Today marks exactly a month away from day one of the 2021 NFL Draft. This week, the NFL world was hit with two massive trades that re-shaped the landscape of the draft, as well as one mock draft that would’ve been done a few days prior had it not happened. That is this one. After completing the mock late on Thursday night and originally setting it for Saturday, the mock flipped upside down. The three-round mock only contains 42 of 105 picks that were the same as the original copy. Anyways, this three-round mock features 17 trades, including eight in the first round.
To read rounds two and three, click here.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The Jaguars pretty much conducted Lawrence’s pro day themselves. Despite rumors that Urban Meyer could take his Ohio State homage to the NFL, Lawrence’s name is all but already written on the card.
For more on Lawrence, read our scouting report here.
2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Sam Darnold could still be the future of some team in the NFL. Not the Jets. New York had Joe Douglas, Robert Saleh, and Mike LaFleur at Wilson’s pro day, where, let’s just say, he had quite the performance. The Jets have put enough pieces around Wilson already, signing Corey Davis and Keelan Cole to pair with Jamison Crowder and Denzel Mims. Getting a running back and some defensive help in the remaining rounds would help the Jets pull off one of the best offseasons in the league.
For more on Wilson, read our scouting report on him here.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Houston thru Miami) – Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
Here is the first change of the mock draft. Carolina was trading up to the third selection in the original mock. Well, that got flipped on its head. Now, San Francisco owns the rights to the third overall selection in the draft and has their choice of quarterbacks. The draft starts here. Lawrence and Wilson are locked in with the first two selections. The question here is, which quarterback are the 49ers taking? In this case, Lance is the choice. He is the best fit of the remaining three quarterbacks for the Kyle Shanahan system. Lance can sit behind Jimmy Garoppolo for a year as San Francisco works out the kinks in Lance’s game. John Lynch and Shanahan are risking it with this massive trade.
For more on Lance, read our scouting report on him here.
4. Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Falcons all but worked their way out of the quarterback market when they restructured Matt Ryan‘s contract. With the restructure, Atlanta has backloaded Ryan’s contract. In this case, the Falcons don’t get any trade-downs worth dropping deep down the board. Instead, Atlanta takes the best player available. In their case, that is Pitts. The offensive weapon would give Ryan another playmaker that already includes Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Russell Gage, and Hayden Hurst. If there is a way, Atlanta should trade down from this pick to gain additional capital. It was difficult to find a viable partner in this scenario.
For more on Pitts, read our scouting report on Pits here.
5. Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
For the love of God Bengals, do not overthink this. Riley Reiff isn’t enough of an upgrade to ignore the offensive line with the fifth selection. Yes, Joe Burrow‘s college receiver is on the board. Cincinnati already has two great receivers, including one they drafted with the 33rd overall selection in the draft last year. Sewell would immediately start at left tackle and move Jonah Williams over to right tackle, which leaves Reiff to move inside or be a swing tackle. The offensive line desperately needs to be upgraded. Burrow can’t be running for his life like he was all of last year before he got injured.
For more on Sewell, read our scouting report here.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Well, the Dolphins added a third-round pick in the 2022 draft and a first-round pick in 2023 to move down three spots and get the best receiver on the board. Chris Grier is playing checkers while the rest of the NFL is playing chess at this point. Miami doesn’t need a receiver, but they need to see if Tua Tagovailoa is their quarterback of the future or if they should trade for Deshaun Watson with the added capital they received. Getting Chase with this pick adds to their explosive weaponry at the receiver position. If Tagovailoa can’t make it work with the weapons he has now, Miami needs to move on.
For more on Chase, read our scouting report on him here.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*New England sends picks 15, 96, 188, 2022 first and second-round picks to Detroit for picks 7 and a 2022 sixth-round pick.*
7. New England Patriots (via Detroit) – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
The Patriots see the Panthers and Broncos ahead of them and jump up eight spots to get their quarterback of the future. Fields has been likened to Cam Newton a lot recently, and now he gets to learn from him. New England moves up eight picks by giving up third, and sixth-round picks this year and first and second-round picks next year to get their quarterback of the future. Bill Belichick has been very aggressive this offseason, and it continues in the draft. The Patriots can get the best players available in the remainder of the draft now that they have solved who their quarterback of the future.
For more on Fields, read our scouting report on him here.
8. Carolina Panthers – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Before you yell, yes, Mac Jones is on the board. The Panthers see that and decide to go in a different direction by building up their secondary. Carolina’s current starting cornerbacks are Donte Jackson, Troy Pride, and Rashaan Melvin. Yeah, not great. Surtain would slot right in as the team’s number one cornerback, and the rest of the depth chart would be better because of it. Jackson wouldn’t have to go against Julio Jones and Michael Thomas anymore. Carolina has a plan at quarterback, don’t worry.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*Arizona sends picks 16, 160, and a 2022 first-round pick to Denver for picks 9 and 152.*
9. Arizona Cardinals (via Denver) – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Steve Keim is an aggressive general manager. He has finally upgraded the offensive line and the secondary. By adding A.J. Green, J.J. Watt, and Malcolm Butler since free agency opened, Keim has shown he isn’t playing games anymore in a changing NFC West. Keim sees an opportunity to continue upgrading the secondary by adding a cornerback of the future and takes it. Horn would most likely go the next pick to the Cowboys, so Keim offers the Broncos a 2022 first-round pick to get the deal done. The two teams also swap fifth-round selections. Horn paired with Byron Murphy and Budda Baker on the backend is a fantastic trio.
For more on Horn, read our scouting report on him here.
10. Dallas Cowboys – Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
With both Surtain and Horn off the board, the Cowboys opt to go the offensive line route. Slater is a versatile piece that many draft analysts have above Sewell on their rankings. Dallas would be wise to add a versatile piece to their offensive line that could potentially replace Tyron Smith at left tackle next year. Slater is the perfect piece to the Dallas offensive line and is a nice consolation prize to both of the top two cornerbacks already being off the board.
For more on Slater, read our scouting report on him here.
11. New York Giants – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
The Giants have addressed almost all of their needs during the free agency period. Parsons has endured a bit of a fall due to other positions being pushed up the board and his off-field concerns. The New York defense is vastly underrated, and getting Parsons added to it will only make it better. He and Blake Martinez pair nicely as Martinez is the thumper in the middle of the field, and Parsons is the do-it-all linebacker that can rush the passer and cover the middle of the field. New York is in a good position to potentially make the playoffs if Daniel Jones provides even average quarterback play.
For more on Parsons, read our scouting report on him here.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via San Francisco thru Miami) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Eagles trading down raised some questions about where the team is at regarding their future. Is Jalen Hurts the franchise quarterback after rumors leaked that the Eagles wanted to trade up to the second pick? Well, those will last another year at least. With both top cornerbacks and Chase off the board, the Eagles must decide between the two Alabama receivers. While Waddle is similar to Jaelen Reagor, he is far better in that regard and would give the Eagles their number one receiver for years to come.
For more on Waddle, read our scouting report on him here.
13. Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
One of the winners from the two trades on Friday that didn’t have any part in the trades was the Chargers. With San Francisco moving up for a quarterback, that makes one less team available to grab one of the top tackles in the class. Darrisaw to the Chargers has been one of the picks that stayed the same throughout the free agency period and likely won’t change in the next month. The fit is perfect and gives Los Angeles the franchise left tackle they have been looking to get for a long time.
For more on Darrisaw, read our scouting report on him here.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*Tennessee sends picks 22, 85, and a 2022 third-round pick to Minnesota for pick 14.*
14. Tennessee Titans (via Minnesota) – DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Titans lost Davis in free agency and need to find a viable replacement for him. With multiple receiver-needy teams ahead of them, they trade up with the Vikings, who have made it known they are looking to trade down. In trading up, the Titans have two receivers to decide from. They opt to go with the Heisman Trophy winner. Despite his size, Smith is a dynamic player that will pair nicely with A.J. Brown to give opposing defenses nightmares. Minnesota gains extra third-round picks this year and next year in the trade down.
For more on Smith, read our scouting report on him here.
15. Detroit Lions (via New England) – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Thankfully, every selection after pick 14 is the same. While Detroit could go in many different ways with this pick, they decide that making their secondary the biggest strength on the roster is something they can’t pass up. After taking Jeffrey Okudah in the first round last year, Detroit doubles down and takes Farley, who has fallen down the draft board due to injury concerns. Okudah, Farley, and Amani Oruwariye is a really good trio of cornerbacks in a secondary that will need it when they face the Green Bay Packers for the next decade.
For more on Farley, read our scouting report on him here.
16. Denver Broncos (via Arizona) – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Broncos trade down and stare Jones in the face and go a different direction once again. When they added a first-round pick in the trade down with Arizona, the added first-round selection gives them a chance to see what Drew Lock has this year. If he doesn’t do well, Denver has the ammo to get their franchise-changing quarterback if it isn’t Lock. Instead, the Broncos continue to bolster their defense by adding a versatile piece. Denver could play Owusu-Koramoah at linebacker and have him cover Austin Ekeler, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Josh Jacobs out of the backfield, use him as a slot cornerback, or even at safety. Vic Fangio is chomping at the bit to get JOK on the roster.
For more on Owusu-Koramoah, read our scouting report on him here.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*Washington sends picks 19 and 82 to Las Vegas for picks 17 and 200.*
17. Washington Football Team (via Las Vegas) – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Washington can’t afford to have Jones sit on the board longer. They send Las Vegas a third-round pick to get the deal done and move up two spots. While Jones is one of the more polarizing picks in the draft, he can sit a year behind Ryan Fitzpatrick and learn the offensive scheme and come out firing in the 2022 season. Washington’s roster is one of the most complete in the league following free agency, and getting the future quarterback is the top priority.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*Minnesota sends picks 22 and 143 to Miami for pick 18.*
18. Minnesota Vikings (via Miami) – Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC
Minnesota sees three offensive line-needy teams in front of them and moves up four spots, and gives up one of their four fourth-round selections in the trade. In doing so, they get the player they wanted at 14. Vera-Tucker is a versatile prospect that can play tackle, guard, or center, and the Vikings need all the help they can get to reshape their offensive line. AVT will likely start at either left tackle or left guard during his rookie season.
For more on Vera-Tucker, read our scouting report on him here.
19. Las Vegas Raiders (via Washington) – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
One of the storylines that has been looked over a bit is that the Raiders have pretty much shipped off their entire starting offensive line besides Kolton Miller. If there is a lineman on the board right now that says “Raider”, that is Jenkins. He is a mauler in the run game, and Las Vegas is looking to build a zone scheme. Jenkins would start at the right tackle spot right from the jump.
For more on Jenkins, read our scouting report on him here.
20. Chicago Bears – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Well, the Bears couldn’t jump up to get one of the five quarterbacks that were selected in the first round. That leaves them with Andy Dalton as their starter for the 2021 season unless they ship the farm to get Deshaun Watson. Chicago released Bobby Massie before free agency started, and they snag Cosmi to replace him.
For more on Cosmi, read our scouting report on him here.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*Cleveland sends picks 26 and 91 to Indianapolis for pick 21.*
21. Cleveland Browns (via Indianapolis) – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The Browns and Colts were partners last year in the second round so that the Colts could obtain Jonathan Taylor. This time, the Browns are trading up to snag a player that is falling down the board. For the Colts, they lost their third-round pick in the trade to obtain Carson Wentz. Chris Ballard trades down to obtain a third-round pick. Cleveland, meanwhile, moves up the board to find a dynamic pass-rusher to pair with Myles Garrett. The Browns signed Takkarist McKinley in free agency, but with Paye falling, Cleveland pounces on the opportunity to get a dynamic number two pass-rusher that would be many team’s number one guy.
For more on Paye, read our scouting report on him here.
22. Miami Dolphins (via Tennessee thru Minnesota) – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
The Dolphins love their versatile pieces on the second level. After adding Benardrick McKinney via trade, they add another piece to their second-level. Collins is the fifth-best player on my board, not at linebacker, overall. He could play any of the four linebacker spots for the Dolphins and would start immediately at the SAM or WILL positions. Coming out of the first round with Chase, Collins, an extra fourth-round pick this year, a third-round pick in 2022, and a first-round pick in 2023 is something out of a movie.
For more on Collins, read our scouting report on him here.
23. New York Jets (via Seattle) – Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
The Jets have a lot of young players at the cornerback position and none that can truly play the number one role. That changes when New York takes Stokes at pick 23. Stokes shot up draft boards when he ran a 4.25 40-yard dash time at his pro day. He was already one of the best cornerbacks in the draft and has now locked himself into the first round with his pro-day performance.
For more on Stokes, read our scouting report on him here.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
Pittsburgh could go in a lot of different directions with this pick. The offensive line needs reinforcements, specifically at the tackle spot. Eichenberg is a perfect fit for Pittsburgh and would immediately start at the left tackle spot from day one.
For more on Eichenberg, read our scouting report on him here.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LA Rams) – Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Jaguars have added a ton of pieces to their roster, and while many of them are patchwork players that will start for this year only, the safety position is perhaps the biggest need on the team after quarterback. While Jacksonville added Rayshawn Jenkins and Rudy Ford during free agency, Moehrig is on another level compared to those two and is well worth this selection.
For more on Moehrig, read our scouting report on him here.
26. Indianapolis Colts (via Cleveland) – Dillon Radunz, OT, NDSU
After trading down from 21, the Colts still get the player they would’ve taken with their original pick. After Anthony Castonzo retired, it opened up a massive hole at left tackle. Thankfully, the tackle class is stacked this year, and it goes all the way down through day two as well. Radunz is perhaps one of the most underrated tackles in the class and will get to protect another North Dakota State player’s blindside in Indianapolis.
For more on Radunz, read our scouting report on him here.
27. Baltimore Ravens – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Ravens, for some reason, have the same types of receivers on their roster. Sammy Watkins was signed, and he provides a similar skill set to what Baltimore already had in Marquise Brown. The rest of the receivers are slot guys, and the Ravens would be wise to let Devin Duvernay get more snaps this year. To complete the three starting receivers, the Ravens stop Bateman’s fall. The Ravens would have a dynamic young trio of receivers with Bateman, Brown, and Duvernay.
For more on Bateman, read our scouting report on him here.
28. New Orleans Saints – Terrace Marshall Jr. WR, LSU
After Thomas, the New Orleans receiving core takes a steep dropoff. Tre’Quan Smith has struggled to find the field and provide the impact that many thought he would when he first entered the league. Marshall is a debated prospect that many have higher or lower than the other. He would provide a much-needed spark to the receiving core that is lacking for the Saints.
For more on Marshall, read our scouting report on him here.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*New York Jets send picks 34 and 86 to Green Bay for picks 29 and 214.*
29. New York Jets (via Green Bay) – Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The Jets trade back into the first round to make their third selection of the night. They find a partner in Green Bay who is looking to trade down with both Collins and Bateman off the board. The trade-up is a costly one for the Jets, who are looking to add a dynamic running back to pair with their new star quarterback. Etienne is the pick at 29 and gives Wilson a safety net out of the backfield and a much-needed spark in the running game. For Green Bay, they add another day two pick and only drop down four spots while giving up one of their sixth-round selections.
30. Buffalo Bills – Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
The Bills could go one of two ways. Cornerback and pass-rusher are the two biggest needs, and Buffalo opts to take a risk. Phillips is one of the more polarizing prospects in the draft because of his concussion history. If it weren’t for those concerns, Phillips would be taken well before this spot. With Mario Addison and Jerry Hughes getting up there in age, getting a developmental freak is a necessity for Buffalo. Pairing Phillips with last year’s second-round pick, A.J. Epenesa, is a scary combination.
For more on Phillips, read our scouting report on him here.
*** TRADE ALERT ***
*Atlanta sends picks 35 and 182 to Kansas City for pick 31.*
31. Atlanta Falcons (via Kansas City) – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The final trade in the first round comes via the Falcons moving up to grab their star running back. With Todd Gurley not retained, Atlanta needs someone to carry the ball. Atlanta signed Mike Davis to pair with Ito Smith as viable backup options. Neither of those two compares to Harris. The former Alabama running back is even mentioned as the best running back in the class by a lot on Draft Twitter. With Harris in the fold, the Atlanta offense is back as one of the best in the league. Kansas City, struggling with their cap situation, opts to trade down to not pay a first-round contract.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
The Buccaneers have brought back just about everyone from their championship run. With that said, Tampa Bay doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses on the roster. With Jason Pierre-Paul not getting younger, the Bucs decide that getting a raw pass-rusher with insane upside is the best route to take. Rousseau has taken a significant fall down the board since starting the 2020 season as a top-five pick. With only one year of tape to go off of, that could scare some teams away. Tampa is wise to look to the future.
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