2021 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers take quarterback, Chargers find Justin Herbert protection, Falcons boost pass rush
San Francisco looks to the future at QB, while the rebuilding Falcons have to address the defense
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Times are changing in Atlanta, and there's no telling who'll be calling the shots for the Falcons in 2021. But whoever that is, he'll need to bolster the team's pass-rushing unit that's been a problem for years. And there just so happens to be a towering, athletic defensive lineman who'll likely be available when the Falcons go on the clock in next year's draft.
And after watching Monday Night Football in Week 5, it's obvious the Chargers must place the highest priority on protecting their first-round pick Justin Herbert. Because if they do so, they might have an elite quarterback on their hands.
The draft order below was determined using SportsLine's reverse Super Bowl odds following Sunday's Week 5 action.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
If the Jets continue to play like they have in the first five weeks, the draft will begin at No. 2 overall after Gang Green picks Lawrence.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
Andrew Thomas has had a nightmarish start to his NFL career. Let's not call him a bust yet though. He needs to get stronger. But with Sewell on the board, I don't think Giants management would be against flipping Thomas to right tackle in 2021.
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Round 1 - Pick 3
Dwayne Haskins went from 300-yard performance to third string, and there's even some thought he'll get traded before the deadline. Things have escalated quickly in Washington. Ron Rivera will get an opportunity to pick his quarterback of the future, and Fields is the most gifted quarterback in this class after Lawrence.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Keelan Cole, Chris Conley, and Dede Westbrook are free agents after 2020, and Waddle has been the most dynamic wideout in college football to begin the year.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Giving Joe Burrow opportunity to actually scan the field for more than a second before pressure mounts would be a good idea for the Bengals. Davis is the consensus top guard in the country.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
It's been ages since the Falcons had a top-end pass rush, and Rousseau has All-Pro upside given his towering frame and freaky athleticism.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
This pick just seems right, as we've seen the Dolphins are becoming a team on the rise offensively. It's their defense that probably needs more talent before they can become a contender. Parsons is on the odds-on favorite to be the first linebacker off the board.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Length and high-caliber instincts would be the trademarks of Denver's starting cornerbacks if this Surtain is the team's selection in April. He'd pair nicely with Michael Ojemudia.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 9
The Dolphins must like what they've seen from Devante Parker and Preston Williams this year, yet could use more firepower for the start of the Tua Tagovailoa era. Home-run selection here with Chase.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Given Matt Patricia's tenuous grasp on the head coaching job in Detroit, it's difficult to pinpoint what the Lions will do in the first round in 2021. But their receiver position could be in the state of flux with most of their rostered pass catchers set to hit free agency.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
It looks like the Chargers might have drafted a dandy in Justin Herbert. The offensive line, while banged up right now, is still not good. Slater is a technically proficient pass-blocking specialist.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
More defensive back help for Minnesota, and it's desperately needed. Farley is sound athlete with the ability to thrive in man or zone.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
The positional value is just too good to pass up here for Carolina, one of the league's most surprising clubs through five weeks. Leatherwood's play has been squeaky clean this season at left tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
What better situation for Lance to fall into than running Kyle Shanahan's play-action, YAC-predicated, QB-friendly offense?
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Round 1 - Pick 15
As every day goes by, it seems less likely Zach Ertz's future will be in Philadelphia. The logical replacement for him is Pitts, the biggest phenom at tight end in college right now.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
The Raiders could really use some more juice on the interior. And Barmore has a well-developed arsenal of pass-rushing moves.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
The Cowboys are immensely banged up on the offensive line, but this pick isn't made simply with that in mind. It's just that Smith is an NFL-ready interior blocker, and Dallas' once-vaunted front needs more talent at guard.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
The Bears' offensive line is kind of patchwork this season, and Cosmi's balanced pass protection would be a welcomed addition for the long-term.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Arizona has to get sturdier on the defensive line and create more push -- it can't be the Chandler Jones show forever. Onwuzurike can thrive in three-man fronts and disrupt from any position.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
The Browns have a weak spot at linebacker, although Mack Wilson has given solid dividends early in his career. Moses has range, can shed blocks, and is capable in coverage but at his best flying downhill.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Campbell has the size and athletic gifts to go in Round 1, and he'd be a perfect complement to the uber-athletic Adoree Jackson in Tennessee.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Jordan looks like another first-round caliber tight end with serious receiving ability. If Cam Newton is to be the long-term quarterback in New England, the Patriots will want to invest in a pure pass-catching tight end. That's Jordan.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
It's mostly due to injury, but the Colts receiver group needs a jolt of electricity. Moore was absolutely ridiculous as a true freshman in 2018. He's a chunk play waiting to happen.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 24
Carman is a mammoth left tackle with noticeably balanced style of play. The Jaguars have to fortify the offensive line for Gardner Minshew or whoever is taking snaps in Jacksonville next year.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
Shaq Barrett is playing on the franchise tag, and Jason Pierre-Paul is 31. Jones is long and has a first-round toolbox of pass-rushing moves.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The Steelers must get younger in their secondary, and this would be even more of a home-run pick if Mike Hilton isn't re-signed this offseason.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
With Matt Milano set to hit free agency and Tremaine Edmunds yet to take a step forward, this would be a logical pick for Buffalo.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
Going Wilson over Kyle Trask here simply because Wilson provides more creativity outside of structure as a quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
Holland, in a pure free safety role next to Darnell Savage, would be an awesome, young safety pairing in Green Bay for the long haul.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
More firepower for the Chiefs with Freiermuth, who's shown Travis Kelce-type flashes during his time at Penn State.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 31
Wallace has game-breaking speed and acceleration off the snap. Exquisite pairing with Lawrence for the Jets.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
While far from a perfect prospect at this juncture, Humphrey would be an instant starter at center in Baltimore in 2021.
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