3-round NFL Mock Draft | Round Three
65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
66. New York Jets: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
The Jets have a bright young receiver on roster in Denzel Mims, but the rest of that group needs to be built up if they want to compete with their new young quarterback. Moore is an electrifying playmaker from the slot who will be a nice compliment inside to Mims.
67. Cincinnati Bengals: Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama
68. Atlanta Falcons: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Atlanta’s running game has struggled this season, even with Todd Gurley in the mix. With Gurley only on a one-year deal, the Falcons will need to add a stud runner to the mix next season. Williams has really emerged this season with his balance, vision, and decisiveness as a rusher. He’s also a reliable weapon in the passing game, only adding to his value.
69. Houston Texans: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
70. Dallas Cowboys: Richie Grant, SAF, UCF
The Cowboys the last few seasons have forgotten the safety position, which has cost them this season. They’ve been missing that stud coverage safety seemingly since Darren Woodson. It’s time to fix it in this 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft. Richie Grant has played multiple roles for the Golden Knights and has thrived with his range and ball skills all over. The Cowboys need a playmaker back there to help retool their porous secondary.
71. Carolina Panthers: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
The Panthers have had issues with their linebacker group, especially the names opposite of Shaq Thompson. Tahir Whitehead and Jermaine Carter have both struggled in coverage this season. Browning is a lengthy athlete who has the athletic profile to be able to hold up in coverage against the top tight ends in the NFL.
72. Philadelphia Eagles: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, USC
73. Los Angeles Chargers: Joe Tryon, EDGE, Washington
The Chargers have struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season despite having Joey Bosa on their roster. Melvin Ingram is likely gone after this season in free agency, especially after a season-ending injury suffered this year. They need to add another springy, quick pass rusher opposite of Bosa.
74. Washington Football Team (via SF): Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
75. Denver Broncos: Abraham Lucas, OT, Washington State
Mike Munchak has helped turn around Garret Bolles’ career in Denver. However, Bolles can’t play both tackle spots. Right tackle Demar Dotson is 35 years old and set to be a free agent this offseason. They need a younger option at that spot. Lucas is a premier pass blocker for the Cougars and can lock down Denver’s right tackle spot for years.
76. New York Giants: Jordan Davis, DT, Georgia
77. Detroit Lions: Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
The Lions are projected to have their wide receiver room completely torn apart in free agency. Whether Kenny Golladay re-signs with the team or not, they need to add talent to the receiving room to replenish their roster for next season.
78. Minnesota Vikings: Andre Cisco, SAF, Syracuse
79. Chicago Bears: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa
The Bears have a few decisions to make with their tackles Charles Leno and Bobby Massie and their futures. It sounds like the team might move on from Massie in the offseason, so they’ll need a right tackle to replace him. Brown’s length and bully mentality will really appeal to a lot of NFL coaches. He’s been a steady riser for me personally this season, and I think he’d fit right in with Chicago’s culture.
80. Las Vegas Raiders: Aashari Crosswell, SAF, Arizona State
81. Minnesota Vikings (via BAL): Alex Leatherwood, OT/OG, Alabama
The Vikings have had issues along the offensive line for years. They added Ezra Cleveland last year, but they need to continue adding more talent there. There will be some conversations about whether Leatherwood is a tackle or guard, but regardless, his power and anchor will help him stay on at either spot.
82. Washington Football Team: Talanoa Hufanga, SAF, USC
83. Arizona Cardinals: Darian Kinnard, OT/OG, Kentucky
Kinnard has really come on this season as the right tackle for the Wildcats. He has a frame built for bullying defensive linemen at a listed 6-foot-5 345 pounds. Kinnard projects better as a guard than a tackle for the NFL, but he can certainly play both right tackle and guard if need be at the next level. I’m enamored with his ability to just blow guys off the ball in run blocking and his balance in pass protection.
84. Miami Dolphins: Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
85. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
Tampa Bay has tried getting all of their running backs involved in the passing game, and so far, none of them have really filled that role well. Michael Carter is the lightning to Javonte Williams’ thunder in that North Carolina backfield. Get him the ball in space and let him work after the catch.
86. Indianapolis Colts: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
87. Cleveland Browns: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
Another Clemson receiver on his way to the NFL, Rodgers is a dynamic downfield presence. While he isn’t a blazer like Jaylen Waddle, he separates vertically with built-up speed.
He’s physical after the catch and has extremely reliable hands. He’s improved in his releases off the line of scrimmage this season and in beating press coverage. His reliability as a big-play threat for the Clemson Tigers has shown up in big-time moments all season long, including the ACC Conference Championship just yesterday.
The Browns have struggled with drops and opening up the passing game downfield. Adding another receiver to the mix, especially with some potential uncertainty around OBJ’s future in Cleveland, would be a smart investment to give Baker Mayfield another weapon.
88. Tennessee Titans: Marlon Tuipulotu, NT, USC
89. New York Jets (via SEA): Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
Many people might not know who Jordan Smith is, but they likely will by the time the NFL draft cycle is complete. He’s 6-foot-6 and about 270 pounds with excellent length and power. His explosive first-step rockets him off the line of scrimmage, and he has some pretty underrated bend for his size. Smith is a rawer pass rusher but has improved every year and has outstanding production for UAB.
He has a past credit card fraud issue that will need to be investigated and cleaned up, but coaches rave about his growth as a person and maturity at the UAB program.
90. Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
91. Buffalo Bills: Hamsah Nasirildeen, SAF, Florida State
The Bills did a lot of digging on Kyle Dugger last season, and it’s obvious they are looking for someone to play a “big nickel” role on their defense. They’ll nab one here in this 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft. Nasirildeen didn’t play much this season as he worked back from an injury, but he was incredibly productive when he finally saw the field. Nasirildeen is a 6’4 athletic phenom who has played in multiple roles for the Seminoles.
92. Green Bay Packers: Tyree Gillespie, SAF, Missouri
93. Pittsburgh Steelers: Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
The Steelers just aren’t getting enough production out of Vance McDonald and Eric Ebron to justify their contract value, especially in a tight cap year. The Steelers find their replacement in the reliable and physical Hunter Long in this 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
94. Cleveland Browns (via NO): DeAngelo Malone, EDGE, Western Kentucky
95. Kansas City Chiefs: Kuony Deng, LB, Cal
In our Mock Draft Simulator meeting, I called Kuony Deng an assassin on the football field. He’s loose, speedy, and when he strikes, he blows up the play. With a 6’6 almost 250-pound frame, he’s lithe, but he’s incredibly physical and always around the football. Deng was a big reason why Cal upset Oregon this season, and his effort and motor show up every play.
The Chiefs have had their struggles at the linebacker position this season, and two of their top three linebackers in snap counts are set to hit free agency. The Chiefs need to put Deng and Willie Gay on the football field more to give them a young, athletic duo in the middle.