Here’s the second-round projection for my final 2021 NFL Mock Draft.
2021 NFL Mock Draft
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Penn State TE Pat Freiermuth
Jacksonville builds around their new quarterback and new TE coach Tyler Bowen worked with Freiermuth the past three years at Penn State.
34. New York Jets: Georgia CB Tyson Campbell
New Jets HC Robert Saleh prioritizes length with his cornerbacks and that’s the differentiator for New York in a deep class with around half-a-dozen options at this spot. The Jets probably wish they could get a two-for-one with Campbell and his teammate, Eric Stokes.
35. Atlanta Falcons: Georgia OLB Azeez Ojulari
Some players are going to slip due to medical issues this year and some word has come out that Ojulari has a degenerative lower leg issue. Still, the talent, home-town factor and need for an edge rush are too much for Atlanta to pass up here.
36. Miami Dolphins: North Carolina RB Javonte Williams
There are rumors that Williams has some teams who are big fans and even see him as the top back in this class. He should step right away into a lead back role with Miami and has the well-rounded game to eventually become a feature player.
37. Philadelphia Eagles: LSU WR Terrace Marshall
The Eagles passed on a talented LSU receiver last year. They won’t make the same mistake again. Marshall has the size and speed to play the X-receiver spot outside for the Eagles but he also showed he could play in the slot this past season.
38. Cincinnati Bengals: North Dakota State OT Dillon Radunz
After foregoing offensive line in the first round, the Bengals swing back to address their biggest need in a deep class. Radunz’s flexibility will let Cincinnati slot him in anywhere they have a need along the offensive line.
39. Carolina Panthers: Florida State CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Cornerback might be Carolina’s biggest need and they’re massive beneficiaries from a deep class pushing Samuel down the board to them.
40. Denver Broncos: Clemson RB Travis Etienne
This is admittedly a bit of a luxury pick, but there should be some linebackers and corners available later, while Etienne is a clear cut above the rest of the backs Denver might be looking at. He’d provide a home-run threat to the offense that Melvin Gordon doesn’t provide.
41. Detroit Lions: Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman
Detroit had to essentially rebuild its receiving corps from scratch this offseason. Fortunately for them, the depth of the receiving corps could cause teams to wait and push talented players down the board like Bateman. The former Golden Gopher plays a lot like Saints WR Michael Thomas, and while he’s not as big as Thomas despite what Minnesota listed him at last season, Lions HC Dan Campbell will recognize the style.
42. New York Giants: Houston DE Payton Turner
The Giants find an edge rusher. Turner’s stock has steadily risen this draft season and he has a compelling blend of length and athleticism.
43. San Francisco 49ers: Oklahoma C Creed Humphrey
The 49ers signed Alex Mack to fill a gaping hole at center but he’s only a stopgap at 34. Humphrey has seen his stock soar and would fill the position long-term for San Francisco.
44. Dallas Cowboys: Wake Forest DE Carlos Basham
The Cowboys’ retooling of the defense continues with Basham, who adds more depth to Dallas’ pass rush. Basham has the flexibility to play all over the defensive line for Dallas, including rushing inside on third downs, and athletically is almost a mirror image of Packers OLB Rashan Gary.
45. Jacksonville Jaguars: Purdue WR Rondale Moore
Ohio State’s lone loss in Urban Meyer‘s final season was to a Purdue team keyed by Moore, who is an electric playmaker. Meyer craves speed and is always looking to add more. So given the opportunity, he adds Moore here.
46. New England Patriots: UCF CB Aaron Robinson
New England should start looking ahead at the cornerback situation with both Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson heading into contract years. Plus, you can never have too many corners.
47. Los Angeles Chargers: Kentucky CB Kelvin Joseph
The Chargers need to restock their secondary after releasing veteran CB Casey Hayward. Joseph battled inconsistency last season but his length and flashes have teams intrigued.
48. Las Vegas Raiders: Alabama OL Alex Leatherwood
If the Raiders want Leatherwood, this is a much better slot for him. He played left tackle for Alabama but some teams want to move him to guard at the NFL level. Las Vegas can split the difference and put him at right tackle.
49. Arizona Cardinals: Ohio State G Wyatt Davis
Arizona needs to start thinking ahead at guard with both starters over 30.
50. Miami Dolphins: Alabama C Landon Dickerson
Dickerson’s stock will be fascinating, as he’s a massive center and was an impact player at Alabama. But his injury history is extensive. Miami can afford to roll the dice a bit and Dickerson’s flexibility to play anywhere along the interior will be valued.
51. Washington Football Team: Texas OT Samuel Cosmi
Washington lands a tackle to develop on the left side. Teams love Cosmi’s tools even if he hasn’t quite put it all together yet.
52. Chicago Bears: Notre Dame OT Liam Eichenberg
Chicago ends a run on offensive linemen that honestly could happen much earlier than this. Eichenberg started on the left side for the Irish but teams feel he might profile better to the right side in the NFL. That works just fine for the Bears and their needs on the offensive line.
53. Tennessee Titans: Missouri LB Nick Bolton
If the Titans decline the fifth-year option for Rashaan Evans, that means both he and Jayon Brown will be in contract years in 2021. Bolton could provide a long-term solution and give Tennessee a little more flexibility.
54. Indianapolis Colts: Stanford OT Walker Little
The Colts land a tackle to fill their biggest need on offense. Injuries and a shortened season haven’t provided much clarity on Little, who was seen as a top tackle prospect at one point.
55. Pittsburgh Steelers: Wisconsin-Whitewater C Quinn Meinerz
Perhaps no player has seen their stock rise more than Meinerz after his belly-baring Senior Bowl performance. The Steelers need an heir at center to Maurkice Pouncey and land one here.
56. Seattle Seahawks: Syracuse CB Ifeatu Melifonwu
The Seahawks prioritize length and athleticism at cornerback and Melifonwu has that in spades. He’s another intriguing name in a deep corner class.
57. Los Angeles Rams: Oklahoma DE Ronnie Perkins
The Rams add depth to their edge-rushing group with Perkins.
58. Kansas City Chiefs: Georgia CB Eric Stokes
With Bashaud Breeland still unsigned, the Chiefs need to replenish their cornerback group. Stokes has gotten some first-round buzz for his size/speed combination.
59. Cleveland Browns: Washington DT Levi Onwuzurike
Browns GM Andrew Berry is a big believer in keeping strengths strong along both lines. With Sheldon Richardson out the door, Onwuzurike provides a replacement for Cleveland at the pass-rushing three-technique spot.
60. New Orleans Saints: LSU LB Jabril Cox
With both Kwon Alexander and Alex Anzalone gone, the Saints need help at linebacker next to Demario Davis. Cox might not be a complete linebacker but he’s a terrific coverage player and that matters more and more at the position.
61. Buffalo Bills: N.C. State DT Alim McNeill
The Bills need to start looking ahead on the interior of their defensive line, particularly nose tackle. They also weren’t particularly good against the run in 2020. McNeill could help on both fronts.
62. Green Bay Packers: North Carolina WR Dyami Brown
The Packers are going to have to take a wide receiver at some point this weekend (right?), as they don’t have anyone under contract beyond this year at this point.
63. Kansas City Chiefs: Michigan OT Jalen Mayfield
The Chiefs continue to revamp their offensive line here with Mayfield, who if he doesn’t work out at right tackle can kick inside to guard and help there.
64. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Texas DE Joseph Ossai
The Buccaneers continue to look ahead and land a pass rusher to groom to take over for Jason Pierre-Paul one day.
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