2021 NFL mock draft: Trevor Lawrence one of 5 first-round quarterbacks taken

Want to get Jaguars news straight to your inbox every Tuesday and Thursday?

Subscribe to the Keep Choppin’ Wood newsletter and get analysis, opinion, and even the occasional mac n’ cheese recipe!

---

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on the clock. Man, does it feel good to say that.

Trevor Lawrence is going to be the No. 1 overall pick, that much is easy. But what will the rest of the first round look like in the 2021 NFL Draft?

It’s time we wrote our own mock draft. I’m scared. I’m nervous. And away... we... go!

1. Jacksonville Jaguars - QB Trevor Lawrence

Stop overthinking it. The Jaguars have needed a franchise quarterback since 1993. It’s Trevor Lawrence no matter what.

2. New York Jets - QB Justin Fields

Here is where things get interesting. Zach Wilson could very well end up being the No. 2 overall pick. But Justin Fields is just too damn good. Yeah, his stock might have fallen if the Northwestern game was his final game, but it wasn’t. He dominated against Clemson and against Alabama... well... sometimes Alabama just happens.

3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston) - WR DeVonta Smith

I don’t think anything happens at Miami’s quarterback position between now and April. If (and when) that’s the case, go get the best player who’s not a quarterback for your team. He’ll either help Tua Tagovailoa or whoever you have under center next year. Could Ja’Marr Chase be the pick here? Possibly. But... I mean, y’all saw what this man did in the title game, right?

4. Atlanta Falcons - QB Zach Wilson

I wanted it to be Justin Fields, y’all. I really did. That would be a lot of fun. But I just don’t think New York passes on him. If that’s the case, and the Falcons have a chance to bring in the future behind Matt Ryan (who will be 36 by the start of the season and has an out in his contract next year) you do it.

5. Cincinnati Bengals - OT Penei Sewell

Again, you don’t overthink it. Joe Burrow needs help along the offensive line. Go get him an anchor.

6. Philadelphia Eagles - LB Micah Parsons

The Eagles need help on both sides of the ball. They could be interested in a wide receiver, and if Miami picks Ja’Marr Chase at No. 3 overall, I think this could be DeVonta Thomas. But if Micah Parsons is available, he’s the pick.

7. Detroit Lions - WR Ja’Marr Chase

Jared Goff is going to need some weapons on offense and Detroit will do everything they can to build around him. Ja’Marr Chase set SEC records with 84 catches, 1,780 yards, and 20 touchdowns last year. He’ll be fun to watch.

8. Carolina Panthers - QB Trey Lance

Four quarterbacks in the top eight picks. Yes. I want it. I need it. I wanted Teddy Bridgewater to be good, but I don’t think he’s it for Carolina. He’s under contract through 2022 and he has a potential out next year. Trey Lance can sit behind him and learn in his rookie season.

9. Denver Broncos - CB Patrick Surtain II

If one of the top four quarterbacks isn’t here at this point, look for them to go in that direction. But the Broncos need help at a ton of positions and this would be considered a small slide by Patrick Surtain. They’ll grab him and plug him in immediately.

10. Dallas Cowboys - OT Samuel Cosmi

I think the Cowboys do the right (and smart) thing and commit to Dak Prescott by the time the NFL Draft rolls around, and that means beefing up an offensive line that struggled last year. Go get a 6’7” 300 pound Eastern European from your own backyard and prosper, Dallas. Would a defensive lineman get bigger cheers come draft time? Yeah, he would. But it’s not the bigger need for where this team is right now.

11. New York Giants - OT Rashawn Slater

I could see Rashawn Slater and Samuel Cosmi being interchangeable over the last two picks, but it’s Dave Gettleman making the pick and he’s going to draft as many offensive linemen as is legally allowed by the state of New Jersey.

12. San Francisco 49ers - CB Caleb Farley

The 49ers are depleted at cornerback, so they’ll pick the best one left on the board.

13. Los Angeles Chargers - OT Christian Darrishaw

Like the Cincinnati Bengals, the Los Angeles Chargers need to upgrade their offensive line for their young quarterback. There wasn’t a single game last year where Justin Herbert wasn’t sacked. And only three where he wasn’t sacked multiple times.

14. Minnesota Vikings - DE Kwity Paye

With 1.4 sacks per game, the Vikings had one of the least productive pass rushes in the NFL last year — including fewer than 1.0 sack per game in the final three weeks.

15. New England Patriots - TE Kyle Pitts

Bill Belichick presided over a team that was 27th in scoring last season, putting up fewer than 21 points per game. They need a playmaker in the passing game after their best performance came from Jakobi Myers, who finished the year with 59 catches, 729 yards, and zero touchdowns. It makes me sick!

16. Arizona Cardinals - CB Jaycee Horn

With Patrick Peterson gone, the Cardinals have a big hole in their secondary. They’ll restock right away with the best cornerback still on the board.

17. Las Vegas Raiders - DE Joseph Ossai

I don’t know which way the Raiders go, but I think they go defense with their first round pick, specifically someone on the front-seven. Could it be a linebacker? Maybe. But Jon Gruden loves pass rushers.

18. Miami Dolphins - RB Najee Harris

When Matt Brieda is the running back who played the most games for you and Myles Gaskin is the most productive at 584 yards, you need an upgrade.

19. Washington Football Team - QB Mac Jones

Washington was in the market for Matthew Stafford, so you know they’re looking to upgrade and if Mac Jones falls this far, I could see them trying to get as much as they can out of Alex Smith while letting Mac learn from the bench his rookie season.

20. Chicago Bears - WR Rashod Bateman

Allen Robinson is likely on his way out and Carson Wentz is likely on his way in. The defense was okay, but the offense stunk out loud, so they’ll try and upgrade that side of the ball.

21. Indianapolis Colts - DE Gregory Rosseau

Both of their edge rushers who had any sort of decent production last year are currently 30 or older. Gregory Rosseau is a versatile player that they can have some fun with, especially with DeForest Buckner under contract for at least the next two seasons.

22. Tennessee Titans - LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

That offense is set for at least one more year. On the other side of the ball, they gave up more than 27 points per game last year. I think Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah could go higher, but he’ll be a victim of a quick rush on quarterbacks and offensive skill players.

23. New York Jets (via Seattle) - RB Travis Etienne

I think that the Jets will have extra picks in the second and third rounds from trading away Sam Darnold, so they use the first round to pair Justin Fields with a versatile weapon at running back. They’ll look for a pass rusher and a wide receiver in the second round.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - OT Jalen Mayfield

If Mac Jones is still here, I think he’s the pick, but he’s not so the Steelers look to extend the life of Ben Roethlisberger as much as they can.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Los Angeles) - DT Christian Barmore

Aside from quarterback, interior defensive lineman is this team’s biggest need. Go fix that run defense, Urban.

26. Cleveland Browns - LB Zaven Collins

I think a wide receiver could be the pick if one falls, but if not they go with a versatile linebacker who can help them stop the only other AFC North team challenging them for the crown.

27. Baltimore Ravens - DE Jaelan Phillips

The Ravens are able to generate a pass rush, and bringing back Yannick Ngakoue will help immensely, but they need someone opposite him.

28. New Orleans Saints - DE Azeez Ojulari

New Orleans is in such a mess with their salary cap that I have no idea who they’re going to cut and what their needs are going to be come April. I’ll say they go defense and add a pass rusher.

29. Green Bay Packers - WR Terrance Marshall, Jr.

It would be wonderful for Aaron Rodgers to see some first round help this late in his career, but I think the Packers start building around the guy they draft to replace him.

30. Buffalo Bills - RB Kadarius Toney

While an offensive lineman seems like a good bet at this spot, what if they give Josh Allen a wildcard like Kadarius Toney?

31. Kansas City Chiefs - CB Asante Samuel, Jr.

First, writing out Asante Samuel, Jr. makes me feel very old. Second, if Kadarius Toney is still here I think he’s the pick, but if he’s not they’ll find the best upgrade for a secondary that sorely needs it.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - DT Daviyon Dixon

If one of the two top running backs is there, I think they’ll be the pick. Maybe someone for their secondary. There are a lot of ways for them to go. If not, they’ll continue to stock up on their defensive line.