2021 4-round NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Raiders always seem to come out with some surprise pick for all draft fans to look back and be a little taken aback by at first. This would be no different, but a little less brazen. The Raiders badly need to address their safety spot. Trevon Moehrig is the perfect free safety to play single-high for the Raiders. Moehrig will be a stud from Day 1 in the back end of the black and silver’s defense.
18. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
The Dolphins are simply in a massive best-player-available spot here. Considering the previous report on their view of opt-outs earlier, I think Najee Harris fits the bill quite nicely.
An all-around back who has only improved over time, Harris is a back who can add lots of three-down value for the Dolphins. Reuniting with Tagovailoa and Smith in this scenario, Chris Grier amps up his party in South Beach with more pieces from the Crimson Tide in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
19. Indianapolis Colts (projected trade with Washington Football Team): Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Trade! The Colts trade picks 21, 127, 207, and a 2022 third-round pick to Washington for the 19th pick and a 2022 sixth-round pick.
Without a quarterback on the board, the Colts knew that the Bears were threats to the tackle they wanted. As such, they go up two picks to leapfrog them for their guy. In doing so, they give up a good deal of draft capital, but it is worth it.
Someone has to replace Anthony Castonzo, and Samuel Cosmi can be that guy. With excellent feet and improving hands, Cosmi is one of the better tackle prospects in the class. He will help protect Carson Wentz for the foreseeable future.
20. Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
Let’s get a little weird again. The Bears released Kyle Fuller, and it sent their draft needs in flux. Comparatively, with Andy Dalton there, they can at least stake it out for another year. So, with Cosmi off the board, the Bears decide to go and attack cornerback instead.
Greg Newsome’s feet and off-man coverage ability are exceptional. He has elite traits in that area. It would be no surprise to see a team fall in love with him to the point where he climbs up into this range. The Bears get an excellent player here, even if it is a surprising one.
21. Washington Football Team (projected trade with Indianapolis Colts): Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Finally, the fall for Micah Parsons ends. The buzz about his off-the-field issues causes him to drop to this point, but the value and need were too good to pass up for Washington. With Cole Holcomb and Jon Bostic penciled in as starters, Washington needs some speed and athleticism in their linebacking corps. Above all, Parsons can be that. He has only scratched the surface of his true potential in the NFL, and with better instincts, he could be special.
22. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
He could only fall so far. Caleb Farley’s microdiscectomy is certainly a topic of discussion, considering this is his second procedure on his back. However, it is so rare to find elite freak athletes with pure coverage abilities that Caleb Farley possesses.
After releasing Malcolm Butler and Adoree Jackson, the Titans have to address the position. Luckily, Farley can be that No. 1 cornerback they’re searching for, and his value here is tremendous in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
23. New York Jets: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Jets have a need at linebacker, especially as it concerns their WILL linebacker spot. However, more importantly, in Robert Saleh’s scheme, the range and coverage ability are huge for linebackers to have. Enter Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, who is a hybrid safety and linebacker. Having played lots of slot cornerback, Owusu-Koramoah’s coverage strengths fit this defense beautifully.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
Well, things get a little weird again. The Steelers have been known to have an affinity towards a certain type of running back. Najee Harris is a big part of that mold. However, Javonte Williams fits it just as well, too. His elite desire and wherewithal in pass protection and upside as a receiver are big-time. But he is also a bruising, elusive runner who can rip off large chunks at will.
The Steelers enter in the first piece to fix their running game with Williams.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
The Jaguars are one of those teams that could address a bevy of positions here. Nothing is completely off the table. For instance, they could use some help with the interior of their pass rush.
Christian Barmore fell right into their laps in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. His natural explosiveness and power are the traits that will drive his upside. Barmore is still a little rough around the edges, but it is what he could be that will allure the Jaguars.
26. Cleveland Browns: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Somehow, the Browns luck out here and end up with a nice fit in Kwity Paye. The athletic Michigan product will complement Myles Garrett as one of the most explosive pass-rushing duos in the NFL. Of course, with the value at cornerback simply not being there, Paye helps fill the pass-rushing void that the Browns have been so interested in filling through free agency.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
If you put up a banner of what a Baltimore Raven would be, Joseph Ossai’s picture would be on that banner. A versatile, instinctive, and disruptive pass rusher, Ossai just switched to the edge in the 2020 season. Also an off-ball linebacker, Ossai can pull some double duty for the Ravens, who have done that in the past. Ossai helps assuage some edge-rushing concerns for the Ravens heading into the 2021 season.
28. New Orleans Saints: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Whether their starting quarterback is Taysom Hill or Jameis Winston, it is painfully obvious that the Saints need help in their receiver room. Nothing is set in stone outside of Michael Thomas.
So, adding another savvy separator and route runner in Rashod Bateman to Sean Payton’s offense can only take it higher from here. Bateman’s excellent draft process only corroborates his terrific tape, and the fit with New Orleans is natural.
29. Green Bay Packers: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The value at cornerback is not here in this 4-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Neither is the value at wide receiver, but the Packers can kick that down the road in this draft. With only four tackles off the board, Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins makes sense for the Packers. They have somewhat of a shaky situation at right tackle, and Jenkins is a plug-and-play, nasty mauler that comes into Lambeau and makes an immediate impact.
30. Buffalo Bills: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
The Bills obviously need edge-rushing help. It is something they have been addressing, but they might just be a piece or two away from truly making it one of the biggest strengths of their team. Jaelan Phillips has the ability to be their alpha guy and make it a dangerous unit.
While his injury history is scary, Phillips might be the best edge rusher in this class on tape alone. The measurables should be quite nice as well. The Bills can hit a home run with this pick.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
After releasing both Mitchell Schwartz and Eric Fisher, the Chiefs need a tackle. Lucas Niang should fill in one spot, and on the other side would be the draft pick, Alex Leatherwood. After an outstanding pro day, Leatherwood’s chances of sneaking into the back of the first round increased.
While he does open the gate at times and can struggle to vary his pass sets, Leatherwood’s consistent improvement and savviness make him perfect for the Chiefs.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
The Buccaneers have the whole squad back together, so it’s tough to poke holes in an otherwise outstanding team. However, drafting for the future is never a bad idea. Jason Pierre-Paul is 32 and will enter the final year of his deal with no clear successor there yet. Thus, Jayson Oweh makes a lot of sense.
With Oweh’s ridiculous athleticism and traits, this is the type of guy to bet on in this situation. He can be a rotational guy in Year 1 and hopefully take a step and start in 2022.