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BILL WUNKLE’S 2021 nFL MACK DRAFT: VERSION 1.0
Well, it’s finally April 2021 and this year’s NFL Draft will be held in Cleveland, Ohio. Suffice to say that we’re still living under the shadow of COVID-19; but it appears that, at least for some of us, a few things are returning to some mild sense of normalcy. Free Agency is upon us and the Browns have made some very nice player signings with the possibility of more to come before the draft, but now is the time when most of us are focusing in on this month’s three-day event. With that in mind, there have already been trades to between teams that want to move up, move down or stockpile future picks. Player works outs and college pro days are being conducted on pretty much a daily basis; and with that comes the barrage of information and misinformation across all forms of media. After all, it is the silly season portion of the NFL season. Why should we expect anything less because of a stupid virus?
With this being my first mock of the season, I’ll limit it to one round with projected Browns picks for the subsequent rounds. There will be no trades in an effort to keep things simple. So without any further delay, here’s my 2021 NFL mock draft: version 1.0.
ROUND ONE
1 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence – QB – Clemson
This is the worst kept secret of the draft. Urban Meyer would not have come out of retirement from coaching unless he knew that he had this kid in his back pocket.
2 – New York Jets: Justin Fields – QB – Ohio State
This kid was my number 2 QB after the 2019 season, and he’s done nothing to sway my opinion of him; in spite of the slanderous remarks about his lack of work ethic and passion for the game.
3 – San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance – QB – North Dakota State
Lance follows in the footsteps of Carson Wentz and Easton Stick as NDSU quarterbacks who’ve won at least one National Championship. Say what you will about the level of talent and competition within the Missouri Valley Conference. Trey Lance has the most experience of any QB in this draft playing in a conventional NFL style offense (AKA under center). At 6′-3″ and 225 lbs., he’s not as big as Wentz, but he’s more athletic and a more explosive runner with the football. The 49ers drafting him third overall will not necessarily mean that they’re trading Jimmy Garoppolo this year. They would be prudent to give Lance a season to develop on learn the offensive system.
4 – Atlanta Falcons: Zach Wilson – QB – Brigham Young
This is the kid who, for the past month, was allegedly a shoe in to go to the Jets second overall. While I’m not necessarily as high on him as others, he has some redeeming qualities that would make sense for the Falcons to make him Matt Ryan’s heir apparent.
5 – Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase – WR – LSU
Losing AJ Green to free agency makes drafting a top notch receiver a very high priority. The other option here is to take an offensive lineman to protect last year’s number one pick. I’m of the opinion that the Bengals will be able to draft a quality OT in round two.
6 – Miami Dolphins: Penei Sewell – OT – Oregon
The Dolphins have the draft capital to drastically improve their roster this year. Certainly a portion of that will go to protecting their starting QB.
7 – Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith – WR – Alabama
They have their new franchise QB, now they can either protect him or get him a weapon. They could opt for Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater, but I think they’ll look to get Jared Goff a weapon; especially considering the loss of Kenny Golladay to the Giants free agency.
8 – Carolina Panthers: Mac Jones – QB – Alabama
If the truth be known, I think that the Panthers are hoping that one of the other QBs falls to here instead. Jones is a very good QB when playing within structure, but he has no answers when he has to play on the fly and outside of a play’s structure. Of the top five QBs, he’s the least gifted in terms of overall athleticism.
9 – Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons – LB – Penn State
Finally, a non-offensive player comes off the board. The drafting of Parsons helps fill a need along the front seven.
10 – Dallas Cowboys: Kyle Pitts – TE – Florida
When you’re drafting 10th overall with all the defensive needs the Cowboys have and draft a TE, you had better have a top notch talent to select. Pitts will prove to be a vital piece that helps move the chains and when inside the Red Zone.
11 – New York Giants: Rashawn Slater – OT – Northwestern
The G-men draft an OT in back-to-back years to protect Danny Dimes. And while Slater played primarily at OT, he could play virtually anywhere along the O-line.
12 – Philadelphia Eagles: Jaylen Waddle – WR – Alabama
Their second year quarterback will need protection and a big play target. There is an available first round tackle here, but Waddle is a better value pick in terms of talent vs draft slot.
13 – Los Angeles Chargers: Caleb Farley – CB – Virginia Tech
While he has a history of injuries, the talent is too good to ignore. Thirteen picks into the draft and Farley is only the second defensive player taken off the board.
14 – Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw – OT – Virginia Tech
The O-line gets a shot in the arm with this selection.
15 – New England Patriots: Patrick Surtain II – CB – Alabama
This is a BPA selection.
16 – Arizona Cardinals: Kwitty Paye – DE – TSUN
In a draft year where Defensive Ends are few and far between, one finally comes off the board. While he’s still a bit raw, you can see by the film that Paye is very teachable.
17 – Las Vegas Raiders: Alijah Vera-Tucker – OL – USC
Whoever the Raiders QB will be in 2021, he’ll need to be protected.
18 – Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips – DE – Miami
The pass rusher position loses another off the board.
19 – Washington: Rondale Moore – WR – Purdue
“The team formerly known as the Redskins” now has a sidekick for WR Terry McLaurin.
20 – Chicago Bears: Tevin Jenkins – OT – Oklahoma State
“Da-Bears” get a blind side protector for their new QB.
21 – Indianapolis Colts: Azeez Ojulari – DE/OLB – Georgia
The Colts get another pass rusher.
22 – Tennessee Titans: Kadarius Toney – WR – Florida
Part of me wanted to give them an OT to replace Jack Conklin, but anyone left on the board at that position is a stretch.
23 – New York Jets: Jason Oweh – DE – Penn State
This makes the third pass rusher to come off the board.
24 – Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Mayfield – OG – TSUN
The Steelers’ O-line is in shambles. Enough said.
25 – Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig – S – TCU
Moehrig becomes the second defensive back taken.
26 – Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB – Notre Dame
Speed and versatility are among the top priorities for the Browns’ defense. J-O-K brings that with the ability to play linebacker and safety.
27 – Baltimore Ravens: Tyson Campbell – CB – Georgia
Just when you think that the rich can’t get any richer, think again!
28 – New Orleans Saints: Asante Samuel Jr. – CB – Florida State
All the top quarterbacks are gone, so the Saints are left with Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill to duke it out for the starting job. The Saints opt for whoever is the BPA regardless of position, which is exactly what they should do if they’re going to keep the pick.
29 – Green Bay Packers: Rashod Bateman – WR -Minnesota
After hearing the backlash from their debacle of last year’s first round for 365 days straight, the Packers finally get Aaron Rodgers a weapon. They still need a ton of defensive help, though.
30 – Buffalo Bills: Christian Barrmore – DT – Alabama
Depending upon how other teams’ draft boards are set up, this kid could go off the board as early as the early twenties.
31 – Kansas City Chiefs: Gregory Rousseau – DE – Miami
Without an OT worthy of the pick, the Chiefs either trade down or select a pass rusher.
32 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Levi Onwuzurike – DT – Washington
The Buccaneers front office finds themselves in very unfamiliar territory drafting so late in every round. They get their defense another piece for the defensive line rotation.
OTHER BROWNS SELECTIONS:
59 -Ifetu – Melifonwu – CB – Syracuse
89 – Tyler Shelvin – DT – LSU
91 -Tommy Tremble – TE – Notre Dame
110 – Jammien Sherwood – S – Auburn
132 – Joshua Kaindoh – DE – Florida State
169 – Kryiris Tonga – DT – BYU
209 -Jonathan Adams Jr. – WR – Arkansas State
255 -Trey Dean III – DB Florida
That wraps up this mock draft. I hope that you find it entertaining and informative. This is Bill Wunkle signing off from the Padded Cell. Have a good night, everybody!
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
It figures that Carolina would trade for Sam Darnold on the very same day that I release this mock draft. I guess they’ll not be taking a QB in the draft after all.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I think there’s still a solid chance Carolina goes QB. The chance Darnold can turn it around is worth the price they paid, but that’s one hell of a wager. He’d be a great transitional/backup QB for a few years.
I dig that draft for the Browns! Only question in the TE…do you see that as a need, or was it a value pick?
That deep in the draft, I’m looking at BPA picks.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
I’ve seen reports that the Panthers will hold off on picking up Sam Darnold’s 5th year option until sometime after the draft. That could be a signal to some teams behind them that are in need of a QB to come up with a trade offer or we just might take one of these quarterbacks. /Carolina could be looking for a Sonny Weaver kind of deal.
Am I going mad, or did the word THINK escape your lips? You were not hired for your brains, you hippopotamic landmass!
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