With the NFL regular season coming to a close this past weekend, most teams will already have their focus on the future of the franchise. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, that focus has begun with the dismissal of general manager David Caldwell during the season. However, the key to a successful transformation of one of the worst teams in the NFL will be the 2021 NFL Draft. In this Jaguars 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft, the future looks bright for the team from Duval.
Jaguars Pre-Senior Bowl 7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft
- Round 1, Pick 1: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
- Round 1, Pick 21: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
- Round 2, Pick 33: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
- Round 2, Pick 44: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
- Round 3, Pick 65: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
- Round 4, Pick 96: Darius Stills, DT, West Virginia
- Round 4, Pick 116: Shaka Toney, EDGE, Penn State
- Round 5, Pick 128: Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA
- Round 5, Pick 151: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
- Round 7, Pick 191: Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
- Round 7, Pick 215: Tariq Thompson, S, San Diego State
Jaguars 2021 NFL Mock Draft pick-by-pick analysis
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
It seemed like the Jacksonville Jaguars would have a difficult choice at pick number two just two weeks ago. However, two wins later by the New York Jets and the Jaguars have the best quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft to fall into their lap as their reward for the worst record in the 2020 NFL season.
This Jaguars 7-round Mock Draft kicks off in obvious style with the selection of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. Don’t be fooled by the overreaction from various parts of the media into thinking there is a question mark here. Lawrence is a slam dunk selection regardless of the College Football Playoff semifinal loss to Ohio State.
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Trevor Lawrence finally arrives in the NFL
He has been an NFL quarterback in waiting since leading Clemson to a national championship as a freshman. His ability to lead and influence a team was no better demonstrated than this season’s two-game split against Notre Dame.
Trevor Lawrence combines the requisite arm talent to succeed at a high level in the NFL with a surprising athleticism from his 6’6″, 220-pound frame.
Lawrence provides an instant solution to a quarterback problem that has dogged the Jaguars all season and longer. Jacksonville has worked their way through Gardner Minshew, Jake Luton, and Mike Glennon in 2020 — along with the offense ranking just 29th in points allowed and 26th in offensive yardage.
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
When you use the first overall selection of the NFL Draft on the face of the franchise, you want to make sure that you protect your asset. Just ask the Cincinnati Bengals, who lost Joe Burrow to injury following a season-long pounding behind a poor offensive line. The Jaguars allowed 44 sacks this season, the eighth-most in the league.
As a result, they use the second selection in this Jaguars 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft to select Christian Darrisaw from Virginia Tech. The left tackle has dominated teams in the ACC this year, allowing Virginia Tech to be one of the nation’s most potent offenses. His selection would be beneficial to not only Trevor Lawrence but to second-year running back James Robinson.
Darrisaw has seen his NFL Draft stock rise as much as anyone this season, and as such, it may seem unlikely that he is available at pick 21. However, with multiple teams needing to secure a quarterback and acquire talented wide receivers early on, there is a possibility that Darrisaw is still available. He would be a day one starter for an offensive line that could see starting left tackle Cam Robinson test free agency.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
The Jaguars split tight end reps between Tyler Eifert and James O’Shaughnessy in 2020 with remarkably little production out of either of them. With both players set to hit free agency, upgrading the position figures to be one of Jacksonville’s most pressing needs this offseason.
That’s why selecting tight end Pat Freiermuth in this Jaguars 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft makes so much sense. The Penn State pass catcher would be an instant upgrade at the position. Freiermuth would provide value to the Jaguars’ offense in multiple ways.
Firstly, Freiermuth gives new quarterback Trevor Lawrence a reliable option in the passing game. Freiermuth has over 1,000 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns from his time at Penn State, with only four games played in 2020.
Secondly, Freiermuth is probably the best blocking tight end at the top of the 2021 tight end class. Although the likes of Kyle Pitts are more flashy in the passing game, Freiermuth adds value in pass protection and run blocking that some other tight ends don’t bring to the table.
Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri
The selection of Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton with the 44th pick of this Jaguars 7-round Mock Draft starts a run of defensive picks. For as bad as Jacksonville has been on offense, they’ve been worse on defense. The Jaguars rank 31st in points allowed and have given up the most yardage in the NFL this season. Therefore, a defensive rebuild is in order, and in this Jaguars 2021 NFL Mock Draft, that’s what they get.
It starts at the linebacker position. Although they have Myles Jack and invested in Joe Schobert last year, it’s the positional group that needs the most work and lacks the most depth.
The Jaguars have been particularly bad against the run in 2020. Bolton would be just the man to address that need. The tough-tackling linebacker has exceptional ability to get into the opposition’s backfield and disrupt the rush. His speed also helps him make plays against the run in the open field. Bolton is adept in coverage as well, with 12 pass deflections and two interceptions through his three-year Missouri career.
Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
The Jaguars’ defense has allowed the second-most passing touchdowns in the NFL this season. At the same time, they’ve allowed 271.1 yards per game, leaving them ranked 27th in pass defense. Although they invested a first-round pick on a cornerback in C.J. Henderson last year, the Jaguars should address the position again this year.
With the 65th selection of this Jaguars 7-round Mock Draft, they select Stanford cornerback Paulson Adebo. At the start of the 2019 season, Adebo was receiving first-round consideration. Some less than stellar performances in 2019 — particularly against UCF wide receiver Gabriel Davis — raised questions about his stock. He has been unable to answer those this year after opting out of the 2020 season.
Despite him seeming like a high-risk selection, there is plenty to like about Adebo. In his two years in which he played at Stanford, he’s been extremely productive. Adebo tallied eight interceptions and 27 pass deflections from 2018-2019. At 6’1″, he has good length to play the position in the NFL, which helps negate some of his speed deficiencies.
Darius Stills, DT, West Virginia
The Jaguars rank 30th in rushing yards allowed and 31st in rushing touchdowns allowed in 2020. As alluded to with the selection of Nick Bolton, they simply have to get better and tougher against the run. The selection of West Virginia defensive tackle Darius Stills in this Jaguars 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft helps them do just that.
Stills has been part of a West Virginia defense that has limited the opposition to just 131 rushing yards per game. When you consider that one of their opponents this season was run-happy (Army), that provides some additional context to an impressive performance.
Although a little lighter than some defensive tackles at 285 pounds, Stills is still an enforcer in the run game. Additionally, he has been productive as a pass rusher for West Virginia with 10.5 career sacks.
Shaka Toney, EDGE, Penn State
The Jaguars used first-round picks on EDGE players in the last two drafts. Although they probably won’t strike that early again, you can still expect them to address the position. Although they were handicapped by the loss of Josh Allen this season, Jacksonville ranks 30th in sacks forced and 27th in quarterback pressures.
They simply have to get better at getting after the quarterback. Therefore, with the 116th selection of this Jaguars 7-round mock draft, they add Penn State EDGE Shaka Toney.
With exceptional speed and the ability to bend the edge, Toney provides a potent pass rush presence. He’s an incredible athlete who still has developing to do. However, he has been consistently productive at Penn State.
Osa Odighizuwa, DT, UCLA
The strengthening of the defensive front continues in this Jaguars 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft with the selection of UCLA defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa. He’s an incredible athlete who uses the strength gained from a successful amateur wrestling career to win at the line of scrimmage. Odighizuwa also flashes speed and explosion on tape.
Like Toney before him, there is a lot of technical work needed. However, he should still provide a disruptive presence at the heart of the defensive line in the Jaguars four-man front.
Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
Although the Jaguars drafted Laviska Shenault and have D.J. Chark as their primary target, you can never have too many offensive weapons. This is especially true when you have a rookie quarterback stepping into one of the NFL’s least productive offenses. Jacksonville also has Keelan Cole and Chris Conley potentially set to hit free agency.
The selection of Dyami Brown in this Jaguars 7-round Mock Draft gives the wide receiver room an additional threat. Brown would provide a genuine deep threat for Trevor Lawrence. Additionally, he can work the middle of the field in the short and intermediate game. Brown has been the focal point of one of the most explosive offenses in college football in 2020.
Jaret Patterson, RB, Buffalo
If Jaret Patterson is still available this late in the proceedings, then Jacksonville should run the card up to the podium. The Jaguars proved that running back success can be found anywhere with UDFA James Robinson’s sensational season, and there’s no reason to suspect that Patterson couldn’t produce to the same level in the NFL.
He’s been in top-notch form for Buffalo this season. Patterson equaled the NCAA single-game touchdown record against Kent State. An explosive, shifty runner with power to match, Patterson and Robinson would make a dynamic backfield duo as a quality compliment to Trevor Lawrence’s passing game.
Tariq Thompson, S, San Diego State
The final selection of the Jaguars 7-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft sees them add additional depth in the beleaguered secondary. Thompson has a good football IQ, which helps him make plays on instincts. He brings a tough-tackling approach to the defense. That will add value to a unit that ranks 30th in yards after the catch allowed.
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Oliver Hodgkinson is a contributor for Pro Football Network focusing on NFL Draft, general NFL, and NFL fantasy football. You can follow him on Twitter at @ojhodgkinson.