With the Senior Bowl wrapped up, NFL Draft season is officially underway. To start with, I’m running a full-fledged 721 NFL Mock Draft from 721. After the instant trade that takes place on Saturday night, it will go Matthew Stafford to the Rams and Jared Goff to the Lions, I stick my head out to project where the top four backs can end up. I also identify that some team patients are with different prospects. Let’s get to that.
And after reading this 7-round sham proposal, you can start one of your own with PFN’s Mock Draft Simulator!
2021 7-Round NFL Mock Draft | Round One
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
We all know this choice. Although we can debate the benefits of appointing Urban Meyer as head coach, Meyer took this job only as a coach. Trevor Lawrence.
With players like DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault Jr., Lawrence will have guns early in Jacksonville. I know it’s boring, but this choice is the only one in this 7-round NFL Mock Draft that I can comfortably write in a Sharpie.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
This choice is where the concept really begins. Right now, two scenarios are happening here in my mind. Scenario A takes the Jets Zach Wilson. It seems pretty clear at this point that he will be the second quarterback in the 2021 draft NFL draft. The Jets have a lot of ammunition to build him, and he fits in with the San Francisco 49ers scheme that Robert Saleh and his staff are going to implement.
Scenario B is the Jets trading to build Sam Darnold. However, since I am not avoiding any trades in this NFL Mock Draft Series of 2021 with 7 rounds, we continue with scenario A.
3. Miami Dolphins (via HOU): DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Benjamin Allbright, PFN Insider, said DeVonta Smith to the dolphins ”with pencil in. The Mobile Heisman winner will have the opportunity to work directly with the staff of the Dolphins in Mobile. The concern about size does not seem to be enough to push him down on any concept boards.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Atlanta is in an interesting scenario here. Arthur Smith and Terry Fontenot have made a history of emphasizing offensive lines, so Penei Sewell can play here. However, you do not regularly pick high enough to get a quarterback of the future if you have a good starter in front of him.
As such, Atlanta Justin Fields here. He can sit behind Matt Ryan for a while and get comfortable in Smith’s attack until the Hawks can move from Ryan’s contract.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Bengals’ attacking line played rather poorly in 2020. While some of the attacks were ongoing Penei Sewell on either side of the aisle is wild, it does not change the fact that Sewell is a talented attacking linebacker. The Bengals need to continue to complement talent on that offensive line to protect Joe Burrow.
Philadelphia Eagles: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
I went back and forth about which WR I would take here to Philadelphia. Head coach Nick Sirianni has worked with players like Mike Williams, Michael Pittman and Tyrell Williams, who are bigger targets. But he has also worked with Travis Benjamin, TY Hilton and Parris Campbell.
As a result, I decided to take only the player that was higher on my board. Although the Eagles have just drafted Jalen Reagor, that should not discourage them from adding Jaylen waggel to their inconsistent-at-best reception room.
7. Detroit Lions: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota
Matthew Stafford has officially left the building in Detroit. The Lions traded him to the Los Angeles Rams for two first-round picks – one in 2022 and one in 2023 – plus an extra third round this year. The Lions also acquired Jared Goff in the deal. Nevertheless, trading on Goff should not stop the Lions from taking the quarterback of the future. The Lions can cut / trade Goff after the next season with few financial consequences.
Proposed | NFL Draft Prospects 2021: Tony Pauline’s Updated Big Board, Player Rankings
Trey Lance has more than a few question marks surrounding his inexperience and adaptation to the NFL. However, he is an incredibly talented passer with a lot of athletics. With the staff Detroit is building, it’s clear they’re looking to rebuild. Getting Lance to develop while Goff goes out and plays is a wise move for Detroit.
Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwest
Carolina has no leading backs in this NFL Mock Draft of 2021 in 721, and Carolina is in a tough spot.
The team is therefore turning to its next biggest need – offensive approach. Russell Okung and Taylor Moton are projected as free agents. While the team is likely to invest in bringing Moton back, the left-wing approach needs to be filled. It sounds like Rashawn Slater will be a top-10 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Caleb Farley is the most perfect Vic Fangio corner in the last few years. I would be surprised if Farley was not the choice for Denver here at nine with the need at the corner.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Since the Cowboys are currently expected to lose Chidobe Awuzie and Jourdan Lewis, corner is a big priority. Reunion Patrick Surtain II with Trevon Diggs, a teammate from the university, would be an attractive combination. Dan Quinn’s defense likes long corners with ball skills, and Surtain fits the point.
11. New York Giants: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Giants are likely to move on from Golden Tate as a captain. Darius Slayton and Sterling Shepard are good players, but no one is a true WR1 type.
Tap in Ja’Marr Chase – Chase’s length and aggressive mentality as a passer could help alleviate some of Daniel Jones’ placement problems and give the Giants a reliable target in the red zone.
12. San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Richard Sherman, Jason Verrett, K’Waun Williams, Ahkello Witherspoon, Dontae Johnson, Jamar Taylor, Emmanuel Moseley, Ken Webster.
This is the list of every corner coach in San Francisco who will become a free agent this season. Every corner that has made a defense for the 49ers is a free agent. Even though the 49ers bring back some of it, there is a lot of turnover to experience.
Tap in Jaycee Horn – a nasty, long angle that plays with an attitude.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Chargers have added Trai Turner and Bryan Bulaga to the right of the offensive line, but they will have to look after the left in the off-season. Christian Darrisaw is my personal OT2 with his excellent strength, length and movement skills. Joining him at the left tackle helps Justin Herbert protect the franchise fullback.
Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Mike Zimmer has expressed his disappointment in his defense several times during the season. When Zimmer’s defense was at its best, the forwards took over the game. Everson Griffen, Brian Robison and Danielle Hunter have all worked together on high-level games, and I think Zimmer will want that after investing so much in the corner room last year.
15. New England Patriots: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Patriots and a big, explosive playmaking ending. Do I need to say more? Kyle Pitts is a freak of nature on the soccer field. Regardless of who the Patriots have at QB, a weapon like Pitts will make his life a lot easier.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Micah Parsons will be a difficult evaluation for many. He is not a perfect fit as a traditional linebacker. In addition, several foreign field and character concerns have surfaced with him.
However, his skill can serve him well in Arizona. The team enjoyed an outburst season from Haason Reddick this year, and Parsons is very much in that shape. Should Reddick leave as a free agency, Parsons would be an ideal replacement.