2021 NFL Mock Draft 2.0
The Slant Route’s Mock Draft 2.0 will have different picks than the first version for every selection between #2 and #32. This is a way to show how different, but realistic, scenarios could play out on draft night. The second version even includes a trade within the top 10 picks.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Jacksonville takes the borderline generational quarterback prospect in Trevor Lawrence.
2. New York Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
New York’s best course of action is to draft a quarterback, reset their rookie contract clock, and move Sam Darnold for additional draft capital.
3. Miami Dolphins - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Miami needs to surround young quarterback Tua Tagovailoa with adequate weapons.
4. Atlanta Falcons - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
With a new coaching regime coming in, Atlanta is in prime draft position to secure their quarterback of the future.
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Cincinnati needs to do a better job of protecting 2020 #1 overall pick Joe Burrow.
6. Philadelphia Eagles - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Philadelphia’s weapons are lacking, and DeVonta Smith would pair with Jalen Reagor to create a promising young duo at wide receiver.
*TRADE* Detroit sends picks #7 and #103 to San Francisco for picks #12 and #43
7. San Francisco 49ers - Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
San Francisco moves up the board to select an eventual replacement for the limited Jimmy Garoppolo.
8. Carolina Panthers - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
With the top four quarterbacks unavailable, Carolina improves up front.
9. Denver Broncos - Patrick Surtain Jr., CB, Alabama
With a defensive-minded head coach, Denver should be in the market of improving their secondary.
10. Dallas Cowboys - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Dallas needs multiple starters in their secondary, and Caleb Farley has excellent athletic traits for the cornerback position.
11. New York Giants - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
New York continues to surround young quarterback Daniel Jones with plus weapons.
12. Detroit Lions - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Detroit improves their pass rush and run defense with one pick, taking Michigan’s Kwity Paye.
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Similar to Cincinnati, the Chargers need to do a better job of protecting their second-year quarterback Justin Herbert.
14. Minnesota Vikings - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Micah Parsons’ versatility next to Eric Kendricks and Anthony Barr in the middle of a Mike Zimmer defense would be dangerous.
15. New England Patriots - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Dream scenario for the Patriots as arguably the draft’s top weapon falls to them.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Christian Darrisaw is a perfect fit in Kliff Kingsbury’s zone running system and will continue to improve their pass protection.
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Las Vegas was 29th in the NFL in sacks, and Jaelan Phillips is an ascending prospect with NFL tools.
18. Miami Dolphins - Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Miami doesn’t have a feature running back and need to add talent around Tua Tagovailoa. They just coached Najee Harris at the Senior Bowl.
19. Washington Football Team - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Washington needs a player to pair with Terry McLaurin at wide receiver, and Kadarius Toney would provide a unique skill-set and new dynamic for their offense.
20. Chicago Bears - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
Chicago hasn’t selected an offensive tackle prospect highly in the draft in a decade, and both Charles Leno and Bobby Massie were disappointments last season.
21. Indianapolis Colts - Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
With Anthony Castonzo retiring, Indianapolis selects a potential franchise offensive tackle in Jalen Mayfield.
22. Tennessee Titans - Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Tennessee needs a running mate for Harold Landry to improve their pass rush (30th in the NFL in sacks).
23. New York Jets - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
New York has no feature running back and Travis Etienne offers upside in the run and passing game.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Mac Jones fits the Steelers heavy short-to-intermediate passing offense and would be the eventual replacement for Ben Roethlisberger.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
Jacksonville’s pass rush was one of the worst in the NFL, and Christian Barmore’s interior penetration could help fix that.
26. Cleveland Browns - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The second-level of Cleveland’s defense needs an infusion of talent and athleticism.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Baltimore needs to improve their wide receiver corps in order to get the most out of quarterback Lamar Jackson.
28. New Orleans Saints - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
What do you do with a team that is over the cap, has an aging roster and is watching their franchise quarterback retire? Take the best player available.
29. Green Bay Packers - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Green Bay’s cornerbacks outside of Jaire Alexander got exposed throughout the season, and Jaycee Horn could put a stop to that.
30. Buffalo Bills - Trevon Moehrig, SAF, TCU
In order to close the gap between them and Kansas City, the Bills needs additional talent and versatility at defensive back.
31. Tampa Bay - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
With Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul impending free agents, Tampa Bay could be looking for a young, high upside pass rusher in the draft.
32. Kansas City - Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
When you invest $500 million into a quarterback, the next logical step is to keep him upright. Interior offensive line could quietly be a need for Kansas City this offseason.