Last update: Thursday, April 29, 2021. Major changes in all seven rounds.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
*** 2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT updated April 29. This mock draft will be updated weekly. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***
Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson 
The Jaguars were gifted the No. 1 overall pick due to the Jets’ incompetence. This was a franchise-altering turn of events that even had the mayor of Jacksonville thanking the Jets via Twitter. This is an obvious selection. The Gardner Minshew experience was fun, but it’s sadly coming to an end. Minshew is a feisty quarterback, but will be relegated to backup duties because he can’t throw passes longer than 15 yards.
Trevor Lawrence is locked in as the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has it all, and that includes size (6-6, 215), a big arm, accuracy and mobility.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
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New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU 
The Jets made a very foolish decision to beat the Rams (and the Browns.) Now, they have a dilemma. Do they select the second-best quarterback in the class or stick with Sam Darnold? Considering that Darnold has shown no signs of becoming a franchise quarterback and has admitted to “seeing ghosts,” it would be best to trade him, especially given that New York will have to pay him a large contract to retain him. It would be smart to move him for a second- or third-round pick.
Zach Wilson is a smart quarterback with good arm talent. However, there are some reported off-the-field and injury issues. Go here to read about Teams Having Concerns with Zach Wilson. I’ve moved Wilson up to No. 2, but the Jets could still go with Justin Fields.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. None – The Eagles reportedly tried to trade up for Wilson, but were told he wasn’t going to be available at No. 3. Remember, Jets general manager Joe Douglas used to work for Eagles general manager Howie Roseman, so Roseman obviously asked Douglas if he could get Wilson if he moved up to the third pick. Douglas told him that Wilson wouldn’t be an option.
San Francisco 49ers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State 
The 49ers moved up to No. 3 in a deal with the Dolphins – go here to see my NFL Trade Grades – and they did so for a quarterback. The question is, which one? The 49ers’ personnel staff wants this pick to be Trey Lance, but Kyle Shanahan prefers Mac Jones, according to reports. So, who will win? The front office or Shanahan?
Why not both? The 49ers have done extensive research into Lance, and they have reportedly fallen in love with his intelligence and upside. Shanahan’s love for Jones may have been old news. It’s still possible that Jones could be the pick, but I’m leaning toward the selection being Lance.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Mac Jones, QB – The other quarterback option. If the 49ers really want Jones, they should just trade down.
2. Trade for Aaron Rodgers – Rodgers thought he would be traded to San Francisco until the 49ers pulled the deal. Now there are reports indicating that he won’t be returning to Green Bay. The 49ers may accept the deal. If so, the Packers would likely draft Kyle Pitts, but you can’t count out Penei Sewell and Ja’Marr Chase. The latter fills an obvious need, while Sewell also makes sense because the offensive line is a huge mess. If the Packers move into this spot and pick Pitts, I imagine the Falcons will draft Trey Lance.
Pick change; previously Mac Jones, QB
Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida 
It sounds like the Falcons’ decision is down to Trey Lance versus Kyle Pitts. I’ve slotted Lance here in previous updates, but he’s not available in this one. If the 49ers pull the trigger on Lance, Pitts will be the likely choice.
Pitts is a matchup nightmare, as he’s too fast for linebackers and too big for safeties. Some teams view him as a receiver.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Trey Lance, QB – Atlanta’s quarterback of the future, if he’s available.
Pick change; previously Trey Lance, QB
Cincinnati Bengals: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU 
This is a close call between Penei Sewell and Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals love both, and there was a lean toward Sewell earlier in the draft process. However, the Bengals have fallen more in love with Chase. They want to replace A.J. Green, and they also believe there is better value with the offensive linemen than the receivers early in Round 2.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Penei Sewell, OT – The Bengals signed Riley Reiff, but that won’t preclude them from selecting Sewell. Besides, Reiff played guard in Iowa and even told the Vikings he’d be willing to move to that position if needed.
Pick change; previously Penei Sewell, OT
Miami Dolphins: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon 
Why did the Dolphins trade up to No. 6? They need to give Tua Tagovailoa some help, but Kyle Pitts and Ja’Marr Chase, their two preferred options, are both off the board. In this scenario, the Dolphins could trade down. I could see them swapping picks with the Broncos, who would want to move up for Justin Fields.
If the Dolphins can’t find a trading partner, this pick will come down to Penei Sewell, Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. I believe they’re the options in that order, but you could make an argument for either three. Sewell is the best prospect of the trio, so he’s my pick to help Tagovailoa.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Kyle Pitts, TE – This hinges on the 49ers. If they pick Mac Jones, there’s a good chance Pitts will be available.
2. Ja’Marr Chase, WR – It sounds like the Dolphins want to add a play-maker with this selection.
Pick change; previously Kyle Pitts, TE
Detroit Lions: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama 
The Lions reportedly tried to trade up for Ja’Marr Chase. This isn’t a surprise, given that they have nothing at receiver. However, Chase doesn’t seem likely to make it to Detroit’s pick now, so the Lions will have to settle for either one of the Alabama receivers or Penei Sewell. The latter is the best player available, but is not available in this mock draft. Thus, Detroit could be deciding between Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Penei Sewell, OT – This seems to be Sewell’s floor.
2. Devonta Smith, WR – The other Alabama receiver is also in play.
Pick change; previously Ja’Marr Chase, WR
Carolina Panthers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina 
I’ve been projecting a quarterback to this spot for quite some time, but that will obviously no longer be the case in the wake of the Sam Darnold trade. Go here for the Sam Darnold Trade Grades. Instead, the Panthers can focus on further upgrading the rest of the roster.
The Panthers have one of the weakest cornerback groups in the NFL. They have to deal with some talented receivers in their division – Michael Thomas, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin – so upgrading this position is imperative.
Jaycee Horn is a fast, fluid athlete. Team sources have told Charlie Campbell that Horn is a better prospect than his teammate, Israel Mukuamu.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jaylen Waddle, WR – The Panthers might be looking at a receiver with D.J. Moore’s contract expiring soon.
2. Trade Down (Rashawn Slater, OT) – Carolina must make sure Sam Darnold is protected well. The Panthers could trade down and obtain Slater.
Denver Broncos: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State 
The Broncos would love it if one of the top four quarterbacks fell to them, and that’s the case in this mock draft update. The Broncos might even leap the Panthers in order to secure Justin Fields.
Fields dominated in his first season at Ohio State. He continued his strong play into the shortened 2020 campaign, aside from sloppy performances against Indiana and Northwestern. He seemed injured in those games, but after a long layoff, he dominated Clemson in the playoff semi-final. Drawing comparisons to Deshaun Watson, Fields should be the second- or fourth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Micah Parsons, LB – If the Broncos can’t get a quarterback they like, they may finally upgrade their linebacker weakness.
2. Patrick Surtain/Jaycee Horn, CB – The Broncos will likely target a cornerback early in the draft.
Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama The Cowboys will be tempted to upgrade their offensive line, but I suspect that they’ll target a potential shutdown cornerback instead to fix their woeful pass defense.
Son of former Dolphins star cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr., Surtain II was tested early by teams, yet was able to punish opponents for doing so. The 6-foot-2 cornerback projects as a top-15 pick in the future.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jaycee Horn, CB – The other corner option to improve Dallas’ dismal secondary.
2. Rashawn Slater, OL – Dallas must address its offensive line, so Slater could be the pick.
New York Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama The Giants have added plenty of talent to their roster, so they’re in a position where they can draft the best player available as long as it’s not a quarterback or a running back. An offensive lineman makes sense even though the Giants spent a first-round pick on Andrew Thomas last year. Teams are often reluctant to spend back-to-back opening-round choices on the same position due to financial implications in the future, but someone like Rashawn Slater can start at any spot on the offensive line. Meanwhile, a receiver could still be acquired despite the Kenny Golladay pick. Daniel Jones needs another weapon.
DeVonta Smith is an excellent route runner with great hands and tremendous run-after-catch ability. He rightfully won the Heisman and then embarrassed Ohio State in the national championship.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jaylen Waddle, WR – The Giants signed Kenny Golladay, but they’re still likely to add a receiver early in the draft.
2. Patrick Surtain/Jaycee Horn, CBs – New York could look at one of the top two corners.
Philadelphia Eagles: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State 
The Eagles won’t get a blue-chip player unless one of the receivers falls to them. However, if the 49ers draft Trey Lance, that’ll create a domino effect where all of the top receivers (and cornerbacks) could be off the board.
If so, Philadelphia could look at Micah Parsons. I know, I know, the Eagles haven’t drafted a linebacker since the dinosaurs have roamed the planet, but most of those years were with the Andy Reid style of thinking where linebackers are undervalued. There’s a good chance this new coaching regime views linebackers more favorably.
Looking like the next great linebacker to come out of Penn State, Micah Parsons was very productive. That was not a surprise, as Parsons was a highly athletic five-star recruit. Parsons has some off-the-field problems, but all it takes is one team to fall in love with him.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jaylen Waddle/Devonta Smith, WR – There’s a good chance one of the Alabama receivers will be the pick, but both are off the board in this update.
2. Patrick Surtain/Jaycee Horn, CB – The Eagles have had issues at cornerback for quite some time.
Pick change; previously Jaylen Waddle, WR
Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC 
The Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert as well as possible. They have a huge hole at left tackle that must be addressed.
Alijah Vera-Tucker made a great decision to opt back in to the season. He has played extremely well at left tackle for the Trojans.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jaycee Horn, CB – The Chargers lost Casey Hayward, so they could be looking for his replacement.
2. Rashawn Slater, OL – The other tackle option makes sense if the Chargers view him as a tackle.
Minnesota Vikings: Rashawn Slater, OT/G/C, Northwestern 
The Vikings cut Riley Reiff, which means their offensive line is a greater liability right now. They could use this pick on a new blind-side protector for Kirk Cousins.
Rashawn Slater can play every position on the offensive line. He some great tape against Chase Young. That said, he has some length issues, so some teams view him as a guard or center.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Rashawn Slater/Alija Vera-Tucker, OLs – The Vikings are expected to obtain a tackle in the opening round.
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE – Phillips has major injury issues, but if the Vikings clear him, they could take him at No. 14.
New England Patriots: Kwity Paye, DE/DT, Michigan 
With the top four quarterbacks off the board, the Patriots should wait until Day 2 to find a new signal-caller and obtain help on their defensive line or linebacking corps in the meantime. The former area must improve if the Patriots are to challenge the Bills in the division.
Kwity Paye has a chance to move into the upper half of the first round; he’s shown some upside in his only year as a starter.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Zaven Collins, DE/OLB – Zaven Collins seems built for the Patriots. He’s extremely versatile – he can rush on the edge or play linebacker in the middle of the field – and could be viewed as a better version of Kyle Van Noy.
2. Micah Parsons, LB – Parsons could be viewed as the best player available.
Pick change; previously Micah Parsons, LB
Arizona Cardinals: Zaven Collins, DE/OLB, Tulsa 
The Cardinals had major issues defensively. Defeating Russell Wilson and Matthew Stafford will be difficult if the Cardinals can’t generate a great pass rush or cover the middle of the field, which Zaven Collins can do.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jaycee Horn, CB – Here’s another cornerback option. The Cardinals play in a division packed with so many talented receivers.
2. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G – Vera-Tucker seems like a nice interior fit for the Cardinals.
Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32
Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.
