17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Raiders need to get faster on defense and take Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft. One of the freakiest players in college football, the Butkus Award winner would do a lot to help the Raiders, who have to take on Travis Kelce, Noah Fant, and Hunter Henry twice a year on defense.
18. Miami Dolphins: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
After nabbing a top playmaker on offense with their first pick in this 2021 7-round NFL Mock Draft, Miami needs to turn its attention toward improving the pass rush. Azeez Ojulari is a nifty, explosive athlete with great bend. He’s a QB body snatcher. While he’s still raw, he has plenty of upside and would land with a top-notch staff in Miami.
19. Washington Football Team: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
Washington got surprisingly decent play out of Cornelius Lucas this season at left tackle. However, they can easily upgrade. Vera-Tucker switched over from guard to tackle and increased his already high draft stock. His quickness and fluid movement skills make him an appealing tackle prospect with upside.
20. Chicago Bears: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
I’ve had another wide receiver pegged in this spot for several weeks, but I decided to change it up for this mock. Kadarius Toney shined at the Senior Bowl and was virtually uncoverable. The Bears don’t really have a player with his skill set at receiver. They need playmakers on that roster to make up for Allen Robinson’s likely departure in free agency.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas
With Anthony Castonzo’s retirement, left tackle becomes a priority for Indianapolis. Sam Cosmi fits the Howard Mudd style of coaching that the Colts’ offensive line employs and has fantastic athleticism. Cosmi took a huge step forward this season and is only getting better.
22. Tennessee Titans: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Titans were abysmal rushing the passer in 2020. The Jadeveon Clowney signing didn’t pay off at all, and Harold Landry can only do so much. Now, once again, Clowney is a free agent, and the Titans are searching for their next top pass rusher.
Rousseau is a lengthy power rusher with plenty of upside.
23. New York Jets (via SEA): Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
With the Jets nabbing a quarterback above, time to shift to building around said quarterback. With Mekhi Becton handling the left tackle spot, the Jets draft their right tackle in Teven Jenkins.
Jenkins isn’t super long, but he plays with such a nasty streak and power that he makes up for it. With Becton on one side and Jenkins on the other, the Jets secure their tackle spots.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Alex Leatherwood and Pittsburgh are such a natural fit to me. The nastiness, physicality, power, and athleticism of Leatherwood make him a natural fit for the Steelers’ culture.
The Steelers face losing both starting tackles, Alejandro Villanueva and Matt Feiler, in free agency. With their cap situation being less than ideal, it’s very real they lose both of them. As such, they’ll need to draft younger and cheaper replacements.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR): Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
The Jaguars’ defensive line was average to below average in almost every defensive stat in 2020. They need to continue to boost that production if they want to get their defense back to its 2017 level.
Christian Barmore caught fire towards the end of the season and looked downright dominant in the title game. An excellent blend of size, power, and quickness, Barmore looks to be the first defensive tackle taken off the board.
26. Cleveland Browns: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
Surprise? I don’t think so. After measuring at 6’2, 212 with 32” arms, Ifeatu Melifonwu played great down at the Senior Bowl, backing up his already impressive 2020 film. His explosiveness and man-coverage ability are impressive.
The Browns need both size and speed on defense, especially in the secondary. With Melifonwu, they get both in this 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
The Ravens are set to have Matt Judon, Pernell McPhee, and Tyus Bowser hit free agency. Jayson Oweh is an athletic marvel with excellent quickness and explosiveness off the line. He doesn’t have the production most pass rushers do, but his tools make him a great fit with Don Martindale’s scheme.
28. New Orleans Saints: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
I fought against it. Every fiber of my being is telling me Mac Jones isn’t a first-round-caliber quarterback. And just looking at his profile and the way the league is trending, it’s perfectly justifiable.
But then again, when has Sean Payton cared about what others think about his teams? With Drew Brees’ imminent retirement, Jameis Winston hitting free agency, and the failed Taysom Hill experiment, the quarterback situation in New Orleans is dire.
However, Mac Jones had a productive meeting with the Saints at the Senior Bowl, and the Saints have the best situation for him. They have the offensive line, play calling, and enough weapons to make up for Mac Jones’ limitations.
29. Green Bay Packers: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
At some point, Green Bay has to address the linebacker spot. Krys Barnes had flashes of good play as a rookie this year, but none of Christian Kirksey, Ty Summers, or Oren Burks should sway the Packers’ decisions at that spot.
Zaven Collins is a weird linebacker prospect in terms of projected fit, but his size and physicality would be a valuable addition to the middle of that Green Bay defense.
30. Buffalo Bills: Jalen Mayfield, OL, Michigan
The Bills have some decisions to make on the right side of their offensive line. Daryl Williams, Jon Feliciano, Ty Nsekhe, and Brian Winters are all projected free agents. Given the cap situation and an upcoming Josh Allen extension, the Bills will have to decide who to bring back.
Fortunately, Mayfield brings the versatility to play either guard or tackle at the next level, making the decision easier.
31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
It’s hard to see the Buccaneers keeping Leonard Fournette around for the future. They have to pay Shaq Barrett, Lavonte David, and Rob Gronkowski in free agency, and Fournette’s play this season has not warranted a renewal either.
Bruce Arians has mentioned wanting a reliable pass-catching back. Why not draft a player that brings you that, plus even better ability as a runner than Fournette?
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State
The Chiefs enter this year’s Super Bowl with zero starters on the offensive line from last year’s Super Bowl run. The offensive line had more than a few issues this season, and they showed up frequently in run blocking and pass protection. While Mitchell Schwartz and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will be back next year, the Chiefs need to add talent up front. As a result, it will be one of their biggest offseason priorities.
Wyatt Davis is a powerful “people-mover” at guard. His play strength and toughness are endearing traits on tape. He does a good job of keeping his head on a swivel, picking up stunts and blitzes. There are a few questions about his overall athletic coordination, but Davis is an absolute road grader at guard and should be a long-time pro.