2021 NFL Mock Draft, Team Needs: College Football Perspective, January

2021 NFL Mock Draft from the college football perspective, along with the main needs for every team. Which pick makes the most sense?

21. Indianapolis Colts

January Mock Draft Call: CB Derion Kendrick, Clemson

Other Realistic Options: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina; DE Patrick Jones, Pitt

Biggest Team Need: Quarterback

If the Colts are moving on from Philip Rivers, they can go after any one of a number of other good quarterback options – most likely Matthew Stafford – to step in right away. The defense needs secondary help, though, and the value will be at corner.


22. Tennessee Titans

January Mock Draft Call: LB Nick Bolton, Missouri

Other Realistic Options: DE Patrick Jones, Pitt; DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

Biggest Team Need: Defensive Line

The Titan defense did just fine in the playoff loss to Baltimore, but it was a problem all year. That side of the ball has to be better than lousy, and having a big-hitter like Bolton to build around would be a start.


23. New York Jets (from Seattle)

January Mock Draft Call: OT Rashawn Slater, Northwestern

Other Realistic Options: WR Amon-Ra St-Brown, USC; OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

Biggest Team Need: Defensive End, Wide Receiver

What do the Jets do at the two? Assuming they go with a quarterback knowing they can address other needs here, they can pass on Oregon’s Penei Sewell with the second pick knowing a few strong tackles will be here.


24. Pittsburgh Steelers

January Mock Draft Call: OG Wyatt Davis, Ohio State

Other Realistic Options: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama; LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Biggest Team Need: Quarterback

You know that Pittsburgh running game that took over the season? Of course you don’t because it didn’t exist. The line needs tackles more than the interior, but Davis is just the type of infrastructure pick that always works for this franchise.


25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Las Vegas)

January Mock Draft Call: OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama

Other Realistic Options: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina; WR Amon-Ra St-Brown, USC

Biggest Team Need: Quarterback, Offensive Tackle

Of course Jacksonville will go with Trevor Lawrence at the 1. Now it needs a few great offensive linemen to keep him looking pretty.


26. Cleveland Browns

January Mock Draft Call: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Notre Dame

Other Realistic Options: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa; CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

Biggest Team Need: Linebacker

Finding more playmakers for a an okay linebacking corps is a must. Owusu-Koramoah checks a whole lot of playmaking boxes. So does Zaven Collins – this is a nice value spot.


27. Baltimore Ravens

January Mock Draft Call: WR Amon-Ra St-Brown, USC

Other Realistic Options: RB Travis Etienne, Clemson; S Jevon Holland, Oregon

Biggest Team Need: Wide Receiver

Lamar Jackson needs more options to make the offense less run reliant. Hollywood Brown is a playmaker, but finding a No. 2 guy might just make all the difference for the attack.


28. New Orleans Saints

January Mock Draft Call: DE Patrick Jones, Pitt

Other Realistic Options: DE Terrell Basham, Wake Forest; LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Biggest Team Need: Defensive End

The offense should be fine with a combination of Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill under center, but finding reinforcements for an already great pass rush and defensive front should be the easier get at this spot.


29-32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

January Mock Draft Call: DT Levi Onwuzurike, Washington

Other Realistic Options: DE Terrell Basham, Wake Forest; LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Biggest Team Need: Defensive End

The defense is already good, and getting a good pass rush could work, but adding even more help to an already great defensive front might be just enough to keep this all going with TB12 running the other side.


29-32. Buffalo Bills

January Mock Draft Call: S Jevon Holland, Oregon

Other Realistic Options: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina; S Trevon Moehrig

Biggest Team Need: Defensive End

The Bills will have the luxury of upgrading and bumping up wherever they want. A little more help for the secondary is the easiest call with several good defensive backs in value spots late.


29-32. Green Bay Packers

January Mock Draft Call: CB Jaycee Horn, South Carolina

Other Realistic Options: DE Terrell Basham, Wake Forest; LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Biggest Team Need: Cornerback

Why does everyone keep whining about Aaron Rodgers needing first round receiver help? The guy is going to win the MVP with the crew already in place. Defensive back is going to be the value play late in the first round, and several good defensive parts will be here.


29-32. Kansas City Chiefs

January Mock Draft Call: LB Zaven Collins, Tulsa

Other Realistic Options: DE Terrell Basham, Wake Forest; RB Travis Etienne, Clemson

Biggest Team Need: Offensive Line

It’s Kansas City, so throw out any prospect you like and you might not be all that far off. Collins makes too much sense to add more playmakers for a team that’s loaded with them.

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