This is my first mock draft for The Athletic. I’ve spent the past few weeks talking to many folks inside the college football world as well as some NFL people I’ve gotten to know. The insights and scouting reports from coaches, scouts and analysts informed how I approached Day 1 of the 2021 NFL Draft. Here’s my take on how I think the first round will play out and what each team will be getting with these players.
I released this on Monday, but I’ve gotten so much feedback I wanted to just update it with a few added nuggets.
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1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
I don’t see Urban Meyer or the Jags overthinking this one. The former Ohio State coach wasn’t shy about telling folks how the star QB wowed him in 2019 when Lawrence, then a sophomore, ran by the Buckeyes in the Fiesta Bowl. There are no sure things as QB prospects enter the NFL, but Lawrence checks off as many boxes as any quarterback has in years. He’s essentially right up there with Andrew Luck in 2012 as far as no-brainer selections go.
The Coaching Intel
“The surprise with him is his running ability and his toughness. I just don’t think people realize just how athletic he is. He is very good as a thrower. I don’t think his arm is out of this world. It’s not a Josh Allen or (Patrick) Mahomes or Aaron Rodgers, but it’s very, very good.”
“He’s about as good a quarterback prospect I’ve seen in college in years. He’s tall, mobile, smart, accurate. I love how the ball comes out of his hand. Teammates seem to really like him, and he’s played a lot of games and in a lot of big games.”
“I worried a little about him living up to all the hype that was heaped on him so early. He was great against Alabama as a freshman. He wasn’t impressive against LSU the next year. He was just a little off that night, especially after (Joe) Burrow and LSU’s offense got cranked up. You expected him to match that and he didn’t. But his receivers weren’t on the level of what Burrow had there. You still really like what you see from him on film and also how he carries himself. The spotlight has been on him for a long time for a college kid, and I think that is a good sign because he’s gonna have to carry that franchise.”
2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Wilson was the breakout star of the season, connecting on 74 percent of his passes with 33 touchdowns and three interceptions. Those numbers were a dramatic improvement from his 2018 season (62 percent, 11 touchdowns, nine interceptions). The Cougars’ level of competition wasn’t nearly as tough in 2020 — the pandemic limited their scheduling options — and Wilson, sources close to the BYU program say, was never really healthy for very long in 2019.
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Wilson’s eye-popping arm talent, the way the ball jumps out of his hand and his ability to make all sorts of off-platform throws are probably going to be too tempting for the Jets, with all new leadership, to pass up ushering in a new era. The hunch here is that just three years after using the No. 3 overall pick on Sam Darnold, the Jets go for another QB.
The Coaching Intel
“I think he has great arm strength, and he’s accurate, and he definitely keeps plays alive. He can buy about two more seconds and can really throw on the run from different angles. He is really impressive. I do think it’ll be interesting when people look at his junior tape when they faced better teams. He had good games and some bad games. Also, I’ll be curious how his game translates in the NFL because (BYU was) so RPO-driven and read-driven, where once he got off that first read, he almost never got to the second. He’d move the pocket even though he wouldn’t have any pressure. Instead, he’d create the scramble drill. You wanna know how well he’ll go through progressions and sit in the pocket because that is one of those things you never know ’til you do it.”
Said one opposing coach: “He’s freaky. He made some throws against us that were silly. He was very calm because I think he really trusts his feet. He reminds me a lot of Russell Wilson and some of Mahomes in his ability to throw from all angles, and (he) has that creativity. He made some comeback throws that made you say wow. He has such wrist and finger control, it’s very impressive. I’d love to see what he could do in a drop-back offense.”
“I was blown away watching him on film. I didn’t realize he could throw it quite like that. The ball explodes out of his hand. There’s a throw he made in their UCF game — it’s a deep out and up — nobody runs it in college because it’s such a long route. He throws it on a rope. He has a ridiculously talented arm.”
“I think he’s good. He’s dynamic and he’s got repetitive accuracy. But there aren’t a lot of 200-pound QBs in the NFL. Small guys don’t last in that league. Kyler Murray is small but he can frickin’ fly. And he got hit too much and got banged up. Drew Brees is a good exception but there aren’t many. Russell (Wilson) is short but he is thick as shit. That’s my biggest concern: How will he hold up? They just don’t last. I’ll be real curious what his measurables are. ”
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3. Miami Dolphins: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The 6-foot, 210-pound wideout had a massive 2019 season, catching 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. Clemson tried to man up Chase with (future first-rounder) A.J. Terrell, and the LSU star caught nine passes for 221 yards, pulling LSU from a 17-7 deficit to a blowout win for the national championship. That would be the last collegiate game he’d play because he opted out of the 2020 season. Inside the LSU program, staffers rave about Chase, especially his competitiveness. Every day at practice, Chase went one-on-one with Derek Stingley Jr., the most talented corner in college, and the receiver usually won more than his share of those battles. Chase has tremendous strength in his lower body and in his hands. He whipped press coverage consistently.
The Coaching Intel
“No doubt in my mind: He’s the best receiver in this draft. He’s the whole package. He’s got the size, the strength, the hands; I think he’s a 4.4 (40) guy; he has the versatility to play inside and outside; has the football IQ — you see how savvy he is within his route. He understands leverage and working guys off the line of scrimmage; he’s very physical, and he is as competitive as it gets. He’s great at shielding off defenders and making competitive catches.”
“People don’t realize just how strong he is. His lower body’s built like a running back’s. He plays like a 4.4 guy, and he contorts his body to make a lot of difficult catches. I think from a technique standpoint, he can and will have to get better on press-releases as he faces stronger guys, and he’ll have to improve on his true route-running ability.”
4. Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
It’s time for the Falcons to look for their quarterback of the future, and the hunch here is they’ll opt for the local guy who has faced a lot better competition and has a bigger body of work than Trey Lance. There were a few games where Fields, who started his career at Georgia, didn’t throw the ball with confidence and struggled working the ball downfield — he threw three picks against Indiana and was just 12-of-27 with two interceptions in the Big Ten title game against Northwestern. His bounce-back after that against Clemson, though, was magnificent. He went through his progressions, throwing strikes to his receivers to pick apart the Tigers defense. He completed almost 80 percent of his passes in that game and threw six touchdowns while also giving the Tigers problems with his wheels. Learning behind Matt Ryan could be a perfect situation for him.
The Coaching Intel
“His consistency is a concern for me, because there are times he looks like he should be the first pick of the draft and other times where he looks like he should stay in school another year. I think he’s really, really talented. I don’t know what his 40 time is, but I’ve seen him run away from some pretty good athletes. I think people may not realize just what a special athlete he is — or how big this kid is.”
“He’s confident and poised and he’s never rattled. I think he has a good arm, not a great arm, and he benefits because Ohio State’s skill talent is so much better than the DBs they face in the Big Ten. J.T. Barrett could barely throw, but he put up big numbers because of that talent gap. This kid is a lot more gifted than that, but you still have that in the back of your mind because the talent gap is so big for them.”
5. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Burrow, Cincy’s No. 1 overall pick last year, desperately needs help up front. Sewell was the best offensive lineman in college football as a 19-year-old sophomore in 2019, helping the Ducks win the Rose Bowl. He opted out for 2020. Oregon coach Mario Cristobal, a former O-lineman himself, credited Sewell for changing his program.
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“Sometimes guys are blessed with a skill set, and they kind of turn it on and off,” he told me. “This was a guy that, when the lights come on and it’s time to play ball and it’s time to work the physicality of football — the two-on-two, the five-on-four, the nine-on-nine blocking drills, the one-on-one pass pro drills — this guy is turned up and he is bringing it, and he is challenging his offensive linemen.
“He is challenging the guys he’s going against. It’s exactly how you would draw up your offensive left tackle, that’s how you would draw him up. He brought a competitive nature and a relentless attitude to it that is infectious and something that needs to be carried on.”
The Coaching Intel
“He’s massive and he moves well. It’s scary how well he can move at that size and how young he was. The stuff he is able to do in space is the stuff that makes you say wow. He’s excellent getting out and getting on smaller guys on screens. He’s a great finisher and has a lot of nastiness to him. I think he will be an elite NFL player for a long time.”
6. Philadelphia Eagles: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Eagles need a lot of help at receiver, and even though Pitts isn’t technically a wide receiver, he will help address those issues. Pitts was as dominant as any player in college football in 2020 with 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in 12 games. New Eagles quarterbacks coach Brian Johnson was the offensive coordinator at Florida. He knows better than anyone in the NFL just what a weapon Pitts can be.
The Coaching Intel
“For a tight end, he is as dynamic as it gets. He has the size, the length and terrific hands. I was really impressed with his route-running. He is such a polished receiver. He’s everything you want in a receiving tight end. I do question his blocking, so maybe you’re not going to do much in-line stuff with him.”
“He’s such a stud. How do you defend him? He’s an NBA basketball player playing tight end. He just kept getting better and better over the last couple of years. He’s special, man. He’s unique. He is such a mismatch issue. He’s every bit of a 4.5 flat guy, and he plays it. And for a longer-legged, bigger-frame guy, they have to build up speed. But he gets there (to top speed) quicker than some of those long guys. He competes, too. You can just feel it in him. He wants to dominate. I have a ton of respect for him. If you’d ask me after the ’19 season, I’d say he was just a big receiver. But he’s become a more serviceable blocker. He’s gonna put his face on someone and cover him up. He’s gonna fight you. He’s not gonna be a guy you run power behind or is a knock-back, violent blocker, but he really got better there, too.”
7. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Detroit really needs help on defense. It was dead last in the NFL statistically and sorely needs some playmakers. Parsons opted out of the 2020 season and was really missed by his team. The former five-star lived up to his massive recruiting hype. In 2019, he made 109 tackles, 14 tackles for losses and had four forced fumbles, becoming the first sophomore in Big Ten history to win the Butkus-Fitzgerald Linebacker of the Year award.
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Parsons was at his best in big games. He had 14 tackles against Michigan; eight of those tackles held the Wolverines to 1 yard or less. At Minnesota, he had 11 tackles and two TFLs, and at Ohio State, he had 10 tackles, two TFLs and forced and recovered a fumble. In Penn State’s Cotton Bowl win against Memphis, he had 14 tackles, three TFLs and two sacks. As a true freshman in 2018, Parsons also had 14 tackles and forced a fumble against Kentucky in the Citrus Bowl.
The Coaching Intel
“He is no doubt NFL-ready today, and he has only played linebacker for two years. He hasn’t even scratched the surface yet of what he will be. A future Hall of Famer in my opinion. He’s one of the most competitive people that I’ve ever been around. He always shines in the biggest moments.”
“Micah is super explosive and is very hard to block in the run or throw game. He has great rush ability, really good instincts and he learns well. At the next level, I feel like he’s a will-back or your 3-4 outside boundary guy or to the field.”
8. Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
If the Falcons take Lance instead of Fields, I think the Buckeyes quarterback would end up here, but I don’t think Atlanta passes on Fields. Lance’s rise was one of the more fascinating stories in college football the past year — of a Minnesota native who Big Ten schools barely looked at and was viewed as a safety or linebacker prospect. Lance ended up at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State and put together a remarkable first season, with a staggering 28-to-0 TD-to-INT margin while helping the Bison achieve the first 16-0 finish in college football since 1894. Lance only got to play one game in 2020 and threw his first pick in a win over Central Arkansas.
The Coaching Intel
“On film, you don’t realize how big he is because he is so athletic. He was much bigger than we thought he was. That size, athleticism and arm are so rare at this level. He broke some runs on us where he’d break tackles, push the pile. One play, we had one of the best athletes we had come free on a blitz, and he makes him miss and throws a perfect ball on a dig to pick up the first down.
“I think the one thing people can question is how well is he as a true pocket QB? When they played that game (vs. Central Arkansas) in 2020, he struggled some, and you wanted him trying to impress people. Was he pressing? Are they running a different system for this game?”
“This kid is whole other-level special. He has all the physical tools. Nothing phases him, and I think he’s a fierce competitor. He finds ways to make plays. He’s a big, strong kid who is hard to tackle and can make you miss in space. He’s extremely well-coached. You never saw just bad throws; most of them were where his guys are getting it right in stride.
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“We’d go into it thinking what else can we do after other stuff we did didn’t work? We thought we’d trick him, and then he’d figure it out and throw a strike for a 12-yard catch on third down.”
9. Denver Broncos: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Denver needs cornerback help, and there are three good ones waiting. Farley, the freakiest athlete of that trio, once clocked 24.16 mph on the GPS in a game against Notre Dame. He opted out of 2020 and also had back surgery last offseason. In 2019, he led the ACC in passes defended with 16, was tied for second in the league with four INTs and earned first-team All-ACC honors.
The Coaching Intel
“He has great size and length for a corner and great burst. His ability to close is as good as it gets. Those are top-notch traits. I’m not as sold on his physicality and tackling ability, but when the ball’s in the air, he’ll make plays, and you didn’t want to mess with his side.”
10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Dallas also needs help in the secondary and might not re-sign Jourdan Lewis and Chidobe Awuzie, a pair of former high picks. Physically, Surtain would be an upgrade from both. His dad was a terrific NFL defensive back, and Surtain, the SEC’s Defensive Player of the Year, has been well-coached and played a lot of meaningful football. There is a little debate among coaches we spoke to about whether he would be better at safety than corner in the NFL, as there is some concern about some stiffness.
The Coaching Intel
“I liked him more than (South Carolina CB Jaycee) Horn. With that size and length and his skill set, you can do whatever you want with him. He’s gonna be tough in off or press man. He always kept it tight. Outstanding player.”
“I think he’s a really good player, but I think he’s more of a safety. He is long and physical, but he doesn’t get in and out of his breaks as you’d want. He can put his hands on people in college. He doesn’t get challenged very much.”
“He’s smart, savvy, and he’s long. But they can hide the corners a little in that (Nick) Saban defense. We thought there were some holes in his techniques. When he played man-to-man, he gets exposed some.”
11. New York Giants: Jaylen Waddle, WR-PR, Alabama
Daniel Jones needs more playmakers, and this guy will help the Giants’ offense and special teams in a big way. Waddle isn’t very big at about 5 feet 10 and 185 pounds, but he has dazzling quickness and was having a fantastic 2020 season before breaking his ankle in the Tide’s fifth game. His worst game of the four he played was a six-catch, 120-yard performance against Ole Miss.
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The Coaching Intel
“I thought he was the most dangerous of those four receivers they had (in 2019). You just can’t tackle him. His ability to separate from guys is just different. His change of direction is ree-diculous. He’s not quite as fast as (Henry) Ruggs, but he’s quicker. He’s lethal in the return game. And you like how he responds in tough games. He ate up Georgia and Texas A&M before getting hurt and made a bunch of big plays at Auburn last year and made a great punt return against LSU.”
“I don’t know if I’ve ever seen a guy who gets open so much like he does. In their Mizzou game, they could’ve thrown it to him every play. Like, they threw it on some plays to other open guys, but then you’d look at him and he was open too. That was like every play. He never got covered or stayed covered, even when they didn’t throw to him. He is so elusive, so sudden, so quick, and is able to shift his weight, so he doesn’t tip his hand on a lot of things. He’s a very natural route-runner.”
12. San Francisco 49ers: Rashawn Slater, OL, Northwestern
Slater also opted out of the 2020 season but left behind some very impressive film. Folks gush about how well he performed when matched up against Ohio State’s great Chase Young in 2019, a rare case when the Buckeyes star didn’t dominate his man that season. The son of former NBA player Reggie Slater, he might be better inside at center or guard because he doesn’t have great length for tackle, but his athleticism might enable him to become a good player there, too.
The Coaching Intel
“He handled himself really well against Chase Young. I didn’t think anyone held up as well against Young as Slater. He has really strong hands, is technically sound and has excellent feet. He’s also very stout and can get to the second level. I really was impressed.”
13. Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
They have a franchise QB in Justin Herbert and this pick will help protect him. Vera-Tucker played guard in 2019 for USC, then moved to tackle and had another excellent season even though he had no spring football reps to ease that transition. People inside the Trojans program are very high on Vera-Tucker’s character, describing him as an “alpha” and praising his “selflessness.”
The Coaching Intel
“Austin Jackson was a top-20 pick (No. 18 to the Dolphins in 2020), and this guy is better. He has better initial quickness and better recoverability. He never gets out of position and has very good change of direction. He’s twitchy. I think he helped himself a lot by coming back last year. He probably doesn’t have the length to be an ideal offensive tackle — he has shorter arms — but I do think he could play right tackle and could be an All-Pro at guard or center. I don’t think you can miss on this guy.”
14. Minnesota Vikings: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
Minnesota needs a bunch of help on the D-line, and Phillips, once the nation’s top-ranked recruit, could be a very good fit here. Phillips’ rise is interesting. He fizzled out at UCLA after some injuries and really got into focusing on a fledgling music career. He transferred to Miami and rejuvenated his football career, buying into the program and reshaping his body. At UCLA, he played at around 240-250 pounds, but at Miami he got up to 270 pounds and was in the best shape of his life. At one point, he registered 22 mph on the GPS, a remarkable number for an athlete that size, and he proved to be a terrific fit in UM’s 4-3 system. He had 11 TFLs, 6.5 sacks and 26 tackles in his final four games for the Canes in 2020.
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The Coaching Intel
“He’s got a chance to be really special. He’s explosive and really smooth. He’s athletic enough to be a 3-4 outside linebacker. He can bend. He’s versatile. He’s strong. I think he should run in the 4.6s or maybe in the 4.5s. The one thing is, he has to do a better job of controlling his emotions.”
“As big a year as Miami’s Greg Rousseau had in 2019, Phillips’ 2020 performance was even more impressive. He’s more stout than Rousseau at this point, and the level of tenacity he plays with is ridiculous. His motor never stopped. He’s such a freak athlete in the way he can move and how explosive he is, but he’s really completely reworked his body. He’s extremely powerful.”
15. New England Patriots: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
For as great as Bill Belichick is as a coach, he and New England have been dreadful drafting receivers, and this is a huge area of need. Fortunately for him — we think — an excellent one is going to fall into his lap, and it’s a guy Belichick’s old pal Saban knows better than anyone.
Smith, the 2020 Heisman Trophy winner, capped a fantastic college career that included a lot of clutch moments for the Tide dating back to his winning touchdown catch in the national title win over Georgia. Smith’s numbers for 2020: 117 catches, 1,856 yards and 23 TDs. He had 17 catches of 30 yards or longer, almost double what the next-best WR had in the SEC. Smith might look really, really skinny at about 180 pounds on his wiry frame, but he is a willing blocker, can break tackles and is very good in traffic.
The Coaching Intel
“He doesn’t drop a ball ever. The most impressive thing, though, is after each series, he’d come off to the sideline and tell their coaches, ‘They did this and this and this.’ He really knows coverages and what defenses are trying to do. Our guys came back to the sideline and said he’s calling out what we’re playing and telling their sideline what our coverages are and how we’re playing our man coverage. God almighty, that’s different.”
“I told people last year that (Smith) is better than both those cats (Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs) that got drafted (in the) first round last year. How in the world didn’t he have more recognition a year ago? He might not be, physically, looking at him, but playing-wise, it’s not even close. He’s quick. He’s faster than everybody thinks he is. I don’t know how big his hands are, but I’d bet they’re 10 inches or bigger. He’s just so natural. He’s been durable and tough and competitive.”
“The thing people couldn’t wrap their heads around is that he’s so skinny. He’s so fundamentally sound from a technique standpoint. He can run all day long and he has the best ball skills and body control of any of that group (of Alabama receivers).
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“He’s probably a high 4.4 (40) guy, but he’s really deceptively fast because he has this great long stride. He can close the (DB’s) cushion so fast, and he plays at that speed all the time. He creates so much separation. He’s also always been the best blocker (among wideouts) and the most physical.”
16. Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Arizona needs to replace Patrick Peterson, and the Cardinals can go back to the SEC to find that guy. The son of former NFL WR Joe Horn is 6 feet 1, 200 pounds and is a really physical, aggressive cover man. Some might say a bit too aggressive, as he could draw a lot of attention from the refs for being handsy. He opted out of the 2020 season not long after South Carolina fired Will Muschamp.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s got it all. He’s the total package. Has the speed; tough; good on the ball; good off the ball; very competitive. He was the best DB we faced. Nobody had a good day on that guy. He’s there all day. You had to be creative to get your guys away from him.”
“He never needed much help. He’s got the speed and the length. The thing that stuck out to me was that he was so, so physical at the line of scrimmage. I think he’s a helluva player.”
“He looks like what you’d expect from a first-round corner in terms of length, speed and quickness. He gets overly aggressive and gets sloppy technically, but he is really what you’d want out there.”
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
The 20-year-old really blossomed into a force in 2019 after putting on about 35 pounds since his arrival at Miami. The 6-foot-6 edge rusher, a one-time high school wide receiver, had a huge debut season for the Canes as a redshirt freshman, notching 19.5 TFLs and 15.5 sacks. He opted out of the 2020 season.
The Coaching Intel
“There’s still so much untapped upside with him. He’s still learning how to rush the passer. He’s even longer than Phillips, and he has so much leverage. It’s hard for guys to get their hands on him. He wins the reach battle, and he plays very hard. He’s always chasing guys down. He’s also a great kid.”
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“He was very raw, but he plays really hard and he’s just so long; it’s really difficult for people to block him. Even at about 265 (in 2019) he plays strong and is able to generate so much natural power.”
18. Miami Dolphins: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Miami needs a go-to running back, and the 230-pound Harris is a complete one. Harris was always improving in Tuscaloosa, going from 20 touchdowns in 2019 to 30 in 2020. The big question here is whether the Dolphins go for Harris or Clemson’s Travis Etienne, but my guess here is that Miami goes with the bigger back.
The Coaching Intel
“I think he is the best back they’ve had there under Saban, either him or Derrick Henry. He’s quick enough to beat DBs, but he’s also very physical. He’s got a good trunk with really good balance, so he can bounce off guys.”
“He might’ve been the most underappreciated player in college football. He carried the load in the run game, was a really good receiver and on third downs they never took him out. He stood there and always would pick up a blitz. Doesn’t go down with one guy much, and if he does, he’s falling forward. He’s not that one-cut home run runner. But he has good top-end speed for his size. I’ve seen D-linemen make contact and him not even budge. An oddly talented human being, and then you’d talk to him after the game and he was nerdy and nice, but he plays the game super intense. An alpha. That guy is as good as I’ve seen. I loved watching him play against other people, just not against us.”
19. Washington Football Team: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Va. Tech
WFT could really use a quarterback, but we’re not sold that it goes all-in on Mac Jones after whiffing on Dwayne Haskins just two years ago. WFT needs help up front too, and the 6-foot-5, 315-pound Darrisaw was a very solid, frequent starter for the Hokies.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s got excellent length and frame and has a lot of pop from his lower body. I think his footwork is pretty good, not outstanding. He’ll struggle with some speed guys on the edge.”
“I liked him a lot. He’s very powerful; has a mean streak; moves his feet well. He dominated (Miami defensive end) Quincy Roche.”
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“He’s good, but I’m surprised when I see people talking that he could be a top-15 draft pick. We just didn’t see that from him. He is athletic but he lets guys get into him and gets pretty sloppy with his technique. We just didn’t think he was a guy you thought was an elite talent.”
20. Chicago Bears: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
A former high school quarterback, Toney was a versatile weapon for the Gators and should give Chicago a spark offensively as an X-factor guy. He had a strong season in 2020 with 70 receptions, 984 yards and 10 touchdowns. His last two games for UF were huge ones, going for nine catches for 182 yards against LSU and then eight for 153 against Bama. He’s also a dangerous return man.
The Coaching Intel
“He needs space. He’s slippery and fast. He can roll. He’s not like an ‘all the time, take the game over’ guy, though. I don’t think he’s a no-brainer (pick). He’s an explosive play guy, but I think his touches can get lost. He’s not as natural as a receiver. He doesn’t have the ball skills of a DeVonta Smith and those guys. They had to create plays for him. I think he may have a little harder transition.”
“He’s really versatile and explosive and so dynamic with the ball in his hands. He can be flexed out. You can motion him, whip him around the backfield — like what KC does with Tyreek Hill in that way. As a wide receiver, I’m not so sure how well he’ll do when he’s getting pressed.”
21. Indianapolis Colts: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern
It’ll be tempting to not grab an O-lineman, but I think they take the 6-foot-1, 190 pounder. Newsome had an excellent 2020 on a very good Wildcats defense. The long corner, who had nine PBUs in six games, was a big reason why Northwestern led the nation in pass efficiency defense in 2020.
The Coaching Intel
“He and that entire secondary were so well-coached that they were never out of position. He always played with proper leverage and did a great job of reading the QB to get an early jump on passes. He is far more athletic than what you’d expect for Northwestern.”
22. Tennessee Titans: Ronnie Perkins, DE-OLB, Oklahoma
Tennessee managed just 19 sacks last season, third-worst in the NFL. It needs edge-rushing help ASAP. Perkins doesn’t have anywhere near the length or athleticism of Phillips or Rousseau, but the 6-foot-3, 260-pounder is a really productive player. Perkins also doesn’t have the length or explosiveness of Kwity Paye or Joe Tryon, but I could see the Titans going for him here. Last season he had 10.5 TFLs, 5.5 sacks and nine QB hurries in six games after he served a six-game, NCAA-imposed suspension for a failed drug test the previous season. OU allowed 17.5 PPG with him and 33.5 PPG in its four FBS games without him.
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The Coaching Intel
“He’s a high-motor, big want-to guy with elite intensity. He’s not that highlight-reel freak, but he’ll probably test pretty well, and I think he’ll be a really good pro. He’s just OK playing in space, but he’s that guy who’ll find a way to make a play no matter what the call is.”
23. New York Jets: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
Robert Saleh still has some good options available for much-needed edge-rushing help. Paye is the freakiest D-lineman in this draft. The 6-foot-3, 272-pounder put up amazing numbers in the team’s workout program, showing off jaw-dropping athleticism and clocking the second-best 3-cone time on the team at a blistering 6.37 seconds, which would have topped anyone at the 2020 combine. The former high school running back who reported to Ann Arbor at 228 pounds was a member of a state championship 4×100 meter relay team in high school.
The Coaching Intel
“He is super explosive and has a high motor. He has the ability to be a speed guy or a power guy, where he can really bull-rush you. He can really turn the corner, but he is not a long dude. He could have trouble against a polished 6-foot-7 guy.”
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
The Steelers need a lot of help on the O-line, and I think they’ll go and get the 6-foot-6, 320-pound Mayfield, who is strong and physical in the run game. He’s much further along as a run blocker than a pass protector but is seen as a promising right tackle who is only 20 years old.
He only really played in two games in 2020 after he injured his ankle in the Wolverines’ second game. Michigan coaches really liked his attitude; the son of a high school O-line coach, he impressed them with his commitment and his love for the game.
The Coaching Intel
“He is a first-round talent. He plays fast; has good change of direction; is very physical and plays with tenacity; He dominated Minnesota’s guys (in the Wolverines’ opener) like they were kids. He should be able to play four positions in the NFL, but probably will not be seen as a long-term solution at left tackle because his arm length isn’t what most NFL teams want.”
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig, safety, TCU
Gary Patterson has produced a lot of standout DBs, and the 6-foot-2, 205-pounder — who power cleans 420 pounds and has a vertical jump of 38 inches — is the latest in the line. In 2019, Moehrig was the highest-graded safety in FBS by Pro Football Focus. He had four interceptions and 11 pass breakups. Some Big 12 coaches we spoke to felt he was better in 2020.
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The Coaching Intel
“One of the better safeties, as far as a guy that can cover as well as play well in the run fits, that we’ve seen in a while. I wasn’t as high on him last season, but he improved his game, especially in coverage over the summer coming into this season.”
“Stud. Got the speed and the length. He understands where the weakness of the coverage is; he has a natural feel for it. They played A LOT of quarters (coverage) and he got very good at it. He really understands what they’re asking. He’s very heady. He’s legit in person.”
26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
The 6-foot-4, 260-pound former high school QB was Mr. Everything for Tulsa and took home the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Chuck Bednarik Award and the Lombardi Award after a season where he had 11.5 TFLs, four sacks, four INTs and two pick-sixes.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s a freak! He has elite cover skills, elite start-stop. Elite closing speed. Uses hands extremely well. Good ball skills. Can see things fast. Not a great blitzer or pass rusher, though.”
27. Baltimore Ravens: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Baltimore has a penchant for having outstanding value guys falling to them, and I think will have that happen again this year. Owusu-Koramoah, who came to Notre Dame as a 198-pound three-star recruit, played last season at about 218 pounds, but he could probably get up to 225, we’re told. His explosiveness is impressive. Last offseason he had a vertical jump of 39 inches.
The Coaching Intel
“I think he’ll be a better pro than he was in college because the NFL game now is so space-driven. He’s unbelievable in man-to-man coverage in the slot. He’ll run a pretty good 40 time, but what really stands out is that he has great short-area quickness and is explosive. He isn’t very big, but this kid really is a great tackler in space.”
28. New Orleans Saints: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Jones might be gone before Sean Payton gets his shot to grab his QB of the future, but my guess is the Bama star will still be available. Jones threw for 4,500 yards in 2020 and had a 41-to-4 TD-to-INT margin. He had a 20-to-0 margin in the red zone last year. He operated at an extremely high level and showed a lot of resolve and confidence in sticking around at Bama behind Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa — and with five-star freshman Bryce Young coming in. Coaches love him. After watching him perform at a consistently high level, we wouldn’t bet against him having a good NFL career.
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The Coaching Intel
“He’s very accurate and smart and poised, but he doesn’t have any physical tools in terms of his arm talent or his athleticism being better than average. I question how high his upside is, but he’s the kind of guy I wouldn’t bet against becoming a solid NFL starter.”
“I really like the player and the fact that he bided his time to become The Guy. He had a legitimate command of a pro-style offense. Very good feel for timing and coverages, pre- and post-snap. He knew exactly what his progression was and he moved on quickly. He can really see the field. Has great command, great presence. The NFL could potentially come easy to him because he’s already been a pro-style-ish offense; he will understand the pass game stuff. He knows how to anticipate timing of routes and coverages. I think he could be sneaky better than what people think. He has enough arm. It’s not elite, but I’ve seen Drew Brees throw in person, and I think Jones has enough. He doesn’t have the athleticism when a play breaks down. In five years, man, this guy is everything we thought and more. If I had to put money on it, I think he’s gonna be a 10-year NFL starter.”
29. Green Bay Packers: Daviyon Nixon, DT, Iowa
He will give Green Bay an added jolt to the interior of its defense. The 6-foot-3, 305-pound Nixon burst onto the scene last year and emerged as one of three Outland Trophy finalists after settling in from the junior college ranks a year earlier. Nixon caused all sorts of havoc, making 13 TFLs and 5.5 sacks, leading what was the Big Ten’s No. 1 defense in fewest yards per play allowed. He also had a 71-yard pick-six against Penn State.
The Coaching Intel
“He is a powerhouse. Really explosive. Great with his hands. Good first step. Is very disruptive. This guy jumps off the film. Think his best football is ahead of him.”
30. Buffalo Bills: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
The Bills could seek some help in the ground game to take some pressure off Josh Allen, and the former Clemson star is too good to pass up. Etienne had a dazzling career for the Tigers as an all-around weapon, totaling almost 4,600 rushing yards and 70 rushing touchdowns to go with 102 career receptions for 1,115 yards.
The Coaching Intel
“That dude made us look silly. It’s his burst. Whenever you think you’ve got the angle, he’s taking it away.”
“He reminds me a lot of Dalvin Cook, and I think he’s the best back the ACC has had since (the former FSU star).”
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“He’s the best back in the ACC since Dalvin Cook. Dalvin was never trying to run over you; Etienne is gonna try and run you over. I thought he was more physical than Cook, and I liked how Etienne developed into such a good receiver. He couldn’t catch the ball as a freshman.”
“He really has great burst and just explodes through the hole. He runs bigger than you think and he’s very comfortable as a receiver.”
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Landon Dickerson, C-G, Alabama
The Chiefs’ O-line issues came back to bite them last season after injuries and attrition caught up to them. The 6-foot-5, 325-pound former FSU player, who came to Bama as a grad transfer, hurt his knee in the SEC title game but had played a vital role in leading what was the best O-line college football had seen in years.
The Coaching Intel
“He’s a mauler. He’s very strong and tough. I think his feet are more than decent. There’s definitely some stiffness with him, but he’s gonna be a starter in the NFL and a good player for a long time if his injuries don’t become an issue.”
“He’s huge. Most college centers are 6-foot-2. That guy is built like a right tackle. He’s a monster. He played the game with an edge. He has that power to not get knocked back in the league. Movement-wise and adjusting to movement, I thought he was good but not great. And in the NFL, you have those twitchy inside guys who can really go. I am curious to see what happens when he sees those guys.”
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Carlos Basham, DL, Wake Forest
The Bucs could use some help on the D-line, and “Boogie” Basham’s athleticism and versatility will be too much for them to pass up to add to their collection of freaks on defense led by Devin White. The 6-foot-3, 280-pounder had 23.5 TFLs and 16 sacks combined the past two seasons. Basham is a special athlete, having vertically jumped more than 36 inches and clocked a 4.21 in the short shuttle, which would eclipse any time by a guy his size at the 2020 NFL combine. He runs so well that Wake had him on its kickoff team.
The Coaching Intel
“Physically, he’s a lot to deal with. Sometimes you hear a lot about a guy and even see some stuff on film, but then when you face the guy, it doesn’t match up. He is legit. He was hard to move. He was so physical at the point. On one play he was almost completely blocked and still got a hand on our quarterback; he’s such a rangy kid and so strong. I think he translates to the NFL because when he gets blocked he can still move people.”
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“He’s really strong and moves well. He doesn’t really scare you as a pass-rusher on third downs, but he is a three-down player who has a lot of versatility. If you want to slide him inside he can hold up against the run. He also kept getting better over his time there. I think he’ll be a very solid player.”
Teams without first-round picks
56. Seattle Seahawks: Alim McNeill, DT, NC State
Pete Carroll needs big help in the middle of his defense, and he’ll be very fortunate that the Wolfpack powerhouse will still be available. The 6-foot-2, 325-pound former four-star recruit was on the 2020 Freaks List. NC State coaches say he can run in the 4.9s, and he vertically jumps in the mid-30s despite his mammoth size. Some of that athleticism was showcased on the pick-six he made against Virginia. In the past two years, he’s had 12 TFLs and 6.5 sacks.
The Coaching Intel
“This guy is a fricken load. Someone that size shouldn’t be able to move that quick. He is a heck of a player. He gave us a lot of problems.”
57. Los Angeles Rams: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
The Rams need help on the O-line and at linebacker, and Davis would be a great addition … assuming he’s still on the board. We hear his stock is rising fast. Davis only had one big year of production (making 102 tackles and three INTs in 2020), but the buzz is really building on him. This is a kid who is about 6-3, 235 pounds and is expected to run sub-4.6, vertical jump 38-to-40 inches and broad-jump close to 11 feet. He’s also long and versatile. Even though he was given a fourth- or fifth-round grade by the NFL advisory committee, he will go way higher. Davis was expected to be an impact guy in 2019 but hurt his hamstring right before the season. The word inside the UK program is he has a lot of versatility and would be comfortable playing mike or will. There was a big need at mike in 2020, so he stuck there and shined.
The Coaching Intel
“People talk about the Missouri linebacker (Nick Bolton) as a first-round possibility. Bolton is a very good player, but he’s just a will. This kid can play all three positions and is a better player. He’s much longer, more instinctive and has shown he’s able to do a lot more schematically and adjustment-wise. There’s a play in their Florida game, where (Kyle) Pitts is on the ball and runs an over route and Davis ran right with him and made it look easy. There’s so much upside with him.”
67. Houston Texans: Tutu Atwell, WR, Louisville
It’s no secret Houston needs a big boost at receiver, and the Texans will have plenty of options. This might be the fastest one. The former high school QB from Miami is tiny at about 5 feet 9, 180 pounds, but he’s a weapon. In 2019, he had 70 catches for 1,276 yards and 12 TDs and then had 46 for 625 and seven touchdowns in 2020. His size is a concern, but he will have a chance to spark the offense. Atwell, according to Louisville coaches, is one of the strongest players pound-for-pound they’ve ever been around. He has squatted more than three times his body weight and run the 40 in the 4.2s and has run a 3.9 short shuttle.
The Coaching Intel
“Love him. Every single team game planned to stop him, and barely anyone did. He’s just so fast and just a great football player. He’s a better route runner than you think, and just had an amazing feel for the jet sweep.”
“He can, and will, run by anybody. You can’t cover him one-on-one. You gotta double-team him. Very football smart; understands coverage. He also can sling it (on trick plays).”
(Illustration by John Bradford / The Athletic; Photos: Randy Litzinger, Sam Wasson, M. Anthony Nesmith / Getty Images)
