NFL
By: Dominic Choroski
Mock Draft 2.0 comes at the perfect time. We are now less than a month away from hearing Roger Godell say, “The 2021 NFL Draft is now officially open.” And many things have changed since mock draft 1.0. Some teams have filled holes through free agency and with the latest trades involving Miami, Philadephia, and San Francisco, and Sam Darnold heading to the Panthers, it feels like it’s time for an update. Will quarterbacks go first, second, third, and fourth for the first time in draft history? How many receivers will be selected first round? Who will be the first edge rusher taken? Let’s find out.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Do I really need to give an explanation for this one? No, I don’t.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
With the trade of Sam Darnold, it appears we have our answer for what the Jets’ plans are moving forward. The answer is Zach Wilson as the new QB1 in New York. Wilson has supreme arm talent, the ability to extend plays, and is the most entertaining prospect in this draft class. There are questions about the lack of talent he played against, as well as, some sloppy footwork, but Wilson looks to take over in Rutherford.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
The fact is you don’t trade up from the 12th pick in the draft to 3rd to take anything other than a quarterback. That being said GM John Lynch has stated that the team is committed to Jimmy Garopollo this upcoming season. I believe this will be an Alex Smith-Patrick Mahomes-type scenario play-out in the Bay. Trey Lance checks all the physical boxes but is very raw and needs time to develop. The 49ers give Lance a redshirt rookie year then hand him the keys in year two.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, OSU
The Falcons could absolutely trade this pick to move back and pick up draft capital. There are a ton of holes to fill on the defense, adding a young back to the running game would be helpful, and addressing the o-line is always a wise move. However, it’s time to start thinking about life after Matt Ryan, who is a far cry from his 2016 MVP form. Fields is my second-ranked QB in the draft and would finally get the chance to play for his home team in Atlanta.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
There are some rumblings that the Bengals could go for a pass-catcher here. If they do, Joe Burrow needs to riot and demand a trade. Protecting your quarterback who didn’t finish his rookie year because of an injury sustained from a lack of protection seems like a no-brainer. Penei Sewell is one of the best prospects in this class. Draft him and never worry about his side of the line for the next ten years.
6. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Dolphins have pulled off some “Draft Day” movie-type stunts this draft. Trading out of the 3rd pick down to 12th, then back up to 6th, all while gaining additional draft capital and still getting the best receiver in the draft is David Copperfield levels of magic. Chase opted out of the 2020 season so some may have forgotten just how good he is. This reminder is for those people, Chase was the best player on a team that had Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson, and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.
7. Detroit Lions: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
I know what Lions fans are thinking, “Another first-round tight end?” This time is different. The Lions have holes to fill across the board, but none more so than at pass-catcher. Kyle Pitts is a match-up nightmare. Having outstanding hands and running a 4.44 40-yard dash at 6’6″ and 246 lbs is scary. New head coach Dan Campbell, a former tight end, will fall in love with Pitts’ tape and more importantly will be happy to give new quarterback Jared Goff a number one option in the passing game.
8. Carolina Panthers: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The acquisition of Sam Darnold seemingly takes the Panthers out of the quarterback conversation. With an offense that looks to be poised for success, the Panthers decide to address the defense. Rashaan Melvin and Donte Jackson are two starters in this secondary that could hit free agency in 2022. Insert Surtain, a shutdown corner with playmaking ability. In a division with Julio Jones, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Calvin Ridley, and Michael Thomas, you better have a good secondary.
9. Denver Broncos: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
The Broncos are definitely in the market for a QB, but with four of the top five off the board, Denver decides to invest in Drew Lock and give him one last chance to earn the starter position. After adding an offensive lineman in the draft, Jerry Jeudy returning from injury, holding onto Melvin Gordon, Noah Fant, and Courtland Sutton, there are no excuses for Lock this year.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB, V-Tech
Another opt-out of the 2020 season goes in the top ten. The Cowboys drafted Trevon Diggs last year in the second round, and after losing Chidobe Awuzie in free agency, they need to get Diggs a running mate in the secondary. In 2019 quarterbacks completed only 24.4% of passes when targeting Farley. The corner recently underwent back surgery, but it does not seem like it will hinder his ability to play this upcoming season.
11. New York Giants: Christian Darrisaw, OL, V-Tech
The Giants very quietly built a strong roster. The defense was lights-out last season, and after signing Kenny Golladay and Kyle Rudolph the offense is loaded with talent. So it all comes down to Daniel Jones. Can he take the next step? Strengthening the offensive line will go a long way towards helping Jones have success.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
By moving back in the draft the Eagles are tipping their cap to Jalen Hurts being the starter next year. Regardless of who will be lining up under center, they are going to need weapons. DeVonta Smith is the ultimate weapon. The Heisman winner is hands-down the best route runner of his class.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
When you have a young quarterback you need to do two things, protect him and get him weapons. Justin Herbert is not hurting for weapons in Los Angeles with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. That means the focus shifts to protection. Alijah Vera-Tucker has a high upside and all the traits you want out of a lineman. The main question for him, can he kick out and play tackle or will he be stuck at guard at the next level?
14. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
The edge-rusher position in this draft class is light and there is no clear best prospect out of the group, but Kwity Paye is as close as you are going to get to that this season. The Vikings’ defense was one of the biggest disappointments of last year. The defensive front was supposed to be a strength for this team and it ended up being a weakness. Paye should be able to come in and generate some pressure off the edge.
15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
The Patriots brought back Cam Newton, but it is only a one-year deal. The Patriots deviated from the “Patriot Way” this offseason spending more than $100 million to quickly upgrade this roster, that seems like a move to build a quarterback-friendly system. Something else that goes against their philosophy is taking a quarterback in the first round, but times are changing. Mac Jones has Tom Brady-like accuracy which can make up for his lack of athleticism.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Cardinals were very active in free agency, signing J.J. Watt and A.J. Green, but they did lose future Hall of Famer Patrick Peterson. Replacing him will not be easy but it is a priority. Jaycee Horn doesn’t have the interception numbers that you would like to see, but he is a true lock-down corner who can take away number one receivers.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Defense is still the problem for the Raiders and lucky for them the best linebacker in the draft is sitting right there. Parsons can line up inside or outside, has sideline-to-sideline coverage and speed, and can put his hands in the dirt and rush the passer. Parsons will cover a lot of the holes on this Raiders’ defense.
18. Miami Dolphins: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami
Getting an offensive lineman would make sense, but the Dolphins still have two second-round picks and this is a deep o-line draft class. The Dolphins grab another piece for this defense that really came into their own last year. At 6’7″ and 250 lbs Rousseau has great size and the production is off the charts with 15.5 sacks in 2019.
19. Washington Football Team: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Giving Ryan Fitzpatrick weapons like Terry McLaurin, Antonio Gibson, Logan Thomas, and now Waddle, Washington is primed to win the NFC East for the second year in a row. Waddle before his injury last season had over 500 receiving yards in just four games. He is a deep threat that can take the top off any defense and has added value as a returner.
20. Chicago Bears: Tevin Jenkins, OL, Oklahoma State
Hearing that Andy Dalton is an ideal fit for Nagy’s offense is not the news Bears’ fans wanted to hear this week. the truth is the Bears have no viable plan at the quarterback position moving forward. But no matter who that option ends up being they will need protection. The offensive line has been a problem for a few years now in Chicago, it’s time to finally address it. Jenkins is a people mover in both the pass and run game.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami
The Colts could bring back Justin Houston but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to start looking to the future. Phillips is the best pure pass-rusher in the class but will need time to develop as an all-around edge defender. The Colts could go for an offensive lineman as well with the retirement of Anthony Costanzo.
22. Tennessee Titans: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, UGA
Tennessee added Bud Dupree in free agency but they still have questions at the edge position. The Titans have invested a lot into the edge position over the years, drafting Harold Landry, signing Jadeveon Clowney and Vic Beasley, none of those moves panned out. Ojulari had 8.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles in 2020, pairing him with Dupree could finally answer the Titans’ prayers.
23. New York Jets: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, OLB, Notre Dame
After drafting Wilson and spending money on the offense in free agency, the Jets have to address the defense with this pick. The best defender on the board is Owusu-Koramoah. The Notre Dame product is a three-down linebacker who is great in coverage with sideline-to-sideline speed. This is the first of many steps needed to rebuild this roster.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The Steelers were the worst team in the league when it came to running the ball last year. If the Steelers seriously want to try and win another Superbowl with Ben leading the way, the offense needs to be more balanced. Najee Harris is a great pass catcher, an explosive playmaker, but most importantly he is durable. Something that has plagued James Connor during his time as a Steeler.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zaven Collins, Edge, Tulsa
It feels like ages ago when the Jaguars were one game away from the Superbowl, being lead by a dominant defense. Yes, you have the flashy new QB to take you to new heights, but rebuilding that once elite defense should be part of the plan as well. Zaven Collins can wreck a gameplan with his freaky athleticism, whether getting after the quarterback or dropping back in space.
26. Cleveland Browns: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
The Browns aren’t used to picking this low in the draft, but one of the reasons they are picking 26th is because of the success they have had in the draft the past few years. They keep that trend going by beefing up the interior defensive line. With Grant Delpit and Greedy Williams coming back from injury the secondary should be much improved. The Browns also seem like a prime candidate to sign Jadeveon Clowney. Adding Barmore to generate pressure up the middle with Garrett and Clowney coming off the edge will be tough to deal with.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Ravens walked away from the wide receiver carousel in free agency with just Sammy Watkins. While Watkins is a serviceable player, he struggles to stay on the field. That means the Ravens still have their work cut out for them when it comes to finding a legit number one receiving option. Kadarius Toney’s versatility and explosiveness make him a threat to score on every play.
28. New Orleans Saints: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Drew Brees has officially retired, and Jamies Winston is believed to be next in line to lead the Saints. Given Winston’s propensity for throwing “50/50 balls,” the Saints should invest in another pass-catcher outside of Michael Thomas. Batemen has strong hands, excellent route running, and at 6’2″ he’s a favorable matchup in jump ball situations.
29. Green Bay Packers: Samuel Cosmi, OL, Texas
Resigning Aaron Jones was an unexpected move by the Packers this offseason. It seems like the Packers are done worrying about winning a championship five years from now and are focused on maximizing their remaining time with Aaron Rodgers as their leader. David Bakhtiari suffered a torn ACL towards the end of the season and consequently, Aaron Rodgers was sacked five times one the NFC Championship game. Bakhtiari is expected to make a full recovery but adding Cosmi’s size and agility could help keep Rodgers off the turf in the playoffs.
30. Buffalo Bills: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The Bills’ offense, while productive, was a one-trick pony. The run game was not a factor at all for the Buffalo last season and it came back to bite them in the playoffs against both the Colts and the Chiefs. Travis Etienne gives them a clear number running back who can be on the field for all three downs. Imagining this Bills’ offense adding a player that scored 78 touchdowns during his time at Clemson brings a smile to Sean McDermott’s face.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Mayfield, OL, Michigan
The Chiefs are clearly rebuilding the offensive line after watching Patrick Mahomes do a marathon’s worth of running in the Superbowl. Signing Joe Thuney and Kyle Long were the first steps, Mayfield is the next. He will benefit from learning from Kyle Long and eventually could become the starting right tackle for the Chiefs down the road.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
It is hard to improve a roster that is returning all 22 starters from their Superbowl victory. A good way would be to address what was, at times, a concern for this defense last year, the secondary. While the secondary played lights-out in the Superbowl, the Bucs’ corners got torched more than a few times during the season. Adding the best safety in the draft, who has terrific ball skills, should help sure up the backend for the Champs.
