Cole’s Corner: 2021 Four Round NFL Mock Draft

Round 1

Jacksonville Jaguars – Trevor Lawrence QB Clemson

Number one was obvious last year and it should be the same this year. The Jets failed at tanking for Trevor, so he happens to fall into the hands of Urban Meyer and the Jags. Gardner Minshew is a good quarterback, but he was never meant to serve as a starter. Jacksonville has plenty of young pieces and lots of drafts picks to help add to the roster. They might be at the early stages of making something in Jacksonville. Lawrence should be the face of the franchise for a long time.

New York Jets – Zach Wilson QB BYU

Fields is the second-best quarterback in the draft but the Jets will be the Jets. They always seem to get wrapped up in hype and pre-draft buzz. Wilson has been a large part of that hype due to his intriguing pro days. He will sell jerseys and tickets which is perfect for a struggling franchise. Winning games will be another story. The Jets have a lot of work to do with the roster.

San Francisco 49ers – Justin Fields QB Ohio State

One of the best parts of the draft is watching ordinary people and even analysts fall for smokescreens. The draft is built on that because owners, general managers and coaches do not want to tip their caps. If they do, another team will work to trade up ahead of them to snag the target. The Mac Jones and Trey Lance rumors surely have to be smokescreens. There is no possible way that Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch were not impressed by the pro days of Fields. He can play under center or in the gun, has a fantastic arm and can move way better than Jimmy G. This pick makes too much sense for a team that could easily be back in contention this next season if the defense remains healthy.

Atlanta Falcons – Kyle Pitts TE Florida

Could the Falcons trade back? Perhaps. I cannot see that happening though with a generational talent in Pitts sitting on the board. The Falcons need a tight end because Hayden Hurst is good but not great. Pitts adds a totally different dimension with his receiving ability. Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Kyle Pitts is quite the trio for Matt Ryan. If Jones is traded, this should be a sure thing even more so.

Cincinnati Bengals – Penei Sewell OT Oregon

The Bengals offensive line was atrocious last season. The proof is the scar on Joe Burrow’s knee. The tackles were much better than the guards and Sewell will fit better at left guard due to his run blocking ability and mauler mentality. Bolstering the line should be top priority now that the Bengals have their franchise QB.

Miami Dolphins – Jaylen Waddle WR Alabama

Waddle is the third best receiver in this class, but the fit makes the most sense for the Dolphins. The Dolphins are lacking a smaller fast receiver and the Alabama connection with Tua is strong. Waddle paired with DeVante Parker and Will Fuller pieces well together. For the second year in a row the third best receiver will get his name called first.

Detroit Lions – Ja’Marr Chase WR LSU

The Lions need a wide receiver and Chase slipping past five and six will be ideal. Breshad Perriman, Tyrell Williams and Kalif Raymond has to be the worst starting receiving group in the NFL on paper. Chase will give Goff a much needed reliable target.

New England Patriots **Mock Trade with Carolina** – Mac Jones QB Alabama

The Patriots could easily look to jump ahead of the Denver Broncos in order to snag a QB. My gut instinct is that the Broncos want Mac Jones because he fits their scheme better than Trey Lance. Cam Newton is no longer an NFL starting QB, he is a runner that used to have an arm. He was a fine one-year hold over despite not being the long-term answer. Jones is quick to release the ball like Tom Brady did for so long in New England. Watch out for the dink and dunks to come right back for the Pats.

Denver Broncos – Micah Parsons LB Penn State

With the Pats coming up to snag the target here at nine, the Broncos can shift focus to the need at inside linebacker. Parsons is the best defensive talent in this draft and should be first off the board. I actually believe Drew Lock is a good quarterback and serviceable enough to get them to the playoffs. Fill the other spots and go from there instead of taking a QB that doesn’t fit your scheme. Parsons would tear up the field at Mile High.

Dallas Cowboys – Patrick Surtain II CB Alabama

The Cowboys once again have a chance to bounce back this year and be in the hunt for the division. If they want to compete then they need to reload on defense. Cornerback is the top position of need and Surtain makes the most sense. He lacks injury concerns or any glaring weaknesses. Most people are expecting this pick because it makes too much logical sense.

New York Giants – Devonta Smith WR Alabama

The Giants need a difference maker at wide receiver and Smith is absolutely a difference maker. I am still not sold on the QB that would be throwing to him but that does not change the fact that this would be an excellent selection.

Philadelphia Eagles – Jaycee Horn CB South Carolina

The Eagles need receiver but if the Giants snag the last of the top three, Philly will most likely turn to the secondary. The best corner still on the board at this point is Caleb Farley but the injury concerns might steer the Eagles away. Horn would become an instant starter and fill a top three need.

Washington Football Team **Mock Trade with LAC** – Trey Lance QB North Dakota State

The entire NFC East could draft in a row on Thursday if Trey Lance gets to 13. The Chargers are in a position where they could trade down for a good offer. Washington brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick in the offseason but that is clearly not the long-term solution. Lance could easily become the Tua of last season and sit behind Fitzmagic until later in the year. Washington has the defense already to compete. The offense just needs more finishing touches and this could be a step in the right direction.

Minnesota Vikings – Alijah Vera-Tucker OG USC

The Vikings were experimenting at guard last year and need to address the offensive line. Vera-Tucker is not only the best left guard in the draft but he could bounce out to tackle if needed at any point. This would check a major piece off the list.

Carolina Panthers **Mock Trade with New England** – Rashawn Slater OT Northwestern

The Panthers have Sam Darnold and Teddy Bridgewater, so sticking in the top ten might not be worth it. That would especially be the case if someone makes a nice offer. Even by trading back, Carolina could address their biggest need at tackle. Slater is an incredible pass protector and will keep either quarterback upright.

Arizona Cardinals – Caleb Farley CB Virginia Tech

The Cardinals have come a long way and still have lots of potential. They need a replacement for long-time corner Patrick Peterson and Farley could be the perfect replacement. As a team on the rise, forget about the back and just pull the trigger. Farley will greatly help against DK Metcalf, Robert Woods, Brandon Aiyuk, etc.

Las Vegas Raiders – Zaven Collins LB Tulsa

The Raiders love defense and have a tendency to reach for defenders each year. This year they should have no reason to reach. They need an explosive linebacker and Collins fits the description. He is big, fast and physical. This screams black and silver.

Miami Dolphins – Najee Harris RB Alabama

Maybe the most lackluster part of the Dolphins entire roster is the running back position. With Harris and Etienne on the board, they will have their pick. The Alabama connection with Tua and Waddle added to the mix makes sense to stick with the theme. The power plus slipperiness of Harris will add another dimension to this offense.

Los Angeles Chargers **Mock Trade with Washington** – Christian Darrisaw OT Virginia Tech

The Chargers need to continue to protect their new star QB in Justin Herbert and Darrisaw would be a good fit. He has the size and the length to sure up the left side of the O-line. They are on the right track for the future, so trading down could also get them some more picks to fill in a couple other spots.

Chicago Bears – Rashod Bateman WR Minnesota

Watching the Bears is liking only watching an Allen Robinson highlight film. He has been the only consistent and productive target as of late in Chicago. Bringing in Bateman alleviates some pressure from Robinson. Bateman would likely see plenty of targets during his rookie season in Chicago and he is ready for the test.

Indianapolis Colts – Kwity Paye Edge Michigan

The Colts are going to be tough in the AFC and adding another edge rusher just takes them a notch up. They need to generate some more pressure in the backfield and Paye would do so opposite Tyquan Lewis. This a step towards the goal of playoff wins.

Tennessee Titans – Rondale Moore WR Purdue

The Titans predominantly run the ball with Derrick Henry or look to AJ Brown in the pass game. They really need another weapon to give the football in order to create a three-headed monster. Moore would absolutely do that. If he touches the ball, Moore will make something happen. This would be a perfect fit.

New York Jets – Eric Stokes CB Georgia

Pierre Desir has moved on to Seattle and the Jets should be aggressively hunting for a corner to replace him. Stokes is great at forcing turnovers and the Jets will try to get the ball in Zach Wilson’s hands as much as possible. Stokes needs some work with technique and will have to be careful about being too grabby. This is a nice step towards checking off a laundry list of team needs.

Pittsburgh Steelers – Alex Leatherwood OT Alabama

The Steelers offensive line was quite poor last season. They could not open up holes for the run and were nothing like they used to be in pass protection. Leatherwood is a great selection here because he is ready to get some action at tackle. I would expect him to take over on the left side. The Steelers usually go defensive in the first, but this would certainly be a change of pace. It needs to be though if they are serious about the future.

Jacksonville Jaguars – Jevon Holland S Oregon

After picking up their quarterback at the beginning of the night, it is an opportunity to focus on the defense. The safety position needs some addressing and Holland would be an excellent selection. He would instantly become a star in the secondary and keep quarterbacks from looking deep over the middle.

Cleveland Browns – Greg Newsome II CB Northwestern

I have been all about getting a linebacker myself, but that is not the biggest need for this team. After the acquisition of Troy Hill, we should expect the team to play a ton of nickel. Only two linebackers will even be on the field much of the time. Anthony Walker and Jacob Phillips will be just fine holding down the fort. SAM linebacker is important don’t get me wrong, but the Browns can hold off until day two because outside corner opposite Denzel Ward should be the primary focus.

Greedy Williams has too many questions surrounding his health and Terrance Mitchell is in Houston. Even if Greedy is healthy, he is not a reliable tackler. Greg Newsome II is not only a fantastic cover corner, but possibly the best tackling corner in this draft. He is excellent at wrapping up the ball carrier. A starting five in the secondary of Ward, Newsome, Hill, Grant Delpit and John Johnson III with Ronnie Harrison providing depth… That is a COMPLETE group.

Baltimore Ravens – Azeez Ojulari Edge Georgia

The Ravens addressed inside linebacker with both Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison last season. Now they can look to select an edge rusher and Ojulari’s game translates best to a 3-4 outside linebacker anyway. His relentless motor will be needed when the Browns and Ravens likely have several difficult battles next season.

New Orleans Saints – Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB Notre Dame

The Saints need to go corner due to the Marshon Lattimore issues, but if the JOKer is still available, he would be tough to pass up. The Saints have not had a difference maker linebacker in quite a while. The range and playmaking ability of Owusu-Koramoah will strengthen a defense needing OLB.

Green Bay Packers – Jalen Mayfield OT Michigan

The Packers should probably take a wide receiver and give Aaron Rodgers another weapon besides Davante Adams. The Packers have heard the same thing for a while now and choose to go in other directions. Why should 2021 be any different? They could use a reliable right tackle opposite David Bakhtari and Mayfield fits best on the right side.

Buffalo Bills – Christian Barmore DT Alabama

Barmore is so inconsistent that he could very well fall. If he does, the Bills can celebrate because they are working to stack the defensive line. For being an excellent team last season, they lacked pass rush. Barmore will eat up some blocks in the middle which should free up Ed Oliver next to him.

Baltimore Ravens – Kadarius Toney WR Florida

The current Ravens front office seem to favor smaller, shifty players on offense. They have Lamar Jackson at quarterback, selected running back J.K. Dobbins last year and feature Marquise Brown at wide receiver. They can add to the shiftiness with Toney.