2021 NFL mock draft: Justin Fields goes top 5, a trade for Trey Lance and 32 ‘value options’
Chris Burke 3h ago
Odds are, you’ll skip right on past this part to get to the picks, but a word about this NFL mock draft’s premise …
All the first-round selections are there (plus Nos. 56, 57 and 67, on behalf of the teams sitting out the opening-day festivities). On top of that, though, at each slot you’ll also find what we’re calling a “value option” — a prospect who doesn’t have the same buzz but can offer some elements reminiscent of a player picked 1-32, at less of a draft risk.
Dane Brugler just covered 257 names during his latest mock. In this version, we’ll expand a little bit on 30-plus prospects who otherwise wouldn’t be included as we work through the first round.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The most tedious stretch of NFL Draft season will be the 10 minutes between when the Jaguars go on the clock April 29 and when they announce their pick. Nothing has happened to unseat Lawrence from his spot atop this class.
Value option: Doesn’t matter. The Jaguars are taking Lawrence, and there’s not another quarterback in this class who can even broadly replicate his size and skill set.
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
On March 29, Connor Hughes wrote that “the Jets will take Wilson, trade Darnold to the highest bidder and begin to build around their new young quarterback.” The Darnold trade has since happened, so Step 2 should be a go.
Value option: Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M. Arguably the best of the second-tier quarterback prospects in this class, Mond brings mobility and a live arm to the table. He should have some fans as early as Day 2.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via Miami Dolphins): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
As Matt Barrows recently pointed out, 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is tight with John Beck, the ex-NFL quarterback who’s now the private QB coach for Fields (and Trey Lance). That’s an invaluable connection in a challenging scouting environment. Fields, somehow, is almost flying under the radar despite his outstanding skill set.
Value option: Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia. A well-built quarterback who can be a challenge to bring down, Newman has the potential to be a better pocket passer than he is.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Letting Trey Lance sit and learn new coach Arthur Smith’s system for a year or two would make a ton of sense. So would trading down, maybe to No. 9, if the Falcons aren’t ready to take the QB leap again. Option 3 is to stick and create an absolutely matchup-proof passing attack of Pitts, Julio Jones, Hayden Hurst and Calvin Ridley.
Value option: Jacob Harris, TE, UCF. If we’re talking about traits you don’t see all that often, remember Harris’ name on Day 3. He’s 25 pounds lighter than Pitts but ran a 4.4 40 with a 6.51 three-cone and 11-foot broad jump.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Not to get too hung up on his age, but Sewell could play out his rookie contract, fifth-year option and a four-year extension … and still only be 29. This is an incredible opportunity for the Bengals to hand Joe Burrow a potential All-Pro protector for the next decade-plus.
Value option: D’Ante Smith, OT, East Carolina. His footwork is really smooth, both moving laterally and getting to the second level. He should be part of a heavy Day 2 OT run.
6. Miami Dolphins (via Philadelphia Eagles): Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
We don’t often see early draft trades like this one Miami made, with only limited clarity about which names will come off the board ahead of it. Did the Dolphins leapfrog Detroit to get their pick at receiver? Or did they want to semi-guarantee themselves one of Sewell or Rashawn Slater? Here, it’s the playmaker and WR1 in this class.
Value option: Josh Palmer, WR, Tennessee. He can be lethal downfield, even without the type of elite speed Chase has. Just put the ball in the neighborhood and let Palmer go to work.
7. TRADE
Detroit Lions get: Nos. 15, 46 and a 2022 third-round pick
New England Patriots get: No. 7 overall
Pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
An early defining moment for new Lions GM Brad Holmes, with a chance to replace traded-away franchise QB Matthew Stafford with a potential star. But, with Jared Goff as a safety net, the chance to stockpile picks might be too enticing. And in this range, the Patriots could come up for their prize without sacrificing too much beyond 2021. Let Lance sit and learn behind Cam Newton for a year, then turn him loose.
Value option: Sam Ehlinger, QB, Texas. This is tough with the QBs, because there is such a notable drop-off from the potential top four or five at the position and the rest of the group. Ehlinger certainly doesn’t have the raw arm talent of Lance, but he can provide dual-threat possibilities in a 220-pound frame.
8. Carolina Panthers: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The top four QBs being gone might take away the temptation to double dip, after Carolina’s trade for Sam Darnold. It’s a tough enough decision anyway, as this board falls, between Surtain and Rashawn Slater. Surtain would give them a top-two corner with NFL bloodlines and insulate their secondary in case free-agent addition A.J. Bouye cannot return to form.
Value option: Ifeatu Melifonwu, CB, Syracuse. The size and length are there, but Melifonwu most resembles Surtain in how he sticks in receivers’ hip pockets. He can eliminate in-breaking routes.
9. Denver Broncos: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Phenomenal as Slater is, let’s not forget that he — like Sewell, Chase and others — has not played a game since the 2019 season. The Broncos have the perfect situation to let him settle in, with quality guards and right tackle Ja’Wuan James in place. By Week 1, Slater could be pushing James; by 2022, he should be a cornerstone piece.
Value option: Brenden Jaimes, OT, Nebraska. We’ll stick in the Big Ten for Jaimes, who doesn’t check off all the physical boxes but moves well and plays with excellent awareness.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
This is another team that might be crossing its fingers, hoping Sewell or Slater slides a bit. Horn is a terrific consolation prize, and then some. He showed lock-down abilities against SEC competition. He’s not going to back down from any challenge.
Value option: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF. This is all about the attitude. Robinson, at 186 pounds, can’t be quite as physical as Horn, but he damn sure tries. He’ll make a play and let you know about it.
11. New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
In his mock last week, Brugler selected Alijah Vera-Tucker at No. 11 but wrote, “Personally, I would go Jaylen Waddle here.” Same. So that’s the pick. With Kenny Golladay demanding attention outside, Waddle could run wild across the middle of the field.
Value option: Anthony Schwartz, WR, Auburn. How’s 4.25 speed sound? Schwartz might not be a featured piece like Waddle will be, but he’ll make secondaries nervous with his ability to stretch the field.
12. Philadelphia Eagles (via Miami): DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Would you rather have Ja’Marr Chase, whom the Dolphins took at No. 6, or Smith, pick 123 and an extra first-rounder in 2022? The Eagles could walk away with the latter, highlighted by a reigning Heisman winner who immediately would project as their top target.
Value option: Cade Johnson, WR, South Dakota State. At 5-10, 184, Johnson is more compact than Smith, but the lack of height means he’ll probably have to live in the slot. No problem. He’s a sharp route runner, though, and slick with the ball in his hands.
13. TRADE
Los Angeles Chargers get: Nos. 20, 83 and a 2022 second-round pick
Chicago Bears get: No. 13
Pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Bears GM Ryan Pace and head coach Matt Nagy keep popping in on these QB workouts, including Justin Fields’ second pro day. Trading into the top five is a bridge too far, but this sort of jump is within reach. No one’s really buying all the “Andy Dalton QB1” propaganda.
Value option: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford. He might not be around long if five quarterbacks are gone in the top 10-15 picks. Mills does a solid job picking through his progressions and trying to make plays from the pocket.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Like a lot of teams, the Vikings appear to be waiting on this exceptionally deep O-line class to address their issues up front. Darrisaw is a big, physical dude who could be a plug-and-play option on either the left or right side in Minnesota.
Value option: Tommy Doyle, OT, Miami (Ohio). A 6-8 behemoth with 35 1/8-inch arms, Doyle gets after it as a run blocker. He had some high-level matchups with the likes of Ohio State and Iowa, too.
15. Detroit Lions (via New England Patriots): Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
The Lions absolutely will consider Sewell or Slater at 7, should that chance be there. Vera-Tucker, though, is a borderline top-10 talent in this class himself. Armed with even more future picks, Detroit could snag him here, drop him in as the starting RG or RT and not worry about that position for years.
Value option: Royce Newman, OL, Ole Miss. He saw time at both guard spots and right tackle over the past two seasons. Nothing flashy here, just a steady performer who can diagnose what he’s looking at, from whichever position he’s playing.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Provided that teams are satisfied with Newsome’s health — he missed time during each of his three college seasons — his tape and testing deserve top-20 consideration. Malcolm Butler’s only in Arizona on a one-year deal. Newsome could be the long-term Patrick Peterson replacement.
Value option: Robert Rochell, CB, Central Arkansas. He’s always around the football, thanks to his quickness and footwork. Strong chance a team can take him in Round 3 or 4 and bank on him developing into a starter.
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Hard to know what to believe this time of year, but it sure sounds like Raiders coach Jon Gruden is ready to bare-knuckle box any team that might swoop in and take Parsons from him. Adding Parsons on the second level after signing Yannick Ngakoue to provide a pass rush would reshape the Raiders’ front seven, for the better, in a matter of weeks.
Value option: Derrick Barnes, LB, Purdue. No ’backer in this class can fully match Parsons’ combination of size and speed. Barnes offers some flashes of Parsons’ game, though, in his sideline-to-sideline ability and physical downhill play. Use him as a blitzer, please.
18. Miami Dolphins: Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan
With their second pick of Round 1, the Dolphins might have their choice of pass rushers. With a tantalizing athletic profile, Paye has a chance to be special off the edge. At minimum, he’s a high-upside defender capable of playing on all three downs, in any situation.
Value option: Jordan Smith, Edge, UAB. With 27 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks over his final two seasons, plus a strong Senior Bowl week, the arrow is pointed up on the 6-foot-6 Smith.
19. Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
This already is (and will continue to be) a popular pairing, because Washington has such a glaring need at linebacker and the versatile Owusu-Koramoah offers so much to counter modern offenses. I’m not sure why there has been so little buzz of late on Owusu-Koramoah. He’s legit.
Value option: Cam McGrone, LB, Michigan. While he can’t provide the versatility Owusu-Koramoah (ideally) can, the undersized McGrone is quick to the ball and erases a lot on the second level when he can pick through traffic.
20. Los Angeles Chargers (via Chicago Bears): Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
Another tough decision in this mock: Leave the Chargers alone at No. 13 so they could take Darrisaw or move back, add picks and see what’s there at 20? Obviously, we’re in the latter scenario and on the board is maybe this draft’s top edge rusher. If you have to face Patrick Mahomes twice a year, it’d be great to toss an Ojulari-Joey Bosa combo at him.
Value option: Daelin Hayes, Edge, Notre Dame. He’s an active defender who has no issues playing the run or dropping in coverage. There’s also plenty in his game as a pass rusher to suggest he can be a quality contributor.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Again, this class is loaded with starter-caliber tackles. Want one here? Sure. Prefer to wait until Round 2 or 3? No problem. In Jenkins, however, the Colts could snag a mauler who’s flat-out mean in the trenches.
Value option: Larry Borom, OT, Missouri. He plays a little upright, but he buries defenders when he gets his hands locked on them. As a rookie, he’d be a nice extra tackle for a team that likes to employ heavy sets.
22. Tennessee Titans: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Bateman doesn’t jump off the page like some other receiver prospects in this class, but he’s an NFL-ready playmaker who excels at making plays downfield, in tight windows. With Derrick Henry commanding attention, there’d be plenty of one-on-one chances for Bateman to exploit.
Value option: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State. He won’t scare anyone with his size; he doesn’t have the speed of, say, Schwartz. So, like, Bateman, he relies on knowing how to work to open spaces and finishing in traffic downfield.
23. New York Jets (via Seattle Seahawks): Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Other than quarterback (which they can take care of at No. 2), the Jets’ biggest need is at corner. Farley reportedly passed his recent medical checks, following back surgery, but that issue plus the strength at the top of this CB class could leave him on the board for New York. It’d be a great need-value fit.
Value option: Keith Taylor, CB, Washington. The 4.53 speed is worrisome, although his 6-2 size, physical nature and length should help. He’s a force outside when plays develop in front of him.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Would every team feel comfortable taking a running back in Round 1? Probably not. But the Steelers would, especially if that player — like Harris — can be an instant three-down upgrade. Harris could take a lot of heat off Ben Roethlisberger this year, then be the central focus of the post-Roethlisberger offense beyond that.
Value option: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, Oklahoma. He doesn’t move like a 230-pound back, but defenders trying to tackle him know the truth. He doesn’t need much room to get moving north.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles Rams): Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Barmore fits as high up as Minnesota’s pick at No. 14, so snagging him with the 25th overall selection would be a home run. The Jaguars have put together a few pieces for their defensive interior, but Barmore could be an immediate difference-maker, especially against the pass.
Value option: Darius Stills, DT, West Virginia. Much different evaluation for Stills, at 6-foot and 278 pounds, than the 6-4, 310-pound Barmore. Need an interior pass rusher but don’t want to pay an early-round premium, however? This might be your guy.
26. Cleveland Browns: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami
The Browns’ Jadeveon Clowney signing shouldn’t shift any focus away from an impact pass rusher — Clowney’s deal is for just one year, and his value is in his inside/outside versatility more so than an ability to come screaming around the edge. Erase his medical history and Phillips might be a top-10 option in this draft; take it into consideration, as teams must, and his potential should outweigh the risk by this point.
Value option: Chauncey Golston, Edge, Iowa. He and Phillips both keep the motor running hot at all times. With his length, he can stack up blockers and power his way to the quarterback.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Richie Grant, S, UCF
Day 2 should be a good spot for safeties, but can any of them sneak into the first round? This is a good spot for it — the Ravens have a need there, and Grant is a ballhawk who racked up 259 combined tackles over the past three seasons. Baltimore long has been a franchise that appreciated having a playmaker on the back end.
Value option: Damar Hamlin, S, Pittsburgh. Extremely underrated prospect who can be a core special-teams player, at worst, with upside as an eraser at all levels.
28. New Orleans Saints: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Watching Toney and Pitts play together in that Florida offense is just silly. In this mock, Pitts landed in a prime spot with the Falcons’ offense. And, at 28, Toney gets his own desirable match, alongside Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara in an attack that could light up the scoreboard even without Drew Brees.
Value option: Demetric Felton, RB/WR, UCLA. His performance at the Senior Bowl was something else. If he proves he can get open, and he stays as difficult as he is to tackle, how do you defend him?
29. Green Bay Packers: Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Florida State
The Packers haven’t shied away from throwing draft capital at their secondary, and they’ll likely have to do so again this year. They would have several quality options here: Samuel, Eric Stokes, Tyson Campbell. They take the player that, as Brugler wrote in his draft guide, “flashes Jaire Alexander-type ability.”
Value option: Tre Brown, CB, Oklahoma. Thirty-five career pass breakups don’t happen by accident — Brown was everywhere in coverage. He flies all over the place, breaks off coverage to make plays elsewhere and has absolutely no shortage of confidence.
30. Buffalo Bills: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Considered launching a cornerback run here, with the Bills following up that Packers pick by taking Eric Stokes. But Collins is a unique hybrid edge type, whose versatility and pass-rush ability would give the Bills options with him, even after locking down Matt Milano for four years.
Value option: Elerson Smith, Edge, Northern Iowa. Straying a little far from Collins’ all-around skill set with Smith, whose selling point is his pass-rush upside. It’s the rare physical attributes that match up, though. Smith looks like someone turned an NBA small forward into a DE.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
Cosmi’s stunning pro day performance solidified him as a potential Round 1 tackle — teams go nuts for that level of athleticism at the position. A bonus: Cosmi has experience starting on each end of the line, so Kansas City could plug him at left tackle or right tackle and be confident.
Value option: Spencer Brown, OT, Northern Iowa. Speaking of unique Northern Iowa prospects … Brown lit up his pro day, at 6-8 (!), 311 pounds. Give him time and he could be special.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carlos Basham Jr., Edge, Wake Forest
A 274-pounder with sub-4.6 speed, Basham feels like a player who’s going to be racking up sacks for the next dozen years. He’d help the Bucs, rushing off the edge or inside, but also wouldn’t have to be the guy right out of the gate.
Value option: Dayo Odeyingbo, Edge, Vanderbilt. He tore his Achilles in January, hence his placement on the “value” list. If not for that, we’d be talking about how high a 285-pound DT/DE wrecking ball could go.
Three teams do not have a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Opening moves from Seattle, the Rams and Houston:
56. Seattle Seahawks: Brady Christensen, OT, BYU
This could be an all-time great offensive tackle draft. It’s going to be deep there, if nothing else. So, the Seahawks can jump on board even later in Round 2. Christensen shouldn’t need much time to acclimate to the NFL game, but looking long term he’d be a perfect option to learn behind veteran Duane Brown at LT.
57. Los Angeles Rams: Josh Myers, G/C, Ohio State
It doesn’t have to be with this pick, but the Rams almost have to draft a center. The Myers selection assumes that Creed Humphrey and Quinn Meinerz are off the board ahead of No. 57. This isn’t settling, though. Myers was a two-year starter at Ohio State, and he brings strength, smarts and versatility inside.
67. Houston Texans: Payton Turner, Edge, Houston
How about a hometown kid to help Houston start putting its roster back together? Turner is a 6-5, 270-pound prospect — with an 84-inch wingspan — who’s been riding a wave of positive momentum ever since he excelled during Senior Bowl practices.