Yardbarker
x
2021 first-round NFL mock draft: Four QBs go in Round 1
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

2021 first-round NFL mock draft: Four QBs go in Round 1

The NFL regular season is finished, so most of the 2021 draft order is set. Here's a look at our 2021 NFL mock draft, as of January 11, 2021.

 
1 of 32

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Bob Donnan / USA Today Sports Images

Lawrence might already be getting fitted for his new uniform by the Jaguars. The Clemson star could be the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck, with every physical quality scouts like and the track record to back up the pure talent. He finished 2020 completing more than 69% of his passes for 3,153 yards and 24 touchdowns in 10 games, and he also contributed eight rushing scores.

 
2 of 32

2. New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

New York Jets: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Fields helped himself vs. Clemson in the CFP Semifinal, rebounding from a mediocre game. He's not quite the pure passer that Trevor Lawerence is, but Fields is a well-rounded, proven winner with huge upside. The Jets' decision whether to move on from Sam Darnold could be determined by their head coaching hire.

 
3 of 32

3. Miami Dolphins (via Texans): Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

Miami Dolphins (via Texans): Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Troy Wayrynen / USA Today Sports Images

Sewell is a generational tackle prospect who should be plug-and-play at left tackle. While the Dolphins revamped their offensive line in 2020 and spent a first-round pick on Austin Jackson, the opportunity to add Sewell could be too good to pass up.

 
4 of 32

4. Atlanta Falcons: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Atlanta Falcons: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Chase had an amazing 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2019 opposite Vikings star Justin Jefferson but opted out of 2020. The Falcons got only nine games out of the 31-year-old Julio Jones this season, so they could be looking at his long-term replacement to join Calvin Ridley.

 
5 of 32

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Cincinnati Bengals: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati's defense is still very much a work in progress despite revamping their secondary last offseason. Parsons opted out of 2020 after recording 109 tackles and five sacks for the Nittany Lions in 2019.

 
6 of 32

6. Philadelphia Eagles: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (FL)

Philadelphia Eagles: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (FL)
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

For an organization that has recently featured defensive line depth, 2020 was a very tough year for the Falcons. Rousseau is a potential answer. He opted out of 2020 but had 15.5 sacks in 2019 for the Hurricanes.

 
7 of 32

7. Detroit Lions: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Detroit Lions: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
George Frey / USA Today Sports Images

Is it time for the Lions to move on from Matthew Stafford and rebuild? Wilson is a potential replacement, coming off a brilliant season in which he completed 73.5% of his passes for 3,692 yards and 33 touchdowns. He also shows above-average mobility.

 
8 of 32

8. Carolina Panthers: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

Carolina Panthers: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Randy Sartin / USA Today Sports Images

The Panthers didn't get great tight end production after moving on from Greg Olsen last offseason, and Pitts is a Grade A prospect. Injury issues limited him to eight games in 2020, but he still had 43 catches for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns.

 
9 of 32

9. Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

The Broncos didn't get the production they hoped for from A.J. Bouye in 2020. Surtain is an elite prospect, with the pedigree to boot after his father's 11-year NFL career that included three Pro Bowls.

 
10 of 32

10. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Despite drafted Trevon Diggs last year, cornerback remained an issue for the weak Cowboys defense in 2020. Farley opted out of the 2020 season as a potential first-round pick who had four interceptions in his final college season.

 
11 of 32

11. New York Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

New York Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants haven't had a legitimate No. 1 wideout since losing Odell Beckham, but Smith could quickly garner that role. The Heisman Trophy winner had an incredible 105 catches for 1,641 yards and 21 touchdowns going into the National Championship.

 
12 of 32

12. San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

The 49ers are likely to move on from veteran cornerback Richard Sherman, so that spot will become a major need. Horn, the son of former Saints wideout Joe Horn, opted out of the 2020 season after putting enough on tape to garner early first-round consideration.

 
13 of 32

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Jeff Hanisch / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers should continue to build around young quarterback Justin Herbert, and offensive line help could be their greatest need. Slater had an outstanding career at tackle for the Wildcats but could also kick inside to guard.

 
14 of 32

14. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
Tommy Gilligan / USA Today Sports Images

The Vikings had problems getting to the quarterback in 2020, particularly with the injury to Danielle Hunter. Paye should help Minnesota immediately, with 8.5 sacks in 16 games over the last two years.

 
15 of 32

15. New England Patriots: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

New England Patriots: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

There's no question the Patriots need to address quarterback this offseason, but it remains to be seen if they will add a veteran or address the need in the draft. Lance could use some development time, coming from FCS power North Dakota State.

 
16 of 32

16. Arizona Cardinals: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

Arizona Cardinals: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Kevin Jairaj / USA Today Sports Images

The Cardinals could use some help on the defensive line, and Baremore brings huge upside. Barmore is a giant at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, and had seven sacks through 10 games in 2020.

 
17 of 32

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Kormoah, ILB, Notre Dame

Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Kormoah, ILB, Notre Dame
Matt Cashore / USA Today Sports Images

The Raiders had another disappointing year on defense and might be at a point that they take the best defensive player available. Owusu-Kormoah was a major playmaker for the second straight season at Notre Dame, with 62 tackles and 1.5 sacks in 12 games.

 
18 of 32

18. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

Waddle suffered a nasty ankle injury early in the year but was otherwise looking like a potential top-five pick. He could be a steal this late in the draft, and with injury and regression from second-year wideout Preston Williams, the Dolphins might be in the market for a wideout.

 
19 of 32

19. Washington Football Team: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

Washington Football Team: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports Images

Washington has struggled to find consistent pass catches behind Terry McLaurin. Bateman is a major speed prospect who had over 20 yards per catch last year and had 36 catches for 472 yards and two touchdowns in five games before he opted out in 2020.

 
20 of 32

20. Chicago Bears: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State

Chicago Bears: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

Guard is a need for the Bears, who have been patchwork on the interior again this season. A former five-star recruit, Davis is likely the top guard in the class.

 
21 of 32

21. Indianapolis Colts: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

Indianapolis Colts: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
Lee Luther Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

A late-season injury to left tackle Anthony Castonzo is a concern, and the veteran has already considered retirement in the past offseason. Darrisaw developed into a strong first-round prospect in 2020.

 
22 of 32

22. Tennessee Titans: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC

Tennessee Titans: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Jacksonville might be to the point that they just take a loss on 2020 first-round tackle Isaiah Wilson, who was arrested for DUI and suspended. The offensive line still remains a need, and Vera-Tucker has experience at guard and tackle.

 
23 of 32

23. New York Jets (via Seahawks): Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

New York Jets (via Seahawks): Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Chuck Cook / USA Today Sports Images

The Jets need immediate help at nearly every offensive position, and running back is included. Despite a disappointing 2020 season, Etienne has the talent and polish to be a rare first-rounder at running back. He had over 6,000 yards from scrimmage in his four seasons with Clemson and brings elite speed.

 
24 of 32

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Mickey Welsh / USA Today Sports Images

With left tackle Alejandro Villanueva a pending free agent, the Steelers could look for a replacement in the draft. Leatherwood is an experienced guard and tackle for the Crimson Tide.

 
25 of 32

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest

Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest
Butch Dill / USA Today Sports Images

Jacksonville's defensive line has taken a hard fall in recent seasons, and desperately need to add talent alongside Josh Allen. Basham had five sacks in six games in 2020 after recording 10 sacks in 2019.

 
26 of 32

26. Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

Cleveland Browns: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
Brett Rojo / USA Today Sports Images

After heavily addressing their offensive line last offseason, most of Cleveland's needs going into 2021 are on defense. Collins was a breakout playmaker for Tulsa at linebacker in 2020 with 54 tackles and four interceptions in eight games.

 
27 of 32

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chris Olave, WR, Ohio State
Kyle Robertson / USA Today Sports Images

The Bucs could be set to lose Chris Godwin in free agency, while the futures of Antonio Brown and Rob Gronkowski are up in the air with the organization. Olave is a terrific route runner who had 42 catches for 660 yards and seven touchdowns in his first six games of 2020.

 

 
28 of 32

28. Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State

Baltimore Ravens: Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State
Matthew O'Haren / USA Today Sports Images

The Ravens could need help along the defensive line after Calais Campbell struggled in 2020. Oweh had 38 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, in seven games.

 
29 of 32

29. New Orleans Saints: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

New Orleans Saints: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Jay Biggerstaff / USA Today Sports Images

With Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase gone, Marshall had a chance to step up as the Tigers No. 1 wideout in 2020 and finished with 48 catches for 731 yards and 10 touchdowns in seven games. New Orleans could use more help at wideout behind Michael Thomas, who missed significant time this season.

 
30 of 32

30. Buffalo Bills: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

Buffalo Bills: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Joshua A. Bickel / USA Today Sports Images

Veteran cornerback Josh Norman struggled in 2020, so cornerback could be in play for the Bills. Wade had an outstanding career in three seasons with the Buckeyes, recording six picks, and could be a solid first-round addition.

 
31 of 32

31. Green Bay Packers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan

Green Bay Packers: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
Tim Fuller / USA Today Sports Images

The Packers re-signed left tackle David Bakhtiari, but he could be questionable for the start of 2021 following a torn ACL. Most of Mayfield's experience is at right tackle, but he would add much-needed depth for the Packers.

 
32 of 32

32. Kansas City Chiefs: Joseph Ossai, LB, Texas

Kansas City Chiefs: Joseph Ossai, LB, Texas
Brett Rojo / USA Today Sports Images

With cap issues, the Chiefs could move on from linebacker Anthony Hitchens in 2021. Ossai has a chance to add to promising 2020 draftee Willie Gay. He recorded 145 tackles and 10.5 sacks over the last two seasons for Texas.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.