Round One | Picks 17-32
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Micah Parsons isn’t another guy likely to fall, but Las Vegas doesn’t mind one bit that he fell into their lap in this First Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. He is a superstar talent at a major position of need for the Raiders, who really need to concentrate on the defensive side of the ball in the draft this year.
18. Miami Dolphins: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
The Dolphins already have Sewell in this draft and would have loved if someone like Waddle (who maybe they would have traded up for) to have fallen to the 18th pick. However, Kadarius Toney gives this offense a ton of juice and can be used in such a wide variety of ways. Miami still might be in the market for a more traditional wide receiver with size on Day 2.
19. Washington Football Team: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/OG, USC
The Football Team isn’t hurting for positions of need, but only the Jets produced fewer yards per play than Washington last year. They really need to address the offense first and foremost. Who is to say who the Football Team’s quarterback might be (Cam Newton perhaps?) on opening day, but Alijah Vera-Tucker would really boost this offensive line, and he provides great value at this point of the draft.
20. Chicago Bears: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The Bears are unlikely to find their quarterback of the future with the 20th pick, so let’s assume that they have a veteran in place at this point. Well, whoever is quarterbacking this team will need more help up front. Teven Jenkins fits this team very well.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
The Colts weren’t thrilled to see two potential left tackles fall with the last two picks, so they shifted gears and took the best edge rusher remaining in Kwity Paye. Paye has very good size and twitch and makes Indianapolis’ defensive front formidable.
22. Tennessee Titans: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
The Titans weren’t happy to see Paye being selected right before their choice — especially to a divisional rival. So they switched gears, but just a little, since Zaven Collins can play in space off the ball while also helping Tennessee’s horrible pass rush.
23. New York Jets: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a tremendous prospect and probably gets selected before the 23rd pick. The Jets need everything and have a ton of draft capital. They do the smart thing here and take the clear top prospect on the board in Owusu-Koramoah.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The 24th pick in this 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft certainly could be an offensive lineman, but Najee Harris is the exact style of running back that Pittsburgh loves — and really needs right now. This position has been subpar for the Steelers for a few years in a row now, and an impact player like Harris could go a long way to making life easier for Ben Roethlisberger.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
In this First Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft, the Jaguars have used several high picks on their defensive line over the years, but it still could use attention. This isn’t a strong defensive tackle draft class, so Jacksonville decides to grab the top one at the position in Christian Barmore . Jacksonville has needs all over their roster.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
This offseason for Cleveland needs to be about their defense. The Browns could go several ways on that side of the ball early in the draft. Myles Garrett is a superstar, but Olivier Vernon is 30 years old and set to become a free agent. Jaelan Phillips makes a ton of sense here for the Browns.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
The Ravens could use a guard and should look towards free agency to find a veteran wide receiver. Right now, though, they are really short on edge defenders. It will be nearly impossible for them to bring back all of their own at this position. Joseph Ossai fits Baltimore’s defensive scheme very well and would be a welcome addition.
28. New Orleans Saints: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
The Saints could use another wide receiver opposite Michael Thomas, so why not keep Terrace Marshall in Louisiana for his professional career? Marshall has good size, and Sean Payton would move him all over the formation to create mismatches. Marshall is a potential third major mismatch in New Orleans’ favor along with Thomas and Alvin Kamara.
29. Green Bay Packers: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Aaron Rodgers probably would have voted for Rashod Bateman here. Still, cornerback is really the bigger need, as we all saw when the Packers were eliminated from the playoffs by Tampa Bay. This is a deep wide receiver draft, so that should be addressed on the second day of the draft.
30. Buffalo Bills: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Compared to most teams in the NFL, Buffalo doesn’t have many needs. They might have pounced on Campbell if he would have lasted one more pick, but his teammate Azeez Ojulari works just fine. The Bills’ pass rush is decent overall, but they could use a young guy to learn from and succeed Jerry Hughes.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Jalen Mayfield, OT/OG, Michigan
Mayfield has consistently gotten better at Michigan at tackle. For Kansas City, he would start his career at guard. The interior of this offensive line needs to be addressed, and it has to be appealing that Mayfield could eventually kick out to right tackle down the line.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The Buccaneers don’t have huge needs. There isn’t a quarterback worth taking here to groom behind Tom Brady. An edge defender could become a big priority if Shaquil Barrett isn’t able to be retained. But why not give Brady an explosive big-play option in Travis Etienne, who also could have some upside as a receiver?
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