With the 2021 NFL Draft happening later tonight, I decided to release my FINAL first round mock draft. A few notes before we begin:
- I understand that the Seattle Seahawks do not have a first round pick after they traded theirs for Jamal Adams. For this reason, I also included a few players who I think could be good fits in the second round below.
- I included trades based on the standard NFL Draft Trade Chart. While this is not perfect, it’s a good baseline for evaluation potential trades in my opinion.
- This mock draft is what I think could happen and not what I think each team should do if it was up to me.
With that out of the way, let’s begin this mock draft!
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15) – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Here’s my video breakdown on Lawrence on YouTube.
2. New York Jets (2-14) – Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Here’s my video breakdown on Wilson on YouTube.
3. San Francisco 49ers - from Miami via Houston (4-12) – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Yes, I know Mac Jones and Trey Lance are the two players everyone is talking about, but I think it’s all a smokescreen so that the Jets don’t take Fields. Maybe I’m wrong. It’s very possible that I’m wrong, but Fields is the best quarterback available after Lawrence and Wilson and is a really good fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Here’s my video breakdown on Fields on YouTube.
4. Atlanta Falcons (4-12) – Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
5. Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Here’s my video breakdown on Chase on YouTube.
6. Miami Dolphins - from Philadelphia (4-11-1) – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
7. TRADE! New England Patriots (7-9) – Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State University
Patriots send 1.15 (1050 points), 2.46 (440 points) -> Lions send 1.07 (1500 points)
I think the Patriots are going to be aggressive about going up for a quarterback. It seems like everyone links them to Mac Jones, but I think Bill Belichick will love Lance’s upside. Meanwhile, the Lions traded for Jared Goff and move down to help them rebuild their roster.
Here’s my video breakdown on Lance on YouTube.
8. TRADE! Los Angeles Chargers (7-9) – Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Chargers send 1.13 (1150 points), 3.77 (205 points), 4.118 (58 points) -> Panthers send 1.08 (1400 points)
The Chargers need a left tackle to protect Justin Herbert. They signed Corey Linsley and Bryan Bulaga to play center and right tackle, respectively, but left tackle is still wide open. Meanwhile, the Panthers move down and collect more assets while going with Sam Darnold for a season.
9. Denver Broncos (5-11) – Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
The Broncos traded for Teddy Bridgewater, but the Panthers are still paying for the majority of his contract. I think they still go QB at this selection.
Here’s my video breakdown on Jones on YouTube.
10. Dallas Cowboys (6-10) – Patrick Surtain II, CB, Southern Mississippi
11. New York Giants (6-10) – Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
12. Philadelphia Eagles - from Miami via San Francisco (6-10) – Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
13. Carolina Panthers (5-11) – from Los Angeles Chargers (7-9) – Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
14. Minnesota Vikings (7-9) – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
15. Detroit Lions (5-11) – from New England Patriots (7-9) - Micah Parsons, LB, Michigan
16. Arizona Cardinals (8-8) – Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG/OT, USC
17. Las Vegas Raiders (8-8) – Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
18. Miami Dolphins (10-6) – Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
19. Washington Football Team (7-9) - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
20. Chicago Bears (8-8) – Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
21. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) – Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
22. Tennessee Titans (11-5) – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
23. New York Jets - from Seattle (12-4) – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) – Landon Dickerson, IOL, Alabama
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - from LA Rams (10-6) – Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
26. Cleveland Browns (11-5) – Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
27. Baltimore Ravens (11-5) – Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
28. New Orleans Saints (12-4) – Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
29. Green Bay Packers (13-3) – Terrace Marshall, WR, LSU
30. Buffalo Bills (13-3) – Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
31. Baltimore Ravens - from Kansas City (14-2) – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-5) - Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
I think there is a possibility that Travis Etienne (who I broke down in this video on YouTube) could find his way into the first round. I also think that Javonte Williams is an excellent fit for the Pittsburgh Steelers in round two (who I broke down in this video on YouTube) assuming they don’t take Najee Harris in round one like everyone thinks they will.
Seattle Seahawks Choices
The Seahawks biggest needs are center, EDGE, and cornerback. They could definitely use a third wide receiver, but I think Pete Carroll and John Schneider like Freddie Swain enough to roll the dice with him for another season.
As it stands, they currently have three picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. They pick in the second round (#56), fourth round (#129), and seventh round (#250). While I believe that Seattle will trade down with their second round pick (#56) in order to grab a third and fourth round pick, here are a few options that Seattle could consider at 56th overall if they stay put.
1. Quinn Meinerz, Center, Wisconsin-Whitewater
Meinerz didn’t play in the 2020 season, but he looked excellent at the 2021 Senior Bowl against real competition. He has solid length and elite core strength. He has quick hands and can latch onto incoming rushers to slow them down. His footwork will need to be improved, but I like his game overall.
Honorable Mention: Creed Humphrey, Center, Oklahoma – Think he fits the scheme really nicely.
2. Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Although the Seahawks signed Carlos Dunlap to a two-year deal and should have Darrell Taylor coming back from injury, I think they still need a good LEO edge rusher. Enter Joseph Ossai. He’s a natural leader and his motor is always on. He will constantly be around the ball simply because he doesn’t give up. I think his arm length at 33-7/8 inches is a plus and his 40-yard dash of 4.63 seconds will appeal to the Seahawks. Plus, he has enough lateral quickness to run twists and stunts and he knows how to use a long-arm technique really well. He’ll need to get better in the run game as he has a hard time getting off blocks, but I think he can only get better with more playing experience.
3. Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Did I pick a cornerback with long arms that would be great as an outside cornerback in Cover 3? You bet I did! Campbell is 6’1” and has 32 inch arms. He is crazily athletic running a 4.4 40 yard dash while also having the length to develop into a solid press-man cornerback. He won’t be good in his first season, but by year two or three he should develop into a pretty good player. The Seahawks need outside cornerback help and he’s a natural foot racer by the sideline. I think he will need to get better at playing trail in man coverage and he has a hard time locating the football at times, but he is the definition of upside for the position.
Now, the important question you have to ask: Will the Seahawks draft any of these players? Probably not! I am willing to bet they will trade down to grab more picks. If they can end the day with five selections after starting with just three, it will be a win for John Schneider and a good finish to a strong 2021 off-season.