By Lourence Alturino
Image from ESPN
One of the biggest events on the NFL calendar year starts tomorrow as the 2021 NFL Draft has arrived. The day where hundreds' of dreams come true and where all 32 teams can find young pieces to add to their teams. The draft is always unpredictable, but my job today is to share how I think the first round will happen.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Trevor Lawrence is the consensus #1 overall pick this year and rightfully so. Lawrence is the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck in 2012. Trevor is the full package and it is very hard to find a real weakness in his game. With a team like Jacksonville that desperately needs their franchise QB and a boost in their offense, Trevor Lawrence has to be the pick here.
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Jets are also in need of a new QB after trading their former first round pick, Sam Darnold. Zach Wilson is great for this Jets team. Wilson has the ability to make accurate throws, make plays in the play action, and throw on the move. Zach did face "weak competition" in college, but you can't deny the arm talent he has.
3. San Francisco 49ers - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
This is essentially when the draft officially starts. The first two picks were obvious, but this has been probably the biggest question heading into tomorrow. Which quarterback will the 49ers take at number 3? Justin Fields, Trey Lance, or Mac Jones? As a Niners fan myself, I am fully onboard on the Justin Fields hype train. I think he is the best guy to put on this 49ers team. A dynamic athlete with the ability to make throws from anywhere is what it is going to elevate the Kyle Shanahan offense to the next level.
4. Atlanta Falcons - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Kyle Pitts is a RARE prospect. You never see a tight end to be projected this high, but he is amazing at what he does. Pitts has great hands and can get open with ease. He's essentially an elite receiver playing the tight end position. Atlanta can go with a QB here and have them learn under Matt Ryan, but I think they stay with Ryan and get him another dominant weapon. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Kyle Pitts with Matt Ryan under center and Arthur Smith calling plays, sounds extremely dangerous for the league.
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The biggest need for this Bengals team in my opinion is protection. Their #1 overall pick last year, Joe Burrow was sidelined due to a lack of help from the offensive line. You can't have your franchise QB get hurt again, so you must draft Sewell. Penei Sewell is a generational talent and one of the best offensive tackle prospects in recent memory. Adding a guy like Sewell to protect Burrow is only going to benefit this team.
6. Miami Dolphins - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Miami needs to protect Tua. Their receiving core is solid, so that isn't really a huge need like everyone thinks it is. Tua didn't have the best rookie season last year, but he can change that around with a great offensive tackle protecting him. Some actually consider Rashawn Slater to be the best OT in the draft. While I do disagree, it's a very close race and I think Miami should draft Slater as Sewell is off the board in this mock draft.
7. Detroit Lions - Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
After losing Kenny Golladay, Detroit desperately needs a wide receiver. Ja'Marr Chase is the consensus best receiver in the class, so the Lions drafting him makes sense. Chase is a physical monster, deep threat, great hands, and very hard to tackle. Getting a guy like Chase would help make Jared Goff's life way easier on a new team.
8. New England Patriots (projected trade w/ Carolina) - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
First and only trade of this mock draft is with New England and Carolina. New England would trade their 15th overall pick and their 2021 first round pick for this 7th pick. New England could still be on the hunt for their QB of the future and I think that guy is Trey Lance. Lance's potential is through the roof. He has a rocket for an arm and is great on his feet. Learning under Cam Newton, who is one of the best mobile QB's in recent memory, is perfect for Lance.
9. Denver Broncos - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Denver is in a need of help at the linebacker position, so grabbing the best linebacker prospect on the board only makes sense. Parsons is great run defender, tackler, and he can make plays. Besides his "character issues", he would be a great piece in the Broncos defense.
10. Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Dallas needs a boost in the secondary and Patrick Surtain is that boost. Arguably the best cornerback in the draft, Surtain should do great on any team. He is a classic lockdown cornerback, standing at 6 foot 2, and ran a 40 time of 4.46 seconds. Surtain is physical, fast, and technically sound, and he should do great on the Cowboys.
11. New York Giants - Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The reigning Heisman Trophy winner finds himself in the Big Apple. Joining Kenny Golladay and Saquon Barkley, the Giants could have themselves a really nice offense. Smith is extremely explosive, a great route runner, and has great hands. The only downside would be his size, but that has yet to stop him from being the great receiver he is.
12. Philadelphia Eagles - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Jaylen Waddle is one hell of a playmaker. He is extremely explosive to the point where his speed can be compared to Tyreek Hill. Put the ball in his hands and it's very hard to stop him from getting into the end zone. Waddle should immediately be the #1 WR on the Eagles and Jalen Hurts should have a lot of fun throwing to Waddle.
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Justin Herbert also needs some protection. The Chargers should beef up their offensive line to protect their young QB. Christian Darrisaw is the best offensive tackle prospect left. Darrisaw did not allow a single sack or hit last season, so Justin Herbert will be in safe hands.
14. Minnesota Vikings - Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Jaelan Phillips is quite possibly the best EDGE prospect in this draft. The reason his stock isn't as high is because of his injury history. Besides that, he is a super talented prospect. Phillips is super athletic and great all around against the run. Phillips would be a great fit on the Vikings defensive line.
15. Carolina Panthers (projected trade with New England) - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
In a division with Julio Jones, Michael Thomas, Mike Evans, and Chris Godwin, Carolina is going to need a cornerback to lock them down. Jaycee Horn would be the man for the job. Horn is a super physical corner and is the perfect press coverage player. Horn has also shown to be great at making plays on the ball. Standing at 6 foot 1, Jaycee Horn is the guy to hopefully lockdown the elite receivers in the division.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
There is health concerns with Farley as he has just received back surgery, but when healthy, he is a great cornerback. Arizona recently lost their long time cornerback, Patrick Peterson, to free agency. Farley stands at 6 foot 2, which is perfect size for a cornerback. Caleb excels in athleticism and ball skills. Caleb Farley should be a great young replacement for Patrick Peterson.
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
Alijah Vera-Tucker is an interesting prospect because while he is great at being a tackle, a lot see him as more of a guard. Nonetheless, he is a great run blocker, which is perfect for the Raiders as they have Josh Jacobs and Kenyan Drake in the backfield. Also, getting more protection for Derek Carr is always a good thing.
18. Miami Dolphins - Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
Many consider Kwity Paye to be the best EDGE defender in the draft. It's hard to disagree. His main strength would be his elite speed and burst off the line. Miami needs help off the edge and a guy as quick as Paye, is who they should get.
19. Washington Football Team - Jerimiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Washington's defense is really good, but it needed more production in the linebacker position. Jerimiah is super versatile, explosive, and great in coverage. You can even say that he's a safety playing the linebacker position. Playing on the weakside in the Washington defense is perfect for Owusu-Koramoah.
20. Chicago Bears - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Finally, Mac Jones has been selected. The betting favorite to go to #3 to the 49ers, has now fallen to #20 in this mock draft. Andy Dalton being the starter is not going to be good right now and longterm. Getting a young accurate and smart player, like Mac Jones would be better for Chicago moving forward.
21. Indianapolis Colts - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Carson Wentz is going to need as much weapons he can get to thrive on this new team. Rashod Bateman is that guy. Some actually consider Bateman to be the best receiver in this draft. Bateman is a great route runner, has great hands, and is great after the catch. Indianapolis might've got the steal of the draft, if Bateman falls this far and pans out.
22. Tennessee Titans - Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Terrace Marshall Jr. has some of the best hands in this draft class. Arguably, the best contested catcher in the draft. Tennessee just lost their former 1st round pick, Corey Davis, to free agency. Marshall would be a great replacement and would be a great red zone target for the Titans.
23. New York Jets - Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Greg Newsome would be perfect for the Jets. Robert Saleh would love a guy like Newsome on his defense. Newsome stands at 6 foot 1 and runs a 4.38 40 yard time. Greg is very versatile, has great footwork, and great ball skills. Saleh is going to love this kid.
24. Pittsburg Steelers - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Teven Jenkins excels in run blocking. Obviously, the Steelers lost James Conner, so they will need to address that hole soon. They can do that with Najee Harris or Travis Etienne if they fall that far in the 2nd round. In the meantime, Jenkins would be great grab as he checks all the boxes to be a good NFL offensive tackle.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Trevon Moehrig is the best safety in this draft class and Jacksonville needs some help at the safety position. Moehrig has great ball skills and will breakup any pass thrown his way. Trevon led all FBS conference safeties in pass breakups for the past two years. That stat alone should be enough for the Jaguars to draft him.
26. Cleveland Browns - Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Cleveland already has one hell of a defense, but adding a linebacker like Jamin Davis to the mix, makes them even better. Davis is super athletic as his 40 yard time was in the 4.4s and his vertical jump was 42 inches. Jamin is also a great run defender and can drop back in coverage well. He has all the tools to be a great linebacker in the league, especially on the Browns.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Baltimore is in desperate need of a wide receiver and Toney's potential is just too high to pass up on. After the catch is where he excels at. This past season, he broke 43 tackles. Lamar Jackson getting a guy who can extend plays and get him some more yards would be great.
28. New Orleans Saints - Nick Bolten, LB, Missouri
New Orleans needs some help in the linebacker position. Nick Bolten is a very smart player and is good on both defending the run and the pass. Adding to the defense with a smart player like Bolten, is a safe choice.
29. Green Bay Packers - Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
Aaron Rodgers needs help. He can't just throw it to Davante Adams every play. Rodgers needs another trust worth weapon. Elijah Moore in the slot is unstoppable. Moore has caught 73% of his contested catches, so he is very reliable. He's undersized, but has the hands to make up for it.
30. Buffalo Bills - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Buffalo needs help at getting to the quarterback. Azeez Ojulari is still there and Buffalo should take him. Ojulari is explosive off the line and has great pass rush moves. Azeez would be a great addition to help this defense.
31. Baltimore Ravens - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Lamar Jackson needs to be protected. He had a down year last year in passing, so with a young receiver and offensive tackle coming in, he shouldn't have any big problem with doing great this year. Cosmi excels in pass protection, so if Lamar decides to throw more, he knows he should be well protected off the edge.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
The Tampa Bay pass rush is already stacked, but why not add some more help there. Barmore is inconsistent, but with good coaching and mentoring, he should do good. He can still put up a lot of pressures and get to the QB. Tampa Bay's pass rush could be even scarier than it already is.
The first round starts tomorrow, as Jacksonville will be on the clock. Who goes where? Who gets traded? We shall see how the night plays out.
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