Wheat NFL Mock Draft 2021

Draft week is finally here! On Thursday night the focus of the NFL world will turn to Cleveland, Ohio, as the next generation of NFL stars discover their landing spots.

Thousands of experts, analysts and fans have been putting together their 2021 mock draft and after careful deliberation, a look at team needs, and a totally uninformed attempt to read the tea leaves, I’ve put together my first 32 picks.

My colleagues George Carmi and Brett Ersch have submitted their mocks, so I’ll throw mine into the mix for your consideration and dissection.

The draft includes Friday’s trade between the Ravens and Chiefs, but otherwise assumes that there will be no further alteration to the draft order. My rationale is to project what I believe the teams will do based on team needs and options available in that area.

It’s been an enjoyable exercise and there are plenty of very talented players who haven’t made the cut for Round one.

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

1) Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence QB, Clemson

Lawrence to Jags has been carved in stone for some time now. Free agent additions plus other high draft picks this year should give him a chance to succeed. Urban Meyer basically unretired for the opportunity to coach him and the eyes of the world will be on him in Duval.

2) New York Jets – Zach Wilson QB, BYU

Jets seem to have fallen in love with Wilson’s wow factor of arm talent and off script play making. He’ll be next up to drink from the Jets poison QB chalice. Can he provide the spark to lift the moribund Jets? 

3) San Francisco 49ers – Justin Fields QB, Ohio State

The draft’s biggest debating point. Indications still point to Mac Jones but given how good a poker player Shanahan is, Fields could sneak under the radar here. Fields arm talent and athleticism give him a chance to be a quality starter, and Shanahan will give him plenty of easy completions to ease him in.

4) Atlanta Falcons – Trey Lance QB, North Dakota State

Tough call for new GM Fontenot as Matt Ryan is still a more than serviceable starter but the Falcons may not be in this position again to draft their QB of the future and Lance could benefit from a redshirt season. Downside is no immediate help for the team but new GM/HC have time. A vet combination in this situation doesn’t make this pick.

5) Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell OT, Oregon

Tempting as it is to re-unite Joe Burrow with JaMarr Chase the smart move is to build a wall around him to ensure that he doesn’t suffer any more career threatening injuries. Bengals WR room is solid and they can go WR in round two and still find another excellent playmaker for Burrow if they wish.

6) Miami Dolphins – Kyle Pitts TE, Florida

Dolphins hoped when they traded back to this spot that they’d have the choice of Pitts/Chase and here we are. Ultimately, Pitts is a can’t miss prospect to complement a solid WR room bolstered by the addition of Will Fuller, and possibly more later in the draft

7) Detroit Lions – JaMarr Chase WR, LSU

Having lost Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones, Lions will be ecstatic that Chase falls to them here. Although he didn’t play in 2020, Chase showed more than enough explosion and game changing ability to be the number 1 WR in this draft.

8) Carolina Panthers – Rashawn Slater OT, Northwestern

Panthers went all D in the 2020 Draft and have a solid cast of skill players around new QB Sam Darnold. 2019 2nd round pick Greg Little can move over to allow the Panthers to develop a solid front ahead of their new QB.

9) Denver Broncos – Mac Jones QB, Alabama

Jones could drop like a stone if he doesn’t go to the 49ers at three. But will the Broncos be able to resist adding a solid, efficient and accurate passer to a dangerous looking group of receivers with the return of Courtland Sutton to add to Jerry Jeudy, KJ Hamler and Tim Patrick? They can’t and Jones goes here.

10) Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II CB, Alabama

Cowboys defense was dreadful last year so they could go a number of ways, but Surtain’s physical man to man ability should give new DC Dan Quinn one less thing to worry about.

11) New York Giants – Jaelen Phillips Edge, Miami

Giants could be tempted to add another WR here but their defense needs significant work and Phillips is an explosive edge rusher who should be able to provide some bite to a front that was lacking in that area last year. 

12) Philadelphia Eagles – Jaylen Waddle WR, Alabama

Having seemingly chosen the wrong WR last year in Jalen Reagor the Eagles can’t resist the opportunity to redeem themselves by pairing him with Waddle who can move around the formation from the slot and is a dangerous returner.

13) Los Angeles Chargers – Christian Darrisaw OT, Virginia Tech

Same principle as the Bengals here. If you have a young franchise QB, you’re sometimes better protecting him than adding weapons for him. Darrisaw needs work as a pass protector but is a road grader in the run game and should be a day one starter.

14) Minnesota Vikings – Kwity Paye Edge, Michigan

Paye has great measurables and can play both outside on the edge and also inside. He’s a great fit for a Vikings team that needs help in both areas.

15) New England Patriots – Micah Parsons LB, Penn State

Bill Belichcick will be delighted that Parsons drops to 15. He has the prototypical size and outstanding range to roam the middle of the Patriots defense. Rumours of character concerns may hurt him but as a player he’s potentially elite.

16) Arizona Cardinals – Jaycee Horn CB, South Carolina

Horn has excellent size/speed combination to go with a physicality to make him an ideal replacement for the departed Patrick Peterson. 

17) Oakland Raiders – Caleb Farley CB, Virginia Tech

They may have greater needs, but this feels like a very Raiders pick. Many had Farley neck and neck with Surtain as the top corner but his recent back procedure has led many to think he’ll fall. Gruden can’t resist getting a potential steal.

18) Miami Dolphins – Devonta Smith WR, Alabama

Smith may not fall this far but doubts about his size still persist. However his immaculate route running and safe hands will be a huge boost for Tua Tagovailoa.

19) Washington Football Team – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB, Notre Dame

JOK is an intriguing prospect with phenomenal sideline to sideline speed, smart instincts and coverage skills, which is everything that WFT needs. Only doubts are over his size and role but he’s great value here.

20) Chicago Bears – Kadarius Toney WR, Florida

Bears need to give Andy Dalton more options, and it is likely that Allen Robinson will be gone after this year. Toney can work across the formation and has explosive play making skills

21) Indianapolis Colts – Teven Jenkins OT, Oklahoma State

Having lost Anthony Castanzo the Colts need to fill the gap and Jenkins comes with a reputation as a physical, hard nosed man mountain

22) Tennessee Titans – Greg Newsome CB, Northwestern

Corner is a major area of weakness for the Titans following off season departures, so the all round skill set and sub 4.4 speed of Newsome will be welcome in Nashville.

23) New York Jets – Ajeez Ojulari Edge, Georgia

Having secured his QB of the future, Robert Saleh turns to his area of expertise to grab the relatively undersized but dynamic edge talent from Georgia.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers – Alijah Vera-Tucker OG, USC

Vera Tucker played both Tackle and Guard at USC and his versatility will be welcome to a rebuilding Steelers line following the departures of Alejandro Villanueva and Maurkice Pouncey.

25) Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevon Moehrig S, TCU

The rebuilt Jaguars defense needs a rangy Safety and Moehrig is a solid, smart player who should provide dependable support to the team’s Corners.

26) Cleveland Browns – Jamin Davis LB, Kentucky

Davis has shot up many peoples boards with his speed and athleticism. Needs to clean up his tackling but will be a nice fit for the Browns.

27) Baltimore Ravens – Rashod Bateman WR, Minnesota

Ravens have struggled to attract big name WR’s to their unique offense, but Bateman will provide them with the flexibility to free up Marquise Brown and provide Lamar Jackson with a solid stable of options.

28) New Orleans Saints – Asante Samuel Jr, Florida State

NOLA needs support for Marshawn Lattimore following the departure of Janoris Jenkins in free agency. Samuel Jr has the bloodline and despite relative lack of size is a stocky, physical corner.

29) Green Bay Packers – Landon Dickerson C, Alabama

Were it not for a troubling injury history Dickerson would be a nailed on 1st rounder. As it is, the Packers lost Corey Linsley in free agency so take the risk with the huge and physical Alabama man.

30) Buffalo Bills – Gregory Rousseau Edge, Miami

One thing the AFC Championship Game proved is that the Bills need more pass rush. Rousseau is relatively inexperienced and has only had one season of production but his raw tools are hugely impressive and he can play edge and also move inside if required.

31) Baltimore Ravens – Jayson Oweh Edge, Penn State

Oweh clocked a sub 4.4 time for the 40 at his pro day and if he can translate his regular pressure into production then the Ravens will have another dynamic defensive piece.

32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Christian Barmore DT, Alabama

The champs are returning all 22 starters but may be wise to think about the long term on their D line where Ndamukong Suh, Jason Pierre Paul and William Gholston may only be around this year. Barmore is explosive and strong and will be able to rotate in and out while he develops.

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