Mocking the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft

Draft day is finally upon us and one that figures to be an eventful first round that could see a historic amount of quarterbacks going in the top 10. Could the Broncos be one of those teams to select one, could they trade up for one, could they trade back, or go in a completely different direction? Well, I’m going to do my best predict how I think it’s going to go down based on the news, rumors, reports, and everything else that’s being said out there.

First, let me brag a little bit. Fantasy Pros graded my 2020 mock draft as the 7th most accurate last year(I got lucky) so I am going to try to repeat that and hopefully do better this time around.

Jacksonville, you’re on the clock.

1: Jacksonville Jaguars - Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, Clemson

Lawrence is the top prospect in the draft and the pick we have known about since Jacksonville “earned” the top overall selection.

2: New York Jets - Quarterback Zach Wilson, BYU

This pick is another one we have known about for awhile. Jets have a new Head Coach and are starting a new era here with BYU’s Zach Wilson.

3: San Francisco 49ers - Quarterback Mac Jones, Alabama

I don’t agree with this pick but, I’m happy it is the pick. Kyle Shanahan gets his guy at quarterback and allows Trey Lance and Justin Fields to fall.

4: Atlanta Falcons - Tight End Kyle Pitts, Florida

The Falcons have Matt Ryan for at least two more seasons so they get him the best non-quarterback in the draft In Kyle Pitts who could be a generational talent.

5: Cincinnati Bengals - Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase, LSU

Offensive Tackle should be the pick here but all the smoke is pointing to Chase. He’ll reunite with quarterback Joe Burrows and give him another legit option at receiver.

6: Miami Dolphins - Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle, Alabama

Miami gets Tu’a one of his former weapons at Alabama to join him in Miami. I think Waddle is firmly WR2 and the receiver the Dolphins are targeting.

Note, this could be a trade back spot for a quarterback-needy team. I wouldn’t expect Miami to trade too far back. A spot to watch for the Broncos if they believe trading up is necessary.

7: Detroit Lions - Offensive Tackle Penei Sewell, Oregon

The Lions are another trade-back team and are one of the harder teams to mock because they need almost everything. I gave them Penei Sewell because he would likely be the top player on their board but it could go a number of ways.

8: Carolina Panthers - Quarterback Justin Fields, Ohio State

Yes, they just added Sam Darnold but Fields is too good to pass up here for the Panthers. I’m sure they’ll auction this pick, but at the end of the day, I think they’ll take Fields.

9: Denver Broncos - Quarterback Trey Lance, North Dakota State

The trade for Teddy Bridgewater gives the Broncos a perfect bridge quarterback to a prospect who may need some time on the bench before being ready. A prospect who fits that description is Trey Lance who is dripping with potential.

He’s only 20 years old, has a cannon for an arm, plus athleticism, high intelligence, and a player who could a franchise-changing player for the Broncos. I think they could still trade up for him but if you’re able to get him here at 9th overall, you do it.

I wouldn’t rule out Justin Fields here too. I’m having a tough time deciding between the two. The Teddy trade made me think it was Lance, but my gut says Fields.

10: Dallas Cowboys - Cornerback Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

The Cowboys secondary wasn’t great last season and Horn would be an excellent addition to their secondary. I have a feeling that horn could be the first corner off the board when it’s all said and done.

11: New York Giants (via NE) - Wide Receiver DeVonta Smith, Alabama

The Giants trade back and still get their guy here with DeVonta Smith who will give the Giants another weapon in their pass game.

12: Philadelphia Eagles - Cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Alabama

The Eagles secondary desperately needs help and Surtain would give them an instant upgrade at the position.

13: Los Angeles Chargers - Offensive Tackle Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

The Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert and get a good one here in Rashawn Slater. He can play guard or tackle for the Chargers.

14: Minnesota Vikings - Offensive Tackle Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech

The Vikings desperately need to get help at tackle and do that here with Darrisaw.

15: New England Patriots - Linebacker Zaven Collins, Tulsa

I think the Patriots will get Jimmy G. from the 49ers and decide to add a versatile linebacker that Belichick has used in the past.

16: Arizona Cardinals - Offensive Lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC

Vera-Tucker is a plug-and-play guard and he’ll do just that in Arizona. Need to protect Kyler Murray and Vera-Tucker has tackle/guard versatility.

17: Las Vegas Raiders - Linebacker Micah Parsons, Penn State

This pick just makes too much sense. The Raiders taking a chance on a prospect with red flags but talented enough that you roll the dice on him.

18: Miami Dolphins - Running Back Travis Etienne, Clemson

Dolphins need some explosive play out of the backfield and Etienne has the potential to be a homerun threat whenever he touches the all. Tu’a gets another weapon.

19: Washington Football Team - Linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. Notre Dame

JOK would be an excellent addition to this defense and would be able to roam freely behind the talented WFT defensive line.

20: Chicago Bears - Offensive Tackle Teven Jenkins, Oklahoma State

Bears ideally would somehow get a quarterback here, but instead they find some protection for Andy Dalton.

21: Indianapolis Colts - Cornerback Greg Newsome II, Northwestern

I love this fit and think it’s something the Colts will seriously consider in the first-round

22: Tennessee Titans - Wide Receiver Rashod Bateman, Minnesota

The Titans let Corey Davis walk so now they find a running mate to go with A.J. Brown.

23: New York Jets - Cornerback Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech

Jets roll the dice here on Farley who could be a steal for them and a wonderful fit in Salah’s defense.

24: Pittsburgh Steelers - Running Back Najee Harris, Alabama

This pick makes too much sense. Steelers get themselves a physical back to take some pressure off the aging Big Ben.

25: Jacksonville Jaguars - Offensive Tackle Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

You just drafted Trevor Lawrence so you better protect him. I see the Jaguars building their team from the inside out.

26: Cleveland Browns - Defensive Lineman Christian Barmore, Alabama

The Browns just released Sheldon Richardson and find his replacement here in Barmore

27: Baltimore Ravens - Edge Rusher Kwity Paye, Michigan

It never fails to happen, the Ravens take a damn good defensive prospect who has slipped a little bit.

28: New Orleans Saints - Linebacker Jamin Davis, Kentucky

Jamin Davis was a fast riser during the draft process and now will join a Saints defense that could use him at linebacker.

29: Green Bay Packers - Offensive Tackle Samuel Cosmi, Texas

I wanted to mock a receiver here, but it’s the Packers. They do draft a protector for Aaron Rodgers who is coming off his MVP season.

30: Buffalo Bills - Running Back Javonte Williams, North Carolina

Last season, the Bills rushing offense was just Josh Allen. Now, they add the very physical Javonte Williams who can step right I and start day one.

31: Baltimore Ravens - Safety Trevon Moehrig, TCU

The Ravens once again have a good defensive prospect fall right into their laps. Moehrig is a ball-hawking safety who could flourish in Baltimore.

32: Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Edge Rusher Joe Tyron, Washington

JPP isn’t getting any younger so they add a physical depth option here in Tyron.