The 2021 NFL Draft order for non-playoff teams has been set and it is clear who might be in the mix for a new quarterback. In the coming months, CBS Sports will explore potential trade opportunities but, for now, here is a mock draft with the official finalized draft order following Week 17.
Without further ado, let's kick this off!
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
We all need stability in our lives after the past year. Trevor Lawrence being taken No. 1 overall is the stability that we all need. Justin Fields played great last week but one performance does not outweigh a body of work.
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Round 1 - Pick 2
I have been saying that Justin Fields and Zach Wilson are essentially neck and neck for the right to be the second quarterback taken. Fields is riding high after a stellar College Football Playoff performance but, by no means, has he solidified his position as the second taken. Some believe that New York could bypass taking a quarterback and trade the pick. I do not.
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From
Houston Texans
Round 1 - Pick 3
Miami has two rookies playing tackle so, where does Penei Sewell fit into that mix? In my personal opinion, Sewell plays left tackle, Austin Jackson slides to right tackle and Robert Hunt moves inside. Hunt is better-suited playing on the interior offensive line. The Dolphins would be in a position to start four offensive linemen taken in the previous two drafts. It is a scary proposition initially but one that should pay off in the long run.
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Round 1 - Pick 4
Matt Ryan can still be a good quarterback but there have been some consistency issues down the stretch of this season. The potential selection of Zach Wilson is one that could excite head coaching candidates.
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Round 1 - Pick 5
Presented with this board, Cincinnati would probably trade down and select the best available offensive lineman. There is value for teams that covet the lone remaining quarterback prospect, Trey Lance. Rashawn Slater is a good player but the Bengals would likely be more comfortable trading back, attaining some additional draft capital and still getting a quality player to protect Joe Burrow.
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Round 1 - Pick 6
Philadelphia could go linebacker, wide receiver, cornerback or offensive line. In this scenario, they take arguably the best cornerback prospect -- Patrick Surtain II.
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Round 1 - Pick 7
Detroit will have a new head coach and a new general manager. There are going to be some changes to the roster and that could include an overhaul at wide receiver. Ja'Marr Chase steps in to provide a vertical threat for Matthew Stafford.
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Round 1 - Pick 8
Teddy Bridgewater did not deliver the most confidence-inspiring performance in Week 17. His floor is probably higher than Trey Lance but his ceiling is much, much lower. Carolina takes advantage of having offensive coordinator Joe Brady and commits to a young player.
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Round 1 - Pick 9
I still believe it is in Denver's best interest to trade Von Miller for draft capital this offseason but they already have Bradley Chubb and Malik Reed has provided some moments of hope. Micah Parsons would give the Broncos some elite play in the front seven.
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Round 1 - Pick 10
Dak Prescott will likely return and the Cowboys commit to giving him all the weapons necessary to achieve success. Sure, the offensive line and defense need some work but focus on one side of the ball and fix the other later.
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Round 1 - Pick 11
Devonta Smith is an accomplished college wide receiver that will translate seamlessly to the NFL. I believe in Sterling Shepard when healthy but availability has been an issue. I also like Darius Slayton. They need more production out of others at the position regardless.
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Round 1 - Pick 12
San Francisco adds Alijah Vera-Tucker to plug some leaks in their interior offensive line.
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Round 1 - Pick 13
Los Angeles has its quarterback of the future and now they have their left tackle of the future. Christian Darrisaw should achieve early success similar to Justin Herbert.
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Round 1 - Pick 14
Everson Griffen is gone. The Yannick Ngakoue experiment went awry. Minnesota adds some pass rushing juice off the edge in the form of Gregory Rousseau. He is a raw but really talented player that has been working on his craft since opting out prior to the college football season.
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Round 1 - Pick 15
Jaylen Waddle gives New England some home-run hitting ability that they have been lacking. Who will be under center for New England?
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Round 1 - Pick 16
Arizona is fortunate to land Caleb Farley this late in the first round. Patrick Peterson and the team appear to be headed down a path of separation so Farley slides in to provide the NFC West franchise with a young combination.
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Round 1 - Pick 17
Maxx Crosby is the team's best pass rusher and that has been limited in 2020. Kwity Paye would at least give them more of a balanced threat and potentially a real game-wrecker.
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Round 1 - Pick 18
Miami gets more multiple with the addition of Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah; a player listed as an off-ball linebacker that plays more like a safety. Brian Flores has earned respect across the country by exceeding expectations with a below average roster. The addition of some elite talent should only accelerate the franchise's development.
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Round 1 - Pick 19
Washington has done a fantastic job building its defensive line and now they must assemble pieces to surround that unit. Jaycee Horn is a physical playmaker that could capitalize on opportunities created by that potent pass rush.
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Round 1 - Pick 20
At the expense of sounding like a broken record, I paired another offensive guard with Chicago. The Bears are likely to bring back Mitchell Trubisky and they need to add pieces around him to have success.
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From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 21
It is not sexy but Chris Olave is consistent. He had a nasty route in the College Football Playoff against Clemson and Trevor Lawrence. I suspect Lawrence will want some weapons that he can trust as opposed to those that fail to stay on the field. Laviska Shenault Jr. had a really encouraging regular season finale against Indianapolis.
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Round 1 - Pick 22
Joseph Ossai and the Colts are a great match. Chris Ballard has done an awesome job at adding long-term pieces while also bringing in the right players to fill short-term roles. Justin Houston has been one of those short-term players that eventually needs to be replaced.
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Round 1 - Pick 23
Azeez Ojulari dominated Saturday's game against Cincinnati. It probably did not hurt that the Bearcats lost their starting left tackle to an ejection. Ojulari has a lot of zip around the edge and Cleveland needs a reliable figure opposite Myles Garrett.
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Round 1 - Pick 24
Tennessee has had zero pass rush this season and that will ultimately lead to the team's demise. Derrick Henry will not be able to run over everyone. Jayson Oweh is a player with high-upside that should be no worse than what they had this season immediately.
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Round 1 - Pick 25
The run on edge rushers continues in the latter half of the first round. Jaelan Phillips, formerly the No. 1 overall recruit out of high school, has started to show his capabilities this year and it is exciting. Tampa Bay has a lot of high-priced veterans and decisions will need to be made. One of those decisions could come at the expense of Jason Pierre-Paul or Shaq Barrett.
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Round 1 - Pick 26
Baltimore's interior offensive line play has not been up to its usual standard. The addition of Creed Humphrey will help smooth over some of those concerns.
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From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 27
The Jets added a rookie quarterback and need to surround him with competent players. Kadarius Toney is an electrifying player that has developed as a wide receiver in addition to his play as a returner.
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Round 1 - Pick 28
It could be an offseason of transition for Pittsburgh and that should include the right tackle position. Jalen Mayfield is a massive upgrade for that offensive line unit.
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Round 1 - Pick 29
New Orleans brings in Derion Kendrick to pair with Marshon Lattimore. The team does not have a lot of needs but the idea of adding a second shutdown corner is tantalizing.
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Round 1 - Pick 30
Buffalo adds another physical, versatile piece to its already gifted and young defense.
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Round 1 - Pick 31
Green Bay gets younger on defense by adding Nick Bolton. The team allowed Blake Martinez to walk in the offseason and has lacked some of that clean up ability at the second level.
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Round 1 - Pick 32
Kansas City adds some bonafide first round talent along the offensive line. Kansas City does not have many holes but I believe that is one group that could be substantially upgraded.
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