2021 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
17) Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
A linebacker in name only, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah makes too much sense for the Raiders. They have had problems out of the slot, and a freak like Owusu-Koramoah can play safety, slot cornerback, and linebacker. In a lot of ways, he is a supercharged Johnathan Abram. Owusu-Koramoah is a ballhawk and playmaker. The athleticism he will bring is needed, and he fits the ideal Gruden Grinder mold. That is why this pick makes sense in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
18) Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
The Dolphins need weapons to surround Tua Tagovailoa. That starts in the passing game. They go speed here.
It is hard to pass on the speed demon Jaylen Waddle. His speed is game-changing. His presence alone forces the defense to adapt defensively. He unites with his former quarterback in this mock draft and the Dolphins need that speed offensively. The receiver room is simply not good right now.
Waddle can be the main guy in that room and not only win deep but create easy yardage after the catch. It is a home run pick for the Dolphins offensively to make Tagovailoa feel at home.
19) Washington Football Team: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Washington needs weapons. So getting a guy who has rocketed up draft boards because of how dynamic he is makes so much sense for this offense. Kadarius Toney is dynamite personified. He continues to prove his joystick-like ability in the open field. There are few better YAC receivers in the country.
For a team like the Washington Football Team, which needs someone to compliment Terry McLaurin, Toney can be that guy as a deep threat. He has taken a step up as a true dynamic slot receiver who can win vertically. His route running and releases resemble basketball crossovers more so than traditionally taught football wisdom. For the Washington Football Team, that type of playmaker is what this offense needs.
20) Chicago Bears: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
With Allen Robinson possibly on the move, the Bears need another weapon on the perimeter. They have their deep threat in Darnell Mooney, and now Rashod Bateman can be the guy opposite him. Bateman runs well-paced routes and can use his size to play bully ball when he wants to. That type of big body is what Chicago needs, and they get it in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
21) Jacksonville Jaguars: Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson
The Jaguars need more cornerback help. They did just take C.J. Henderson last year in the first round, but outside of him, this room is a mess. Derion Kendrick can help alleviate all those concerns. A former five-star wide receiver, Kendrick has undeniable upside. The guy is a blazer out there. As a wide receiver, his ball skills are outstanding. The technique is not completely there yet, but he has taken strides in his second season.
22) Indianapolis Colts: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Mayfield is a player who is starting to jump up draft boards quickly. Filling that void behind the top three that went before him, Mayfield is long, athletic, and strong. Mayfield has a well-filled out frame and can move guys off their spot. There are truly some moments when Mayfield is a people mover. He has all the foot speed needed to be a solid tackle.
The Colts have no idea what will happen with Anthony Castonzo and his season-ending ankle injury, so going tackle makes sense. Mayfield can play right away and still has significant upside.
23) Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Linebacker is a problem for the Browns. They have tried some rotations this year, but it just has not coalesced into anything concrete. The emergence of B.J. Goodson is a welcome sight, but it does not exempt them from taking a linebacker early.
Zaven Collins is an elite athlete at the position. Adept in coverage, Collins is freakishly good for his size laterally and in transition. This is a guy who can project well as the SAM linebacker in that 4-3 scheme. The Browns get their guy in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
24) Tennessee Titans: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
It’s a bit surprising to see Rousseau this low, but it makes sense. He has insane production and physical traits, but the tape is just so frustrating. Rousseau is a dirt raw football player. Still, betting on traits is always smart. Rousseau has elite length even if he is not an explosive player. What Rousseau brings to Tennessee is a guy who can work inside and outside. They need that versatility up and down their line.
25) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The Buccaneers have a few directions they can go in with this pick. The offensive line is something that could be dealt with along with defensive depth. However, a pass-catching running back with Tom Brady is always a recipe for success.
Najee Harris is a phenomenal pass catcher and complete running back. With Ronald Jones, Leonard Fournette, and Ke’Shawn Vaughn all not producing up to the level the Buccaneers wish they would, Harris can be the super back who will make this offense churn. For a 6-foot-2 running back, Harris is quick and explosive. His fit here just makes perfect sense.
26) Baltimore Ravens: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
The Ravens always bolster their defense. However, they have a legitimate hole at edge rusher coming up this offseason. With Matt Judon, Pernell McPhee, and Tyus Bowser all up for deals, they cannot pay everyone. In this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft, they fix that with Joseph Ossai. From a pure fit standpoint, Ossai makes a ton of sense. He is an impressive athlete in space and can slide off-ball.
If Bowser walks, Ossai can slide right into his role. As a pure rusher, Ossai is explosive and flexible. The upside with Ossai is there, and the environment in Baltimore is perfect.
27) New York Jets: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
After drafting a young quarterback, get him some weapons to work with too. The Jets are working with a bare cupboard here at receiver, quite honestly. They need someone who is that steady hand and does everything at a high level. That is the definition of Chris Olave. He lacks an elite trait, but he is strong, dependable, and separates well. Olave’s technical precision will make him a franchise cornerstone for the Jets with his former quarterback in Fields.
28) Pittsburgh Steelers: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Steelers are stuck with Ben Roethlisberger for the immediate future. While they are in this position, they need to protect him at all costs. Alejandro Villanueva is likely leaving this year, so filling in that void at left tackle is the priority. Samuel Cosmi is an athletic tackle with elite movement skills.
Coming into the year, Cosmi was raw, but his hand placement has improved greatly. His chop-down move, in particular, is deadly. Cosmi is the exact thing the Steelers need. A young, athletic tackle who has significant upside to his game.
29) New Orleans Saints: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
The Saints need a receiver badly. That room has to get some high-upside youth in there that can make an impact. Hometown kid Terrace Marshall can be that guy. A big target with YAC skills, Marshall will cause problems for defenses both in the slot and on the perimeter. His presence will open things up for Michael Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders in this offense. In this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft, the Saints’ offense gets even scarier.
30) Buffalo Bills: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Oweh’s production did not show up this year, but the tape still proves that this is a guy worth investing in. Betting on traits, especially for edge rushers, usually ends up going pretty well for teams. Oweh has rockets on his cleats when he fires off the line of scrimmage. He has a natural blend of power and speed that projects him to be a much better pro than a college player. The Bills need pass rush help and Oweh brings that.
31) Green Bay Packers: Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
Consistently solid all year, Christian Barmore was a disruptive presence for Alabama up front. No, he was not Quinnen Williams, but he was an impact player as a pass rusher. His football IQ is improving drastically with each game. He no longer is just all projection. He has made tangible improvements, too. The Packers need that interior pass-rush help, and they get it with Barmore in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Vera-Tucker made the move to tackle this year, and while he has the traits to slide out there, his length and athleticism combination just does not hold up out there as well as it does inside.
The Chiefs need some help on the interior of their offensive line badly. Even with his magic, Patrick Mahomes is getting decked on every dropback. Vera-Tucker has a lot of pop in his pads and gets movement in the run game. That steady presence is what they need to protect Mahomes.