The 2020 NFL Draft is already far behind us which only means one thing: It’s time to put together a way-too-early projection about the players that are likely going to be taken in next year’s first round.
Obviously, a lot of things can happen from this day on to Draft’s day, as teams could underperform, tank, or even surprise us and alter the course of our entire Big Board. So, nothing’s set in stone right now.
But, according to projections, the strength of schedule, need, fit, and the best players available, we’d like you to sit back and enjoy as we walk you through or first-of-many 2021 NFL mock drafts.
32. Jaylen Twyman – Kansas City Chiefs
Pittsburgh, Sophomore, Defensive Lineman
Twyman changed his number from 55 to 97 in honor of former Pittsburgh legend Aaron Donald (Getty)
Jaylen Twyman decided to return to Pittsburgh for another year and continue to work on his overall game and we’re sure that it’ll definitely pay off. He’s a solid defender with active hands that can be a huge threat as a pass-rusher as well.
He put up 10.5 sacks last year and took a major step forward from his rookie to his sophomore year and his work ethic will grant him a long and successful career in the NFL, no doubt about that.
31. Richard LeCounte II – San Francisco 49ers
Georgia, Junior, Defensive Back
LeCounte II had had 61 tackles and four interceptions in 2019 (Getty)
Size is the only reason why Richard LeCounte II isn’t going to be a top-10 pick. However, what he lacks in height he makes up for with hustle and effort every night out there and that’s something coaches and scouts just love to see.
He’s got outstanding instincts to read the offense and position himself to have the edge over the receiver. But there are still some concerns about how his game will translate to the next level.
30. Nick Bolton – New Orleans Saints
Missouri, Sophomore, Linebacker
Bolton had 103 tackles, two interceptions and one sack in 2019 (Getty)
Bolton has the size and work ethic of an elite linebacker but has never gotten that much exposure because of the football program he plays for. Hopefully, that’ll change throughout the season.
He’s a willing tackler that won’t hesitate to put his body on the line on every single snap and his instincts for the ball have only gotten better with time. He has it all to succeed at the next level.
29. Carlos Basham Jr – Baltimore Ravens
Wake Forest, Junior, EDGE
Basham Jr. attended Northside in Roanoke, Virginia (Getty)
When he’s locked in, Carlos Basham Jr. is a huge threat for his rivals due to his ability to break tackles, collapse the pocket, and put some pressure on the quarterback. However, he’s struggled with consistency and it seems like he turns it on and off at will.
He’s got quick and active hands and could climb this ladder if he takes it up a notch this season. He could even mess around and crack the top 15 if he starts being more of a consistent contributor.
28. Samuel Cosmi – Dallas Cowboys
Texas, Sophomore, Offensive Lineman
Cosmi was a three-star recruit in high school (Getty)
Samuel Cosmi has played at both tackle spots and while he may not be an elite stopper for the running game, he’s improved a lot as a pass-protector on a yearly basis and there’s no reason to think that trend won’t continue with another season with the Longhorns.
He’s big and physical enough to play a snap in the NFL right now but there’s still plenty of room for improvement. ButMike McCarthy is the perfect guy to bring the best out of him, for sure.
27. Eric Stokes – Philadelphia Eagles
Georgia, Sophomore, Defensive Back
Stokes had 30 solo tackles in 2019 (Getty)
Stokes isn’t exactly the most impressive specimen of his class in terms of size or strength but he makes up for it with terrific speed and quick hands to force drops. The Eagles need receivers but he’d also be quite welcome in the City of Brotherly Love.
He’s not the strongest tackler but knows how to gain advantages thanks to his speed, positioning, and high IQ. He’s a make-or-miss kind of pickbut he’s definitely worth the risk at 27th.
26. Jaylen Waddle – Seattle Seahawks
Alabama, Sophomore, Wide Receiver
Waddle chose Alabama over Texas, Texas A&M, Florida State, TCU, and Oregon (Getty)
Waddle is a freak of nature in terms of athleticism. He can change gears and turn the corner in no time with his stunning speed as he’s shown as a kick returner for the AlabamaCrimson Tide.
He’s got great footwork and his route-running is superb, as well as his ball skills. He needs to put more work in the gym and add some muscle, though, but the talent, work ethic, and physical tools are definitely there.
25. Jamie Newman – Pittsburgh Steelers
Georgia, Junior, Quarterback
Newman transferred from Wake Forest University (Getty)
It’s pretty safe to say that Mason Rudolph did nothing to earn the backup quarterback job at Pittsburgh, so Jamie Newman could be their choice going forward once Ben Roethlisberger calls it a career.
He’s strong, has great awareness in the pocket, and his mobility is an underrated part of his game. He’s got to work on his accuracy, though, but he’s got the dual-threat potentialas a bit of a poor man’s Cam Newton.
24. Xavier Thomas – Minnesota Vikings
Clemson, Sophomore, EDGE
Thomas was named to USA Today’s Freshman All-America Team (Getty)
This class is a bit short on pass-rushers and there won’t be any Chase Young-kind of talents but Xavier Thomas could come pretty close to it. He’s talented enough to be a disruptive defender and he can do it all on the defensive line,
However, thus far Thomas hasvastly struggled with inconsistency and there are some concerns regarding his drive and motivation. Physically speaking, he’s got all it takes to be a stud.
23. Tanner Morgan – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Minnesota, Sophomore, Quarterback
Morgan redshirted his first year at Minnesota in 2017 (Getty)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneerssigned Tom Brady to a 2-year deal and it’s unclear whether the 42-year-old legend will retire after his contract’s up, meaning the Bucs should already be planning ahead.
Tanner Morgan has the arm strength and willingness to throw the ball downfield on every single snap, which perfectly suits Bruce Arians’ style. Also, he needs to polish his game so being mentored by Tom Terrific for a year would definitely do wonders with him.
22. Paulson Adebo – Buffalo Bills
Stanford, Junior, Cornerback
Adebo originally committed to Notre Dame University (Getty)
Adebo originally played as a wide receiver but ended up shifting positions because of his struggles with drops. Still, he’s got the mindset and instincts of a receiver and the athleticism, speed, and strength of an elite secondary defender.
He needs to work on his game and that’ll come with experience, so he’s a bit of a high-risk/high reward pick.The raw talent and tools are clearly there but he has to prove that he’s worthy of a first-round pick.
21. DeVonta Smith – Denver Broncos
Alabama, Junior, Wide Receiver
Smith had 68 receptions for 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2019 (Getty)
Drew Lock would love to have a weapon like DeVonta Smith running routes at Mile High. He’s one of the best all-around players of this class and can literally do it all, as he showed during his 2019 campaign.
He’s got great hands, athleticism, and speed and can play both on the slot or outside. He needs to add more muscle to succeed at the next level, though, but once he gets a glimpse of that NFL preparation, he’ll be a major stud.
20. Pat Freiermuth – Tennessee Titans
Penn State, Sophomore, Tight End
He played tight end and linebacker in high school (Getty)
Pat Freiermuth took a major risk this year when he decided to skip the Draft and go back to Penn State, as he could’ve been the first tight end out of the 2020 board. Unlike Kyle Pitts, he’s not as much of a threat as a receiver in the open field but he’s clearly a better blocker.
He’ll open a lot of space in the offense with his strength and ability to read plays in real-time. Also, he used to play s a linebacker as well so you know he’s got a great feel for catching bodies along his way.
19. Alex Leatherwood – Cleveland Browns
Alabama, Junior, Offensive Lineman
Leatherwood attended Booker T. Washington High School (Getty)
Alex Leatherwood has been all around the offensive line thus far on his young career and that’s the kind of versatility all coaches love. He may not be great at anything but there’s nothing he does wrong either.
He’s quite strong and knows how to establish position early on every play, so he’s a safe bet for sure. However, he tends to disappear from time to time and lacks the big-play kind of ability most scouts look for in the first round.
18. Dylan Moses – Jacksonville Jaguars
Alabama, Junior, Linebacker
Moses helped Alabama win the SEC championship in 2018 (Getty)
Dylan Moses could’ve been a top-10 pick this year but injuries derailed his season. There will always be concerns when it comes to young players suffering the major injury but Moses has the archetype of an elite linebacker that could be a huge nightmare downhill.
He’ll need to convince scouts that he’s healthy enough to take a leap forward but if he manages to stay on the gridiron, he’ll prove in no time that he’s got the potential to be a perennial Pro-Bowler.
17. Justyn Ross – Green Bay Packers
Clemson, Sophomore, Wide Receiver
Ross had six receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown in the 2019 championship game (Getty)
Well, the good news is that the Green Bay Packers will finally draft a wide receiver in the first round. The bad news is that Aaron Rodgers may not be around long enough to make the most out of it.
Ross has all the traits and raw athleticism to be an elite playmaker at the next level, especially with his ability to beat his coverage in tight spots. However, his route-running has a lot of room for improvement.
16. K.J. Costello – Chicago Bears
Mississippi State, Senior, Quarterback
K.J. Costello recently transferred to Georgia University (Getty)
The Chicago Bears already have Nick Foles and Mitch Trubisky as their signal-callers but it just feels like none of them is a safe bet for their future. That’s why most mocks have them going with a quarterback early on.
And now that he’ll play for the Bulldogs after some up-and-downs at Stanford, K.J Costello will have plenty of chances to prove that he’s a safe bet at the next level. He’s got the size and arm strength to impress most NFL scouts.
15. Creed Humphrey – Detroit Lions
Oklahoma, Sophomore, Offensive Lineman
Humphrey was the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year in 2019 (Getty)
Matthew Stafford has been taking beatings for many years now. The Lions must find ways to protect him and getting Creed Humphrey in the first round is definitely a step in that direction. He can play at center or guard and is elite at opening space for the running game as well.
Some may argue that Humphrey could struggle vs. quicker, more athletic rivals at the NFL level because of his lack of lateral speed but he makes up for it with a great understanding of positioning and strong hands.
14. Rondale Moore – New England Patriots
Purdue, Sophomore, Wide Receiver
Moore won the Paul Hornung Award in 2018 (Getty)
Other than Julian Edelman, the Patriots lack a true threat in the passing game. Luckily for them, Moore is one of the biggest open-field threats you’ll find on a football field. And if N’Keal Harry continues to disappoint, he could step right away into a starting role.
Injuries and durability will always be a concern with him, but he’s a master at making his defenders miss tackles with elite athleticism and speed. Jarrett Stidham or whoever is under center for the Patriots will love him.
13. Patrick Surtain II – Atlanta Falcons
Alabama, Sophomore, Cornerback
Surtain’s father spent 11 seasons in the NFL (Getty)
Patrick Surtain II can still take a step forward next season and make it to the top 3 as the first cornerback out of his class, even ahead of Shaun Wade. He’s athletic enough, strong, fast, and smart enough to do it.
He’s also got the length and wingspan to cover some of the league’s top-tier receivers, barring freaks of nature like Mike Evans, for sure, but that’s something no defender in the world can do right now.
12. Kyle Pitts – Arizona Cardinals
FSU, Sophomore, Tight End
Pitts attended Archbishop Wood (Getty)
The Arizona Cardinals crave elite blockers and good hands to give Kyler Murray a bit of help. Luckily for them, Kyle Pitts checks both of those boxes, especially when it comes to making plays in the open field.
Perhaps getting him at high as 12th is a bit of a reach but he surely fits their needs. He’s great at adding yards after the catch and running outside routes as well, so he’d be a great weapon for one of the most promising signal-callers in the league.
11. Marvin Wilson – Los Angeles Chargers
FSU, Junior, Defensive Lineman
Wilson was a two-time USA Today High School All-American (Getty)
Marvin Wilson could’ve entered this year’s Draft and would’ve still been a first-round pick. He’s a physical specimen that can demolish their rivals’ run game and get to the quarterback in the blink of an eye.
He’s a disruptive and physical defender that could turn the Charger’s front into one of the scariest in the league. Barring a major injury – God forbid, he’s going to be a Pro-Bowler in no time.
10. Walker Little – Las Vegas Raiders
Stanford, Junior, Offensive Lineman
Little’s grandfather and uncle also played in the NFL (Getty)
Walker Little’s Draft stock took a slight bump because of injuries but, if healthy, he’ll prove that he’s one of the best offensive linemen of his class and will still climb his way to the top 10 this season.
He can excel both as a left tackle or guard thanks to his strength and great hands. He’s got a lot of potential thanks to his versatility and understanding of the game,but the clock is ticking on him.
9. Trey Lance – Indianapolis Colts
North Dakota State, Freshman, Quarterback
Lance was a three-star recruit in high-school (Getty)
Jacoby Brissett has vastly underperformed and Philip Rivers isn’t getting any younger. Thus, the Indianapolis Colts would be wise to turn the page right away and look for a quarterback for the future.
So, with Lawrence and Fields already off the board, Lance looks like the safest bet as a strong, big, mobile signal-caller, even though there are some doubtsabout if he can be a franchise quarterback.
8. Justin Fields – Carolina Panthers
Ohio State, Sophomore, Quarterback
Fields transferred from Georgia University (Getty)
The Carolina Panthers bought themselves some time and a great insurance policy on Teddy Bridgewater but they already have to be planning ahead for the future. Well, Justin Fields can turn out to be a franchise quarterback if given enough time to develop.
He’s fast, strong, and can break tackles like the best of them, and he just won’t shy away from contact.He’s got great upside and can excel on the ground but needs to improve his decision-making.
7. Jevon Holland – Miami Dolphins
Oregon, Sophomore, Safety
Holland attended Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland (Getty)
Jevon Holland has raised a lot of controversies when it comes to putting together mock Drafts. Some may say he’s not elite at anything but he’s pretty solid overall and has proven to be capable of doing it all.
Also, his versatility as a special-teams player proves he can contribute to multiple aspects of the game at the next level. He may not be a Pro-Bowler right away but he looks like a safe bet to have a long career in the NFL.
6. Ja’Marr Chase – New York Jets
LSU, Sophomore, Wide Receiver
Chase had 84 receptions for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2019 (Getty)
Barring injury, there’s just no way Ja’Marr Chase isn’t the first wide receiver off in this upcoming NFL Draft. He’s a stud like we haven’t seen in a long timeand he’d become Sam Darnold’s favorite target right away.
He’s a playmaker that could mess around and league the NFL in receiving yards thanks to his active hands and leaping ability. Chase runs great routes and reeks of raw talent and athleticism.
5. Gregory Rousseau – Miami Dolphins
Miami, Freshman, EDGE
Rousseau played defensive end, safety and wide receiver in high school (Getty)
Gregory Rousseau is already living up to the Miami lifestyle so he’d fit right in the Miami Dolphins’ locker room coming out of ‘The U’. He’s got all the traits and potential but there are still doubts about how his game will translate to the next level.
Rousseau has done most of his damage from the interior, so he needs to work on his overall game to succeed in the NFL. He’s a make-or-break kind of pick with the potential to be one of the league’s best pass-rushers a couple of years from now.
4. Micah Parsons – New York Giants
Penn State, Sophomore, Linebacker
Parsons was named Cotton Bowl Defensive MVP in 2019 (Getty)
Not even the New York Giants could mess this pick. Micah Parsons is a sure thing, an impressive athlete that’s just too exciting to watch every time out there because of his ability to do it all, both as a pass rusher or in coverage.
Parsons is strong, athletic, disciplined, and smart. He understands how to properly use his body in coverage and has also a great feel for picking apart opposing linemen and go around blocks to get to the quarterback.
3. Shaun Wade – Washington
Ohio State, Sophomore, Cornerback
As a senior, Wade was named the USA Today High School Football Player of the Year (Getty)
Washingtoncould use some help at, well, pretty much every single defensive position next season. So if they have the chance to pick as high as three, they’ll get one of the most versatile guys they could find for their secondary.
Shaun Wade can play in the slot or lineup at safety and do an elite job either way. He’s got quite impressive hops, speed, and awareness. He’s also got terrific ball skills and has proven to be a solid playmaker.
2. Penei Sewell – Cincinnati Bengals
Oregon, Sophomore, Offensive Lineman
Sewell was born in American Samoa (Getty)
Some may argue that Penei Sewell is actually the best prospect in this class and we’re not the ones to disagree with that statement. He’s one of those few offensive linemen that turns a lot of heads on every snap by the way he completely dominates his opposition. He’s as complete and NFL-ready as they come.
Sewell has some of the best footwork in all college football and we don’t mean just right now but ever. He’s elite when it comes to keeping opposing linebackers out of the quarterback’s reach and creates a lot of space for the running game as well. Joe Burrow will love this pick more than anybody else.
1. Trevor Lawrence – Jacksonville Jaguars
Clemson, Sophomore, Quarterback
Lawrence was considered to be among the best quarterback prospects of all time in high school (Getty)
Well, Trevor Lawrence is the real deal. He proved it once again last year and shushed all those who thought he was just another one-year wonder. It seems like his game will translate perfectly to the NFL and he’s one of the most league-ready prospects we’ve seen in years at the quarterback position.
Lawrence has outstanding awareness in the pocket and excels under pressure. He’s proven to be a dual-threat kind of guy and won’t hesitate to run the ball if needed, but his great arm is definitely his biggest trait. We’re sorry for Gardner Minshew, but there’ll be another star in town.
