Sam Calhoun’s 2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft

The biggest draft in America is back, and we are finally back in person for it! The 2021 NFL Draft will take place in Cleveland, Ohio, with Lake Erie in the background. You can watch coverage of the Draft on ABC, ESPN, NFL Network, and ESPN Deportes. Day 1 of the NFL Draft begins tonight at 8 PM ET, Day 2 starts tomorrow at 7 PM ET, and the final day is on Saturday at 12 PM ET. And, without further ado, here is my mock draft for Round 1:

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson This pick is a no-brainer. Lawrence is at the top of every big board, and I have yet to see anyone else be picked first overall.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU I like Justin Fields better, however, everyone and their mom knows that the Jets will probably take Zach Wilson. He’s a big boom or bust player in this draft.
3. San Francisco 49ers: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama Before the reports that the Niners have narrowed it down to Jones and Trey Lance, I thought they would take my favorite quarterback in this draft: Justin Fields. I still believe that Fields is a better pick, however, if it can’t be him (and it’s likely not him), I think Mac Jones is a better fit for San Francisco.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida There is a chance that this pick could be a quarterback like Justin Fields or Trey Lance, however, I think the Falcons should trade down and try and find a spot where they can take one of the top cornerbacks without the selection being a reach. It’s between Pitts or Lance for this pick for me, and I think Pitts would make that Falcons offense scary, even with Matt Ryan out of his prime. Kyle Pitts did say on NFL Network that he thinks the first four picks will all be quarterbacks, but I’ll take possibly the best prospect in this draft.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon The Bengals would be dumb not to take an offensive lineman at the fifth overall pick. Yes, I get it. Ja’Marr Chase is available at this spot. He has connections with Joe Burrow from their playing days at LSU. However, Burrow is coming off of a season-ending injury, and you have to protect him. Besides, this wide receiver class is deep.
6. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU The Dolphins don’t necessarily need a wide receiver, which explains the rumors about Miami trading down again, but if they stick with this pick, I don’t think they would pass up on the talent that Ja’Marr Chase brings to the team. Imagine a WR group containing Chase, Will Fuller V, and Devante Parker. That is pretty darn good.
7. Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama The Heisman winner could be packing his bags to Detroit if the Lions don’t trade this pick. The Lions are in desperate need of wide receivers after losing Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones in free agency. DeVonta Smith is by far the most talented receiver in this class, but his weight concerns me. On the bright side, Marvin Harrison was underweight, and he turned out to be pretty good.
8. Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State Before the Teddy Bridgewater trade with the Broncos, I had the Panthers taking Rashawn Slater. However, the Panthers need to have competition for newly acquired quarterback Sam Darnold. Trey Lance has a high ceiling, throwing no interceptions back in 2019. There is a chance that he could end up being one of the best players out of this draft. This pick could end up being traded as well, with rumors that the Patriots are in talks with Carolina.
9. Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State After acquiring Teddy Bridgewater from the Carolina Panthers, it is not as likely the Broncos take a quarterback. Before the trade, I had Trey Lance going here. However, after that trade, I think the Broncos will look more at their defense. This pick could still end up being a quarterback, making other teams like the Patriots or Washington Football Team very upset.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama Surtain impressed me a lot throughout the season and especially at his pro day in Tuscaloosa. The Cowboys lack cornerbacks, and Surtain fills the biggest need. Surtain played alongside Trevon Diggs in 2019, who is already in Arlington.
11. New York Giants: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan The Giants would take Micah Parsons had he fallen to the 11th pick, but he’s not available at this pick, so I think getting the top edge rusher, even if it may seem a little high for him, is the best decision the Giants could make.
12. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama After drafting TCU’s Jalen Reagor over Justin Jefferson, I think they need to add more to their wide receivers. None of them are special, and none of them show signs of being anything more. Taking a cornerback is also an option here, such as South Carolina’s Jaycee Horn or Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley, but I think Waddle is the answer at number 12. This pick can also be used in trades, but I went with no trades in this mock draft.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern To protect Justin Herbert, who luckily survived with Trey Pipkins, you need to take the best offensive tackle available on the board. Rashawn Slater is the most versatile offensive tackle in the draft, and the Chargers are getting a steal with him falling to 13.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC This was a difficult choice between Vera-Tucker and Miami edge rusher Jaelan Phillips. What it came down to was the biggest need, which was upgrading the offensive line. You have to protect Kirk Cousins, who had to drop back or take sacks on numerous occasions. Dalvin Cook experienced minor injuries last season, as well.
15. New England Patriots: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State This would be a home run for Patriots fans. As a fan myself, I don’t think it’s likely that the Patriots end up getting Fields at 15, but I think they are going to trade up into the top ten to take the Ohio State quarterback. It’s surprising to me that Fields went from being the projected second overall pick to dropping to 15, but here we are. Trades will certainly mess all of this up, but if there are miraculously no trades up until the 15th pick, you might see Fields dropping this far. He has a range of going all the way up to 3rd overall and as low as this pick. I loved his career in Columbus and his pro day showed that I like this prospect even more. Fields seems to be the answer at quarterback if he lands to the Patriots.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina Bill Belichick might be a little upset about this pick directly after the Patriots take Justin Fields. The Cardinals lost Patrick Peterson and picked up Malcolm Butler from the Titans. That’s not enough to replace what Peterson brought to Arizona. So, I’ll take one of the top cornerbacks if I’m Steve Keim.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech This pick was down to Darrisaw or Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah. However, they lost Trent Brown to New England, and they need a replacement for him. He has the ceiling to be the best right tackle in this draft, so why not take a swing at the Virginia Tech prospect? Darrisaw was originally supposed to be drafted by the Chargers, but the trades and reports I’ve been hearing make him a steal at 17.
18. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama I think the Dolphins would be bummed if Kwity Paye didn’t fall to them at 18. However, I think getting a running back is one of their top needs, and I don’t think they will pass up on Najee.
19. Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame JOK is my favorite defensive player in this draft, right in front of Zaven Collins. He has incredible athleticism and tackles well. I could see trades happening with this pick, as Washington needs a quarterback and an offensive tackle as well.
20. Chicago Bears: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech The Bears need a quarterback, but at the 20th overall pick, there’s not a lot to pick from. I think you can get a quarterback in the later rounds, and Kyle Fuller is not going to play for the Windy City this upcoming season. Take a young cornerback like Caleb Farley to play alongside Jaylon Johnson, one of the best rookie corners last season.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL) One of the Colts’ biggest needs is an edge rusher, especially when you have no one that can make an impact at that position besides Justin Houston. Offensive tackle is a need as well, but I think they might prioritize their defense instead.
22. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, and Jonnu Smith are gone, so Ryan Tannehill doesn’t have anyone to throw the ball to besides A.J. Brown. The Titans should fix that with Rashod Bateman, who is a top 5 receiver in this class.
23. New York Jets: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern The Jets have to fill in a lot. Bryce Hall is the only recognizable name to my eyes when looking at the Jets’ depth chart, and Newsome brings more potential to a young core of defensive backs.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson The Steelers are probably anticipating Harris to be picked up by the Dolphins at 18 and were ready to take Clemson’s Travis Etienne. They lost James Conner in the offseason and need to replace him. However, they also could look at offensive linemen such as Oklahoma State’s Tevin Jenkins.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State I remember watching James Robinson on the Jaguars last season and thinking: “Man, that offensive line is BAD!” Robinson had one of the most impressive rookie running back seasons in the past few seasons (Saquon Barkley easily had a better rookie season), even behind that horrible line. Jenkins at 25 would be a perfect pick for the Jaguars, and this is the best way their picks could have gone.
26. Cleveland Browns: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama The edge rusher need has been filled with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney and Takkarist McKinley, but they could use some help in the interior. Barmore has top ten talent and I think it’s a steal if Barmore slides here, which he very well might based on the order.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU No name jumps out to me at the wide receiver position besides Hollywood Brown. With the addition of Sammy Watkins, that helps, but they have to do more than that.
28. New Orleans Saints: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State Wide receiver is a huge hole to fill, but I’m also wondering who the Saints will have alongside Marshon Lattimore. The cornerback position has less depth than their wide receiver position, so I think this needs to be addressed first. Rumor has it that they may trade up into the top ten, but if it’s for a cornerback, I would stay put.
29. Green Bay Packers: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue Aaron Rodgers was expecting a wide receiver last year but instead got a quarterback. With Rodgers having an MVP season last year, he deserves more receivers. I like Rondale Moore as well, even if he’s short. Cornerbacks are a need as well.
30. Buffalo Bills: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia I like Tre’Davious White, but Josh Norman is unsigned (who I wasn’t impressed with last season), and there’s a need for a cornerback here. They can take an edge rusher here as well, but I think they get the better Georgia cornerback at pick number 30.
31. Baltimore Ravens: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia The Ravens got their receiver, so getting an edge rusher or an offensive tackle seems like a no-brainer. None of the veteran edge rushers are in their prime, and the younger players don’t show much promise. Ojulari has the ceiling to be a key factor for this Ravens team if he goes to Baltimore.
32. Tampa Bay Buccanneers: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa Collins should be a first-round pick, and the defense needs depth. The starting lineup is incredible, but adding depth could help if one of the linebackers gets hurt.