Mark Sciubba's 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Debut

Round 1 Picks 17-32

Mark Sciubba follow @Sciubba Last Updated: March 16, 2021.

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
    
    
    The Mike Mayock-Jon Gruden era has been a disaster. It seems the Raiders are on the verge of hitting the reset button again but with the same regime. Every draft pick they have to make feels more like a bandaid over a previous mistake rather than an improvement of the roster to take the next step toward a Super Bowl. They've managed to need help badly at every level of the defense while also not having any special pieces on offense. I'll go with a shock pick here as I believe a WR will help them the most and this is a defense that will be built mainly through free agency after so many whiffs in the draft.
    
    
    
18. Miami Dolphins: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
    
    
    The Dolphins jump for joy seeing Raiders pass on Collins. He's the perfect versatile player for what Brian Flores wants to build in Miami. He also has the athleticism to grow into an even better player. Collins can be a day one starter and franchise cornerstone for the Dolphins the way Tremaine Edmunds has been for Buffalo.
    
    
    
    
    
19. Washington Football Team: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
    
    
    The Football Team that is from Washington continues the funny, yet actually probably great strategy of just trying to assemble an Alabama team in the NFL. Jones was ultra productive and displays some elite downfield accuracy. He also played with possibly the biggest talent advantage in the history of modern college football. He'll have far less receiving talent in Washington, but hell also have a quality coaching staff who believes in him. He has the intangibles as a player and leader to be a longtime NFL QB but it comes down to this, Mac Jones is as likely to be a backup QB as he is a franchise one. Washington rolls the dice here.
    
    
    
    Here is a film cut of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones VS Florida. Mac Jones managed the game well during the 2020 SEC Championship Game.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    Here is our interview of Mac Jones from the 2021 Reese's Senior Bowl. You can click the link below to listen to that recorded press conference of Alabama quarterback Mac Jones.
    
    
    
20. Chicago Bears: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
    
    
    I think Darrisaw is a franchise tackle and would be comfortable taking him much higher than this. The Bears are willing to trade this pick and about seven more for a franchise QB, but if they can't do that because nobody in their right mind wants to trade a franchise QB Darrisaw gives them a bookend tackle for the next 5 years.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Indianapolis Colts: Gregory Rosseau, EDGE, Miami FL
    
    
    The Colts could go in a few directions with this pick. If you believe Alijah Vera-Tucker can be a tackle or that Tevin Jenkins can switch to being a left tackle they have to be high in consideration. All edge rushers except one are on the board. There's still 3 CBs that should be round 1 guys. In the end I think Gregory Rousseau wins out. He has a high ceiling and the Colts could lose both of their starting defensive ends who were respectable but nothing special in 2020. The Colts look to Free Agency for solutions at LT and day 2 for corner help.
    
    
    
22. Tennessee Titans: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami FL
    
    
    The Titans are in a dangerous spot. With the holes they have and who's set to hit free agency they could take the biggest step back of any NFL team. This pick feels like it has to hit for them. Tevin Jenkins the OK State Right Tackle would be a match made in heaven with Derrick Henry and erase last years bust Isaiah Wilson from everyone's minds, but I think Titans really need a more valuable position here. Jaelan Phillips is a perfect player to coach fit with Mike Vrabel, everyone knows the knock on Phillips is the injury history, but pure talent and athleticism wise he would be a top 20 player. The Titans finally find Harold Landry a partner in raising hell and start thinking about 2nd round trade ups to start rebuilding a barren WR room and mediocre cornerback room that could get worse if Desmond King isn't extended.
    
    
    
    
    
23. New York Jets: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
    
    
    The Jets absolutely finessed the Seahawks for this pick. The Jets are gonna get at least one if not two quality WRs in FA. The defense is plain bad with some pieces with potential sprinkled in. Robert Saleh can't fix the pass rush here, but he can grab a guy who fits his defense spectacularly with Greg Newsome II to be his number 1 CB going forward.
    
    
    
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
    
    
    The Steelers need a Tackle and a Center out of this draft and free agency. Alijah Vera-Tucker could fit either of those roles or be the future at guard. His elite athleticism is perfect for what the Steelers are moving into with new OC Matt Canada. This pick reminds me of the value the Steelers got when David Decastro fell to them.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tevin Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
    
    
    The Jags get Trevor Lawrence some major protection with Jenkins. Jenkins dominated in college, QBs and RBs alike will love the power he brings to the field. He'll be the building block on the offensive like moving forward. Having Lawrence will attract WRs in free agency and will help elevate mid round guys into playing like first round picks. I'd expect Jags to target some on day 2 and 3.
    
    
    
26. Cleveland Browns: Christian Barmore, DL, Alabama
    
    
    Please tell me the Browns aren't dumb enough to trade OBJ. If they don't, that offense is ready to go and take another leap forward next year. The Browns start to load up on defense here with the best DT prospect. Barmore has special pass rush ability from the inside, and can eat up blocks and running backs. He's the total package as far as a 3 technique. It's not a great DL class and I think Barmore and Jalen Twyman from Pitt are the only two I'd consider round 1.
    
    
    
    
    
27. Baltimore Ravens: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
    
    
    Marshall is exactly what the Ravens need offensively. Marshall gives the Ravens not only the big body they're missing in the WR room but brings ultra athleticism and production with him. If Ravens can keep what they have defensively and in the run game then add Marshall there’s no reason a super bowl run is out of the question.
    
    
    
28. New Orleans Saints: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
    
    
    The Saints grab a corner with all pro potential but is good and battle tested enough to start from day one. Campbell and Marshon Lattimore could develop into an elite duo who defines the entire team while Sean Payton figures out the QB situation.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Green Bay Packers: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
    
    
    Moore is the modern day NFL offensive weapon. I don't understand why there is no love or top 10 hype for him other than injuries. He's one of the best athletes in the draft and had offers from em just about every college in the nation. People are forgetting just how special he is. They're talking about him as not first rounder which is surprising with Tyreek Hill type roles popping up more and more in offenses and Moore being a guy who fits them perfectly. He's anothe elite gadget and deep threat. The guy can score a touchdown from anywhere and has embarrassed defenses filled with NFL talent. The Packers get a guy who could be the steal of the first round.
    
    
    
30. Buffalo Bills: Jalen Mayfield, OT/G, Michigan
    
    
    As a Bills fan I want Rondale Moore or Kadarius Toney. Neither are here though. The Bills made one of the biggest blunders in the NFL last offseason when they traded away Wyatt Teller for basically nothing. The whole offense line situation is confusing as Dion Dawkins is the LT. Mitch Morse the center and the Bills are determined to from Cody Ford a starting spot at either guard or right tackle but he's been outplayed by upcoming free agents. The Bills are another team the board has not fallen great for here, but they take one of the few tackles to ever look pretty okay against Chase Young on Jalen Mayfield. I think Mayfield finds a starting spot year 1 at right tackle or guard depending on if Daryl Williams returns to the team.
    
    
    
    
    
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
    
    
    The Chiefs are starting over at tackle. I'd expect them to get at least one free agent who just wants to win a ring and is willing to play for less than what they're worth to man one side of the line and use this pick to grab a starter at the other. Eichenberg isn't the prospect that other Notre Dame OL were coming out, but he's should be a solid pro who can start from day 1.
    
    
    
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
    
    
    This is a great spot for Ojulari. The players he'll get to learn from and develop with matched with his elite speed off the edge. He can contribute as a pass rush specialist before being tasked at leading the Buc's defense.