Garden State Gridiron - Mock Draft #3

Garden State Gridiron – Mock Draft #3

The 2021 NFL Draft is just two short weeks away! Pro days are wrapping up and teams are finalizing their big boards. News and rumors are flying in every direction and it can be difficult to decipher fact from fiction. Today’s mock draft will be a predictive draft, meaning that it reflects what seem to be the most likely outcomes based on the information we have. Check it out:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars – QB Trevor Lawrence – No surprise here.
2. New York Jets – QB Zach Wilson – This pick seems increasingly more likely by the day.
3. San Francisco 49ers – QB Justin Fields – Listed at +125 in the Tipico Sportsbook app. He impressed at his 2nd pro day this week, where he completed a number of drills at the request of the 49ers.
4. Atlanta Falcons – OT Penei Sewel – Can start his career at guard or compete for a starting tackle spot. Either way, he can immediately improve the Atlanta offensive line that has struggled to create running lanes and protect on the interior.
5. Cincinnati Bengals – WR Ja-Marr Chase – While Chase isn’t the ideal fit for the Bengals’ offense, the pre-existing chemistry he has with Joe Burrow can’t be ignored.
6. Miami Dolphins – TE Kyle Pitts – The draft acrobatics the Dolphins executed a few weeks ago pays off and they add the most talented skill player in the draft.
7. Detroit Lions – QB Trey Lance – A top quarterback falls into Detroit’s lap. Jared Goff will be on the team for the next two seasons, but there is no promise to start him. Lance can develop and earn the starting job when he is ready.
8. Carolina Panthers – OT Rashawn Slater – The top offensive lineman on some teams’ boards. The protection he can provide will give Sam Darnold more opportunities to connect with the speedy receivers in Carolina.
9. Philadelphia Eagles (via DEN) – WR Jaylen Waddle – The Eagles trade up in front of their division opponents to select the top wide receiver on their board. Adding Waddle to Jalen Reagor, Miles Sanders, and Dallas Goedert give Philadelphia one of the most dangerous run-after-catch offenses in the league. He also gets to reunite with his former college quarterback in Jalen Hurts.
10. Dallas Cowboys – CB Patrick Surtain II – There is simply too much smoke to this rumor to ignore. Surtain II is the best scheme fit for their defense that desperately needs secondary help.
11. New York Giants – LB Micah Parsons – Dave Gettleman loves Penn State players and the Giants are in desperate need of linebacker and pass-rush. Parsons can fill both of those roles.
12. Denver Broncos (via PHI) – QB Mac Jones – The new personnel leadership in Denver gets to select their quarterback while adding OT Andre Dillard in the trade with Philadelphia. The Broncos have invested heavily in offensive weapons (Jeudy, Fant, Hamler, Sutton) and they want a quarterback who can grow with them.
13. Los Angeles Chargers – OT Christian Darrisaw – Another pick that makes too much sense. Justin Herbert thrived in his rookie season despite heavy pressure. Giving him some protection could open up the offense even further.
14. Minnesota Vikings – OG Alijah Vera-Tucker – One of the best running backs in the league gets a new blocker to lead the way. The Vikings invested heavily in Dalvin Cook and need to protect that investment, plus they need to prepare the team for a possible quarterback transition next year.
15. Las Vegas Raiders (via NE) – EDGE Jaelan Phillips – Gruden and Mayock move up to select the top pass-rusher on their board. Phillips has elite traits and could develop into the replacement for Khalil Mack.
16. Arizona Cardinals – CB Jaycee Horn – Arizona finds their Patrick Peterson replacement in another handsy and aggressive corner.
17. New England Patriots (via LV) – LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – New England finds the new centerpiece of their defense. While he is smaller than their prototypical linebackers, JOK is an elite athlete and very intelligent player.
18. Miami Dolphins – WR DeVonta Smith – The Heisman winner’s fall ends in Miami and they walk away from the first round with two of the best playmakers in the draft.
19. Washington Football Team – OT Tevin Jenkins – If the board falls this way, this pick should be an easy decision for Washington. They can fill the biggest hole on their offensive line to fill the hole left by Trent Williams.
20. Chicago Bears – WR Rashod Bateman – Chicago attempts to find Allen Robinson’s replacement in advance of his expected departure in free agency next season.
21. Indianapolis Colts – EDGE Kwity Paye – The Colts add a powerful defensive end to their already potent front seven.
22. Tennessee Titans – CB Caleb Farley – The slide ends here for Farley, who was projected as a top-10 pick prior to his back injury. The injury is not expected to have long term effects following a recent medical examination. He has the traits to be one of the best corners in the league, if healthy.
23. New York Jets – CB Greg Newsome II – The Jets find a new leader on defense with their 2nd pick of night one. Newsome II could be a true #1 corner.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Liam Eichenberg – Pittsburgh needs offensive line help immediately and for the long term. Eichenberg is the most NFL-ready offensive lineman remaining.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars – RB Travis Etienne – Clemson teammates reunite in Jacksonville. Even though James Robinson had a strong rookie season, he does not have the physical tools to be the primary back for an extended period.
26. Cleveland Browns – DT Christian Barmore – Following the signing of Jadeveon Clowney, the Browns take this opportunity to make their defensive line even scarier. Barmore can occupy blockers to help open holes for their stars on the edge.
27. Baltimore Ravens – EDGE Azeez Ojulari – Baltimore follows their historical trend of drafting defenders from the SEC. Ojulari is a versatile pass rusher who could add a spark to the Ravens defense.
28. New Orleans Saints – WR Terrace Marshall Jr. – An LSU wide receiver finally lands in New Orleans in time for a new quarterback for the Saints. Marshall Jr. can be the outside weapon to compliment Michael Thomas and provide a deep threat for Taysom Hill and/or Jamies Winston.
29. Green Bay Packers – OT Samuel Cosmi – Aaron Rodgers finally gets some help in the form of protection. Cosmi is a massive lineman who could anchor the Packers’ line for years to come.
30. Buffalo Bills – RB Najee Harris – A huge, powerful running back who is built for playoff games in Buffalo. Harris can be a centerpiece in this offense and take some pressure off Josh Allen.
31. Atlanta Falcons (via KC) – FS Trevon Moehrig – Having lost both of their starting safeties in free agency, Atlanta adds the best safety in the draft to continue the rebuild of their defense.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – WR Elijah Moore – The defending Super Bowl Champions walk away with possibly the best slot receiver and kick returner in the draft.

We will be releasing mock drafts each week leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft to explore the top options and latest news surrounding the teams and prospects.