Akansh’s Mock Draft 3.0

We’ve made it. Draft week is here and we are four days away from Roger Goodell stepping up onto that stage and announcing the first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft.

With that, my third mock draft is officailly live, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock.

1. JAX: Trevor Lawrence – QB, Clemson

Thank you next. Sharpie. Whatever you want to call it, Lawrence is the number one overall pick, period.

2. NYJ: Zach Wilson – QB, BYU

This one appears to be another one you can sharpie per say. Wilson will have the keys to the car handed to him by new head coach Robert Saleh.

3. SF: Mac Jones – QB, Alabama

It appears Shanahan has his eyes set on Jones based on recent reports. Whether this is the correct decision remains a mystery.

4. ATL: Kyle Pitts – TE, Florida

Recent reports indicate Julio Jones may be on the trade block. If that’s the case the Falcons will need to replicate the production somehow. Drafting the most explosive playmaker in the draft, provides them the best option in doing so.

5. CIN: Ja’Marr Chase – WR, LSU

The Bengals elect to reunite the electric duo of Burrow and Chase. Adding Pitts or Sewell is an option here as well, but neither have the chemistry Burrow, and Chase already have.

6. MIA: Jaylen Waddle – WR, Alabama

The Dolphins traded down from three and still get their guy. Waddle paired with Davante Parker could be exactly what Tua needs to take the next step.

7. DET: DeVonta Smith – WR, Alabama

After losing Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones to free agency, the Lions have a massive hole at the WR position. Injecting the Heisman winner immediately jump-starts the rebuild, and newly acquired Jared Goff and Co should be able to hit the ground running.

8. CAR: Penei Sewell – OT, Oregon

After trading for Sam Darnold, Carolina must do everything they can to protect their investment. Selecting OT1, Penei Sewell solidifies the left side of their line, giving Darnold one less thing to worry about.

9. DEN: Justin Fields – QB, Ohio State

Fields’ slide finally comes to an end. Denver finds their franchise QB and what could be the missing piece for a playoff run in 2022.

10. DAL: Patrick Surtain II – CB, Alabama

Reuniting a former ‘Bama duo in Surtain and Trevon Diggs will be too good to pass up. It will also solidify the corner position for years to come.

11. NYG: Rashawn Slater – OT, Northwestern

The Giants went out and found Daniel Jones, his bonafide WR1 in Kenny Golladay. Now the front office shifts their attention to keeping Jones upright. Slater also fills the void left by Kevin Zeitler and solidifies the Giant’s offensive line.

12. PHI: Jaylen Waddle – WR, Alabama

With the top wide receivers off the board the Eagles fill another need at CB. Horn is a true alpha, paired with Darius Slay on the opposite site could be downright terrifying for wide receivers.

13. LAC: Christian Darrisaw – OT, Virginia Tech

After missing out on Sewell and Slater, the Chargers elect Darrisaw as the man to protect Justin Herbert’s blindside. Protecting their young QB should be priority number one. Selecting Darrisaw does just that.

14. MIN: Kwity Paye – DE, Michigan

The Vikings miss out on the top tackles once again. Instead, Zimmer adds another tool to the toolbox. Paye opposite of Danielle Hunter could be a nightmare for QB’s come time Sunday’s.

15. NE: Trey Lance – QB, North Dakota State

The Lance slide sends. Belichick selects his QB of the future and has him take a redshirt year to learn the nuances of the position. Lance then takes over in 2022 and makes the rest of the NFL regret passing on him, igniting yet another Patriots’ dynasty.

16. ARI: Caleb Farley – CB, Virgina Tech

After losing Patrick Peterson to free agency, the Cardinals fill the void with a long and physical corner. Farley could be top-ten talent if not for the vast amount of offensive playmakers on the board.

17. LV: Micah Parsons – LB, Penn State

A top ten talent who takes a fall due to character issues. The Raiders take on the risk and add a much-needed upgrade at the LB position.

18. MIA: Jaelan Phillips- DE, Miami

Miami takes a chance on one of the top edge rushers in the draft. His medical issues are a concern, but the possible reward could be to enticing to pass up.

19. WFT: Tevin Jenkins – OT, Oklahoma State

Regardless of who the QB is, adding Jenkins to the o-line room will provide much needed protection and solidify the group for years to come.

20. CHI: Alijah Vera-Tucker – IOL, USC

One of the harder teams to predict in this year’s draft. After missing out on the QB lottery, the Bears will double down on the Andy Dalton experiment and invest in some much-needed protection for him. AVT is one of the best guards in the draft and could prove to be of great value with the 20th overall pick.

21. IND: Azeez Ojulari – DE, Georgia

One of the best defensive units in the league in 2020 looks to be even more dominant in 2021. Adding Ojulari to a line that already has Deforest Buckner could be downright terrifying for opposing teams.

22. TEN: Greg Newsome II – CB, Northwestern

The Titans’ secondary took another hit in free agency. They look to recoup the group with the addition of Newsome, however, it still may not be enough.

23. NYJ: Christian Barmore – IDL, Alabama

After finding the franchise QB, the Jets go BPA and give new head coach, Robert Saleh, another toy to play with. Adding Barmore to a defensive line that already consists of Quinnen WIlliams, Sheldon Rankins, and Carl Lawson, could catapult this unit to new heights.

24. PIT: Najee Harris – RB, Alabama

After losing James Conner in free agency and finishing last in nearly every rushing metric, the Steelers will attempt to patch the hole with the selection of Harris. Whether that cures, all the symptoms will remain to be determined.

25. JAX: Alex Leatherwood – OT, Alabama

Find franchise QB, check. Now protect said franchise QB. Drafting Leatherwood to keep T-Law upright will pay dividends, otherwise we could have another Joe Burrow situation on our hands.

26. CLE: Jayson Oweh – DE, Penn State

Oweh, one of the most explosive edge rushers in the draft, will reap great benefits from learning behind Clowney and Garrett. Adding Oweh sets the Browns edge for years to come, given that Clowney will most likely be a one year rental.

27. BAL: Rashod Bateman – WR, Minnesota

Failing to address the WR1 spot in free agency, the Ravens wasted no time finding Lamar his bonafide WR1. Bateman will have enormous expectations from fans, however, he could be just the man for the task.

28. NO: Zaven Collins – LB, Tulsa

Again, one of the harder teams to predict. Their current cap situation has dictated most of their cap situation, combined with their lack of draft capital, the Saints opt to go BPA. Collins has limitless range and could form a dynamic duo with Demario Davis.

29. GB: Kadarius Toney – WR, Florida

Toney has the home-run ability, running opposite of D. Adams and Toney could explode. Injecting Toney into the offense, could be exactly what Aaron Rodgers needs for one final Super Bowl run.

30. BUF: Joe Tyron – DE, Washington

The Bills roster is one of the most well-rounded rosters in the league. Adding Tyron gives them some much-needed youth and depth on the defensive line.

31. BAL: Samuel Cosmi – OT, Texas

After trading Orlando Brown Jr. to the Chiefs the Ravens will use the pick acquired to replace him. Cosmi has the potential to be a day one starter, but could benefit from some time on the sideline if the Ravens are able to sign Alejandro Villanueva .

32. TB: Jamin Davis- LB, Kentucky

The rich get richer. After terrorizing Brees, Rodgers, and Mahomes, the defensive adds another weapon. Davis is a solid linebacker who will only get better learning behind Lavonte David and Devin White.