2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Closing out November

Oh no! Is it the beginning of December and your team still hasn’t turned around its cold start? Was your team recently bit by the injury bug and all hope for this season is lost? Has your team calmed down from its hot start and now the playoffs are looking less and less likely? Welcome then friends, to the real season. Welcome to draft season! The board looks a lot different than it did months ago, with players rising and falling throughout the season. With November in the rearview, here is my 1st round NFL mock draft!

1: New York Jets: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson

This has been the pick for months now, simply because it is the right pick. The Jets are an absolute mess of a team right now, and pretty much need to hit the reset button. Usher in a new, hopefully, more successful era with a franchise quarterback in Trevor Lawrence.

2: Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Fields, QB Ohio State

The Jacksonville Jaguars have been without a long-term solution at quarterback for pretty much an entire decade. They finally have a great chance at a franchise quarterback in Justin Fields. Fields have a special talent that can help transform one of the worst offenses in the league. He can maximize Jacksonville’s weapons and add another dimension to their rushing attack. This is a no brainer pick for the Jaguars at 2.

3: Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon

No top 3 pick drama this year, like Cincinnati, also has an easy decision. Joe Burrow is the future for the Bengals. Cincinnati showed this year their inability to protect their franchise signal-caller. Priority #1 has to be improving their offensive line, and adding Penei Sewell will be a great addition. He checks off all the boxes that you look for in a franchise tackle: size, phenomenal athleticism, and strength. Have him protect Burrow’s blindside and you can either kick former 1st round pick, Jonah Williams, inside or have him move to right tackle and kick Bobby Hart to the curb.

4: Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain, CB Alabama

This is where the draft gets tricky to predict. With many quarterback-needy teams hoping to grab Zach Wilson or Trey Lance, Dallas is a prime candidate to trade down. If they were to stay put, reuniting Trevon Diggs with his former Alabama teammate Patrick Surtain would not be a bad idea at all. Dallas has a lot of questions in their secondary, and Surtain would be a great addition at corner. Dallas already has their franchise quarterback in Dak Prescott (who they should most certainly bring back), as well as their franchise wide receivers. Get a top-level corner for that defense.

5: Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT Northwestern

The Chargers need to take warning from Cincinnati. They saw what happened to Joe Burrow this year. Los Angeles cannot have that happen to them. The Chargers look like they have a potential superstar quarterback in Justin Herbert. You cannot let Herbert suffer behind a bad line, and that left side of the Chargers line is bad. Is Slater a tackle or a guard? While I truly believe Slater can play tackle at the next level, honestly the Chargers need both. Slater looked really good last year in college, holding his own against 2nd overall pick Chase Young. The Chargers other problems at corner and potentially at wide receiver can wait, they need to protect their franchise guy.

6: Philadelphia Eagles: Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU

The Eagles are a team with a ton of issues. Above all, yes even above the need for an NFL level linebacker, is helping their quarterback and getting a better passing attack. Whether it is Carson Wentz or Jalen Hurts taking snaps next year, Ja’Marr Chase will make their lives so much easier. Chase is a top-level receiver that can separate and make tough grabs. He is a quarterback's best friend, a guy that is almost always open and catches almost everything.

7: Carolina Panthers: Zach Wilson, QB BYU

Carolina is in the perfect position to get a franchise quarterback. Teddy Bridgewater’s contract is perfect for him to start the next year or two and mentor a young quarterback. While a serviceable quarterback, Teddy is not the future franchise guy for the Panthers. Here they take Wilson, a big-time playmaker at quarterback that will probably need a year or two before he’s truly ready. With young potential defensive stars, everything could come together nicely for Carolina in a few years.

8: Washington Football Team: Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State

Quarterback has been the easy pick for Washington ever since they benched former first-round pick, Dwayne Haskins. Clearly, 36-year-old veteran Alex Smith is not the quarterback of the future for the nameless ones, and it just so happens Trey Lance is sitting right there for Washington. Don’t forget the hype surrounding Trey Lance before Covid ruined his 2020 season. He has a big arm and is very mobile. He is going to need to wait and learn a bit, and who better to teach him than Alex Smith?

9: Detroit Lions: Devonta Smith, WR Alabama

Pretty much every wide receiver’s contract is up this year for the Lions. There is going to be a huge shakeup of the Lions wide receiver corps going into next year. Left on the board is a top-level prospect in Devonta Smith, who is firmly establishing himself as the best receiver in college football this season. He has it all and will immediately be a favorite of Matt Stafford next season.

10: Atlanta Falcons: Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan

Atlanta has problems getting to the quarterback. Their top pass rushers this season have been star defensive tackle Grady Jarrett, and linebacker Deion Jones. Kwity Paye would be a great addition to the Falcons defense. He’s an extremely well-rounded lineman with the size and technique to be a force at the next level.

11: Miami Dolphins: Micah Parsons, LB Penn State

There are a lot of different directions Miami could go with the 11th overall pick. Here they go with the best player available and take Micah Parsons from Penn State. Brian Flores has turned Miami into a top defensive unit, and Parsons is just another top-level player that he can use in multiple ways. He has the athleticism and the size to make plays all over the field in the run and pass games, and Flores can incorporate Parsons in some creative blitz concepts. Don’t forget Micah Parsons was a defensive lineman.

12: Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech

The Denver Broncos are in a really tough situation this year. With a combination of injury and bad play, can the Broncos fully be confident that 2nd-year quarterback Drew Lock is their guy? They are a candidate to trade up, but in this mock, the Broncos stay put and address a need at cornerback. With AJ Bouye not quite what he used to be, the Broncos pair Bryce Callahan with another potential stud in Caleb Farley. Farley is big and athletic with loads of potential. While they can’t address their biggest need in quarterback, they add one of the best defensive players available in a position of need.

13: Chicago Bears: Christian Darrisaw, OT Virginia Tech

The Chicago Bears are in quarterback purgatory. Despite a good roster, the Bears cannot truly be a contender until they find their franchise quarterback. Chicago is another team that could possibly trade up. In this tradeless mock draft, they stay put and take the best offensive tackle available. There is a lot to like about Darrisaw, he’s long and can make blocks in space. You will see plays where Darrisaw makes blocks 10+ yards down the field. While their quarterback hunt is still ongoing, the Bears get a potential franchise tackle.

14: Minnesota Vikings: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE Miami

Here the Vikings take a swing for the fences with a boom or bust prospect in Rousseau. There’s a reason why Rousseau has a lot of hype: size, athleticism, and a good year of production. There certainly is a high ceiling with Rousseau. He’s definitely raw, and I believe needs a good team and coach to season him. He goes to a good situation in Minnesota where he can hopefully develop into a top-level pass rusher.

15: New England Patriots: Kyle Pitts, TE Florida

Call it the trendy pick to just mock New England a top tight end every year until they take one, but this one is honestly the right pick. The Pats desperately need a top-level weapon, and Kyle Pitts is just that. He’s a superb receiver at the tight end position and is a matchup nightmare. He’s too big for safeties and too fast and athletic for linebackers. Just take him and be great New England.

16: San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina

It is a fact that Richard Sherman will not play forever. Even if he plays again next season, there’s a shot it is not for the Niners with his contract up. With that in mind, San Fran takes his eventual replacement in Jaycee Horn. Horn was a breakout player this season before opting out, dazzling with his size and aggressiveness. The 49ers have potentially a really good 1-2 combo at corner with Verrett and Horn moving forward.

17: Las Vegas Raiders: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE Georgia

For the 3rd year in a row, the Raiders have shown that they cannot get to the quarterback. They need an edge rusher badly. Azeez Ojulari will work nicely in Vegas. He lives in the backfield and has a great combination of speed, bend, and quick hands. There are some other edge rushers that Vegas can consider: Patrick Jones II from Pitt, Jaelan Phillips from Miami, ETC. This one’s a no brainer, just take the best edge rusher available.

18: Baltimore Ravens: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama

The Ravens have to do whatever they can to help Lamar Jackson. The reigning MVP has not nearly had the same season as last year, and I think a lack of weapons is hurting him. Jaylen Waddle is a speedster that makes big plays. He’s not just a track star, he can run solid routes and is just such a fluid mover in space. Take the best weapon available and help out your franchise quarterback.

19: New York Giants: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame

The Giants have some pretty good pieces on their defense, here they get a playmaker at linebacker to really bring it all together. He might not have traditional linebacker size, but week after week with his athleticism and instincts he makes key plays all over the field for the Fighting Irish. He can be the heart and soul of an already inspired Giants defense moving forward.

20: Arizona Cardinals: Eric Stokes, CB Georgia

The Cardinals need a replacement for Patrick Peterson going into next season. Whether he resigns with the Cardinals or moves on in the offseason, Arizona must find a replacement for the star corner. Eric Stokes has been one of the top corners in the country and can bolster the Cardinals secondary.

21: Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Patrick Jones II, EDGE Pitt

It’s really hard to determine who to give the Bucs in the draft. The team as a whole doesn’t have a ton of flaws. Do they draft a quarterback as Brady’s eventual replacement? Do they go for a tackle and replace Donovan Smith? Do they grab another weapon? Here the Bucs take Patrick Jones II as Jason Pierre-Paul’s eventual replacement. Jones has the power, length, and explosive athleticism to be a really good pass rusher in the league.

22: Miami Dolphins: Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota

After picking up a playmaker on defense in Micah Parsons earlier, the Dolphins grab a top receiver in Rashod Bateman. Bateman is a true alpha dog of a wide receiver that makes tough catches. He’s a good route runner and is great with the ball in his hands. Miami gives Tua a top playmaker.

23: Indianapolis Colts: Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame

Entering the latter stage of his career, the Colts need to find a replacement for left tackle Anthony Castonzo. They don’t have to look for, staying in-state and taking Notre Dame left tackle Liam Eichenberg. Eichenberg has been a big-time riser this season, impressing with his NFL size and power. He is one of the best pass protectors in college and would be a great replacement for Indy’s long time left tackle.

24: Cleveland Browns: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE Miami

Olivier Vernon is gone after this year so the Browns replace him with a top-level talent from the U. After battling injuries for two seasons, Phillips is finally healthy and is tearing up ACC offenses. He is finally showing everyone that 5-star talent, and it isn’t a stretch to call Phillips one of the most naturally talented players in this draft class. He has the quickness, the power, and an extremely aggressive playstyle to be a star. He and Myles Garrett paired up could be scary for NFL quarterbacks.

25: Jacksonville Jaguars: Pat Freiermuth, TE Penn State

The Jaguars could add an offensive lineman, but here they give new quarterback Justin Fields a consistent weapon. There are some real threats on this Jacksonville team; DJ Chark, Keenan Cole, and rookie Laviska Shenault are all big-play threats, but what Jacksonville really could use is a consistent threat. Freiermuth can be Fields' safety valve and a consistent threat.

26: New York Jets: Terrace Marshall, WR LSU

Okay, Jets, you got your franchise quarterback, PLEASE GET HIM SOME HELP NOW. Don’t surround Trevor Lawrence with anything like you did Sam Darnold. Take Terrace Marshall here. Marshall is an extremely talented wide receiver. He’s big and fast and has some really good hands. We’ve seen Lawrence be extremely successful with big body receivers like Tee Higgins and Justyn Ross in college. Give him one at the next level with Terrace Marshall.

27: Tennessee Titans: Zaven Collins, LB Tulsa

The Titans linebacker situation is really not great. Zaven Collins would be a great addition in a position of need. He’s a big traditional sized linebacker that can run sideline to sideline like a modern NFL linebacker. He’s good in coverage and can even play edge and rush the passer. He’s a versatile linebacker that could do really well in the Titans’ 3-4 defense. 

28: Buffalo Bills: Shaun Wade, CB Ohio State

The Bills don’t really have a reliable corner outside of Tre'davious White. Shaun Wade has struggled at times since his move to the outside this season, but the talent is still there. I think with a real offseason Wade could successfully make the transition and be a good outside CB2 for the Bills. If they choose to leave him in the slot, they have a potential top-level slot corner to pair with White.

29: Green Bay Packers, Chris Olave, WR Ohio State

This pick is a scary one for NFC North cornerbacks. Green Bay desperately needs another top-level receiver to pair with Davante Adams, and they have one here in Chris Olave. Olave is an extremely smooth route runner that just seems to always get open. He would further polish his game learning from one of the best technicians in the league in Adams.

30: Kansas City Chiefs: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL USC

The Chiefs interior line is not the best, so here they improve it. Alijah Vera-Tucker has been phenomenal this season for the Trojans at left tackle. With his size he best projects at left guard. He has sufficient athleticism and power, and is a guard that can excel in both the run and passing games.

31: New Orleans Saints: Mac Jones, QB Alabama

The New Orleans Saints seriously need to find Drew Brees’ replacement. Taysom Hill has been uninspiring in relief of Brees this season, and it’s time to groom a real quarterback for the future. Mac Jones is having a heck of a season for Alabama this year, and is surgical in the pocket. He doesn’t have the strongest arm and isn’t the most mobile, things that haven’t hindered Drew Brees and the Saints this decade. Have him learn under Brees for a year and groom him to be your possible franchise guy.

32: Pittsburgh Steelers: Teven Jenkins, OT Oklahoma State

There are a few ways the Steelers could go in this draft. Maybe they really like Kyle Trask and want him to be Big Ben’s replacement. Maybe they look for a possible Bud Dupree replacement. Here they go tackle with Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins. Jenkins can play right tackle for the Steelers and potentially be an early upgrade on Chukwuma Okorafor.

Writer

-By: Jacob Keppen