Round One | Picks 17-32
17. Miami Dolphins: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
I see few better fits than reuniting Tua Tagovailoa with his former receiver in DeVonta Smith. The crispest route runner in the draft class, Smith is the most polished prospect coming out of Alabama and will be ready to make an impact on day one in Miami. That easy separation and vertical ability is something the Dolphins will need on the boundary. Smith upgrades the entire Dolphins passing attack immediately.
18. Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Browns could use help both at linebacker and slot cornerback. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah makes a world of sense in that case, as he is a huge hybrid that can condense both of those roles into one player. A 6-foot-2 man should be able to move as well as Owusu-Koramoah does. His upside is tremendous, and the Browns get a steal here in the middle of the first round in this 4-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson
Yet another cornerback having a great season and on the rise, Derion Kendrick has all the tools NFL would want in a future star. Like A.J. Terrell last year, Kendrick is a little bit too overaggressive at times, but he has the ball skills and fluidity to make up for it in spades. Expect Kendrick’s stock to shoot through the moon from here on out, and the fit with a needy cornerback team like the Eagles makes a lot of sense.
20. Arizona Cardinals: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
The Cardinals need some edge rusher help badly. Chandler Jones suffered a season-ending injury, and while he should be back next year, they have to strengthen the opposite side. Enter in Jayson Oweh, who is an explosive athlete who has drastically improved his technique this season. With a developing pass rush and no longer over-relying on his speed rush, Oweh can contribute day one for the Cardinals.
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR): Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Justin Fields throwing to Kyle Pitts would be a great dream to come true. The star Florida tight end has emerged as the best tight end in this class and a legitimate top ten talent this season. There are just not many players out there that can move quite as well as Pitts can. He is another wide receiver out there as a mismatch chess piece. The Jaguars would love to have someone like that with Fields.
22. Las Vegas Raiders: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
The Raiders have to figure out something off the edge right now opposite of Maxx Crosby. Clelin Ferrell just is not cutting it as a full-time starter, and they need some help at inside linebacker as well. Joseph Ossai is a hybrid linebacker and edge rusher who is only scratching the surface of what he can do in the NFL. He needs more experience and time to develop his football IQ and pass-rush plan, but the physical tools are plentiful. This is a classic Mike Mayock pick that would anchor the Raiders defense.
23. Indianapolis Colts: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Colts need to think about life after Anthony Castonzo. There is no timetable for when he could retire after he mulled it last year, even after he signed a new two-year extension. Thus, the Colts address the tackle position early and grab Rashawn Slater, an athletic and scrappy offensive tackle. His length will not blow you away, but this guy is rock solid. Slater held up well against Chase Young. The great thing about Slater is he can play guard and center as well, so while he is sitting behind Castonzo, Slater can back up all along the offensive line too.
24. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Do the Titans get Corey Davis back? That is the big question right now, but if they do not, they have a massive hole to fill opposite of A.J. Brown. Since they love to use the middle of the field concepts, Rashod Bateman is a wonderful fit. He has the YAC skills the Titans love to utilize and has a can’t lose mentality when going up for the ball. Bateman and Brown instantly become a dangerous receiving duo in the NFL.
25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Aidan Hutchinson, EDGE, Michigan
I love this fit for both parties. The Buccaneers, in general, could use some pass rush help up and down the defensive line, so why not go and grab a guy that plays up and down the defensive line, including at nose tackle. Aidan Hutchinson is versatile and has phenomenal hand usage. He could replace Ndamukong Suh next year and offer support off the edge thanks to a flexible lower half.
26. New York Jets (via SEA): Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
The Jets could use a little bit of everything across the board, so this is just about the best fit. Asante Samuel Jr. has great football bloodlines to work back on and is a strong character that can help build the foundation of a locker room transformation in New York. His ball-hawking skills are his best trait, much like that of his father, but make no mistake, Samuel Jr. has fantastic instincts and is sticky in coverage.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Wyatt Davis, IOL, Ohio State
The Ravens interior offensive line has had days where they are fantastic, but on other days they get absolutely bullied. That spot is a little rocky right now, especially with center Matt Skura on an expiring deal. He is by no means guaranteed to be back, and luckily the Ravens have options at center. Assuming they move Bradley Bozeman to center in that case, Wyatt Davis would be a fantastic replacement at guard. Davis does nothing that wows the viewer, but he gets movement and is fundamentally sound. For a Ravens team that wants to run the ball, that is all they need.
28. Buffalo Bills: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Two straight picks, and it is two straight Buckeyes off the board. Shaun Wade has struggled on the boundary this season, but the Bills could use some help at slot cornerback with Taron Johnson having a down year. With Wade in, Buffalo gets a physical and sticky man coverage cornerback who is a plus run defender on top of that all. It is a perfect schematic fit for Leslie Frazier’s defense.
29. Green Bay Packers: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Terrace Marshall’s meteoric rise this season is no surprise, as he is a big receiver with speed and nuanced routes. There are just not many guys his size that can do what he does at a high level. The Packers could use some help in the receiving game across from Davante Adams, and Marshall could bring that. Marshall can excel as a big slot with strong hands or on the boundary defeating press and working vertically. His versatility is a great reason to take him this high in this 4-round 2021 NFL mock draft.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Coming into the season as a pure guard, Vera-Tucker has worked at left tackle this season, and it has only helped his stock. The key with Vera-Tucker is his athleticism in space. He climbs to the second left quickly and with ease. As a puller, Vera-Tucker is a freight train daring anyone to get in his path. The versatility of his game will help him in the NFL. The Chiefs need help on the interior of their offensive line, and Vera-Tucker can be a day one starter.
31. New Orleans Saints: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Saints could be missing Marcus Williams come next season, and Moehrig feels like the natural pick here if that is the case. Moehrig has the range, ball skills, and fluidity to be a very good NFL free safety. Losing a player the caliber of Williams is never easy, but Moehrig likely projects to fill most of what Williams did and do it at a high level.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
Alejandro Villanueva could be on his way out, and that leaves a huge void open at left or right tackle for the Steelers. The emergence of Chukwuma Okorafor is promising, but they have to get someone there to replace Villanueva.
Liam Eichenberg has been phenomenal this season. While only an above-average athlete, Eichenberg’s hands are strong and steady. His football IQ is through the roof as well. The Steelers look for players like Eichenberg who are plug-and-play guys, so the fit is natural.