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Mock Draft

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Lance Zierlein 2021 NFL mock draft 2.0: How does the first wave of free agency impact Round 1?

The first wave of free agency has altered rosters -- and team needs -- across the league. How will all of the moving and shaking impact the 2021 NFL Draft? Below is my second mock draft of the first round.

Quick reminder: This mock is a projection of where I believe players will go, not necessarily a reflection of my opinion as to where the players should go.

Editor's note: This mock draft was updated following the news that the Giants are signing WR Kenny Golladay.

Pick
1
Trevor Lawrence
Clemson · QB · Junior

"Face of the franchise" prospect with generational traits that could produce elite production for the quarterback-starved Jaguars.

Pick
2
Zach Wilson
BYU · QB · Junior

He has average size but above-average arm talent. If the Jets get the Wilson from 2020, as opposed to 2019, things could be looking up real quick.

Pick
3
Ja'Marr Chase
LSU · WR · Junior

This could be a trade-out position, as the rich would get richer with even more draft capital. If the Fins sit tight, Chase would be the future WR1 for Tua Tagovailoa.

Pick
4
Carolina Panthers
(via Falcons)
Trey Lance
North Dakota State · QB · Sophomore (RS)

Matt Rhule is building for the future and a great way to do that is grabbing a dynamic talent who can sit early on. Moving up -- from No. 8 into the Falcons' No. 4 slot in this exercise -- might be the only way to get him.

Pick
5
Penei Sewell
Oregon · OT · Junior

The 2020 opt-out has tremendous athletic ability with more development physically and technically ahead of him. He should start at a tackle spot early on, with Jonah Williams bumping inside.

Pick
6
Kyle Pitts
Florida · TE · Junior

Rare combination of length, speed and ball-winning talent helps make Pitts a matchup nightmare -- and a great addition for Jalen Hurts to throw to.

Pick
7
DeVonta Smith
Alabama · WR · Senior

Detroit desperately needs to find new receivers for freshly minted Lion Jared Goff. Smith is the most talented inside/outside target in this draft.

Pick
8
Atlanta Falcons
(via Panthers)
Patrick Surtain II
Alabama · CB · Junior

With Matt Ryan's contract restructure, the Falcons might have to sit tight on the QB front, but trading back and adding Surtain is a big win.

Pick
9
Justin Fields
Ohio State · QB · Junior

Now that the Broncos have added Kyle Fuller at cornerback, their biggest area of concern becomes consistency at quarterback. Adding Fields would be a bold move, but potentially a necessary one for team growth.

Pick
10
Rashawn Slater
Northwestern · OL · Senior

Slater is a potential "five for one" lineman who can play any position up front. The Cowboys were at their best when the offensive line was strong, and this Northwestern product helps strengthen that unit.

Pick
11
Alijah Vera-Tucker
USC · OL · Junior (RS)

Vera-Tucker can play guard or tackle and immediately helps fill the void left by the release of Kevin Zeitler.

Pick
12
Minnesota Vikings
(via 49ers)
Christian Darrisaw
Virginia Tech · OT · Junior

It's no secret the Vikings are in need of a tackle. With Vera-Tucker off the board, they might be willing to deal ahead of the Chargers to make sure they get one.

Pick
13
Jaylen Waddle
Alabama · WR · Junior

With their offensive tackle targets off the board, Waddle becomes a tremendous consolation prize as the Chargers' new-field stretching talent.

Pick
14
San Francisco 49ers
(via Vikings)
Caleb Farley
Virginia Tech · CB · Junior (RS)

This is a win for the 49ers. They trade back, add draft capital and still land a talented young cornerback who fits their defense.

Pick
15
Mac Jones
Alabama · QB · Junior (RS)

Bill Belichick knows he needs a quarterback of the future, and Jones may fit the profile of what he's looking for in an accurate, heady signal-caller.

Pick
16
Jaycee Horn
South Carolina · CB · Junior

The Patrick Peterson era is over in Arizona. Though not as fast, Horn offers similar size with smothering man-cover potential as an early starter.

Pick
17
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Notre Dame · LB · Junior (RS)

The Raiders have been busy in free agency plugging holes in their lineup, but Owusu-Koramoah would fill a spot that is still a need as a versatile, three-down linebacker.

Pick
18
Kwity Paye
Michigan · Edge · Senior

Paye is going to blow the doors off of his pro day testing (March 26), so he might not be here for Miami. If he is, it's hard to imagine Chris Grier and Brian Flores not loving his traits.

Pick
19
Zaven Collins
Tulsa · LB · Junior (RS)

Collins is a huge, active linebacker with excellent coverage instincts and an ability to become a tackle stacker at outside linebacker in Ron Rivera's defense.

Pick
20
Gregory Rousseau
Miami · Edge · Sophomore (RS)

With Robert Quinn failing to impress in Year 1 with Chicago, the Bears could turn to help in the form of this rangy, long-levered defensive end who offers enticing traits but just one full season at the college level.

Pick
21
Christian Barmore
Alabama · DT · Sophomore (RS)

GM Chris Ballard could opt for cornerback help, but he usually looks to build his fronts. Barmore offers both run-stuffing potential and upfield rush from the interior.

Pick
22
Greg Newsome II
Northwestern · CB · Junior

Newsome could answer Tennessee's need for a cornerback with good tape, a strong pro day and an impressive level of competitiveness.

Pick
23
Azeez Ojulari
Georgia · Edge · Sophomore (RS)

Ojulari could stand to use a little more weight on his frame and additional refinement in his pass-rushing plan, but he has plenty of upside and fits a glaring need for the Jets' defense.

Pick
24
Travis Etienne
Clemson · RB · Senior

Pittsburgh has been making due with bigger, less-explosive runners, but Etienne gives the offense an infusion of juice as both a runner and pass catcher.

Pick
25
Teven Jenkins
Oklahoma State · OL · Senior (RS)

The Jaguars would be well served to look in the direction of this powerful blocker who would give them an option at either guard or tackle as an immediate starter.

Pick
26
Jaelan Phillips
Miami · Edge · Junior (RS)

There are mixed reviews on Phillips, with concerns about medicals, but he can get after the passer and has rare size and length off the edge.

Pick
27
Terrace Marshall Jr.
LSU · WR · Junior

While Marshall might not be my personal selection here, there is no getting around how his size and speed could impact the Ravens' passing game.

Pick
28
Elijah Moore
Mississippi · WR · Junior

Moore has inside/outside experience with soft hands and outstanding toughness to work any part of the field you need him to.

Pick
29
Micah Parsons
Penn State · LB · Junior

Parsons could slip due to , but his explosiveness, range and versatility would be hard to pass on with his high-impact potential.

Pick
30
Tyson Campbell
Georgia · CB · Junior

Both Campbell and Georgia teammate Eric Stokes had a strong pro day performance and could be in consideration here, as the Bills search for a viable CB2 who can play early.

Pick
31
Landon Dickerson
Alabama · C/OG · Senior (RS)

Absolute dirt dog with center/guard starting potential whose infectious attitude and toughness would be a welcome addition, but his injury history is a concern.

Pick
32
Najee Harris
Alabama · RB · Senior

Assuming the Bucs' focus is on their championship window, Harris would offer a three-down option who can help the run game and take pressure off of Tom Brady's shoulders.


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