NFL: 2021 Mock Draft
Check out our first round mock draft ahead of the 2021 NFL Draft beginning on Thursday, April 29 in Cleveland, Ohio. Trevor Lawrence is our top prospect and projected #1 pick, followed by a pair of quarterbacks in Zach Wilson and Mac Jones, and then Kyle Pitts. Ja'Marr Chase and DeVonta Smith, elite pass catchers from the SEC, are expected to go somewhere in the top 5-8 picks. The rest of the top-10 includes Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, Justin Fields and Patrick Surtain II.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (Clemson/QB): Trevor Lawrence has been the consensus #1 pick since 2018 and it will become official on Thursday night. The 6'6 quarterback threw for 3,153 yards, 24 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 69.2% passing at Clemson in 2020. Lawrence has elite arm strength, decision making, and mobility. He'll help improve a Jaguars offense consisting of DJ Chark, Phillip Dorsett, Marvin Jones, and Carlos Hyde in Urban Meyer's first year.
NFL Comp: Matt Ryan (ATL)
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson (BYU/QB): Zach Wilson wasn't a projected first round pick coming into last season but compiling 3,692 yards, 33 touchdowns, and just three interceptions on 73.5% passing (along with an impressive pro day) was enough to convince the Jets. The BYU signal caller went 25-13 in his college career, highlighted by an 11-1 campaign in 2020. If New York does draft Wilson, he'll be throwing to guys like Tevin Coleman, Jamison Crowder, and Corey Davis.
NFL Comp: Baker Mayfield (CLE)
3. San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones (Alabama/QB): Mac Jones has been in the mix to be drafted #3 by the 49ers but, according to CBS Sports, Trey Lance is still a strong possibility. We'll go with Jones, though, because the 6'3 QB has the accuracy and quick throw ability to seamlessly fit into Kyle Shanahan's offense with weapons like George Kittle, Raheem Mostert, Deebo Samuel, and Trent Williams. Jones threw for 4,500 yards, 41 touchdowns, and four interceptions in 2020 at Alabama.
NFL Comp: Jared Goff (DET)
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts (Florida/TE): Kyle Pitts might be the most surefire tight end prospect we've seen. He had an incredible 2020 with the Gators, finishing with 1,492 yards and 18 touchdowns on 100 receptions. He already has an NFL-ready body at 6'6, 245 pounds, and 33.5-inch arms. It seems like Atlanta will have their choice between a high level pass catcher, quarterback, or offensive tackle. We'll settle on Pitts joining Ryan, Julio Jones, Jake Matthews, and Calvin Ridley.
NFL Comp: Darren Waller (LVR)
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase (LSU/WR): Ja'Marr Chase is the highest rated receiver in this draft class despite opting out of the 2020 season. The last time we saw Chase on the field was the year prior in the national championship game with Joe Burrow as his QB. If the two reunite in Cincinnati, the 6'0 wideout will join an offense with of Burrow, Tyler Boyd, Joe Mixon, and Riley Reiff. Chase had 1,780 yards and a school-record 20 touchdowns on 84 catches in 2019.
NFL Comp: Justin Jefferson (WR)
First Round Picks:
6. MIA: DeVonta Smith (Alabama)
7. DET: Penei Sewell (Oregon)
8. CAR: Rashawn Slater (No. Western)
9. DEN: Justin Fields (Ohio State)
10. DAL: Patrick Surtain (Alabama)
11. NYG: Jaylen Waddle (Alabama)
12. PHI: Micah Parsons (Penn State)
13. LAC: Jaycee Horn (So. Carolina)
14. MIN: Christian Darrisaw (Va Tech)
15. NEP: Trey Lance (North Dakota St)
16. ARZ: Christian Barmore (Alabama)
17. LVR: Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC)
18. MIA: Caleb Farley (Va Tech)
19. WFT: Rashod Bateman (Minnesota)
20. CHI: Walker Little (Stanford)
21. IND: Kwity Paye (Michigan)
22. TEN: Jere. Owusu-Koramoah (ND)
23. NYJ: Jaelan Phillips (Miami)
24. PIT: Najee Harris (Alabama)
25. JAC: Trevon Moehrig (TCU)
26. CLE: Gregory Rousseau (Miami)
27. BAL: Teven Jenkins (OK State)
28. NOS: Azeez Ojulari (Georgia)
29. GBP: Terrace Marshall (LSU)
30. BUF: Jalen Mayfield (Michigan)
31. BAL: Rondale Moore (Purdue)
32. TBB: Asante Samuel Jr. (Florida St)
Top-40 Prospects:
1. Trevor Lawrence (QB)
2. Kyle Pitts (TE)
3. Ja'Marr Chase (WR)
4. Justin Fields (QB)
5. Penei Sewell (LT)
6. DeVonta Smith (WR)
7. Micah Parsons (LB)
8. Rashawn Slater (RT)
9. Jaylen Waddle (WR)
10. Patrick Surtain II (CB)
11. Jaycee Horn (CB)
12. Trey Lance (QB)
13. Caleb Farley (CB)
14. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (LB)
15. Christian Barmore (DT)
16. Mac Jones (QB)
17. Christian Darrisaw (LT)
18. Alijah Vera-Tucker (LT)
19. Zach Wilson (QB)
20. Kwity Paye (DE)
21. Rashod Bateman (WR)
22. Walker Little (LT)
23. Azeez Ojulari (LB)
24. Najee Harris (RB)
25. Terrace Marshall (WR)
26. Jaelan Phillips (DE)
27. Teven Jenkins (RT)
28. Greg Newsome (CB)
29. Gregory Rousseau (DE)
30. Asante Samuel Jr. (CB)
31. Jayson Oweh (DE)
32. Rondale Moore (WR)
33. Trevon Moehrig (S)
34. Zaven Collins (LB)
35. Elijah Moore (WR)
36. Travis Etienne (RB)
37. Elijah Molden (CB)
38. Jalen Mayfield (RT)
39. Tyson Campbell (CB)
40. Joseph Ossai (LB)
Photo Credit: The Spun.
