2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
17. Buffalo Bills (from Las Vegas): Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Another trade occurs as the Bills move up in the draft to get a dominant edge rusher in Azeez Ojulari. Buffalo sends pick No. 30, 61, and a 2022 second-rounder to the Raiders for the rights to this selection. Ojulari has an incredible ceiling thanks to his natural ability and is one of the best run defenders in this class. Buffalo is ready to take another shot at the Chiefs and knows generating pressure on Patrick Mahomes will be crucial if they wish to unseat their AFC foe.
18. Miami Dolphins: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
I can hear the Dolphins fans already bemoaning the PFN Mock Draft Simulator’s selection here in this 2021 NFL First Round Mock Draft. Most believe you shouldn’t take an RB in the first round, but the Dolphins have a luxury many other teams do not with the vast number of draft capital at their disposal.
Travis Etienne is a dynamic back who has the best burst we have seen since Chris Johnson. If he reads the hole with a sliver of daylight, no one is catching him. Yes, Myles Gaskin performed well last season, but Etienne is too valuable to pass up.
19. Arizona Cardinals (from Washington): Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Kliff Kingsbury is busy in this mock draft as the Cardinals trade back up to address a massive need on their defense. Arizona sends picks No. 28 and 49 to Washington for No. 19, which they use on Greg Newsome II out of Northwestern. The Cardinals let perennial All-Pro Patrick Peterson walk in free agency, making corner an absolute must in the draft.
Although a bit raw, Newsome enjoys a tremendous ceiling due to his combination of length, physicality, and speed. After a great showing at Northwestern’s Pro Day, including a 4.39 40-yard dash, Newsome posted a 9.65 Relative Athletic Score (RAS). When it’s all said and done, the Cardinals moved back three spots in the first round, 11 in Round 2, added an extra third, and addressed a significant need.
20. Chicago Bears: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Christian Barmore is the ideal building block for the Bears’ 3-4 defense. He is a big-bodied run-stuffer who commands a double-team on every snap. Robert Quinn disappointed in Year 1 with the Bears, and if he does again in 2021, the Bears could exercise their opt-out in his contract with just $9.8 million in dead cap.
21. Indianapolis Colts: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC
Alijah Vera-Tucker is the most versatile offensive lineman in the 2021 OL class, and the PFN Mock Draft Simulator has him going to the Colts in this First Round NFL Mock Draft. He committed to USC as a left tackle, played right guard as a sophomore, left guard in 2019, and then left tackle again for his final season. This move could signify the Colts are willing to move Quenton Nelson out to LT after Anthony Castonzo’s retirement.Â
22. Tennessee Titans: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Thanks to an absurd pro day performance, Jamin Davis saw his draft stock skyrocket at the right time. The Titans brought in Bud Dupree during free agency, which allows them to be a bit more flexible than before. Davis is an outstanding run defender who is coming off a career season as a Wildcat. Once he makes the read, he moves downhill at a speed that breaks the sound barrier.
23. Cleveland Browns (from New York Jets): Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Okay, Cleveland, enough already. As if it was not already overkill having Myles Garrett and then adding Jadeveon Clowney, the Browns bring in yet another freak athlete in Kwity Paye. In trading up three spots, the Browns send picks No. 26 and 110 to the Jets.
Adding Paye gives the Browns the deepest edge depth chart with Garrett, Clowney, Takkarist McKinley, and Paye. If the Cleveland Browns play to their potential in 2021, they have as good of odds as anyone to win the Super Bowl.
24. Green Bay Packers (from Pittsburgh): Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
The Pittsburgh Steelers believe there are enough players they like on the board to make it worth trading back. The Packers and the Steelers strike a deal that sends Green Bay’s No. 29 pick and a 2022 second-rounder to Pittsburgh for pick No. 24. Following the trade, the Packers select Samuel Cosmi out of Texas.
Cosmi is an easy mover at 6’5″ and 314 pounds. He played both left and right tackle at Texas and helps reinforce the Packers’ offensive line that lost Corey Linsley. They are also waiting on David Bakhtiari to return from a torn ACL.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
After bolstering their offense, the Jaguars now address the defense with reigning Bronko Nagurski award winner Zaven Collins. At 6’4″ and 260 pounds, Collins holds the coverage skills to mirror running backs and tight ends. He floated around Tulsa’s defense and made an impact all over the field, wracking up 236 tackles, 25 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups through three seasons. Collins backed up the tape with a 4.67 40-yard dash, 35-inch vertical, and 124-inch broad jump during Tulsa’s Pro Day.Â
26. New York Jets (from Cleveland): Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma
Succeeding a trade back, the Jets select Creed Humphrey in this 2021 NFL First Round Mock Draft. The PFN Mock Draft Simulator follows the age-old adage that if you choose a rookie QB, you better be able to protect him. Humphrey is a dynamic zone-blocking center who started all three years he played at Oklahoma. Explosive off the ball, Humphrey drove defenders back and displayed a high-level ability to read what is happening on the field around him.
27. Baltimore Ravens: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
It has to be wide receiver or EDGE for the Ravens in the first round, and the PFN Mock Draft Simulator chooses the latter with Joseph Ossai. After losing Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Jihad Ward in free agency, Ossai is an excellent fit for the Ravens. He is an explosive athlete who owns long arms and can succeed either standing up or with his hand in the ground. A tenacious rusher, Ossai’s hands are lightning quick.
28. Washington Football Team (From Arizona via New Orleans): Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Washington’s defense alone nearly knocked off the eventual Super Bowl Champions. The offseason was spent building an offense that can hold its own, and they continue this philosophy by adding Rashod Bateman. If you are searching for the 2021 version of Justin Jefferson, Bateman is a safe bet. He is a route technician who helps form a very well-rounded Washington passing attack with Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, and Logan Thomas.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers (from Green Bay): Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
After trading back, the Steelers had several options still on their board. In this 2021 NFL First Round Mock Draft, the PFN Mock Draft Simulator selects the best running back of the class in Alabama’s Najee Harris. James Conner’s signing with Arizona signified the Steelers were going to address the RB position in the draft — it was just a matter of how early. They are surprised Harris is available and run to the podium with the ink still wet on their draft card.
30. Las Vegas Raiders (from Buffalo): Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Caleb Farley could end up being the steal of the 2021 NFL Draft, but concerns surrounding his back surgery have teams skittish. Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock are no strangers to bold moves, as is evident with the drafting of Clelin Ferrell at No. 4 (2019) and Damon Arnette at No. 19 (2020).
Farley carries risk, there is no question, but several analysts had him pegged as the top CB in the draft before his surgery. When healthy, he is a phenomenal cover corner with outstanding ball skills and some of the best recovery speed in recent years.
31. Kansas City Chiefs: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Patrick Mahomes had one of the most incredible Super Bowl performances in recent history. Not from a victory, but from running for his life while still somehow hitting guys in their facemask.
The Chiefs are desperate for OT help, and in selecting Teven Jenkins, they get arguably the nastiest OT in the draft. His drop step is the best in the class, and he plays through the fourth whistle. Jenkins measured in at nearly 6’6″ and 317 pounds, then put on a show in the weight room, bench pressing 225 pounds 36 times. He followed this up with a sub-5.0 40-yard dash.
32. Seattle Seahawks (from Tampa Bay): Jason Oweh, EDGE, Penn State
Closing out this 2021 NFL First Round Mock Draft, the PFN Mock Draft Simulator sees Pete Carroll and the Seattle Seahawks wiggling their way back into the first round. It came at a cost, however. In exchange for pick No. 32, they sent the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pick No. 56 and their 2022 second and third-round pick.
Outside of maybe Quinn Meinerz, no one has seen their draft stock raise quick like Jayson Oweh. He completely demolished his pro day just as he did the Big Ten, even if his stats don’t reflect it. While not a finished product, Oweh is an athletic freak whose blend of athleticism, explosiveness, and size make him a potential game-changing force off the edge.
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Tommy Garrett is a writer for Pro Football Network covering the NFL and fantasy football. You can read more of his work here and follow him at @TommygarrettPFN on Twitter.
