The 2021 NFL Draft, in all its three-day glory, is finally upon us. The road to Thursday night’s highly-anticipated opening round in Cleveland was paved by the usual assortment of fiercely debated mock drafts, elaborate smokescreens orchestrated by front-office mayhem-seekers like diabolical Niners GM John Lynch (and his equally anarchic partner in crime, Kyle Shanahan, who may or may not be plotting Jimmy Garoppolo’s assassination), obsessive film study and contentious Twitter threads arguing everything from DeVonta Smith’s weight to the health of Zach Wilson’s shoulder. The internet rumor mill has churned out some doozies this draft season, but after weeks—if not months—of desperate truth-seeking, the guessing game is over. No more hiding in the shadows—judgment day is here and it’s time for teams to show us their cards once and for all.
Keep it here all night for instant analysis and live grades for each first-round pick, beginning with the Jacksonville Jaguars at No. 1.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The no-brainer of all no-brainer picks, Lawrence has everything you could ask for in a franchise quarterback—he’s tall, mobile, quick-thinking, poised and a born leader with a rocket for a right arm. He also brings a wealth of big-game experience from his time at Clemson, routing top-ranked Alabama for the national title as a true freshman in 2019. Perhaps the most anticipated QB prospect since Andrew Luck, Lawrence offers all the familiar traits of a future NFL megastar.
Grade: A
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
For weeks, we’ve known Wilson would be the Jets’ pick at No. 2. Wilson wowed at his Pro Day, drawing favorable comparisons to Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers, though he’s still largely unproven, having beaten only two Power Five schools (USC and Tennessee) during his time at BYU. He’s got a huge arm and can scramble with the best of ‘em, but can Wilson stay healthy? After having his sophomore year in Provo hijacked by hand and shoulder injuries, it’s a more-than-fair question.
Grade: B
3. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
We all knew Jimmy Garoppolo was a goner and this makes it official. Early on, it looked like the Niners were zeroing in on Mac Jones (a favorite of coach Kyle Shanahan) but apparently they had a change of heart, instead taking the plunge on Lance at No. 3. Lance only appeared in one game last season but he was phenomenal the year prior, throwing 28 touchdown passes with no interceptions while also compiling over 1,000 yards rushing. An elite athlete who thrived as a dual threat in college, Lance arguably offers a higher ceiling than Jones would have, though Niners fans can expect a steep learning curve as the 20-year-old transitions from the relative low-stakes of FCS to the bright lights of the NFL.
Grade: B+
4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
It’s always nice to have a generational tight end fall in your lap, which is precisely what the Falcons have in Pitts, a 6’6” athletic freak who averaged over a touchdown per game at Florida this past season (12 touchdowns in eight appearances). The Falcons could have traded back or even drafted a quarterback with this selection (they were known to have interest in Justin Fields), but they’ll be glad they took Pitts, adding to a potent Atlanta pass-catching corps featuring Julio Jones (assuming the Falcons don’t trade him in the coming weeks), Calvin Ridley and Hayden Hurst.
Grade: A
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Oregon tackle Penei Sewell would have made a lot of sense here, but you can’t fault Cincy for wanting to bolster its receiving corps, which the Bengals undoubtedly did by drafting Joe Burrow’s former LSU teammate, Chase, who led all FBS in both receiving yards and touchdowns in 2019 before sitting out last season due to COVID concerns. Chase was near unstoppable in Baton Rouge, embarrassing defenders with his polished route-running and elite 4.39 wheels. With Chase now joining a robust Bengals pass-catching unit featuring 2020 second-rounder Tee Higgins and perennial 1,000-yard threat Tyler Boyd, Cincy should have no trouble putting points on the board in 2021.
Grade: A-
6. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Last season made clear that Miami, for all its strengths, needed another downfield weapon to pair with quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. And who better than Waddle, who starred alongside Tua at the University of Alabama? Waddle never topped 1,000 yards receiving at ‘Bama, but that’s only because he had to share a field with future first-round picks Henry Ruggs, Jerry Jeudy and reigning Heisman winner De’Vonta Smith. At 5’9” and 180 pounds, Waddle isn’t the most imposing presence, but what the 22-year-old lacks in size he more than makes up for in speed and playmaking ability. He’s a great get for the Fins at No. 6.
Grade: B+
7. Detroit Lions: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Big, mean and remarkably nimble for his size, the 6’5,” 331-pound Sewell was easily the most pro-ready tackle in this year’s draft. The Lions weren’t especially good at protecting the quarterback last year (42 sacks allowed) and Sewell will undoubtedly help on that front. Many would have preferred the Lions address their defense after leading the league in both points and yards allowed last season, though it’s understandable why they would pass on Micah Parsons here given his character concerns.
Grade: B+
8. Carolina Panthers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
It was widely assumed the Panthers would either trade this pick or spend it on a quarterback (Justin Fields and Mac Jones were both available at eight), but instead they chose to address their secondary need with Horn, the son of former New Orleans Saints wide receiver Joe Horn. Horn has rare size for a DB with some scouts even comping him to Rams Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey, though he’s also penalty-prone and doesn’t have the burst of a Patrick Surtain II or Caleb Farley.
Grade: B
9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
With Aaron Rodgers rumors swirling, the Broncos elected to stand pat at QB, instead pivoting to Surtain II, arguably the top defender in this year’s draft. The son of former Dolphins Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain, Surtain is a legitimate shutdown corner, to the point where opposing quarterbacks barely looked in his direction at Alabama. Denver’s secondary got absolutely torched in 2020 (Chris Harris defecting to division-rival Los Angeles in free agency didn’t help matters) but perhaps that won’t happen again with Surtain manning the controls at Mile High.
Grade: A-
10. Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Make that three 'Bama alums to go in the first 10 picks. After whiffing on Justin Jefferson in last year’s draft, the Eagles knew they couldn’t afford to make the same mistake twice, prompting Howie Roseman to trade up two spots for DeVonta Smith, reuniting the reigning Heisman winner with his former Crimson Tide teammate Jalen Hurts. Much was made of Smith weighing only 166 pounds at his Combine medical check earlier this month, but clearly the 22-year-old’s slender frame didn’t hamper him in Tuscaloosa, where he reigned as the SEC’s all-time leader in career receiving yards.
Grade: A
11. Chicago Bears: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
An absolute stunner. Embattled GM Ryan Pace redeemed himself in a big way Thursday night, trading up to land arguably the draft's top dual-threat in former Heisman finalist Justin Fields. In doing so, the Bears filled a massive need (no one in the Windy City was looking forward to Andy Dalton starting 17 games) and also increased their chances of re-signing Pro Bowl receiver Allen Robinson, who will play this season on the franchise tag in lieu of a long-term deal. A prodigious scrambler who finished his college career with a superb 67:9 touchdown to interception ratio, the uber-athletic Fields is tailor-made for today’s fast-paced NFL, which increasingly rewards quarterbacks who make plays with their feet.
Grade: A
12. Dallas Cowboys: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Parsons has character issues to answer for following his alleged involvement in a disturbing hazing scandal, but he’s an electric athlete, recently running a jaw-dropping 4.39 at his Penn State Pro Day. Rust is a concern for Parsons after not playing last year (he was one of the more high-profile COVID opt-outs), but he certainly fills a position of need for the Cowboys with Sean Lee retired and former first-round pick Leighton Vander Esch seemingly unable to stay healthy.
Grade: B
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Chargers struck gold by nabbing eventual Rookie of the Year Justin Herbert in last year’s draft. With that in mind, the Bolts rightfully prioritized the O line this time around, enlisting Slater to protect their franchise QB. The 6’4” Slater didn’t allow a sack in 2019 before opting out of last season due to COVID concerns and his desire to prepare for the upcoming draft.
Grade: B+
14. New York Jets: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Following last year’s selection of Mekhi Becton, the Jets have now chosen a first-round offensive lineman twice in as many seasons. Vera-Tucker was a jack-of-all-trades at USC, showing his rare versatility by earning All-Conference at both guard and left tackle. AVT reportedly prefers the latter position, though most scouts would agree he’s a better long-term fit at guard. For all his strengths, Vera-Tucker’s 10th-percentile arm length (only 32 1’8”) could be a problem in the pros.
Grade: B
15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Belichick does it again. The Patriots get their quarterback of the future in Jones (third in last year’s Heisman voting) and they didn’t even have to trade up! That’s some Belichick Devil Magic if I’ve ever seen it. A downfield marksman who rarely ventures outside the pocket, Jones is essentially the polar opposite of incumbent Cam Newton, so it will be interesting to see how the Patriots employ him in year one of his Foxboro reign. Jones tore it up at ‘Bama, though he did it with a stacked Crimson Tide receiving corps, which could lead to some early-career growing pains as he adjusts to the size and speed of NFL defenses.
Grade: A-
16. Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
A sturdy outside backer with untapped potential as a pass-rusher, Collins joins a stout Cardinals front featuring J.J. Watt and Chandler Jones, among other difference-makers. Collins also fills a need for the Cardinals, who were unable to retain Haason Reddick (career-high 12.5 sacks last season) in free agency.
Grade: B
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Leatherwood at 17 feels like a slight reach (most mocks had him going in the second round), though he certainly enjoyed a decorated career at Alabama, garnering All-America recognition while also being honored as the 2020 Outland Trophy recipient, awarded annually to college football’s top interior lineman. Vegas needed another body up front after trading free-agent bust Trent Brown to New England last month.
Grade: B-
18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelen Phillips, DE, Miami
Jerome Baker led Miami with seven sacks last season. Coach Brian Flores recognized that wasn’t good enough, so he went out and grabbed the best pass-rusher he could find in Phillips, a local product who broke out for eight sacks in 2020. After giving up on their short-lived Kyle Van Noy experiment (which lasted all of one season), Phillips should see plenty of playing time for the Fins as a rookie.
Grade: B
19. Washington Football Team: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Rather than reach for a quarterback like Kellen Mond or Kyle Trask, Washington went the safe route, adding another capable presence to what was already one of the league’s stouter defenses. Davis isn’t the most exciting pick but defensive-minded Ron Rivera should be able to get the most out of him.
Grade: B-
20. New York Giants: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Toney was a late bloomer of sorts—he entered 2020 with just two career touchdowns on his college resume. But he made impressive progress as a senior, breaking out for a 70-984-10 receiving line in his Gainesville swan song. There were probably better pass-catchers available (Rashod Bateman and Rondale Moore both come to mind) and receiver wasn’t the Giants’ most pressing need after already shelling out $72 million for Kenny Golladay this offseason.
Grade: B-
21. Indianapolis Colts: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
The Colts got good value for Paye, who many experts projected to go in the teens. Already one of the stingiest defenses in football, Paye should give Indy’s pass-rush a much-needed jolt, particularly in the absence of veteran Justin Houston, who the Colts allowed to walk in free agency.
Grade: B+
22. Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Teams ahead of Tennessee were no doubt spooked by Farley’s injury history including his recent back surgery, but if not for those durability concerns, there’s a good chance he would have been the first corner off the board. The Titans need all the secondary help they can get after losing starters Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson this offseason.
Grade: A-
23. Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
The Vikings continue to rebuild their O line with Darrisaw (drafted one pick after former teammate Caleb Farley), putting another big body in front of Kirk Cousins, who was dropped for 39 sacks last season, sixth-most in the NFL.
Grade: B+
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Perhaps the most predictable selection of Thursday’s opening round (excluding Trevor Lawrence, of course), the Steelers telegraphed this move days in advance. Pittsburgh's ground game was nonexistent last year, finishing dead-last in both rushing yards and yards per carry. After letting James Conner leave the nest in free agency, Harris should immediately slot in as Pittsburgh's workhorse. As a rule of thumb, spending a first-round pick on a running back usually isn’t the greatest use of draft capital, though the 230-pound Harris was an absolute terror at Alabama, where he erupted for 30 touchdowns (26 rushing, four receiving) this past season while finishing fifth in Heisman voting.
Grade: B
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The Jaguars got awesome production out of undrafted rookie James Robinson last season, making it a bit puzzling they would spend a first-rounder on a running back—admittedly a very good one in Etienne—the following year. But let’s be honest—Trevor Lawrence is running the show now, and if he wants his former teammate to join him in Jacksonville, who are the Jags to say no?
Grade: B
26. Cleveland Browns: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
The Browns just exercised Denzel Ward’s fifth-year option, assuring he’ll be around for at least another two seasons, but even with Ward coming back, Cleveland could still use another secondary piece after yielding an embarrassing 31 passing scores last season (eighth-most). Newsome is admittedly a bit raw (as his 15 career penalty flags including seven pass interferences would attest), but the 20-year-old Northwestern alum has all the tools and traits necessary to be an immediate contributor for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Grade: B+
27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
You knew Baltimore would use at least one of its first-round picks on a wide receiver. Bateman pops on film with soft hands and a flair for the dramatic, routinely making unbelievable catches in tight quarters. In terms of receiving weapons, Lamar Jackson hasn’t had much to work with in Baltimore outside of deep threat Hollywood Brown and red-zone target Mark Andrews. Bateman addresses that shortcoming.
Grade: A-
28. New Orleans Saints: Payton Turner, DE, Houston
Who? I’m only half-kidding. Turner showed promise at Houston and he certainly has the size (6’5”/270) and strength to muck it up with other NFL bruisers, though his lack of college production (9.5 career sacks) makes him an ambitious choice at 28, particularly when the Saints could have had Gregory Rousseau, who landed with Buffalo two picks later.
Grade: C
29. Green Bay Packers: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia
What will it take for Green Bay to draft Aaron Rodgers (assuming he's still on the team next year) a wide receiver? Stokes is a fine player in his own right, though you could argue he wasn’t even the best defensive back on his own team last season (Tyson Campbell). Rondale Moore would have looked great in Packers green and yellow, but apparently GM Brian Gutekunst felt differently. If nothing else, Stokes should shore up a Packers secondary that is relatively barebones outside of Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander.
Grade: B-
30. Buffalo Bills: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
The Bills found a gem in Rousseau, who finished second to only Ohio State’s Chase Young—now of the Washington Football Team—in sacks as a sophomore in 2019 (15.5). Rousseau opted out of last season but fared reasonably well at his Canes Pro Day last month, clocking a 4.68 at 6’6”/260. Arguably the most accomplished pass-rusher in his class (though surprisingly not the first Miami player taken), Rousseau is a steal this late in the first round. Playing in cold weather for the first time in his 21 years on this planet, the South Florida native better learn to bundle up.
Grade: A
31. Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, LB, Penn State
Oweh doesn’t offset the loss of free-agent casualty Matt Judon, but it’s a start.
Grade: B+
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tyron, LB, Washington
An All-Pac-12 performer who broke out for eight sacks as a red-shirt sophomore in 2019 (he was among last year’s COVID opt-outs), Tyron joins a loaded Bucs defense already armed to the teeth with Lavonte David, Devin White, Shaq Barrett, Vita Vea, Jason Pierre-Paul, William Gholston and Ndamukong Suh. And that’s just their front seven.
Grade: B
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