First Round | Picks 21-32
21. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams): DT Jay Tufele, USC
The Jaguars have one of the worst run defenses in the league and desperately need to bring more pressure from the interior defensive line. With no real pass rush presence outside of Josh Allen, the Jaguars must address their issues on the defensive front, including Tavon Bryant.
Jay Tufele is one of the more dominant interior players in this class. He uses his quickness off the ball, body control, and strength to push the pocket and create pressure from the interior. Tufele could help Allen and 2020 first-round pick K’Lavon Chaisson reach the quarterback more often in 2021.
22. Indianapolis Colts: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
During this offseason, there were rumors that Anthony Castonzo was mulling retirement, but Castonzo returned for the 2020 season. With his future in doubt, the Colts could very well be in the market to draft an offensive tackle in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Alex Leatherwood could offer the Colts a young, suitable replacement should Castonzo leave for good after the 2020 season. He’s a proficient pass blocker but still needs some work in his technique and aggressiveness. Having an All-Pro guard in Quenton Nelson next to him should make for an easier transition to the NFL.
23. Green Bay Packers: WR DeVonta Smith, Alabama
The Packers made a questionable decision not drafting a wide receiver in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft, instead opting to draft quarterback Jordan Love. This move was clearly upsetting to Aaron Rodgers, who was vocal about the team’s need for more playmaking catch passers outside of Davante Adams.
They don’t make the same mistake in this first round 2021 mock draft. The Packers make the right move by selecting DeVonta Smith, the star receiver from Alabama. Smith has great separation skills and soft hands, making him an ideal running mate to Adams and a reliable target for Rodgers.
24. Baltimore Ravens: EDGE Kwity Paye, Michigan
Baltimore might be in the market for an EDGE in 2021, as Yannick Ngakoue is set to be an unrestricted free agent this offseason. With the talent level of quarterbacks in the AFC North beginning to rise with the emergence of Burrow and the resurgence of Ben Roethlisberger, having a quality pass rusher is going to be extremely important going forward for the Ravens if they want to continue to be a top contender.
Kwity Paye would be an ideal target for the Ravens in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. While Paye is labeled as a power rusher, he has a knack for creating angles and crushing the pocket quickly, recording 6.5 sacks and 12.5 tackles for loss in 2019. If the Ravens let Ngakoue walk this offseason, Paye would be a suitable replacement.
25. Arizona Cardinals: OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
As the Cardinals offense continues to run at a high level thanks to the growth of Kyler Murray and the arrival of DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals offense still has some holes to fill in the 2021 draft. Offensive tackle is an area the team can afford to upgrade next season.
Samuel Cosmi could give the Cardinals an athletic, young tackle with tremendous upside. He moves extremely well for his size at 6’7″, 300 pounds, and can dominate pass rushers at times, but he’s still quite raw and inconsistent with his technique.
26. New Orleans Saints: QB Zach Wilson, BYU
Taysom Hill is not the future quarterback for the Saints, and neither is Jameis Winston. This could very well be the offseason in which Sean Payton and his staff find their heir apparent to Drew Brees, and they find him in the first round of this NFL mock draft.
Zach Wilson has put together an impressive resume and has earned some well-deserved hype so far in the draft process. After an up-and-down 2019, Wilson has come out with guns blazing in 2020, including putting together a 400-yard, four-touchdown performance against Houston. If Brees were to play one more season, it would be a great opportunity for Wilson to learn under one of the game’s greatest quarterbacks.
27. Tennessee Titans: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
This offseason, the Titans made a baffling move by trading their Pro Bowl defensive lineman Jurrell Casey to the Denver Broncos for a seventh-round draft pick. However, this move did pave the way for Jeffery Simmons to be the lead man in the interior of the defensive line for the Titans. There is still room for improvement along the defensive front, though.
Christian Barmore is a large presence on the defensive line and could be a good complimentary piece to Simmons, who is versatile enough to play across the formation. With Simmons and Barmore, the Titans could have a dominant defensive front if they decide to extend Jadeveon Clowney as well.
28. Buffalo Bills: OG Trey Smith, Tennessee
Buffalo parted ways with Quenton Spain recently in a surprise move and could be in play for a guard in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft and get one in the first round of this NFL mock draft. Continuing to progress, Josh Allen should be their biggest priority, and they can continue to do so by giving him the proper protection and support in the run game.
Trey Smith is an ideal pick here for the Bills, as he has the dominant physical traits to be a successful blocker at the next level. He works up to the second level very well, creating big holes and opportunities for running backs to make big gains on the ground. In pass protection, Smith is a punishing blocker, often taking advantage of his opponents’ leverage and mauling them.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: EDGE Quincy Roche, Miami (FL)
Carrying one of the older defensive fronts in the league, Tampa Bay could be looking at getting younger off the edge this offseason. With Shaq Barrett supposed to hit free agency and Jason Pierre-Paul on the wrong side of 30, they could very well be looking to add an edge defender in the first round of the draft.
Quincy Roche was the second half of the Hurricanes’ talented pass-rush duo and accounted for 13 sacks in 2019. His explosiveness and hand usage make him a dangerous threat off the edge. Keeping Barrett around and adding Roche to the rotation would keep the Bucs defense fresh and dominant into 2021.
30. Kansas City Chiefs: EDGE Patrick Jones, Pittsburgh
The Chiefs’ pass rush has struggled this season and is currently in the middle of the pack in sacks with 17 through eight games this season. Frank Clark has 3.0 sacks but trails Chris Jones for the team lead in sacks. The Chiefs could face issues late in the season if they can’t get pressure off the edge.
In 2021, they could add to their defensive arsenal by drafting Patrick Jones from Pittsburgh in the first round of this NFL mock draft. With a quick get off and fluid hips, Jones has been dominant for the Panthers, recording 8.5 sacks in 2019 and already having two games with 3.0 sacks in 2020. Pairing Jones with Clark could make the AFC West just a bit easier for the reigning champs.
31. New York Jets (from Seattle): CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina
The Jets traded away Jamal Adams to the Seahawks and got this pick in return. They have some talent in the secondary in 2020 third-round pick Ashtyn Davis, Marcus Maye, and Bradley McDougald, but the Jets desperately need a quality cornerback to help their defense.
Jaycee Horn is a dominant corner that uses his size and physicality to bully wide receivers. He has the versatility to play either man or zone and still play aggressively. The Jets need to rebuild their defensive identity, and Horn would be a great way to revitalize the unit.
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: TE Pat Freiermuth, Penn State
Vance McDonald will be 31 in 2021, and the team could move on from him and Eric Ebron if they so choose to. With the emergence of rookie wide receiver Chase Claypool and Diontae Johnson as legitimate receiving threats, Ben Roethlisberger could use an athletic playmaking tight end in the first round of this NFL mock draft to elongate his career in the Steel City.
Pat Freiermuth is arguably the most well-rounded tight end in the class. He has the athletic ability you want in a receiving tight end, but he also has a strength in the blocking game, where a player like Ebron is lacking. The Steelers offense is already dangerous with Juju Smith-Schuster, Claypool, Johnson, and James Conner, but adding in an all-around threat in Freiermuth could make this a truly dominating offensive attack.
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