2021 2-round NFL Mock Draft | Round Two
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
I know, trust me. I know you want to X out of the mock now. Don’t do that. Although Zaven Collins played off the ball as a linebacker at Tulsa, his frame and playstyle fits better as an edge defender, where I believe he could thrive.
He’s long, athletic, and showed legitimate pass-rushing chops off the edge as a blitzer. Stand him up or put his hand in the dirt. The 6-foot-4, 260-pound linebacker is built like a defensive end. He has bend, a nice first step, and provides the versatility to bust back into coverage if the Jaguars decide to send Owusu-Koramoah off the opposite edge with Myles Jack.
34. New York Jets: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
If the Jets are going to stubbornly try and make Sam Darnold work, they have to get some explosiveness in the run game in this 2021 2-round NFL mock draft. Travis Etienne is about as explosive as they come. He can make plays out of the backfield and can be a down-to-down rusher.
35. Atlanta Falcons: Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
Levi Onwuzurike has strong hands, a quick first step, and the strength to hold up against the run. After not playing in 2020, he had a nice Senior Bowl and adds a nice element to the middle of the Falcons’ defense.
36. Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Jaelan Phillips is the best pass rusher in the class for my money. However, the former top recruit has suffered multiple concussions that nearly led to a medical retirement. He also has injured his ankle and wrist in the past. But the big red flag is that he likes to make music, and whenever a player has an interest outside of football, NFL teams turn up their noses.
37. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Tyson Campbell has yet to put it all together, but his size, length, and athleticism project him as a CB1 at the NFL level. He’s fast enough to keep up with any non-Tyreek receiver in the league, too.
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Jalen Mayfield looked improved in a shortened Big Ten season. He is a young prospect ripe with upside athletically. He fits in any scheme and has the ability to play every non-center spot on the offensive line. However, in this instance, Mayfield will be protecting Joe Burrow’s blindside after this 2021 2-round NFL mock draft.
39. New York Jets: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Jayson Oweh might be the freak of all the Penn State freaks we’ve seen recently. He will run a mind-boggling 40-yard dash and is as explosive off the snap as they come. However, as a football player, there isn’t a whole lot there. On a Jets team that will most likely still struggle in 2021, allowing Oweh to progress slowly without irrational expectations makes New York a good situation.
40. Denver Broncos: Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
Daviyon Nixon is a stud. His tape is ripe with explosion and strong hand play. He’s the type of three-technique player that teams covet because he can rush the passer and hold up against the run.
41. Detroit Lions: Jay Tufele, DT, Southern California
Speaking of holding up physically, Jay Tufele provides the frame of a one-technique lineman in an even front with the athleticism of a three-technique player. He needs to work on his hands and properly leverage his body to be in good position, but he has great upside.
42. New York Giants: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Rondale Moore might just trail Waddle as an explosive freak. He’s a terror with the ball in his hands and produced at an outrageous rate as a very young player in the Big Ten.
Moore falls to No. 42 here simply because of his health concerns. Soft-tissue injuries have plagued the young pass catcher. If he can stay healthy, he will terrorize the NFC East. The Giants get another offensive weapon in this 2021 2-round NFL mock draft.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
Build around protecting your young quarterback and continue to invest in the rushing attack outside of actually drafting a back high is a sound strategy. Wyatt Davis was once regarded as a first-round prospect, but his game became stagnant in 2020. If he hits his ceiling, the 49ers get an absolute stud at guard.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Richie Grant, S, UCF
The Cowboys got their Cover-3 cornerback. Now they get their center fielder. You may apologize to me now for being so mad about the Melifonwu pick. Richie Grant is a true sideline-to-sideline safety, and the trio of him, Diggs, and Melifonwu is an eye-opening improvement going into the future.
45. Jacksonville Jaguars: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
“Baby Gronk” spawns from the Tampa Bay tight end and moves East and up the coast to Jacksonville. There is nothing more beneficial to a young quarterback (outside of great protection) than a security-blanket tight end. That is what Pat Freiermuth brings. He also blocks as a traditional TE should.
46. New England Patriots: Trevon Moehrig, S, Texas Christian
Trevon Moehrig might be the top safety in the class, but I believe he ends up going behind Richie Grant at the end of the day. He’s a free safety who can play in the slot, as a single high player, or in split-safety looks.
47. Miami Dolphins: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
You say Michael Carter, and I say Javonte Williams. Flip a coin on who you’d rather have. The reason Williams goes to Miami is that he’s a more complementary back to Myles Gaskin.
48. Las Vegas Raiders: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
Asante Samuel Jr. is a Gruden Grinder. He’s a smaller cornerback who plays like a pit bull on the field. The only reason he falls to No. 48 is that he’s on the shorter end of the spectrum, and it shows against size.