NFL Draft | Picks 11-20
11. Detroit Lions: DT Jaylen Twyman, Pittsburgh
The Lions secondary hasn’t been great, but much of that can be chalked up to the lack of pressure they get. The fact that their run defense is also bad can help set up play-action for opposing offenses who can pick and choose how to beat Detroit.
Twyman has done nothing but disrupt plays this season. He has 10.5 sacks this season and 12 tackles for loss. The Lions would benefit from his production, and he would be an immediate starter in their defensive rotation.
12. New England Patriots: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
The Patriots might have the least talented skill position players in the league. When Jakobi Meyers is your go-to receiver, that’s a problem.
Rashod Bateman is a walking big play. He averaged 20 yards per reception in 2019 and is on pace to eclipse the 60 reception mark he had last season. His big-play ability is what the Patriots are missing, and they land the Minnesota receiver in my 2021 first-round mock.
13. Minnesota Vikings: CB Patrick Surtain II, Alabama
The Vikings are 26th in passing yards allowed per game. While Xavier Rhodes isn’t what he once was, his absence is noticeable as the Vikings young secondary has struggled.
Getting Patrick Surtain and pairing him with Jeff Gladney and moving Cameron Dantzler to the third cornerback would give them more talent and depth.
14. San Francisco 49ers: C/G Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma
The 49ers have dealt with offensive line issues all season, specifically on the interior. It’s nothing against Daniel Brunskill, but they could go for an upgrade at center.
Humphrey is widely regarded as the smartest lineman in this draft. Having him calling the signals will make the job of whoever is calling signals next year in San Francisco that much easier.
15. Denver Broncos: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
The Broncos need to get younger at right tackle. Demar Dotson is 35, and more protection up front for Drew Lock is never a bad idea.
Darrisaw is forceful with his hands, and while he needs to improve his footwork, he is a guy who has gone up draft boards over the season and someone who could be used on the outside of the offensive line.
16. Chicago Bears: QB Trey Lance, North Dakota State
It’s safe to say that the Mitchell Trubisky era is over in Chicago, and now GM Ryan Pace and coach Matt Nagy need to hit reset. There is no quarterback on their roster at this point who is seen as a franchise quarterback, so rather than going to free agency, I think they go and try again in the draft.
Trey Lance may have a unique skill set among the top quarterbacks in this class. In 2019, he threw 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions. Those are video game numbers. Lance also ran for 1,100 yards and 14 more touchdowns. With plenty of running acumen and a better arm than Lamar Jackson coming out of school, Lance can be the one who redeems Pace and Nagy.
17. Miami Dolphins: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson
The Dolphins running back room is among the worst in the league. They waived Jordan Howard after not using him all this season, and now their feature backs are Matt Breida and Myles Gaskin.
Etienne is without a doubt the RB1 of this class. He has the potential to be Alvin Kamara 2.0 with his ability to run the ball and make plays in the passing game out of the backfield. Getting the best running back and best receiver in the class would be a huge win for the Dolphins as they try to surround Tua with top-tier talent.
18. Baltimore Ravens: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
The Ravens can’t pass the ball outside the numbers. Is that a result of a lack of receiving talent or more of a quarterback problem? You could argue both. That said, they do need someone who can consistently get open to complement Marquise Brown.
While Jaylen Waddle is out for the rest of the season, he very well may be the biggest home run player of all the receivers in this class. He can be lined up in the slot, the outside, and can create his own space. The Ravens always draft well, so if Waddle is available here, I doubt they pass on him.
19. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Shaun Wade, Ohio State
While Darius Slay was a huge addition to the Eagles’ secondary, they haven’t got much in their defensive backfield outside of the Pro Bowl corner. Avonte Maddox sure isn’t cutting it opposite Slay, and they have limited depth at the position.
Before this season, Shaun Wade lined up more in the slot while Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette handled the outside responsibilities. Wade has proven himself in the Ohio State secondary, and his versatility and tackling ability would help the Eagles defense immensely, and they get him in my 2021 first-round mock.
20. Arizona Cardinals: S Jevon Holland, Oregon
The Cardinals have been much better defensively this season, but they could use an upgrade on the back end. Jalen Thompson has filled in decently, but the Cardinals can do better to make their secondary stronger; they get their man in my first-round NFL mock draft in Jevon Holland.
Holland not only plays safety for the Ducks, but he also lines up as their nickel corner. Versatility like that would give the Cardinals more options in terms of personnel in different packages. Holland is one of the nation’s best safeties, and the Cardinals would love to land him in this spot.