G. Bennett’s 2021 Full First Round NFL Mock Draft
Here we go! My full mock draft of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft. Here are some highlights before you dig in:
- Jaguars go with the obvious
- Broncos get their future
- Patriots get a gift
- Titans fans love my predictions
- And the Packers do what?
(1): Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence – QB (Clemson)
I don’t think an explanation is needed… this is written on the wall so much that if you bet $100 in Vegas it would net you a dime. Enough said, start printing Lawrence on the back of Jags uniforms.
(2): Jets: Zach Wilson – QB (BYU)
Another pick that just doesn’t need much justification. Zach Wilson the “Improvisor”, kid moves around the pocket like a magician. Did you see his pro day? If he wasn’t slotted as the guaranteed pick at #2 before his pro day, he most definitely solidified it after his first 3 throws. Jets get their guy.
(3): 49ers: Mac Jones – QB (Alabama)
This is where everyone’s mock draft starts to vary. Reports out that the front office and the coaching staff are viewing prospects differently. Justin Fields is my pick here every day of the week and that very well may happen.
The last report is that the 49ers have narrowed down their choice to Trey Lance and Mac Jones. Trey Lance is a great prospect but there is risk there. 49ers go with the guaranteed game manager.
(4): Falcons: Kyle Pitts – TE (Florida)
Kyle Pitts. A freak of nature who is a top 5 overall prospect this year. Rumored that Julio is on the way out, it seems like the Falcons still believe in Matt Ryan… they go get him a weapon at #4.
(5): Bengals: Penei Sewell – OT (Oregon)
Rumors speculation that the Bengals may go Ja’Marr Chase here. Protect your franchise quarterback… Bengals take the best offensive line in the draft at #5.
(6): Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase – WR (LSU)
I’m a firm believer that Tua needs great playmakers around him to make it in this league. Taking Chase here does that exact thing for the 2nd year quarterback. Expect big contributions from Ja’Marr Chase in fantasy football this year.
(7): Lions: DeVonta Smith – WR (Alabama)
Nobody knows what Detroit will do here. Fields/Lance? Top wide receiver? Trade down? I have a strong feeling Detroit moves back from #7. Let’s keep it simple… Lions take Heisman winner DeVonta Smith after losing Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones Jr. Smith fits well with Goff and Goff needs some help in the Motor City.
(8): Panthers: Rashawn Slater – OT (Northwestern)
The Sam Darnold trade changed everything the Panthers would have done. I would have a hard time not taking Fields here, but it seems as if Rhule and the Panthers front office want to rock with Darnold. You must protect your “franchise guy”, Carolina takes the naturally gifted Tackle out of Northwestern.
(9): Broncos: Justin Fields – QB (Ohio State)
Dream come true for the Broncos. The multi-faceted quarterback falls in the lap of the struggling Broncos. Fields will be coming into an offense with young talent and can thrive. Denver gets their franchise guy after years of trying.
(10): Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II – CB (Alabama)
Cornerbacks are ranked differently by everyone this year. To me… Farley has the best size, Horn has the most upside, and Surtain II is the most NFL-ready. Cowboys don’t take any chances here, Surtain II will play opposite of former Alabama CB Trevon Diggs.
(11): Giants: Micah Parsons – LB (Penn State)
Top 5 prospect in the draft. Guaranteed playmaker and automatically makes the Giants a better team. The Giants made some critical moves this offseason, making Parsons their pick at 11 puts them at the top of the weak NFC East.
(12): Eagles: Jaycee Horn – CB (South Carolina)
Eagles have holes everywhere. A great way to start a slight rebuild is by taking a corner that has tremendous upside and can develop while the organization decides what direction they are going in.
(13): Chargers: Christian Darrisaw – OT (Virginia Tech)
Justin Herbert is the real deal. Protect him at all costs. Darrisaw can start day one and will be a cornerstone offensive line in the league. Waddle is available and the Chargers will look in his direction, ultimately they protect Herbert.
(14): Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker – OG/OT (USC)
Vikings are going offensive line or EDGE rusher. Vera-Tucker brings not only depth to a worsening offensive line but also versatility. A great lineman who can stay inside and/or bounce outside when needed. The All-Pac 12 team star lineman heads to the Twin Cities.
(15): Patriots: Trey Lance – QB (North Dakota State)
Lance is a guy that you think will be and want to be a star. While his tape doesn’t lead you astray, it is not enough for me to see him going before Fields. New England will attempt to move up Thursday Night if that doesn’t happen… I have Lance waiting to head up north and join Belichick.
(16): Cardinals: Caleb Farley – CB (Virginia Tech)
I too projected Farley to fall out of the 1st round following his microdiscectomy, great medical reports have followed, and you can’t deny the perfection of his athleticism and size at the CB position. Only 1 standout season but a lot of room to go with the natural size that makes him a difference-maker in an improving defense.
(17): Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB (Notre Dame)
If you have followed along, you know that I mocked the Steelers snagging JOK at 24 because of Najee Harris going early. Part of me wants to see JOK in a Steeler uniform. Raiders get a franchise versatile defensive player at #17 who can move all around the field matching up well with running backs and tight ends… along with some lower to mid-tier slot wide receivers.
(18): Dolphins: Kwity Paye – EDGE (Michigan)
Dolphins may move from this spot, and there are multiple options on the board for them still. Najee Harris is a big possibility here along with the other EDGE in Jaelen Phillips. Paye put himself above Phillips on my board after an outstanding pro day. Paye will have time to develop in an already stout Miami defense.
(19): WFT: Zaven Collins – LB (Tulsa)
Enormous size and great athleticism. Expect Collins to be a star in the NFL. The WFT defense looks very good at times but could use a stout LB in Zaven Collins. It would be tough to pass on a linebacker with the size and speed of Collins.
(20): Bears: Greg Newsome II – CB (Northwestern)
Bears hoping for 1 of the 5 quarterbacks to fall to them, they don’t. Too early to take a chance on Trask. Bears work on fixing secondary after the departure of a former first-round pick, Kyle Fuller.
(21): Colts: Jaelen Phillips – EDGE (Michigan)
Colts take the talented Phillips out of Michigan hereafter Houston walks in free agency. If you want to see a player who goes 100% every play, watch Jaelen Phillips. You can’t go wrong here with the upside that Phillips brings to the table.
(22): Titans: Jaylen Waddle – WR (Alabama)
The first question… will Waddle be there at 24? Most likely not, if the draft goes as I am predicting then the Titans will be running their draft card with Waddle’s name on it straight to the podium.
(23): Jets: Gregory Rousseau – EDGE (Miami)
Jets will be keeping a close eye on Paye and Phillips, ultimately with them going at 18 and 21 the Jets take the talented Rousseau out of Miami. Multiple spots the Jets need to address. I can see Farley falling here or I could see the Jets cutting off Pittsburgh and taking Najee Harris.
(24): Steelers: Najee Harris – RB (Alabama)
That first-round running back stigma is alive and well this year. No matter how you feel, the Steelers need a feature back and they can find offensive line depth in the second to the fourth round. Harris here would make that five Alabama players taken in the top 24.
(25): Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig – S (TCU)
I struggled to put Moehrig in the 1st round, some others feel the same while others see him going mid-first. Moehrig is a ball hawk and that can’t be denied, the Jaguars could use some playmakers on defense.
(26): Browns: Jamin Davis – LB (Kentucky)
Davis has found himself in the first round after being projected anywhere from first to fourth round over the last 2 months. The Browns need an athletic LB. Davis brings a lot of speed to the middle of the field and makes this Browns defense even better.
(27): Ravens: Azeez Ojulari – EDGE (Georgia)
Matt Judon is gone, and the Ravens need to fill that hole. Ojulari is a freak athlete who will be productive from day one. Ojulari racked up 8.5 sacks last year along with an impressive 4 forced fumbles.
(28): Saints: Christian Barmore – DT (Alabama)
The Saints have lost Rankins and Hendrickson, not easy to replace. Barmore is a borderline day one starter. Strong offseason and Barmore will find himself as the new guy on the block in New Orleans.
(29): Packers: Elijah Moore – WR (Mississippi)
Anytime you mock an offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers in the first round, you are wrong. This is the year; Packers go out and get the speedy wide receiver out of Mississippi. Moore may be undersized but had ridiculous numbers in college.
(30): Bills: Travis Etienne – RB (Clemson)
Seems like the Bills can’t find the right running back, or they can’t develop him. Etienne comes in as a big playmaker who is ready to run and catch. Etienne sneaks in right before the end of Thursday night and leaves Javonte Williams as the next running back ready to go in round two.
(31): Ravens: Teven Jenkins – OT (Oklahoma State)
Ravens shipped Orlando Brown Jr. out of town and need to shore up the offensive line. Reports are out that former OT Alejandro Villanueva will sign in Baltimore after the draft. That signing doesn’t stop the Ravens from getting a stud offensive tackle who can be ready to go from the jump.
(32): Buccaneers: Levi Onwuzurike – DT (Washington)
Buccaneers may go wide receiver here but after resigning Antonio Brown and having one of the better wide receiver cores in the league, they add on to an already dominant defensive line.
What do you think?
Send me your picks on Twitter @bennettOg7.
