Tanishka’s Mock Draft 1.0

It’s mock Monday! There are 17 days till the 2021 NFL Draft kicks off, so it’s time to drop my first official mock draft. There have been a couple trades already, but I added four more. Let’s dive right in:

1. JAX: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

This may be one of the most anti-climactic first overall picks in a while. Urban Meyer doesn’t take the Jacksonville head coaching job if it’s not for Trevor Lawrence; this has been in ink since December when the Jets lost the first overall pick after beating the Rams.

2. NYJ: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

The trade of Sam Darnold indicates that the Jets are locked into taking a QB. Wilson may be the second best QB in this class and GM Joe Douglas finally gets to choose his franchise quarterback.

3. SF via MIA through HOU: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

The 49ers made a blockbuster trade a few weeks ago to acquire this pick. Mac Jones to San Francisco is all over the media, and I don’t think it’s completely a smoke screen. Shanahan may prefer Jones to the others because he’s accurate, has quick delivery and can execute the scheme at an extremely high level. Jones is a finished product for a “win now” type of team whose rookie likely won’t get a redshirt year. 

4. NE via ATL: Trey Lance, QB, NDSU

TRADE: New England sends 15, 46 and a future first for 4

The Patriots re-signed Cam Newton to a one year deal, but it’s hard to envision the 31 year old being the future of a team who doesn’t expect to draft this high again. Lance is a strong and athletic quarterback that needs a redshirt year. New England can let him sit behind Cam Newton as they hunt for stability in the ‘Post Tom Brady’ era.

5. CIN: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

If the board falls this way, the Bengals can’t possibly mess up. Sure, franchise QB Joe Burrow needs protection, but this is arguably a deeper draft class at tackle than receiver. Pitts isn’t just a tight end. He is a generational weapon that would add a new dimension to the Bengals offense and help Burrow develop.

6. MIA via PHI: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Miami traded down from pick three to twelve then back up to six and acquired an extra first doing so. Now, at six, both of their top options are still available. QB Tua Tagovailoa struggled to get the ball downfield, and Chase is an explosive player that should help Tagovailoa take the next step.

7. DET: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

The Detroit Lions lost their top two receivers in Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr this offseason. They need to put more weapons around newly acquired QB Jared Goff and Waddle helps them rebuild the position from the ground up.

8. CAR: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

The Panthers traded for Sam Darnold last week. Now, it’s time to add to the offensive line; the Panthers need a left tackle and Sewell is the best one in the draft. 

9. DEN: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Drew Lock is still a question mark, and the Denver Broncos roster, minus QB, is heading toward contention. Fields is arguably the second best prospect in this class, and may almost immediately be a sizable upgrade over Lock.

10. DAL: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

The Cowboys are a team in desperate need of shoring up the secondary. They brought back slot corner Jourdan Lewis, and now they take Surtain a year after taking his former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs.

11. NYG: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

The New York Giants got QB Daniel Jones a true number one receiver in Kenny Golladay. Now they must protect him, and Slater fills the void left by Kevin Zeitler and he can even upgrade the right tackle position.

12. PHI via MIA through SF: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

After choosing JJ Arcega-Whiteside and Jalen Reagor over DK Metcalf and Justin Jefferson, the Eagles still find themselves in need for a wide receiver. Smith, the Heisman trophy winner, has elite ball skills and speed to add to the Eagles offense.

13. LAC: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

Chargers QB Justin Herbert was phenomenal under pressure last season, but that’s not sustainable. Los Angeles must protect his blindside, and Darrisaw is a stout pass protector that can help.

14. TEN via MIN: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

TRADE: Tennessee sends 22, 53, 166 for 14

The Titans have lost five members of their secondary in the last two seasons. Horn is a feisty, physical corner that would aid the rising concerns in the backend.

15. ATL via NE: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Parsons’ versatility, rushing the passer and covering at a high level, would fit well on a struggling Falcons defense. Arguably the best defender in the 2020 draft class, Parsons adds a playmaking ability that has not been present on the defensive side of the ball in Atlanta.

16. BAL via ARI: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

TRADE: Baltimore 27, 58, 171 for 16, 160

The Ravens missed out on virtually every free agent receiver, so they make a splash in the draft, trading up for Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman, potentially giving Lamar Jackson a true number one option. 

17. LV: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

Collins is a ‘do it all defender’ who can cover, rush the passer and play at multiple spots. The Raiders desperately need to upgrade the linebacking core and Collins is a game changer. 

18. MIA: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia 

The Dolphins moved on from Shaq Lawson and Kyle Van Noy after just one season and need help in the pass rush once again. Ojulari has exceptional pass rushing ability but can also drop back into coverage.

19. WFT: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

The Football Team adds Owusu-Koramoah to their defense, in hopes of taking it to the next level. He possesses good length, instincts, ball skills, and even has experience lining up at safety which makes him one of the top pass-coverage linebackers in the draft.

20. CHI: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

The Bears need a Bobbie Massie replacement to protect Andy Dalton, who had the 6th highest grade from a clean pocket in 2019, and Jenkins is an imposing pass protector.

21. IND: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

The Colts lost Denico Autry and Justin Houston. Adding Paye helps their pass rush, and he best fits the profile of what the team likes to get from their edges.

22. MIN via TEN: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

The Vikings let Riley Reiff go and have a huge need on their offensive line. Vera-Tucker is the best interior lineman in this draft class but he also provides the flexibility to kick out and play tackle, depending on where Ezra Cleveland lines up, offering the Vikings some much needed flexibility.

23. NYJ via SEA: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

The Jets need a number one running back for their new, run heavy system. Harris runs hard, gets the tough yards, and was very productive for the Crimson Tide.

24. NO via PIT: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

TRADE: New Orleans sends 28, 98 for 24

The Saints have a number one corner in Marshon Lattimore, but they lost Janoris Jenkins this offseason. Depth is minimal, so they get Newsome to pair with Lattimore.

25. JAX: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

Moehrig is the best safety prospect in this draft class and although this is a weaker safety class, he is a multifaceted safety that adds a playmaking ability on the backend and one of the best defenders in this class.

26. CLE: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

It’s no secret that the Browns are looking for a pass rusher to pair with star Myles Garrett. The Browns add athletic freak Jayson Oweh to round out their front four.

27. ARI via BAL: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

 The Cardinals lost Patrick Peterson and Dre Kirkpatrick leaving a huge hole in the secondary. Farley’s stock fell due to back surgery but his talent is undeniable.

28. PIT: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas

Samuel Cosmi is an athletic offensive tackle who can block in the zone scheme and has the physical traits to be a solid tackle on the next level.

29. GB: Creed Humphrey, OC, Oklahoma

The Packers lost Corey Linsley in free agency and although they have a variety of flexible linemen, they add the best interior player on the board. Humphrey is a plug and play center and a seamless replacement.

30. BUF: Jaelan Philipps, EDGE, Miami 

The Bills need a pass rusher. They have an older rotation, but Philipps is arguably the best one in this draft class. The injury history is the only real concern. 

31. KC: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

The Chiefs lost Sammy Watkins this offseason and have not replaced him. Here, they take Toney, an explosive, hard to tackle player who adds even more firepower to the offense.

32. TB: Levi Onwuzurike, iDL, Washington

The Buccaneers managed to bring back almost every player from their Super Bowl winning team, but Ndamukong Suh is getting old, and he is on a one year contract. Onwuzurike is an eventual starter and can be Suh’s successor in the near future.