Another NFL season is in the books. The Tampa Bay Bucs and Tom Brady are world champs. And now it’s time to look ahead to the NFL Draft, which means it’s time for Pypeline’s first 2021 NFL Mock Draft. We’ll go through the first round, selection by selection and predict what player each team should select.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
QB Trevor Lawrence – Clemson
The Jaguars and Urban Meyer get their franchise QB here. This is an easy selection.
2. New York Jets
QB Zach Wilson – BYU
The Jets could go a number of ways here. If they decide Sam Darnold is the future, then OT Penei Sewell or WRs Devonta Smith or Ja’marr Chase are great options. If they decide Sam Darnold isn’t the answer, then QBs Justin Fields or Zach Wilson are great options. The draft truly starts with what happens here.
3. Miami Dolphins
WR DeVonta Smith – Alabama
The Heisman winner Smith dominated this season and showed out in the National Championship game. Reuniting him with Tua Tagovailoa could be great for Tua. He and Smith already have a nice rapport built up.
4. Atlanta Falcons
QB Justin Fields – Ohio State
The Falcons need a QB who can be the future. Matt Ryan is getting up there in age (35) and the Falcons are at the point of a rebuild. Fields is from Georgia and would thrive early with a weapon like WR Calvin Ridley.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
OT Penei Sewell – Oregon
The Bengals get the best non QB on the board at pick #5. Sewell has potential to be the best OT in the NFL the next few years and this pick will make Joe Burrow very, very happy.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
WR Ja’Marr Chase – LSU
Getting Chase at #6 would be a steal. The Eagles have a new head coach in Nick Sirianni, and it’s uncertain who will be the QB going forward (Wentz / Hurts). However, whoever it is will have a new playmaker to throw to.
7. Detroit Lions
WR Jaylen Waddle – Alabama
Waddle got injured this season and Devonta Smith dominated in his absence. So a lot of people completely forgot just how good he actually is. Waddle, when healthy, could be the top WR in this draft, and Jared Goff needs an elite weapon to throw to.
8. Carolina Panthers
CB Patrick Surtain II – Alabama
Surtain is a physical, hard-hitting corner who plays with toughness, and CB is a big position of need for the Panthers.
9. Denver Broncos
EDGE Kwity Paye – Michigan
Paye is a super athletic pass rusher who is still developing. His quickness off the edge for his size is extraordinary. Paye could end up being one of the best pass rushers in this Draft.
10. Dallas Cowboys
CB Caleb Farley – Virginia Tech
Farley moved from WR to CB for the Hokies. He’s 6’2″ and has lightning speed. He’s still learning the position, but has a ton of upside.
11. New York Giants
LB Micah Parsons – Penn State
If Parsons drops all the way to #11, this will be a major steal for the Giants. Parsons is my #1 Linebacker in the 2021 Draft, and a player I have in my Top 8 overall.
12. San Francisco 49ers
QB Trey Lance – North Dakota State
Lance makes great decisions, doesn’t throw many INTs, has a good build, strong arm, can run, and he’s accurate. This would be a home run pick for the 49ers at #12.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
OT Rashawn Slater – Northwestern
Slater is a terrific pass and run blocker and would provide stability at OT for young QB Justin Herbert.
14. Minnesota Vikings
DT Christian Barmore – Alabama
Barmore improved his stock in the National Championship game and would make an immediate impact for the Vikings.
15. New England Patriots
TE Kyle Pitts – Florida
Pitts falling to #15 is almost unbelievable but Bill Belichick will certainly take it. The Patriots also need to find a QB, but Pitts has potential to he a Top 3 TE in the NFL for the next 10-15 years.
16. Arizona Cardinals
OG Alijah Vera-Tucker – USC
Vera-Tucker is my top IOL in the Draft. This will help shore up the O-Line for the Cards and help protect Kyler Murray.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Safety Trevon Moehrig – TCU
Moehrig is my #1 ranked Safety in the Draft. Safety isn’t the biggest position of need for the Raiders, but it’s still a need.
18. Miami Dolphins
RB Najee Harris – Alabama
The Dolphins have Salvon Ahmed and Myles Gaskin at RB, but neither of them have the potential of Harris. This would make a Dolphins offense of Tua, Najee and my #3 pick Devonta Smith.
19. Washington Football Team
OT Christian Darrisaw – Virginia Tech
The WFT needs a QB, but maybe they’ll give Taylor Heinicke an opportunity this fall or take a QB later in the draft. Darrisaw will provide protection at RT or LT for years to come.
20. Chicago Bears
QB Mac Jones – Alabama
The Bears need a QB badly and Mac Jones at number 20 would be a good option.
21. Indianapolis Colts
OT Samuel Cosmi – Texas
The Colts need a QB but with the Bears taking Mac Jones ahead of them I have the Colts taking an Offensive Linemen. Cosmi is an athletic tackle who could play day one.
22. Tennessee Titans
EDGE Joseph Ossai – Texas
Ossai gets to the QB often and he’s capable of playing many positions.
23. New York Jets
CB Jaycee Horn – South Carolina
Horn is an excellent cover corner and physical DB.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
RB Travis Etienne – Clemson
Yes, the Steelers have James Connor and Benny Snell, but Etienne is a player whose athleticism and playmaking abilities are unmatched. Drafting him would help take pressure off Ben Roethlisberger and give him another receiving threat out of the backfield.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars
OT Alex Leatherwood – Alabama
Leatherwood gives the Jags a dependable LT/RT to protect Trevor Lawrence.
26. Cleveland Browns
LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame
Owusu-Koramoah is a great value pick all the way at 26. He gives the Browns another versatile contributor.
27. Baltimore Ravens
DE Gregory Rousseau – Miami
Rousseau is a freak of nature athlete who could be a major steal at #27. However, he really only played one season at Miami. So there are still a lot of unknowns.
28. New Orleans Saints
LB Zaven Collins – Tulsa
Collins is a freak of nature who has great size and athleticism. Getting him at #26 is a huge steal for the Saints.
29. Green Bay Packers
WR Rashod Bateman – Minnesota
Aaron Rodgers needs some more weapons around him and needs someone to compliment Davante Adams. Bateman would fit perfectly in the offense.
30. Buffalo Bills
LB Nick Bolton – Missouri
Bolton has good awareness and he’s a tackling machine. The Bills defense took a step back this season and Bolton would help bolster the defensive unit.
31. Kansas City Chiefs
WR Kadarius Toney – Florida
Imagine Patrick Mahomes having Hill, Kelce, Hardman, and Toney to throw to. You can never go wrong giving Mahomes another weapon.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EDGE Azeez Ojulari – Georgia
Ojulari would be a OLB in a 3-4 scheme. He’s an elite pass rusher, although he can be inconsistent vs the rush. He could develop into one of the top pass rushers in this draft.
