NFL Mock Draft 2.0. My Second Take After Player Pro Days and Trades.
There are 10 days before the NFL draft takes place and a lot has happened since my last mock draft. Teams like the Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles all have made major moves this off-season to set themselves up for the 2021 NFL draft. More and more I believe teams will make draft day trades because of positional needs and the rise of quarterback prospects this year after their showcase and performances on their respective pro days.
I have been saying all offseason the quarterbacks in this draft besides Lawrence are being way overvalued and effecting how teams look at the draft. Here is my evaluation on all these quarterbacks.
First and foremost, the absence of the NFL combine has hindered a real evaluation of every player participating in the NFL draft. I am not falling for the pro day trick. This does not equally substitute for a combine workout because you cannot evaluate each player amongst their competition. A pro day will always suit to the players working out instead of an even workout facility for everyone to participate in. Basically, focusing on quarterbacks during their pro day, they are throwing to wide receivers they already know and in environments they are comfortable in. There is no pressure being applied by fellow quarterback competition and in an environment not catered to a quarterbacks preferences. Anyways, I believe these quarterbacks’ value in the draft this year are being inflated and most of them are not plug-in starters for an NFL franchise (which is what you expect from a high first-round pick).
But with much anticipation for the quarterbacks in this draft, I have came up with my second mock draft based on the assessments made so far leading up to draft day.
- Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars.
1st year coach Urban Meyer already mentioned all roads lead to picking Trevor Lawrence to become the Jaguars franchise quarterback. I believe he could of easily been the first pick taken in last year’s draft.
2. Zach WIlson, New York Jets.
The Jets traded their starting quarterback Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers so it is pretty obvious at this point they are set to take a quarterback at 2nd overall. Zach Wilson looked more mobile and agile with a fast throw at his pro day but he didn’t play much competition at BYU and didn’t provide a large body of work while at university. Once again, I believe his value is way overrated especially at pick #2. He is more of a late 2nd to 3rd round talent in my eyes.
3. Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers.
The 49ers traded 2 future 1st-round picks in 2022 & 2023 to move into 3rd overall into this year’s draft so their eyes are set on a player. To give up that much pick value you would assume it is for a future franchise quarterback. In my opinion, Mac Jones is the second best quarterback in this year’s draft after Lawrence. I call him the right-handed Tua Tagovailoa with their Alabama ties but Mac Jones does not have the body of work in college that Tua had. I see the 49ers trading Jimmy Garoppolo or playing Mac and Jimmy the same way the Dolphins played Tua and Fitzpatrick last season.
4. Justin Fields, Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons have the most trade value at pick #4 and could possibly pull off a trade because they need to revamp an aging roster. But I have them following the quarterback hype and taking Justin Fields to backup and eventually take over for Matt Ryan. He impressed the most at his pro day, standing at 6'3 and running a 4.44 unofficial 40 yard dash. Atlanta loves a duel-threat quarterback and may see Fields as a Michael Vick jr. but Fields does not fair well against good competition most recently proven in the BCS championship game against Alabama. He looks great throwing a ball but can he produce against professional competition will be the question.
5. Penei Sewell, Cincinatti Bengals.
Sewell is the second best overall talent in this year’s draft and will be a plug-in starter right away for any franchise. With Joe Burrow getting injured last year and showcasing his elite quarterback talent as a rookie, it would be best to protect your best player as an insurance policy rather than going out there and getting him more weapons like a Ja’marr Chase or Kyle Pitts. Burrow may want more pass catching players but Sewell will help him stay on the field which is the most important.
6. Kyle Pitts, Miami Dolphins.
Listed as a tight-end, Kyle Pitts is the most versatile and sure-handed pass catcher in this year’s draft. A legit redzone threat, he can easily lineup anywhere on the offensive side of the ball. I like to use Bills quarterback Josh Allen as a reference. The difference between his first two years and his breakout year last year was not a massive improvement in talent. The difference was Stephon Diggs. You have to go and get Tua real talent on the outside to catch his passes.
7. Ja’marr Chase, Detriot Lions.
Jared Goff is signaling a new era in Detriot along 1st-year coach Dan Campbell and they need a franchise wide receiver to bring along for the ride. It is a toss up between who is the better reciever between Chase and Davonte Smith but I believe Chase is the more physical player out of the two even if I feel Smith is better overall. The Lions need a wide reciever after losing Kenny Golloday to free agency.
8. Micah Parsons, Carolina Panthers.
Even with a new quarterback I believe Carolina addresses defensive needs 1st in this draft. Carolina ranked 26th in the league when it came to linebacker play and Micah Parsons fits the description to finally replace all-pro Luke Kuechly at middle linebacker.
9. Trey Lance, Denver Broncos.
I have Lance becoming the 5th quarterback taken in the top 10. He didn't play elite college talent at North Dakota State so nobody knows how he will fare against NFL cornerbacks and edge-rushers. But the overall sense in this year’s draft is no team wants to pass up on the next Patrick Mahomes. Trey Lance may have that mystique to him standing at 6'4, 227 lbs. and a very strong arm. It would be an old-school quarterback competition with Drew Lock at Denver as both will look to try and impress Bronco legend and executive John Elway.
10. Patrick Surtain II, Dallas Cowboys.
If Dallas doesn’t trade with Atlanta to be able to draft Kyle Pitts at #4, I believe Dallas takes a cornerback especially one as physically gifted as Surtain. They loss they’re pro bowl corner Byron Jones to free agency last year and never really addressed that position. It is debatable if Surtain is the best corner in this year’s draft but his father was a pro bowl cornerback who played 11 years in the NFL. Their is no doubt he learned the ins and outs from his father growing up which gives Surtain II an edge and professionalism already entering the league.
11. Gregory Rousseau, New York Giants.
With a long-list of edge rushers that include names like Lawrence Taylor and Michael Strahan, Giants will look to address pass rushing needs in this draft. The last pro bowl caliber edge rusher for the Giants was also a University of Miami alum in Olivier Vernon so Rousseau will possibly be next in line of dangerous New York Giant edge rushers.
12. Zaven Collins, Philadelphia Eagles.
Given his size and athleticism, Collins is a primed prospect in the NFL. He may not be the most talented linebacker in this year’s draft but his presence on the field will give Philadelphia a legit strong-side linebacker who can also be a threat as a pass-rusher. Plus I would like to see the Eagles solidify their linebacking core along Eric Wilson for the next 5 years.
13. Jaycee Horn, Los Angeles Chargers.
Another cornerback with NFL ties having a father play in the league, Jaycee Horn will revamp a Chargers secondary looking to get Derwin James back from injury and bring youth to compete with veteran Chris Harris jr next year. He may be overly aggressive with getting his hands on wide recievers but his quick-twitch ability is second to none in this year’s NFL draft. He’ll be blanketing NFL wide recievers week 1.
14. Rashawn Slater, Minnesota Vikings.
Minnesota has 11 total picks in this draft but only 1 in the top 2 rounds. If they don’t trade down to get more value picks I believe they address some offensive line depth with Rashawn Slater who held his own against this year’s NFL defensive rookie of the year Chase Young when he was still in college. His body frame (stocky with shorter arms) fits more at the guard position but his talent has proved to be a viable option at tackle (meaning he is a great linemen in space). Either way he will help anywhere on the Vikings line looking to help running back Dalvin Cook repeat his phenomenal 2020 season.
15. Jaylen Waddle, New England Patriots.
Many predict the Patriots will trade up to put themselves in position to get QB Justin Fields so look for them to trade with Atlanta for the 4th pick. But if not, I expect them to add depth and speed to their wide reciver unit with Jaylen Waddle. He’d be the perfect gimmick receiver to replace the recently retired Julian Edelman. Waddle can also be used in special teams as a return specialist.
16. Christian Barmore, Arizona Cardinals.
Arizona has revamped their team with a lot of big-name veteran talent. Even if many are past their prime the names JJ Watt, AJ Green, Malcom Butler & James Connor may ring a bell. Christian Barmore is strictly a positional address for the Cardinals who need interior linemen and Barmore happens to be the highest projected player at his position this year.
17. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Las Vegas Raiders.
Owusu-Koramoah is a Jon Gruden type football player. He is very physical at the point of attack and has a high energetic style of play. Even though he may be on the lighter size at linebacker, he plays fast and will address linebacker needs for the Raiders that will allow safety Johnathan Abram and Karl Joseph to play their natural position on the field at the secondary level.
18. Jayson Oweh, Miami Dolphins.
More and more Jayson Oweh continues to rise his draft stock. The most impressive pro-day this year, Oweh ran a 4.36 40 yard dash, showcased a 39" vertical jump and has long arms on a 6'5 257 lb. frame. The Dolphins have missed on every pass rusher they have drafted in the first round lately with Dion Jordan and Charles Harris being the most recent to come to mind, so they need to get this pick right. Oweh plays the run very well and has the athleticism to justify being picked over defensive ends Kwity Paye and Jaelan Phillips. Dolphins fans can only hope Jayson Oweh is the “D.K. Metcalf” on the defensive side of the ball in the NFL.
19. Christian Darrisaw, Washington Football Team.
A DMV local, Christian Darrisaw will add 1st-round talent to a Washington offensive line. Right now, the NFC East is one of the worst divisions in football and any of these teams is one or two players away from winning the division. They need help at every position on the offense but Darrisaw at pick #19 is the greatest value you will receive to intensify your offensive block.
20. Alijah Vera-Tucker, Chicago Bears.
I would say Vera-Tucker and Darrisaw are identical type players who can help any team right away looking to address OT needs. Just like Washington, Chicago needs a lot of help offensively but before you can establish a run game or pass game you need an offensive line to produce it. The Bears are in desperate need to solidify a Right Tackle position and Vera-Tucker is an immediate solution.
21. Kwity Paye, Indianapolis Colts.
Indianapolis finished middle of the pack in sacks last year but it was from a combination of blitz packages and great linebacker play. Kwity Paye will add more firepower to a playoff team on the defensive line. Kwity Paye has the highest motor out of all the edge rushers in this draft and impressed w/ 36 reps on the 225 lb. bench press. Kwity Paye’s stocky, athletic build will remind a lot of Colts fans of former defensive ends Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney during those dominant Payton Manning led Colts’ teams.
22. Caleb Farley, Tennessee Titans.
Farley is up there with the top cornerbacks in this year’s draft. He did have back surgery in March and did not participate in a pro day workout so he remains a question mark on where he is physically after a year off from football. But his resume at Virginia Tech speaks for itself as a first-team all-ACC cornerback and his size and instincts at his position are NFL ready. Even though injury prone, the Titans need a cornerback badly after losing Malcom Butler and Adoree Jackson to free agency.
23. Pat Freiermuth, New York Jets.
After getting their quarterback at pick #2, Freiermuth will be his utility security blanket for years to come. Freiermuth can play wide or at the Y position, chipping defensive ends and posing a sure-handed vertical threat for his quarterback. To see Pat’s potential in the NFL checkout his fellow Nittany Lion tight-end Mike Gesicki for the Miami Dolphins. Freiermuth may not be as athletic as Gesicki but he has an identical build and skillset as Gesicki.
24. Jaelan Phillips, Pittsburgh Steelers.
With Bud Dupree signing with the Tennessee Titans, Phillips will help fill that void for the Steelers opposite TJ Watt and alongside Cameron Hayward. Phillips is not as strong as Hayward but now at 31 years old, the 4x pro bowler can take Phillips under his wing as the next defensive end terror for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both Hayward and Phillips stand at 6'5" and have similar styles of play. This will only benefit Phillips and the Steelers in the long run if they can snag this player.
25. Landon Dickerson, Jacksonville Jaguars.
You don’t want to make the same mistake that the Cincinnati Bengals made last year with Joe Burrow. They decided to draft WR Tee Higgins with their next pick instead of finding protection for Burrows. Tee Higgins had a great rookie season but it came in the expense of Joe Burrow blowing out his knee after a promising rookie season. Jacksonville can find weapons for Trevor Lawrence in the later rounds but they should secure an elite pass protector with Landon Dickerson.
26. Jamin Davis, Cleveland Browns.
The Cleveland Browns addressed many needs already this offseason signing DE Jadaveon Clowney and Troy Hill at cornerback. They have a lot of trade assets so I expect them to make draft day trades but if not, Jamin Davis at linebacker would be an immediate rotational player for that defense. He may not have the track record like other linebackers still available but his size and ball pursuit translates well in the NFL game. At 6'3 he is bigger than a Nick Bolton and his sideline to sideline pursuit flows very well. Davis and Jabril Cox are a toss up between OLB in the late 1st to the 2nd round. It comes down to team preference at this point.
27. Azeez Ojulari, Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens still run their daunting 3–4 defense and Ojulari is your traditional 3–4 outside linebacker. There are bigger more physical pass rushers available like Joseph Ossai and Joe Tryon but Azeez works better in space and is more versatile at this position. Ojulari will look to bring back the “Terrel Suggs” type of outside linebacker to the Ravens.
28. Eric Stokes, New Orleans Saints.
New Orleans has a very good all-around team and looks to get better by signing the fastest player in this year’s draft. Stokes ran a 4.25 unoffical 40 yd. dash at his Georgia pro day which definitely raised his draft stock. He would be the perfect slot corner for this playoff contending team that can eventually play on the outside. But with future hall of famer Drew Brees retiring I am not sure Jamies Winston can fill Brees’ shoes. Even though he has a great arm at quarterback, Winston throws too many interceptions and is very erratic. I won’t be surprised if New Orleans gambles and takes Florida QB Kyle Trask at 28 but that would be a very crowded Saints QB room.
29. Wyatt Davis, Green Bay Packers.
Every wide receiver would dream of playing for a quarterback like Aaron Rodgers. But with the signing of WR Devin Funchess, the Packers have plenty of wide receivers already. Aaron Rodgers can resurrect any receiver’s career so Funchess should fair well in Green Bay. Instead, the Packers should help out re-signed RB Aaron Jones and get some interior linemen muscle to help open up the run game and find Rodgers more time in the pocket.
30. Nick Bolton, Buffalo Bills.
Buffalo is another team that has been active this offseason already signing RB Matt Breida and WR Emmanual Sanders. I believe they address defensive needs this draft and help make their linebacking core more aggressive by signing Bolton. A.J. Klein and Matt Milano have overachieved for the Bills at linebacker as both were 5th round picks. I believe it is time to get a 1st round talent at linebacker to help out Tremaine Edmunds as the Buffalo Bills look to make a super bowl run.
31. Elijah Moore, Kansas City Chiefs.
With WR Sammy Watkins signing with the Baltimore Ravens, that opens up a starting WR role and this draft is filled with more weapons for Pat Mahomes. The rich get richer as Elijah Moore has the explosive playmaking ability that will compliment Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. There are plenty of talented wide receivers left but I believe Elijah Moore fits well with the Chiefs offense as not your traditional outside wide receiver. Moore works well in the slot and is shifty enough to cover short routes as a dump option while Tyreek and Kelce take over your primary targets. Andy Reid will have a field day setting up a playbook for an Elijah Moore skillset.
32. Trevon Moehrig, Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Antione Winfield Jr. was a hit at strong safety last year as a rookie for the NFL champions. He was a plug-in starter and played well in a very thin Tampa secondary. I believe Tampa Bay continues with their safety trend and take Moehrig to solidify their secondary at free safety. Moehrig is also a plug-in starter or rotational defensive back who has great ball tracking skills. This would be a steal for the Buccaneers if they can land Moehrig with the last pick in the first round.
The draft is full of high-level talent this year. Tune in Thursday April 29th at 8 pm est. to watch the NFL draft on ESPN or the NFL Network. The draft will take place in Cleveland, Ohio.
