Zak Drapeau Mock Draft 2.0. Two Full Rounds with Trades.
Alright so I received some backlash in my first Mock Draft especially about leaving certain people out of the first round. Unfortunately for the athletes, the first round can be used to find team's needs and not taking BPA which will leave some people for Day 2 and a draft day steal for the team that selects them. But I've learned from my mistakes and have created a 2-round mock draft to further encompass where these elite 2021 rookies could begin their careers.
There are several trades I've made for teams to either move up and select one of the QBs, or a smart team giving up a little to draft the one player that could turn around their franchise.
A couple notes from the author:
5 QBs will likely go in the first 10 picks. While I hate doing this from a pure scouting perspective, it's likelihood is undeniable and will be reflected here.
Defense will rule the second round.
O-line and D-line may be undervalued but 1st and 2nd rounders will make an immediate impact.
WR and CB groups are deepest in the class and will likely boast talent in Day 3 as well.
Alright enough disclaimers, here's what I think each team will do in the 2021 NFL Draft.
#1 Pick Trevor Lawrence QB Clemson
Jacksonville Jaguars 6'6" 220 lbs.
Easiest pick in the draft. Lawrence is a generational talent and is touted as the next Peyton Manning prototype and will likely lead the Jaguars to multiple playoff appearances before his rookie deal expires.
#2 Pick Zach Wilson QB BYU
New York Jets 6'3" 203 lbs.
Second easiest pick in the draft since the Jets traded Darnold to the Panthers. Wilson is a dynamic thrower with the ability to throw off of any platform, and an exceptional athlete. Only way he busts is if the Jets fail him.
#3 Pick Justin Fields QB Ohio State
San Francisco 49ers (via MIA) 6'3" 227 lbs.
49ers traded 2 other first rounders to move up from 3 which means a QB. Mac Jones has been said to be their preference at #3 but Fields is a much better prospect. Fields goes here and sits under Jimmy G for year.
#4 Pick Trey Lance QB North Dakota State
Denver Broncos (via ATL) 6'4" 227 lbs.
ATL has already been linked to shopping their #4 pick, and in this mock move down to 9 for two 2nd-rounders this year and next. Meanwhile the Broncos try again at QB, but this time with a better athlete in Lance.
#5 Pick Penei Sewell OT Oregon
Cincinnati Bengals 6'6" 331 lbs.
Another easy pick in Penei Sewell. One of the best OT prospects in some time, and a great pass blocker. With Burrow being sacked the most of any QB before he finally tore an ACL last year, a perfect fit for Cincy.
#6 Pick Ja'Marr Chase WR LSU
Miami Dolphins (via PHI) 6'0" 208 lbs.
Originally at #3, the Dolphins moved back acquiring 2-1sts, a 3rd and a 4th and end up still getting the player they wanted. Chase is already pro-ready and should help Tua. If Sewell falls he is in play here too.
#7 Pick Mac Jones QB Alabama
Chicago Bears (via DET) 6'2.5" 217 lbs.
The Bears trade up 13 spots for the price of a 4th and a 1st next year. Mac Jones has been flying up draft boards but is it for the right reason? Remember what happened last time Matt Nagy traded up for a QB?
#8 Pick Kyle Pitts TE Florida
Carolina Panthers 6'6" 240 lbs.
The Panthers have made a great turnaround compared to what they had last week. Darnold is a long-term upgrade from Bridgewater and already having more weapons than in NY, and the best TE prospect in 14 years.
#9 Pick Patrick Surtain II CB Alabama
Atlanta Falcons (via DEN) 6'1" 203 lbs.
Falcons could use a lot of defensive help in this draft. They got Terrell in the 1st last year and Oliver in the 2nd two years ago, drafting Surtain who can play man, slot or safety brings this secondary closer to complete.
#10 Pick Jaycee Horn CB South Carolina
Dallas Cowboys 6'1" 205 lbs.
Another defense-needy team in this draft who will be upset about not getting Surtain II. Horn is not a bad consolation prize. at 6'1" 205lbs, Horn is the Cowboys CB mold and will likely be their CB1 by the end of the year.
#11 Pick Rashawn Slater OT Northwestern
New York Giants 6'4" 315 lbs.
Slater has the skill to be top-5 in this draft, but due to other positional needs falls to the open arms of the New York Football Giants at 11. Along with Andrew Thomas' likely jump in year 2, this offensive line can be elite.
#12 Pick Jaylen Waddle WR Alabama
Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA) 5'10" 183 lbs.
Another drop due to positional needs. The Eagles created more question then answers by trading back to 12, but it works out for them as they draft their best receiver since they had Desean Jackson back in 2013.
#13 Pick Alijah Vera-Tucker IOL USC
Los Angeles Chargers 6'4" 300 lbs.
Justin Herbert is the future of the Chargers that was made clear last year. To copy the Bengals mold, it's now all about protecting the young QB and then adding weapons. Take the best IOL in the draft in Vera-Tucker.
#14 Pick Micah Parsons LB Penn State
Minnesota Vikings 6'2" 245 lbs.
Minnesota seems to always be on the cusp of playoffs but are just short. Cousins has a ceiling but Dalvin Cook is sure to help lighten his load. Get the only defensive position of need in Parsons, another falling star.
#15 Pick Caleb Farley CB Virginia Tech
New York Jets (via NE) 6'2" 197 lbs.
Third mocked trade of this draft as the Jets climb up 8 spots and swap 1st for a 3rd next year. Farley has raised concerns about his back injury but even if he doesn't play till next season this pick is worth it for the Jets.
#16 Pick Christian Barmore DL Alabama
Arizona Cardinals 6'5" 310 lbs.
The Cardinals could really use a CB so Greg Newsome is in play here. However when you have a chance to get the best DT in the draft at #16, especially when you're DL consist of 34-year olds and rookies, you take him.
#17 Pick Creed Humphrey IOL Oklahoma