Week 2 is in the books and it is now becoming apparent which teams will be in contention for the number one overall pick. With some surprises likes Jacksonville and Washington, there are some unsuspecting teams who will be drafting in the top 10. In essence, to summarize the strengths of the class, there are three-franchise changing quarterbacks, a staggering number of dominant wide receivers, and a decent amount of talent in the defensive class. With that said, here is a 2021 Mock Draft: Week 2.
1. New York Jets – Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Sam Darnold or Lawrence? It could be argued that Adam Gase doesn’t last the season and that a new coach will want a start fresh and new quarterback. Lawrence is something out of a storybook and is a generational prospect for a number of reasons. The main traits are his accuracy, intelligence, quick decision-making, and leadership. He threw for 3,665 yards and 36 touchdowns, while only having eight interceptions in 2019. He’ll be the number one player taken barring anything crazy happening or an injury.
2. Carolina Panthers – Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Teddy Bridgewater isn’t a long-term starter, and the Panthers aren’t bad enough to get the first overall pick. However, they still get a great prospect in Fields. He has the athleticism and running ability to have a Lamar Jackson run style of offense designed around him. One of Field’s pro comparisons is Alex Smith during his MVP season in Kansas City. He’s ultra-accurate and makes good decisions with the football, throwing for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns. Fields’ best trait is that he doesn’t make mistakes, demonstrated in his low interceptions rate with only three in 2019.
3. New York Giants – Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Daniel Jones needs a true go to wide receiver to help him in big situations. As it stands, Darius Slayton is the only one who can make plays. Chase and Slayton could be one of the most dynamic duos in the league, as Slayton is a deep threat king, whereas Chase is arguably the most physically dominant wide receiver from the past three drafts.
4. Denver Broncos – Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Broncos need to replace Garrett Bolles with someone else for the long term. The Broncos would get a true stabilizing piece for their offense if they land Sewell. He’s got the movement skills of a tight end, only 60 lbs heavier, and dominates one-on-one when blocking. Sewell is the first slam dunk offensive linemen prospect since Quenton Nelson, which makes this an easy pick.
5. Detroit Lions – Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
Linebacker or quarterback, what position makes more impact on the field? Obviously the quarterback, which is something the Lions must consider. Lions need someone to take over for Matthew Stafford as there is just too much inconsistency. Regardless, Lance is a top 10 prospect this year with his tools. He’s large at 6’6” but has excellent mobility allowing him to make runs similar to Cam Newton. While he doesn’t have Newton’s exact running ability, he is much more accurate throwing for an impressive 28 touchdowns to zero interceptions. Lance with Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay is somewhat scary as Lance has one of the biggest arms in the draft.
6. Miami Dolphins – Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Miami needs linebacker help badly, lucky for them the best defensive player is available here. Parsons has the talent to change the chemistry of a defense. He excels at making reads and quickly diagnosing plays while having freakish athleticism. Arguably, Parsons is the best linebacker prospect since Luke Kuechly.
7. Cincinnati Bengals – Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
The Bengals may have the worst linebackers in the league so this becomes an easy pick for them. Moses has top 10 potential, but a devastating injury (torn ACL) last year hindered his development. Regardless, he’s a force when stopping the run, and plays extremely well in coverage.
8. Washington Football Team- Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The NFL is moving to a more run after catch and separation game, where receiving are getting more opportunity behind and around the line of scrimmage. Waddle may be slender, but has some of the best vision for a non-running back in this class. He’s an offensive weapon and would assist in Dwayne Haskin’s development.
9. Minnesota Vikings – Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Vikings secondary continues to give up big play after big play, which then makes them more susceptible to the run game. Vikings need a dominate cornerbacks who can cover without safety help. Farley is 6’2″ and 207 lbs, which allows him to stay with larger wide receivers and his change of pace and speed are unnatural for his size. Both allow him to recover when he makes a mistake, and make plays on the ball in which other corners would not.
10. Atlanta Falcons – Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Since the Super Bowl, the Falcons have had a rough go with the defense. Falcons need to beef up their secondary and opt to take a cornerback in the first round for the second straight year. Wade is the perfect compliment to A.J. Terrell, both of which could be a great tandem for the 2021 season.
11. Jacksonville Jaguars – Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Gardner Minshew has big targets who can make the contested catch, but lack separation skills. That changes with Moore, whose speed, agility, and route running make him the perfect complement to DJ Chark and Laviska Shenault. While Moore is 5’9”, 180 lbs, he is almost impossible to bring down. He excels with his run after the catch ability and making big plays.
12. Miami Dolphins (via Houston Texans) – Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, FSU
Nasirideen is a player who will rise during the pre-draft process largely due to his size and athleticism. At 6’4”, 220 lbs, He’s basically a linebacker with the movement skills of a cornerback. He’s a do it all safety who may draw comparisons to Derwin James. He’s not James, as his coverage skills need work, but he’s improved each year.
13. New England Patriots – Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami
Jordan is the perfect complement to Newton and the Patriots offense. He’s a run after the catch specialist at 250 lbs. Jordan doesn’t block well, but he has the body control of an elite receiver. He needs to learn to catch and break off his routes, and once he does that, he’ll be dominant.
14. Cleveland Browns – Marvin Wilson, DT, FSU
Browns need help stopping the run, especially when they play Jackson twice a year. Wilson’s a truck at 6’5″, 311 lbs, but he’s quick, making it difficult for defenders to get their hands on him. While his run defense could use work, he notched five quality sacks this past year and had chances to get more this year.
15. Indianapolis Colts – Carlos Basham, EDGE, Wake Forest
BOOGIE BASHAM OVER ROUSSEAU?! Oh yeah, scheme fit makes sense, but also Basham is much more pro ready than Rousseau. He’s got the versatility the Colts love in their linemen, and he could go from three tech, five tech, to even seven tech, all while being dominant in the run. Some plays he reminds me of the Saints’ Cameron Jordan on some plays and disappears on other plays. If he gets more consistent, he can be a dominant player in the league.
16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Buccaneers need to add depth to their offensive line and eventually replace Donovan Smith after the 2021 season. Cosmi is a project who has a lot of upside. He’s a monster at 6’7″ 309 lbs, but his balance is pleasantly good. His upside comes from his footwork, size, balance, and mobility. The most significant concern is his consistency, which needs to improve play to play.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers – Brock Purdy, QB, Iowa State
Ben Roethlisberger (age 38) is getting old and the time has come to groom a quarterback. Purdy has not played well this season largely due to the supporting cast at Iowa State. Make no mistake he’s a solid ballplayer, who makes unthinkable plays. His throwing on the run and play-action is excellent and he’s an underrated scrambler.
18. Los Angeles Chargers – Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Has Justin Herbert taken over? Regardless, the Chargers need to keep either quarterback upright as they still have significant problems with the offensive line. Leatherwood has some troubles with his balance, but his awareness, quickness, movement skills are all that of a first-rounder. If he improves his balance, he’s a top 10 player.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams) – Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Jaguars need to add another cornerback to improve there secondary. Campbell sticks out on film for all the right reasons, a 6’2″ cornerback who looks like he could play box safety. While he’s going to be better outside than in the box, his tackling skills make me confident in his ability to fill in the run. He’s a great compliment to C.J. Henderson who is a speed freak, whereas Campbell isn’t as fast.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Eagles need to add another weapon for Carson Wentz, someone who can make the contested catch. Bateman looks and plays like Allen Robinson. While there are questions about his long speed, his acceleration and ability to control/manipulate his speed is rare for his size. Along with a reliable pair of hands, he’s a top receiver in the upcoming draft.
21. New Orleans Saints – Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pitt
The Saints need to bulk up their interior defensive line with someone who can push the pocket their interior defensive line. Twyman can be a force as an interior pass rusher as he had 10.5 sacks this past year.
22. Las Vegas Raiders – Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Rousseau is not a top 10 player because he’s too raw. He opted out this past year and it arguably hurt his draft stock. His potential comes mostly from his 6’7”, 250 lb frame, and extremely long arms, making his potential as an edge rusher unlimited. Rousseau notched 15 sacks from multiple positions on the defensive line in the 2019 season and he has the power to take on guards and tackles, and the quickness to counter his power.
23. Tennessee Titans – Hamilcar Rashed Jr., EDGE, Oregon State
The Titans have not generated enough pass rush against offenses, and this was evident against Minshew’s Jaguars. Rashed is a high upside player who has bend, but is raw right now. Once he further develops a counter move and a speed to power move, he’s got the tools to become an eight or more sack per year player.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
Without Byron Jones, the Cowboys secondary looks terrible. Enter Adebo, who may be able to turn the group into one of the best cornerback rooms. Adebo is a true zone player who can generate turnover at the next level. However, Adebo has questionable man to man skills. Cowboys run-heavy zone scheme with lots of safety help, which would be perfect for Adebo.
25. Buffalo Bills – Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Dawson Knox struggled to make plays last year and has this year as well. Replacing Knox with Freiermuth may push this offense to be a top-10 unit. Freiermuth has been compared to Rob Gronkowski, largely for his run after catch ability and body control when catching the ball. He’s got reliable hands with only one drop this past year. His size (6’5”, 259 lbs) and movement skills are what make him a mismatch for defenders.
26. Green Bay Packers – Tamorrion Terry, WR, FSU
The Packers need more weapons as the drop off after Davante Adams is significant. Terry has the chance to be special as he’s 6’4”, 210 lbs with rare deep speed, and contested catchability. If Terry improves his hands he’ll be a top 40 player. Terry reminds some of an unpolished 2013 Josh Gordon, who has the ability to take over a game.
27. Chicago Bears – Trey Smith, IOL, Tennessee
The Bears have multiple holes in the offensive line, including the right guard spot, largely because Kyle Long recently retired. Bears need to find a day one starter, which Smith is. Smith has the potential of a pro bowler , but health is a concern. He’s a massive and powerful people-mover, and he could very well be the best interior offensive lineman in the 2021 draft. He’s got the movement skills of a man 60 lbs lighter, even though he’s 6’6”, 325 lb.
28. Arizona Cardinals – Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Paye is the perfect mold for a 3-4 outside linebacker because of his build 6’4″, 272 lbs. His athletic ability makes him a perfect fit to play across from Chandler Jones. He was ranked the top player on Bruce Feldman’s “freak-list’ a list which has boosted numerous top NFL players from years past. In essence, bet on Paye’s athletics ability to translate to production.
29. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks) – Jay Tufele, DT, USC
New York needs more from their interior defensive line. Tufele might be one defensive player you’ve never heard of, it’s largely a result of the production. There are concerns about his ability to anchor, but his consistency getting into the backfield and disrupting plays/pressuring the quarterback makes him a viable first-round prospect.
30. San Francisco 49ers – Jevon Holland, DB, Oregon
San Francisco showed that their secondary needs work. Holland hasn’t played outside cornerback, but there are games in 2019 where he looks like he could have. Currently, his best role is slot cornerback where he has the chance of pace ability to line up with shiftier players and make plays on the ball.
31. Baltimore Ravens – Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
Ravens still need to find a long term replacement for Marshall Yanda. Davis has the top end play to replicate elite ability, but he does get assistance from the Ohio State scheme. Overall, Davis could end up being the best interior linemen largely due to his consistency and run blocking.
32. Kansas City Chiefs – Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Chiefs need another edge rusher and elect to go high upside with Oweh. Oweh is said to have run a 4.33 40-yard dash at 260 lbs, which speaks to the athletic profile. He’s is a complete projection right now, but at 6”6’, 240 lbs he has the athleticism and tools to become an elite pass rusher. Right now he’s very raw and would most likely take a full year to adapt to the NFL.
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