Sports

2021 NFL Mock Draft

Matt Lesnik, Editor-In-Chief • April 27, 2021

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

The consensus top pick in the draft, teams have been “Tanking for Trevor” since his freshman year at Clemson. Lawrence is considered a generational talent, and is a lock to head to Jacksonville

2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

After the Jets won two meaningless games at the end of the season and ruined their near imperfect season, as well as after the trade of Sam Darnold to Carolina, the Jets will take his replacement at 2. The Jets fell in love with Wilson at his pro day, and is most likely headed to The Big Apple.

3. San Francisco 49ers (via Miami): Trey Lance, QB, NDSU

The Niners didn’t move up nine spots for nothing, they are most likely going to take Jimmy Garoppolo’s replacement at 3, as they must feel he hasn’t done enough to put them over the hump. Despite the Mac Jones rumors, San Francisco won’t pass on the NDSU quarterback.

4. Denver Broncos (via Atlanta): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

The Broncos will move up 5 spots to get the franchise quarterback they have so desperately desired since Peyton Manning’s retirement. This would so mean that the first four picks are all QBs.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Sewell is the Tackle in the draft, and the Bengals can’t waste the opportunity to take him. Joe Burrow suffered a devastating injury last season, and he needs protection more than ever. Burrow may want his LSU receiver Ja’Marr Chase, but if the Bengals are smart, they’ll give him a franchise left tackle.

6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia): Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

The Dolphins have made it their mission this offseason to surround Tua with talent, as evident by the signing of Will Fuller, and eventually the selection of one of the many great weapons in the draft. They could go with any of the top guys, but they’ll go with the top tight end here.

7. Detroit Lions: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

After the departure of Kenny Golladay to the New York Giants, the Lions are still looking for a man to replace him as the go to man for new QB Jared Goff, and that man will be Chase. Though he sat out this year, Chase proved in his value in his 2 seasons at LSU.

8. Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

The Panthers just traded for a new QB in Sam Darnold, and their number one mission should be to protect him. They signed a few linemen to multi-year contracts, but if one of the top linemen is available at their pick, Carolina has to pick them, and they will.

9. Atlanta Falcons (via Denver): Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

The Falcons bolster their weak defense and still get more picks after trading down. Atlanta had one of the league worst defenses last year, and Parsons gives them a big boost.

10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys offense is completely set, as Dak Prescott returns from injury with a good supporting cast. But the defense is lacking, specifically the secondary. They Cowboys have been trying to address this issue for a while, and they’ll address it here as well, getting the draft’s top defensive back.

11. New York Giants : DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

12. Philadelphia Eagles (via San Francisco): Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

14. Minnesota Vikings, Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

16. Arizona Cardinals, Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/OG, USC

18. Miami Dolphins: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama

19. Washington: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

20. Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

21. Indianapolis Colts: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

22. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota