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

Round 4

Tony Mario Last Updated: April 27, 2021.

106. Jacksonville Jaguars: Baron Browning, LOLB, Ohio State
     
     
     Jacksonville gets a third starter at linebacker with Baron Browning. A linebacker core with Myles Jack at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Joe Schobert at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Baron Browning at 4-3 left outside linebacker would be huge for Jacksonville.
     
     
     
107. New York Jets: Keith Taylor, CB, Washington
     
     
     New York needs a cornerback next to Bryce Hall. Keith Taylor is the best cornerback left on the board.
     
     
     
     
     
108. Atlanta Falcons: Caden Sterns, SS, Texas
     
     
     Atlanta got Erik Harris as a free safety in Free Agency from the Las Vegas Raiders after losing Ricardo Allen and Keanu Neal in Free Agency. Caden Sterns can be an effective starting strong safety in Atlanta next to Erik Harris.
     
     
     
109. Houston Texans: Milton Williams, 3-4 RE, Louisiana Tech
     
     
     Houston grabs J.J. Watt's replacement early in the fourth round with their second pick. Milton Williams had 30 quarterback hurries and 10 tackles for a loss in 2020. There's a reason he's rising up big boards. Houston drafts him to play 3-4 defensive end with last years second round pick Ross Blacklock.
     
     
     
     
     
110. Cleveland Browns: D'Ante Smith, LT, East Carolina
     
     
     Cleveland drafts Kendall Lamb's replacement at backup left tackle behind Jedrick Wills Jr. with D'Ante Smith. D'Ante Smith is versatile enough to play left tackle, left guard, right guard, or right tackle. So Cleveland can develop him into a future starter at right guard when Wyatt Teller lleaves or they can make him Kendall Lamb's replacement. Either way, it's a great value pick for Cleveland.
     
     
     
111. Cincinnati Bengals: Tyler Shelvin, DT, LSU
     
     
     Cincinnati gets a 4-3 defensive tackle for depth here. Tyler Shelvin is a good value pick here.
     
     
     
     
     
112. Detroit Lions: Ar'Darius Washington, FS, TCU
     
     
     Ar'Darius Washington was once graded higher then Trevon Moehrig heading into 2020. He's versatile enough to play both safety spots at strong safety and free safety as Detroit uses this fourth round pick to grab a replacement to Miles Killebrew.
     
     
     
113. Carolina Panthers: Trill Williams, CB, Syracuse
     
     
     Trill Williams lined up against number one receivers at Syracuse despite not being the best cover corner on Syracuse. He's also the most versatile cornerback on Syracuse which is why he won't be on the board for very long if he makes it to day 3.
     
     
     
     
     
114. Denver Broncos: Hamsah Nasirildeen, SS, Florida State
     
     
     Denver extended free safety Justin Simmons. Now they draft a strong safety to develop behind strong safety Kareem Jackson. Jackson enters his eleventh season in the NFL after being a 2010 first round pick at cornerback coming out of Alabama. Kareem Jackson is in a contract year so Nasirildeen will have a chance to take over in 2022 unless Jackson balls out and plays well enough to keep his job.
     
     
     
115. Dallas Cowboys: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
     
     
     Dallas gets a replacement to Andy Dalton. Ben DiNucci was awful when given the opportunity to start as a rookie. Kyle Trask gets to learn under Dak Prescott and is a steal in the fourth round considering most have a day 2 grade on Kyle Trask. I also love the idea of Kyle Trask being the Jason Garrett to Prescott's Troy Aikman.
     
     
     
     
     
116. New York Giants: Dylan Moses, 3-4 MLB, Alabama
     
     
     New York needs a 3-4 middle linebacker next to Blake Martinez. Dylan Moses is considered a day 2 pick by most making Alabama's best linebacker a huge steal in the fourth round.
     
     
     
117. San Francisco 49ers: Aaron Banks, LG, Notre Dame
     
     
     Aaron Banks has great stamina. He's the one guard left in this draft that can actually push San Francisco 49ers starting left guard Laken Tomlinson for the left guard job in 2021. Even if Banks starts out as a backup, taking him gives San Francisco depth at left guard. Also, Laken Tomlinson enters a contract year. Starting right tackle Mike McGlinchey receives the money from his fifth year tender in 2022.
     
     
     
     Nick Bosa got picked second overall in 2019 will also likely earn his fifth year tender in 2022 if he stays healthy in 2021 after a strong rookie season. Deebo Samuel enters a contract year in 2022 too. You also got a rookie deal with the quarterback you draft at 3 to negotiate.
     
     
     
     Laken will have the opportunity to earn an extension. He's gonna have to outplay the 2020 first round picks in 2021 to earn an extension and honestly I just don't think Tomlinson getting extended is on John Lynch's checklist unless he gets to a Pro Bowl in 2021. Brandon Aiyuk showed more promise as a rookie than Tomlinson did in 2020.
     
     
     
     Laken Tomlinson had a 79.1 grade according to Pro Football Focus in 2019. That grade declined to 78.8 in 2020 even though Tomlinson did well with only 2 holding penalties while only giving up 3 sacks this past season. Aaron Banks got an 85/99 potential grade in Draft Utopia's guard rankings.
     
     
     
     Aaron Banks has the floor of a day 2 prospect and should reach his ceiling by 2023. Banks was also described as the safest guard outside of Quinn Meinerz who may move to center after dominating the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl straight out of Wisconsin-Whitewater.
     
     
     
     The bottom line is drafting Notre Dame left guard Aaron Banks here is in the best interest for the San Francisco 49ers at 117 if they choose not to take him at 102 since he's got the upside to be a starter. He's also a top 75 player according to Senior Bowl director Jim Nagy.
     
     
     
     
     
118. Los Angeles Chargers: Monty Rice, MLB, Georgia
     
     
     Los Angeles still has Kyzir White at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Kenneth Murray their 2020 first round pick at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Uchenna Nwosu at 4-3 left outside linebacker even after losing Denzel Perryman. Monty Rice is still available so the Chargers grab a linebacker for depth getting a good backup that may be talented enough to start.
     
     
     
     Worst case scenario, Monty Rice gives you a good fourth linebacker for depth on this roster. Best case scenario Monty Rice can come in as a rookie and win the 4-3 left outside linebacker job lining up as a SAM across from middle linebacker Kenneth Murray.
     
     
     
119. Minnesota Vikings: Nick Eubanks, TE, Michigan
     
     
     Minnesota lost Kyle Rudolph. They still got a good starter in Irv Smith Jr. as their 2019 second round pick may finally break out in Fantasy. Nick Eubanks gets picked here as Rudolph's replacement. Nick Eubanks gives Minnesota a good backup to Irv Smith Jr.
     
     
     
     
     
120. New England Patriots: Payton Turner, RE, Houston
     
     
     Payton Turner is versatile enough to play anywhere on the defensive line as he lined up at 4-3 right end, 4-3 defensive tackle, and 4-3 left end. The only other player who showcased that much versatility was Gregory Rosseau who can also play 3-4 outside linebacker too.
     
     
     
     Payton Turner is strictly a 4-3 defensive lineman. Bill Belichick can draft Turner and use him as a rotational player on plays where New England employs a 4-3 or a 4-2-5 nickel scheme.
     
     
     
121. Las Vegas Raiders: Richard LeCounte, SS, Georgia
     
     
     The Las Vegas Raiders have three safeties on their roster with Jonathan Abram, Karl Joseph, and Jeff Heath. LeCounte goes to Las Vegas where he begins his career as the fourth best safety on this roster.
     
     
     
     LeCounte was once considered the top safety in this draft before his motorcycle accident. He lined up at both strong safety and free safety at Georgia. If both Joseph and Heath struggle, LeCounte could start at free safety in 2022. I think having him as a backup to strong safety Jonathan Abram is a better role for him in my personal opinion.
     
     
     
     
     
122. New England Patriots: Marlon Tuipulotu, DT, USC
     
     
     Lawrence Guy is 31-years-old while Marln Tuipulotu is 21-years-old. Lawrence Guy is locked up until 2025, but New England deserves some credit for giving him a long-term extension while paying him under $4-million per year. Also, starting in 2022 the Patriots can sever ways with Guy if he declines or becomes a liability in terms of staying healthy.
     
     
     
     Worst case scenario, New England gets a very good backup and rotational player to be an understudy to Lawrence Guy in Marlon Tuipulotu. Best case scenario Belichick gets another starter for a fraction of what he's paying Lawrence Guy at defensive tackle.
     
     
     
123. Philadelphia Eagles: Cameron McGrone, MLB, Michigan
     
     
     Philadelphia grabs a linebacker for depth. McGrone is considered a three down linebacker. He's got great athleticism can blitz and pass rush effectively for a linebacker. You want to see him improve winning blocks and continue to hone his coverage skills. He can be a star down the road if he commits to doing those two things at the next level.
     
     
     
     
     
124. Washington Football Team: Olijah Griffin, CB, USC
     
     
     A cornerback next to William Jackson III is something the Washington Football Team could use after losing Ronald Darby. Olijah Griffin is good in man and press coverage. His game speed, foot speed, and zone coverage has room for improvement.
     
     
     
125. Minnesota Vikings: Kellen Mond, QB, Texas A&M
     
     
     Kellen Mond may not have the upside to be the future starter in Minnesota. At the very worst, the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl MVP gives you a backup quarterback upgrade over Jake Browning and Nate Stanley.
     
     
     
     
     
126. Tennessee Titans: Marvin Wilson, NT, Florida State
     
     
     Marvin Wilson was once a first round prospect before an awful season in 2020. He goes to Tennessee who actually needs a starting nose tackle.
     
     
     
127. Indianapolis Colts: Kyler Granson, TE, SMU
     
     
     Kyler Granson can play fullback, slot receiver, or tight end. While he projects as an NFL backup he's an extremely versatile gadget player. He's also got great athelticism.
     
     
     
     Jack Doyle, the current starting tight end on the Indianapolis Colts is 30-years-old. He turns 31 in May and is an unrestricted Free Agent in 2023 right before he turns 33.
     
     
     
     Kyler Granson is probably going to be an NFL backup. However, he may succeed and become a decent starter if he goes to a team like Indianapolis where he gets two years of mentorship from someone like Jack Doyle. Also Carson Wentz had multiple tight ends to throw to in Philadelphia when Indianapolis Colts head coach Frank Reich was Carson's offensive coordinator in Philadelphia.
     
     
     
     
     
128. Pittsburgh Steelers: Pro Wells, TE, TCU
     
     
     Pro Wells is a two sport athlete who played football and basketball just like other legendary tight ends such as Tony Gonzalez, Antonio Gates, and Jimmy Graham. He high points the football well and will matchup well against small defensive backs.
     
     
     
     He drops less balls than Eric Ebron. His body control and jumping really stands out on tape when he's used as a receiving tight end on tape. However, TCU didn't throw to him enough. His route tree, blocking, and football IQ needs to improve though. One route he excels in is the post route. He can run about ten different routes on the route tree out of the thirty total routes that receivers and tight ends are asked to run. He's not going to blow you away with his speed.
     
     
     
     Eric Ebron remains the starting tight end. Zach Gentry their 2019 fifth round pick out of Michigan only had 1 reception for 4 yards as a rookie and did not play in 2020. Zach Gentry is taking over the number two tight end role that Vance McDonald had. Pro Wells would be the number three tight end in Pittsburgh.
     
     
     
     Pro Wells has the hands, body control, athleticism, and jumping. He needs to develop his route tree, blocking, and football IQ. Drafting him will also motivate your 2019 fifth round pick out of Michigan, in Zach Gentry to work harder.
     
     
     
     Eric Ebron drops too many passes at tight end for my liking even though he's an effective starter in the short-term. Gentry is a solid tight end who did a good job, but not a great job at Michigan. Wells has the hands, body control, athleticism, and jumping to be a starting tight end, yet he's also a huge project who projects as a high end third string tight end in 2021 making him an ideal pick for Pittsburgh at 128.
     
     
     
129. Seattle Seahawks: Shakur Brown, CB, Michigan State
     
     
     Shakur Brown led the FBS in interceptions with 5 in 7 games. He's Shaquill Griffin's replacement in Seattle with this pick.
     
     
     
     
     
130. Jacksonville Jaguars: Isreal Mukuamu, CB, South Carolina
     
     
     Isreal Mukuamu can play cornerback or safety with his versatility. Outside of Richie Grant he's the one player with the versatility to line up everywhere at defensive back. That makes him a viable option for Jacksonville to start the fourth round.
     
     
     
131. Baltimore Ravens: Darius Stills, 3-4 LE, West Virginia
     
     
     Darius Stills would be a good Baltimore Ravens player to draft here. He gives you a player to develop behind 3-4 left end Calias Campbell here in the fourth round.
     
     
     
     
     
132. Cleveland Browns: D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, Western Michigan
     
     
     Cleveland gets their replacement to Rashard Higgins with Higgins in a contract year. If Odell Beckham Jr. leaves too, Cleveland will have Jarvis Landry, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and D'Wayne Eskridge as targets for Baker Mayfield in 2022.
     
     
     
133. New Orleans Saints: Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh
     
     
     Jaylen Twyman opted out of 2020 due to Covid-19. He had 10.5 sacks in 2019. He looked great on tape against Boston College stopping A.J. Dillon in his tracks.
     
     
     
     David Onyemetta and Shy Tuttle are the starting 4-3 defensive tackles on the New Orleans Saints at the moment. I'm not confident in either one of them being long-term defensive tackles in New Orleans. Jalen Twyman may be talented enough to come in as a rookie and beat out both of them for a starting defensive tackle spot. At the very worst, he'll be a serviceable backup as a rookie until he develops.
     
     
     
     
     
134. Minnesota Vikings: Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Memphis
     
     
     Kenneth Gainwell started at running back in 2019 on Memphis when Memphis had Antonio Gibson at wide receiver. Gainwell opted out of 2020 due to Covid-19. He had 51 receptions in 2019 which was most among running backs eligible for the 2021 NFL Draft.
     
     
     
     Dalvin Cook will remain the feature back in Minnesota. Kenneth Gainwell is talented enough to beat out their backup Alexander Mattison for the backup running back job causing Mattison to drop to third string.
     
     
     
135. Green Bay Packers: Kary Vincent Jr., CB, LSU
     
     
     A competent nickel cornerback next to Jaire Alexander and Kevin King was one of the biggest weaknesses of this defense last season. Now they fix that weakness and turn it into a strength by drafting Kary Vincent Jr. who excelled as a nickel cornerback when LSU went 15-0 on a team that won the 2020 College Football Playoff.
     
     
     
     
     
136. Baltimore Ravens: Talona Hufanga, SS, USC
     
     
     Baltimore uses this final pick they got from Kansas City in the Orlando Brown Jr. trade on a safety to push Chuck Clark for the strong safety job. Here they get Talona Hufanga who becomes Baltimore's version of Troy Polamalu because Talona Hufanga is the first Polynesian safety to enter the NFL Draft since Troy Polamalu.
     
     
     
137. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shane Buechele, QB, SMU
     
     
     Tampa Bay has all 22 starters back. I used the Buccaneers first three selections to get depth players on defense that can develop into future starters. Now I'm getting a potential successor to Tom Brady here.
     
     
     
     Shane Buechele joins Blaine Gabbert and Josh Rosen as the backups in Tampa Bay's quarterback room. Shane Buechele has a better arm than Sam Ehlinger despite transferring from Texas to SMU.
     
     
     
     
     
138. Dallas Cowboys: Charles Snowden, ROLB, Virginia
     
     
     Dallas got the first compensation pick in the fourth round thanks to Robert Quinn signing with Chicago. Dallas has Jaylon Smith starting at 4-3 right outside linebacker, Leighton Vander Esch at 4-3 middle linebacker, and Keanu Neal a former safety on Atlanta taking over for Sean Lee at 4-3 left outside linebacker as Neal transitions from safety to linebacker. Depth will be needed at linebacker since Dallas can never seem to have all three of their best linebackers stay healthy so they grab Snowden here and get depth behind Jaylon Smith.
     
     
     
139. New England Patriots: Dazz Newsome, WR, North Carolina
     
     
     New England got this pick when Kyle Van Noy signed with the Dolphins. Miami cut Kyle Van Noy after one year so New England got this pick as well as Kyle Van Noy back on a one-year deal. I gave New England Dyami Brown with their first compensation pick at 99. Now the Patriots draft Dazz Newsome here as the North Carolina receivers re-unite in New England to give Cam Newton or Mac Jones who I mocked at 15 some weapons for New England.
     
     
     
     
     
140. Pittsburgh Steelers: Chris Rumph II, 3-4 ROLB, Duke
     
     
     Pittsburgh got this pick thanks to Javon Hargrave signing with the Philadelphia Eagles. Pittsburgh gets a 3-4 outside linebacker for depth behind T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith with Bud Dupree gone. Chris Rumph II out of Duke would be a good developmental prospect at 3-4 outside linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers here.
     
     
     
141. Los Angeles Rams: Amari Rodgers, WR, Clemson
     
     
     Los Angeles got this compensation pick because Corey Littleton signed with the Las Vegas Raiders after a strong 2019 season in his contract year. Now the Rams use this pick on a viable replacement for Josh Reynolds by drafting Amari Rodgers the son of former Tennessee quarterback Tee Martin.
     
     
     
     Matthew Stafford has Robert Woods, Cooper Kupp, and Van Jefferson as his starters. Jefferson surprised some people by making an impact taking away opportunities away from Josh Reynolds.
     
     
     
     Robert Woods is locked up until 2026. Cooper Kupp and Van Jefferson are under contract until 2024. The Rams got to the second round of the playoffs because of their four receiver set with Jared Goff before trading him for Stafford. Adding Amari Rodgers to this offense as a replacement for Josh Reynolds makes Sean McVay's four wide receiver set with Matthew Stafford even deadlier than the weapons quarterback Jared Goff had. McVay traded for Stafford since Sean believes he's a better overall quarterback than Goff with far superior throwing power and velocity.
     
     
     
     If the Rams draft for value over need by taking Amari Rodgers here, then he'd be under contract until 2025 which would give the Rams a duo of Robert Woods and Amari Rodgers heading into 2025. Aaron Donald's contract also expires that year and you can bet extending Aaron Donald is getting priority over Kupp and Jefferson giving Matthew Stafford a 3 year window of opportunity to lead the Rams to a Super Bowl starting this season.
     
     
     
     
     
142. Green Bay Packers: Jared Goldwire, 3-4 LE, Louisville
     
     
     Green Bay got this compensation pick after Blake Martinez signed with the New York Giants. Green Bay gets a 3-4 left end here. Jared Goldwire is a good option for a team like Green Bay that needs to double up 3-4 defensive end.
     
     
     
143. Minnesota Vikings: Tre Norwood, CB, Oklahoma
     
     
     Minnesota got this compensation pick because cornerback Trae Waynes signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. Heading into 2021 Minnesota has Patrick Peterson as their field cornerback on a one-year deal after Peterson spent nearly a decade as the feature cornerback on the Arizona Cardinals, Jeff Gladney their 2020 first round pick playing next to Peterson, Cameron Dantzler a 2020 third round pick moving to nickel cornerback, Mike Hughes a 2018 first round pick for depth, Mackensie Alexander for depth, Kris Boyd a 2019 seventh round pick for depth, and Harrison Hand a 2020 fifth round pick for depth.
     
     
     
     Minnesota has a pretty good cornerback room. However, they have a lack of long-term stars at the position. You got Gladney long-term, but nobody else. Peterson is on a one-year prove it deal. Cameron Dantzler is kind of slow despite being effective in the nickel. Mike Hughes may be a bust. The remaining three cornerbacks on this depth chart are career backups.
     
     
     
     Minnesota loves drafting cornerbacks and seems to reload at the position every year. Minnesota also loves taking prospects out of Oklahoma which is why Tre Norwood is the pick here.
     
     
     
     
     
144. Kansas City Chiefs: Seth Williams, WR, Auburn
     
     
     Kansas City got this compensation pick because Washington signed cornerback Kendall Fuller following their Super Bowl 54 win. Kansas City grabs a big body receiver to replace Sammy Watkins. Seth Williams has the ideal size for a big body target that you want your replacement for Samy Watkins to have.