Welcome to the first of several mock drafts. Part 2 of this 2021 NFL Mock Draft will not include trades, but future installments will include trades. Stay tuned for more mock drafts as prospects rise and fall.
2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0 – Part 2 (Picks 17-32)
No. 17: Las Vegas Raiders, Micah Parsons, Linebacker, Penn State
Parsons has character concerns coming out of Penn State, but Las Vegas is desperate for talent. Without the red flags, Parsons is a near-lock to be a top-10 pick. With the red flags, he could fall out of the first round if teams deem it serious enough.
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No. 18: Miami Dolphins, Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Notre Dame
Owusu-Koramoah is one of the most versatile defensive players in the draft class. He could be a chess piece for Brian Flores and the Dolphins defense.
No. 19: Washington Football Team, Samuel Cosmi, Offensive Tackle, Texas
Washington is a likely quarterback destination, but drafting a tackle would be wise to protect whomever is under center by Week 1.
No. 20: Chicago Bears, Mac Jones, Quarterback, Alabama
Jones could go earlier in real life. Chicago is likely going to move off the duo of Nick Foles and Mitchell Trubisky. Jones benefitted from the Alabama system, but the Bears are not devoid of offensive talent like some teams are.
No. 21: Indianapolis Colts, Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
The Colts should fill their gaping hole at quarterback with an offseason trade. Justin Houston could be on his way out of Indianapolis, and Rousseau fills the gap with gobs of athletic potential.
No. 22: Tennessee Titans, Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Miami EDGEs go back-to-back as the Titans need to find any semblance of a pass rush. After swinging and missing in the 2020 offseason, Tennessee heads to the draft for help.
No. 23: New York Jets, Asante Samuel, Cornerback, Florida State
Samuel comes to his father’s old stomping grounds in the AFC East. If he is half the ballhawk that his dad was, Samuel will be a steal at No. 23.
No. 24: Pittsburgh Steelers, Creed Humphrey, Interior Offensive Line, Oklahoma
With a Maurkice Pouncey-sized hole at center, Humphrey seems like the natural pick. Pittsburgh’s offensive line was shielded by Ben Roethlisberger’s routinely quick release, but they need reinforcements.
No. 25: Jacksonville Jaguars, Jalen Mayfield, Offensive Tackle, Michigan
Jacksonville got their quarterback of the future at No. 1. Here, they get their cornerstone tackle to protect said quarterback.
No. 26: Cleveland Browns, Zaven Collins, Linebacker, Tulsa
Cleveland won 11 games despite playing tackling dummies at linebacker. Collins is an upgrade, and he could be a sneaky Defensive Rookie of the Year threat.
No. 27: Baltimore Ravens, Rashod Bateman, Wide Receiver, Minnesota
Baltimore could strike out on the wide receiver free agents, but never fear, Bateman is here. Bateman is a physical pass catcher that could help Lamar Jackson and the offense reach new heights.
No. 28: New Orleans Saints, Nick Bolton, Linebacker, Missouri
Even with the cap voodoo that the Saints do each season, they need to refuel their ranks. Bolton seems like a logical heir to Demario Davis.
No. 29: Green Bay Packers, Jaylen Waddle, Wide Receiver, Alabama
Waddle will likely go earlier, but Green Bay gets a steal here. Waddle’s speed mixed with Davante Adams’ route-running prowess could mean MVP No. 4 for Aaron Rodgers.
No. 30: Buffalo Bills, Alex Leatherwood, Offensive Tackle, Alabama
The Bills have one of the most complete rosters in the NFL, but they do need help on the offensive line. Leatherwood gives the Bills versatility, but his NFL spot is likely at tackle.
No. 31: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Shaquil Barrett is a free agent. If he walks, Tampa Bay will likely replenish his production through the draft.
No. 32: Kansas City Chiefs, Alijah Vera-Tucker, Interior Offensive Line, USC
Similar to the Bills, Kansas City has few glaring holes. They need offensive line help. Vera-Tucker could be a Day 1 starter in Kansas City.
