Tony Mario's 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Final Mock 7 Rounds

Round 3

Tony Mario Last Updated: April 27, 2021.

65. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dan Moore, LT, Texas A&M
    
    
    Dan Moore didn't crack the top 20 offensive tackle rankings. He's someone that's not getting enough respect after a good week in Mobile where he did well in some reps at left tackle. Jacksonville can bring him in as a backup left tackle for Cam Robinson. He may be able to develop into a quality blindside for Trevor Lawrence in due time.
    
    
    
66. New York Jets: Tylan Wallace, WR, Oklahoma State
    
    
    New York drafts a receiver to push Jameson Crowder for the slot receiver job. Tylan Wallace provides nice value here. Whoever wins the slot receiver competition between Crowder and Wallace can take pressure off of Denzel Mims and Corey Davis in New York.
    
    
    
    
    
67. Houston Texans: Josh Myers, C, Ohio State
    
    
    Houston needs a replacement for Nick Martin at center. Especially if Deshaun Watson gets suspended in 2020 with his ongoing investigation. Josh Myers is the best center available at this point in the third round as well as an awesome value pick here.
    
    
    
68. Atlanta Falcons: Quincy Roche, RE, Miami FL
    
    
    Quincy Roche lined up at 4-3 right end and 4-3 left end despite having the body of a 3-4 outside linebacker. Atlanta needs a pass rushing presence off the edge at 4-3 right end. Roche may need to sit out his first year to bulk up for the part, but as long as he develops into a starter on Atlanta as a defensive end this will end up being a good pick.
    
    
    
    
    
69. Cincinnati Bengals: Hamlicar Rashed Jr., ROLB, Oregon State
    
    
    Hamlicar Rashed Jr. can line up as a 4-3 defensive end, 4-3 outside linebacker, or a 3-4 outside linebacker on either side. Cincinnati adds him as a depth player on defense here in the third round with all five of the guards with the ability to start right away off the board.
    
    
    
70. Philadelphia Eagles: Jamar Johnson, SS, Indiana
    
    
    Jamar Johnson lined up at both strong safety and free safety during his time with Indiana. Philadelphia has Anthony Harris at strong safety now. Marcus Epps and Rodney McLeod should end up splitting reps at free safety. Jamar Johnson would learn under Anthony Harris. Then he'd take over for Harris at strong safety in 2022 since Harris enters a contract year for Philadelphia in 2021.
    
    
    
    
    
71. Denver Broncos: Nick Bolton, 3-4 MLB, Missouri
    
    
    Denver gets a 3-4 middle linebacker for depth behind A.J. Johnson and Josey Jewell. Nick Bolton now becomes the fourth Missouri Tiger on the Denver Broncos roster joining former Missouri teammates Drew Lock and Albert Okwuegbunam.
    
    
    
72. Detroit Lions: Chazz Surratt, MLB, North Carolina
    
    
    Chazz Surratt can play all three linebacker spots in a 4-3 as well as 3-4 middle linebacker. Detroit lost their starting and backup middle linebacker so they will draft Surratt and plug him inside right away giving Detroit Jalen Reeves-Maybin at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Chazz Surratt at middle linebacker, and Jamie Collins at 4-3 left outside linebacker. This may not be the most ideal situation for Detroit. If those three are starting at linebacker for all 17 games then Detroit's defense may show signs of improvement.
    
    
    
    
    
73. Carolina Panthers: Brevin Jordan, TE, Miami FL
    
    
    Carolina gets a tight end that could be a day 1 starter at tight end now that they are no longer in the running for Kyle Pitts. Brevin Jordan is a clear second round talent at tight end if you watch his tape.
    
    
    
74. Washington Football Team: Hunter Long, TE, Boston College
    
    
    Washington gets a tight end to push Logan Thomas for minutes. Hunter Long was the go-to-guy on Boston College despite being a tight end. He could be a huge asset for Mac Jones in the Nation's Capital.
    
    
    
    
    
75. Dallas Cowboys: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
    
    
    Shaun Wade may be a nickel cornerback at best. Right now Trevon Diggs and nickel corner Jourdan Lewis are the only assets at cornerback that Dallas has. Shaun Wade could either move into a safety role or learn under Lewis for a few seasons at cornerback until he develops the rest of his game. I say the later of the two scenarios occurs in Dallas.
    
    
    
76. New York Giants: Brady Christensen, LT, BYU
    
    
    Brady Christensen looked good on tape against Tarron Jackson despite losing to Coastal Carolina. New York would have Nate Solder, Andrew Thomas, Matt Peart, and Brady Christensen at offensive tackle. Solder and Thomas would compete for the left tackle job with the loser moving over to right tackle. Peart would remain the backup right tackle after playing some as a rookie while Christensen would become the backup left tackle. This gives Daniel Jones and Saquon Barkley both great depth at offensive tackle.
    
    
    
    
    
77. Los Angeles Chargers: Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
    
    
    Austin Ekeler has too many durability issues for my liking. After 2021, the Los Angeles Chargers can cut Ekeler to save cap space. I don't see Ekeler on this roster past 2023 when the third year of Justin Herbert's rookie deal ends following the 2022 season. Los Angeles gets Michael Carter as Ekeler's replacement here.
    
    
    
    Our company's founder Chris Ransom posted a press conference of North Carolina running back Michael Carter from the 2021 Reeses Senior Bowl. Carter stood out in Mobile to the point where he may be a day 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
    
78. Minnesota Vikings: Spencer Brown, RT, Northern Iowa
    
    
    Minnesota gets competition for right tackle Brian O'Neill here with most of the left tackles off the board. Spencer Brown was trained by Joe Staley leading up to the 2021 NFL Draft, so there is an outside chance he can make the transition from right tackle to left tackle.
    
    
    
    Spencer Brown did superb at right tackle for Northern Iowa after being a former tight end/defensive lineman in High School. He's been training with former San Francisco 49ers left tackle Joe Staley leading up to the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl.
    
    
    
    Here is a film cut of Northern Iowa right tackle Spencer Brown VS South Dakota State. Spencer Brown had 11 pancake blocks in this one game, and I posted two of his film cuts on Draft Utopia's Youtube channel.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
79. Las Vegas Raiders: Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
    
    
    Las Vegas gets their replacement for Maurice Hurst here who started 9 games. Solomon Thomas was a 4-3 defensive end on San Francisco so I don't trust him to be the teams long-term starter at defensive tackle. You could argue that Daviyon Nixon is a consensus top 3 defensive tackle in this draft class so if he falls to 79 you pull the trigger and add him to the Las Vegas Raiders here.
    
    
    
80. Las Vegas Raiders: Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford
    
    
    The Las Vegas Raiders get a nickel cornerback that can play with Trayvon Mullen and Damon Arnette. Paulson Adebo from Stanford seems like the ideal nickel cornerback for the Las Vegas Raiders to grab here at 80.
    
    
    
    
    
81. Miami Dolphins: Osa Odighizuwa, 3-4 RE, UCLA
    
    
    Miami gets a 3-4 right end for depth. Davon Godchaux is on New England so Osa Odighizuwa would be a great scheme fit after his strong week at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl.
    
    
    
    
    
82. Washington Football Team: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
    
    
    I honestly don't see Nico Collins escaping the first three rounds. For starters he's the tallest receiver in this years NFL Draft. His interview sounded great and the only reason his stats aren't better is due to poor quarterback play at Michigan.
    
    
    
    Here is an interview of Nico Collins. This interview from the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl is only on Anchor, but you can listen to the interview while reading our SWOT report of Michigan wide receiver Nico Collins.
    
    
    
    
    
    
83. Chicago Bears: Davis Mills, QB, Stanford
    
    
    Time to throw in a name that is not on the quarterback rankings link. Stanford quarterback Davis Mills. Here Chicago takes Mills and grooms him to be their future starter. Mills will compete with Nick Foles for the backup job as Andy Dalton heads into 2021 as the starting quarterback on the Chicago Bears.
    
    
    
    
    
84. Philadelphia Eagles: Tre McKitty, TE, Georgia
    
    
    Philadelphia has Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. However, there's already talk of Philadelphia using Zach Ertz as trade bait to move up in the draft. If someone as talented as Tre McKitty dropped to Philadelphia here, I don't think the Philadelphia Eagles could resist at this point. Tre McKitty would be a good backup tight end to both Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert if Philadelphia chose to trade one of their tight ends. He was known for his blocking at Georgia, but showcased his pass catching in Mobile.
    
    
    
85. Tennessee Titans: Walker Little, LT, Stanford
    
    
    Walker Little played left tackle in High School and at Stanford. Tennessee grabs Walker Little as a swing tackle here with Taylor Lewan at left tackle and Kendall Lamb the former Browns backup left tackle starting at right tackle.
    
    
    
    Walker Little may begin his rookie season as a backup left tackle to Taylor Lewan. He's an upgrade over Ty Sambrailo though.
    
    
    
    
    
86. New York Jets: Jevon Holland, SS, Oregon
    
    
    New York deserves some credit for being able to keep Marcus Maye on a short-term deal after trading Jamal Adams to Seattle for a Kings Ransom. The safety tandem of Marcus Maye and Ashtyn Davis was one of the few solid areas of a really shitty New York Jets team.
    
    
    
    Adding Jevon Holland here allows you to get a safety to develop. Especially if you end up moving Marcus Maye at the trade deadline for draft capital.
    
    
    
87. Pittsburgh Steelers: Trey Hill, C, Georgia
    
    
    Pittsburgh must get a center to replace Maurkice Pouncey in the first three rounds of this years draft. Trey Hill may be a reach, but he's got the upside to be an NFL starter on day 1. He also seems like the kind of center that Pittsburgh would target on day 2 if all of the other top centers are off the board.
    
    
    
    
    
88. Los Angeles Rams: Jay Tufele, NT, USC
    
    
    Jay Tufele is the one nose tackle in this draft that's an upgrade over Tanzel Smart. The Rams get him to pair with Aaron Donald, but they still need a viable replacement next to Donald and him after losing Michael Brockers.
    
    
    
89. Cleveland Browns: Benjamin St. Juste, CB, Minnesota
    
    
    Cleveland has Denzel Ward as their number one cornerback. Greedy Williams back from an injury as the boundary cornerback, and Troy Hill who did well as a number two corner in a contract year playing the nickel role. Denzel Ward, Greedy Williams, and Troy Hill can all start at cornerback for the next two years when healthy with all three cornerbacks under contract in Cleveland until 2023.
    
    
    
    Depth will be needed when you consider that Denzel Ward missed some games along with the fact that Greedy Williams missed the entire 2020 season after only having 2 deflections as a rookie despite having a first round grade coming out of LSU. If Ward or Greedy gets injured again at any point, you can put Hill back on the outside as a number two cornerback and try Benjamin St. Juste as a nickel corner where many scouts project the Minnesota Golden Gophers cornerback at the next level.
    
    
    
    
    
90. Minnesota Vikings: Tommy Togiai, DT, Ohio State
    
    
    Minnesota needs multiple 4-3 defensive tackles. They get the first of those two defensive tackles when they select Ohio State defensive tackle tommy Togiai this late in the third round.
    
    
    
91. Cleveland Browns: Ronnie Perkins, RE, Oklahoma
    
    
    Ronnie Perkins can spend his first year in the weight room strictly adding muscle. He's the only pass rusher in this draft to get a 90 grade in both pass rushing and run stuffing according to Pro Football Focus. He's got the body of a linebacker, but he'll probably be a 4-3 defensive end if he goes to Cleveland. Since the Browns have Myles Garrett, Jadeveon Clowney, and Takkarist McKinley, Perkins supplants 2019 fifth round pick Joe Jackson for the final defensive end spot while spending most of his rookie season in the weight room and on the bench learning from two former number one overall picks.
    
    
    
    
    
92. Green Bay Packers: Stone Forsythe, RT, Florida
    
    
    Stone Forsythe played left tackle at Florida. He can be a swing tackle to David Bahktiari at left tackle and Billy Turner at right tackle. He's one of my sleepers for this draft and someone that Green Bay can draft to bolster their depth at offensive tackle in the third round. Stone Forsythe has experience in both offensive tackle spots so he goes to Green Bay as a right tackle for depth to replace Rick Wagner.
    
    
    
93. Buffalo Bills: Jabril Cox, ROLB, LSU
    
    
    Jabril Cox is a steal at this point. He also seems like the perfect player to develop behind A.J. Klein at 4-3 right outside linebacker at this point in the third round. Buffalo uses this pick to get their third defensive player in the 2021 NFL Draft.
    
    
    
    
    
94. Baltimore Ravens: Amon Ra'St. Brown, WR, USC
    
    
    Amon Ra'St. Brown is a day 2 talent. Baltimore finally uses this pick to get a number one target at wide receiver for Lamar Jackson.
    
    
    
95. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Alim McNeil, NT, North Carolina State
    
    
    Alim McNeil can play defensive tackle in a 4-3 as well as 3-4 right end, 3-4 nose tackle, and 3-4 left end. Extremely versatile player. He gives Tampa Bay's defensive line depth behind Ndamukong Suh, Vita Vea, and William Gholston a defensive lineman for depth. He may be talented enough to beat out Gholston for the 3-4 left end job, but he starts out as a depth player on Tampa Bay that has both coordinators and all 22 starters coming back next season.
    
    
    
    
    
96. New England Patriots: Dyami Brown, WR, North Carolina
    
    
    Julian Edelman just retired, but New England got this compensation pick despite losing their first third round pick for videotaping the Bengals because Tom Brady signed with Tampa Bay. Dyami Brown is an ideal replacement for Edelman at this point in the third round.
    
    
    
97. Los Angeles Chargers: Kenny Yeboah, TE, Ole Miss
    
    
    Los Angeles got this pick because Philip Rivers signed with the Indianapolis Colts. Rivers retired and the Chargers use this pick to select Ole Miss tight end Kenny Yeboah as Hunter Henry's replacement here. Some may have a fourth round grade on Yeboah, but he's the best tight end on the board at this point. He also dominated against Alabama which also helps.
    
    
    
    
    
98. New Orleans Saints: Patrick Jones II, RE, Pittsburgh
    
    
    New Orleans got this pick at 98 because Teddy Bridgewater signed with the Carolina Panthers. Carolina was one of two division rivals to help New Orleans get a third round compensation pick.
    
    
    
    This draft has lots of edges that can play both 4-3 defensive end and 3-4 outside linebacker on either side with their versatility. New Orleans gets competition for Marcus Davenport as well as their replacement for Trey Hendrickson here.
    
    
    
    Here is our interview of Patrick Jones II from the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. You can click the link below to listen to that recorded press conference of Pittsburgh defensive end Patrick Jones II.
    
    
    
99. Dallas Cowboys: Rashad Weaver, LE, Pittsburgh
    
    
    Dallas lost Byron Jones to Miami at cornerback which is why they got this pick. Dallas has lots of defensive ends on their team. The problem is they do not have a good defensive end across from their star pass rusher 4-3 left end DeMarcus Lawrence.
    
    
    
    DeMarcus Lawrence will be 30 in 2022, and Dallas can opt out of his deal if he gets injured. Especially if they draft Weaver as a left end instead of a right end. In that situation Weaver would be a backup to Lawrence. Weaver has the rip and swim moves. Bull rush moves. Great upper body strength, knows how to use his hands. Is incredible at shedding blocks.
    
    
    
    He lacks explosiveness, but in Weaver's defense, he iscoming off a torn ACL in 2019. Weaver may end up being a steal in this draft if he can recover from that since he's got experience in both 4-3 defensive end roles just like his teammate Patrick Jones II.
    
    
    
    
    
100. Tennessee Titans: Tommy Tremble, TE, Notre Dame
     
     
     Tennessee got this compensation pick after Jack Conklin signed with the Cleveland Browns. Tommy Tremble may be a reach, but Tennessee is desperate to find a starting tight end after losing Jonnu Smith to New England.
     
     
     
101. Detroit Lions: Ben Cleveland, RG, Georgia
     
     
     The Los Angeles Rams got this comp pick because Dante Fowler Jr. signed a contract with the Atlanta Falcons. This was the pick the Lions got in the Jared Goff Matthew Stafford trade. Detroit only has two guards from the 2020 NFL Draft on their depth chart with Jonah Jackson and Logan Stenberg. Depth at one of those guard spots is needed. Ben Cleveland is a great value pick for depth. He gives Detroit a run blocker who played with D'Andre Swift at Georgia plus a swing guard for depth.
     
     
     
     
     
102. San Francisco 49ers: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
     
     
     San Francisco got this pick because the New York Jets hired defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their head coach which led to San Francisco getting this compensation pick. San Francisco grabs another weapon to make things easier for Jimmy Garoppolo or Justin Fields.
     
     
     
103. Los Angeles Rams: Richie Grant, SS, Central Florida
     
     
     The Los Angeles Rams got this comp pick because Detroit hired their director of College Scouting Brad Evans as General Manager. The Rams get a replacement for John Johnson at safety here. Richie Grant has day 2 tape despite his age.
     
     
     
     While Trevon Moehrig, Andre Cisco, and Jevon Holland are all 21-years-old. Richie Grant is 23-years-old and turns 24-years-old in November which is why he's a lot further down on my board. He also missed Central Florida's Bowl game with an injury despite a very strong performance at the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. He's too talented to slip past this pick so Los Angeles goes for value over need here because Grant is one of these players that checks off all of the boxes on tape and can play anywhere in the secondary at safety or cornerback giving the Los Angeles Rams an immediate starter.
     
     
     
     He's also in graduate school working towards a Masters degree in his free time. He'll put that on hold once he gets to the NFL.
     
     
     
     
     
104. Baltimore Ravens: Rodarius Williams, CB, Oklahoma State
     
     
     Baltimore got this pick thanks to David Culley being hired as the Houston Texans head coach. Baltimore grabs a cornerback for depth. They get Rodarius Williams the older brother of Greedy Williams.
     
     
     
105. New Orleans Saints: Paris Ford, SS, Pittsburgh
     
     
     New Orleans got the final compensation pick of the third round thanks to their director of College Scouting Terry Fontenot accepting a General Manager job with the Atlanta Falcons, a division rival of New Orleans. New Orleans finally gets a safety.
     
     
     
     New Orleans has Marcus Williams and Paris Ford as a strong safety for depth. New Orleans also has Malcolm Jenkins starting at free safety with P.J. Williams moving from nickel cornerback to a backup free safety role as he agreed to take another paycut for the second year in a row to stay in New Orleans. He only took $5-million in 2020, and agreed to a 1-year $2.3-million dollar deal to remain on the team by moving to free safety.