Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence is the presumed top overall prospect for the 2021 NFL Draft, and even though it’s only July, the mock draft circuit is beginning to get a little boring. There’s no drama or intrigue with the first pick; it’s Lawrence or bust.
Then again, maybe not.
Washington, and Dwayne Haskins, is the X-factor right now. If Haskins plays well enough in 2020 to cement his status as the team’s franchise quarterback, that’s great. But Washington is expected to struggle in Year 1 under Ron Rivera (check the Super Bowl odds if you doubt that) and they’re considered a front-runner for the top overall pick. A good year from Haskins combined with a bad year from Washington in the W/L record could result in a non-quarterback coming off the board with the first pick.
And that’s exactly what happened in Luke Easterling’s latest mock draft. He has Oregon’s Penei Sewell headed to Washington with the No. 1 pick.
While it makes sense for Washington to target a blue-chip left tackle to protect Haskins in the 2021 NFL Draft — he isn’t the most mobile quarterback in the league — a trade out of the top pick would seem like a better use of that asset if they decided against Lawrence as their quarterback of the future. Just imagine how many picks they’d get in return for Lawrence, who’s the best quarterback prospect to enter the NFL in quite some time.
As for Lawrence’s landing spot in this mock draft? He doesn’t wait long to hear his name called; the Jaguars scoop him up with the second pick. Ohio State’s Justin Fields, who’s probably the only player that can really challenge Lawrence for the top pick, falls to the Panthers at No. 6 overall. North Dakota State’s Trey Lance slides to the Chicago Bears at No. 12.
One of the most intriguing selections in Easterling’s mock is at No. 3 overall where he has the Giants taking Miami edge rusher, Gregory Rousseau. This is a really nice pick. Rousseau is physical marvel who will be at or near the top of every defensive coordinator’s wish list in April.
For Eastlerling’s complete mock draft, click here.
