For eighteen NFL teams, the season is over and the focus is on the NFL Draft. How can teams improve their performance in 2020 and finally deliver on their playoff promises in 2021? There is no foolproof formula, but the 2021 NFL Draft will give these teams a chance to succeed. This 2021 3-round NFL Mock Draft is just a potential outcome.
Featured | NFL Draft Prospects 2021: Tony Pauline’s updated big board, player ratings
Simulated NFL draft of 3 rounds of Cummings for 2021 | Picks 1-16
1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
It’s kind of boring to write Trevor Lawrence’s name first every time in these 3 rounds of 2021 of the NFL Mock Drafts. But there is almost no other choice for the Jaguars. Jacksonville needs a legitimate franchise defender and Trevor Lawrence is the QB1 consensus in a class that is quite strong. He has the athleticism, the arm and the leadership ability to keep up with the position for years.
2. New York Jets: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
In all honesty, the Jets and Sam Darnold could benefit from a change of scenery. But what if – what if – the Jets keep Darnold? Jets general manager Joe Douglas is known to like the 23-year-old quarterback, and perhaps a new coach is a change enough for Darnold, who has spent two seasons suffering under Adam Gase.
If New York rolls the dice again with Darnold, their focus will be to give him the best chance of success. Ter Mekhi Becton and Penei Sewell guarding the ends is a great place to start.
3. Miami Dolphins: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Again with the security of my job in mind, I avoided choosing a quarterback here, although Justin Fields remains on the board. Tua Tagovailoa was not particularly inspiring in his debut season, but sometimes that is how debut seasons are. It would be irresponsible on the part of Miami not to give it another year of development, at least.
It would be responsible, however, to kill two birds with one stone by selecting Micah Parsons. Parsons is an elite athlete with immense potential as a linebacker hybrid in the Brian Flores scheme.
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio
Whether Falcons keep or trade Matt Ryan, they need to keep the future in mind as a quarterback. Ryan himself is aging, and the new coaching regime may want a fresh start. Ryan could be a good bridge quarterback and mentor for the next caller.
However, your days are probably numbered. Atlanta has other needs, especially in defense, but Justin Fields it’s hard to let it go. Fields offers Atlanta athleticism, talent and exceptional endurance, and he could make his infamous 2017 Super Bowl appearance a distant memory.
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Bengals have widespread needs, but no need is greater than protection for Joe Burrow. The “Protect Joe Burrow at all costs” operation is ready, and although Penei Sewell is not available here, Rashawn Slater still offers good value with his athleticism and versatility.
Slater doesn’t have as much name as Sewell, but he has a lot of respect in some corners. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com had Slater as his overall number 1 striker in late November. With his gentle style and innate influence, Slater can provide security wherever the Bengals need him to play.
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Pitts, TE / WR, Florida
If you are entering this cold and do not know who Kyle Pitts yeah, I’ll spare you the suspense. He’s not just a tight end Kyle Pitts is a 1.80 m tall, 240 pound unicorn athlete. He has the explosiveness, fluidity and nuance of route racing to open up underneath, and he has exorbitant length, body control and playing strength to master in contested situations.
Pitts can line up anywhere, and for an Eagles team that has a slim WR body and may be losing Zach Ertz, Pitts relieves the pressure a lot. It also provides an astronomical advantage.
7. Detroit Lions: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Matthew Stafford deserves respect for what he did in Detroit. He also deserves to give the playoffs a try with another team. Detroit and Stafford can cut ties in the off-season. If that happens, Detroit will be in a privileged position to arrest a quarterback with that choice, whether they trade or stand still. Here, star BYU Zach Wilson is available.
Wilson is not as athletic as Fields or Lawrence. However, he has a lot of talent, improvisational skills and a contagious personality that should help him to take root quickly as the face of the franchise.
8. Carolina Panthers: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Panthers are evasive when it comes to Teddy Bridgewater, so they could go with Trey Lance here. But regardless of his performance, Bridgewater took over as quarterback with some authority. If the Panthers are not ecstatic with Trey Lance, and if they feel good about keeping Bridgewater as a bridge quarterback, they may choose to continue reinforcing their young and athletic defense.
Caleb Farley has some of the biggest advantages in the cornerback class. With his length and closing ability, Farley can block one of the boundary points.
9. Denver Broncos: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
If you are surprised, you may be surprised. This is somewhat surprising. But Tony Pauline said in his most recent mailbag that he thinks Zaven Collins could be a surprise choice in the top ten. Pauline also has Collins as his 12th overall player, and there is merit in that ranking.
Collins is an exciting 1.80 m tall and 260 pound athlete, and also a smart and instinctive player. He would be a potential front-line player in the second level of Denver’s defense, as well as a versatile threat that can contribute at all stages.
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
If the Cowboys can renew their defense in the off-season of 2021, they can return as contenders for the playoffs in 2021, as long as Dak Prescott regains his full health. Starting the defensive reformulation in the first round, Patrick Surtain II is the choice here. Surtain has length, ball skills and a competitive instinct to be a long-term limit initiator, and he has enough athletic ability to match the receivers on the outside.
11. New York Giants: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
It’s amazing how respectable the Giants’ defense was in 2020, considering how many needs they had on that side of the ball. First, adding a legitimate pass-rush presence on the edge is a priority, and Georgia EDGE Azeez Ojulari it’s a good fit. Ojulari is an explosive and accelerated defensive side that makes up for its 1.8 m size, 240 pounds with explosion, fold, fast hands and impressive speed boost for power in its strokes.
12. San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
One look at the bags under Kyle Shanahan’s eyes will tell you that Jimmy Garoppolo is not. It is time for the 49ers to get a quarterback who simply does more. Zach Wilson is the ideal choice with his moxie and off-script ability, but Trey Lance it is an excellent consolation prize.
Lance has superior athletics and also has good arm talent and a deep throwing ability. He may add another element to the San Francisco attack, although it would be beneficial to put him in touch with a veteran in his first year.
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Justin Herbert stamped his name in the record books for newcomer quarterbacks in 2020. After a year, he has become an esteemed asset that Chargers should keep safe. No more putting the offensive line in a double boiler. With this selection of 3 rounds of 2021 NFL Mock Draft, the Chargers are finally proactive in protecting their quarterback.
Christian Darrisaw was a great riser this season. At 6 feet-5, 314, Darrisaw is an ideal size and length, and he also moves well. He plays with good power and advantage, and has the advantage of being a book blocker for more than a decade.
14. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Above all, Vikings need help to move fast, both on the edge and inside. Adding help to the quick pass not only improves the team’s ability to generate pressure, but it also incubates a secondary youth. Kwity Paye it is a great value choice here. At 6 feet-4, 270 pounds, Paye has the engine, blast, length and cornering ability to be an imposing defensive threat.
15. New England Patriots: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Patriots will have a ton of turnover at their reception core this off-season, so whoever lines up as a defender will need a new threat at the border. Ja’Marr Chase it is an excellent fit in this regard.
Chase is a good athlete with enough YAC skill and nuance of running route to be self-sufficient. But where he really wins is with his ability to contain. Chase has one of the best natural instincts to catch football in the league. It is vertically explosive and has impeccable body control and contortion capabilities.
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
With Patrick Peterson’s future uncertain, and the small Arizona cornerback position outside Byron Murphy, the Cardinals need to invest in the cornerback position this off-season. Peterson turns 31 this off-season, so moving forward can be a prudent change in the long run, and Jaycee Horn can help facilitate this transition. At 1.80 meters, Horn has the necessary length to start at the border and also has athletics, physicality and attitude to make an impact from the beginning.