Following Week 2 of the 2021 NFL season, we have some normalcy to the NFL Draft order. Some of the better teams in the league got back in the win column this week. Most of the teams that are currently 0-2 are not surprising. These teams will address the help they need with their early selections. Multiple winless teams also have a second first-round selection. Let’s get into this mock draft.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
The Jaguars address a position of need with the best prospect in the draft. Thibodeaux is a special young prospect. He is a dominant pass rusher and underrated run stopper. Physically, he possesses the size, speed, explosiveness, and athleticism to be one of the best on the edge. He also has great character. He would work well opposite Josh Allen. Selecting Thibodeaux is a no-brainer for the Jaguars.
2. New York Jets – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
For the third straight year, the Jets select an offensive lineman with a first-round pick. Neal would come in and start at right tackle. The Jets would have two tackles with tremendous size and athletic ability in Neal and Mekhi Becton. Building up the offensive line will be significant for the Jets with Zach Wilson. Neal is a top-caliber prospect with his talent and would help the Jets.
3. Atlanta Falcons – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
Through the first three weeks of college football, Corral has arguably been the best player. He has exceptional arm talent and can be dynamic as a runner. For the Falcons, they seemed close to taking a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. They will be tight against the cap again and could look to move Matt Ryan. Corral has been special so far this season and has earned this selection as of now.
4. Detroit Lions – Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
This past weekend, Howell showed how gifted of an arm he has. He had a great year in 2020. Losing some of his surrounding talent has certainly impacted his play but he picked it up this past Saturday. Like the Falcons, the Lions could have selected a quarterback in this last draft. With Jared Goff already there, Howell can be eased in early on. He has upside as a quarterback prospect.
5. Philadelphia Eagles – Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
Strong has shown his exceptional arm talent through the first few weeks. He has tremendous accuracy and arm strength. He also has very good size. The Eagles attempted a trade-up for a quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft. It will be fascinating to see how Jalen Hurts performs the rest of this season. The Eagles could find themselves selecting yet another quarterback early. Strong has the chance to be great.
6. Minnesota Vikings- Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
The Vikings still have major concerns along their offensive line. Green is arguably the best offensive line prospect in this class. He would come in and start right away helping improve this group. Green has size, strength, and athletic ability that can make him very successful. If the Vikings could square away their offensive line, the offense can be great. The value for Green adds up here as he is a very safe and talented prospect.
7. New York Giants – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Giants will likely be in the quarterback market come this offseason. As a prospect, Willis possesses great arm talent and the ability to be a dominant runner. He has the needed accuracy and arm strength to be a franchise quarterback. For the Giants, the rest of their roster is in fairly good shape and ready to compete. It would make it a good situation for Willis.
8. New England Patriots – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
The Patriots have one of the best overall prospects in the class fall to them. Hamilton is a complete safety. He has the size, strength, range, and physicality to become one of the best at the position fast. His ability to be deployed anywhere would make him a great fit for Bill Belichick. So far, throughout this season, Hamilton has made plays close to the line of scrimmage and in the secondary. He is a very safe prospect.
9. Philadelphia Eagles – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
Stingley is a gifted cover corner who fits a major need for the Eagles. Their back seven defensively is lacking some talent. Stingley has the potential to be a great man-to-man cornerback. He has the length, speed, and athleticism needed to dominate the best wide receivers in coverage. His freshman season at LSU was generational. Stingley would help the Eagles in a drastic way.
10. Cincinnati Bengals – Sean Rhyan, OT, UCLA
This pick would be an easy one for the Bengals. Their offensive line still has to be addressed with key resources. Rhyan could end up being the best offensive tackle prospect at some point before the draft. He has good size and athletic ability. Right now, he is arguably being underrated. Rhyan is a fairly safe offensive tackle prospect with potential. This would help Joe Burrow in a big way.
11. Houston Texans – Spencer Rattler, QB, Oklahoma
The Texans quarterback situation is a complete unknown. Despite the Davis Mills selection, the talent of Rattler here is too tantalizing to pass up. Rattler has had a slow start this fall. However, he possesses traits that will make him an exciting prospect for quarterback-needy teams. Rattler is not the biggest player but can be successful. This would be an exciting pick for the Texans.
12. New York Giants – Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
The Giants would have to be thrilled adding Linderbaum. He would help improve their offensive line from the jump. Linderbaum is still getting acclimated to the center position and has been successful. He can still grow as well which gives him potential. Athletically, Linderbaum is very gifted. The value here adds up and it takes care of a dire need the Giants have had for some time.
13. Philadelphia Eagles – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Despite this not being a crucial need for the Eagles with the recent extension of Josh Sweat, the value here would be too good to pass up. They could make for a dynamic edge duo. Hutchinson has had a fantastic start this fall. He would bolster this already talented Eagles defensive line right away. Hutchinson is a proven run stopper and has already had success rushing the passer this season.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers – Darian Kinnard, IOL, Kentucky
Kinnard is an exciting prospect with his unreal size and good athleticism. He would fill in for the Steelers right away on their offensive line. He would help improve this run game that has struggled the last few years. Kinnard would bring a toughness identity to this offensive line. The Steelers have some concerns moving forward pertaining to their offensive line. Kinnard makes sense for them here.
15. Baltimore Ravens – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
Karlaftis is one of the better players in the class and helps the Ravens at a need. He would be exciting to watch opposite Odafe Oweh. As a prospect, Karlaftis has the talent and size to be a great edge pass rusher and run defender. Karlaftis is one of the safer players of this group and would be a big boost to the Ravens defense that has to be better.
16. New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
The Saints need more quality targets in their passing attack. Olave would help improve it immediately. As a player, Olave is very fun to watch. He is incredibly smooth with his routes, has strong hands, and can win with deceptive speed vertically as he tracks the football very well. Olave is a fairly sure thing as a draft prospect entering the NFL.
17. Dallas Cowboys – Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Defensively, the Cowboys could still use some talent. Jackson is extremely gifted physically and would help opposite Demarcus Lawrence. Jackson possesses all the tools needed athletically to be a dominant edge. He has length and speed as a pass rusher. With better coaching, Jackson can still grow as a player. He has exceptional upside in the NFL. This would be very good value for the Cowboys.
18. New York Jets – Zach Harrison, EDGE, Ohio State
The Jets address a position of need opposite Carl Lawson and get good value in Harrison. The upside Harrison has as an edge prospect is as good as it gets. Physically, he is massive with his height, weight, and unreal arm length. He plays with very good strength. Athletically, he is also very gifted. Harrison plays with very good speed getting after the quarterback. Adding a unique talent in Harrison to an already great Jets defensive line would be very exciting.
19. Buffalo Bills – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
The Bills address a need they have had for some time and get a safe cornerback prospect. Elam has great length and athleticism. As a cover corner, Elam has attained great success. He would work very well alongside Tre’Davious White, one of the league’s best. Elam’s athletic talent allows him to become even more improved. This would make a ton of sense for the Bills.
20. Tennessee Titans – Demarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Leal is a tremendous prospect who falls to a good football team. The interior of the Titans’ defensive line may not be a big need with Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry but this would be a luxury selection. Leal has some versatility which Mike Vrabel could get creative with and use him similar to the way he used J.J. Watt. The Titans’ defense will likely still need upgrades and Leal is a great talent.
21. Green Bay Packers – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Packers could lose Davante Adams in free agency which would lead to a major need at wide receiver. Wilson would be a good fit in this situation. Wilson has great deep threat ability as a result of his speed. He has had some great success in college. From a value standpoint, this makes logical sense for the Packers. Wilson is a gifted prospect who can be great.
22. Washington Football Team – Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
This selection is a tough one to make for Washington with none of the top-five quarterbacks left on the board. They already have a very well-rounded roster with few needs. In this situation, adding the best player available and fortifying a strength is smart. Davis is a massive, dominant defensive tackle prospect. He has made his impact felt early on this season. Adding him to this great group would make this defensive line potentially the best.
23. Cleveland Browns – Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
One thing the Browns have not done a great job of is adding a viable edge opposite of Myles Garrett. Sanders has the upside to be a very good player in the NFL. As a player, Sanders possesses the length and speed to be a dominant edge rusher. He has been productive in college. This is good value for the Browns at a position of need.
24. Carolina Panthers – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
For the second straight year, the Panthers select an exciting cornerback prospect. Booth could very well end up being the best corner from this group. Booth has good length and coverage ability to be successful. He is physical, has speed, and has good play-making ability. He is an all-around player. Booth opposite of Jaycee Horn would give the Panthers their potential long-term starting cornerbacks.
25. Los Angeles Chargers – Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas
Burks is a top wide receiver prospect in this class. He has great size and plays a strong, physical game. With Mike Williams slated to be a free agent, this makes sense for the Chargers. Burks would be exciting with Justin Herbert and Keenan Allen. He is a possession receiver with big-play threat ability. This would be a great addition for the Chargers.
26. Kansas City Chiefs – John Metchie, WR, Alabama
The Chiefs do have a lack of depth at wide receiver and Metchie would fit well with his big-play talent. His speed would mesh well with Patrick Mahomes. Where Metchie ends up being valued will be fascinating to see. As of now, he is close to the top of the wide receiver group. He would have a chance to be the third target in the Chiefs’ prolific passing attack.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
The Buccaneers are currently slated to have a ton of key free agents. Among them, is star cornerback Carlton Davis. Davis could be very tough to keep. Gardner is a talented prospect who could contribute right away. He has unique length to play on the outside. Athletically, Gardner is extremely gifted. He has the potential to keep improving as a player. He would be a logical fit here for the Buccaneers.
28. Miami Dolphins – Drake London, WR, USC
London is a unique prospect with his length, athleticism, and his ability to play inside. He can make tough catches and make things happen with the football. He is an exciting player with the potential to keep getting better. London would help this offense underneath and over the middle. This is something the Dolphins could use. London could see his stock rise.
29. Denver Broncos – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
The Broncos add a cornerback in the first round again. With Kyle Fuller and Bryce Callahan both not under contract next year, the Broncos will need a third corner. McDuffie is a talented player who would fit well with Patrick Surtain II and Ronald Darby. McDuffie and Surtain both have versatility which could allow them to be utilized in multiple ways. The Broncos’ already dominant defense just adds to it here.
30. Detroit Lions – George Pickens, WR, Georgia
The Lions have a desperate need for wide receiver and Pickens would fill that hole. Pickens is a young prospect with great size and big-play ability. He would help this offense where it needs it on the outside. Pickens is a talented prospect who would bring something different to this unit. The value here for the Lions would be good as they look to improve a big weakness.
31. Las Vegas Raiders – Mykael Wright, CB, Oregon
Wright has had good production in college and would help a Raiders defense that has struggled for some time. Their future cornerbacks are an unknown. Wright is a talented player who can make plays on the football. He is a very quick player in coverage. He could even allow a defense to play him in the slot. The Raiders defense will still likely need more talent and Wright would bring just that.
32. Arizona Cardinals – Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
The Cardinals have some concerns at cornerback. Williams is an underrated prospect who should see his value go up over time. He is fairly complete with his frame, speed, and ball skills. Williams is a very talented football player with great ability in coverage. He would have a good chance of helping this position group right away. Williams should be fun to watch throughout the rest of the process.
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