The 2020 NFL season brought many surprises with many teams making a huge push for the playoffs and several other teams disappointing. For 18 teams, they are starting their rebuilding process in the offseason. Those teams preparing in the offseason are already looking in their front office, coaching positions, and potential free agents for this next season. While there are several teams already making changes in their coaching staffs and front offices. The rest of the teams are preparing for the start of the 2021 Free Agency and the process of the 2021 NFL Mock Draft. All of these teams will make dramatic changes to their team for them to compete more significantly for the 2021 NFL Season.
2021 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32
2021 NFL Mock Draft – End of Regular Season (Picks: 1-16)
-
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15) – Quarterback Trevor Lawrence (Clemson)
This season has shown that the Jaguars need a franchise quarterback more than any other position with and without Gardner Minshew II as the starter. Lawrence is the most prolific quarterback in the NFL Draft since Andrew Luck and is the obvious choice for the first pick of this 2021 NFL Mock Draft
-
New York Jets (2-14) – Quarterback Justin Fields (Ohio State)
Several positions need serious grades more than the quarterback position. The Jets need a playmaker they can fully trust in. They were ranked 31st in the league in passing yards per game (174.8).
-
Miami Dolphins (10-6)* – Wide Receiver Ja’Marr Chase (LSU)
After a tremendous middle of the season, the Dolphins barely missed the NFL Playoffs. The blame will go towards rookie quarterback Tua Tagovailoa but the Dolphins’ receivers rank near the last in the league separations and yards after catch. They also need a number one receiver who will not consistently drop passes.
-
Atlanta Falcons (4-12) – Outside Linebacker Micah Parsons (Penn State)
The Falcons could make a serious run for a cornerback as they are ranked first in the league in passing yards allowed per game (293.6). They have been missing an efficient pass rusher for years as they have only accounted for 29 sacks this season as they blitz 32.8% of the opposing dropbacks.
-
Cincinnati Bengals (4-11-1) – Offensive Tackle Penei Sewell (Oregon)
This should be the easiest decision for any team, outside of Jacksonville. The Bengals allowed 48 sacks this season, which is the sixth-highest in the league. They also got their rookie franchise quarterback Joe Burrow hurt with an ACL tear.
-
Philadelphia Eagles (4-11-1) – Wide Receiver DeVonta Smith (Alabama)
This was a disaster season for the quarterbacks of the Eagles. Whoever will be the starting quarterback in 2021, they will need a reliable number one receiver. The Eagles are 28th in passing yards per game (207.9) and 30th in the number of games that had a 100-yard receiver (2).
-
Detroit Lions (5-11) – Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle (Alabama)
The Lions need an explosive and versatile receiver to match Marvin Jones Jr. This would finally give quarterback Matthew Stafford a great receiver corps since having Calvin Johnson.
-
Carolina Panthers (5-11) – Cornerback Patrick Surtain II (Alabama)
Carolina is playing in an NFC South Division loaded with elite quarterbacks. The Panthers have allowed the eighth-highest completion percentage (68) and have only accounted for seven interceptions. That is the second-lowest amount in the league.
-
Denver Broncos (5-11) – Cornerback Caleb Farley (Virginia Tech)
The Broncos could go for a new edge rusher in the 2021 NFL Draft but they are consistently beat deep in the passing game. Denver’s defense ranks 17th in the league in passing yards allowed per game (237.9).
-
Dallas Cowboys (6-10) – Defensive End/Outside Linebacker Kwity Paye (Michigan)
Dallas had one of the worst defenses in the league at the beginning of the season. They might need to make some upgrades at linebacker but they need fresh pass rushers. They’ve accounted for 31 sacks (21st most in the league) and 74 quarterback hits (26th in the league).
-
New York Giants (6-10) – Defensive End Gregory Rousseau (Miami)
The Giants were just short of making it into the 2020 NFL Playoffs but they now have a chance to acquire one of the biggest position needs without going too high. New York will need a solid edge to make a significant impact in the pass rush as no defensive has accounted for more than four sacks.
-
San Francisco 49ers (6-10) – Cornerback Jaycee Horn (South Carolina)
There will be a lot of turnover in the 49ers’ secondary this offseason. Horn will add youth and solid consistency in the defensive backs of the 49ers. They constantly play in a more high-power offensive-minded division.
-
Los Angeles Chargers (7-9) – Tight End Kyle Pitts (Florida)
Hunter Henry is going to be a free agent after being signed to a franchise tag. Pitts will be much more of a significant upgrade to Henry for potential offensive rookie of the year in quarterback Justin Herbert.
-
Minnesota Vikings (7-9) – Quarterback Zach Wilson (BYU)
The Vikings will need to upgrade the offensive and defensive line. Although, they cannot miss the chance to acquire their potential franchise quarterback in Wilson.
-
New England Patriots (7-9) – Quarterback Trey Lance (North Dakota State)
The Cam Newton experiment was unfortunately a bust for the Patriots this season. New England is ranked 30th in the league in passing yards per game (180.6) and 27th in quarterback rating (81.1). They will need a new and younger franchise quarterback to potentially lead them back into the NFL playoffs.
-
Arizona Cardinals (8-8) – Offensive Tackle/Guard Alijah Versa-Tucker (USC)
Arizona has an offense that could be much more explosive. For that to happen, the Cardinals will need help at the offensive line, both on the edge and in the interior.
2021 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32
*(The Houston Texans traded the third overall pick in a package deal to the Miami Dolphins.)
Main photo:
Embed from Getty Images
