The 2021 NFL Draft is less than two weeks away, and mock draft season has certainly ramped up. The first two picks appear to be locked in, but more questions surround the San Francisco 49ers at No. 3 overall. They paid a king's ransom to trade up into the top three, and while we know they will likely take a quarterback, who will it be? Original reports seemed to indicate Kyle Shanahan was interested in Mac Jones out of Alabama, but could that have changed?
What happens at that No. 3 spot could affect what happens in the first round at large. Depending on which quarterback is selected by the 49ers, it could make it more likely or unlikely that the Atlanta Falcons trade down from No. 4 overall. While the quarterback scenarios in the first round are intriguing, there is plenty of talent available in this class. In what seems like every position group, there are multiple players who are capable of coming in and contributing immediately. Now, it's time to release my mock draft.
Let's jump in.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
No surprise here. Urban Meyer gets his quarterback.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
The Jets taking Wilson is another pick we are all expecting.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 3
Smokescreen! It is not Mac Jones Kyle Shanahan chooses, but Justin Fields out of Ohio State. This is a good decision, as Fields' big arm and athleticism should translate well to what San Francisco is trying to do on offense.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
The Falcons would benefit from trading down, but are the offers going to be as enticing with Fields going No. 3 overall? Kyle Pitts appears to be a dynamic playmaker who could help Arthur Smith in his first year as a head coach.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
The Bengals reunite Joe Burrow with his former LSU teammate. This dynamic duo could put Cincy's rebuild on the fast track.
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From
Philadelphia Eagles
Round 1 - Pick 6
Like the Bengals did, the Dolphins could reunite their quarterback with one of his college playmakers in DeVonta Smith, but Miami picked up Will Fuller in free agency and has faith in third-year wideout Preston Williams. It won't be a pick beloved by all, but Penei Sewell has the potential to be a star in the NFL.
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Mock Trade from
Detroit Lions
Round 1 - Pick 7
We get our first draft-day trade at No. 7 overall, as the Broncos trade up from No. 9 to jump the Panthers. Detroit trades this pick to move back to No. 9 overall, and picks up a third-rounder, a late pick and a future second-round pick. Here the Broncos take a quarterback, but it's not Mac Jones; it's Trey Lance. He will put pressure on Drew Lock immediately as Denver continues its hunt for a franchise quarterback. An aggressive move, but that's what the draft is about.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
The Panthers need to protect Sam Darnold, and Slater is a player who can play at tackle or guard.
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Mock Trade from
Denver Broncos
Round 1 - Pick 9
The Lions moved down a couple of spots and still get someone they are targeting in the Heisman Trophy winner out of Alabama. Detroit lost its top two wide receivers in free agency, and DeVonta Smith looks like a weapon who can help Jared Goff in 2021.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Dallas has addressed the safety position in free agency, and the Cowboys hit cornerback at No. 10 overall.
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Mock Trade from
New York Giants
Round 1 - Pick 11
The slide for Mac Jones stops at No. 11, as the Patriots make a rare trade up four spots to grab their guy. This is a risk, but Bill Belichick doesn't want to allow the Eagles a chance to reconsider their situation at quarterback, and doesn't want to give the Vikings a chance to "pull a Packers" and take a QB with a starter already in place. The Patriots give up their No. 15 overall pick along with their second-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a future second-rounder to move up.
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From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 12
The Eagles need help at wide receiver, and Jaylen Waddle is one of the best weapons in the draft.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Joe Horn's son was a playmaker from the time he stepped on campus at South Carolina. The Chargers need help at cornerback, and take Horn here.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
The versatile Alijah Vera-Tucker fills a need here for the Vikings.
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Mock Trade from
New England Patriots
Round 1 - Pick 15
Micah Parsons has been tied to the Giants for a while now, and if they trade down and he's still available, it makes even more sense.
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Caleb Farley is seen by many as the top cornerback in this draft, but he is expected to fall down draft boards due to a recent minor procedure done on his back, as well as his medical history in general. We could look back on this pick as a steal, and the Cardinals could stand to add another defensive back who could help contain Russell Wilson and now Matthew Stafford in the NFC West.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Kwity Paye knows how to pressure the passer, which is something the Raiders need help with.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Zaven Collins is a versatile linebacker who knows how to shoot gaps to stop the run and contribute in pass coverage.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Washington could go in a couple different directions with this pick, but Ron Rivera is a defensive-minded head coach who knows linebackers inside and out. He could be interested in Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who would wear many different hats in his defensive scheme.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
If the Bears are going to roll with Andy Dalton under center, then let's give him some help to open up the offense. After an impressive pro day, several clubs will be interested in the speedster out of Purdue.
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Round 1 - Pick 21
Since Anthony Castonzo decided to hang up the cleats this offseason, the Colts have a need at left tackle.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
This will be seen as a reach, but Elijah Moore won't be on the board the next time the Titans get a chance to pick. Tennessee benefitted greatly by taking A.J. Brown out of Ole Miss, and they listen to his request to take another Rebel in Moore -- who figures to take over in the slot.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 23
My colleague Ryan Wilson believes Azeez Ojulari is the most complete edge rusher in this class, and first-year head coach Robert Saleh would love if he fell all the way to No. 23 overall.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
The Steelers have a couple of different needs to fill, but Jayson Oweh could be a replacement for Bud Dupree opposite of T.J. Watt. Plus, you can't ignore the Penn State connection.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 25
Jacksonville has put effort into shoring up the secondary this offseason, and that continues with the addition Trevon Moehrig.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
The Browns already have a solid offense, but the defense was inconsistent in 2020. They have done a great job adding to this group in free agency, and that continues here in the draft with Jamin Davis.
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Round 1 - Pick 27
With Matt Judon gone and Justin Houston having not signed yet, grabbing Jaelan Phillips this late in the first round could be a steal.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
According to ESPN's Mike Triplett, the Saints are one of only three NFL teams who have not drafted a wide receiver in the past two years. New Orleans has a couple of intriguing players like Marquez Callaway, Tre'Quan Smith and Deonte Harris, but needs a legitimate starter with Emmanuel Sanders gone and a new quarterback taking over.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
The Packers land a solid player at No. 29 overall, as Teven Jenkins fills a need for Green Bay and can line up in several different spots along the offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Greg Newsome II is versatile in what he can do in the secondary and can start on the outside.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
The Chiefs parted ways with both of their offensive tackles this past season, and Jalen Mayfield is a versatile lineman that offensive line coach Andy Heck is likely a fan of. Keeping Patrick Mahomes upright is priority No. 1.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
The Buccaneers have a great linebacking corps and the secondary is good as well. Where they could stand to upgrade is the defensive line. Christian Barmore next to Ndamukong Suh and Vita Vea could be deadly.
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