The 2021 NFL Draft is fast approaching, ready to pull off surprises again. Trevor Lawrence is almost a lock to be selected as the No. 1 pick overall, but after that, who knows what will happen. In any case, we have listed below our predictions for the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.
Urban Meyer is going to get the only guy everyone expects the Jaguars to spend the first overall pick on in the form of Trevor Lawrence. The Jags didn’t go through extensive tanking to let Lawrence escape. A proven winner with a big arm, Lawrence should start right away for the Jags.
2. New York Jets — Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
The Jets surely are looking to get a quarterback at this slot, as they just traded Sam Darnold to the Carolina Panthers. With the second pick overall pick, it makes sense for the Jets to draft a quarterback and one that’s generally viewed as the best QB in the class not named Trevor Lawrence.
3. San Francisco 49ers — Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
There have been rumors that the 49ers have their eye on Mac Jones. Even though the team still has Jimmy Garoppolo, the Niners seem to be not convinced of their future with him under center.
4. Atlanta Falcons — Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Some experts think that the Falcons will get a QB here, but how about just giving Matt Ryan a game-changing weapon in Pitts? A trio of Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, and Pitts should send shivers down the spine of opposing defensive coordinators.
5. Cincinnati Bengals — Penei Sewell, OL, Oregon
The Bengals need to protect Joe Burrow who saw his rookie season abruptly end with a serious knee injury that he is still recuperating from. Adding Sewell to Cincinnati’s offensive line will give Burrow an elite protector for years to come.
6. Miami Dolphins — Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LS
The Dolphins still have to know what they truly have in Tua Tagovailoa. By drafting Chase, Miami will just have the weapon to help Tagovailoa’s potential. Chase is -700 to be the first wide receiver drafted this year.
7. Detroit Lions — DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Lions are starting anew with a quarterback Jared Goff. However, they just lost Kenny Golladay to free agency in the offseason, leaving Goff without a true WR1. Smith could definitely be that guy for the Lions. Smith’s speed, athleticism, and smarts will all be useful for the Lions’ new-look passing attack.
8. Carolina Panthers — Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Now that they got Darnold, the Panthers are not really pressed to get a quarterback. Darnold can blossom in a new and less-toxic environment and it’s definitely going to be a big plus for him to have Waddle downfield waiting to take footballs to the end zone.
9. Denver Broncos — Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Sure, the Broncos have Drew Lock, but he has not convinced the team that he’s someone worth giving the keys to the franchise under center. If Fields is available at this point of the draft, Denver will take him in a heartbeat.
10. Dallas Cowboys — Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The Cowboys look to improve their defense and get Surtain II, who will give Dallas’ secondary a shot in the arm with his IQ and physical presence downfield.
Predictions for the rest of the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft
11. New York Giants — Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
12. Philadelphia Eagles — Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
13. Los Angeles Chargers — Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
14. Minnesota Vikings — Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
15. New England Patriots — Zaven Collins, DE, Tulsa
16. Arizona Cardinals — Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
17. Las Vegas Raiders — Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah, LB, Notre Dame
18. Miami Dolphins — Kwity Paye, DT, Michigan
19. Washington Football Team — Ka’Darius Toney, WR, Florida
20. Chicago Bears — Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
21. Indianapolis Colts — Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
22. Tennessee Titans — Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas
23. New York Jets — Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
24. Pittsburgh Steelers — Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State
25. Jacksonville Jaguars — Richie Grant, S, Central Florida
26. Cleveland Browns — Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
27. Baltimore Ravens — Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
28. New Orleans Saints — Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
29. Green Bay Packers — Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
30. Buffalo Bills — Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
31. Kansas City Chiefs — Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Carlos Basham Jr., DE, Wake Forest
