The 2021 PSH Illustrated NFL Mock Draft

The 2021 NFL draft is a few days away, and with all the buzz surrounding the draft complex this year, I decided to release my own 32 pick mock draft. I will not predict what each franchise will do in the draft; I will only choose the players I would select if I were the general manager of each respective team. With the first overall pick in the NFL draft, the Jacksonville Jaguars select…

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1. Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence: Clemson, QB

This is the obvious pick for Jacksonville to make and most likely why Urban Meyer came out of retirement. Lawrence is a once-in-a-generation type prospect and will most likely be in the Jaguars franchise for 15+ years. He is the ideal size for a franchise quarterback and has a three-year production to back up the hype surrounding him.

2. New York Jets – Zach Wilson: BYU, QB

The Jets are hitting the reset button after two abysmal years under Adam Gase and are looking to the future in selecting Zach Wilson. There are similarities between Wilson and the Jets’ previous quarterback, Sam Darnold. Both quarterbacks have excellent arm talent and the ability to make off-platform throws; however, Wilson is the more consistent player, and the Jets are betting on his upside.

3. San Francisco 49ers – Justin Fields: Ohio State, QB

Fields is built like a Greek god and is a punishing runner when he escapes from the pocket or in designed situations. Fields needs to improve his play speed and has some mechanical issues with his release, but there is a ton of upside. He will benefit from sitting behind Jimmy Garoppolo for a year.

4. Atlanta Falcons – Trey Lance: North Dakota State, QB

The Falcons can see the end of the tunnel with Matt Ryan and want to get ahead of the eight-ball by selecting their potential quarterback of the future. Lance has all the traditional physical traits that NFL teams look for in a college prospect. He has great arm strength, a winning record in college, and elite athleticism for the position. The only knock is that Lance played in the FBS, and much of his competition could not sniff an NFL field.

5. Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell: Oregon, T

Even before the 2020 season, Sewell was the best tackle prospect in the 2021 class. As a 19-year-old tackle, Sewell bullied 21-year-old Pac-12 defenders as a true sophomore and is nowhere near his potential. He does best in space and can match up with defensive backs better than any tackle prospect in the past five years.

6. Miami Dolphins – Ja’Marr Chase: LSU, WR

The Dolphins benefited from a quarterback-heavy first five picks and grabbed the best receiver in the draft. Chase opted out of 2020, so his spectacular 2019 season is in the back of many fans’ minds. At 19 years old, Chase dominated NFL ready corners during LSU’s championship run and cemented himself as a guaranteed top 10 pick in 2021. He is one of the few players whose draft stock is unaffected by his opt-out.

7. Detroit Lions – Micah Parsons: Penn State, LB

Micah Parsons is the most athletically gifted linebacker to come out of the draft in a long time. Parsons ran a 4.38s 40-yard dash at his pro-day, and Parsons’ tape reflected that speed, showing he is the best sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the draft. Parsons is excellent in the run game, shedding and running around blocks from pulling offensive lineman. The Lions are looking to rebuild their culture under new head coach Dan Campbell, and Parsons will be the first step to improving their defensive culture.

8. Carolina Panthers – Kyle Pitts: Florida, TE

This is one of my favorite picks in the first round. Pitts is the best athlete at the tight end position since prime Jimmy Graham. He is essentially a wide receiver in a tight end’s body. Pitts is an exceptional route runner who could play inline or out wide like an X receiver. Sam Darnold will have an immediate impact player the second he steps on the field for Carolina. His blocking needs more work, but there is too much potential for the Panthers to pass up.

9. Denver Broncos – Mac Jones: Alabama, QB

Being patient pays off for the Broncos, and John Elway is hopeful he finally found his quarterback of the future. Jones does not have all the athletic tools the four quarterbacks drafted before him had, but he did have the best 2020 season of all of the quarterbacks available in the draft. Elway is looking for someone who will play mistake-free football and get the ball out of his hands and into the hands of the Broncos’ playmakers.

10. Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II: Alabama, CB

The Cowboys grabbed the best cornerback in the draft and reunited Diggs and Surtain II, two former teammates at Alabama. Surtain is a high-floor, high-ceiling type prospect who tested better than expected at the Alabama pro-day, which vaulted him into the top cornerback spot. On top of being athletically gifted, Surtain is the most fundamentally sound defensive back.

11. New York Giants – Kwity Paye: Michigan, ED  

The Giants defense outperformed expectations in the 2020 season but sorely missed getting pressure production from their edge rushers. Paye is an athletic freak, and at his pro-day, he consistently tested in the 90th percentile for his drills. For all his natural athletic ability, his on-field production did not live up to his athletic profile, only registering two sacks in 2020. The Giants are banking on his athleticism to translate better to the NFL field in the future.

12. Philadelphia Eagles – Devonta Smith: Alabama, WR

The Eagles traded down to 12 with the Dolphins and still grabbed the second-best receiver in the class and 2020 Heisman winner, Devonta Smith. Smith is a dynamic route runner who consistently torched elite college cornerbacks. The biggest reason he is WR1 is that, at 170 lbs., he is very slight of frame for the NFL, and there are injury concerns for someone his size at the NFL level. He will automatically start and be the Eagles’ best receiver by a mile during his rookie season.

13. Los Angeles Chargers – Rashawn Slater: Northwestern, T

The Chargers are desperate for offensive line help to protect reigning Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert. Slater primarily played tackle at Northwestern but has the athletic profile to play anywhere on the offensive line. He will most likely start right away at left tackle for the Chargers.

14. Minnesota Vikings – Azeez Ojulari: Georgia, ED

Ojulari is a perfect fit for what the Vikings want to do defensively. He had the best production of any pass rusher in the draft and has a rip-and-dip move that is ready to destroy NFL offensive tackles. With the departure of Everson Griffen and Danielle Hunter battling injuries all season, the Vikings struggled to get any pass rush from their edge players in 2020. Ojulari will step in on day one and immediately help their pass rush.

15. New England Patriots – Jaylen Waddle: Alabama, WR

The Patriots hit the draft lottery snagging Jaylen Waddle with the 15th pick. Waddle has legit speed and wiggle in space to become a premier deep threat in the NFL exceedingly early in his career. The Patriots already spent big money on two free-agent receivers, but Waddle can come in and immediately transform their offense. Cam Newton enjoys throwing the deep ball over the middle of the field, and that is where Waddle excels.

16. Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Farley: Virginia Tech, CB

Farley will fall to the Cardinals at pick 16 after having back surgery in the offseason and opting out in 2020. Injury concerns aside, Farley is the most athletically gifted corner in the draft with elite speed and quick hip turns when coming out of breaks. The Cardinals parted ways with long-time corner Patrick Peterson, and they hope Farley’s early health problems are not an indication of future problems.

17. Las Vegas Raiders – Christian Darrisaw: Virginia Tech, T

Darrisaw is powerful. He moves defenders in the run game and has an incredible punch when engaging in blocks. Las Vegas likes big offensive linemen who are highly athletic for their power run scheme. Darrisaw does not have much experience being on an island when pass-protecting and struggles against speed rushers around the edge.

18. Miami Dolphins – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: Notre Dame, LB

Owusu-Koramoah can play many positions at the next level and will be a versatile piece to Brian Flores’ defense. Koramoah mostly played linebacker for Notre Dame, but he can rush the passer or be a punishing box safety and slot corner. Notre Dame played more base defense than any other team in college football last season because of Koramoah’s coverage ability against tight ends and slot receivers. He will bring the Miami defense to a new level in 2021.

19. Washington Football Team – Jaycee Horn: South Carolina, CB

Jaycee Horn, son of former NFL wide receiver, Joe Horn, is the ideal size and athletic profile for an NFL cornerback. Horn will be best in a defense that plays a lot of press-man coverage, like Washington, where he can be physical and run in lockstep with receivers. He has excellent eyes and man coverage technique on the boundary, but he can be handsy when he gets beat.

20. Chicago Bears – Rashod Bateman: Minnesota, WR

Bateman is quite a bit different than the three receivers taken ahead of him. His best traits are as a possession receiver who has an excellent release package from the line of scrimmage. Bateman’s tape suggested he did not possess elite speed, but he ran a 4.38s 40-yard dash at his pro-day. Bateman does not have the same type of hype around him as Chase, Smith, or Waddle, but he could end up being the best of this class.

21. Indianapolis Colts – Elijah Moore: Ole Miss, WR

Elijah Moore is an ideal slot receiver for the modern NFL. He is fast enough to run past slot corners in man coverage and quick enough to find the holes in zone coverage. Even though he is only 5’9” and 178 lbs., Moore has exceptional strength and toughness for a player his size. The Colts roster does not have many holes, and they are going to give Wentz every opportunity to succeed in Indianapolis.  

22. Tennessee Titans – Jayson Oweh: Penn State, ED

Jayson Oweh ran a 4.39s 40-yard dash and had a 134” long jump at the Penn State pro-day. Athletes with Oweh’s combination of power and speed do not grow on trees, and the Titans desperately need athletes on the edge. Oweh only started playing football in 2016 and is still learning how to play the position. Despite the late start, Oweh still produced pressures and was a crucial factor in the run game.

23. New York Jets – Teven Jenkins: Oklahoma State, T

Teven Jenkins is a three-year starter at Oklahoma State who is a bruising and imposing tackle in the run game, and he is just as physical in pass sets. Jenkins is currently 23 years old and will turn 24 years old during the season, which is a considerable downside given how old he will be after his rookie deal. The Jets will have one of the most physical offensive tackle duos in Becton and Jenkins in the NFL.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alijah Vera-Tucker: USC, OL

The Steelers lost two tenured starting offensive linemen this offseason. Vera-Tucker is one of the most versatile offensive linemen in the draft and could either play guard or tackle for the Steelers, but I see him as more of a guard at the next level. Vera-Tucker is one of the steadiest linemen in the draft and hardly gets moved off his spot, despite his average athletic profile.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars – Dillon Radunz: North Dakota State, T

Radunz looked like the best offensive tackle at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Despite barely tipping the scales over 300 lbs., Radunz anchors well against bull-rushers, and his elite athleticism allows him to run with speed around the edge. The biggest problem with Radunz is the level of competition he faced at North Dakota State is well below what he will meet in the NFL.

26. Cleveland Browns – Jaelan Phillips: Miami, ED

Jaelan Phillips was a former 5-star recruit coming out of high school. Unfortunately, because of multiple head injuries, Phillips retired from college football in 2019. In 2020, Phillips returned to football with the University of Miami and dominated college football with nine sacks and 29 hurries. Phillips tested exceptionally well during the Miami pro-day, and Cleveland will look over the injuries and bet on Phillip’s upside.

27. Baltimore Ravens – Terrace Marshall Jr: LSU, WR

Marshall benefitted from Ja’Marr Chase opting out of the 2020 season and became the undisputed number one option for LSU in the passing game this season. Marshall has a rare combination of size and speed at 6’3”, running a 4.38s 40-yard dash at the LSU pro-day. The Ravens have desperately searched for a tall and rangy wide receiver to put with Lamar Jackson. The biggest issue with Marshall is the tightness in his hips when he comes in and out of breaks.

28. New Orleans Saints – Kadarius Toney: Florida, WR

Toney put on a show and tortured defensive backs at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. He was easily the best-looking wide receiver in the one-on-one drills and showed his inside/outside versatility. Toney is challenging to tackle after the catch with his elite acceleration and explosive speed. Despite his toughness after the catch, it is difficult to know how well he will fare in the slot in the NFL because of his limited contested catch opportunities in college.

29. Green Bay Packers – Greg Newsome II: Northwestern, CB

Greg Newsome was an elite corner in Northwestern’s zone heavy scheme in 2020—only 12 catches on 34 targets. Newsome tested great at Northwestern’s pro-day, posting a sub-seven second three-cone and a 4.38s 40-yard dash, which is higher than many expected. While Newsome played in a primarily zone-heavy scheme in college, he possesses the athleticism to play in any scheme in the NFL.

30. Buffalo Bills – Christian Barmore: Alabama, DT

Barmore is the first interior defensive lineman to come off the board in the 2021 draft. Barmore dominated two of the best offensive lines in college football during the college football playoffs. Despite his massive size at 6’4” and 310lbs., Barmore has a unique bend, and agility is rare to see at his position. Barmore’s most significant issue is his consistency from game to game. Early in the year, Barmore often disappeared against lesser competition.

31. Baltimore Ravens – Samuel Cosmi: Texas, T

Sam Cosmi is one of the more “battle-tested” tackles in this draft class. Cosmi is an exceptional athlete at 6’6” and 314 lbs. He moves incredibly well, riding pass rushers to the top of the pocket. While he is “battle-tested,” he remained inconsistent in pass protection and often engaged too high when blocking. The Ravens traded Orlando Brown to Kansas City for pick 31, and in turn, the Ravens get a new right tackle to replace him.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Rondale Moore: Purdue, WR

Rondale Moore is an electric player with the football in his hands. He ran a 4.29s 40-yard dash and recorded a 43” vertical jump at Purdue’s pro-day to showcase his explosiveness. Tom Brady likes to get the ball out of his hands early to his playmakers, and Moore is a perfect fit for that type of scheme. The biggest issue with Moore is his limited role at Purdue didn’t showcase if he can run a diverse route tree.