Part of what makes the NFL Draft so enjoyable is the unpredictable nature of it all. Everything is up in the air, from the order the teams pick to whether the player selected even pans out. Nothing is set in stone. And sure enough each year the final mock drafts hype the uncertainty with the “most unpredictable in years” headline slapped onto them.
But the 2020 and 2021 draft are truly the most unpredictable. Call them the COVID-era drafts.
Last year there was the cancellation of the NFL Combine (repeated again this year) and the full steam ahead, NFL-Don’t-Stop-For-Nothin’, remote draft. Surprisingly the 2020 draft went off without a hitch. We saw inside Comissioner Roger Goodell’s man cave, RV command centers in one general manager’s drive way, and Bill Belichick turning his draft over to his dog.
As for this year, while the NFL has seemingly got their sea legs under them from a logistics standpoint, but the prospects are more unproven than ever before. Nearly half of the Top 10 in our final mock draft didn’t even play in 2020. How do you effectively evaluate that?!
Despite the unpredictable nature of the NFL Draft, the first two selections are all but ironclad. But there are still thirty more selections to shake out. Lets get this mock draft rolling…
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
2.) New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
3.) San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
The draft starts with San Francisco. When they first traded up my initial thought was this is for Justin Fields, but as of late the rumor says it is either Mac Jones or Trey Lance. Jones burst onto the scene in 2020 and posted an incredible 203.1 passer rating on the year. One year-wonders are always dubious.
4.) Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
How good was Pitts in 2020? He played five less games than 2019 and still put up more yards (770) and more than doubled his touchdowns (12) on eleven less catches. As a bonus, Pitts isn’t all stats. He is an eager blocker too. They could draft a quarterback, but this looks like a long-term rebuild. May as well take the best player.
5.) Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
While quarterback Joe Burrow may be banging the table for former teammate Ja’Marr Chase, Burrow is coming off a severe knee injury. The Bengals need to protect their star quarterback. Sewell has the talent to be a 10-year stalwart at left tackle. This will be another big shift in the draft.
6.) Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Recent reports have stated Miami is open to trading down again. Maybe they anticipate Chase going to Cincinnati. Nevertheless, the Phins are playing with house money thanks to the Houston Texans. If Chase is still on the board, this is a no-brainer. Maybe Waddle goes here.
7.) Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
If things shake out as we have them here, Detroit is sitting in the catbird seat. New England, Washington, and maybe Minnesota and Chicago could all make a move for a quarterback with Trey Lance and Justin Fields on the board. We don’t mock draft trades, but this is starting to look like a very likely trade spot.
8.) Carolina Panthers: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Carolina needs some help along the offensive line, but Taylor Moton and Gregg Little offer enough that Carolina can address those needs later on. The secondary, however, needs a jolt. The pass defense was 18th in the league last year and offered little encouragement they are on an upward trajectory. Surtain could very well be a Day One starter.
9.) Denver Broncos: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota St.
Broncos get lucky here and Trey Lance falls to them. While Lance did not get to play in 2020, he left an incredible impression in 2019 when he tossed 28 touchdowns and ZERO interceptions. Allegedly the Broncos are still high on Lock, but want competition. You don’t draft a quarterback in the Top 10 for competition. The Broncos could go defense now with the Teddy Bridgewater trade. Micah Parsons comes to mind.
10.) Dallas Cowboys: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
For the past decade the strength of the Cowboys has been their offensive line and after a year where injuries eroded the position it became clear the the Cowboys need to reinvest. Slater can play anywhere along the line and possibly an heir to longtime left tackle Tyron Smith.
11.) New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
New York wants Daniel Jones to succeed. They need him to succeed. And for that to happen Jones needs a strong supporting cast. They added Kenny Golladay in free agency, but more is needed. Waddle, while injured for most of last year, is an explosive talent who would blend in nicely with Golladay, Sterling Shepard, and Darius Slayton.
12.) Philadelphia Eagles: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Eagles are in the midst of a massive rebuild. The only place they have proven talent is in the trenches and even there they have injury and age concerns. The secondary has been in shambles for years. Adding Horn would be a great addition.
13.) LA Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Bringing in Corey Linsley and Matt Feiler over free agency was a start, but the offensive line still has a massive hole at left tackle. Quarterback Justin Herbert proved to be a special talent in his rookie year, now they have to protect him. Darrisaw could be a 10-year starter for the Bolts.
14.) Minnesota Vikings: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
This pick remains the same from our last mock draft. Phillips comes with some question marks, but Phillips’ ceiling is high. Teamed with a healthy Danielle Hunter, the Vikings pass rush threat could get back on track.
15.) New England Patriots: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio St.
A dream scenario for the Patriots. Fields was rumored to slip even before news broke that Fields had been diagnosed with epilepsy. Nevertheless, Fields is a true talent and would do well to learn for a year behind Cam Newton. Patriots are rumored to be big fans of the former-Buckeye and if they are to draft Fields they’ll need to trade up for him. A very likely scenario.
16.) Arizona Cardinals: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
The Cardinals were on their way to the playoffs before inconsistency and an injured Kyler Murray ended the season on a sour note. Vera-Tucker is arguably one of the safest picks and would solidify the offensive line.
17.) Las Vegas Raiders: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn St.
Parsons will be interesting to watch on draft day. An undeniable talent, but there are some off-field concerns. He could go as high as No. 9 to Denver, but I don’t see him falling past Vegas. The Raiders have not had a playmaker at linebacker for a few years now. Parsons is a heat-seeking missile who plays sideline to sideline.
18.) Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The Dolphins don’t have a running back. Simple as that. They could go for edge rusher here and address the position, but Harris is a special talent and has familiarity with Tua Tagovailoa from their days in Tuscaloosa.
19.) Washington Football Team: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Toney would give Washington a threat on the outside that would draw some attention away from star receiver Terry McLaurin. Toney’s addition would also give newly signed Curtis Samuel the ability to work from the slot. The team still needs a quarterback for the future, but with the arsenal loaded with this trio they will be set for success for the get-go.
20.) Chicago Bears: Gregg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Would not be surprised to see a wide receiver here. They need insurance if they can’t iron out a long-term deal with Allen Robinson. Even if they do they need more targets. That being said they also need help at cornerback. The team hit on Jaylon Johnson in the second round last year, but will be counting on an aging Desmond Trufant to man the other position. Newsome II is a savvy defender who could contribute early.
21.) Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
The Colts are desperate for a left tackle, but with the top prospects off the board that would be a reach. Paye is one of the best pass rushers in the draft and has the versatility to lineup at multiple positions along the defensive line. That versatility is a big plus for GM Chris Ballard.
22.) Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Farley is a Top 10 talent, but questions surrounding a back injury could see Farley fall on draft night. He could fall entirely out of the first round, but his talent is too special to pass on at this stage. Tennessee lost their top two corners from last year and need to restock the cupboard quickly.
23.) New York Jets: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma St.
The Jets are another long-term rebuild. This pick comes from Seattle’s acquisition of Jamal Adams last year. The Jets took their franchise quarterback earlier and already have Mekhi Becton entrenched on the left side. Landing Jenkins as a bookend would give the Jets a tremendous foundation to build a dynamic offense.
24.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jayson Oweh, OLB, Penn St.
The Steelers have a LOT of holes in their roster. Running back, left tackle, center, cornerback. Take your pick. The strength of the team is defense and the strength of the defense is their pass rush. They lost Bud Dupree over free agency and there’s not much behind TJ Watt. Oweh, didn’t post any sacks in 2020, but is a freakish athlete with a high ceiling.
25.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
Speed, speed, speed. That’s the name of the game for new head coach Urban Meyer. The team has deep threats in DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault, but the receiving corps is still thin and Marvin Jones is not the answer. Moore is an electric talent that constantly gets seperation. The only thing working against him is his size. Meyer could choose speed over size.
26.) Cleveland Browns: Gregory Rosseau, DE, Miami
Cleveland was so close to beating the Kansas City Chiefs in the divisional round of the playoffs last year. What dashed their hopes? No pressure on the quarterback once Myles Garrett left with injury. They just signed Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year deal, but they need a player for the future. Rousseau gives the Browns a developmental talent to rotate with Garrett and Clowney.
27.) Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
The trade the Ravens made with the Kansas City Chiefs has given the team a lot of options heading into the draft. They need a pass rushers bad, but this team is only going as far as Lamar Jackson can take them and he needs help. Marshall, would finally add size and speed to the receiving corps.
28.) New Orleans Saints: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
The Saints have become incredibly thin at the linebacking position. The only proven player is Demario Davis and he isn’t getting any younger. In our last mock draft we had Jamin Davis, but here we have Collins. Collins could go much earlier, but nevertheless, the defense needs to be addressed.
29.) Green Bay Packers: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida St.
Rolling over this pick from the last mock draft, Samuel to Green Bay just makes too much sense. A steady, technically sound player in the secondary is exactly what the Packers need.
30.) Buffalo Bills: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
A bit of a slide for Owusu-Koramoah here. Like Collins a few picks earlier, Owusu-Koramoah could very likely go higher, but the flurry of quarterbacks to go early on Day One will force top talent down. Teaming Owusu-Koramoah with with Tremaine Edmonds in Buffalo would be explosive.
31.) Baltimore Ravens: Landon Dickerson, C, Alabama
The Ravens don’t pick again until Round 3. They desperately need help among the linebacking corps, but the offensive line was incredibly thin even before they shipped out Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown Jr. Again, the team only goes as far as Lamar Jackson can take them. With this approach, the Ravens can now spend the rest of the draft focusing on the D.
32.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia
Ojulari should go higher than this. Ojulari is likely to go higher than this. But for the our final mock draft, this is where he lands. Ojulari has the tools to be a master sack artist. As such, rotating amongst Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul will serve him well, before ultimately supplanting JPP. Adding to the pass rush while aiming for a repeat Super Bowl title is always a wise move.
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