7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
17) Arizona Cardinals: Wyatt Davis, Offensive Line, Ohio State
We all saw the impact that drafting Quenton Nelson had on the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line. Now, I am not saying that Ohio State’s Wyatt Davis is the same caliber of player as Nelson, but I am saying he isn’t too far off the mark. Adding Davis to a subpar Arizona offensive line instantly bolsters the group and the offense.
18) Las Vegas Raiders: Jaylen Twyman, Defensive Line, Pittsburgh
Inferring who the Las Vegas Raiders select here isn’t an easy task. Their biggest need is at linebacker, but the draft board doesn’t favor that selection. They could go interior offensive line, but with Wyatt Davis being taken the pick before, that position would be a reach.
Why not add a disruptive pass-rusher in Jaylen Twyman, who is a wrecking ball that could bring a feared presence to the Raiders’ defensive front? Who knows, maybe Twyman can follow the footprints of another former undersized defensive tackle from Pittsburgh, Aaron Donald, who ended up being the NFL’s best defensive player.
19) Dallas Cowboys: Tyson Campbell, Cornerback, Georgia
The Dallas Cowboys’ defense has been an embarrassment through six weeks of the 2020 NFL season. Despite spending a second-round selection on Trevon Diggs in last years’ draft, cornerback remains a major issue in Dallas.
Georgia cornerback Tyson Campbell might not be a household name just yet, but he has the tools and traits to develop into a quality starter at the next level.
Related | Tyson Campbell’s play has made Georgia’s defense elite
20) Indianapolis Colts: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
One prospect making quite the name for himself this season is Georgia’s talented pass-rusher Azeez Ojulari. Ojulari has been one of college football’s most ferocious pass-rushers, demonstrating the ability to bend like Gumby and the relentless pursuit to chase down quarterbacks.
While he may be a tad undersized, the 6-foot-3 redshirt sophomore oozes potential and could develop into a perennial double-digit sack player.
21) New Orleans Saints: Pat Friermuth, Tight End, Penn State
The Saints should be looking for the heir apparent to Drew Brees, but selecting any available quarterback here would be a reach. Rather than filling one of their biggest needs, such as pass-rusher or cornerback, New Orleans takes the best player available approach and selects the talented tight end that many in the draft community are dubbing as “Baby Gronk.”
Related | Pat Freiermuth NFL Draft Player Profile
22) Cleveland Browns: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The Cleveland Browns are a hard time to figure out. They go through spurts where they look like a legitimate playoff contender, then at times are getting completely dismantled by their division rivals.
One way to improve their average defense is by adding another talented edge-defender across from Myles Garrett. Michigan’s Kwity Paye is an athletic freak poised for a breakout season in Ann Arbor.
23) Chicago Bears: Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver, Minnesota
I am not sure who will be the Chicago Bears starting quarterback in 2021, but giving them a wide receiver combination featuring Allen Robinson and Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman would be a welcomed luxury.
Related | Can Rashod Bateman become the WR1 of the 2021 NFL Draft class?
Bateman has strong mitts and utilizes his length really well. He might not bring the speed that a Jaylen Waddle brings to the table, yet he is a savvy route runner that creates separation.
24) Buffalo Bills: Samuel Cosmi, Offensive Tackle, Texas
Josh Allen has busted onto the scene and looked like a legitimate MVP candidate thus far in the 2020 season. While the Bills have a serviceable offensive line, finding an upgrade to protect Allen’s blindside would be an investment worth making.
25) Jacksonville Jaguars: Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Florida
Kyle Pitts just might be the MVP of the college football season through three weeks. The insanely athletic tight end has already hauled in seven touchdowns and showcased the type of playmaking ability that will have NFL front offices salivating.
By adding Pitts and Trey Lance in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Jacksonville has added some much-needed explosiveness to their offense.
26) Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Etienne, Running Back, Clemson
It should be a crime that a player as talented as Travis Etienne is still on the board, but the Steelers get lucky and run this pick to the podium.
Not only is Etienne a major upgrade to James Conner, but he also has the potential to be one of the best running backs in the NFL. The Steelers just might have landed the second coming of Alvin Kamara.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dillon Radunz, Offensive Tackle, North Dakota State
With Tom Brady at the helm, the window for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win is now. Bolstering the offensive line to provide Tom Brady with protection wouldn’t be the worst idea.
Scouts will watch a lot of tape of North Dakota State’s Dillon Radunz leading up to next April, as he is tasked with protecting the blindside of one of the 2021 draft’s most polarizing players in Trey Lance.
28) Tennessee Titans: Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
The Tennessee Titans are one of the NFL’s most complete, physical teams. One area they could tend to upgrade is the pass-rush opposite of Harold Landry. Wake Forest’s Carlos Basham Jr. has become a sack artist, securing 14 sacks in his last 17 games for the Demon Deacons, and would be the perfect complement to Landry.
29) Green Bay Packers: Rondale Moore, Wide Receiver, Purdue
Rather than giving Aaron Rodgers more weapons in last year’s draft, the Green Bay Packers drafted his potential replacement. This seems to have motivated Rodgers, as he is playing at an MVP level.
Hopefully, the Packers can get it right this year and give Rodgers some much-needed talent at wide receiver. Rondale Moore is a dynamic playmaker that could give the Packers’ passing attack an extra jolt that is needed to get this team over the hump.
30) Baltimore Ravens: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
Texas’ Joseph Ossai is flying under the radar in the draft community, but make no mistake about it, he is a surefire first-round talent. He brings a rare blend of speed and range to the forefront, which allows him to make plays all over the field. Ossai could serve in a versatile chess piece in Wink Martindale’s sophisticated defense.
31) New York Jets: Eric Stokes, Cornerback, Georgia
After selecting the best player in the draft with the first pick, the New York jets address another premium position of need by selecting this talented cornerback out of Georgia. Eric Stokes has tremendous speed and showed a real knack for making plays in 2020.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Creed Humphrey, Offensive Line, Oklahoma
It’s quite amazing that the Kansas City Chiefs offense is as good as it is with the dumpster fire that is their interior offensive line. It truly speaks to the greatness of Patrick Mahomes.
After extending Mahomes to a $500 million contract extension, they better make sure that he is available to play every week. Addressing their offensive line helps them do just that. Creed Humphrey is a big, nasty, and strong plug-and-play monster who possessed the ability to grow into one of the league’s best centers.