2021 NFL Mock Draft 3.0

BY KEVIN HANSON (@EDSFootball)
Updated: Wednesday, February 10th

NFL Mock Draft - Round 1 (continued)

17. Las Vegas Raiders - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

The Raiders defense could use additional playmakers and although a bit undersized, Uwusu-Koramoah is exactly that. An explosive athlete with outstanding coverage range, Uwusu-Koramoah has led the Irish in tackles for loss in back-to-back seasons with 24.5 TFL total to go along with five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, an interception and seven sacks over that span.

18. Miami Dolphins - Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

In terms of fits between teams and prospects, there may not be a better one than Collins and the Dolphins. The recipient of the Bronko Nagurski Award, the versatile Tulsa defender (6-4, 260) can rush the passer or drop in coverage. Collins had four sacks and four interceptions, which includes two returned for scores, in eight games this season.

19. Washington Football Team - Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

Darrisaw, a three-year starter, has continued to improve each season. His athleticism and length will allow him to handle NFL-caliber edge rushers and he's been dominant as a run blocker as well.

20. Chicago Bears - Alijah Vera-Tucker, IOL, USC

Moved to left tackle in 2020 to fill the void created by Austin Jackson's departure to the NFL, Vera-Tucker has played equally well on the outside as he had previously at guard. Given his athleticism and movement skills, balance and versatility, the Bears likely view Vera-Tucker as an ideal long-term fit.

Alijah Vera-Tucker has allowed a QB pressure on less than 2% of pass-blocking snaps at USC pic.twitter.com/cInSkOCc4K
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 28, 2020

21. Indianapolis Colts - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan

Justin Houston has 19.0 sacks in his two seasons in Indianapolis, but the 32-year-old edge rusher is set to become a free agent next month. Among available players here in this mock, Paye is my top-ranked prospect (16th), which would match best player available and a team need. Not only is Paye an outstanding run defender, but his elite athletic profile (previously topping Bruce Feldman's freaks list) gives him enormous upside as a pass-rusher.

22. Tennessee Titans - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia

Only the Bengals (17) and Jaguars (18) recorded fewer sacks this season than the Titans (19). Only a redshirt sophomore, Ojulari is an ascending prospect with a chance to go (potentially much) higher than this. Leading the team with 9.5 sacks in 10 games, the 20-year-old edge rusher has three sacks and two forced fumbles in the team's bowl game against the Cincinnati Bearcats.

23. New York Jets - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami (FL)

Phillips has taken an indirect path from five-star recruit -- No. 3 in 2017 ESPN 300 -- to becoming a potential first-round pick. Unretiring from football and transferring from UCLA, Phillips had eight sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss over 10 games in his only season with the Hurricanes. The scheme-diverse edge rusher has the strength and length to set the edge and the quickness and bend to disrupt the passing game.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

Not only is left tackle Alejandro Villanueva about to become a free agent, but Kevin Dotson is the only current Steelers lineman that won't be a UFA/ERFA after the 2021 season. Either way, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Steelers add a couple of offensive linemen relatively early and I have the Steelers double-dipping in this two-round mock. While Mayfield has started at right tackle for the Wolverines, I believe the 20-year-old tackle has the versatility and skill set to develop into a starter on the left side or kick inside as well.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama

With holes up and down their roster, the Jags could go in any number of directions here. My top-ranked interior defensive lineman, the redshirt sophomore had 9.5 tackles for loss including eight sacks and three forced fumbles in 2020 and played his best football down the stretch. Six of Barmore's sacks came in the final six games of the season.

26. Cleveland Browns - Jayson Oweh, EDGE, Penn State

Despite the lack of production (zero sacks in 2020 after posting five in 2019), Oweh has rare traits that could entice a team in the back end of Round 1 to take a chance on his upside. As Bruce Feldman noted in his annual Freaks list, Oweh is "the most explosive one of the bunch" as he reportedly ran a 4.33 forty (as an edge defender). While Myles Garrett (12) and Olivier Vernon (nine) accounted for 21 total sacks, Vernon is scheduled to become a free agent next month.

27. Baltimore Ravens - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

When playing with a lead, the Ravens run-first offense is tough to stop, but their passing offense (171.2) ranked 32nd (of 32) in 2020. Although he's not the most explosive receiver in this year's draft class, Bateman is a polished and productive receiver that would complement Marquise Brown well and provide an overall boost to the passing attack.

28. New Orleans Saints - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

Even though Drew Brees renegotiated his contract to the veteran minimum to put the Saints in a better cap situation, they still have the least amount of cap space, per Over the Cap. Safeties Marcus Williams and D.J. Swearinger are both impending free agents and Malcolm Jenkins turns 34 during the 2021 season. With the versatility to play in a variety of alignments, Moehrig is the draft's top safety prospect and he has intercepted six passes in his prior two seasons combined.

29. Green Bay Packers - Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

Could this be the year that the Packers invest in a first-round receiver? End-of-season comments by Aaron Rodgers, the three-time and reigning NFL MVP, could prompt the Packers brass to deviate from their tendencies, but this is another talented and deep wide receiver class.

As tempted as I was to give them Kadarius Toney here, Campbell is a former five-star recruit with elite traits (size, length and athleticism). Not only is Campbell's best football ahead of him, but Kevin King will be a free agent.

30. Buffalo Bills - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

Several of Buffalo's offensive linemen -- guards Jon Feliciano and Brian Winters and right tackle Daryl Williams -- are scheduled to become free agents in 2021. With starting experience at both left and right tackle in Stillwater, Jenkins can either take over for Williams or kick inside for the Bills.

31. Kansas City Chiefs - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

Both Sammy Watkins and Demarcus Robinson will be unrestricted free agents. Even if receiver isn't the team's biggest need, adding a speedster and elusive playmaker like Toney to a group that already includes Tyreek Hill and Mecole Hardman will keep opposing defensive coordinators up (even more) at night. In addition, he's dangerous as a returner.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Daviyon Nixon, IDL, Iowa

The Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and First-Team AP All-American, Nixon had 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks in eight games this season. Meanwhile, 34-year-old Ndamukong Suh is a free agent.

Continue to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2

Go back to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16

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