2021 7-round NFL Mock Draft | Round Two
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Jaguars need to invest in their protection up front for Trevor Lawrence. Cosmi is a player assistant head coach Charlie Strong is familiar with, as he recruited Cosmi to Texas. Urban Meyer would also be familiar with Cosmi if he evaluated Texas as heavily as was reported this past offseason.
Cosmi isn’t a perfect tackle prospect, but he has an above-average tackle ceiling and likely starts right away with Cam Robinson’s impending free-agent status.
34. Chicago Bears (via NYJ)*: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
Trade! The New York Jets trade picks 34 and 86 and QB Sam Darnold for WR Allen Robinson and pick 83
Here we go! As I mentioned above, Allen Robinson’s future is up in the air in Chicago at this stage. He might be franchise-tagged, but he might also not want to play in Chicago anymore and could even be a tag-and-trade candidate.
It seems like Robinson wants to be paid highly, something Chicago isn’t willing to do. However, the Jets have the cap space to pay him and have the need at receiver.
The Bears seemingly don’t have a plan at QB, despite their efforts to present the contrary. Trading for Darnold makes more sense than bringing Trubisky back, and it might be the move that saves Nagy and Pace’s jobs. Essentially, break this trade down like No. 34 and 86 for Allen Robinson, and Sam Darnold for No. 83.
What do the Bears do now? I would turn to the offensive line. They have to protect their newly-acquired quarterback, and nabbing a stalwart tackle in Liam Eichenberg would be the most prudent route.
35. Atlanta Falcons: Wyatt Davis, G, Ohio State
I thought about an edge rusher here, given the Falcons’ situation there, but changed it at the last second. To me, the Falcons have to build around their new, young quarterback, and the left guard spot has been a mess for years in Atlanta. Arthur Smith had a monster in Tennessee with Rodger Saffold, and Terry Fontenot in New Orleans saw how important guards like Andrus Peat, Larry Warford, and Cesar Ruiz were for the team’s success.
The offensive line seems like a high priority for them, especially since they can move on from James Carpenter this offseason.
36. Miami Dolphins: Creed Humphrey, OC, Oklahoma
This pick has been around since the Senior Bowl, and for good reason. Creed Humphrey is one of the best offensive centers in recent memory, and with center Ted Karras entering free agency, he fits right in with Miami.
The Dolphins coached Humphrey at the Senior Bowl, so they are familiar with his abilities and intelligence.
37. Miami Dolphins (via PHI): Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
The Dolphins surprised many with their cutting of Kyle Van Noy, but Van Noy had taken a step back and was coming into a massive payday. With his departure and the approaching free agency of Elandon Roberts, there’s a hole in the Dolphins’ linebacker room.
Enter Browning, who can play that versatile linebacker role that has been the backbone of the Patriots-style defense for years.
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
The Bengals don’t seem to be reaching a reunion with William Jackson III, given their increased emphasis on Carl Lawson. As such, the Bengals will need to find a new corner in their secondary to replace him.
Campbell is still somewhat raw on the technical side of playing corner, but his physical makeup and profile are at the top of the class. In a division that features Odell Beckham Jr., Chase Claypool, and Hollywood Brown, a corner with size and speed is necessary.
39. Baltimore Ravens (via CAR): 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, which is why I had him fall some in this 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. However, his athletic ability makes him an ideal fit in Don Martindale’s scheme, with its frequent and versatile zone blitzes.
40. Denver Broncos: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
There’s a lot of uncertainty regarding the future of Von Miller in Denver. Even if the team picks up his club option, they might be mutually parting following next season. As such, the team will need to find their next pass rusher to pair with Bradley Chubb.
Ossai is a powerful rusher with an incredibly hot motor who is still learning how to play the position.
41. Detroit Lions: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
The Lions haven’t exactly had what one would call an ideal linebacking corps for the last few years under Matt Patricia. With a new regime in town, they need to focus on changing that.
Bolton isn’t the best athlete in the linebacker class, but he’s incredibly instinctual and a punishing defender.
42. New York Giants: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
The Giants and Evan Engram appear to be reaching a departure soon. The team will need a new replacement for him, as OC Jason Garrett loves to use TEs in his scheme.
Freiermuth isn’t a freak athlete in the sense of Kyle Pitts, but he wins with strength at the top of his routes and top-tier body control. He should prove to be a more reliable target than Evan Engram.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Cali native comes home! With how much emphasis the 49ers place on pass rush, it shouldn’t be a surprise to see them hit this position early. The team could potentially release Dee Ford as well, further increasing the need here.
Many analysts and scouts I’ve talked to have Phillips as potentially the top edge rusher in the class, but his medicals are a cause for concern.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Levi Onwuzurike, DT, Washington
Dallas had flashes of good play from Neville Gallimore last year, but they still need to invest in the interior of their defensive line. Levi Onwuzurike is a disruptive pass rusher with explosiveness and quickness. Dallas needs that juice in the middle of their defensive line.
45. Washington Football Team (via JAX)*: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Trade! The Washington Football Team trades pick 51 and pick 82 to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for pick 45.
Toney falls, and Washington moves up to get him. Adding Toney to their receiving room to play with Terry McLaurin gives the WFT a dynamic duo at receiver without breaking the bank in a big free-agent signing.
46. New England Patriots: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE, Oklahoma
The Patriots did a good job of scheming pass rush and getting after the quarterback in 2020. With several defensive linemen hitting free agency, the Patriots might want to look at adding another rusher in the draft.
Perkins’ power and use of hands as a pass rusher and his work as a run defender will endear him to the Patriots’ staff.
47. Los Angeles Chargers: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
The Chargers continue to add to the talent around Justin Herbert, this time drafting height/weight/speed threat Terrace Marshall from LSU. He is a big-play threat on vertical route concepts and can help open up targets underneath for guys like Keenan Allen and Austin Ekeler.
48. Seattle Seahawks (via LVR)*: Landon Dickerson, OC, Alabama
Trade! The Las Vegas Raiders trade pick 48 to the Seattle Seahawks in exchange for DT Jarran Reed.
The Seahawks offload the Jarran Reed deal, unloading a $13.9M cap hit. The Raiders improve their interior pass rush and take on Reed’s $8.2M salary for 2021 as they try to go all-in once again.
49. Arizona Cardinals: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
With the departure of Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals will need to address their corner room. Robinson lined up primarily in the nickel in college, but I think he has the ability and tools to play outside as well.
Robinson’s athleticism and downright menacing behavior in press coverage blend well with Vance Joseph’s man-heavy defense.
50. Miami Dolphins: Jay Tufele, DT, USC
With Davon Godchaux an impending free agent, the Dolphins will look to add to the defensive line room. Tufele is a better interior pass rusher than Raekwon Davis and allows the Dolphins’ front to be even more versatile.
51. Jacksonville Jaguars (via WSH): Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
D.J. Hayden is departing in free agency, and the team will need a new nickel corner. Asante Samuel’s measurables might scare some teams off, but he’s a perfect nickel corner and adds to the retooling of the Jaguars’ secondary.
52. Chicago Bears: Dillon Radunz, OT/G, North Dakota State
I’m doubling down on the offensive line for the Bears here in this 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. They could be moving on from Charles Leno and Bobby Massie soon. Guards Germain Ifedi and Rashaad Coward are impending free agents. Radunz can play inside at guard or kick out to tackle and adds to the Bears’ youth movement on the offensive line.
53. Tennessee Titans: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
Malcolm Butler hasn’t lived up to his contract, and the team will likely look to move on from his deal to save cap space. They’ll need his replacement in the secondary. Stokes is a long, instinctual corner with the ability to play outside right away.
54. Indianapolis Colts: Carlos Basham, EDGE, Wake Forest
The Colts are in need of a pass rusher with Justin Houston and Denico Autry as impending free agents. Carlos Basham is long and powerful, which are traits Chris Ballard covets in his edge rushers.
55. Pittsburgh Steelers: Josh Myers, OC, Ohio State
The Pouncey brothers have officially retired, marking the end of a long career for Maurkice in Pittsburgh. However, the Steelers now have a hole at center.
In this center group, taking a super-reliable pro in Josh Myers to man the middle for the next decade makes too much sense. He’ll help keep Roethlisberger and the next Steelers quarterback upright.
56. Seattle Seahawks: Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee
Seattle wants to go back to running the ball better. To do so, they need to improve the offensive line in front of Wilson and their backs. Pairing Trey Smith and Damien Lewis together as their guard duo to play bully ball together is a nasty duo.
57. Los Angeles Rams: Jordan Smith, EDGE, UAB
The Rams’ pass rush got good value from Leonard Floyd, and Aaron Donald makes every edge rusher’s job easier. While the team likely pursues a pass rusher in free agency, they still need to add to their pass-rush room.
Ogbonnia Okoronkwo has one year left on his deal, Terrell Lewis’s health is too much of a concern to ignore, and any free agent they sign likely signs for a one-year contract. The Rams need talent at the line of scrimmage to complement Donald.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Deonte Brown, OG, Alabama
The Ravens are looking to replace Marshal Yanda, as it’s painfully obvious they missed a presence like his last year. While Brown isn’t Yanda, Brown is an absolute behemoth guard who fits the Ravens’ power-run game perfectly.
59. Kansas City Chiefs (via CLE)*: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Trade! The Kansas City Chiefs trade pick 63 and pick 144 to the Cleveland Browns in exchange for pick 59.
Cleveland, always looking to accumulate assets, trades down here and picks up an extra selection for Day 3. In doing so, they unknowingly unleashed doom upon the rest of the NFL, as Rondale Moore lands with the Kansas City Chiefs.
His medicals, measurables, and extra question marks about his true vertical skill set cause him to drop down, but the Chiefs pounce on him. He fits the “gotta go fast” mentality the Chiefs employ on offense. The Chiefs’ offense immediately gets somehow even more explosive.
60. New Orleans Saints: Richie Grant, S, UCF
The Saints want to keep Marcus Williams, but considering the Saints’ cap situation, that seems borderline impossible from where it stands right now. They’ll need to find his replacement.
61. Buffalo Bills: Jabril Cox, LB, LSU
With Matt Milano’s impending free agency, the Bills look to nab a versatile LB. Jabril Cox is an excellent pursuit-style linebacker who can drop into man coverage against tight ends and receivers.
62. Green Bay Packers: Kelvin Joseph, CB, Kentucky
After what unfolded in the NFC Championship Game, it’ll be hard to drum up support for Kevin King to keep playing in the role he’s playing in.
Kelvin Joseph’s name has skyrocketed up draft boards in recent weeks. He’s an excellent athlete whose best football is ahead of him. He does a good job of reading the quarterback’s eyes and fighting through at the catch point, but his inexperience shows up in his technique.
63. Cleveland Browns (via KC): Elijah Molden, DB, Washington
The Browns continue to build up their secondary by taking the best slot defender in this draft. Molden locks up the nickel role right away and can be deployed in split-safety looks as well. He’s one of the smartest, instinctual defensive backs I’ve ever evaluated. He isn’t an elite athlete, but he makes up for it with his physicality, awareness, and ball skills.
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Quincy Roche, EDGE, Miami (FL)
The Buccaneers have both Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul poised to enter free agency. While both are likely back for next season, the team will need to add future JPP replacements to rotate behind them.
Roche is a refined rusher and has incredible college production. He isn’t an elite athlete, and he’ll need his consistency ironed out, but it’s great working behind two experienced veterans like Barrett and JPP.