BSR Sports Staff: Bi-Weekly 2021 NFL Mock Draft V2

Photo Credit: USA Today Network

The BSR Sports Department is back at the 2021 NFL Mock Draft table with our second version. To read version one, click here.

We’ve got some movement and a few surprises. Let’s see where the picks fell this time!

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1) Jacksonville Jaguars- Trevor Lawrence: QB, Clemson (Logan Egleston- BSR Sports Staff)

 Lawrence is perhaps one of the best college quarterbacks in recent years. Outside of a team offering an unrefusable offer, I don’t see this pick going any differently.

Trevor Lawrence is the best player in this draft class, and the Jaguars do not have a solid quarterback for their franchise yet. Lawrence definitely has the potential to fill that role.

2) New York Jets- Penei Sewell: OT, Oregon (Jake Matson- BSR Sports Staff)

Now I know what you’re thinking, Why aren’t the Jets taking a quarterback here? Well it’s all part of a genius plan.

As for why they should be taking Sewell here, it’s rather simple; If you want your quarterback to succeed, they will need a solid offensive line to help them out, and Sewell seems to be the most NFL ready guy to do it. 

3) Miami Dolphins- DeVonta Smith: WR, Alabama (David Profusek- BSR Sports Staff)

To me, it is insane to give up on Tua after one year where he had flashes of being a capable starter in the NFL.

To help him out, it’s a good idea to give him some weapons, and who better than his college teammate coming off a dominant Heisman season. That should add some instant skill and chemistry into the Miami offense.

4) Atlanta Falcons- Zach Wilson: QB, BYU (Alex Wilcox- BSR Sports Staff)

After years of volatility under the reign of Matt Ryan, Dan Quinn and the rest, it appears that the Dirty Birds will finally be wiping the slate clean by selecting a surefire quarterback. 

After Quinn suffered a mid-season firing, Matt Ryan will find himself heading for greener pastures in favor of newcomer Zach Wilson.

Wilson will be a successful pro for a long time in this league, as he can truly make all the throws. Here’s to Atlanta as they finally try to recover from 28-3.  

5) Cincinnati Bengals- Ja’Marr Chase: WR, LSU (Sean “Fitz” Fitzgerald- Sports Director. Co-Host of Pass the Mic Sports Talk) 

I like Rashawn Slater, but at No. 5 he’s a bit of a reach. Chase is a blue-chip prospect who opted out of the 2020 college season, and he was teammates with Joe Burrow at LSU.

So just like Tua and DeVonta Smith, let’s add some punch to this Bengals aerial attack and some instant chemistry as well. 

6) Philadelphia Eagles- Justin Fields: QB, Ohio State (Gabe Collura- Sports Coordinator. Co-Host of Opening Day)

Let the QB controversy in Philly begin!

While the Eagles need help on the perimeter offensively, picking a pocket presence wouldn’t shock me. I feel the only two receivers worth a pick THIS HIGH are already off the board.

Eagles fans, shift your eyes to Justin Fields. This dude has it all. For starters, his size ALONE is an eyebrow-raiser. 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds paired with an uncanny athletic ability is nothing to snuff about. He is one of the most accurate QBs in this draft and in recent memory.

Now, I will admit, he has his flaws. The main knock on Fields is his apparent lack of ability at times to scan the gridiron. That is, he stares down one receiver rather often. I watched every Ohio State game this season, and while I would agree with this observation, it’s nothing that can’t be fixed with the help of an NFL QB coach.

We know the Eagles aren’t opposed to bringing in competition for Jalen Hurts, so why not make this gutsy selection?

7) Detroit Lions- Kyle Pitts: TE, Florida (Alex)

The Lions are stuck in a no-man’s-land in terms of draft perspective. This team quite simply has so many needs, that pivoting between offense and defense, and skill position versus line play, is basically impossible to predict. 

However, with receiver Kenny Golladay likely departing in free agency, I foresee Motown management finding a shiny toy early in this draft for new quarterback Jared Goff to target. 

8) Carolina Panthers- Patrick Surtain II: CB, Alabama (Mason Lawlor- BSR Sports Staff)

Carolina needs more defensive playmakers to combat high flying offenses like Tampa Bay and New Orleans in their division. Alabama corners have a track record of prospering in the NFL.  

9) Denver Broncos- Micah Parsons: LB, Penn State (Fitz)

Caleb Farley is tempting, but Parsons’ upside at No. 9 is hard to pass up, especially with untapped potential as a pass rusher.

Parsons is a tackling machine who can get to the quarterback and force turnovers. As of this writing, Von Miller may be on his way out, and upgrading the defense should take priority. 

10) Dallas Cowboys- Caleb Farley: CB, Virginia Tech (Gabe)

He was tempting for Denver at No. 9, and Dallas is thrilled to have him at No. 10!

The weak Cowboys defense certainly receives much-needed reinforcements with this pick. The biggest perk of Caleb Farley is his length. He stands at 6-foot-2 and has long arms, giving him all the tools of a brilliant cover corner.

He is tremendously athletic, and can make plays when the ball is in the air, as evidenced by his six interceptions and 19 pass breakups in just 23 career games at the cornerback position.

Additionally, his knowledge of the game and his amazing play-recognition skills inherited from playing quarterback in high school allow him to see the field very well. He didn’t play DB until arriving at Virginia Tech, but the small sample size he’s given us is more than enough for me to make him a Top 10 selection.

11) New York Giants- Jayson Oweh: EDGE, Penn State (Mason)

Oweh is similar to many PSU defensive ends: relentless, self-made, and a great fit for a hard-nosed defense that the Giants should try to build in New York. 

12) San Francisco 49ers- Rashawn Slater: OT, Northwestern (Ryan Struhar- BSR Sports Staff)

Slater is a scheme diverse fit, and a very flexible to in terms of fitting his future position.

He can help any franchise who needs offensive line help and he did opt out of the 2020 season like others on the list. He has a year of rest under his belt getting ready for the draft

13) Los Angeles Chargers- Christian Darrisaw: OT, Virginia Tech (David)

The Chargers need some help at tackle to protect what appears to be their franchise QB in Justin Herbert. Darrisaw has the size and ability to be a solid big man on the offensive line.

14) Minnesota Vikings- Christian Barmore: DL, Alabama (Enzo Orlando- Sports Coordinator, Co-Host of Pass the Mic Sports Talk)

The Vikings struggled on defense the past few seasons and it has mainly shown from their d-line. Adding Barmore will be a game-changer for their d-line. He can go through not just one O-lineman but sometimes even two.

His ability to push through other players on the field amazes me. The only issue with Barmore is that he’s a sophomore and hasn’t had enough experience at the collegiate level. But for playing at that level for two seasons with Alabama I believe that he is ready for the NFL.

15) New England Patriots- Jaylen Waddle: WR, Alabama (Logan)

With needs on both sides of the ball, the No. 15 spot in the draft could go a lot of different ways for this Patriots team.

The primary need on offense for New England is a playmaking pass catcher, and Waddle certainly fits that archetype. While Bill Belichick and the Patriots’ front office might be eying up quarterbacks, Waddle is a safe, ideal pick at this 15th pick spot for New England. 

16) Arizona Cardinals- Jaycee Horn: CB, South Carolina (Jake)

With Patrick Peterson’s pending free agency and his remarks about wanting to find another home this coming offseason, look to see the Arizona Cardinals try to find his replacement. Finding help here became a lot easier after the signing of JJ Watt and less of a need to get to the quarterback 

17) Las Vegas Raiders- Kwity Paye: DL, Michigan (Mason)

Las Vegas needs to get tougher on defense starting up front, to get over the hump in the AFC playoff picture. 

18) Miami Dolphins- Gregory Rousseau: EDGE, Miami FL (David)

The Dolphins need to address their ability to get pressure on the quarterback, and Rousseau is one of the best edge rushers in the draft. Plus he would already feel right at home in South Beach and get a positive reaction from the fan base.

19) Washington- Trey Lance: QB, North Dakota State (Enzo)

With the news coming from the Washington Football Team that they will be moving on from Alex Smith, they need a quarterback.

With this selection they’re bringing in the top quarterback from the FCS in Lance, who came from Carson Wentz’s alma mater.

With both playing in North Dakota, they do have a similar style of play, except Lance is able to be more mobile then what Wentz is since Lance is a pretty quick QB when he is on the loose.  

20) Chicago Bears- Teven Jenkins: OL, Oklahoma State (Wilcox)

It’s in no way a sexy pick and it won’t solve the Bears offensive woes, but outside of quarterback, the Bears biggest need is on the offensive line. 

It’s yet to be determined whether the Windy City will be in play for a new signal caller this offseason, but bolstering the line of scrimmage will be a good start.

Jenkins will be able to start right away for Chicago. He’s a versatile, fundamental 4-year college starter that will prove valuable for the Bears’ offense immediately.

21) Indianapolis Colts- Kadarius Toney: WR, Florida (Ryan)

Toney is a explosive slot receiver who only got better at each season he spent at Florida, and with Ty Hilton the Colts need a new target for Carson Wentz

22) Tennessee Titans- Terrace Marshall, Jr.: WR, LSU (Jake)

With the Ravens stopping the run game in the playoffs, it exposed the Titans as a more one dimensional team.

Plus with their Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith leaving for Atlanta, they will need to become a more well rounded team, so that would include giving Ryan Tannehill a little more help. 

23) New York Jets- Mac Jones: QB, Alabama (Jake)

And now the Plan comes full circle, With the Jets taking Sewell second overall, they will miss out on Wilson.

However, I think with this route that they traveled meant they ended up with the third best quarterback in this draft class to replace Sam Darnold.

24) Pittsburgh Steelers- Najee Harris: RB, Alabama (Wilcox)

Harris would be an ideal, grand slam of a pick for the Steelers. Run game production has been lackluster to say the least for the Black and Gold Brigade, as James Conner has really slowed down and Bennie Snell has proven to be ineffective.

Najee would add an immediate burst to the Steelers backfield and become a dynamic option for their offense within weeks of entering the gates of Heinz Field.

25) Jacksonville Jaguars- Alijah Vera-Tucker: OT, USC (Logan)

With Trevor Lawrence to the Jaguars at No. 1, it only makes sense to expend another first round pick to protect him and his hefty contract.

Given needs on the defensive side of the ball, it could be tempting for Jacksonville to take a corner here. However, Vera-Tucker at the No. 26 spot would be incredible value for yet again, another NFL ready prospect.

If this scenario works out for the Jaguars, it would most likely turn out to be the best 1st round tandem of picks for any team in the first round. 

26) Cleveland Browns- Azeez Ojulari: LB, Georgia (David)

Ojulari is young, but he has tons of potential. Give him some time to develop and he can be a key piece for the Browns’ depleted linebacking core.

27) Baltimore Ravens- Rashod Bateman: WR, Minnesota (Logan)

Aside from interior OL, the biggest need on the offensive side of the ball for this Ravens squad is receiving weapons for Lamar Jackson.

With a QB as mobile as Jackson, interior OL is not necessarily a need that would take precedence over the need to get someone to throw to the ball to.

Bateman is a bigger, better receiver than a lot of his fellow draft-mates, and could give Jackson a chance to spread defenses out and slice them apart down the field. 

28) New Orleans Saints- Rondale Moore: WR, Purdue (Ryan)

With a potential Drew Brees retirement the Saints may have a new starter next year. They will need all the help they can get. Moore is an explosive playmaker, and a weapon to have on any team. Pairing him with Michael Thomas will be dangerous. 

29) Green Bay Packers- Elijah Moore: WR, Ole Miss (Fitz)

Clemson running back Travis Etienne would have been the pick before the Packers agreed to extend Aaron Jones. Instead, we pivot to give Aaron Rodgers a new toy.

Moore has blazing speed and can stretch the field for Green Bay. Hopefully this satisfies Rodgers, finally giving him some help to pair with Davante Adams. 

30) Buffalo Bills- Jalen Mayfield: OL, Michigan (Enzo)

The Bills are a good team overall, but they just need some help on the offensive line. Adding Mayfield will be a huge help to their run game and protecting Josh Allen.

31) Kansas City Chiefs- Wyatt Davis: OL, Ohio State (Mason)

Patrick Mahomes was running for his life during Super Bowl LV, and he needs a skilled Big Ten lineman up front to help out. Without an elite defensive player on the board here, Kansas City goes into the trenches at 31. 

32) Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Levi Onwuzurike: DT, Washington (Gabe)

It’s tough to even think that the Bucs need anything out of this draft. Coming off a Super Bowl victory with the Greatest Player of All Time at the helm (you know who I’m talking about), Tampa will pretty much be running back the same roster with the exception of the defensive line.

With three unrestricted free agents on that line, looking for a replacement option late in the draft will be much cheaper, especially with the decrease of the cap. Onwuzurike is a terrific run defender on the d-line, which will be more than helpful in a division where the opposing backs are Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffery, and Todd Gurley.

He’s very explosive, which will be a tremendous help in rushing the passer. The Bucs get a solid player with the 32nd pick.