This is my third mock draft of the year heading into this spring's NFL Draft, but it's the first I've done since free agency opened. With teams actively in the market addressing needs, it gives us all a better idea of what they'll be looking for in the draft, particularly in the early rounds. Still, it's important to remember that even though a team might have just signed a player at a position, it doesn't mean they're done looking for younger alternatives.
Yes, that last sentence is directed at you, Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andy Dalton. As you'll see below, I don't think either Washington or Chicago are done trying to address the QB position.
Mock Draft
2021 NFL Draft Round 1
1
The only way this pick isn't Trevor Lawrence in any of my mocks is if I'm just trying to see how angry I can make people. He's the pick. He's always been the pick.
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2
I had Fields going to the Jets in my first mock and then Zach Wilson in my second. I've decided to stick to my guns on the first one. It might end up being Wilson, but I think Fields is the better prospect. His size, athleticism, and accuracy are just too good to ignore.
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From
Houston Texans
3
The Dolphins just signed Will Fuller, but it's hard to imagine they signed a player who can't stay on the field to be their primary acquisition at the position. So they follow it up with the guy many consider to be the top receiver in this draft, and now the Dolphins have two players who can take the top off a defense. Waddle immediately becomes the team's No. 1.
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4
It's not sexy, and many believe the Falcons should take this opportunity to find Matt Ryan's replacement because it could be a while before this pick this high again. I think it makes more sense to give your team the best chance to win while Ryan and Julio Jones are still around. Sewell is a significant improvement to the offensive line who will still be around to protect Ryan's replacement.
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5
Most mocks have the Bengals taking an OT or WR, but with Sewell off the board, Pitts could be more appealing than any WR in this draft. He's a freak of nature and could be the league's prototype tight end for the next decade.
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6
Chase isn't a perfect prospect, but his hands, ability to win 50/50 balls and his ability after the catch are all exceptional. They all provide a solid foundation that suggests he's going to be a No. 1 WR at the NFL level, and that's something the Eagles could use.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
7
I don't think the 49ers are unhappy with Jimmy G, but I don't think they're sold on him as the QB past 2021, either. They move up to draft one of this draft's most intriguing prospects with the idea of letting him learn for a year or maybe even wrestle the job away.
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8
As the Panthers watch another top QB option come off the board ahead of them, they pivot to Darrisaw. Opinions vary on OT prospects this year, with Sewell seen as the No. 1 by most. I have Darrisaw as my No. 2. His size, strength and ability to move his feet are all very impressive, and there's still room to grow with further grooming. He's a right tackle who could potentially play on the left side.
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9
I like Slater a lot too, but the reason I prefer Darrisaw is that I'm more confident he sticks at tackle or could one day play on the left. I see Slater as more of a jack-of-all-trades who could stick at RT or move inside to guard. Wherever you put him, I think he helps the Broncos immediately.
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10
I've had Caleb Farley going as the first corner in my mocks, but he's having back surgery, and they say there's no such thing as "minor" back surgery, so I'm not sure how that'll impact his draft stock. All that said, the separation between Farley and Surtain on my board was minuscule to begin with. He isn't a burner, which likely limits him to the outside, but he's just so intelligent and quick. You'll feel comfortable putting him on the other team's top receiver.
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11
The Giants could use help both on the edge and at linebacker, and Parsons is the kind of prospect that helps fill multiple holes. I mocked Clemson's Isaiah Simmons to the Giants in numerous mocks last year, and now here I am, giving them a similar player this season as far as versatility is concerned. Parsons immediately provides good pass-rush skills as well as help in the run game. His pass coverage needs work, but I don't think it's a question of inability to do it as much as a lack of reps to this point.
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Mock Trade from
San Francisco 49ers
12
The Lions traded down and still end up getting one of the top receivers in this draft, something they sorely need after losing both Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in free agency. I could write 1,500 words here on why I love Smith as a prospect, but I'll rein myself in and say that if you could draft Marvin Harrison with the No. 12 pick in the draft, you should probably do so.
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From
Los Angeles Chargers
13
 
Miami (FL)
• Sr
• 6'5"
/ 263 lbs
I don't think this is a great class for edge rushers. There are good options, but none separate themselves from the pack much, and nobody is a clear-cut "have to have" guy. But edge rushers are still valuable, so they're going to go early in the draft. I don't know if Phillips develops into a Pro Bowl level player, but I think he's a solid three-down DE if he stays healthy, and there's still some projection left to him.
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Mock Trade from
Minnesota Vikings
14
This is a perfect scenario for Washington. If they want to rely on Ryan Fitzpatrick to buy Lance some time to develop and learn after not having a 2020 season to play in college, they can do so. Or, if Lance proves he's ready earlier than expected, it's not like Ryan Fitzpatrick is going to stand in the way.
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15
Everything the Patriots have done in free agency this offseason suggests that they're not looking to build for the future. They're in win-now mode, and Owusu-Koromoah is the kind of defender Bill Belichick has always liked. And he's someone who can step in on day one and help the defense.
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16
It's a law that you mention Jaycee Horn is the son of former NFL WR Joe Horn any time you put him in your mock draft. Do you think that led to any friction in the home? Like, dad's a receiver, so as a form of rebellion, Jaycee says he wants to shut down receivers? I don't know. I know that Horn has good size, athleticism, versatility, intelligence and a nose for making plays. Maybe he learned all these things trying to cover his dad in the backyard.
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17
The Raiders need help in their pass-rush, and I like Ojulari's potential. He played in both a three-point stance and a two-point stance during his time at Georgia, can get after the QB and hold up against the run. He's a versatile player who might not be ready to play all three downs right away but could prove to be the best edge-rusher in this class over time.
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18
Paye didn't have incredible numbers during his college career, but as a prospect, he's enticing. He explodes off the ball with ease and is powerful at the point of attack. There's still some ironing out to do around the edges of his game, and I worry about his length, but the beginnings of something remarkable are here.
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Mock Trade from
Washington Football Team
19
Vera-Tucker played tackle for USC in 2020, and I think he could end up being a useful tackle at the NFL level if that's what a team needs. I prefer him on the interior, where I believe he has the makings of a dominant guard. I see him being a great fit in Minnesota's offense, opening up holes for Dalvin Cook, as well as being a solid pass-protector against interior rushers.
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20
After missing out on Russell Wilson, I don't think Bears GM Ryan Pace believes Andy Dalton is the guy who will save his job. But if he can draft a QB in the first round who plays well enough to take the job away from Dalton and provide hope for the future, well, that might. And Jones is an incredible value to the Bears if he falls to them at No. 20, and they don't have to give up additional capital for him. His ability in an offense heavy on RPOs and his accuracy with the football would fit well in what the Bears try to do on offense.
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21
With T.Y. Hilton likely to leave via free agency, Bateman strikes me as an excellent complement in the Colts passing game with Michael Pittman. He can be used outside and in the slot. He has terrific hands and is excellent at tracking the ball. He wasn't asked to run a lot of different routes at Minnesota, so there could be a slow adjustment before he's ready to take on a full-time role, but there's a high ceiling here.
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22
Farley falls due to his back surgery, but I have a hard time seeing him falling out of the first round. The Titans parted ways with Adoree' Jackson, and I wouldn't be shocked to see them look for a corner in the first now. Farley's smooth in coverage, and when I watch him turn, I can't help but overhear current Raiders GM and former NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock saying "oily hips."
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From
Seattle Seahawks
23
Greg Newsome is a linebacker who happens to live in the body of a potential starting corner at the NFL level. He plays angry as if it's an insult that opposing receivers believe the ball is intended for them. He has great ball skills and anticipation but be prepared for some pass interference flags. It's a part of his game he'll need to iron out if he's to achieve his full potential in the pros.
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24
Eichenberg strikes me as a safe left tackle prospect. I don't know if he's going to develop into a franchise tackle and end up going to numerous Pro Bowls, but I get the sense he'll be the kind of player every former offensive lineman who covers the NFL will tell you "is underrated" for the next decade. That's not a bad guy to have.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
25
Jacksonville has spent a lot in free agency but hasn't addressed the offensive line. I'd be stunned if they didn't do so with their second pick in the first round. You can't just draft Trevor Lawrence; you need to protect him.
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26
I'm higher on Oweh than the mock draft market seems to be, but I saw him a lot at Penn State, and while he's still raw, there's a lot of potential. In a draft class without a lot of home runs at the edge rusher position, I can see a team taking a swing on him late in the first. Cleveland makes sense as a landing spot.
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27
Marshall could be the receiver Baltimore's been looking for to pair with Lamar Jackson. He plays quicker than he's likely to run in a 40-yard dash setting, and he has great size and catch radius. He's everything the Ravens haven't had at the receiver position and the kind of target that Lamar could rely on.
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28
I don't have a great read on what the Saints will view as their most significant need in this draft, and picking this late in the first round, there isn't an obvious choice the way this mock has broken down. I do like Zaven Collins a lot, though, and believe he'd be a considerable improvement over what the Saints currently have. Collins is a versatile defender that should be able to stay on the field for all three downs.
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29
I love Toney's big-play potential, and he'd be a significant weapon in Green Bay's offense. He can line up in the slot and cause problems, and as he showed at Florida, you can sometimes move him into the backfield. He's the kind of all-purpose weapon Green Bay needs, and if he ends up here, he's going to be one hell of a sleeper in fantasy football.
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30
This is the first time I have Stokes in my mock this offseason, as he's somebody I've only grown more fond of the more I've gone back and watched. He's longer than he's tall, and he's also stronger than you think at first glance. He mostly played outside at Georgia but could be used some in the slot as well.
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31
The Chiefs overhaul of the offensive line continues with this pick. I don't know if Mayfield is a day one starter at tackle on the Chiefs line, but I think there's potential to be an excellent tackle here.
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32
Tampa did sign a free agent tackle already, but it wasn't Ndamukong Suh. That leads me to believe his future is elsewhere, but even if he's brought back on a cheap one-year deal, Barmore makes a lot of sense as a long-term replacement in the Tampa defense. The athleticism he shows for somebody his size isn't fair.
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