11. New York Giants
January Mock Draft Call: CB Caleb Farley, Virginia Tech
Other Realistic Options: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama; DE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Biggest Team Need: Cornerback
There are a whole slew of ways the Giants need to go. A few good receivers could fall to this spot, the offensive line could get a boost, or the secondary could find a strong corner to be the lockdown guy for the next several years.
12. San Francisco 49ers
January Mock Draft Call: OT Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC
Other Realistic Options: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern; OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Biggest Team Need: Offensive Line
Throw a dart at any one of a number of top offensive linemen sure to fall and the 49ers will grab one. However, if Patrick Surtain or Caleb Farley happen to fall, getting a corner is possible.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
January Mock Draft Call: WR Jaylen Waddle, Alabama
Other Realistic Options: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida; OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Biggest Team Need: Offensive Tackle
The Chargers will have their pick of strong offensive tackles to fill a need spot, but there’s a superstar quarterback in Justin Herbert in place who needs more top-shelf weapons. There’s no way Waddle falls any further than this.
14. Minnesota Vikings
January Mock Draft Call: OT Christian Darrisaw, Virginia Tech
Other Realistic Options: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern; DE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Biggest Team Need: Offensive Tackle
The defense needs the most overall help, but there are too many good offensive linemen still on the board to not find some instead help to keep Kirk Cousins upright.
15. New England Patriots
January Mock Draft Call: TE Kyle Pitts, Florida
Other Realistic Options: QB Mac Jones, Alabama; DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Biggest Team Need: Quarterback
The world will want to force a quarterback for Bill Belichick, but he can go get a Matthew Stafford or keep Cam Newton. The receiving corps is woefully inept even after addressing it over the last few years. Pitts is the tight end who can change that.
16. Arizona Cardinals
January Mock Draft Call: DE Gregory Rousseau, Miami
Other Realistic Options: WR Rondale Moore, Purdue; CB Derion Kendrick, Clemson
Biggest Team Need: Defensive End
The offense is fine, but there’s a shot the Cardinals go with a lightning-fast weapon like Rondale Moore to take the top off a D. The other side of the ball could be coming together in a hurry, and a great pass rushing prospect would be a big step forward.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
January Mock Draft Call: DT Christian Barmore, Alabama
Other Realistic Options: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern; OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama
Biggest Team Need: Defensive Tackle
The Raiders don’t like to go the conventional route, but they need to play it down the middle – or up the middle – defensively to lock up a front line that was shoved around way too easily. Barmore would be a great value pick here.
18. Miami Dolphins
January Mock Draft Call: WR Rashod Bateman, Minnesota
Other Realistic Options:
Biggest Team Need: Linebacker, Wide Receiver
It all depends on what the Dolphins do with the third overall pick. Do they keep it and go with a top lineman, or do they trade away the picks in a package for Deshaun Watson. If they’re still here, they need more receiver help, and a good one is sure to drop.
19. Washington Football Team
January Mock Draft Call: QB Mac Jones, Alabama
Other Realistic Options: WR Rondale Moore, Purdue; OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern
Biggest Team Need: Quarterback
The Football Team has to make amends for the total disaster of a Dwayne Haskins pick by getting a quarterback to build around. Jones might not be dynamic, but he’s accurate, he’ll move the offense, and shhhhhhh … he’s a much, much better value prospect than a few of the guys who’ll go in the top ten.
20. Chicago Bears
January Mock Draft Call: WR Rondale Moore, Purdue
Other Realistic Options: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern; OG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State
Biggest Team Need: Wide Receiver
The Bears have to address the offensive line throughout the draft with a big upgrade needed, but mostly, they need more weapons. Assuming the Mitchell Trubisky show goes on – and assuming there isn’t a decent quarterback who drops here – the receiving corps needs help.
2021 NFL Mock Draft: January Picks 21-32