BLINDY'S 2021 NFL DRAFT
1) JAX- QB Trevor Lawrence JAX
No brainer, DUH. I think he has work to do like his mechanics need to be a tinkered a bit with the windup for him to be next level because if he doesn't have the right OLine, I can see teams causing him to fumble a bit with some swipes to disrupt his throwing. Great cannon of an arm, very underrated mobility, right size, lots of swagger, good pick, he goes to DUVAL and low key operates.
2) NYJ- QB Zach Wilson BYU
Zach Wilson erupted in 2020 to the scenes and took forth a meteoric rise. John Beck the ex BYU signal caller(And Artie's boy) and QB guru of this year's class basically spilled the beans and acted as if Wilson is already a member of the Jets the way he was speaking to a BYU Sports channel on Youtube. Really wowed me with some of his throws, I think he needs to bulk up a little and honestly I wish he could sit a little and digest the NFL speed as the last 3 Jets high drafted QBs didn't get to do so. Not a slouch with his mobility, also thinks he can make every throw, plays with a chip on his shoulder and you can see how much he tries to emulate Aaron Rodgers in his play. I think he's more Drew Brees/Brett Favre like rather than Mahomes or ARod but these are HOF talents either way so I am happy and hope the Jets can surround this kid with a winning product. I don't think I can take it if yet another Jets QB bombs.
3) SF- QB Trey Lance NDSU
I really think when the 49ers swung up to make this deal happen, this was off the heels of Trey Lance's pro day instead of Mac Jones. Makes me wonder why they'd move off Jimmy G so soon as I feel Lance is best suited to do a Jordan Love 2.0 and redshirt his rookie year and watch the game and hone his craft off the field. Big time arm, big time body, big time feet, just lack of reps is huge. I can see some preseason duds by Lance out the gates because outside of a lousy 1 game in 2020, he hasn't played much football in almost 2 years. QB rust is real.
4) ATL- TE Kyle Pitts Florida
Kyle Pitts recently said he thought it'd be QB-QB-QB-QB in the first 4 picks but I just heard that Trey Lance is the fancied QB of Atlanta's but in this case, he's gone to SF in what may end up being a shrewd move, especially if Lance is worth a damn. Go give Arthur Smith who loves his big TEs a stud in Pitts and let Matt Ryan, Calvin Ridley, Julio Jones(Who will stay) and Kyle Pitts go to work in a brutal NFC South.
5) CIN- WR Ja'Marr Chase LSU
Brain says go protect Joe Burrow, heart says trust Joe Burrow and hook him up with one of the major culprits of his historic rise to No.1 pick stardom. Follow your heart when it comes to projecting mocks! These opt out guys scare me because you are going off of 2019 tape AND just looking at pro days and measurables, not knowing too much going into 2021. Cincy goes Chase here because he's BPA, simple enough. They can get an IOL or OT in round 2, they should not be pidgeonholed to get an OT just because. This is a very much SLOT HEAVY WR class, which isn't a bad thing..........but Chase and the Bama boys and Elijah Moore are the outside guys and gamechangers, Bengals can't pass it up. Chase, Tee Higgins and Tajh Boyd is a killer threesome.
6) MIA- OT Penei Sewell Oregon
I think the Ereck Flowers deal was in the works long ago as he's nothing special and they can kick Robert Hunt into guard where he will excel even more. This leaves Sewell protecting Tua's blindside and Austin Jackson having the weight of the world off his shoulders as he transitions to RT. The guy they wanted at 3 is there at six, smart draft asset management by Grier and co. I don't think Sewell is as good of a LT as 3 or maybe even 4 of the 2019 boys but they brought in Eric Studseville to be the OC and he's an old school run and pound it in the trenches kind of a guy, give him Sewell to work with.
7) DET- QB Justin Fields Ohio St.
BOOM. The crowd goes wild. Jared Goff is here as nothing more than a placeholder as he did absolutely nothing as a Ram despite working under the very QB friendly Sean McVay. Holmes the new GM's first pick is getting himself a stud with a chip on his shoulder to prove everyone wrong. You can go WR here or can go OT here but I think with the 2022 QB class (at the moment) being considered weak, the Lions are going to take Fields, ride on Goff, take the lumps and throw Fields in when the time is right. There will be tons of calls placed but at the end of the day, Detroit pulls the shocker of all shockers and takes Fields and restores the roar in a fanbase that saw Matthew Stafford leave and take a QB just as tough in Fields come on in. Ownership will be huge on this deal too, season tickets will be sold and Fields jersey sales are going to be mighty. Dan Campbell says we will bite the kneecaps of our opponents for 48 minutes, well with Fields, you got a tank of a QB who has issues with progressions and can make OLineman angry with his issues on taking one too many sacks but Detroit has to swing big here, especially with the draft ammo on the way.
8) LAC(Via CAR)- OT Rashawn Slater Northwestern
I heard Denver really likes Slater so if LAC wants to help out their star QB Justin Herbert, they really should go all in and supply him with the guy who is considered OT2(Even OT1 in some boards!) and at worst, a stud of a guard. I was tempted to do Darrisaw at the Bolts original spot but I think the Chargers can cough up a 2022 2nd that Carolina lost in the Darnold trade and something this year like a 3rd rounder to swing from 13 to 8. Slater will be eased in at RT with the expectation that he takes on the blindside spot in due time.
9) PHI(Via DEN)- CB Patrick Surtain II Alabama
Philly goes from 6 to 12 to now 9, as Howie Roseman has been calling hot & heavy to find a way to get into the top 10. Knowing full well Dallas is at pick 10, the Eagles give the Cowboys a little payback from last year and give Denver a 3rd and 5th to jump up and get the CB1 and arguable best defender/safest defender to help out what is a shaky secondary. Dallas was ready for Surtain to come on over, instead they have to face him twice a year. I think the WR need doesn't shake off the chance to get the premier talent at cornerback if your Philadelphia. They can get whoever in round 2, I think stopping the passing attack is big and Surtain will be the pick.
10) DAL- CB Jaycee Horn South Carolina
Essentially sniped seemingly, I do think Dallas has Horn neck and neck with Surtain and he will join up with Diggs to make a formidable 2 CB duo unit in Big D. Horn has swagger and should be a nice fit in Dan Quinn's defender as he doesn't make the mistake he did in Atlanta and will bang the desk hard to get a CB in this draft.
11) NYG- WR Jaylen Waddle Alabama
I have heard rumblings of Waddle is a top 8 lock essentially but he suffers due to the trade down of CAR. That's okay because Waddle will join Galladay, Slayton & Shepperd for what is a sick 1-4, with the Giants loving the downspeed Waddle will give them that will open up their offense in more ways than one. With Slater gone, you can argue maybe it's Darrishaw here or the GMen go after a pass rusher out the gates but the speed and potential dynamic play of Waddle is too big to pass up here.
12) DEN(Via PHI via MIA via SF)- LB Micah Parsons Penn St
There are character concerns, particularly that Penn St hazing issue that could rear it's ugly head but Vic Fangio needs results and can really sell the addition of Parsons in the middle to be something in Denver. He may arguably be one of the final pieces on defense to make this a really stellar group altogether. They could go OT here too. I think Parsons would be too rich at 9 but after a trade down, this should be a good pick.
13) CAR(Via LAC)- OT Christian Darrishaw Virginia Tech
I think Darrishaw being a more fluid OT than the two guys ahead on pure arm length alone has the Panthers may valuing him at their OT1 and protector of the blindside for Darnold. Saw some people say he just needs to get a touch meaner but as far as his protection and strength goes, the tools are clearly there. Someone who may get even better in a pro envionment. To trade down and still get a quality OT is a job well done.
14) MIA(Via MIN)- WR Devonta Smith Alabama
Dolphins have all the draft ammo in the world to have some fun, so they toss a couple of picks Minnesota's way to jump up 4 spots and get the Heisman trophy winner. Miami won't dick around knowing the Nick Saban/Bill Belichick twosome is legit and get a much needed help and former teammate of Tua's in Smith. Devonta may have said prematurely that Mac>Tua but altogether, it's going to be a nice matchup of the two guys. Smith is small and will drop only due to it but the Dolphins will bank on HDMH as Marcus Strowman likes to say. He gets open, he makes plays, he makes defenders silly. EDGE will be the premier spot for Miami in round 2, Sewell and D Smith is a monster tag team to help this young offense find it's way. Hate to see it as a Jets fan. Hate to see it. This trade up prevents Arizona from going up to get Smith as well. Has to be done if your Miami who is soaking with draft picks due to good trading.
15) NE- QB Mac Jones Alabama
Until the Jimmy G deal happens(Reports surfaced it isn't true), the Pats will be calling and inquiring about getting a QB worth a damn and whether it's the Patriots, Bears via a trade up or the Washington Pigskins via a trade up, Mac Jones slide ends here. Not the fanciest QB with the mobility or measurables and has 2 DUIs that everyone wants to pardon but a winner, has very solid accuracy, elevates the talent around him and can throw it on the dot to give his guys a chance. A preacher of ball security, he is the final QB of the big 5 to go. Pats really needed this with Cam Newton & Jarrett Stidham on the roster. Mac will give Newton a run for his money from the time he signs his rookie deal and throughout preseason. Miami made this pick easier with D Smith gone.
16) ARI- OLB/MLB Zaven Collins Tulsa
This dude's value is all over the place. This or the Pats pick may be his ceiling, end of round 1 may be his floor, the fact he added size can be seen as a detriment to some who expected an MLB out of Collins. To the Arizona team that is riddled with pass rusher, albeit on the older side with C Jones and Watt, this is a mega addition for Vance Joseph. You took that freak of nature Simmons last year, now you want to give him one of the premier athletes in Collins now too? Really curious how he is utilized. Think the smoke is going to be true here, a lot of buzz about Collins being a Cardinal. Nobody is going to stop them from making this pick.
17) LVR- OT Tevin Jenkins Oklahoma St.
Whether they were Oakland or they are now Las Vegas, Mike Mayock and Jon Gruden don't give a damn about your draft board or values. From the Ferrell pick 4th overall to the Arnette blunder last year, the Raiders pick who they want to and you just got to deal with it. Tevin Jenkins may end up only being a RT but with Miller(Another 1st round wowzer pick) stabilizing it at LT, you owe it to Derek Carr to help him. And by help I mean take some lineman! Looks can deieve you, dude looks like a library nerd but on the field he is a bully and will jaw it and unlike Jonathan Martin, Richie Incognito will see day 1 this is a kid to not be messed with and they will make forth a nasty right side of the line. One of those GRUDEN GRINDAHS, you just know the Raiders think this is a throwback Oakland Raider.
18) MIN(Via MIA)- OG/OT Alijah Vera-Tucker USC
A safe pick, whether he rolls at RT or LG, AVT is going to be a big help for Kirk Cousins and is going to elevate the OLine play altogether, his versatility is grand & he stepped up and did quite well in 2020 as the replacement of Austin Jackson, USC fans would even tell you he had a better 2020 campaign than Jackson's in 2019! EDGE could be an option but seeing 3 OLineman gone already has the Raiders run to the podium here. You trade down AND STILL get your lineman 4 spots later! Welcome to the 2021 NFL Draft Rick Spielman.
19) WSH- MLB Jeremiah Owusu Keremoah NOTRE DAME
Ron Rivera will ask for a heavy coverage MLB to help take down TEs that riddled them in the postseason vs the Bucs, ask and you shall receive sir. Good value, a heck of a chess piece to add and with the OLineman dead and gone(Well at least the ones that are worth it here), JOK becomes a staple inside. The fit with Landon Collins could come in question but the DC problem is inside with the coverage so go add yourself maybe the best LB with coverage skills in a while. I saw JOK take on slot WRs in college! Slot WRs! Party like a Pigskin indeed.
20) CHI- WR Elijah Moore Ole Miss
Here may be the final outside threat or at least established one. Allen Robinson is on a franchise tag, the Bears will have tried with all their might to get a QB in a trade up but to no avail, so Chicago goes forth with a hell of a talent in hot riser Elijah Moore. Another quick WR, he will be of big help to Andy Dalton and Matt Nagy will have loads of fun throwing him as the eventual successor to Robinson down the road here. Bears go all, all in with Dalton with this draft pick, go make your offense fun Chicago!
21) IND- EDGE Jaelen Phillips Miami(FL)
He falls this far purely on the concussion history, all it takes is one team to go to town for you and the Colts will roll the dice here for instant results. Phillips was forced into retirement by the UCLA doctors but he opted to take his talents to South Beach and put forth a gushful 2020 campaign. May be considered the most dangerous edge rusher for his great play but also of his health, the Colts go big or go home with a piece that may FINALLY make their QB rush worth a damn. It's the biggest thing alongside QB play that's stopped them from going next level. A lot of uncertainty with players health here, Phillips is no different but teams know full well what's going on here, he's been as transparent as humanly possible.
22) TEN- CB Greg Newsome II Northwestern
Hate to see it as the Jets fan picking 1 behind but the Titans side with an Adoree Jackson replacement as they tackle Trevor Lawrence, (maybe, probably not) Deshaun Watson & Carson Wentz 6 out of the 17 games a year. Newsome gets dinged up a little too much admittedly but heck if he wasn't shutdown worthy, he was part of the reason for Justin Fields poor film and him eating up sacks that day when Northwestern lost to Ohio St. He might not be the best CB available but compared to Farley, his health is far less of a question mark.
23) NYJ EDGE Kwity Paye Michigan
IOL/OT gone. CB outside of the huge
of Farley gone. What do you do if your Joe Douglas. Why give your head coach his pick of the kitty litter of edge rushers and it'd be Paye here. The numbers at Michigan may be a case of yet another Jim Harbaugh underachiever who ends up being a better pro but Paye and his team had themselves a showing of all showings with that pro day and some of the workout videos shown. Viral marketing is key boys and girls. Paye fits well as a 4-3 DE and can hit up coverage with the range he has, will be a massive fit to bring up pressure with Carl Lawson to help a pass rush actually.........rush the passer. Rich Eisen the Jets and Wolverine homer jumps up and gives a standing ovation for this pick. May even run the 40 dash for charity in a new Paye green jersey.
CAN YOU IMAGINE IF KWITY PAYE HAS MORE SACKS THAN JAMAL ADAMS YEAR 1!?! You know Jets twitter will be counting this one up.
24) GB(Via PIT)- WR Kadarius Toney Florida
When
UT says the Packers are going to do something, you listen. No shame ripping this off the UT's final mock draft. Makes sense, after disrespecting ARod last draft, you show the love by trading up and giving him the Robin to Adams Batman. Toney is going to be a really good no.2 WR and I love the fit here, won't be asked to carry an offense much like in Florida where he became 2nd fiddle to Pitts. Toney did everything in the senior bowl and in his pro day, will be chosen round 1 for his hard work. Getting the Packers to trade up has to be a heck of a feeling. Packers lose 2 picks in the move, registering a whopping 9 player draft class!
25) JAX- S Trevon Moehrig TCU
This safety class is hella weak so the Jags who have too many darn picks will take the top one and not have to worry about digging for a needle in haystack of finding talent out of this class. Moehrig plays like a FS but in a SS body, very versatile and can clean up guys who get past the front 7, Jags coaching staff get a field commander on offense AND defense, probably see Trevor Lawrence & Trevon Moehrig be the latest AEW faction, the 2021 Jacksonville Jaguars class. Future world titles galore. Final pick from the Jalen Ramsey to Rams deal IIRC goes to the secondary, how fitting.
26) CLE DL Christian Barmore Alabama
I know the Browns are pretty good at this position but they did have to let Sheldon Richardson go and I think if the value hits it right, much like with the safety position, the DL position takes a bit of a hit here. Browns go and take the top talent at this spot in Barmore who may not play 100% all the times but boy on the national primetime games, he dominated, especially that OSU interior OLine that should see 2 guys go in Day 2. When Barmore wants to, he can take over the trenches, the Browns will push him and welcome that anyday of the week. Add him to Garrett, Clowney, a returning Grant Delpit, Denzel Ward, man these Browns defenders will be after Big Ben's throat even worse in 2021.
27) BAL- EDGE Azeez Ojulari Georgia
Bit worried about Ojulari's recent knee history coming into fruition so it becomes a curious case if Baltimore passes on him purely off that but yeah they lost Judon to NE and Yannick over to the Raiders this offseason. No team suffered worse as far as loss of pass rush goes than the Ravens. Enter the raw but very promising Ojulari who has the measurables and glimpses that has Wink Martindale think he can get him to be the next great Ravens killer. Seems like a great fit for a 3-4 OLB, like the move and fit. Ojulari will be someone who will pick up momentum as the season moves on, just needs to get a bit stronger.
28) NO- CB Asaunte Samuel Jr Florida St
Credit @theshow for nailing this pick in our round 1 draft. I didn't say anything but I did say "WHAT a round 2 guy going late round 1? WHAT?" but he knew something I didn't. Samuel Jr is catching steam and with the demise of Farley's health(He's like the guy who every little bad thing happens....when it rains, it pours) brings forth a brand new CB4 to the mix. Samuel Jr may not be the best tackler or have the jump or speed his competition has but the ballhawk ability and seasoning despite playing on an island on a crummy Seminoles squad has Dennis Allen vouching for his services here. Samuel jr almost plays...........like his father who was an annoying Patriot who got too many INTs for his own good. Saints can use CB help, especially if Lattimore can't find the play he was showing as recently as 2019 is concerned.
29) PIT(via GB)- RB Najee Harris Alabama
Yeah. The fire is getting warm on Najee to PIT, and despite conventional wisdom saying take a damn OLineman, the value just isn't there at this time and the Steelers opt to upgrade and make fantasy owners giddy for a bunch of Najee goal line touchdowns. A real dual threat back, he's big, he's strong, he can catch, can block, he's pretty good. As UT said, the anger can be eased a little after a trade down and getting 2 picks but for real Pittsburgh, GET BIG BEN AN OLINE!
30) BUF- DE Gregory Rousseau Miami(FL)
Drew Rosenhaus is adamant that his client Rousseau isn't slipping out of round 1. He is hellbent on saying this and while I think he's full of cow manure on Farley being a top 20 lock, I think he may be right with Gregory. The measurables and size is there, there's no question about it. And I think the Bills defense and system thinks he can be the missing piece to the puzzle here on the question to rattle Maholmes and his new bodyguard henchmen. The opt out stunt what was a potential top 10 pick placement for the Miami U product but I think he has the most upside of the pass rushers on the board here, Bills swing for a home run here and take Rousseau. Calais Campbell even said Rousseau was doing far more than what he was doing back in Miami Fl! Heck of an endorsement.
31) ATL(Via BAL)- QB Kellen Mond Texas A&M
WOW a sixth signal caller goes. Atlanta won't let the Bucs be tempted with taking the successor of successors to TB12 and opt to get the guy who can hold Matty Ice's playbook until the time is right. You also buy the 5th year option with this move up. Whether it was the Jimbo Fisher system of college ball that doesn't translate over well or just 2020 being a weird year, Mond wasn't as crisp as he was in 2019 but boy outside of the mechanical issues and stiffness in the upper boy, he has a pretty deep ball and is pretty accurate. I read he has the most reps and starts of all the QBs in this class too, so he is no stranger to the big SEC games. Nearly got A&M to the play-in game! Baltimore moves down a couple of spots in a deal that makes a lot of sense by both parties.
Kyle Pitts and Kellen Mond make forth a killer class for the dirty birds. It's all about the future folks. The new GM & HC want their guy, Mond may remind Arthur Smith of some shades of ANOTHER TEXAS A&M QB, gee what was his name? Tannehill or something? Arthur Smith is a head coach because of how good Tannehill became under him(Well and Gase stinks at QB development) so it's time to give back to T A&M.
32) TB- EDGE Jayson Oweh Penn St
0 sacks is alarming but imagine throwing Oweh into the defending champs and watching Bowles toy around with him on some exotic blitz packages with JPP and Griffin already reigning in TB. It's about the future here and the Bucs opt to take a true diamond in the rough and bank on him getting away from an unfriendly stat system in PSU and see him maybe be like a moth to the flame in Tampa Bay. Bruce Arians I don't think cares for opt out guys which may limit who goes where but taking on this type of player to end round 1 makes a lot of sense.
of Farley gone. What do you do if your Joe Douglas. Why give your head coach his pick of the kitty litter of edge rushers and it'd be Paye here. The numbers at Michigan may be a case of yet another Jim Harbaugh underachiever who ends up being a better pro but Paye and his team had themselves a showing of all showings with that pro day and some of the workout videos shown. Viral marketing is key boys and girls. Paye fits well as a 4-3 DE and can hit up coverage with the range he has, will be a massive fit to bring up pressure with Carl Lawson to help a pass rush actually.........rush the passer. Rich Eisen the Jets and Wolverine homer jumps up and gives a standing ovation for this pick. May even run the 40 dash for charity in a new Paye green jersey.