2021 NFL Draft Part 1

With the NFL Draft less than a month away. We thought it would be fun to give you a look at how we see things shaking out on April 27th. Oh and don’t worry, we will be locking most of these names up in our future Football Mystery Box Series!

1.01 Jacksonville Jaguars 

Trevor Lawrence, QB (Clemson) - This has been the top pick from day 1. It didn’t matter if it was the Jaguars, the Jets, or whoever else may have gotten this selection, Trevor Lawrence was going at 1 overall.

1.02 New York Jets

Zach Wilson, QB (BYU) - The chalk pick lately has been Zach Wilson, and as much as we wanted to shake things up, this just feels too likely at this time. Wilson really elevated his game in his 2nd year as a starter and showed that he had the tools to be a top-tier guy. See where he ranked in the "Rookie Jeresy's We Want Most!"

1.03 San Francisco 49ers

Justin Fields, QB (Ohio State) - If I were a GM, Fields would be the number 2 QB on my board. (But I am also an OSU fan/tool). He has been one of the top names since high school and has done nothing to hurt his stock over his 2 seasons as a starter at Ohio State. The 49ers spent a lot of draft capital to move up to the 3rd spot, so they have to make sure they get this pick right.

1.04 Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts, TE (Florida) - This is the first surprise pick of the draft. This would tie for the highest draft capital ever used on a Tight End in NFL Draft history. That said, it’s warranted. Pitts is a physical freak at 6’6 with a 4.44 40 time. The Falcons have a lot of needs but with Julio starting to show his age, it is time to get the next big playmaker in that offense. 

1.05 Cincinnati Bengals

Penei Sewell, OT (Oregon) - After Joe Burrow’s brutal injury last season, it became apparent that the Bengals needed to do more to protect their franchise quarterback. Sewell can be the guy to give a nice boost in speed and strength in the trenches against those AFC North pass rushers.

1.06 Miami Dolphins

Jamarr Chase, WR (LSU) - After taking a year off in 2020, Jamarr Chase looks every bit as elite as he did in 2019 in all of his pro-day workouts. If you add Chase to a receiving core that already has Parker, Fuller and Gesicki. This offense could be fun next season. 

1.07 Detroit Lions

Davonta Smith, WR (Alabama) - When the Lions let Kenny Golladay walk, it became clear they would have to add some pass catching threats in the draft this season. Who better to fill that role than the most recent Heisman Trophy winner. Smith went scorched earth in 2020 with over 1800 yards and 23 touchdowns. This would be a great cornerstone piece for a rebuilding team.

1.08 Carolina Panthers

Patrick Surtain II, CB (Alabama) - Carolina just added a new quarterback and i think they are going to hold off on QB until they see what they have. Surtain is a well-rounded corner with good size. I think he would be a great fit with this young defense that they are building in Carolina. 

1.09 Denver Broncos

Trey Lance, QB (North Dakota State) - The Broncos would be throwing a party if they were able to land this guy at 9 overall. Lance has the build, arm and athletic ability to be a star at the next level. The only problem is he only played 1 season and it was against weaker competition. 

1.10 Dallas Cowboys

Micah Parsons, LB (Penn State) - The Dallas defense was a mess last season. They are in need of playmakers and that’s exactly what Parsons is… a playmaker. At 6’3 and blazing fast speed, Parsons can generate the pass rush that the Cowboys were missing. 

1.11 New York Giants

Jaycee Horn, CB (South Carolina) - Jaycee is an athletic specimen. It flew under the radar but the Giants had a solid defense last season and Horn is the type of player that could put them over the top.

1.12 Philadelphia Eagles

Caleb Farley, CB (Virginia Tech) - This is turning into a major cornerback run! Philly would love to nab another receiver here but at this point, the value isn’t there with Reagor being a very similar style of player to Jaylen Waddle. So they add a very solid defensive back from a school that seems to churn them out year-after-year. 

1.13 Los Angeles Chargers

Rashawn Slater, OT (Northwestern) - The Chargers are another team that need to make sure that they protect their franchise quarterback. Slater might not be the most well known prospect in the class, but many NFL teams think highly of this kid and the league also puts a premium at the tackle position. 

1.14 Minnesota Vikings

Gergory Rousseau, Edge (Miami) - Vikings coach Mike Zimmer prides himself on having good defenses, but in 2020, the Minnesota unit was far from impressive. With a few key pieces getting healthy and the addition of a rangy pass rusher like Rousseau, this defense can be a top 10 squad once again.

1.15 New England Patriots

Mac Jones QB, (Alabama) - Mac Jones seems like the perfect fit for Bill Belicheck. Smart kid that processes information well, can read a defense, throws an accurate ball and has a winning pedigree. It just makes sense. 

1.16 Arizona Cardinals

Alijah Vera-Tucker OG, (USC) - Yet again, we have a young quarterback getting the protection he needs. Getting an offensive lineman in the first round is never sexy, but this kid is a powerhouse and should be locked and loaded on their o-line for the next decade. 

This rounds out the top half of the first round! Check out the second half here!