Elijah Spann's Official 2021 NFL First Round Mock Draft
(Photo via nfl.com)
This year's draft is shaping up to be one of the most exciting drafts in years. We’re easily going to see five QBs taken in the first round, and plenty of elite playmakers get taken early. Here’s my first ever mock draft to add to an already immensely hyped draft:
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson:
There’s no speculation here, this is happening. Urban Meyer took a job with the Jags because they had the #1 pick for Lawrence. No brainer to draft the best QB prospect since Andrew Luck
2. New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU:
I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but Zach Wilson has proven himself as the second best QB in this draft. The Jets fell in love with his arm at BYU’s pro day and traded Sam Darnold to start him right away giving the new Jets coaching staff their QB of the future.
3. San Francisco 49rs
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama:
I’m really conflicted about this pick, but Kyle Shanahan is reportedly in love with Mac Jones. However, the scouting department isn’t as sold as Shanahan, and prefer either Trey Lance or Justin Fields. I’m going with Jones here because at the end of the day you can’t go against your QB guru, you have to give the guy what he wants.
4. TRADE Denver Broncos acquire 4th pick from Falcons
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State:
The Falcons might stay put and draft a QB or a playmaker like Kyle Pitts, but I think it's in Atlanta's best interest to trade back for more picks. Denver is desperate for a relevant QB and needs to get above the 9 spot to draft their guy in Trey Lance. Why Lance? Elway is terrible at picking the right QB for his coaching staff and will pair a project QB with a defensive head coach because Broncos
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Penei Sewell, T, Oregon:
I really went back and forth between Sewell and Joe Burrow’s favorite college target Jamarr Chase. I ultimately went with Sewell here because there’s a reason why Burrow has a gigantic scar on his knee. You have to protect your franchise QB and Sewell will be a stalwart at LT
6. Miami Dolphins
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Giving Tua Tagoviloa his college teammate DeVante Smith was an option here or Jamarr Chase, but I had to go with Kyle Pitts here. Pitts is a freak of nature with a catch radius as big as the Miami Dade area. He’ll be a huge boost for Tua’s development.
7. TRADE New England Patriots acquire 7th pick from Lions
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State:
The Lions have too many holes on their roster to stand pat at 7, and while I’m not convinced it's the patriots that will be trading up someone will in order to get in front of the Panthers. This might be the year the Pats draft a QB in the first round, unless they trade for Jimmy Garrapolo. Word around the league is that the Pats like Fields, who for some reason has fallen to the 5th best QB in the draft.
8. Carolina Panthers
Jamarr Chase, WR, LSU:
The Panthers are rumored to still be in the market for a QB, but I believe they’ll stay at 8 and give Sam Darnold an elite receiver. Chase is the best NFL WR in this draft class, and will turn the Panthers receiving core into one of the best in the league.
9. Atlanta Falcons
Rashawn Slater, T, Northwestern:
The Falcons have needs everywhere, and I believe that rebuilding teams need to shore up the trenches before they touch anywhere else. Slater is regarded as the second best tackle in this draft, with some scouts having him higher than Sewell.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama:
Dallas takes the first defensive player off the board in Patrick Surtain. The son of pro bowl CB Patrick Surtain and former SEC defensive player of the year should be a lock for the Cowboys if he’s still available at 10. Especially considering his chemistry with former Alabama teammate and Cowboys rookie standout Trevon Diggs.
11. New York Giants
DeVante Smith, WR, Alabama:
The Heisman winner outside of the top 10? Yep, Smith only weighs 166 pounds, which is far too light for a top ten NFL pick. The Giants add another tremendous playmaker this offseason in Smith, giving Daniel Jones the best chance for success in his career.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama:
I thought about having the Eagles trade up for a QB, which would be very on brand for how their QB situation has gone the past year. Ultimately, I think the Eagles will stay at 12 and draft the best receiver available in Waddle. The Eagles still have a need at WR, and want to give Jalen Hurts the best chance to perform for this year.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Christain Darrisaw, T, Virginia Tech:
The Chargers go O-line here to protect star QB Justin Herbert. Darrisaw is an athletically gifted tackle that can protect Herbert’s blindside.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech:
I thought about going O-line here with the vikes, but Mike Zimmer just can’t help himself drafting CB’s in the first round. They get the best CB available and arguably the best CB in the draft.
15. Detroit Lions
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
New head coach Dan Campbell wants guys that will bite your kneecaps off, and they get one here with Parsons. He has all the physical traits you want in an NFL LB, and will help shore up a horrid Lions defense.
16. Arizona Cardinals
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
The Cardinals need to find a replacement for star CB Patrick Peterson, and get one here in Horn. Horn is an excellent man to man corner that can help solidify the Cardinals secondary.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Trevon Moerhig, S, TCU:
Moehrig is the best Safety in this draft class and is a lock to go in the first round even if he doesn’t go at 17. The Raiders are no strangers to picking safeties in the first and do it again here with Moehrig.
18. Miami Dolphins
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan:
I thought about giving the Dolphins another weapon on offense here, but went with an edge rusher because they’ve cut/traded a number of guys this side of the in the offseason. Paye is an explosive pass rusher that knows how to use his hands while shedding blocks.
19. Washington Football Team
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame:
The Football team gets the best player available here to bolster an already capable defense. Owusu-Koramoah projects to be a hybrid linebacker at 200 pounds, and add athleticism to the Football Team.
20. Chicago Bears
Davis Mills, QB, Stanford:
Name a better duo than Ryan Pace and reaching for a QB? You can’t, which is why the Bears draft Mills here at 20. The Stanford product has a lot of the physical traits you look for with great size (6’4) and arm strength. However, Mills doesn’t have a lot of tape out there and projects better as a day 2 prospect.
21. Indianapolis Colts
Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss:
The Colts have a very complete roster right now, but could use more depth at WR. Moore is tremendous in the slot and will fit nicely next to T.Y. Hilton and Michael Pittman.
22. Tennessee Titans
Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota:
The departure of Corey Davis has put Tennessee in the WR market and will waste no time looking for his replacement in Bateman. The Minnesota product can be another outside threat for Ryan Tannehill and allow Adam Humphries to stay in the slot.
23. New York Jets VIA Seattle
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama:
The Jets have their QB of the future now let’s give them a RB to make his life a little easier. I thought about going O-line here, but one of the best aspects to Wilson’s game was his play action passing, and Harris will help keep that part of his game effective at the next level.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaelen Phillips, DE, Miami:
With Bud Dupree gone the Steelers have a hole at pass rusher. Phillips provides good value at 24 because of his ability to accelerate at the edge.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars Via LA Rams
Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC:
The USC standout is the best Guard in this draft, and I don’t think you can ever go wrong by trying to protect your young QB. Vera-Tucker is a plug-in play starter for Trevor Lawrence’s offense.
26. Cleveland Browns
Christain Barmore, DT, Alabama:
The Browns already had a top 10 run defense last year, but add more beef along the D-line to take them to the next level of contention. Barmore has the ability to play multiple positions along the line, which could come in handy if Jadaveon Clowney gets hurt.
27. Baltimore Ravens
Terrence Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
The Ravens flat out need a big body at WR, and Marhsall Jr. is just that at 6’3 205 pounds. Marshall is a big and fast body that racked up over 100 yards a game as an outside threat in 2020.
28. New Orleans Saints
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Sean Payton labeled CB as the teams biggest need recently, and get a piece from the great 2020 Northwestern defense. The lengthy CB allowed just 31.6% completion rate on throws in his area in 2020.
29. Green Bay Packers
Kadarius Toney, WR, UF:
Packers fans rejoice! Your stickler GM finally gives Rodgers a first round receiver in Kadarius Toney. Toney lining up in the slot would be a match made in heaven, with the Packers already having big bodies in Devante Adams and Allen Lazard. Toney might be the piece the Packers need to finally get them over the top.
30. Buffalo Bills
Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson:
Speaking of pieces to get teams over the top, Etienne fills a huge hole at RB for the Bills. Etienne is a versatile playmaker that can step in right away and provide some relief for Josh Allen.
31. Baltimore Ravens VIA Kansas City
Azeez Ojulari, OLB, Georgia:
The Ravens could go safety here, but I think they’ll go for another edge rusher after Matt Judon left in free agency. Ojulari, the first freshman to be named a captain under Kirby Smart, has an NFL ready frame paired with a greedy work ethic.
I’d also like to note here that I think the Ravens might also trade their two first round picks to move up to take one of the premier receivers.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Teven Jenkins, T, Oklahoma State:
The Bucs are returning all 22 of their starters from their Super Bowl win (!) so they could really go a number of ways here. I ultimately went with the best tackle available because I don’t think you can ever go wrong with line depth.