We’re just a few days away from the 2021 NFL Draft in Cleveland, and it’s time to post my first mock draft of the season.
One round, no trades, let’s have some fun!
1.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence - QB - Clemson
2.) New York Jets: Zack Wilson - QB - BYU
3.) San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance - QB - North Dakota State
4.) Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields - QB - Ohio State
5.) Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell - OT - Oregon
6.) Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts - TE - Florida
7.) Detroit Lions: Ja’Marr Chase - WR - LSU
8.) Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Slater - OT - Northwestern
9.) Denver Broncos: Jaycee Horn - CB - South Carolina
10.) Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II - CB - Alabama
11.) New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle - WR - Alabama
12.) Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith - WR - Alabama
13.) Los Angeles Chargers: Tevin Jenkins - OT - Oklahoma State
14.) Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw - OT - Virginia Tech
15.) New England Patriots: Mac Jones - QB - Alabama
16.) Arizona Cardinals: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah - LB - Notre Dame
17.) Las Vegas Raiders: Alijah Vera-Tucker - OL - USC
18.) Miami Dolphins: Kwity Paye - EDGE - Michigan
19.) Washington Football Team: Micah Parsons - LB - Penn State
20.) Chicago Bears: Greg Newsome II - CB - Northwestern
21.) Indianapolis Colts: Jaelan Phillips - EDGE - Miami
22.) Tennessee Titans: Caleb Farley - CB - Virginia Tech
23.) New York Jets: Azeez Ojulari - EDGE - Georgia
24.) Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris - RB - Alabama
25.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig - S - TCU
26.) Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins - LB - Tulsa
27.) Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman - WR - Minnesota
28.) New Orleans Saints: Christian Barmore - DT - Alabama
29.) Green Bay Packers: Landon Dickerson - OL - Alabama
30.) Buffalo Bills: Elijah Moore - WR - Ole Miss
It’s unfortunate the Bills didn’t get a shot at any of the top corners in this class. Although I had Eric Stokes in play here, I’m not in love with his fit in McDermott’s zone heavy scheme that relies on its corners to be physical in the run game. Asante Samuel Jr. also had some consideration at 30 for me, but I think if Beane wants to address the cornerback position, trading up in the second round might be the move.
If you follow me on Twitter (@NateGearySports), you probably know that myself and Locked on Bills Podcast host Joe Marino are real fans of Mississippi’s Elijah Moore. When Brandon Beane said he’d be considering this season and the future with the 30th pick, it made me think of Moore.
Doesn’t he fit that profile perfectly?
The Bills would be able to ease him into a lineup that features some of the very best route runners in the league today. He immediately can help you in the return game, and becomes a gadget weapon for Bills offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to use in short yardage situations and the red zone. Emmanuel Sanders is more than likely a one-season rental, so what could be better than maximizing his presence in developing both Gabriel Davis and Moore? He can work in on empty sets and create real mismatch problems for opposing defenses.
Washington’s Joe Tryon was on the board as well, for those of you looking to address the pass rush at 30, but I ultimately went with Moore and his ability to help in 2021. Maybe he can get this offense humming at an even higher level of efficiency through the air, where adding an edge player at 30 is more of a long-term play.
31.) Kansas City Chiefs: Alex Leatherwood - OT - Alabama
32.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon - EDGE - Washington