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In our first NFL mock draft of 2021, we are going to do a no-trade scenario taking who we believe is the best available prospect from our NFL Draft player rankings and matching them based on team needs.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars Select
Primary Needs: QB, TE, OT
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Quick Eval: Trevor Lawrence has been the projected consensus number one pick in the 2021 NFL draft since the start of the 2019 season. Lawrence is as close to a sure thing we have seen since Andrew Luck at the QB position.
2. New York Jets Select
Primary Needs: QB, CB, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Scouting Report: Smith was second fiddle to Waddle before he was hurt. Now, Smith has had an incredible season raising his stock. The key for Waddle leading up to the 2020 season is what he would look like as the number one WR? He proved before the injury that he could handle the number one role in the Alabama offense.
3. Miami Dolphins (via Houston) Select
Primary Needs: WR, LB, IOL
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Quick Eval: Sewell has held serve in this spot and will not fall out. He opted out of the 2020 season, but his 2019 film was phenomenal. Sewell received better grades from some scouts in 2019 than other highly rated tackle prospects.
4. Atlanta Falcons Select
Primary Needs: QB, EDGE, LB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Quick Eval: Fields displayed some inconsistent play in 2020, but we have to consider that Ohio State had several games canceled, and the Big Ten's stringent Covid-19 protocols being a factor in how a team can practice and how that might play a role. Fields put on a show against Clemson in the CFP Semifinal, showing the elite level accuracy that was consistent in 2019. He is a near-lock for the number two overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
5. Cincinnati Bengals Select
Primary Needs: OT, CB, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: Darrisaw fits the mold of a player on the rise and might be the top OT off the board. Darrisaw is a three-year starter who has improved in each of his three seasons. Darrisaw checks the boxes, and he has the size to go with his ability. He excels in zone run schemes.
6. Philadelphia Eagles Select
Primary Needs: QB, CB, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Quick Eval: Wilson has been stellar in 2020 following an injury-riddled 2019 season. He is catching a lot of buzz in 2020 due to his high level of play. But the competition he has faced is not on the level of Lawrence or Justin Fields, and that’s is a reason we are not as high on him, though he is in our top 10.
7. Detroit Lions Select
Primary Needs: WR, LB, QB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Scouting Report: I have gone back and forth with Parsons in the top five, but there is no doubt he is deserving. LB's ranked this high need to be unique, and Parson's is a real difference-maker. He possesses modern speed and old school size that is coveted by NFL coaches and GM's.
8. Carolina Panthers Select
Primary Needs: LB, CB, OT
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: With one game to go in the 2020 season, Surtain will face the Ohio State Buckeyes and their incredibly talented WR core. He can solidify his top 10 draft board status if he plays great in the National Championship game.
9. Denver Broncos Select
Primary Needs: QB, EDGE, CB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: Jones is a smart player, and he is very good at going through his progressions and making the correct read. His mechanics are sound; his delivery is clean. He lacks the combined arm strength and athleticism that NFL GM's and coaches are looking for, but don't be fooled. Jones is a skillful player with a lot of upside and intangible qualities that translate well at the NFL level.
10. Dallas Cowboys Select
Primary Needs: OT, CB, QB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: Farley played QB in HS and started his VT career at WR. He is now the 2nd rated CB on our board. At 6-2, 197, he has good physical traits. Farley excels in man coverage, mirror routes at a high level, and is physical. He needs to improve his zone coverage skills at the next level.
11. New York Giants Select
Primary Needs: EDGE, LB, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Scouting Report: I Had Waddle too low on my draft board since the injury and the rise of Smith as the number one. The reality, Waddle was on pace for a season similar to Smith before he was injured. After further review, I moved him back up and just outside of the top 10.
12. San Francisco 49ers Select
Primary Needs: IOL, CB, QB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Scouting Report: A guy who plays bigger than his real stature, he was the best WR in CFB statistically a season ago at LSU with Burrow at QB. He opted out of the 2020 season. We have him ranked as a top 10 draft board lock.
13. Los Angeles Chargers Select
Primary Needs: OT, IOL, CB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: Leatherwood has had some issues allowing pressure against speedier edge rushers with good hand usage. Leatherwood has a lot of upsides that we believe can help him become a really good NFL player.
14. Minnesota Vikings Select
Primary Needs: IOL, IDL, S
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: Davis is expected to be an excellent player at the next level. He excels at inside zone, is a road grader, and should be plug & play at LG/RG.
15. New England Patriots Select
Primary Needs: QB, WR, LB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Scouting Report: Pitts is a special player who fits the mold of what NFL GM's and coaches are looking for in today's football. He can move around the formation, play in-line, and split out wide. He is very athletic, with great hands. Pitts, a former QB, is a brilliant player. Whoever picks him up will be getting an elite talent.
16. Arizona Cardinals Select
Primary Needs: CB, EDGE, IOL
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: The son of former NFL WR Joe Horn, Jacee has the pedigree and is a late riser on our board. He is a solid cover corner, can play zone and press. He has needed to improve his tackling.
17. Las Vegas Raiders Select
Primary Needs: EDGE, IOL, IDL
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: Paye is an explosive athlete who has yet to reach his full potential. Paye was not a full-time starter at Michigan until 2020. He is a player with a lot of drive and motivation that we believe can fuel him at the next level.
18. Miami Dolphins Select
Primary Needs: IOL, EDGE, RB
Football Scout 365 Grade: High Impact Player
Scouting Report: Hard to tackle, shifty, yet not a burner. At times, Harris has shown a lack of discipline as a runner, but in the 2020 SEC title game, and CFP, Harris has come on strong displaying a high level of athleticism as both a runner and a pass-catcher. He does need time to get going out of the backfield (Derrick Henry), runs high (6-2), where Harris differs when compared to a Derrick Henry style player, is his ability as a pass-catcher. He can line up out wide, in the slot, does a good job on routes from out of the backfield.
All Teams Beyond the 18th pick are subject to change until the NFL playoffs have finished.
Wild Card Round Losers
19. Washington Football Team Select
Primary Needs: QB, OT, TE
Football Scout 365 Grade: Developmental
Scouting Report: Trask was on a Joe Burrow pace this season, and his rise has been notable. He improved his downfield accuracy year over year and is a very smart player. Trask fits the mold of a more traditional player at the next level. He is not as athletic as the top 3 QB's on our board, but he has adequate athleticism.
20. Chicago Bears Select
Primary Needs: OT, IOL, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: Cosmi is a high-level pass blocker, not known as a road grader; he is still a good run blocker. Cosmi is a player who uses angles to gain leverage. A smart player who beats his man to the spot consistently. He is considered by many to be a developmental prospect.
21. Indianapolis Colts Select
Primary Needs: QB, CB, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Scouting Report: Moore jumped on the scene in a big way as a freshman; he did things that most players cannot do against Ohio State, he followed up in 2019 with an injury-shortened season, and in 2020 he came back and played well in three games. Moore is a tackle-breaking machine who reportedly can squat 600+ lbs. He can also make you miss in a phone booth. He is a smaller version of Saquan Barkley, that plays WR.
22. Tennessee Titans Select
Primary Needs: EDGE, IDL, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: A long player who can slide inside when needed. He only has one year of starting experience but possesses a lot of upside. He needs some time to develop as a player, but the upside is there
23. New York Jets (via Seattle) Select
Primary Needs: QB, CB, WR
Football Scout 365 Grade: Instant Impact Player
Scouting Report: The ACC's all-time rusher, he could have left Clemson a season ago but decided to return. Etienne plays with great burst and contact balance and is an excellent pass catcher. Where he needs improvement is as a pass blocker and fumbles. The positives for Etienne outweigh the negatives.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers Select
Primary Needs: OT, CB, RB
Football Scout 365 Grade: Potential Upside
Scouting Report: We may have the highest grade for this prospect out of any service. Mayfield had a great 2019 season; he opted out of 2020 and then opted back in. Michigan was bad this season, but Mayfield graded well in 2019-20. He is a player with elite athleticism and size, needs a season or two of elite level coaching, but has the tools to be a very good NFL player.
Picks 25-32 are pending playoff completion
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