We are now coming towards the end of the NFL regular season, and the NFL Draft picture is starting to solidify. We know that the New York Jets have a strong hold of the first pick, and teams like the Chiefs, Packers, and Steelers are real Super Bowl contenders. Last week I updated my 2021 NFL Draft big board with my Top 50 prospects in the class. As expected, here is my updated 2021 NFL Mock Draft to correspond with it.
32-25
32. Baron Browning, Linebacker, Kansas City Chiefs
31. Green Bay Packers, Rondale Moore, Wide Receiver
30. Buffalo Bills, Kwity Paye, Defensive End
29. New Orleans Saints, Shaun Wade, Cornerback
28. Pittsburgh Steelers, Creed Humphrey, Offensive Line
27. Jacksonville Jaguars (LAR), Marvin Wilson, Defensive Tackle
26. Tennessee Titans, Jaelan Phillips, Edge Rusher
25. New York Jets (SEA), Travis Etienne, Running Back
At the end of the day adding two Clemson teammates to this New York Jets roster could potentially flip their entire offense around. After drafting a brick wall of an offensive tackle in Mekhi Becton last year, Etienne will be able to break loose all over the field.
Just like in years past New York can wait till the later rounds to pick up receiving help. You will have receivers like Amon-Ra St. Brown, Tylan Wallace, Tutu Atwell, Reggie Roberson Jr, and plenty more after the first round.
Picks 24-17
24. Indianapolis Colts, Zach Wilson, Quarterback
I know there have been plenty of rumors flying of Carson Wentz landing himself in Indy. Well I am here to give them a way cheaper, and potentially more talented, option at quarterback. Zach Wilson has been praised by many and while I might have him lower than most, I still think he is a very talented quarterback. He has some things that need to be worked on before you throw him against NFL defenses, but that is why Indy would be perfect for him. He can learn behind Phillip RIvers and Frank Reich for however long he needs to before stepping into the spotlight.
23. Chazz Surratt, Linebacker, Cleveland Browns
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, JaQuan Bailey, Edge Rusher
21. Baltimore Ravens, Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver
While Devonta Smith should be the Ravens main goal this off-season, dont sleep on Jaylen Waddle. His season ending injury has allowed him to be forgotten behind Smith’s outstanding season. Waddle had Odell Beckham Jr comparisons before his injury, and those weren’t just for clickbait. His ability to effect the game all over the field is exactly what is trending in NFL receivers.
The Ravens are in need of receiving help very badly. They drafted a good amount of receivers over the years but none of them have been able to break out as serious stars.
20. Las Vegas Raiders, Dylan Moses, Linebacker
19. Washington Football Team, Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback
18. Miami Dolphins, Trevon Moehrig, Safety
17. Arizona Cardinals, Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Lineman
Picks 16-9
16. Kyle Pitts, Tight End, New England Patriots
Kyle Pitts easily could be a receiver if he wanted to reclassify was one. That just shows you how versatile he is as an athlete. I know that they need to upgrade the quarterback position, but Pitts is something that the Patriots can’t pass up with the 16th pick.
15. San Francisco 49ers, Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver
14. Chicago Bears, Kyle Trask, Quarterback
13. Minnesota Vikings, Wyatt Davis, Offensive Guard
12. Denver Broncos, Jaycee Horn, Cornerback
11. Philadelphia Eagles, DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver
Many people forget that the Eagles are without Marquise Goodwin who opted out this year due to COVID-19. Even with him being added to the line up though I dont think Philadelphia can pass up on DeVonta Smith. Carson Wentz might not be the quarterback next year, but whoever is taking the snaps will need weapons to throw to.
10. Miami Dolphins (HOU), Jaylen Twyman, Defensive Tackle
After going all in on building the offense up in last years draft it is time to focus on the defense. The 49ers and Washington Football Team have built some of the best pass rushs in the league by investing plenty of draft picks towards it. Jaylen Twyman can provide pressure on the quarterback while Wilkins helps against the run.
9. Atlanta Falcons, Gregory Rousseau, Edge Rusher
Picks 8-1
8. New York Giants, Ja’Marr Chase, Wide Receiver
7. Detroit Lions, Trey Lance, Quarterback
6. Carolina Panthers, Micah Parsons, Linebacker
I imagine if the Panthers were picking here and Ja’Marr Chase was still on the board like he is, Joe Brady would be begging to select him. Rodney Anderson and Curtis Samuel, along with the depth of the receiver position, has the Panthers going defense. Micah Parsons could be the best defensive player overall in this draft, and he fills a HUGE need for Carolina. With the sudden retirement of Luke Kuechly the Panthers were left without a leader of the defense.
5. Christian Darrisaw, Offensive Tackle, Dallas Cowboys
Offensive line has quickly become one of the biggest needs, if not the biggest need, on the Cowboys roster. An early retirement, and a slew of injuries not only have squashed the Cowboys once great offensive line, it has also cost their franchise QB a year of his career. We see how different this offense is without Dak Prescott, and even when Dak was heathy this offense still struggled containing a pocket.
Penei Sewell is the ideal pick for Dallas, but most likely will miss out his talents. The second offensive tackle off the board is where things start to get interesting.
4. Caleb Farley, Cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers
3. Cincinnati Bengals, Offensive Tackle, Penei Sewell
2. Jacksonville Jaguars, Quarterback, Justin Fields
1. New York Jets, Quarterback, Trevor Lawrence
While I would personally go Sewell here I cannot argue against drafting Trevor Lawrence No. 1 overall. Sam Darnold isn’t the answer for the Jets, and has had his time wasted in New York. Assuming that Adam Gase is gone the Jets can start anew with Trevor Lawrence. They also still have another late 1st round pick thanks to their trade with Seattle for Jamal Adams.
