2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
With the first half done, how will the rest of the 2021 NFL Draft play out?
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The Raiders have to find a way to generate pressure after failing to do so in 2020, and that is precisely what the PFN Mock Draft Simulator has them doing in this 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft.
Kwity Paye is 6-foot-4, 270 pounds, and ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, which is something I can’t even wrap my head around. It should be illegal for a man his size to be that athletic. He has an incredible burst off the line and a motor that does not stop. He is going to be a terror in NFL backfields for the next 10 years.
18. Miami Dolphins: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Micah Parsons‘ slide finally ends at pick 18. The Dolphins go the best player available and select arguably the most talented defensive player in the class. We all have heard about the off-field issues that have hurt his draft stock, but what we do not know is the depth in which they have impacted him and if that is enough for Brian Flores to cross him off the board.
As expected, Parsons wowed at the Penn State Pro Day, running a 4.39 40-yard dash and measuring in at 6’3″ and 246 pounds with 31-inch arms and 11-inch hands. Once a sure-fire top-10 pick, Miami gets a steal as they continue to build upon a phenomenal up-and-coming roster.
19. Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is an intriguing player — he plays with a physicality above his frame at 6-foot-1, 216 pounds.
Owusu-Koramoah racked up 142 total tackles in his last two years for Notre Dame, including 24.5 for loss. He was the ACC Defensive Player of the Year in 2020. The Notre Dame LB is fast and can play sideline to sideline. He is everything you want out of a modern outside linebacker. If a team falls in love with JOK, he could go inside the top 10. Washington already has a stellar defense, and Owusu-Koramoah brings a unique versatility in this draft class.
20. Chicago Bears: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Rashod Bateman is a nuanced route runner with strong hands and the ability to catch the critical 50/50 balls. He only played in five games in 2020 before opting out, but his 2019 tape was more than enough. While alongside Tyler Johnson, Bateman hauled in 60 receptions for 1,219 yards and 11 touchdowns.
Bateman measured in at 6’0 3/8″ and 190 pounds during his pro day. He showed his EXOS time was not a fluke, as he clocked an impressive 4.39 40-yard dash. The former Golden Gohper also posted a 36-inch vertical jump and 125-inch broad jump. After the workout, Bateman told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero he tested positive for COVID-19 during the summer and never felt like himself during the season.
Fortunately, Bateman said he feels back to normal now, which is scary for defenses. If Andy Dalton can be average, I will not be surprised to see Bateman have the most productive rookie season of the 2021 class.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Indianapolis has to decide whether to take an offensive tackle or select an edge rusher. The PFN Mock Draft Simulator chose the latter in the 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft with Azeez Ojulari out of Georgia.
Ojulari has an incredible ceiling thanks to his natural ability and is one of the best run defenders in this class. At Georgia, Ojulari showed a great burst off the line and bent exceptionally well when hitting the corner. Over his last two seasons, the 6-foot-3, 240-pound edge rusher logged 15 sacks.
22. Tennessee Titans: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Joseph Ossai is an excellent fit for the Titans. He is an explosive athlete who possesses long arms and can succeed either standing up or with his hand in the ground. A tenacious rusher, Ossai’s hands are lightning quick.
Tennessee must find a way to generate pressure in 2021. Last season, they created pressure on just 17.6% of their snaps (31st), recording 19 sacks (30th).
23. New York Jets: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
If you are going to select a QB in the first round, you better protect him. Far too often, we have seen organizations fail to do so and subsequently end careers before they began. Robert Saleh will not see his name attached to this same narrative and, according to the PFN Mock Draft Simulator, selects OT Samuel Cosmi, making it back-to-back Longhorns off the board in this 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft.
Cosmi has all the tools and was arguably the best player at Texas for the past few seasons. At 6-foot-7, 305 pounds, Cosmi has one of the widest wingspans in this whole class. He is not the quickest off the ball but has more than enough speed to keep a defender in check and scrape up to the next level. He is raw, and that makes him an intriguing prospect.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Green Bay): Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
In this 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft, the PFN Mock Draft Simulator selects the best running back of the class in Alabama’s Najee Harris. And in a completely non-biased (very biased) way, I couldn’t be happier.
James Conner’s signing with Arizona signified the Steelers were going to address the RB position in the draft — it was just a matter of how early. I feel Harris has been typecast into only being a power back given his size (6’2″, 220 pounds), but he isn’t just a power back. He is an RB who has incredible footwork, burst, and vision that just so happens to run you over like a Mack truck. Harris is also a skilled receiver; he is, far and away, the most complete back in the class.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
In a season with no NFL Combine, pro days have never meant more. This was not a fact lost on Jamin Davis, who is arguably the highest riser since the pro day circuit came to a close. With limited playing time in his first two collegiate seasons, Davis took full advantage of an expanded role in 2020.
He recorded 102 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions in a standout season. At his pro day, he put on a show. Weighing in at 6’3″ and 234 pounds, Davis generated a 4.37-second 40-yard dash, a 42-inch vertical, and a 132-inch broad jump.
Adding Davis to both Joe Schobert and Myles Jack is a spoil of riches at the LB position. Even though there are some other needs on defense, it’s hard to look past arguably the best player on the board. Don’t look now, but Jacksonville has the makings of a dangerous defense. In addition to Schobert and Jack, Davis would be joining Josh Allen, K’Lavon Chaisson, Roy Robertson-Harris, Shaquill Griffin, and C.J. Henderson.
26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
At 6-foot-4 and 260 pounds, Zaven Collins has the cover skills to defend running backs and tight ends. Collins moved around Tulsa’s defense and impacted all over the field, recording 236 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups through three seasons. Thanks to his play in 2020, he came home with the Bronko Nagurski Trophy for the nation’s best defensive player.
Pairing him with Myles Garrett and Jadeveon Clowney is a frightening combination. If the Cleveland Browns can play to expectations, they have arguably the most complete roster in the NFL.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
After losing Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Jihad Ward in free agency, Jayson Oweh is an excellent fit for the Ravens. Standing at 6’5″, 252 pounds, he produced at the Penn St. Pro Day that turned several heads with a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, a 39.5-inch vertical leap, and a 134-inch broad jump.
In 20 games, Oweh recorded 13.5 sacks and 63 tackles, but I would not let the stats fool you into believing he is unproductive. He is a disruptor and also someone who can collapse the pocket. Without question, he is raw, but the reward could be massive, and the PFN Mock Draft Simulator believes he is worth the risk.
28. New Orleans Saints: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
The Saints need a receiver who can play alongside Michael Thomas, and Terrace Marshall is just that player. Having played alongside a dominant WR for most of his career at LSU, Marshall knows how to win as the WR2 in an offense. The shortened season saw him average over 100 receiving yards per game across seven games. He hauled in double-digit touchdowns in back-to-back years despite being behind Chase and Justin Jefferson at LSU.
Marshall is going to become one of Jameis Winston’s favorite targets quickly. The last time we saw Winston on the field, he was prone to holding on and trying to wait for the big play. The most underrated part of Marshall’s game is his awareness on the field. He is one of the best WRs I have seen in recent years who both work back to the ball and improvise to aid his scrambling QB, leading to a few extra touchdowns over his career.
29. Green Bay Packers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line will look markedly different at the start of this year. Long-time starter and All-Pro center Corey Linsley is with the Chargers, and David Bakhtiari suffered a torn ACL at the end of the season.
Alijah Vera-Tucker committed to USC as a left tackle, played right guard as a sophomore, left guard in 2019, then went to left tackle for his final season in college. He has all the versatility one could ever want. Vera-Tucker is the top interior offensive lineman in this class due to his work at multiple positions. If the Packers don’t give Aaron Rodgers more weapons, at least they will keep him upright in this 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft.
30. Buffalo Bills: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)
A UCLA transfer, Jaelan Phillips brought a rare mix of speed, power, length; he could stop the pass and run game. Yes, you would like to see a larger sample size, but he can play in any defense from Day 1.
The biggest concern is that Phillips medically retired from football before the 2019 season due to a history of concussions. Jerry Hughes and Mario Addison have played well, but for a team that is already competing for championships, planning for the future will extend this window.
Sean McDermott wants to rotate bodies in at the defensive line to keep legs fresh and give offenses a chance to breathe. As a transfer last season, he had a career-high 8 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
In the days leading up to the NFL Draft, the Ravens pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, where they sent Orlando Brown in exchange for a slew of picks, including pick No. 31 overall. Now armed with two first-round picks, the Ravens address the other position of need — safety.
Over the last two seasons, Trevon Moehrig had 20 pass breakups and 6 interceptions while playing downfield and delivering powerful hits on ball carriers. At 6’2″, 200 pounds, the Ravens snag the class’ top safety with their second pick in this 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft ran by the PFN Mock Draft Simulator.
32. Buffalo Bills: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Trade! The Buffalo Bills send pick 61 and their second-round pick and third-round pick in 2022 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in exchange for pick 32.
If you only look at the play on the field, Caleb Farley might be the best cornerback in this class. When healthy, he is a phenomenal cover corner with outstanding ball skills and some of the best recovery speed in recent years.
Farley’s recent back surgery is scaring NFL teams and has caused his draft stock to fall. Some may have him outside of the first round. While Farley’s camp continues to downplay the injury, all reports were positive from his medical evaluations. Farley has also stated that doctors have confirmed he would be ready for the season.
His talent is too much to pass up, and the Bills know what they have to do to knock off the Chiefs. They first need to get pressure, and they have to make life difficult for their receivers. Both of those needs were addressed by the PFN Mock Draft Simulator. Get your tables ready, Bills Mafia, this is going to be fun.
Want more prospect news? Want to do your own mock draft?
Dive into PFN’s Free NFL Mock Draft Simulator and test your own drafting acumen. Continue to visit Pro Football Network for NFL news and in-depth analysis. Also, be sure to follow us on Twitter (@PFN365) to stay in the loop on all things college football and the NFL Draft landscape.
Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.