NFL Mock Draft 2.0: Quarterbacks dominate early, including a surprise in the top 5

Zach Wilson mock draft

It’s time for our second 2021 NFL Mock Draft of the season, and while it’s pretty easy to project that the top of Round 1 will be all about the quarterbacks, we throw a bit of a curveball with the Miami Dolphins’ selection (No. 3 overall).

Why not, right? This is a mock draft after all.

This mock draft isn’t based strictly on our evaluations. Instead, it’s a 2021 mock draft that uses the prevailing draft narrative as its guiding principle. It’s a combination of what we’re reading and hearing as the 2021 NFL Draft season unfolds.

So, without further delay, the Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock:

Trevor Lawrence Pro Day

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

-This one’s chalk. Lawrence is the best quarterback — and player — in the 2021 NFL draft. He’s the best quarterback — and player — to enter the league in a very long time. The long-suffering Jaguars fans won’t be in pain for much longer.

2021 NFL Mock draft

2. New York Jets

Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

-Fields is in a pre-draft battle with BYU’s Zach Wilson for the QB2 position, and while Fields’ draft stock has inexplicably slipped a bit since his final snap at Ohio State, there’s a good chance the Jets will make him their pick by the time the draft rolls around. New York is fielding calls for Sam Darnold and it would be a shock if they don’t use this pick on a quarterback, assuming they don’t trade it away. If the Jets remain in this position, they’ll snag Fields, who brings the kind of dual-threat skill set that’s needed to succeed in today’s NFL.

3. Miami Dolphins (from Houston)

Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

-Are the Dolphins ready to move on from Tua Tagovailoa just one season removed from making him the No. 5 overall pick in the 2020 draft? It seems like a longshot, but I’m willing to bet on it happening in this mock draft. Wilson is currently battling Fields for QB2 honors, but with the Ohio State star heading to the Jets at No. 2 overall, the Dolphins grab the Cougars gunslinger here and work on trading Tua to a quarterback-needy team that’s willing to part with their first-rounder (the Bears, perhaps?). And before you scream, “NO TEAM WILL GIVE UP A FIRST-ROUNDER AFTER THE DOLPHINS PICK WILSON!!”, I get it. The Dolphins would be better served dealing Tua before making this pick.

Kyle Pitts scouting report4. Atlanta Falcons

Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

-The Falcons were hoping to land their QB-next in this mock draft, but with the Dolphins pulling off a shocker at No. 3 overall, Atlanta lands the best offensive weapon in the class in Pitts, who immediately steps into an offense that already features one of the NFL’s best passing attacks with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley. Add Pitts to the mix and lookout; the Falcons’ aerial attack would be almost impossible to stop.

Penei Sewell scouting report

5. Cincinnati Bengals

Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

-The Bengals can’t go into the 2021 season without making sure their franchise quarterback, Joe Burrow, is protected the way franchise quarterbacks are supposed to be. Enter Sewell, who profiles as the offensive lineman with the highest ceiling in this year’s class. His rare blend of size, power, and athletic ability — assuming it all comes together from a technique standpoint — is scary good. He’s going to experience a bit of a learning curve, but once he gets his NFL feet under him, there’s no telling how good he can be.

Jaylen Waddle 2021 NFL Draft

6. Philadelphia Eagles

Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

-The Eagles are in the midst of change on offense with the expected trade of QB Carson Wentz. Assuming Jalen Hurts is their QB1 next year, he’ll need more weapons at wide receiver to have any chance of success. Waddle is the most explosive playmaker at wide receiver in this year’s draft and would instantly become Philadelphia’s most lethal offensive weapon.

Christian Darrisaw scouting report

7. Detroit Lions

Christian Darrisaw, OT, Va Tech

-Darrisaw isn’t commonly mocked as the second offensive lineman off the board, but there’s a chance that will change come draft weekend. He’s an experienced player who’s proven during his time at Virginia Tech that he can take to coaching and improve. That’s a valuable clue to what he’ll be like as a pro. Plus, his tape is some fo the most dominant offensive line play in this year’s draft. He’s a prototype left tackle and with Jared Goff manning the quarterback spot for the Lions (for now), Detroit better have top-notch pass protectors on its roster. Darrisaw has a chance to be a special one.

Rashawn Slater scouting report

8. Carolina Panthers

Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern

-Slater won’t wait long to hear his name called despite being the third offensive lineman off the board in this mock draft. The Panthers have a need at offensive tackle and while I think Slater profiles better as an interior player in the NFL, he’ll be drafted to play tackle initially and there’s a chance he’ll be a very good pro at that spot. Offensive linemen who have a blend of Slater’s traits are hard to find and they usually don’t wait long to get picked, even if their NFL position is still not yet known.

Patrick Surtain II scouting report

9. Denver Broncos

Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

-Depending on the day, it’s a toss-up between which cornerback will come off the board first in the 2021 draft: Surtain II or Caleb Farley. I have a hunch Surtain II will get the nod because the NFL loves bloodlines, especially when they’re of a successful pro at the same position. In this case, Surtain II’s father — Patrick Surtain — was a successful defensive back for the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Plus, his ability to play lockdown coverage in the SEC over the last three seasons (38 consecutive starts) will have defensive coordinators confident in his readiness to play right away.

Caleb Farley scouting report

10. Dallas Cowboys

Caleb Farley, CB, Va Tech

-Farley is the most intriguing of all the cornerbacks in the 2021 NFL draft because of his great size and fluid athleticism. He’s relatively inexperienced, however, after converting from wide receiver to the defensive backfield early in his Hokies’ career. Still, he proved in 2019 that he has a good feel for coverage and quality ball skills. He may not be a plug-and-play starter right away, but his upside is as high as any defender in the 2021 class.

Ja'Marr Chase mock draft

11. New York Giants

Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

-This may seem low for Chase, as most mock drafts have him coming off the board in the first five picks. It’s possible that a team targets Chase in a trade scenario if he begins to slide into the lower portion of the top five. But with the 2021 class having a plethora of talented wide receivers in its mix, it’s more likely teams will wait for one of them to fall. For the Giants, they land a well-rounded playmaker who’s been compared to a faster Anquan Boldin. If that comp becomes reality, the Giants land a go-t0-guy for the next decade.

Alijah Vera-Tucker scouting report

12. San Francisco 49ers

Alijah Vera-Tucker, iOL, USC

-Do I value Vera-Tucker as a top-12 player? No, I don’t. But I do understand the value offensive lineman possess and with Vera-Tucker profiling as the top interior lineman in the class, the 49ers pull the trigger on him in an effort to beef up their starting five. They’ll give long consideration to Alabama QB Mac Jones here, too.

Jaelan Phillips scouting report

13. Los Angeles Chargers

Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

-Phillips is our top edge defender for the 2021 NFL draft and I believe he’ll settle in as the top guy once draft weekend rolls around too. He has top-tier pass-rushing traits and has always been pegged as ‘that guy’ despite a rough start to his college career at UCLA. Assuming his background checks out, the Chargers land a double-digit sack artist at No. 13 overall. If this pick happens, circle it. It could end up being the best value of Round 1.

14. Minnesota Vikings

Jalen Mayfield, OL, Michigan

-I’m not sold on Mayfield being a long-term offensive tackle in the NFL, but I am sold on him being a very good starting guard who still has room to grow from a technical standpoint as a player. The Vikings are in a strange position in the 2021 draft and have to view the 14th pick as one that adds core players at unsexy positions. Mayfield lining up as a starting guard for the next 10 years is a great start.

Rashod Bateman mock draft

15. New England Patriots

Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

-If the reported 40-times for Bateman are true — he tweeted that he ran in the high 4.3’s at a recent training session — then there’s a chance he’ll go even higher than this. Even if he settles in as a guy who runs in the mid-to-high 4.4’s? He’s a top-20 pick. The Patriots need a go-to-guy with Bateman’s physical profile in their passing game, especially as they search for a new and potentially inexperienced quarterback.

Kwity Paye scouting report

16. Arizona Cardinals

Kwity Paye, Edge, Michigan

-Paye is a fun player to study. He has such a unique blend of raw power and rare athletic ability for his size. Watching him chase down smaller and quicker offensive weapons is a treat, and he’s a scary sight for quarterbacks once he penetrates the pocket. In fact, there may be a team or two that values Paye as the top pass-rushing prospect in the 2021 draft, and his combination of traits could push him into the top 10. In this mock, he ends up with a Cardinals team that’s always looking for quality edge defenders.

17. Las Vegas Raiders

Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

-Do I think Parsons will actually slide all the way to the 17th pick? It’s hard imagining a scenario in which he will, but there wasn’t a good spot to fit him in with the way this mock unfolded. As a result, the Raiders land one of the best pure football players in the class who could end up solidifying a top-five grade by the time the draft rolls around. Las Vegas would waste little time handing in their card if Parsons is still on the board.

Devonta Smith 2021 NFL draft

18. Miami Dolphins

Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

-Dolphins fans are hoping for at least one Alabama skill player in the first round — or so it seems — and while RB Najee Harris is worthy of consideration here, it’s Smith who gets the call. Miami used its first first-rounder on a new quarterback in Zach Wilson, and whether it’s Wilson or Tua behind center in 2021, adding another weapon like Smith, who brings a pro’s savvy to route-running, is a smart play. Smith has a much higher draft slot on other mock drafts, but I don’t see it happening despite his ridiculous 2020 campaign. He doesn’t fit the physical profile of a top-10 pick and that’s OK. He’s a first-round talent; but this is where he should come off the board.

Trey Lance NFL Draft

19. Washington Football Team

Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

-Is Trey Lance the fourth-best quarterback in the 2021 NFL Draft? He won’t be on my board, but he has that ever-appealing and always-dangerous upside that NFL teams will covet around this portion of Round 1. The Washington Football Team has some veteran options to play early in the 2021 season while a player like Lance acclimates to the pro game, so it makes sense to pair him with Ron Rivera, who has experience building an offense around a player with Lance’s traits. He did it in Carolina with Cam Newton.

Mac Jones 2021 Senior Bowl

20. Chicago Bears

Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

-I like Jones a bit more than most draft analysts and I’m not concerned about his lack of athleticism to make plays with his legs. He possesses enough movement skills to keep plays alive in the pocket and he’s an accurate passer with a high football IQ. Yes, he played with an all-world cast of skill players on offense, but that’s never been much of a variable in my process of player evaluation. Jones has NFL starter’s traits, and the Bears need one as much or more than any team in the league right now.

21. Indianapolis Colts

Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

-The Colts landed their quarterback with the trade for Carson Wentz and while it’s possible they spend this pick on the best remaining offensive tackle, it’s more likely they’ll target a position that’s extremely difficult to find quality starters at. Horn is an exciting playmaker who has the moxie required from the position to be successful in the league. He may not grade out as a traditional first-round pick, but at this point in Round 1, reaching on a defensive back is somewhat common.

Greogry Rousseau scouting report

22. Tennessee Titans

Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

-The Titans are looking for help along their defensive line, notably at edge, and are one of the teams jockeying for J.J. Watt. Their interest in Watt suggests pass-rush is on their mind in the 2021 draft, and while Rousseau is a raw and inexperienced pass-rusher, his length, burst, and bendy style of play projects favorably to the pros.

23. New York Jets (from Seattle)

Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

-Much like the theory applied by the Dolphins in this mock draft, the Jets give their first first-rounder, Justin Fields, a fantastic underneath playmaker in Toney, who will become an instant fan-favorite in New York. He’s ‘juice’ defined. His moves have moves. And while his NFL ceiling is likely limited as a slot player who thrives in the short and intermediate passing game, he’ll still be a field-flipper because of what he can do after the catch.

Najee Harris 2021 NFL draft scouting report

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

-Harris feels like the perfect Steelers running back. He can bang the ball between the tackles, bounce it outside for a chunk play, and make a living catching dump-off passes from Big Ben, much like Le’Veon Bell did when he was considered one of the league’s top players. With Roethlisberger in the twilight of his career, adding a do-it-all weapon to the backfield gives the offense a chance to be its most productive in the short and long term.

Travis Etienne NFL Draft

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams)

Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

-Yes, James Robinson had a great rookie season in 2020, but he doesn’t profile as a great fit for what Urban Meyer wants to do on offense. Enter Etienne, who not only has the kind of home-run ability that Meyer covets but also shared the same backfield in college with Trevor Lawrence, who the Jaguars drafted No. 1 overall. Etienne and Robinson would be a great thunder-and-lightning pairing in the short-term with Etienne profiling as an Alvin Kamara-type moving forward.

Bryan Perez

Bryan is the founder of Pro Football Draft. His work has been featured on The Draft Network, NBC Sports and USA Today. Former CFL scout.

Follow him on Twitter: @BryanPerezNFL