycee Horn. Saints desperately need a cheap, quality defensive starter in the secondary for a low salary cap. 29th: GB takes WR Rondale Moore. After failing to help Rodgers' last year, the Packers will take a sure 30th: BUF takes LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Defense is the priority for Buffalo and Koramoah is as talented as they come. 31st: KC takes OT Jackson Carman. Rewatch the Super Bowl to figure this one out. 32nd: TB takes DL Levi Onwuzurike. The reigning champs have an aging line which will be backed up nicely by Onwuzurike. |
February 25th, 2021 - The draft room is as hectic as it gets with tablet, computer and phone screens all open for updates and research on potential players. - NFL.com
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