We are now closer to April than February, and the ridiculous concepts are coming in hot and heavy. Most mockery concepts are made to predict what is going to happen, or to indicate different situations that may occur in late April. However, for this 2021 NFL Mock Draft for two rounds, I am going to make a choice for whom I would personally take in each situation. I will explain why I take the whole round 1 of 2021 NFL Draft and the trade logic that accompanies it.
2021 NFL Nock Mock Draft | Round 1
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
No explanation is needed for this one. Let no one tell you there is. Trevor Lawrence will be the first overall choice.
2. New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB, State of Ohio
Justin Fields is my personal QB2, and I believe the “errors” that usually accompany it are far exceeded. He runs like the wind, is as solidly built as they are about 230 inches tall and has an NFL-ready arm. The offense he has committed in the state of Ohio is more complicated than that of any of the other top four (or five) quarterbacks you will read about in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft in the second round.
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If you were to build a modern NFL QB in a lab, it would probably look like Fields. Oh, and through mapping exercises done by some of the most respected quarterback judges in the media, he was also the most accurate of any.
3. Carolina Panthers: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
TRADE! Miami receives the no. 8, 2022 Carolina 1st, 2022 Carolina 2nd. Carolina gets the # 3 pick.
This decision was not easy. However, when we think of the concept, risk mitigation is just as important as anything else. Although Trey Lance is just as talented as Justin Fields from a height / weight / speed and poor talent perspective, he is inexperienced and has played at a lower level of competition.
Zach Wilson‘s arm generates effortless speed and distance, and some of its balls from the ball placement obstruct. The 50/50 ball receivers at BYU were a great canvas to display that freaky feel. But other worries made me feel different than most second best back player in the draft class.
4. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
TRADE! Atlanta receives pick # 12, pick # 43, 2022 San Francisco 1st, 2022 San Francisco 2nd. San Francisco receives choice # 4.
The 49ers were not the only team that wanted to move up for the 2020 FCS National Championship award. However, the San Francisco Commercial Reimbursement gave the Hawks more darts for the dart. As a result of Matt Ryan’s expensive contract, there was no other way.
This fit is ideal for Trey Lance, which comes from a run-and-action-heavy scheme at NDSU. Lance may be more on his head than any of the quarterbacks in this class given his physical profile, but his ideal situation has made regular clean and easy looks possible. With less than 20 games of college football experience, it’s an ideal situation for this young man to go to Kyle Shanahan and have the opportunity to sit behind Jimmy Garoppolo.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
This is another choice that is not worth a conversation. The most important thing you can do as a football team is to protect your young quarter at all costs. And Penei Sewell dominated the Pac-12 competition as a 17-year-old. He is the best suit in the class. Fin.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
I do not care that they set up Jalen Reagor. Find a way to use both. Julio Jones, DeAndre Hopkins and Davante Adams may be ‘better’ receivers than Tyreek Hill, but no one in the NFL beats fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators like Hill. A lot of Hill Comps are thrown out there, but that’s the only thing that really matters.
Related | How does Henry Ruggs compare to DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle, with Alabama recipients?
He is the perfect combination of his former teammates Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs. He possesses the long speed of Ruggs with the ability to change Jeudy’s direction. Although there is still room for improvement in his route, he is already almost uncovered. There is a chance Jaylen waggel becomes the most dangerous weapon in the entire league. It’s worth it to be the first player in the skill position.
7. Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
It looks like the shine is on DeVonta Smith has declined only slightly over the past few months since its Heisman trophy-winning campaign. Even if Ja’Marr Chase has a higher rating than Smith (I do not), you must also account for suitability. If Matthew Stafford were still relegated to the Lions, Chase would fit better.
On the other hand, with Jared Goff at the helm, it’s a better way to get a player who separates more consistently. There’s a bit of Robert Woods in his game as he can break his slimmer frame in and out to consistently separate. He also raises and finishes catching at an incredible pace.
However, let’s just say in 2022 the Lions decide to set up a rookie full-back. If he has a better route-runner who creates more space between himself and a defender, makes the young full-back more comfortable, so it also fits for the future.
8. Miami Dolphins (via Trade with Carolina): Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Remember, this is what I would do. Personally, I believe Christian Darrisaw is the second best attacking suit in this class. He is athletic, mean on point and can fit into any running scheme that Miami would use. His explosiveness from the stance is outstanding. In addition, his ability to play on an island is ideal for the Dolphins, as they can help Tua Tagovailoa’s blind side with the right attack.
9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Of all Denver’s needs, cornerback is the only one who fits into this NFL Mock Draft of 2021 in the second round. Caleb Farley is a riskier choice than the others, given his injury history and 2020 dropout, but his talent is undeniable.
He possesses outstanding fluidity and explosiveness for his size, and his ball skills are unmatched at the top of this class. As he plays off the ball, his click-and-close pace with his length constantly pushes the catch point. He is a versatile corner man with almost unlimited upside. Just do not expect him to strike like Sean Taylor.
10. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwest
TRADE! Cowboys receive pick # 13 and pick # 47. Chargers receive pick number 10 and pick number 178.
Protect your most important asset. Protect the blind side of your sophomore quarterback. Rashawn Slater‘s steady playing style is perfect for a plug-and-play attacking attack.
His “lack of height” was never an issue against the competition from the university, and his technical prowess is proof that it will not be an issue at the NFL level either. If not a few reps are beaten by the Wackonsin Zack Baun, and just create a little bit of doubt, he will be there right away with Darrisaw as OT2. All three of the top tackles are incredible players.
11. New York Giants: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The other day a tweet caught my attention. Landon McCool of the Locked On Cowboys podcast tweeted: “Kyle Pitts is what ‘Randy Moss’s son who plays TE’ should actually look like … ‘I have to agree. It’s hard to put Pitts properly with a team in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft Series because not many teams need a tight end.
However, he has an infinite length, is much more abrupt than he should have been for a 6-foot-6 athlete, and will compete for the title “oblique god” within two years of becoming a pro. This is if Jason Garrett can figure out how to properly deploy offensive talent in New York.
12. Falcons of Atlanta (via San Francisco Trade): Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Louisiana State
He could not fall further. Russell Gage, Calvin Ridley and Julio Jones are obviously an excellent combination. Nevertheless, this Atlanta team will not participate in 2021. That’s why they’re the best player available here Ja’Marr Chase with a veteran full-back who can maximize his skills.
Chase is just as much a physical receiver as it gets. His ability in situations with controversial catches is unmatched in this class, and it’s hard to remember a prospect who was better at boxing out defenders and picking up passes that were used from the trouble (and his framework).
Related | Ja’Marr Chase Dynasty Value: Where should he stand in 2021 for the rookie concept?
He falls as the fourth weapon in this class because he does not have a constant ability to separate as routes. Playing in 2020 could alleviate these ‘worries’, but he chose not to pick the season. Atlanta builds for the eventual departure of Jones and Ryan.
13. Dallas Cowboys (via Los Angeles Trade): Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
This young man is a dog. The Cowboys obviously need secondary help early and regularly in any simulation, and this 2021 NFL Mock Draft is no different. Jaycee Horn is an athletic, physical and long angle whose best fit (and most of his college band) is in the pressman.
The Cowboys have a high percentage of Cover 3. With the addition of defense coordinator Dan Quinn, it also means a lot of Cover 1. It’s perfect for Horn. As long as he can alleviate the worry about his tendency to grab in the transition to the opponent’s hip, he could become one of the biggest threats in the league.
Minnesota Vikings: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Forget everything I said earlier about reducing risks in the draft. The Vikings NEED talent on the defensive side of the ball, and especially in the rushed. Jaelan PhillipsThe injury history is well documented, but his game has remained the same over the past few months.
He is the best mix of size, athletics and technique in this class. Usually this is a pretty good combination for a pass-rusher. He can do a little bit of everything, including coverage. In Mike Zimmer’s defense plan, where he can put his ears back, put the lead and take on the quarterback as a traditional defense, Aaron Rodgers could start throwing the ball away again in 2021.
15. New England Patriots: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
I know Bill will not do that, but I’m not Bill (he’s much smarter, and I’m much prettier). Rashod Bateman was largely ignored in this draft class, but there is a better discussion about him as a top-three receiver in this class than being WR5, in my opinion.
Its fluidity of £ 6, £ 2, ensures easy transitions within and outside its routes, creating consistent separation. His double moves are gentle and he has always been a better athlete than he got credit for (until his pro day numbers dropped).
The Patriots now have 75 receivers and close points on the roster, but Bateman immediately becomes the group’s alpha target.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Patrick Surtain II is boring. There are few compliments higher than boring for a corner defender. It is not surprising that this young man was built to play the position, given his father’s career in the secondary series.
Although technique and film study can get a player far, they still need to have the physical and mental ability to perform. Curtain brings some intellect to the position I’m not sure I saw that corresponds to this point.
Proposed | Patrick Surtain II, Jaycee Horn or Caleb Farley: The best fit for the Dallas Cowboys’ defense
In an endlessly difficult defensive plan in Alabama, he was always in the right uniform at the right time at the right time. This is an old saying about a good soldier. His only hiccup was sometimes with the ball down in the airfield. He got lost in the sauce a few times and tried to locate the ball in the air. That’s the only thing that keeps him from going higher in this class.