Bailey’s First Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 21-32
21. Las Vegas Raiders: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
The Raiders have been good offensively this season, but their defense has left much to be desired. They rank 28th in passing defense, but that directly relates to a lack of pressure.
Barmore’s big frame and strong work with his hands allow him to get past blockers and bust gaps at a solid rate, which is what the Raiders need on their defensive front.
22. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams): S Hamsah Nasirildeen, Florida State
Jacksonville seems to be 2/2 in 2020 NFL Draft picks, as both C.J. Henderson and K’Lavon Chaisson have both played well in their rookie campaigns. That said, the Jags are still quite young on that side of the ball and need to get better.
Nasirildeen plays each down like he has a rocket strapped to him. While watching FSU, more often than not, you’ll see him fly in from off-screen to make a play in a short pass or run. Jacksonville gets a much-needed jolt of energy for their defense in my first-round NFL mock draft.
23. Indianapolis Colts: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Since losing Eric Ebron, the Colts have leaned on Mo Alie-Cox and Jack Doyle. While Doyle is solid, it’s clear that Alie-Cox is the feature tight end, and they could use another receiving threat from the position.
Kyle Pitts needs to improve as a blocker, but with Doyle and Alie-Cox, they can use him in the slot and tight end spot. The Colts love to run the ball and look to their safety valve tight ends; Pitts might be brought on slowly, but the Colts get a big offensive threat in my 2021 first-round mock draft.
24. Cleveland Browns: LB Nick Bolton, Missouri
This is one of my favorite selections in my first-round NFL mock draft. The Browns are bad at linebacker. Aside from Mack Wilson, there isn’t a lot there. Losing Joe Schobert has been noticeable, and they need someone else to put alongside Wilson.
Nick Bolton is the hardest hitter in this draft and would put fear into receivers or running backs going across the shallow middle part of the field. He can cover the run and drop back into coverage. He can put a thump on someone but also take them away in the passing game. The Browns get a big addition to their defense in my first-round NFL mock draft.
25. New York Jets (from Seattle): OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame
The Jets got a stud left tackle in Mekhi Becton in the 2020 NFL Draft, and now it’s time to get Trevor Lawrence someone on his right side to keep him clean on either side.
Liam Eichenberg is the next in the line of great linemen to come out of Notre Dame. His 6’6″ frame and nifty footwork, and jabs at the line of scrimmage, will keep pass rushers off Lawrence and give the Jets more time to make plays.
26. Tennessee Titans: EDGE Quincy Roche, Miami (FL)
The Titans have no pass rush. They rank 30th in the NFL in sack percentage, and they need to get that number up much higher if they expect to be true contenders.
Roche is in his first season with the Hurricanes after transferring from Temple. He had 26 sacks in three seasons with the Owls and has added 2.5 more thus far with the Hurricanes. The signing of Vic Beasley was a bust, and Jadeveon Clowney has been disappointing as well. The Titans need a pass rusher, and they get one in my 2021 first-round mock.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: DT Jay Tufele, USC
Tampa Bay’s defense is quite good, but they are aging on their defensive line. Ndamukong Suh is 33, and while he is still giving quality play, it’s time to start anew.
Tufele is a versatile guy who can play in both the three and five-technique. He can come off the edge or up the middle, as he did throughout his career with the Trojans. Pairing him with Vita Vea would give the Bucs stability up front that could consistently get to the quarterback for years to come.
28. Buffalo Bills: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Buffalo’s defense has taken a big step back this season. They are 17th against the pass and 20th overall. Some of their problems can be chalked up to injuries, but they need a legit No. 2 alongside Tre’Davious White.
Farley is one of the best cornerbacks in the nation. Rarely biting on fakes, he is capable of staying “sticky” to his man and making plays on the ball, and his background as a former quarterback shows as he basically runs receivers’ routes for them at times. The Bills defense would be better with Farley as part of it, and they get a great corner in my first-round NFL mock draft.
29. Green Bay Packers: LB Chazz Surratt, North Carolina
From one former quarterback in Farley to another in Surratt, both are among the nation’s best at their positions. The Packers have gotten picked apart over the middle and in the short passing game this season, and their run defense could use a bit of help as well.
In his first season at linebacker in 2019, Surratt registered 115 tackles, including 15 for loss. He has picked up where he left off this season, and the Packers could use someone like him to hover in the shallow parts of the field, and they land him in my first-round NFL mock draft.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: G Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
As good as the Chiefs are, they are aging on the interior of their line. Daniel Kilgore will be 33 next month, and the Chiefs should look to get younger.
Slater is a guy you can put almost anywhere on the line. He is great in run blocking but can also keep edge rushers off the quarterback. If they wanted, the Chiefs could give him a run at center. If not, they would find a spot for him somewhere. He is versatile enough and skilled enough to start somewhere on their line. That said, I think he is too good to pass up in this spot, and the Chiefs get a feature lineman for years to come in my 2021 first-round mock.
31. New Orleans Saints: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame
Much like Green Bay, the linebacker spot has been the weak link in the Saints’ defense. They added Kwon Alexander at the trade deadline, but they should continue to look for another piece to put in the middle of their defense.
Owusu-Koramoah is a great coverage linebacker. He could be schemed to defend running backs out of the backfield or tight ends in open space. Finding a linebacker with that type of speed and capability isn’t easy, and the Saints get what they need in my first-round NFL mock draft.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
It’s hard to find any weaknesses on this Steelers team. That said, left tackle Alejandro Villanueva is 32 and in the final year of his contract. I can’t see Pittsburgh bringing him back.
Cosmi is tall at 6’7″ and quick on his feet. He has shown to be a solid run blocker on the exterior, and his ability to move quickly, along with his good hands, will keep him in front of defenders. The Steelers offensive line is among the best in the league, and they get another good one in my 2021 first-round mock.
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