As we go into Week 8 of the 2021 NFL season, some teams throughout the league are clearly lacking in talent. A few of these teams happen to have multiple first-round selections and can turn things around fast. In this mock draft, there are a lot of offensive linemen, edge defenders, and cornerbacks selected. These are three impact positions with lots of top-tier talent. Let’s get into this mock draft.
1. Detroit Lions – Kayvon Thibodeaux, EDGE, Oregon
No surprise here. Even though the Lions may be looking for their long-term quarterback, Thibodeaux is too good to pass up on. He had another dominant game Saturday at UCLA. He continued to prove why he should be the first pick in the draft. Physically and athletically, Thibodeaux has everything that one can ask for in an edge defender. His size, first-step, and bend give him the opportunity to be a franchise-changer for the Lions. Thibodeaux and his former Oregon teammate, Penei Sewell would give the Lions a very young and exciting identity in the trenches.
2. Philadelphia Eagles – Matt Corral, QB, Ole Miss
The Eagles will likely be trying to find their next franchise signal-caller. To this point, Corral has done enough for himself to be considered the best quarterback in this upcoming draft. Corral has attained great success as a runner this season. As a passer, he throws a good deep ball and has the accuracy needed to lead a team. His play has been dominant in almost every game he has played in 2021. To this point, Corral has proven he has what it takes from a talent standpoint to lift an NFL organization.
3. Houston Texans – Carson Strong, QB, Nevada
There is a strong possibility the Texans will be looking to select another quarterback early on. Strong has had a very exciting season so far. He possesses all the physical tools that are required. This season he has been very productive which has led to a winning season for Nevada. His size and arm strength give Strong tremendous upside as an NFL quarterback. He has shown he can drive the football down the field with ease. He would bring optimism to a Texans franchise that needs it.
4. New York Jets – Kenyon Green, IOL, Texas A&M
The Jets’ offensive line has made progress with Mekhi Becton, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and George Fant but still needs to add another viable asset. Green is a safe prospect who would fill in arguably the Jets’ biggest need at right guard from the start. He provides great positional flexibility across the offensive line. Green fits the mold both physically and athletically which gives him room to grow. It would be thrilling for the Jets to add a prospect like Green to their offensive line.
5. Jacksonville Jaguars – Evan Neal, OT, Alabama
With Cam Robinson currently slated to be an unrestricted free agent after the season, the Jaguars would be an ideal landing spot for Neal. As a prospect, he has unreal size and athletic ability to go with it. Neal provides a physical presence with his massive frame. He would provide reliable pass protection for Trevor Lawrence. Neal has the potential to keep improving as a player with his traits. The value with this selection would add up for the Jaguars.
6. Philadelphia Eagles – Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
Hutchinson has had an absolutely dominant 2021 for Michigan. He has been very impactful getting after the quarterback. Hutchinson has also proven to be a successful run stopper on the edge. Adding him to a defensive line that has Fletcher Cox, Javon Hargrave, and Josh Sweat would be exciting for the Eagles. As a player, Hutchinson has a big frame and has athleticism. This would be a wise pick for the Eagles.
7. New York Giants – Tyler Linderbaum, IOL, Iowa
Linderbaum is an exciting prospect who would join a position group that needs help. As an athlete, Linderbaum is very gifted. He would help improve the Giants running game right away. Physically, he still has size to gain which should help him continue his improvement as a player. He plays with the toughness needed to be a successful offensive lineman. Linderbaum is one of the better prospects in this class and would bring an identity to the Giants.
8. New York Jets – George Karlaftis, EDGE, Purdue
The Jets spend both of their top selections here in the trenches. Adding Karlaftis opposite of Carl Lawson would give the Jets a potentially top-tier edge duo. As a player, Karlaftis has been extremely productive all season. Karlaftis is a big edge defender and has very good length. He can win as a pass rusher with speed and power. Athletically, he has what it takes to win on the edge and still keep improving. The value here adds up and would help boost the Jets defensive line.
9. Washington Football Team – Nicholas Petit-Frere, OT, Ohio State
Washington could be looking to find their long-term solution at left tackle. Petit-Frere has been one of the biggest risers throughout college football this season. He has the height and size that are required to play tackle. He is also talented athletically. This year, he has made a difference for Ohio State. Expect Petit-Frere to remain near the top of the class throughout the rest of the fall. He is a gifted offensive tackle.
10. Miami Dolphins – Ikem Ekwonu, IOL, N.C. State
Ekwonu possesses a massive frame and moves very well. He uses his size to his advantage as he is a physical blocker. As a prospect, he provides positional flexibility for an offensive line which increases his value. Ekwonu was productive as a player already entering this season but has taken his game to a new level. For a Dolphins offensive line that has struggled and needs help, Ekwonu would be a great fit.
11. New England Patriots – Kyle Hamilton, S, Notre Dame
Hamilton is one of the top prospects in this class and would be of tremendous value at this spot. As Devin McCourty ages and nears the end of his career, Hamilton makes logical sense here for the Patriots. He is a complete safety with his size, physicality, range, and ball skills. He can be deployed anywhere on defense. Hamilton is one of the safer prospects out of this group and would make an immediate impact on the Patriots’ defense.
12. Denver Broncos – Malik Willis, QB, Liberty
The Broncos have proven that they have the talent across their roster to be a winning football team. They need to find their franchise quarterback. Willis has great potential to be just that for the Broncos. He has proven some very good things throughout this season. Willis is a talented thrower of the football. He has the tools to make plays in and out of the pocket. Willis has the arm strength to make big plays. With his legs, Willis is also dynamic. He has the foot speed to make plays on the ground. Willis would bring excitement to the Broncos.
13. Philadelphia Eagles – Derek Stingley Jr., CB, LSU
The Eagles add a talented prospect with their third pick early on. Stingley is a natural cover corner with all the skills necessary. His freshman year at LSU was generational. He possesses the length, speed, quickness, and ball skills to be special in the NFL. Stingley will be a starter right away for the team that drafts him and has what it takes to be an instant asset. In the long run, he has the chance to be amongst the best cornerbacks in the game. For the Eagles, this would complete quite the haul in the first round.
14. Carolina Panthers – Sam Howell, QB, North Carolina
The Panthers look to be in a position to find their franchise quarterback once again. After a fast start to the season, they have played bad football despite having some quality talent. Howell is a talented quarterback prospect with his accuracy in and out of the pocket. He can make things happen on the move. After somewhat of a slow start to the season, Howell has picked things up over the last month and showed his capability. It would make sense for the Panthers to select him.
15. New York Giants – Drake Jackson, EDGE, USC
Jackson is an intriguing prospect. He has all the tools one could ask for in an edge pass rusher and has proven it with his play this season. Jackson possesses length, speed, and bend turning the corner to bring down the quarterback. Pairing Jackson opposite of Azeez Ojulari would make for a young and exciting edge tandem. In terms of potential, Jackson still has some room for growth in his game as well. Prospects with similar traits and athletic ability have attained success rushing the passer. This would be a good value pick for the Giants.
16. Kansas City Chiefs – Andrew Booth Jr., CB, Clemson
The Chiefs’ defense has struggled greatly this season and will need all the help that it can get. Selecting Booth would be an ideal start. Booth has length, ball skills, and plays physical. He also possesses the quickness to cover receivers. He has a high floor as a prospect and can continue to grow. Booth has the talent to eventually compete and cover the best in the game. Booth would help turn this Chiefs defensive unit around.
17. Atlanta Falcons – Demarvin Leal, DL, Texas A&M
Leal is a talented player with versatility. This would be a strong value pick for the Falcons at this point. In college, Leal has been very productive and has shown his potential to be dominant. Pairing him up with Grady Jarrett would make for a talented interior defensive line. The Falcons defense will certainly need some help this offseason. Leal would be a very solid addition for them.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers – Sean Rhyan, OL, UCLA
Whether Rhyan projects as a tackle or guard prospect to the pro game remains to be seen but he is a talented prospect worthy of an early selection. He has been very successful as a left tackle over the last two years. Rhyan has good size and strength physically. With regard to his athletic profile, he is extremely gifted. He moves with ease and possesses quickness. The Steelers need help on their offensive line and Rhyan would make for a great addition.
19. Minnesota Vikings – Kaiir Elam, CB, Florida
Elam is a gifted cornerback who would fill a likely position of need for the Vikings. The Vikings’ defense will have to accumulate more talent. Elam is a very long corner and can run extremely well. Elam is a physical football player. He has played as a starter all three of his years at Florida and has had good consistent production. He projects very well to the NFL. At this point in the draft, to add Elam would be solid for the Vikings.
20. Cleveland Browns – Myjai Sanders, EDGE, Cincinnati
The Browns should look to add a long-term talented edge defender opposite of Myles Garrett with great upside. Sanders would bring that. As a pass rusher, Sanders has the height, weight, and speed measurables that give him the potential to succeed. Over the last three years, Sanders has been productive for Cincinnati. He would add a dimension to this improved Browns defense as a viable second edge pass rusher.
21. Buffalo Bills – Trent McDuffie, CB, Washington
McDuffie is an exciting cornerback prospect in this upcoming draft class. He is a quick cover corner with fluid hips. McDuffie has the length to play on the outside and be successful in coverage. He is an instinctual cover corner. McDuffie would fit very well with Tre’Davious White and Taron Johnson as they would make for a great cornerback trio. McDuffie is a competitive football player who plays with toughness. He would mesh well with the way the Bills are built.
22. Los Angeles Chargers – Jordan Davis, DL, Georgia
The first prospect off the board from Georgia’s extremely talented defense. Davis has been successful along the defensive line from the start of the season. He has a massive frame, plays with power, and moves well to go along with his physical presence. Davis can likely play a multitude of interior defensive line positions in the NFL. His strength is utilized in both the run and pass game. Giving Brandon Staley a dominant defensive lineman would be smart for the Chargers.
23. New Orleans Saints – Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Olave is the first wide receiver taken here. He is a fun player to watch. He operates with great quickness as a route runner. Olave is capable of winning all over the field on each level. Olave is a capable vertical threat with his speed and tracking ability. He has been a very productive player at Ohio State over the last three years. Olave projects to the NFL very well and fills a huge need for the Saints.
24. Dallas Cowboys – Adam Anderson, EDGE, Georgia
The Cowboys have a very talented roster but will face an offseason with many core free agents. Anderson would come in and likely replace Randy Gregory who has been very productive. Anderson has been as reliable as they come for Georgia over the last four seasons. His success as a pass rusher has improved each year. Anderson has top-end speed getting after the quarterback. Adding Anderson to this exceptionally talented Cowboys defense would be tremendous.
25. Tennessee Titans – Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
Cross is a young and enticing NFL Draft prospect. He plays a physical game and still has room to add more strength. Cross also has the athletic ability needed to be successful. He has been successful as both a run and pass blocker. Cross is a prospect who has seen his stock rise and it can very well continue. With more experience, he will have the chance to keep on improving as a player. He would fill a need right away for the Titans.
26. Cincinnati Bengals – Ahmad Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
Gardner stays right in the state of Cincinnati here and joins an up-and-coming Bengals defense. Adding him to a group with Chidobe Awuzie and Mike Hilton would give the Bengals a very good trio from the jump. Gardner has length and athletic ability as a prospect. Throughout his three years at Cincinnati, Gardner has gained a ton of experience. To go along with that, he still has great potential to grow. Gardner would make for a fun addition for the Bengals.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Kenneth Walker III, RB, Michigan State
Walker has been one of the best players in all of college football this season. As a running back, he is a fairly complete player. He has the speed to make big plays. He may not be the biggest, but he is a physical runner. For the Buccaneers, this would be a luxury pick that they could afford. Their roster has been constructed as well as one could be.
28. Detroit Lions – Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
The Lions have a desperate need to add viable pass catchers at wide receiver. Wilson would help right away. He possesses deep threat ability with his speed. The Lions’ offense could use a vertical threat with the talent to make big plays. Wilson does that exceptionally well. Wilson can also win with separation on his routes. The value here would be very good for the Lions.
29. Las Vegas Raiders – Garrett Williams, CB, Syracuse
Williams is one of the more underrated prospects in the 2022 class. He has been very successful as a corner in coverage for Syracuse. To this point, the Raiders have not gotten what they had anticipated from Damon Arnette. Williams can be a good NFL cornerback with his length, speed, quickness, and ball skills. He would help this Raiders defense that could use an infusion of talent.
30. Green Bay Packers – Nakobe Dean, LB, Georgia
Dean is a very exciting linebacker prospect and arguably the best in the upcoming draft. All year long he has made a tremendous impact on Georgia’s dominant defense. He has great speed and has used it making plays all over the field. He is a physical player who plays bigger than his size. Dean is also capable of being an effective blitzer. Dean is a fairly complete player who would help the Packers’ defense.
31. Baltimore Ravens – Darian Kinnard, IOL, Kentucky
Kinnard is a prospect with a major frame. Kinnard plays and moves fast even at his huge size. He has been starting for Kentucky over the last four years so he has the experience needed. Kinnard has the strength needed to win against power. In the running game, he should make a sizable impact. The Ravens could use some help on the offensive line and Kinnard would bring what they need.
32. Arizona Cardinals – Drake London, WR, USC
The Cardinals make a luxury pick in London here and pair him up with DeAndre Hopkins and Rondale Moore. London has been extremely productive for USC all fall. He has great length, deep threat ability, and can line up in the slot. With his size and speed, he is a tough matchup wherever he may be deployed. In the Cardinals spread passing attack, London would be a fun addition.
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