Last update: Thursday, April 29, 2021. Major changes in all seven rounds.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
The order of this 2021 NFL Mock Draft is based on my NFL Power Rankings, adjusting for playoff seeding in the 19-32 range.
*** This mock draft will be updated occasionally. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***
Las Vegas Raiders: Alex Leatherwood, OT/G, Alabama 
The Raiders need to address every level of their defense. However, they dumped three-fifths of their offensive line this offseason, so they need to rebuild their blocking unit as well.
Alex Leatherwood, a former five-star recruit, has excellent strength to be a stellar run blocker and the athleticism to block elite edge rushers.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jamin Davis, LB – Las Vegas has a dreadful linebacking corps that must be addressed.
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE – Despite the addition of Yannick Ngakoue, the Raiders could be interested in Phillips if they’re OK with his medical issues.
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Miami Dolphins: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson 
The Dolphins need to continue to obtain weapons for Tua Tagovailoa. This includes a dynamic threat in the backfield, which Miami currently lacks.
Travis Etienne had a huge year in which he rushed for 1,572 yards. He has worked to become a better receiver.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Kwity Paye, DE/DT – The Dolphins lost some linebacking talent this offseason.
2. Zaven Collins, LB – Collins seems like the perfect linebacker in Brian Flores’ system.
Pick change; previously Kwity Paye, DE
Washington Redskins: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech 
The Redskins have an elite defensive line. The offensive line is solid, but not at left tackle. There’s a huge hole there, which Washington could fill with this selection.
Christian Darrisaw had an amazing 2020 season, propelling himself into first-round consideration.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Alex Leatherwood/Jackson Carman, OT – Here are other tackles the Redskins could pick.
2. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah/Jamin Davis, LB – The Redskins’ defensive weakness is at linebacker.
Chicago Bears: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama Drafting Mac Jones may seem unappealing. One team we spoke to has a mid-round grade on him, comparing him to Matt Barkley. Other teams have deemed him to be a second-round prospect. However, the Bears’ current starting quarterback is Andy Dalton, so something must be done about that.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Christian Darrisaw/Alex Leatherwood, OTs – The Bears need to fix their offensive line, and these tackles make sense for their scheme.
2. Jamin Davis/Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LBs – Some talented linebackers for the Bears to consider.
Pick change; previously Teven Jenkins, OT
Indianapolis Colts: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami 
The Colts lost some defensive linemen this offseason, so they could stand to upgrade their pass rush in order to beat Patrick Mahomes in the playoffs.
Jaelan Phillips had a monster year in replacing the opted-out Gregory Rousseau. Injury concerns could cause him to fall.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jackson Carman/Teven Jenkins, OT – The Colts need to replace Anthony Castonzo.
2. Caleb Farley/Tyson Campbell, CB – Xavier Rhodes doesn’t have many productive years remaining in the NFL.
Tennessee Titans: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida 
The Titans lost Corey Davis this offseason, but they needed a better receiver to pair with A.J. Brown anyway.
Kadarius Toney has big-time play-making ability, but has an injury history.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Teven Jenkins, OT – The Titans lost three right tackles – Jack Conklin, Isaiah Wilson, Dennis Kelly – in a span of two offseasons.
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE/OLB – The Titans signed Bud Dupree, but he’s not enough to fix their woeful pass rush.
New York Jets: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech The Jets must defeat the Bills and Dolphins, both of whom have very talented receivers. The Jets don’t have the cornerbacks to cover those wideouts at the moment.
Caleb Farley opted out of the 2020 season, but he has high upside with nice size and speed. He has some injury concerns that could drop him a bit, but he’s a nice value pick at this juncture.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jamin Davis, LB – The Jets need to fix the middle of their defense. The cornerback group has been an issue since Darrelle Revis departed. Both linebacker and cornerback are the primary options for this pick.
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE/OLB – New York has possessed a poor edge rush for years. An outside linebacker is a possibility, even with the signing of Carl Lawson.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama The Steelers want a bellcow back. Can you blame them? They had no running game to speak of last year. Najee Harris would obviously change that, though the offensive line is in need of a major overhaul as well.
Najee Harris was one of the top recruits in the country in 2017, and he showed off his talents as a freshman. He’s been tremendous ever since.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Creed Humphrey, C – The Steelers could address center in the second round, but they could do this on Thursday night.
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE/OLB – Another team that could select Phillips. The Steelers need to replace Bud Dupree.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State 
Protecting Trevor Lawrence is obviously important. With Cam Robinson signed to a 1-year deal, and Jawaan Taylor struggling, tackle is certainly in play for Jacksonville’s second opening-round selection.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Christian Barmore, DT – Calais Campbell needs to be replaced, so here’s another option.
2. Jamin Davis/Jeremiah Owusu-Koamoah, LBs – The Jaguars need help everywhere on defense, and this includes a linebacking corps that never recovered from Telvin Smith’s retirement.
Pick change; previously Kwity Paye, DE/DT
Cleveland Browns: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame 
The linebacking corps was a weak spot for the Browns last year, so this is a position the front office could target early in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is a fast linebacker who has drawn comparisons to Telvin Smith, per Charlie Campbell’s sources.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Christian Barmore, DT – Sheldon Richardson was cut, so the Browns may want to obtain a new defensive tackle.
2. Tyson Campbell/Aaron Robinson, CBs – The Browns are hurting at cornerback, so they could address this early in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, DE/OLB, Penn State 
The Ravens lost both Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon this offseason, so I imagine they’ll be considering a pass rusher in the first couple of rounds.
Jayson Oweh has potential, but didn’t do all that much in 2020. He needs to become stronger for the pros.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Teven Jenkins/Jackson Carman, OT – The Ravens could take one of the first-round tackles if one falls to them, given that Orlando Brown might be traded.
2. Jaelan Phillips, DE/OLB – The other pass-rushing option makes sense for the Ravens as well.
New Orleans Saints: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern 
Cornerback is a huge need in the wake of Janoris Jenkins’ departure. There are so many talented receivers in the NFC South, so the Saints need to bolster their group of corners.
Greg Newsome has great technique and would be higher in this mock draft if it weren’t for his extensive injury history.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Christian Barmore, DE/DT – The Saints lost Sheldon Rankins, so they could target an interior defensive lineman with this selection.
2. Tyson Campbell/Aaron Robinson, CBs – Here are other cornerback options.
Pick change; previously Christian Barmore, DE/DT
Green Bay Packers: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss 
The Packers seemed to forget that they had a big need at receiver in the 2020 NFL Draft. Perhaps they’ll make amends for that with this selection if the right receiver drops to them.
Elijah Moore is a dynamic slot receiver. I’ve had him going lower than this, but there’s some speculation that could be chosen at the bottom of the first round.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Jackson Carman/Teven Jenkins, OT – The Packers lost three starting offensive linemen this offseason, so replacements must be obtained.
2. Greg Newsome, CB – Kevin King must be upgraded.
Pick change; previously Greg Newsome, CB
Buffalo Bills: Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia 
The Bills are not huge fans of Levi Wallace. They were reluctant to bring him back, but did so for one year. They could use this pick on what they believe to be an upgrade.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Travis Etienne, RB – There’s some chatter that the Bills could trade up for Travis Etienne. I wouldn’t do that, but there’s no doubt that Etienne would add yet another explosive element to Buffalo’s offense.
2. Jaelen Phillips or Jayson Oweh, DEs – Some edge-rushing options for the Bills, who must put as much pressure as possible on Patrick Mahomes.
Draft Day Pick change; previously Jamin Davis, LB Baltimore Ravens: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame The Ravens shipped Orlando Brown to the Chiefs – go here for the NFL Trade Grades page – so they may use this pick to replace him. They could sign a tackle, but they also need a new guard to replace Marshal Yanda.
Liam Eichenberg took over at left tackle in the wake of Mike McGlinchey’s departure to the NFL. He could sneak into the first round.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Creed Humphrey/Landon Dickerson, Cs – The Chiefs could address the center position as well.
2. Kadarius Toney/Elijah Moore, WRs – The Ravens could use one of their picks on a receiver.
Pick change; previously Jackson Carman, G/OT
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joe Tryon, DE, Washington 
The Buccaneers re-signed Shaq Barrett, but they could still use another pass rusher, given Jason Pierre-Paul’s age.
Joe Tryon came out of nowhere to have a breakout 2019 campaign. He has a nice frame (6-5, 262) and tons of upside to be an impactful edge rusher in the NFL.
*** OTHER 2021 NFL DRAFT POSSIBILITIES: ***
1. Azeez Ojulari/Jayson Oweh/Gregory Rousseau, DEs – Here are some of the other edge rushers the Buccaneers could pick.
2. Jamin Davis, LB – Linebacker is a possibility as well, given Lavonte David’s age.
Pick change; previously Azeez Ojulari, DE/OLBGo to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2
Back to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16 | Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell
Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3 | Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4
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Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 5 | Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 6
Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 7 | Go to 2024 NFL Mock Draft
