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.

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