NFL Mock Draft 3.0
The third edition of The Slant Route’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft will have multiple different scenarios than the first two versions. Both in the projected trades and player selections in the first round, this mock draft is yet another potential possibility on draft day.
On top of those changes, I’ve added a second round. Here are projections for the top 64 picks in the NFL Draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Jacksonville and new head coach Urban Meyer select a borderline generational quarterback prospect in Trevor Lawrence.
2. New York Jets - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
With a new head coach in Robert Saleh, the New York Jets opt to replace uninspiring quarterback Sam Darnold with a draft pick. Selecting Justin Fields resets their rookie contract clock at the most important position.
** TRADE - Miami trades pick #3 to Philadelphia for picks #6, #37, a 2022 2nd Round pick and 2023 3rd Round pick **
3. Philadelphia Eagles - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
With a Carson Wentz trade looming, Philadelphia could be in the quarterback market during the NFL Draft. In order to secure Zach Wilson, who will also be an option at pick #2, the Eagles move up the board.
4. Atlanta Falcons - Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
Atlanta selects a potential Matt Ryan replacement in Trey Lance, who needs a bit of development and would benefit from backing up Ryan.
5. Cincinnati Bengals - Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Cincinnati needs to do a better job of protecting Joe Burrow, and Penei Sewell is the best offensive tackle prospect in a loaded class at the position.
6. Miami Dolphins - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Miami adds draft capital and still gets to select the Heisman Trophy winning wide receiver in DeVonta Smith, who was a college teammate of starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
7. Detroit Lions - Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Detroit will be in the wide receiver market with Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones entering free agency, and Ja’Marr Chase is the most natural fit to replace either one of them.
8. Carolina Panthers - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Carolina creates multiple mismatches in their offense with the addition of tight end Kyle Pitts.
9. Denver Broncos - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Denver is high on Micah Parsons, and he’ll add athleticism and versatility to the middle of Vic Fangio’s defense.
10. Dallas Cowboys - Patrick Surtain Jr., CB, Alabama
Dallas needs to add multiple starting caliber players to their secondary, and Patrick Surtain Jr. is a developed cornerback prospect with NFL bloodlines.
11. New York Giants - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The New York Giants fill out their offensive weaponry surrounding quarterback Daniel Jones by adding the electric Jaylen Waddle.
12. San Francisco 49ers - Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
With five cornerbacks entering free agency, the position could be one that the 49ers target early in the NFL Draft. Caleb Farley has the most upside of any cornerback prospect in the class.
13. Los Angeles Chargers - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Los Angeles needs to upgrade the entire offensive line in front of Justin Herbert, and they start by drafted Rashawn Slater (who famously allowed 0 sacks in 2019).
14. Minnesota Vikings - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Minnesota adds the best defensive end in the NFL Draft class in Kwity Paye, and Mike Zimmer’s defense gets that much better.
** TRADE - New England trades pick #15 to Jacksonville for picks #25, #65, #121 and a 2022 3rd Round Pick **
15. Jacksonville Jaguars - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
After securing Trevor Lawrence, the next step for Jacksonville is the protect him. Christian Darrisaw is a high upside tackle prospect worthy of a move up the draft board.
16. Arizona Cardinals - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Arizona could improve their wide receivers by adding a counterpart to Deandre Hopkins. Rashod Bateman would fit on the opposite boundary.
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
The Las Vegas Raiders add to their uninspiring pass rush by adding the explosive and bendy Azeez Ojulari.
18. Miami Dolphins - Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Another one of Tua Tagovailoa’s former college teammates, Najee Harris is the best three-down back in the NFL Draft and it’s a position of need for the Dolphins.
19. Washington Football Team - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Washington doesn’t have a long-term answer at quarterback, and Mac Jones will be the prospect that teams target outside of the consensus top 4.
20. Chicago Bears - Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Chicago’s pass protection regressed last season and was part of the reason for their struggles at quarterback. Samuel Cosmi allowed just 6 sacks over 1,530 pass blocking reps at Texas.
21. Indianapolis Colts - Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
With the retirement of Anthony Castonzo, Indianapolis will be in the offensive tackle market. Alijah Vera-Tucker’s athleticism flashed on his left tackle film.
22. Tennessee Titans - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Tennessee improves their bottom-3 pass rush by adding Jaelan Phillips, a former 5-star recruit who popped on film in 2020.
23. New York Jets - Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
After securing their quarterback of the future, the New York Jets add a play-making and versatile weapon in Rondale Moore.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The offensive tackle position is a question mark for Pittsburgh this offseason, and Teven Jenkins is a powerful, pro-ready prospect.
25. New England Patriots - Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
Both of New England’s interior defensive line starters are free agents, and Christian Barmore comes with Nick Saban’s stamp of approval.
26. Cleveland Browns - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Cleveland’s second-level needs to improve, and “JOK” has the athleticism to fill multiple roles at linebacker and strong safety.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Baltimore desperately needs to upgrade their passing game to go deep in the playoffs, and Kadarius Toney is one of the most dynamic and unique receivers in the class.
28. New Orleans Saints - Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Trey Hendrickson’s sack numbers aren’t sustainable, so New Orleans adds the explosive Jayson Oweh to their pass rush.
29. Green Bay Packers - Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Green Bay’s inability to slow down the opposing passing game was the reason they failed to make the Super Bowl, so adding press-man cornerback Jaycee Horn would be an ideal scenario.
30. Buffalo Bills - Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Buffalo selects one of the best coverage linebackers in the NFL Draft, a necessity if they’re going to close the gap on the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Kansas City’s inability to pressure Tom Brady without blitzing was noticeable in the Super Bowl, and they have multiple free agents at defensive end. Joseph Ossai is an ascending prospect who provides juice off the edge.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Dillon Radunz, OT, NDSU
Tampa Bay has shown the willingness to target non-FBS offensive lineman, and left tackle Donovan Smith will be entering the final year of his contract.
Round 2
33. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevon Moehrig, SAF, TCU
34. New York Jets - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
35. Atlanta Falcons - Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
36. Miami Dolphins - Alex Leatherwood, OT/OG, Alabama
37. Miami Dolphins - Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
With Miami’s current wide receiver depth chart, they need an instant separator in the slot in the mold of Elijah Moore.
38. Cincinnati Bengals - Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma
Protect Joe Burrow at all costs.
39. Carolina Panthers - Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
40. Denver Broncos - Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
41. Detroit Lions - Levi Onwuzurike, IDL, Washington
42. New York Giants - Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
New York’s secondary improved last season, and continues to get better by adding Asante Samuel Jr.
43. San Francisco 49ers - Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
44. Dallas Cowboys - Jevon Holland, SAF, Oregon
45. Jacksonville Jaguars - Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa
46. New England Patriots - Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
47. Los Angeles Chargers - Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama
Adding the pro-ready and tone-setting Landon Dickerson would be an instant upgrade for the Chargers offensive line.
48. Las Vegas Raiders - Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
49. Arizona Cardinals - Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
50. Miami Dolphins - Carlos Basham, DL, Wake Forest
51. Washington Football Team - Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Washington needs to find a WR2 opposite of Terry McLaurin.
52. Chicago Bears - Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
53. Tennessee Titans - Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
54. Indianapolis Colts - Patrick Jones II, EDGE, Pitt
55. Pittsburgh Steelers - Javonte Williams, RB, UNC
Pittsburgh ranked dead last in the NFL in rushing last season, and Williams can create his own yardage better than any running back in the class.
56. Seattle Seahawks - Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
57. Los Angeles Rams - Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
58. Baltimore Ravens - Walker Little, OT, Stanford
Without knowing how the Orlando Brown Jr. saga will play out, Baltimore could be in the offensive tackle market.
59. Cleveland Browns - Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
60. New Orleans Saints - Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
61. Buffalo Bills - Joe Tyron, EDGE, Washington
62. Green Bay Packers - Alim McNeill, IDL, NC State
Green Bay doesn’t necessarily need to add to their interior defensive line, but the fronts they could run by adding McNiell’s athleticism to their defensive line would have new defensive coordinator Joe Barry salivating.