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The Black Squirrel Radio sports staff is getting in on the NFL mock draft game! Check back every two weeks to see the latest NFL mock draft from the Members of the BSR Sports Department. Let’s get into the picks for 2021 V1!
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1) Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence: QB, Clemson (Gabe Collura-Sports Coordinator. Co-host of Opening Day)
Trevor Lawrence is one of the most NFL-ready quarterbacks we’ve seen coming out of college in a long time. This guy threw for over 10,000 yards in his college career in just three seasons. Though he never won the Heisman Trophy, he was consistently one of the best players in all of college football.
Jacksonville DESPERATELY needs a quarterback. Though Gardner Minshew was fun to watch, he is not the answer going forward. It will be interesting to see how Urban Meyer develops Lawrence going forward, because I believe he is the consensus Number 1 overall pick.
2) New York Jets- Zach Wilson: QB, BYU (Enzo Orlando-Sports Coordinator. Co-Host of Pass the Mic Sports Talk)
More than likely, the Jets are moving on from their former first round quarterback Sam Darnold with the breakout star from BYU in Zach Wilson.
From what I saw on film, Wilson is able to throw deep and find the open receiver. He is able to use his legs when under pressure to create space and run or throw the ball away. I know that he didn’t play in a Power Five conference, but based on his ability he can develop into a Josh Allen-type QB.
3) Miami Dolphins- Justin Fields: QB, Ohio State (Alex Wilcox-BSR Sports Staff)
Although it seemed unlikely a month or two ago, it’s looking ever more plausible that three quarterbacks could be selected with the first three picks. Tua was an analytics darling of a draft choice last season, but he looks frail out there.
The Dolphins have a roster that’s ready to win now, and Brian Flores is a hell of a coach. Hopefully the front office decides to give them the signal caller they need with this pick.
4) Atlanta Falcons- Penei Sewell: OT, Oregon (Gabe)
Here’s another guy that is rather prepared for NFL-level football. Let’s get one thing straight: this dude would be an absolute STEAL at No. 4 overall. Matt Ryan’s days with the Atlanta Falcons may be numbered, but he’d certainly love the protection that Sewell could provide off the edge.
Who knows? Maybe with better run blocking, Todd Gurley could find his game again (assuming he stays healthy, of course).
5) Cincinnati Bengals- Rashawn Slater: OT, Northwestern (Logan Egelston-BSR Sports Staff)
Behind Sewell, the next best option and most NFL ready O-Lineman in the 2021 draft is Rashawn Slater, and the Bengals certainly need better protection for their former No. 1 overall pick Joe Burrow.
6) Philadelphia Eagles- Kyle Pitts: TE, Florida (Jake Matson-BSR Sports Staff)
I see the Eagles moving on from Zach Ertz this offseason, and Pitts being one of the best tight ends in this upcoming draft would be a good replacement.
7) Detroit Lions- DeVonta Smith: WR, Alabama (Ryan Struhar-BSR Sports Staff)
The Lions need a lot of help on offense and Smith is a big-time playmaker.
8) Carolina Panthers- Trey Lance: QB, North Dakota State (Ryan)
Lance can be a game changer in Carolina and could learn under Bridgewater. Lance also possesses extreme talent and athleticism.
9) Denver Broncos- Caleb Farley: CB, Virginia Tech (David Profusek-BSR Sports Staff)
Farley sat out this past season, but when he was last seen on the field in 2019, he was a top lockdown corner in the FBS for the Hookies. He has size, speed, and coverage skills to help out a shorthanded Denver secondary.
10) Dallas Cowboys- Patrick Surtain II: CB, Alabama (Jake)
Last season, the Cowboys defense was terrible. With the addition of the reigning SEC defensive player of the year, that could help reinforce the secondary.
11) New York Giants- Ja’Marr Chase: WR, LSU (Sean “Fitz” Fitzgerald-Sports Director. Co-host of Pass the Mic Sports Talk)
How a talent like Chase is still on the board at No. 11, as well as Alabama’s Jaylen Waddle, speaks to the quarterback shuffle going on around the league. He’s easily a top eight talent who dropped following an early run on quarterbacks.
Daniel Jones is the beneficiary here, now entering his third year with a legitimate No. 1 wideout option on the roster. Having Kyle Pitts could have been a good get here if he wasn’t already selected.
12) San Francisco 49ers- Alijah Vera-Tucker: OT, USC (Logan)
One of the main needs for this 49ers team, Vera-Tucker will be a good fit for the offense and allows for a flexible position change to the interior OL.
13) Los Angeles Chargers- Christian Darrisaw: OT, Virginia Tech (Ryan)
The LA Chargers need the line help. Darrisaw has good NFL size and he will enter the league as a two-year starter at Virginia Tech.
14) Minnesota Vikings- Kwity Paye: DL, Michigan (Alex)
The Vikings defense has been absolutely gutted over the last two seasons, and that became overly apparent when they were gashed repeatedly down the homestretch of the 2020 season.
Minnesota should be able to add depth at any of the three levels with this pick, but in this case I predict they will take a best-player-remaining approach. Kwity Paye will be an immediate impact starter on the interior for Mike Zimmer and crew.
15) New England Patriots- Jaycee Horn: CB, South Carolina (Enzo)
The biggest issue for the Patriots last year was their secondary. With Stephon Gilmore’s contract expiring at the end of the season, drafting a cornerback makes sense.
Bringing in Horn gives the Patriots a boost in the secondary. He’s very physical when guarding receivers and can get out of blocking situations on a blitz.
16) Arizona Cardinals- Gregory Rousseau: EDGE, Miami FL (Fitz)
There’s a lot to like about Rousseau. He was second in the FBS in sacks in 2019 behind *checks notes* Chase Young. With Haason Reddick hitting the open market, the Cardinals invest in the defense and add a talented rusher.
Too bad there’s not a ton of corners that could be slotted here to replace Patrick Peterson.
17) Las Vegas Raiders- Christian Barmore: DT, Alabama (Logan)
Perhaps the best interior defensive lineman in this draft class, Barmore is most likely the ideal pick for the Raiders in this spot. It is no secret that the defense was the achilles heel of this Raiders team last season, and particularly the interior defensive line struggled. Barmore would be a good scheme fit at a good value for No. 17.
18) Miami Dolphins- Micah Parsons: LB, Penn State (Alex)
This would be a slam dunk, best-case scenario selection for the Dolphins at No. 18.
By my estimation, Miami will be far more likely to take Zaven Collins, the linebacker from Tulsa, with this pick. However, if Brian Flores is fortunate enough to have this do-it-all switchblade from Penn State still on the board at 18, we know he won’t pass up on it. A pick like this would help to fully solidify a 24-month defensive rebuild in no time.
19) Washington Football Team- Jaylen Waddle: WR, Alabama (Fitz)
Whomever the quarterback is, seeing Waddle slip to Washington would be a dream scenario for Washington following the run on quarterbacks. He’s one of the fastest receivers in this draft and would pair perfectly with Terry McLaurin.
20) Chicago Bears- Terrance Marshall, Jr.: WR, LSU (Jake)
With Allen Robinson most likely leaving in free agency, I can see the need for the Bears to get a wide receiver high here in the draft to help whomever their quarterback is.
21) Indianapolis Colts- Azeez Ojulari: EDGE, Georgia (Fitz)
The Colts should be fine at linebacker, but an edge rusher is a necessity as they’re set to lose three of them in a few weeks, including Justin Houston. Ojulari will provide a much needed boost to the Colts front seven with Darius Leonard.
22) Tennessee Titans- Jayson Oweh: EDGE, Penn State (Ryan)
Tennessee needs help on the pass rush. Oweh is explosive and can be a valuable run defender. He is an experiment however, and most teams considering drafting him know that. Give him time and he has the potential to be a 10-plus-sack defender.
23) New York Jets- Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah: LB, Notre Dame (Enzo)
If there is a player who has the ability to play like defensive end and a defensive back, it would be Owusu-Koramoah. He is able to get to the QB and force turnovers and deflections in coverage. Whenever the ball goes on the ground, he is the first guy on the pile. This man is a turnover machine and he will give NFL offenses nightmares.
24) Pittsburgh Steelers- Mac Jones: QB, Alabama (Logan)
Big Ben is only getting older, and quarterback is a position that requires the most development. Yes, there are needs on the offensive line and on the defensive pass rush, but those positions are likely to produce NFL-ready guys each year.
Jones provides level headed playing ability that the Steelers can develop into a long-term QB.
25) Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevon Moehrig: S, TCU (Gabe)
Moehrig has been a top defensive back in college football for multiple seasons. Even with the CJ Henderson selection last year, Jacksonville still finds themselves thin in the secondary.
Is there a better option than the FBS leader in combined interceptions and pass break-ups in the last two seasons? I say no.
26) Cleveland Browns- Zaven Collins: LB, Tulsa (Gabe)
What is the Browns’ top priority this offseason? Say it with me! DEFENSE! Cleveland struggled mightily down the stretch defensively, especially with their linebacking core. Collins fills a position of massive need.
What really stands out to me about Collins is his skill in coverage, where he notched 4 interceptions this past season as a top cover LB in the country. Add his ability to pressure the QB in a pass rush scenario, and Cleveland has their dream pick at 26.
27) Baltimore Ravens- Rashod Bateman: WR, Minnesota (Enzo)
The Ravens can’t depend on Lamar Jackson to do everything on offense. He needs other receivers to help him out. Bateman will be the guy that helps stretch out the Ravens’ aeriel attack downfield.
He was one of the best receivers from the Big Ten. On film, he’s highly explosive as a deep threat, and that will be a boost for Jackson.
28) New Orleans Saints- Shaun Wade: CB, Ohio State (David)
Down the stretch, the Saints were killed in the secondary. Having a great track record with utilizing Ohio State DBs, I feel Wade would be a good addition to continue the Columbus Connection on defense.
29) Green Bay Packers- Rondale Moore: WR, Purdue (David)
Moore is an explosive athlete, and to avoid the wrath of Aaron Rodgers, GB will FINALLY look for a wide receiver. Moore would be a nice addition to add athleticism next to Adams.
30) Buffalo Bills- Wyatt Davis: OL, Ohio State (David)
With the 2020 season over, it’s clear Josh Allen is the guy in Buffalo. Now, they need to protect him. Davis will add an athletic big man to the offensive line to help protect their franchise QB for years to come.
31) Kansas City Chiefs- Jackson Carman: OL, Clemson (Alex)
The Chiefs offensive line was beaten, battered and bruised in Super Bowl 55, and quite frankly, it was embarrassing to watch. Seriously, I’ve seen revolving doors show more resistance than they did.
With that being the case, any sort of depth up front is much needed for the defending AFC Champs.
32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Joe Tyron: EDGE, Washington (Jake)
With both Shaq Barrett and Ndamukong Suh hitting free agency, the Bucs will need to find replacements for them if they are not able to re-sign them. Tyron seems to be the best player remaining to fill those voids.