2021 NFL Mock Draft, First Round Picks 21-32
21. Indianapolis
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: DE Jaelan Phillips, Miami
The top offensive tackle options should be dried up by this point, but there should be value at corner and there will definitely be a few pass rushers in a light year for the position. Flip a coin between Jaelan Phillips and Jayson Oweh.
Team Needs 1. DE, 2. OT, 3. CB
Backup Mock Draft Call: DE/LB Jayson Oweh, Penn State
22. Tennessee
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: WR Kaderius Toney, Florida
The Titans need more dangerous guys to throw to. It could be Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman, or Purdue’s Rondale Moore, or LSU’s Terrace Marshall. Pick one of them – along with Kaderius Toney – out of a hat and you might be right.
Team Needs 1. WR, 2. OT, 3. DB
Backup Mock Draft Call: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
23. New York Jets (from Seattle)
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: CB Greg Newsome, Northwestern
The fun call would be a franchise running back in Najee Harris or Travis Etienne to go along with the new franchise quarterback, but the Jets need a whole lot of defensive help, too. One of the top corners will slide down to here.
Team Needs 1. QB, 2. CB, 3. DE
Backup Mock Draft Call: RB Najee Harris, Alabama
24. Pittsburgh
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: RB Najee Harris, Alabama
The Steelers have to do a ton of work on the offensive line, but the value isn’t going to be there without a big reach – they can get someone for the front five at the 55. The line was a bigger problem than the backs for the horrendous running game, but the O needs a superstar do-it-all, face-of-the-franchise guy like Harris.
Team Needs 1. OT, 2. CB, 3. RB
Backup Mock Draft Call: C Landon Dickerson, Alabama
25. Jacksonville (from LA Rams)
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: WR Terrace Marshall, LSU
The Jaguars need more than just pop for the offense – an offensive tackle and defensive end would be nice – but they have two more picks coming up making it four in the first 45. They should have their pick of a few solid receiver options.
Team Needs 1. QB, 2. OT, 3. DE
Backup Mock Draft Call: WR Elijah Moore, Ole Miss
26. Cleveland
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: LB/DE Jayson Oweh, Penn State
This might be the perfect situation for Oweh. He’s ultra-talented with a huge upside, but he might not be ready to become a superstar right out of the box. For a team that’s fine at end but needs to get younger, Oweh doesn’t have to be the main man. Going young on the defensive interior is an option, too.
Team Needs 1. DE, 2. DT, 3. OT
Backup Mock Draft Call: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
27. Baltimore
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: WR Elijah Moore
Wide receiver, wide receiver, wide receiver. Lamar Jackson has a few nice targets, but he needs more of them to take the pressure off the ground game. The Ravens have other needs, but they can have their pick of sliding talents with Kansas City’s pick at the 31.
Team Needs 1. WR, 2. DE, 3. S
Backup Mock Draft Call: WR Rashad Bateman, Minnesota
28. New Orleans
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
The Saints are in a nice spot. They really need a wide receiver, and they really need a corner. Both positions should have at least one good option who’ll slide on down. The better value will be at corner. If it’s not Caleb Farley who falls to this spot, it’ll be a Jaycee Horn, or a Greg Newsome, or a Tyson Campbell … or a top receiver prospect.
Team Needs 1. WR, 2. CB, 3. LB
Backup Mock Draft Call: WR Rashad Bateman, Minnesota
29. Green Bay
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: CB Tyson Campbell, Georgia
The Packers have to get a cornerback, and they’re not going to want to reach for one – they might trade down to be a part of the next wave of strong options. Tyson Campbell with his size and 4.38 wheels would work just fine.
Team Needs 1. CB, 2. OT, 3. DE
Backup Mock Draft Call: WR Rashad Bateman, Minnesota
30. Buffalo
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: LB Azeez Ojulari, Georgia
The Bills are in upgrade mode – there’s no glaring need other than for a high-end pass rusher. They can go with the Best Player Available – Tulsa LB Zaven Collins works – or they can go for the good value hybrid talent who could live in opposing backfields.
Team Needs 1. DE/EDGE, 2. RB, 3. CB
Backup Mock Draft Call: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa
31. Baltimore (from Kansas City)
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: S Trevon Moehrig, TCU
There’s a shot the Ravens go with Moehrig at the 27 knowing that a receiver they might like should fall to the 31. Either way, they could use a solid safety, and Moehrig is the one who could instantly be the quarterback of the secondary.
Team Needs 1. WR, 2. DE, 3. S
Backup Mock Draft Call: DE Carlos Basham, Wake Forest
32. Tampa Bay
2021 NFL Mock Draft Pick: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
The Buccaneers are in the luxurious position of not really needing anything. This is where they go younger while getting help on a defensive interior that needs more options in the rotation.
Team Needs 1. DL, 2. WR, 3. QB
Backup Mock Draft Call: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa