Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft came and went, and now, the first wave of new talent in the NFL has arrived. The first round gets the most prestige, and with good reason. However, one could argue that the picks on Day 2 — Rounds 2 and 3 — are just as important. These are the picks that build your roster from the ground up. These are the picks that build your team’s identity. And these are the picks that separate the winners from the wishful. With Round 1 in the books, let’s do a Day 2 Mock Draft for the 2021 NFL Draft.
2021 NFL Draft Order: Round 2 | Picks 33-48
Day 1 in Cleveland culminated in a fireworks display. Will Day 2 begin the same way?
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Jaguars used their 25th overall as an essential luxury pick, taking running back Travis Etienne. And here, at 33 overall, they pass over more pressing needs again, this time to take the best available player. Christian Barmore was also an option here, but with whispers surrounding his coachability, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah makes more sense for a coach trying to establish a culture.
34. New York Jets: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse
The Jets did a great job being aggressive in Round 1. They got their franchise quarterback in Zach Wilson, then traded up to secure a high-level protector for Wilson in USC lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. Now it’s time to turn to the defensive side of the ball. The Jets have almost nothing at cornerback, and Ifeatu Melifonwu has the skill set to be a No. 1 CB. He’s athletic, long, and proactive — he’s a great fit for Robert Saleh’s scheme.
35. Atlanta Falcons: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
After passing on a QB in Round 1 to instead take Kyle Pitts, the Falcons have officially established that they’re sticking with Matt Ryan for at least one or two more seasons. Thus, the next task for Atlanta is to build up the roster around him. They could go running back here, but no safeties have gone off the board yet. The Falcons can have their pick, and Trevon Moehrig fits Dean Pees’ scheme well as a versatile cover man.
36. Miami Dolphins (from Houston Texans): Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina
You won’t hear me complaining about the Dolphins’ first-round picks. They nailed Day 1, but they did come away from the event without a running back by no fault of their own. Thus, that should be near the top of their list on Day 2. At the top of Round 2, Javonte Williams is a great value addition, and he gives the Dolphins exactly what they need in the backfield — an explosive, physical, and versatile threat.
37. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Five cornerbacks went in Round 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft, and a sixth has already been claimed in this Day 2 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Thus, some teams might reach a bit to get their preferred players at the position. For Philadelphia, Tyson Campbell is an intriguing fit here. He has all the necessary tools, and he’s a fluid athlete. He just needs to improve his conversion skills, and he can make this pick look a lot better in the long run.
38. Cincinnati Bengals: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
The big debate at fifth overall was always wide receiver versus offensive tackle. With this pick, the Bengals can say, “why not both?” Teven Jenkins is a tremendous value in this Day 2 2021 NFL Mock Draft. The former Cowboy is a good athlete, a relentless and powerful mauler, and he’s a natural right tackle. Thus, he fits what the Bengals need opposite Jonah Williams. Cincinnati does have Riley Reiff, but Jenkins is a long-term upgrade and gives them flexibility along the line.
39. Carolina Panthers: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Panthers were one pick shy of being in play for the top offensive tackle, Penei Sewell. Had Sewell dropped, they might have gone a different route at No. 8 overall. Nevertheless, in Round 2, they’ll be able to find similarly solid value, and Samuel Cosmi is a particularly nice find.
With his elite athletic profile, Cosmi was a popular Round 1 pick in mocks throughout the offseason. At the top of Round 2, he’s just what the Panthers need as they strive to build around Sam Darnold.
40. Denver Broncos: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
The Broncos made a somewhat surprising pick in Round 1. No one’s disputing the value and talent of Patrick Surtain II — he was the best non-quarterback available at ninth overall. However, in picking Surtain, the Broncos left a few needs on the board.
With Baron Browning in Round 2, the Broncos get a high-level athlete who has the physical profile to be a versatile player at the second level. He can play all three linebacker spots, and he also has the elite explosiveness and compact build to be a terrifying blitzing threat.
41. Detroit Lions: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
The Lions were a sleeper at the quarterback position in Round 1. Some thought that if a player like Justin Fields dropped to them, they’d pull the trigger. They didn’t, and time will tell if the Bears cause them to regret that decision. Nevertheless, now that Jared Goff is the unquestioned starter for the foreseeable future, they need to give him weapons.
Elijah Moore is an excellent addition in Round 2. He’s a scrappy slot receiver with the toughness, sharpness in his routes, and dynamic athleticism to be a catalyst for a woe-begotten offense.
42. New York Giants: Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
The Giants managed to add draft capital in a trade back from the 11th pick. However, the job isn’t finished yet. They got a playmaker for Daniel Jones in Round 1, but the offensive line still requires maintenance, especially on the interior. At this point, Creed Humphrey provides too much value to pass up. He’s an athletic, well-leveraged blocker with a wrestler’s mentality in the trenches.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
The slide has to end at some point, and the 49ers, having already selected their franchise quarterback, can afford to take a chance on value here. There have been rumors that Christian Barmore‘s coachability is a concern.
Nevertheless, midway through the second round, for a team that could use another dominant physical specimen alongside Javon Kinlaw, Barmore presents an enticing opportunity. If Barmore can take to the 49ers’ coaching, he and Kinlaw could potentially form a devastating interior duo.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Richie Grant, S, UCF
Throughout the entire draft process, it seemed like the Cowboys were destined to take either Jaycee Horn or Patrick Surtain II at No. 10 overall. However, when those two cornerbacks went off the board right before them, it forced the Cowboys to go to Plan B. They traded back and took Micah Parsons. Parsons has a lot of potential, but Dallas’ secondary is still bare.
The Cowboys will want to address cornerback at some point, either on Day 2 or Day 3, but Richie Grant’s presence can help make life easier for the CBs on the roster.
45. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Minnesota Vikings): Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
Defensive tackle is one of the Jaguars’ biggest needs. Right now, it seems impossible to predict how this defensive tackle class is going to fall into place. One force that always holds strong is familiarity, and Urban Meyer has familiarity with Ohio State defensive tackle Tommy Togiai. That could be a driving force, pushing Togiai up the board.
Togiai is still developing as a pass rusher. However, he’s already a solid run defender, and he has the explosiveness and the natural power to be a pass-rushing threat in time.
46. New England Patriots: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
By signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, the Patriots were able to expand their flexibility in Round 1. On the other hand, now that they’ve drafted Mac Jones, they should pounce on any good value deals that come along at wide receiver.
At 46th overall, Terrace Marshall Jr. fits the bill. He needs to develop his game overall, but at 6-foot-3, 205 pounds, his physical tools are rare. He can grow to be the complete No. 1 receiver the Patriots have previously lacked.
47. Los Angeles Chargers: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
Operation “All-in on Justin Herbert” is running full speed ahead. Rashawn Slater gives Los Angeles a versatile, high-floor blocker to help protect their quarterback. And in Round 2, they’re in a good position to potentially replace Hunter Henry at tight end.
Pat Freiermuth isn’t an elite athlete, but he’s fairly well-rounded as a pass catcher. He’s an exceptional route runner for his size, and he brings the trademark toughness and zeal of an old-school tight end.
48. Las Vegas Raiders: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
We heard it from PFN Chief Draft Analyst and NFL Insider Tony Pauline during Pro Football Network’s live show in the early afternoon of April 29. The Raiders aren’t happy with Damon Arnette. Thus, they may pick a cornerback in the early rounds to make up for their mistake in Round 1 of 2020. At 48th overall in this Day 2 2021 NFL Mock Draft, Asante Samuel Jr. has the ball skills and mobility to deliver on his investment.