Sports are back, Roger Goodell received a virtual booing and we have a new NFL Mock Draft for you. That’s right, our Way Too Early 2021 round 1 mock is here. We used win totals for the 2020 season listed on Odds Shark to come up with our draft order for 2021 with a couple of necessary adjustments at the very end.
1 Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB – Clemson
Look, I love Gardner Minshew as much as the next RV enthusiast, but are we really going to sit here and justify any pick other than Trevor Lawrence? Lawrence is probably the best quarterback prospect to come out since Andrew Luck and would be a major revitalizing factor to a franchise that desperately needs it.
2 Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT – Oregon
The Bengals improve from last year but until they fix their offensive line, they are going to have a tough time keeping Joe Burrow upright against the defenses of the AFC North. Penei Sewell might be the best pure tackle to come into the NFL in the last several years and would make for a nice blindside protector for Burrow.
3 Carolina Panthers: Justin Fields, QB – Ohio State
Teddy Bridgewater is a fine quarterback, but a talent like Justin Fields doesn’t come around all the time. His mobility and arm strength would be a great fit in Joe Brady’s spread offense and the thought of zone read RPO’s with Fields and Christian McCaffrey is something I’d like to see put into action.
4 Washington Redskins: Alex Leatherwood, OT – Alabama
Alex Leatherwood was a popular pick as a potential first rounder in 2020 before deciding to return to school. Trent Williams is simply not a long-term option at tackle and Leatherwood would make for a solid addition as the left tackle of the future in Washington.
5 Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR – LSU
Miami will need to surround Tua Tagovailoa with talent and Ja’Marr Chase is the best in another deep group of receivers. Chan Gailey runs a spread offense that will allow Chase to be deployed in a multitude of ways and use is size, speed and strength.
6 Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle, WR – Alabama
The Lions have none of their top receivers under contract in 2021. Out of Danny Amendola, Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, I would venture to guess Golladay is re-signed with Jones and Amendola let to walk. Jaylen Waddle’s speed and quickness would be a great compliment to Golladay’s strength and possession style of playing.
7 New York Giants: Gregory Rousseau, Edge – Miami
The Giants have built a solid foundation of young talent on their defense but lack a true number one edge rusher. Gregory Rousseau’s blend of size and quickness showed up last season. Should he replicate his early career production, Rousseau could very well find himself as an early day 1 pick in 2021.
8 New York Jets: Patrick Surtain Jr, CB – Alabama
The Jets are more than a year away from competing and assuming they continue to add offensive pieces around Sam Darnold in 2020, they will eventually need to add defensive pieces in 2021. Corner has been a need since Darrelle Revis left several years ago. Patrick Surtain Jr could be the next great Alabama corner with his blend of athleticism and football IQ. He’s a no-brainer pick at this point for the Jets.
9 Los Angeles Chargers: Trey Smith, IOL – Tennessee
Three of the starting offensive linemen for the Chargers are free agents in 2021. With other key players expected to hit the open market, it’s likely there will be a couple starting spots open in 2021. Trey Smith has positional versatility and is one of the best offensive linemen returning to college football.
10 Denver Broncos: Walker Little, OT – Stanford
Garett Bolles has been disappointing as a former first round tackle. He hits the open market in 2021 and I suspect the Broncos will let him walk. Walker Little has suffered a few injuries in college, but when healthy is an excellent blind side protector. Denver get their replacement for Bolles and security for Drew Lock.
11 Arizona Cardinals: Dylan Moses, ILB – Alabama
Dylan Moses was potentially the top linebacker in the class of 2020 if he hadn’t gotten hurt. Look for him to have a resurgent season in 2020 and be an early pick for a linebacker needy team like the Cardinals in the 2021 draft.
12 Atlanta Falcons: Xavier Thomas, Edge – Clemson
Another year and another edge rusher for the Falcons. Tak McKinley has been inconsistent in his young career and with Dante Fowler onboard for three years it might be time to inject new talent to the mix. Xavier Thomas is a toolsy edge rusher out of Clemson who will fit right into Dan Quinn’s 4-3 defense.
13 Miami Dolphins (From Houston): Shaun Wade, CB – Ohio State
The Dolphins could use more help in their secondary and Shaun Wade is the best senior corner in the class. Wade is versatile and can play in both man and zone coverage. He’s the next in a long line of pro-ready corners to make the jump from Ohio State to the NFL.
14 Chicago Bears: Trey Lance, QB – North Dakota State
Mitch Trubisky’s time is up in Chicago and Nick Foles is not a long-term option. If Ryan Pace and Matt Nagy are lucky enough to keep their jobs, the next quarterback they bet on better be the right one. Trey Lance is a nice combination of former NDSU quarterbacks Carson Wentz and Easton Stick. He has the mobility of Stick and arm strength of Wentz which makes him an ideal fit for Nagy’s spread system.
15 Las Vegas Raiders: Marvin Wilson, DT – Florida State
The Raiders have been displeased with their interior defensive line play recently and both Malik Collins and Jon Hankins hit the open market in 2021. Marvin Wilson is a Jon Gruden/Mike Mayock prototype as a high character and highly productive college player who should have an immediate impact at the next level.
16 Indianapolis Colts: Micah Parsons, ILB – Penn State
Micah Parsons is a freak athlete and excellent tackler. He’d be a great fit next to Darius Leonard in the Colts defense as a down hill attacker and someone who can help keep Leonard clear to roam sideline to sideline. Anthony Walker hit’s free agency in 2021 and the addition of Parsons likely phases him out of Indy.
17 Cleveland Browns: Patrick Johnson, Edge – Tulane
I doubt the Browns retain Olive Vernon when he hits free agency and instead look toward the draft for an edge rusher to pair with Myles Garrett. Patrick Johnson is explosive and dominates lower level competition at Tulane. He has a quick first step and does well converting speed to power to beat offensive linemen.
18 Jacksonville Jaguars (From LA Rams): Justyn Ross, WR – Clemson
Jacksonville got Trevor Lawrence with the first overall pick, why not give him his favorite target with Justyn Ross at 18? Ross has built a strong bond with Lawrence over the last couple years at Clemson and has a nice blend of speed, size and body control that should carry over well to the NFL.
19 Tennessee Titans: Pat Freiermuth, TE – Penn State
The Titans are in win-now mode and need a strong tight end to help in the run and pass games. Pat Freiermuth is a solid move tight end option who also can mix it up blocking edge rushers and linebackers at the point of attack. He would be a nice addition to an already strong roster.
20 Minnesota Vikings: Samuel Cosmi, OT – Texas
The Vikings have not gotten their return on investment from left tackle Riley Reif. Sam Cosmi will likely be able to give the Vikings a similar level of production for a fraction of the cost. They then can cut Reif and reallocate funds to signing other key players like Anthony Harris long term.
21 New England Patriots: Paulson Adebo, CB – Stanford
The Patriots are always a mystery, but they like smart and physical football players both of which Paulson Adebo is. Best in press man, Adebo is long and athletic for a corner and would be a great fit opposite Stephon Gilmore to lock down opposing receivers. He and Wade are part of a rock solid senior corner group set to enter the 2021 draft.
22 Pittsburgh Steelers: Rondale Moore, WR – Purdue
The Steelers passing game has not been the same since Antonio Brown was cut. Rondale Moore would be the ideal replacement with his game breaking speed and separation ability. He has some injury concern that may drop him, but when healthy, Moore’s explosiveness is some of the best in recent draft classes.
23 Seattle Seahawks: Brevin Jordan, TE – Miami
The Seahawks offense runs best when Russell Wilson has a reliable tight end to operate over the middle of the field. Brevin Jordan is an excellent athlete at the tight-end position and is a solid blocker when asked to play in-line as well. Jordan is a best after the catch and would be a solid addition to the Seahawks passing game.
24 Buffalo Bills: Cade Mays, IOL – Tennessee
Cade Mays moves bodies at the point of attack and would be a welcomed addition to the Buffalo offensive line. The Bills went on a spending spree this year and will have to use a large chunk of their 2021 cap space to resign star corner Tre’Davious White leaving one or both of their starting guards to walk. Mays will be a solid replacement and could even kick out to tackle if needed.
25 Dallas Cowboys: Caden Sterns, S – Texas
The Cowboys have needed an upgrade at safety for quite some time and get one with local product Caden Sterns. Sterns is plug and play at safety with his range and intelligence being key to his success. Showing ball production will be important to solidifying Sterns as a round one prospect in 2021.
26 New Orleans Saints: Andre Cisco, S – Syracuse
Andre Cisco has probably flown under the radar to most college football fans, but he is one of the most talented players to watch in 2020. Cisco’s physical play style and aggressive mentality will remind saints fans of Vonn Bell. He should be able to step in to a starting role right away in 2021.
27 Philadelphia Eagles: Israel Mukuamu, CB – South Carolina
The Eagles seem to have turnover in their secondary every year and 2021 is no exception. Israel Mukuamu is a long, 6-foot-4 corner who uses his length to jam up re-rout and jam up receivers. He’d be a solid add to a secondary desperately in need of consistency at the corner position.
28 San Francisco 49ers: Travis Etienne, RB – Clemson
Pretty much every running back on the 49ers roster is a free agent in 2021. Travis Etienne would be a great fit in San Francisco’s zone running attack where he could utilize his quickness and speed to its greatest effect. Etienne running behind the 49ers offensive line would give any NFC defensive coordinator nightmares.
29 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Liam Eichenberg, OT – Notre Dame
Tampa Bay must do everything the can to maximize Brady’s closing super bowl window. Liam Eichenberg is next in a line of NFL ready Notre Dame offensive linemen. He would improve an average O-line and give the Bucs a solid building block for the post-Tom Brady era in Tampa Bay.
30 Kansas City Chiefs: Tyson Campbell, CB – Georgia
The Chiefs can only ignore the defense for so long. Tyson Campbell would be a solid addition to the secondary that is going to see a lot of turn over the next few years. He is at his best in press man and would fit right in with the Chiefs pressure defensive scheme.
31 Baltimore Ravens: Jevon Holland, S – Oregon
Another team with turnover in the secondary and another safety off the board. The position group is strong in 2021 and Jevon Holland’s versatility to play deep as well as man up would be an asset to a Baltimore team that spends a lot of downs with extra defensive backs on the field.
32 Green Bay Packers: Tyler Shelvin, NT – LSU
Aaron Rodgers is going to have a comeback year and prove a pick at QB is not needed quite yet. However, a running mate for Kenny Clark would be ideal and the Packers have not had a true nose tackle since BJ Raji. Tyler Shelvin is a huge part of LSU’s success in stopping the run and generates some nice push when asked to rush the passer. He should be a riser throughout the 2020 college football season.
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