NFL Mock Draft: Trevor Lawrence sweepstakes begin
Barring a serious injury, Lawrence will undoubtedly be the first pick in the 2021 draft,. The 6'6 220 lbs, true junior has lived up to collegiate expectations, helping the Tigers to a 30-1 record and National Championship since arriving at Clemson. Lawrence's athleticism allows him to escape pressure, and showcases an elite arm that displays NFL level accuracy. The Jest...er, Jets, need to decide whether or not to trade the pick, or trade Sam Darnold, their third-year quarterback. Regardless of what the organization chooses, it is likely they part ways with ineffective head coach, Adam Gase.
Despite the fact this 6'1, 200 lbs junior from LSU opted out of the 2020 college season, he remains a top-five talent. Chase's sophomore campaign was so stellar ( 84 rec / 1780 yds / 20 TDs) he probably would have been a first-round pick in the 2020 draft. Tua Tagovailoa will start for the 'Phins next year and Chase will be his favorite target.
A unanimous first-team All-American, Sewell won the Outland Trophy as a sophomore, this massive 6'5, 325 lbs shade tree of a man will provide backside protection for Bengals QB Joe Burrow. Sewell is an instant starter who has only allowed one sack in over 1,376 snaps in his college career. If there is a player chosen before Lawrence in the draft, this future NFL all-pro would be the one.
The Lions look to the future in the form of another former Georgia Bulldog, by selecting quarterback Justin Fields to eventually succeed Matt Stafford. Fields transferred from Georgia to Ohio St in 2019, and in one season became the first Big Ten QB to pass for 40 TDs and rush for 10 TDs in the same year. In conjunction with his athleticism, he is also an accurate passer, having completed 67.2% of his attempts for 3,273 yards. Calm, cool and collected, Fields operates in a fashion very reminiscent of HOF QB, Warren Moon.
Cleveland seeks to apply heat on teams by drafting native Floridian and Miami Hurricane, Gregory Rousseau. The Browns are eager to see how much damage a pairing of Rousseau with incumbent pass rush specialist, Myles Garrett can inflict in the AFC North. This "Hurricane" blew through the ACC last season leading the conference in sacks (15.5) and tackles for loss (19.5).
Wade is a versatile 6'1, 195 lbs defensive back that can play the nickel slot position as well as either outside corner spot. This redshirt junior played in 27 of 28 games registering 57 tackles, four interceptions with 19 passes defended. The Giants need a difference maker in the secondary and Wade is the playmaker they covet.
The Crimson Tide "roll-out" another top ten prospect as Washington selects Alabama offensive lineman, Alex Leatherwood. He is an agile, quick-footed athlete with the versatility to play either guard or tackle at the NFL level. The dependable Leatherwood only missed 7 assignments in 752 snaps for a 99.1 percent success rate.
The Panthers most assuredly won't pass on a Luke Kuechly clone, Penn State's Micah Parsons. He's an imposing 6'3, 245 lbs run defender with long arms and impeccable tackling technique. Parsons is an intelligent playmaker with enhanced instincts as evidenced by his five sacks, five passes defended and four forced fumbles last season.
The Colts can vastly improve a questionable secondary with their selection of Patrick Surtain II. Bloodlines flow strongly through this all-world talent from Alabama, his father was a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins. At 6'1, 202 lbs, Surtain is big enough to play the run (42 tackles / three forced fumbles) and defend the pass (eight pass break-ups, two interceptions).
The Falcons replace aging center, Alex Mack, "Sooner" rather than later by taking Creed Humphrey with the 10th pick. He has atypical size for a center, standing at 6'5 and weighing in at 315 lbs. An effective and efficient blocker, Humphrey methodically engulfs defenders and uproots them from their spots.
Marvin Wilson can fill the Jaguars void at defensive tackle. Wilson is a sturdy 6'5, 311 lbs man, who moves well and ably splits double teams with purpose. More importantly, he retains his anchor and is virtually impossible to move from his spot, making him essential in run defense.
The Chargers declined to pay 32-year-old Melvin Ingram, and can replace him by drafting 6'4, 235 lbs edge rusher, Quincy Roche. He can channel speed to power fluidly, plus he has enough length and strength to effectively play the run.
Davis lists at 6'4 and 310 lbs, possessing great body control while overwhelming defenders with his size and athleticism. He's tenacious and adaptable to whatever offensive line scheme a team utilizes. The Dolphins are more than pleased to add quality protection for franchise quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
This lengthy, 6'2 cover corner's skills are so smooth, it appears as though he's running the route better than the receivers he's shadowing. His physical press coverage technique will immediately compliment Denver's pass rushing tandem of Miller and Chubb.
Cisco is a two-time starter at safety for the Orange and has 12 career interceptions. A mature defender with acute awareness, he defended passes on average at a rate of 1.27 per game, ranking second in the nation. More of a ball-hawk than a run defender, he nonetheless has the size and willingness to make secure tackles.
If the Bears are unable to trade up for Clemson's Lawrence, and Ryan Pace has been aggressive moving up in the draft (like for Mitch Trubisky), then they'll settle on Gators quarterback Kyle Trask. Big and athletic (6'5, 239 lbs), Trask operates best in designed quick- patterned plays, throwing underneath routes and back shoulder fades. He is masterful at looking off safeties to better enhance his downfield passing game. Its quite possible Trask is a cross between the best attributes of current Bears quarterbacks Trubisky and Nick Foles.
Israel Mukuamu is a 6'3, 205 lbs defensive back, who possesses cornerback / safety versatility and competes on every down. Mukuamu is a rangy, physical player with great eye-hand coordination. His three interceptions versus Georgia (2019), whereby he returned one 53 yards for a touchdown, attest to his game-changing abilities.
Rashed is a rangy defensive presence suited for today's wide open offenses. Entering the 2020 season, he accumulated 120 tackles, six pass deflections and 16.5 sacks. He reads screen plays well and is decisive versus read-zone schemes. Rashed pursues with NFL level speed and range when chasing down ball-carriers or rushing the passer.
Twyman is an ascending talent that registered 12 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks from the defensive interior in 2020. His single-season sack total is second only to former Panther, Aaron Donald of the Los Angeles Rams. A productive player who plays with intensity, Twyman can quickly diagnosis blocking schemes and foil them with his aggressive quickness and active hands.
A sculpted athlete with sideline-to-sideline range, Moses has a nose for the ball, can sift through traffic and impact ball-carriers with extreme predjudice. He already approaches the game with a "Raiders" mentality that harkens back to the '70s and '80s generation.
Nicknamed "Baby Gronk," Freiermuth is adept at in-line blocking and a nightmare mismatch versus slower linebackers and average sized safeties. He's a gifted receiver at tight end with massive growth appeal, on top of an already impressive skill set. The Jaguars are quietly amassing talent at key positions.
If Minnesota doesn't re-sign unrestricted free agent safety Anthony Harris, they may turn their attention toward 6'1 junior, Jevon Holland. The Thorpe Award semifinalist, recorded four or more interceptions in each of the last two years. Holland showcases punt return ability and is a sound tackler, who rarely misses an assignment. This ball hawking talent should easily compliment Vikings All-Pro safety, Harrison Smith's aggressive attacking style.
Cardinals starting defensive tackle Corey Peters is an unrestricted free agent who will be 33 years-old during the 2021 season. Arizona would be wise to strongly consider drafting Tyler Shelvin from LSU, a very similar type of player to the aforementioned Peters. Constantly double teamed, the gargantuan Shelvin is a sheer wall of immovable mass. More of a push the pocket defender, he creates cleaner avenues for teammates to pursue ballcarriers.
Brown is a strong, effective run blocker who drives defenders back at the point of attack. His wide frame provides a measure of spacing and protection against interior bull rushes. The Bills and quarterback Josh Allen will come to expect that they can depend upon Brown.
A student of the game, the cerebral Basham is adept at analyzing blocking schemes and successfully countering them. Over the past two seasons, he's tallied 31 tackles for loss, 15.5 sacks, 112 quarterback pressures and maintains an 18 consecutive games streak with at least one tackle for loss.
The 49ers at season's end will have four unrestricted free agents at the corner position, making it a priority during the draft and free agency periods. Conveniently for scouts and coaches they won't have to travel far to find first-round talent, Paulson Adebo from Stanford - the same school that produced star corner, Richard Sherman. Adebo utilizes his length to play within himself, never allowing receivers to overwhelm him, especially when tracking passes and challenging for 50/50 balls.
Big Ben can't play forever and the entire AFC North is littered with young guns at the quarterback position. Steelers fans are most likely sick of seeing the Ravens' Lamar Jackson run and pass rings around them, and would like nothing more than to serve Baltimore a taste of its own medicine. Trey Lance led the Bison to an undefeated 16-0 record, something college football hadn't seen since 1894. Although he passed for 28 TDs with no interceptions, Lance still has some accuracy and mechanical issues to iron out, which can be learned as understudy to a future Hall-of-Famer.
The Saints plan for the future at the safety position. Nasirildeen is an explosive athlete with remarkably fluid hips for a man his size (6'4, 200 lbs), and operates confidently in space. He can cover in the slot or deep zone, and when playing in the box, is physical through the point of contact.
Good things come to those that wait and for Devonta Smith and the Packers, their timing couldn't be better. Green Bay completely ignored the receiver position in the 2020 draft, but this time Smith's talent is too good to ignore with the 29th pick. A fearless, silky smooth pass catcher, Smith's soft hands and elite route running skills will make him a favorite of Rodgers, especially on third downs. Just think of a younger Randall Cobb running everywhere for the Pack.
Campbell is a bit of an underachiever, but has all the tools to become successful in the NFL. The Ravens have a recent history of drafting and developing outstanding players for their secondary. You can't teach "speed" and this former Bulldog can run with the best of them.
Due to Covid-19, Bateman opted out early from playing in the 2021 season. Whether or not it contributes to him being drafted late in the first round, is hard to determine, but for the team that does select him they'll get an aggressive pass catcher. Bateman competes with a badger like mentality and is extremely difficult to bring down after the catch. Although a polished route-runner, he is best utilized in a vertical scheme that takes advantage of his downfield skills.
Well what do you get the team that has everything? A shiny new Porsche of course. Rondale Moore may be short in stature by NFL standards, but he's long on talent. An electrifying bolt of lightning in space, Moore will dazzle the opposition in Andy Reid's wide open offense. He has the ability to turn a swing pass, or quick receiver screen into a touchdown from anywhere on the field.
