2021 NFL Group Mock Draft: 2 Rounds

Round 1 Picks 1-16

The 2021 NFL Draft has a lot of talent in this years class.

Posted By: Joseph Potter, Oren Shiri, Jason Bantle, and Chris Ransom follow @DraftUtopia Last Updated: March 11, 2021.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
   
   
   Joseph Potter: Anyone who follows the 2021 NFL Draft, knows Trevor Lawrence is the top prospect in this draft class. Mark Brunell and Blake Bortles both took Jacksonville to AFC Championship games and Trevor Lawrence is a vastly superior quarterback to both Brunell and Bortles.
   
   
   
   Trevor Lawrence played in 56 high school games and 29 College games. He only lost three times in his career losing only once in High School and losing twice in the Sugar Bowl to an LSU team led by Joe Burrow and an Ohio State team in the 2021 College Football Playoff. Lawrence has been a winner his entire life and now has a chance to bring that winning culture to Jacksonville in a year where there are so many ongoing changes in the AFC South Division.
   
   
   
   Here is a film cut of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence VS Wake Forest. Lawrence dominated the first half in this road win over Wake Forest.
   
   
   
   
   
   
2. New York Jets: Penei Sewell, LT, Oregon
   
   
   Oren Shiri: I was debating between quarterback and offensive tackle at 2. Ultimately, I decided to give the Jets the best available player on the board in Sewell rather than deal Darnold and push the reset button on the rebuild in New York.
   
   
   
   
   
3. Miami Dolphins: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
   
   
   Jason Bantle: This pick seems almost too obvious. The best player in College Football last year without a doubt was Heisman Trophy inner Devonta Smith who had a historic season in 2020 for Nick Saban.
   
   
   
   With this pick Miami fills a huge need and reunites Tua Tagovailoa with his top playmaker from 2019. This will give Tua no excuses to step up and play like the franchise quarterback Miami hopes he'll be.
   
   
   
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
   
   
   Chris Ransom: I posted my 2021 NFL Mock Draft: 3 Rounds last Friday. Also if I have the same player in my mock going in this group mock, the writeup will stay exactly the same to save time.
   
   
   
   Justin Fields has just as much of a ceiling as Sam Darnold, but he's rawer than Darnold coming out of USC. Fields like Trevor Lawrence played High School football in Georgia. Arthur Blank mentioned Trevor Lawrence and Justin Fields as possible quarterback options back in October when Dan Quinn and Thomas Dimitroff got fired.
   
   
   
   The best thing about this pick is Atlanta can start Matt Ryan in 2021 and groom Justin Fields for the future. Atlanta can take the same approach that Kansas City took when they drafted Patrick Mahomes at 10 to sit behind Alex Smith. The same approach Miami took when< they chose to sit Tua Tagovailoa behind Ryan Fitzpatrick.
   
   
   
   I posted a film cut of Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields VS Penn State. Justin Fields picked apart Penn State pretty easily. Micah Parsons didn't play in this game despite Penn State having some talented players on the defensive side of the ball.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Micah Parsons, ROLB, Penn State
   
   
   Jason Bantle: First off, the plan really needs to be to grab Penei Sewell even if they have to trade up. Offensive line is such a huge need and a left tackle of Sewell's caliber would be huge for Joe Burrow..
   
   
   
   In this scenario, most would argue that Ja'Marr Chasereunion with franchise quarterback Joe Burrow would be the play. I disagree. Even with A.J. Green probably leaving,, the Bengals still have tons of young talent at wide receiver. I have also seen Kyle Pitts as a possible option, but the Bengals drafted Drew Sample a 2019 second round pick at tight end.
   
   
   
   Even though offensive line is the obvious need, any player not named Sewell, even Rashawn Slater would be a reach at number 5 in my opinion. The Bengals haven't had a weapon at the linebacker position since Vonaze Burfict left. Micah Parsons is the best player available and would start in week 1.
   
   
   
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Ja'Maar Chase, WR, LSU
   
   
   Joseph Potter: Ja'Maar Chase and Devonta Smitha are both top 5 playes in this draft as both receivers won the Billetnikoff Award. If one of these blue chip receivers falls to Philadelphia then this is an obvious slam dunk selection for Howie Roseman.
   
   
   
   
   
7. Detroit Lions: Zaven Collins, MLB, Tulsa
   
   
   Chris Ransom: Detroit loses Kenny Golloday, Marvin Jones, and Danny Amendola to Free Agency in 2021. They also lose Jarrad Davis and Reggie Ragland at middle linebacker. When Brad Holmes was Director of College Scouting with the Rams, they took receivers in the second round very frequently. Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, Josh Reynolds, and Van Jefferson were all day 2 picks when Brad Holmes was in charge of scouting with the Rams. That's my reasoning for giving Detroit Zaven Collins at 7.
   
   
   
   The 6-4 260 lb Zaven Collins can play everywhere at linebacker just like Micah Parsons. Collins showed the versatility to play 4-3 right outside linebacker, 4-3 middle linebacker, 4-3 left outside linebacker, 3-4 right outside linebacker, 3-4 middle linebacker, and 3-4 left outside linebacker with his versatility.
   
   
   
   Zaven Collins pass rushes like an edge rusher at defensive end and covers like a safety that dominates in zone coverage. He can pass rush and stop the run with his speed. Improving his coverage in play action and his man coverage would probably help Collins boost his stock.
   
   
   
   Four people that watch game film with me that are avid readers of Draft Utopia called him the best defensive player in the entire draft. Detroit gets him as a middle linebacker.
   
   
   
   There are some reports with Zaven Collins that he's not well liked by his teammates. Micah Parsons has the same concerns, but the talent level and skill set Collins provides is too great for the Detroit Lions to ignore if Micah Parsons is gone.
   
   
   
8. Carolina Panthers: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
   
   
   Jason Bantle: Carolina gets a quarterback who can push Teddy Bridgewater for the starting quarterback job. Zach Wilson may be talented enough to start in week 1.
   
   
   
   Here is a film cut of BYU quarterback Zach Wilson VS Boise State. Zach dominated this game.
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
   
   
   Chris Ransom: Denver needs multiple cornerbacks. Caleb Farley is a cornerback that warrants an A grade in man coverage, zone coverage, and press coverage. I feel he's the most well rounded cornerback in this draft. In his worst game against Notre Dame in 2019, he had 20 good plays to 5 bad plays. The 6-2 207 lb cornerback opted out in 2020 after leading the ACC with 16 deflections as a sophomore redshirt in 2019. Understands cover 0, cover 1, cover 2, cover 3, and cover 4 schemes.
   
   
   
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
    
    
    Chris Ransom: Dallas has one good cornerback in Trevon Diggs who had 14 deflections as a rookie. They need to replace Anthony Brown by getting a cornerback to compliment Diggs. Here at ten, they get Diggs old teammate at Alabama Patrick Surtain II, the son of former Miami Dolphins cornerback Patrick Surtain.
    
    
    
    The 6-2 203 lb Patrick Surtain II had 7 deflections from pass breakups after being a five star recruit after being my top ranked cornerback from American Heritage High School in 2018. Patrick Surtain II had 8 delfections from pass breakups in 2019 improving on his 2018 season as he has the man coverage, zone coverage, and press coverage to play in the NFL. Understands cover 0, cover 1, cover 2, cover 3, and cover 4 schemes. With Trevon Diggs gone, Patrick Surtain II entered 2020 as Alabama's top ranked cornerback.
    
    
    
    Patrick Surtain II improved his number of deflections from 7 to 12 while giving up 0.52 yards per coverage snap which was third among cornerbacks in 2020. The downside is his zone coverage regressed in 2020 after showing promise to dominate in this category during his sophomore year in 2019. Patrick Surtain II gets beat by fast receivers on tape sometimes. He gave up 3 touchdowns and only had 1 interception in 2020.
    
    
    
    
    
11. New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
    
    
    Oren Shiri: Daniel Jones has needed a number one target that he can depend on ever since Odell Beckham Jr. got traded to the Cleveland Browns. Jaylen Waddle is a fast explosive receiver that can stretch the field.
    
    
    
12. San Francisco 49ers: Rashawn Slater, LT, Northwestern
    
    
    Joseph Potter: Rashawn Slater could go as early as five to Cincinnati. He's got better foot speed than Penei Sewell and is more technically sound. With Trent Williams set to be a Free Agent, San Francisco drafts Rashawn Slater to be Jimmy Garoppolo's blindside at left tackle.
    
    
    
    
    
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Christian Darrisaw, LT, Virginia Tech
    
    
    Chris Ransom: Los Angeles gets a blindside for Justin Herbert. The 6-5 314 lb Christian Darrisaw can pass block, run block, and zone block effectively. Maintains blocks for 5-7 seconds. Has the pass blocking footwork, run blocking footwork, pass blocking strength, and pass blocking footwork. This guy won the left tackle job as a freshman and has three years of experience as Virginia Tech's blindside.
    
    
    
14. Minnesota Vikings: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
    
    
    Joseph Potter: I narrowed this pick down to Trey Lance and Jaycee Horn. Ultimately, I went with Horn because when Minnesota made the Divisional Round as a six seed back beating New Orleans in a wild card game a year ago in the 2020 Wild Card round before missing the 2021 Wild Card round. That Minnesota Vikings team that knocked off New Orleans had three first round cornerbacks with Xavier Rhodes, Trae Waynes, and Mike Hughes.
    
    
    
    Minnesota moved on from Rhodes and Waynes. They did get Jeff Gladney in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft to replace Rhodes and now they get the replacement for Waynes by drafting one of the best man coverage corners who is physical. That guy is Jaycee Horn and he will press the crap out of the opposing receiver. There's a reason this cornerback is Voch Lombardi and Jeff Cavanaugh's top ranked cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
15. New England Patriots: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
    
    
    Chris Ransom: Trey Lance was my plan A with Kyle Pitts being my plan B if Joseph took Lance at 14. Joey took Jaycee Horn at 14 which made my decision easier.
    
    
    
    New England gets their quarterback of the future here. Even if they go out and get a quarterback like Ryan Fitzpatrick in Free Agency, that won't stop the Patriots from drafting a signal-caller with the upside that Trey Lance has. Trey Lance may be talented enough to beat out Ryan Fitzpatrick for the starting job in New England.
    
    
    
    Assuming New England re-signs center David Andrews, their offensive line will look like this unless they cut someone. Isaiah Wynn remains at left tackle, Michael Onwenu takes over for Thuney at left guard, Andrews returns at center, Shaq Mason remains the starting right guard, and Marcus Cannon returns at right tackle after opting out due to Covid-19. That's a solid group to protect Trey Lance as long as everyone stays healthy.
    
    
    
    I posted a film cut of North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance VS Central Arkansas. Trey Lance struggled in this game, but delivered when it mattered.
    
    
    
    
    
    
16. Arizona Cardinals: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
    
    
    Jason Bantle: No brainer best player avaialble. Murray has a ton of older talent at wide receiver to throw to but now a young guy to throw to underneath that can catch passes over the middle when Larry Fitzgerald leaves next year.