First Round | Picks 21-32
21) New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The offensive overhaul of the New York Jets continues in this first-round NFL mock draft as they pair new starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence with his Clemson running back Travis Etienne. Like the rest of the Jets’ offense, their running back depth is abysmal after their failed relationship with Le’Veon Bell.
Etienne brings power, vision, and speed to the running back position. In a modern NFL that places an increased value on pass-catching backs, Etienne has proven his ability in that area hauling in 91 receptions for 1,058 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
22) Miami Dolphins: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
With the second first-round pick of this NFL mock draft, the Miami Dolphins secure a long term replacement for Minkah Fitzpatrick in TCU safety Trevon Moehrig.
The Big 12 conference isn’t often associated with defensive excellence, but the Horned Frogs have one of the best safety pairings in the nation in Moehrig and teammate Ar’Darius Washington. A former wide receiver, Moehrig’s ball skills have been on display throughout his TCU career. He has six career interceptions, and 19 passes defended, with his coverage ability being the best aspect of his game. Although he needs to show improvements in his tackling ability, Moehrig would make an excellent addition to the Dolphins secondary.
23) Indianapolis Colts: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
The college football world was denied its most explosive player when Rondale Moore suffered a leg injury early in 2019 that ruled him out for the season. The Purdue wide receiver had broken program records for all-purpose yards in a season and single-game as a true freshman and started 2019 in the same vein. After originally opting out of the 2020 season, Moore opted back in but is yet to see the field with several unexplained absences.
When he is on the field, Moore is electrifying. Fast, explosive, and elusive, Moore can effortlessly turn a short pass into a long gain with his run after catch ability. At 5’9″, there will be questions about his contested catch ability and physicality, but the latter can be answered by simply putting on his game against Ohio State from 2018.
24) Baltimore Ravens: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
The impact of Marshal Yanda’s retirement prior to the 2020 NFL season has clearly felt on the Baltimore Ravens offensive line. Although they continue to boast one of the best offensive tackle duos in the league, the drop off in performance on the interior of the line is noticeable.
That makes the selection of Ohio State right guard Wyatt Davis an obvious fit in this first-round NFL mock draft. Davis is an absolute mauler on the line, combining exceptional play strength with enough athleticism to get out to the next level and carve open lanes in the ground game. Davis was part of the offensive line that allowed current Baltimore running back J.K. Dobbins so much success at the college level, and Ravens fans should be excited about their reunion.
25) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams): Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
The Jacksonville Jaguars secured their quarterback with the first pick of this NFL mock draft and make moves to surround him with talent by using their second pick on Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth.
Freiermuth could have comfortably been a first-round selection in the previous NFL Draft but returned to Penn State this year. Despite the Nittany Lions’ atrocious start to the season, Freiermuth’s stock is as high as ever. He is consistently the bright spark of the offense and has actually increased his yards per catch production versus last year. Equally adept as a pass catcher and in blocking as a tight end, Freiermuth has deservedly received comparisons to Rob Gronkowski.
26) Las Vegas Raiders: Carlos Basham Jr., EDGE, Wake Forest
Although defensive end Maxx Crosby has been a revelation for the Las Vegas Raiders, they have yet to see the production from 2019 first-round pick Clelin Ferrell that they would expect. The Raiders have the second least sacks through Week 10 and one of the lowest quarterback pressure percentages in the NFL this season.
The selection of Wake Forest’s Carlos Basham Jr. in this first-round NFL mock draft provides a solution to that lack of production. A versatile player who has played across the defensive front for the Demon Deacons, Basham Jr. can win both inside and out. He has been extremely productive for Wake Forest, logging five sacks and four forced fumbles in the first six games of this season alone.
27) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joshua Kaindoh, EDGE, Florida State
At 6’7″ and 265 pounds, Joshua Kaindoh is a mountain of a man at the defensive end position. The former five-star recruit has battled injury, including missing a large chunk of 2019, but has the athletic ability and physical tools to succeed in the NFL. NFL teams and scouts will fall in love with his length, and people inside of Florida State praise his hard work and leadership qualities.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have several key pieces of their defense out of contract at the end of the season. It seems unlikely that they can afford to keep them all, so taking an edge rush prospect in this first-round NFL mock draft is the most sensible solution.
28) Buffalo Bills: Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson
With Tre’Davious White secured to a big contract earlier this year, the Buffalo Bills use their first-round pick in this NFL mock draft to lock down the other corner of the defense with Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick. The Tigers have a rich heritage of sending defensive playmakers to the NFL, with A.J. Terrell and Isaiah Simmons both being selected in the first round last year.
Kendrick switched to the cornerback position from the wide receiver room to help out an injury-ravaged secondary and has transformed into one of the top cornerbacks in the nation. After a solid season in 2019, he has dramatically increased his NFL Draft stock with his play early in this season. Athletic, explosive, and with the ball skills from his time as a wide receiver, Kenrick has the traits and competitive nature to be successful as a cornerback in the NFL.
29) Green Bay Packers: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Outside of Davante Adams, the Green Bay Packers haven’t had consistent wide receiver weapons for quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The expectation was that they would address the position in 2020 but surprised everyone with the selections of Jordan Love and A.J. Dillon. If a wide receiver talent like Rashod Bateman is available towards the back end of day one, like in this first-round NFL mock draft, then you expect the Packers to pull the trigger.
Bateman possesses the hand skills, contested-catch ability, and route-running skills to have a long and productive career in the NFL. Although he has had a quieter start to this season than expected, teams can lean on his 2019 tape to see how productive he can be at the next level.
30) Kansas City Chiefs: Trey Smith, OG, Tennessee
It can be difficult to find any weaknesses in a team that looks destined to reach consecutive Super Bowls. However, the Kansas City Chiefs’ main area of need in the 2021 NFL Draft is quite easy to identify. The Chiefs have neglected the interior offensive line early in the NFL Draft, with the now-departed Mitch Morse being their last early round interior draftee.
The Chiefs buck that trend here, taking Tennessee offensive guard Trey Smith in this first-round NFL mock draft. Smith has battled, and overcome, serious health issues to get back to being one of the most dominant offensive linemen in college football. Smith is incredibly strong and has the trench warfare mentality that sees him leave men on their back. Equally adept in pass protection and run blocking, Smith makes for an ideal piece for Andy Reid’s offense.
31) New Orleans Saints: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
As Drew Brees continues to regress in terms of arm strength, and with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill as the only visible succession plan, it’s time for the New Orleans Saints to strike early in the NFL Draft to find his long term replacement.
At the start of the college football season, it may have seemed absurd to have Mac Jones in a first-round NFL mock draft. But the junior quarterback has come alive in his first season as the starter at Alabama. He has been efficient, accurate, and flashed the requisite arm strength at times to suggest that he is deserving of first-round consideration. Jones is clearly bestowed with football intelligence, which may help overcome the concern of his lack of experience.
32) Pittsburgh Steelers: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Pittsburgh Steelers have four offensive tackles due to hit free agency at the end of the season, including starting left tackle Alejandro Villaneuva. This offensive tackle class, while maybe lacking the number of first-round talents that we saw last year, is certainly deep, and the Steelers would be foolish to avoid using their first-round pick to ensure they secure protection for Ben Roethlisberger and whoever steps into his shoes further down the line.
Virginia Tech left tackle Christian Darrisaw is an ascending prospect in this 2021 NFL Draft class. He has been exceptional for a Hokies team that has been particularly impressive on the ground so far this season. Darrisaw is 6’5″, 315 pounds of power and speed that makes him a valuable and versatile offensive tackle. He has had some eye-opening games this season and is building an NFL Draft first-round resume.
Mock draft picks made by PFN Senior NFL Analyst Matt Williamson. You can follow him on Twitter @WilliamsonNFL. Analysis of each pick written by PFN NFL Draft Analyst and NFL Analytics Contributor Oliver Hodgkinson. You can follow him on Twitter @ojhodgkinson.