This will be a recurring theme in the coming months, and something we've repeated weekly: This is a decidedly weak quarterback class. And while that could change, a year ago, we were very familiar with Zach Wilson, and the year before that, Joe Burrow was making his case as a legit first-round prospect. We've had no such outta-nowhere ascents up the draft board, and if anything it's been the opposite.
Spencer Rattler and Sam Howell have been somewhere between OK and good, though with a ton of potential. That's why we currently like them more as Day 2 selections. It also goes a long way in explaining why only Matt Corral, who is exciting but raw, and Carson Strong, who is solid but could have medical concerns, are the only two QBs to make their way into Round 1.
Meanwhile, 17 defensive players go off the board, including eight of the first 10 picks.
Keep reading to see how all 32 picks unfold.
One other thing, and this is important: the draft order below was determined using SportsLine's Super Bowl odds but in reverse order. We know folks are going to be very angry about why we have their team picking so high but it's not our fault. These are your team's current odds of winning a Lombardi Trophy.
NFL Mock Draft
Round 1
Round 1 - Pick 1
Yes, there are needs up and down this roster, but the Jets don't try to outsmart themselves here and opt for the most talented player in this class.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 2
Neal is a an athletic marvel who has excelled at several O-line positions for the Crimson Tide. The Jags have to make protecting Trevor Lawrence a priority -- to the point that they can't draft enough offensive linemen next spring.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 3
It's incredibly early in the process but we're not yet convinced the Texans will target one of these draft-eligible QBs this early. Instead, they look to bolster the secondary with arguably the best cornerback in the class.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 4
Orginally a defensive end, Leal, at 6-foot-4, 290, has the versatility and athleticism to play up and down the line. He has the potential to be really, really good in the NFL and through four games of A&M's '21 campaign he has 2.5 sacks and four tackles for loss.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 5
Hutchinson can take over games and he gave University of Washington left tackle Jaxson Kirkland, a likely top-50 pick in the spring, all he could handle earlier this month.
| |||
From
Chicago Bears
Round 1 - Pick 6
The Giants could certainly want to shore up the offensive line but with Neal off the table they instead use their second first-rounder on defense. Booth has all the athleticism and tools to be special, he just doesn't have much in the way of experience.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 7
The Falcons have been flaccid on both sides of the ball, and QB is a real need, but again, with no clear-cut No. 1 QB, Atlanta focuses on defense. Injuries and the pandemic saw Karlaftis play limited snaps in '20 but Karlaftis was nearly impossible to stop in '19 when he recorded 17 TFLs and had 7.5 sacks.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 8
The Bengals already have Jessie Bates. Now imagine that secondary with Hamilton, who has the ball-hawking skills of Ed Reed but in a 6-foot-4, 220-pound frame, lined up next to him.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 9
We have no idea what happened to WFT's defense but it will be hard to pass on a cornerback of Elam's talents here. He has the size (6-foot-2, 190) and athleticism to be one of the best draft-eligible corners in '21. He had an up-and-down effort against Alabama over the weekend but he's a physical playmaking presence in the secondary.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 10
Corral has the tools to be a Lamar Jackson/Trey Lance/Josh Allen-type quarterback but he's still incredibly raw. The time is now in Pittsburgh, however, where we can't envision a situation where Big Ben returns.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 11
At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Burks is a Grown Man. He had a slow start to the '21 campaign but he's shown his deep-play ability the last two weeks. If the Eagles roll with Jalen Hurts, they'll need to continue to surround him with weapons.
| |||
From
Miami Dolphins
Round 1 - Pick 12
Yes, the Eagles don't typically draft linebackers in Round 1, but they have two (and possibly three first-rounders) and this is a position lacking a big-time playmaker.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 13
Quarterback is an option here, sure, but Carson Wentz hasn't been bad when healthy, and the biggest issue facing the offense is the O-line. Kirkland had his hands full with Michigan's Aidan Hutchinson a few weeks ago, but Hutchinson is a first-round talent.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 14
Olave is a polished route runner who would give Mac Jones some much-needed options beyond free agent acquisitions, Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne, especially with Jakobi Meyers in the final year of his rookie deal.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 15
Ekwonu is a monster, and more importantly, would immediately upgrade the Panthers interior offensive line, especially since it appears as if Sam Darnold will be more than a one-year stop gap in Charlotte.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 16
Bonitto is a quick-twitch, high-energy edge rusher who has a 2.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss this season. He's always around the ball, which would make life easier for Danielle Hunter.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 17
The Raiders defense has been replacement level through three weeks, which is a vast improvement over recent seasons. With Enagbare, they continue to get better on that side of the ball. He's a twitched-up athlete who will only get better with more reps and added muscle.
| |||
From
Seattle Seahawks
Round 1 - Pick 18
Green started as a true freshman and has only gotten better each year. He consistently moves defensive tackles off the line of scrimmage, a trait which translates to any level. He's moved to tackle for the Aggies in '21 after the O-line lost four starters.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 19
This is all going to come down to the medicals on Strong's knee. He's the most consistent QB in this draft class and if healthy, he could eventually be the first passer off the board. Instead, he lasts till 19th, where he lands in a great situation in New Orleans.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 20
Production in this season will determine Harrison's draft fate but he's flashed first-round talent at points during his Buckeyes career. In Denver, Von Miller is in the final year of his deal and Bradley Chubb continues to struggle to stay healthy for the Broncos.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 21
Linderbaum is one of the best offensive linemen in the country, and in Dallas he would solidify a weak spot along the O-line.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 22
Sanders, who has explosive traits but will also need to get stronger at the point of attack, hasn't logged a sack yet this season but he racked up 11 the last two years for the Bearcats.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 23
Wydermyer was one of Kellen Mond's favorite targets for a reason: he's reliable and almost always open. Four of the five tight ends on the Chargers roster, including Jared Cooks, will be free agents after the season.
| |||
From
San Francisco 49ers
Round 1 - Pick 24
Assuming the Dolphins stick with Tua Tagovailoa, they'll need to continue to surround him with playmakers. O-line could also be an option here but it's not like Miami hasn't targeted the position in recent drafts. Wilson is an explosive, do-it-all wide receiver who is a Day 1 contributor.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 25
Even though McDuffie plays cornerback, we get Tyrann Mathieu vibes when we watch him. We love him as a slot corner who serves as an enforcer in run support and locks down short and intermediate routes, something he does regularly for the Huskies.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 26
Ross missed the 2020 season because of a neck injury but he was on track to be a first-round pick. He's off to a slow start in 2021, in part because Clemson is living in a post-Trevor Lawrence world, but if we've learned anything from the Packers season so far, it's that Aaron Rodgers completely trusts Davante Adams but he could definitely use some help.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 27
Kendrick was in the conversation as a first-round pick in the 2021 draft before returning to Clemson and then entering the transfer portal. He's now at Georgia and a strong season will likely make him one of the first defensive backs selected next spring.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 28
Faalele, who opted out last season, weighs in the 380-pound range but moves more like he is a hundred pounds lighter. Given the importance of the running game to the Ravens offense, adding an earth mover seems logical. Added bonus: Faalele is a solid pass protector, too.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 29
The Bills offensive line got off to a slow start this season but has looked better in recent weeks. Still, protecting Josh Allen is priority No. 1, which is why you can never have enough depth, especially at tackle.
| |||
From
Los Angeles Rams
Round 1 - Pick 30
Gardner is a long, press corner who would give the Chiefs some depth at a position that could be quite thin after the season. He'll need to get stronger but he has the tools to be a solid NFL cornerback.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 31
Spiller is a threat in both the run and pass game, and he would give the Bucs some consistency on this offense.
| |||
Round 1 - Pick 32
Davis is more likely to go on Day 2 (though a lot can change between now and April), but he also beefs up a Chiefs defense that has really struggled this season, especially against the run. But Davis' pocket-collapsing ability means he can affect the passing game, too, which potentially makes him a three-down player.
|
