With the Super Bowl in the rearview mirror, it’s time to update our mock draft.
Between the conference championship games and the Super Bowl, the Senior Bowl provided an opportunity for football fans of the other 30 teams to get a look at some of the college players headed to the NFL next year.
In our previous mock draft, we acknowledged that the Houston Texans making a quarterback decision will change this entire draft class. That impact could begin with the second overall pick; the New York Jets are understandably interested in upgrading to an elite franchise quarterback.
Two teams have already made decisions regarding their quarterback situation. The Detroit Lions traded Matthew Stafford to the Rams for Jared Goff and future picks. That deal appears to be the beginning of an active offseason at the position, with some teams looking for a veteran improvement, others looking to dump a bad contract and others trying to work their way up the draft to select one of this year’s top prospects.
With all of that in mind, let’s get rolling with a three-round mock draft. We are not projecting any trades below; these are the picks where they are right now. There is little question teams will be very active moving around in this year’s deep, talented draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
We’re sticking with out prediction for the number one pick because, again, this has felt like a fait accompli for more than a year. Lawrence is arguably the most hyped quarterback to enter the draft since Andrew Luck, and he’ll be the centerpiece of Urban Meyer’s new look in Jacksonville. Can they build a winner around him? They certainly have the picks to make a quick difference.
2. New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
This pick will influence the entire first round. Will the Jets go with a quarterback? Will they trade Sam Darnold? The Jets could keep Darnold and look to add weapons around him. The beauty of a top-two pick is almost everyone is available. The curse is you really need to hit for the next five years to be an improvement. That’s why we’re betting they move on and start fresh with the talented Wilson here.
3. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Miami has two picks in the first round and wide receiver is a glaring need. Will they take the talented Ja’Marr Chase from LSU? Perhaps. But we’re betting they try to rekindle the magic between Alabama’s Smith and his former quarterback. Making Tua Tagovailoa happy is important after buying high on him last year. The reigning Heisman Trophy winner is a stud.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Bama will be featured throughout this year’s draft class. Some think Atlanta will draft the heir to Matt Ryan here, but he’s still a viable NFL quarterback. Their glaring issues on defense are more pressing, so taking the top corner in the draft makes more sense in 2021.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
They have their franchise quarterback, but they need to protect him. Watching Joe Burrow get carted off was a gut punch to the team and its fans. Sewell is the top tackle in this year’s draft and would be a perfect bookend to protect Burrow for the next decade.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
This would be an ideal pick for the Eagles. While their defense and offensive line need help, landing a legit number one receiver is a glaring need. Chase might be the best receiver in a loaded class. They could be active in this draft if they’re able to find a team to take Carson Wentz off their hands.
7. Detroit Lions
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Detroit traded Matthew Stafford for Jared Goff since our last mock draft, so their focus in this year’s draft may have changed. There’s a chance they look at Justin Fields as their future quarterback here, but we’re betting they address another more immediate need with a tremendous receiver.
8. Carolina Panthers
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Carolina needs a new franchise quarterback desperately. Fields is considered an elite prospect in spite of the rough history of Buckeye quarterbacks at the next level. He has everything an offensive coordinator would want in a player and would be a solid fit in Carolina.
9. Denver Broncos
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Denver started their offseason early, releasing veteran corner A.J. Bouye. Drafting his replacement here with the talented Farley makes a lot of sense. They might consider helping their pass rush here as well, but corner is a significant need.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
The NFL is a copycat league, and if anyone watched Tampa’s dominant linebackers in the Super Bowl they know how significant that position can be. Parsons is a legit stud who would help every aspect of the Cowboys’ defense. They need a corner as well, but Parsons is too good to pass if he lasts to ten.
11. New York Giants
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Giants have a decision to make with Evan Engram, whose health has been a concern. Pitts is a hybrid tight end/receiver with tremendous athletic ability and versatility. He would be what the Giants have hoped Engram would become in their offense.
12. San Francisco 49ers
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Niners have big issues in their secondary and need a new number one corner. They’ll be tempted to go quarterback here if they move on from Jimmy G, but Horn would be able to step in immediately and solve a need this season.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Chargers hit the jackpot with their rookie quarterback last year. Now, like the Bengals, they need to protect their investment in the most important position on the field. Darrisaw is the clear number two tackle in this year’s class and would be a nice fit. They’ll be tempted to move up to get Pitts at tight end, but could address that later in the draft if they can land a top tackle.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Kirk Cousins is all over trade rumors already and, while he’s been consistent in his NFL career, has not been able to take the Vikings over the top. Lance would be the next generation leader in Minnesota they’ve wanted; the Vikings haven’t invested in a quarterback early in a draft since Teddy Bridgewater.
15. New England Patriots
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
The Patriots didn’t need to worry about the quarterback position for 20 years. But they saw how important the position can be this season; Cam Newton tried but it simply didn’t work. Jones was an accurate passer at Alabama and could be the next starter for the Pats.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
The Cardinals may look to address their offensive line to protect Kyler Murray here. And they have needs in their secondary as well. But Rousseau is an elite pass rusher who could be off the board well before 16. This would be a dynamic addition to the Cardinals’ defensive front.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Vegas needs a lot of help on their defensive line. They could look at an edge rusher here, but Barmore’s performance in the CFP Championship Game is the kind of work that will get Vegas excited. He’s a disruptive force in the defensive interior that would make an impact this season.
18. Miami Dolphins
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
If the Dolphins can address their needs at receiver and linebacker this well in the first round, a team that just missed the playoffs is setting the table for a fun 2021 season. As we said earlier, the Bucs showed how important good linebacker play can be and this would make the first round a home run for the Fins.
19. Washington Football Team
Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Washington sitting at 19 is a tough spot for them to consider a new quarterback, and they have already re-signed Taylor Heinicke to a multi-year deal. Instead, they’ll look to add another target for whomever is under center next year. Toney is tremendously talented and would be a nice option opposite Terry McLaurin.
20. Chicago Bears
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Bears have been all over the place in trade rumors, reportedly shopping this pick in a deal for Carson Wentz or considering yet another trade up for one of this year’s top five quarterbacks. However, if they can’t protect their quarterback it doesn’t matter who’s back there. Slater is a long-term answer at tackle and would be an ideal fit.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Another team that could be quarterback hunting, the Colts have already stated they would prefer plugging in a veteran as they did last year. Addressing their pass rush need here with an elite player like Paye makes a lot of sense. This pick could be in play if they make a trade for a quarterback, however.
22. Tennessee Titans
Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
The Titans could be looking at Corey Davis leaving via free agency, making receiver a need. But taking an impact pass rusher here is also a significant need and Ojulari would be a great fit in their system.
23. New York Jets (from SEA)
Zaven Collins, EDGE, Tulsa
As we said previously, Collins is a dream fit for Robert Saleh’s defense. The Jets need to look at their defensive front and back end in this year’s draft and addressing the rush with Collins would make this first round a great step forward for the franchise.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The Steelers need to get younger on their offensive line, eventually need to replace Big Ben and could look to add depth at linebacker after losing both of their starters to injuries in 2020. But their run game disappeared this season and that’s a huge problem. Harris would be a great, traditional fit for a Steelers team that needs to run the ball with confidence. Harris is a difference-maker.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (From LAR)
Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
How happy would Urban Meyer be if he could land a franchise quarterback and a potential all-pro tackle to protect him with his first two picks as an NFL head coach? Mayfield is a big, nasty lineman who would be an ideal selection if he’s available at 25.
26. Cleveland Browns
Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State
The Browns need to take some pressure off Myles Garrett. They could look at addressing their linebacker and secondary needs here, but Oweh is an athletic edge rusher who would make the Browns’ front a nightmare for opposing coaches and lines.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Terrance Marshall, Jr., WR, LSU
The Ravens need to protect Lamar Jackson if he’s going to be their long-term answer at quarterback. They also need to provide him with better options in the pass game if he’s going to perform. Hollywood Brown was a nice pick last year but he needs help. Marshall doesn’t get as much attention because he was on the same roster as Ja’Marr Chase but he’s a legit NFL prospect in his own right.
28. New Orleans Saints
Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Saints will likely be looking at a new depth chart at quarterback for the first time in more than a decade, and may be tempted to draft Kyle Trask here if they can’t keep Jameis Winston. But their defense has a few holes to fill and taking the best safety in this year’s class makes more sense here than a reach at quarterback.
29. Green Bay Packers
Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
If you watched the Packers lose the NFC Championship Game you know their secondary needs help. They could stand to bolster their aging offensive line or add depth at receiver here, but defending the pass is too important to pass on a good prospect like Robinson here.
30. Buffalo Bills
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
The Bills made it to the AFC Championship game in 2020 but didn’t quite have enough to get past the Chiefs. How do they compete with Kansas City moving forward? Well, they just watched the Bucs harass him all day. Adding speed to their rush is a need and Phillips would be a great fit.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The Chiefs lost the Super Bowl for many reasons, the most significant of which was the play of their offensive line. When Eric Fisher went down, tackle immediately became their biggest need. Jenkins is a nasty player who would bring toughness and an edge to their protection of Patrick Mahomes II.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
The Bucs won the Super Bowl because of their defense, but they have a handful of free agents on that side of the ball that will be nearly impossible to keep. Onwuzurike would give them a beast inside that would help sustain the dominant play we saw in the Super Bowl. They have actual needs in this draft and this would be a good first step.
33. Jacksonville Jaguars – Asante Samuel, Jr., CB, Florida State
34. New York Jets – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
35. Miami Dolphins (from HOU) – James Hudson, OT, Cincinnati
36. Atlanta Falcons – Joe Tryon, DE, Washington
37. Cincinnati Bengals – Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
38. Philadelphia Eagles – Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
39. Detroit Lions – Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
40. Carolina Panthers – Alijah Vera-Tucker, iOL, USC
41. Denver Broncos – Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
42. Dallas Cowboys – Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
43. New York Giants – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
44. San Francisco 49ers – Wyatt Davis, iOL, Ohio State
45. Los Angeles Chargers – Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
46. Jacksonville Jaguars (from MIN) – Creed Humphrey, iOL, Oklahoma
47. New England Patriots – Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
48. Arizona Cardinals – Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
49. Las Vegas Raiders – Deonte Brown, iOL, Georgia
50. Miami Dolphins – Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson
51. Washington Football Team – Josh Myers, iOL, Ohio State
52. Chicago Bears – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
53. Indianapolis Colts – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
54. Tennessee Titans – Trey Smith, iOL, Tennessee
55. Seattle Seahawks – Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
56. Pittsburgh Steelers – Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
57. Los Angeles Rams – Walker Little, OT, Stanford
58. Cleveland Browns – Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
59. Baltimore Ravens – Alex Leatherwood, OL, Alabama
60. New Orleans Saints – Jay Tufele, DT, USC
61. Green Bay Packers – Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
62. Buffalo Bills – Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
63. Kansas City Chiefs – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
64. Tampa Bay Bucs – Carlos Basham, Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
65. Jacksonville Jaguars – Chazz Surratt, LB, North Carolina
66. New York Jets – Elijah Molden, CB, Washington
67. Houston Texans – Elijah Moore, WR, Mississippi
68. Atlanta Falcons – Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia
69. Cincinnati Bengals – Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami
70. Philadelphia Eagles – Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
71. Detroit Lions – Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
72. Carolina Panthers – Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
73. Denver Broncos – Ben Cleveland, iOL, Georgia
74. Dallas Cowboys – Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama
75. New York Giants – Dayo Odeyingbo, EDGE, Vanderbilt
76. Washington Football Team (from SF) – Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
77. Los Angeles Chargers – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
78. Jacksonville Jaguars (from MIN) – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
xx. New England Patriots – forfeited
79. Arizona Cardinals – Keith Taylor, CB, Washington
80. Las Vegas Raiders – Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
81. Miami Dolphins – Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
82. Washington Football Team – Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
83. Chicago Bears – D’Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
84. Indianapolis Colts – Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
85. Tennessee Titans – Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
86. New York Jets (from SEA) – JaCoby Stevens, S, LSU
87. Pittsburgh Steelers – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
88. Los Angeles Rams – Hamilcar Rashed, Jr., EDGE, Oregon State
89. Cleveland Browns – Kary Vincent, Jr., CB, LSU
90. Minnesota Vikings (from BAL) – Tyler Linderbaum, iOL, Iowa
91. Cleveland Browns (from NO) – Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
92. Green Bay Packers – Daniel Faalele, OT, Minnesota
93. Buffalo Bills – Sadarius Hutcherson, iOL, South Carolina
94. Kansas City Chiefs – Patrick Jones II, DE, Pittsburgh
95. Tampa Bay Bucs – Whop Philyor, WR, Indiana
96. Dallas Cowboys (comp) – Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
97. New England Patriots (comp) – Austin Watkins, WR, UAB
98. Tennessee Titans (comp) – Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
99. Los Angeles Rams (comp) – Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
100. New Orleans Saints (comp) – Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
