With the 2021 NFL Draft upon us, The Athletes Hub has taken the time to compile their official mock draft. The mock draft will be compiled into two separate rounds, with Round One and Round Two currently available.
Round Two can be found here
1. Jacksonville Jaguars- QB Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
As the highest-rated quarterback since Andrew Luck, Trevor Lawrence is a surefire lock for the top pick.
2. New York Jets- QB Zach Wilson, BYU
The Jets have continued to be linked to BYU’s Zach Wilson over the offseason, and there shouldn’t be a surprise that he goes here. When selected, Wilson will become the 35th quarterback in Jets history since Hall of Famer Joe Namath.
3. San Francisco 49ers- QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
Todd McShay broke the news on Monday morning that head coach Kyle Shanahan wants to draft Mac Jones, but the San Francisco 49ers personnel department has pushed for Trey Lance. Matt Barrows, who covers the 49ers for The Athletic, has stated that he believes the final decision on draft day will be Lance.
4. Atlanta Falcons- QB Justin Fields, Ohio State
The Atlanta Falcons will have a potential out with 35-year old quarterback Matt Ryan in 2022 before facing a $48.6 million cap hit in the 2023 season. The front office has already admitted to struggling against the cap, and the selection of Fields may become a necessity for a team on the verge of reaching a new chapter. The team could very well move on from either Ryan or wide receiver Julio Jones at some point in the offseason.
5. Cincinnati Bengals- OT Penei Sewell, Oregon
The Bengals’ main focus coming into the draft is to protect their franchise quarterback in Joe Burrow. The rookie suffered a devastating injury last season due to lack of protection. Sewell opted out of the 2020 season, but in the previous season, he allowed zero sacks and only seven pressures in 491 pass-protecting snaps.
6. Miami Dolphins- TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Miami will have the option between selecting the top two receiving threats in this draft class in Kyle Pitts and Ja’Marr Chase. While each prospect provides their own set of benefits, the hype surrounding Pitts permits the Dolphins to move forward with a tight end core that contains both the Florida product and Mike Gesicki.
7. Detroit Lions- WR Ja’Marr Chase, LSU
The wide receiver position is a major need coming into the draft for the Lions after losing wide receivers Kenny Golladay, Marvin Jones Jr. and Danny Amendola this offseason. Chase is a can’t-miss prospect that Detroit was lucky enough to have fall into their laps.
8. TRADE ALERT: New England Patriots- QB Mac Jones
New England Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#8 overall)
Carolina Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#15 overall), 2021 Third-Round Pick, 2022 First-Round Pick
New England has been monitoring Mac Jones over the last several weeks, while the Panthers have been fielding offers to trade down in the first round. Jones has the potential to go as high as the third overall pick to the San Francisco 49ers, but ends up with a Patriots roster that spent the most amount of money on free agents in NFL history.
9. Denver Broncos- LB Micah Parsons, Penn State
It is possible that Denver either trades back or addresses their cornerback need here, but inside linebacker is a glaring hole entering the draft. Parsons does come with some character concerns, but is arguably the most talented defender in this class.
10. Dallas Cowboys- CB Patrick Surtain, Alabama
The Cowboys have an obvious need at the cornerback position, as they were 28th in scoring defense in the 2020 season. The addition of Surtain provides Dallas with the top cornerback available in the draft class.
11. TRADE ALERT: Minnesota Vikings- OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Minnesota Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#11 overall)
New York Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#14 overall), 2021 Third-Round Pick (#78 overall)
Rashawn Slater is touted by many as the second-best offensive lineman in the draft, and for some, even the best. With Riley Reiff now in Cincinnati, Minnesota trades up in front of Philadelphia and Los Angeles to snag their franchise left tackle.
12. Philadelphia Eagles- WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Waddle slipped a few picks more than expected, but the Eagles find themselves with a bargain at the 12th overall selection. Last season, Philadelphia’s leading receiver was Travis Fulgham, who recorded 38 receptions, 529 receiving yards, and four touchdowns.
13. Los Angeles Chargers- OL Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Vera-Tucker is an ideal fit for the Chargers zone-blocking scheme. He is a versatile lineman who can step in and play guard or tackle immediately. The USC product becomes a safe pick due to his consistency and high floor.
14. TRADE ALERT: New York Giants- EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Minnesota Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#11 overall)
New York Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#14 overall), 2021 Third-Round Pick (#78 overall)
After trading down three spots with the Minnesota Vikings, the New York Giants still get their desired prospect in Kwity Paye. While his numbers at the collegiate level won’t stand out, his Pro Day was impressive and fits in the scheme New York has established on the defensive end.
15. TRADE ALERT: Carolina Panthers- CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
New England Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#8 overall)
Carolina Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#15 overall), 2021 Third-Round Pick, 2022 First-Round Pick
The Panthers move back seven spots and address a defense that ranked 18th in pass defense last season. Donte Jackson will be a free agent in 2022 and is unlikely to be brought back.
16. Arizona Cardinals- CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
After receiving back surgery, the Cardinals have done their research regarding Farley. All indications point to Farley being healthy enough for Arizona to take a gamble on the second-ranked cornerback in the draft.
17. Las Vegas Raiders- LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Owusu-Koramoah is the likely favorite to go to Las Vegas. He is a versatile linebacker/safety hybrid, similar to Isaiah Simmons, who plays fast and is strong in coverage. Unfortunately for the Raiders, he didn’t get to run a 40 at his Pro Day due to hamstring tightness.
18. TRADE ALERT: Indianapolis Colts- WR Devonta Smith, Alabama
Indianapolis Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#18 overall)
Miami Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#21 overall, 2021 Fourth-Round Pick, 2022 Third-Round Pick)
Smith has the potential to be a top 10 draft pick, but slips due to the deep talent available in the first round and evident concern about his frame. The Colts have the opportunity to trade up at the cost of a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft and a third-rounder in the 2022 Draft.
19. Washington Football Team- OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
The right side of the line has been a staple for this offense the last couple years, but there has been a major issue at left tackle going back as far as 2019. With Washington bringing in quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick this offseason, you can expect them to be a pass-happy offense. With that being said, you have to protect his blindside.
20. Chicago Bears- CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern
Having grown up in Chicago, Illinois, this seems to be a storybook selection for the Bears. While there is an opportunity to trade up for a quarterback upgrade, their current draft position is better suited for a defensive successor of Kyle Fuller.
21. TRADE ALERT: Miami Dolphins- EDGE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
Indianapolis Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#18 overall)
Miami Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#21 overall, 2021 Fourth-Round Pick, 2022 Third-Round Pick)
After taking Kyle Pitts with their first selection, the Dolphins address their pass-rush here. Phillips played as a 4-3 defensive end in college, but after his impressive Pro Day numbers, there should be no remaining questions of whether or not he can make the adjustment as a 3-4 edge rusher.
22. TRADE ALERT: Buffalo Bills- RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
Buffalo Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#22 overall), 2021 Seventh-Round Pick via Houston
Tennessee Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#30 overall), 2021 Third-Round Pick, 2021 Fifth Round Pick (#174 overall)
The Buffalo Bills have been linked to Clemson’s Travis Etienne leading up to the draft but will need to trade up past the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Jacksonville Jaguars to guarantee they get their preferred option. Bills General Manager Brandon Beane reportedly does not view either Devin Singletary or Zach Moss as a primary back, leaving a void in the backfield.
23. New York Jets- EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Once touted as a top 10 pick, Gregory Rousseau has slid down draft boards since opting out of the 2020 season. He made up some ground after an impressive Pro Day, where he ran a 4.68 40-time and 1.57 10-yard split. The Jets ranked 20th in the NFL in sacks last season and Rousseau and Carl Lawson could be the perfect duo to push them into the top 10 in 2021.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers- OT Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State
Pittsburgh has the chance to address a major need at the running back position with Najee Harris, but reports have pointed to the Steelers’ need to remain patient with the deep running back class. Instead, the front office will look to protect Ben Roethlisberger in what could be his final year with the team. Landon Dickerson could also be the pick here with the retirement of Pouncey.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars- S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
After grabbing Trevor Lawrence with their first pick, the Jaguars still have holes to fill in the trenches as well as in the secondary. Moehrig is the consensus top safety in the draft and has drawn comparisons to Minkah Fitzatrick.
26. Cleveland Browns- LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
After an impressive Pro Day, Collins continues to be viewed as a first-round talent. Collins has been caught stating his love for Cleveland’s coaching staff and the program they have built based on the brief contact the two sides have already maintained. A trade back is also possible.
27. Baltimore Ravens- WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
According to Bleacher Report, the Ravens are “definitely targeting” a wide receiver in the first round. With ‘Hollywood’ Brown being a smaller vertical target, Baltimore needs to bring a complement to his skillset. Drafting Bateman, who is a big-bodied possession receiver who can go up and get it, is exactly what the doctor ordered.
28. New Orleans Saints- CB Asante Samuel Jr, Florida State
Samuel Jr. was once projected to land with the Tennessee Titans at the 22nd overall selection, but after trading down, the Saints found themselves with a physical cornerback in the first round. Across three seasons with Florida State, Samuel Jr. has totaled over 1,000+ snaps played at the slot cornerback position.
29. Green Bay Packers- OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
The Packers saw multiple offensive linemen fall off the board in the first round, but he still fills an obvious need. Green Bay has a history of drafting a receiver in the later rounds. If Eichenberg isn’t the selection here, then Alabama’s Alex Leatherwood could be another option. Leatherwood has the ability to move around the offensive front, making him an attractive choice as well.
30. TRADE ALERT: Tennessee Titans- WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
Buffalo Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#22 overall), 2021 Seventh-Round Pick via Houston
Tennessee Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#30 overall), 2021 Third-Round Pick, 2021 Fifth Round Pick (#174 overall)
The Tennessee Titans are favoring the idea of gaining more draft compensation and now add one of the most underrated receivers in Elijah Moore. The offense lost both Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith in free agency and will look to Moore for an immediate impact.
31. TRADE ALERT: Baltimore Ravens- EDGE Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
Baltimore Receives: 2021 First-Round Pick (#31 overall), 2021 Third-Round Pick, 2021 Fourth-Round Pick, 2022 Fifth-Round Pick
Kansas City Receives: OT Orlando Brown, 2021 Second-Round Pick, 2022 Sixth-Round Pick
After losing Matthew Judon in the offseason, the Ravens take Azeez Ojulari, who is a perfect fit for the Ravens system as a 3-4 outside linebacker. He is an explosive edge threat and has a chance at leading all rookies in sacks this season.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
There are league-wide concerns that Barmore could be difficult to coach at the NFL level, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the luxury of placing him behind an NFL veteran in Ndamukong Suh during his rookie season. Jayson Oweh would be another great value selection at the end of the first round, as the Buccaneers seek out defensive depth following their Super Bowl run.
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