The NFL Draft is one of the few offseason events that remains a hot topic 12 months, 52 weeks, and 365 days a year. The context surrounding the NFL Draft is always changing. For example, up until the start of the 2020 season, every listed team need qualified as a projection. But now, the football on the field gives us new, concrete ideas of what teams need, and what teams will be in the market for next April. In this 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft, we’ll strive to integrate newly-available information to the best of our ability.
Before we get started, I want to preface the mock draft with this: Yes, your favorite team is picking too high. It’s too early to drastically change the initial draft order, and while some NFL teams surprised in Week 1 and showed that they could exceed expectations in 2020, we’re not at a point where we can run with those trends. By the end of the 2020 season, however, the 2021 NFL Draft Order may look very different than what’s listed below.
That’s the beauty of the NFL Draft. We work with the information we have, and new information always comes in. What does the information we have now tell us?
Cummings’ 3-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft | Round One
1) Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB Clemson
All due respect to Gardner Minshew — he had a very good first week, against a Colts defense that was expected to be proficient both schematically and talent-wise in 2020. Minshew has proven himself to be a capable passer with good traits all-around, but if the Jaguars have the number one pick, with five total picks on Days 1 and 2, they aren’t in a position to settle.
Trevor Lawrence has an astronomical upside at the quarterback position. He exceeds Minshew in terms of athleticism, arm talent, and proactivity as a playmaker. Minshew is a plain bagel; he gets you through the day well enough. But sooner or later, the plain bagel gets old, loses its luster, and doesn’t provide enough nutritional value. If you can get an everything bagel, you go for it.
2) Washington Football Team: Penei Sewell, OT Oregon
The Washington Football Team shocked the nation in Week 1 with an impressive upset of the Philadelphia Eagles, but it was their defense that led the way. The offense was less inspiring, and part of the blame can be attributed to the offensive line.
Washington doesn’t seem to have an answer yet at the left tackle position, and with Dwayne Haskins still developing, that’s not a position they should neglect for long. Saahdiq Charles could take on that role at some point, but he’s already behind due to injury. If Washington gets Penei Sewell, a bonafide blindside blocker with All-Pro upside, they can move Charles to guard and solidify their blocking unit in one stroke.
3) Cincinnati Bengals: Caleb Farley, CB Virginia Tech
A cornerback at third overall two years in a row? It’s unlikely, but if there’s any cornerback in the 2021 NFL Draft who deserves to go this high, it’s Virginia Tech’s Caleb Farley. The Bengals could also go linebacker here, but they drafted three young linebackers in 2020, and have a chance to more directly impact the passing defense with Farley.
Farley is an elite size-speed threat on the boundary who lives to break up passes. With four interceptions and 12 pass deflections in 2019, the 6-foot-2 cover man appeals to teams looking for a playmaker. The Bengals have one already in William Jackson III, but they need another to back him up on the opposite side of the field, as Mackensie Alexander and Trae Waynes don’t inspire great confidence.
4) Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB North Dakota State
The most compelling discussion at quarterback this offseason has been regarding who can step up and take the QB4 spot in the 2021 NFL Draft. But perhaps another discussion that deserves more attention is how close the gap between Justin Fields and Trey Lance is.
Both Lance and Fields have stellar production, and both are elite positional athletes, but most people defer to Fields because of his competition level. With that being said, Lance is just as efficient, and arguably has more tangible, universal accuracy than Fields. With Teddy Bridgewater contractually secured, Matt Rhule can split hairs here, and take the gamble on the riskier quarterback, with greater eventual rewards in mind.
5) Miami Dolphins: Micah Parsons, LB Penn State
After Brian Flores rallied his Dolphins to go 5-4 in their final nine games in 2019, optimism abounds in South Florida. The job isn’t done yet, however, as Week 1 showed; Flores still has to finish incubating Tua Tagovailoa with strong support on offense, and he has to keep the pipeline of talent flowing on defense.
The Dolphins show promise, but they still have a sizable amount of needs. That helps them here, however, as they’ll be able to play the value of the board and choose the best available player. In this case, that’s linebacker Micah Parsons: an athletic, fast-paced second-level talent with a tremendous degree of versatility.
6) New York Giants: Patrick Surtain II, CB Alabama
The Giants are in dire need of sustainable improvement at cornerback, one of the most important positions on the field. They have invested resources into the position, but most of those investments have come up dry so far, not the least of which was the team’s ill-fated selection of DeAndre Baker in 2019.
In a division that hosts Jalen Reagor, DeSean Jackson, Terry McLaurin, and the talent-laden Cowboys’ receiving trio, the Giants can’t afford to keep missing at cornerback. They have to hit in the 2021 NFL Draft, and they’ll probably use an early pick to ensure their best chances of success. Patrick Surtain II, a smart, agile 6-foot-2 cornerback, may give them a better return on investment.
7) Detroit Lions: Dylan Moses, LB Alabama
Even with two years of Matt Patricia in the books, the Lions still have a lot of problems on the defensive side of the ball, specifically their defensive line, linebacker group, and secondary.
Jokes aside, the Lions do have some pieces in place, and adding Jeff Okudah in the 2020 NFL Draft certainly helped, but there’s still a substantial talent gap that Detroit has to traverse if they want to compete. One need they can fill at No. 7 is that of a field general — a three-down linebacker who can be relied upon. Dylan Moses has the athleticism, football I.Q., and physicality to fulfill that role.
8) New York Jets: Ja’Marr Chase, WR LSU
If there’s one thing we can all agree upon after the first week of the 2020 season, it’s that the Jets have the NFL’s worst skill position group on offense. Sam Darnold has virtually nothing to work with, and if New York wants to salvage his development, they’ll have to act fast, and invest in bulk.
Ja’Marr Chase opted out of the 2020 college football season to prepare for the NFL Draft. Lesser-known players might experience losses with this kind of decision, but Chase doesn’t have to worry about that. After a 2019 campaign that saw him rack up 84 catches, 1,780 yards, and 20 touchdowns, he’s firmly a top-three receiver on almost every draft board. With his high floor and complete skill set, he fits the Jets’ needs to a tee.
9) Arizona Cardinals: Abraham Lucas, OT Washington State
This will no doubt come as a surprise, as Washington State’s Abraham Lucas is a rare first-round inclusion to this point. Swooping into the top-ten, out of nowhere, is a big deal, but there’s a reason for this pick.
Lucas isn’t as close to Penei Sewell as this selection insinuates, but he’s still a supremely athletic tackle and has a dominant 6-foot-7, 324-pound frame. He also has experience in a pass-oriented offensive system with now-Mississippi State head coach Mike Leach, so there should be some overlap as he works to adopt Kliff Kingsbury’s scheme.
10) Las Vegas Raiders: Marvin Wilson, DT Florida State
Interior pressure is an underrated yet necessary component of modern NFL defense, and the Las Vegas Raiders are painstakingly marginal in that regard. Their 2018 second-round pick, P.J. Hall, did not pan out, and their current starting duo, Johnathan Hankins and Maliek Collins, is very underwhelming.
Maurice Hurst provides a spark on a rotational basis, but the Raiders need more to supplement their young, promising edge duo. They need Marvin Wilson — a mammoth interior lineman who brings disruptive power and explosiveness to the field, and who will likely pace this year’s defensive tackle class.
11) Los Angeles Chargers: Creed Humphrey, C Oklahoma
My colleague A.J. Schulte made this pick for the Los Angeles Chargers in his most recent 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft, and I’m in agreement with him. There are a few other avenues the Chargers could opt to pursue here, but Creed Humphrey makes a lot of sense.
The Chargers need help all across their offensive line, but with a young quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers should make securing the quickest path to the quarterback their top priority. A substandard center can hinder a quarterback’s development, but by picking Humphrey, the Chargers can avoid that problem.
12) Atlanta Falcons: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S Florida State
Stop me if you’ve heard this before: The Falcons’ offense continues to produce, but the defense leaves much to be desired. It’s a strange discrepancy in Atlanta, considering that Dan Quinn is a defensive coach. While Matt Ryan has kept the offense humming for years on end, Quinn’s unit routinely fails to back up the point scorers.
On both the second and third levels, the Falcons could use more flexibility and playmaking ability. At 12th overall, Hamsah Nasirildeen is available to provide them with both. Listed at 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, Nasirildeen has the size and athleticism to play at both safety and linebacker, and his versatility could free up more specific Falcons role players to play to their strengths.
13) Miami Dolphins (via Texans): Rondale Moore, WR Purdue
The Dolphins have a respectable tandem of tall boundary receivers in DeVante Parker and Preston Williams, but they could use someone to help draw attention, spread the field, and create space for his teammates, while also generating yards on his own.
Purdue’s Rondale Moore is a great fit, in this regard. He’s on the small side, but he more than makes up for it with his dynamic athleticism, crisp route-running ability, and elite run-after-catch propensity. Tua excels at ball placement in the short-to-intermediate ranges of the field, and with Moore on the receiving end, that’s a pairing that can be very fruitful.
14) Chicago Bears: Justin Fields, QB Ohio State
The Bears again find themselves in the honeymoon phase with Mitchell Trubisky, after his three-touchdown, zero-interception season debut. How long do you think that the honeymoon phase lasts?
Eventually, Ryan Pace and the Bears need to be honest to themselves about Trubisky. Even on his best days, he’s not a quarterback who can consistently elevate an offense. Justin Fields, however, is. With his mix of athleticism and arm elasticity, Fields is a quarterback that can lead the Bears to NFC North titles.
15) Denver Broncos: Alex Leatherwood, OT Alabama
Alex Leatherwood was considered a fringe first-round prospect for the 2020 NFL Draft but opted to stay in school for his final season. Strangely, he hasn’t transferred over as a consensus top tackle prospect, but as football comes back, he’ll have a chance to remind onlookers of his upside.
Leatherwood is a massive 6-foot-6, 312-pound blindside blocker who has good mobility and power, and has also shown the ability to shift inside on occasion. For Denver, however, he’ll be best used at tackle. He could replace Garett Bolles, whose fifth-year option was declined this offseason, but if Bolles progresses and shows consistency in the weeks to come, Leatherwood can also provide security on the right side.
16) Cleveland Browns: Shaun Wade, CB Ohio State
The slot has been a leaky area for the Browns’ defense so far this season, and even with Kevin Johnson returning soon, there’s no guarantee that changes. It’s always better to play it safe at cornerback and invest more than what appears necessary. For two years straight, the Browns have spent a first or second-round pick at this position, and they may do it again in 2021.
Shaun Wade has appeal in several ways at this juncture. He has pre-existing chemistry with Denzel Ward, whom he played with at Ohio State. He also fits the slot designation very well, having the short-area explosiveness and physicality to thrive there. Matt Valdovinos compared Wade to Colts’ standout Kenny Moore II earlier in the offseason, and if that comparison holds up, Cleveland will get their money’s worth from this pick.
Cummings’ 3-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft | Picks 17-32
17) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): Jaylen Twyman, DT Pittsburgh
It wasn’t long ago that the Jacksonville Jaguars’ defensive front was one of the more respected groups in football. Of course, that was back when some people still believed Blake Bortles was a starting quarterback, so I guess it has been a while.
But I digress. The point is, defensive success at the NFL level is predicated on having a disruptive defensive front. If your defensive line can’t make the passer uncomfortable, then you have an issue that trickles to the second and third levels. With Calais Campbell gone, the Jaguars need to supplement their interior line with a fresh pass-rushing presence, and Pittsburgh’s explosive defensive lineman, Jaylen Twyman, can help with that.
18) Green Bay Packers: Rashod Bateman, WR Minnesota
Okay, so the Packers survived Week 1 with their receiving corps against a Minnesota Vikings cornerback group that fielded two rookies and a 2019 undrafted free agent, and also lacked a pass-rush boost from Danielle Hunter. Congrats, but sorry: We’re still going to draft a wide receiver.
Davante Adams is elite, no doubt about it. But behind him, there’s still no guarantee that Marquez Valdes-Scantling and Allen Lazard can produce consistently, and Lazard is due to become a free agent in 2021. With Jordan Love waiting in the wings, the Packers have to invest in more weapons, and adding Rashod Bateman — a true alpha with excellent contested-catch ability and athletic freedom — is a good start.
19) Tennessee Titans: Kwity Paye, EDGE Michigan
The Titans have a good thing going for now, with Jadeveon Clowney on one side of the line and Harold Landry on the other. But next year, things could change. Clowney is only on a one-year deal, and Landry heads into a contract year in 2021 with no fifth-year option to utilize. The Titans may very well be left longing on the edge again, but luckily for them, they’re in prime position to renew the cycle.
Michigan’s Kwity Paye fits the Titan mold with his hot motor and physical play style. He was one of Feldman’s Freaks earlier in the offseason, boasting historic short-area agility numbers and very good explosiveness for his 6-foot-4, 271-pound frame. With the Big Ten starting up again, and with Paye having officially opted in, he could be on his way to sealing the EDGE-1 mantle.
20) Buffalo Bills: Patrick Jones, EDGE Pittsburgh
Remember when I said Paye could be on his way to sealing the EDGE-1 mantle? Well, he’s not alone in pursuing that title. In fact, as many five edge prospects could reach that point by season’s end.
Another such player is Patrick Jones, an athletic, bendy defender for the Pittsburgh Panthers, who pairs explosiveness with a well-filled out 6-foot-5, 260-pound frame. Jones applies a hard-nosed approach with his physical traits, and he’d benefit from the environment that the Bills have created in Buffalo.
21) New York Jets (via Seahawks): Asante Samuel Jr., CB Florida State
Every early Jets pick comes with a certain pain to the soul, and the knowledge that the development of each New York selection will likely be suffocated by a life-size Adam Gase pillow.
In this sense, we all lost the Jamal Adams trade. But if New York plays their cards right, they can get a high-floor player who can withstand the dysfunction under Gase and still produce. Asante Samuel Jr. provides that kind of security at cornerback. He’s slightly undersized, but he’s a ballhawk all the way, and he has the versatility and instincts to line up in the slot or on the boundary.
22) Indianapolis Colts: Jayson Oweh, EDGE Penn State
The Colts seem to like their athletes on the edge, having picked Ben Banogu and Kemoko Turay in recent years, both of whom logged Relative Athletic Scores over 9.00 at the edge rusher position. Surprisingly enough, if they were to draft Penn State’s Jayson Oweh, he’d be the best athlete of the bunch.
Rumor has it that Oweh can run a sub-4.35 40-yard dash at 6-foot-5, 257 pounds. He also has a 36.5-inch vertical jump and a 126-inch broad jump, both insane explosiveness figures for his size. The Colts could use more rotational depth on the end of the line, and Oweh can provide that and more in his first year.
23) Minnesota Vikings: Jay Tufele, DT USC
The Vikings should be competitive in the NFC playoff hunt this year, but one thing that might hold them back is their interior defensive line. It’s a weak spot on an otherwise strong and upside-laden defensive cast, but Minnesota can change that in 2021.
Jay Tufele is a stout, explosive interior lineman who has the size and athleticism to be an impact player against both the run and the pass at the NFL level, and he can help the Vikings round out what should be a productive line with Yannick Ngakoue and Danielle Hunter.
24) Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR Alabama
Speed works at wide receiver, and the Eagles have a lot of it, with Jalen Reagor and DeSean Jackson taking up opposite ends of the field. But Jackson is getting older, and Reagor alone isn’t enough to buoy the team’s offense. Philadelphia needs another reliable receiving threat, and DeVonta Smith qualifies better than almost anyone.
Smith has enough athletic freedom to succeed at wide receiver, and he complements his mobility with sharp movements and precise route-running nuance. His hands are also rock-solid, a quality that should be valued generously in Philadelphia.
25) Pittsburgh Steelers: Jackson Carman, OT Clemson
The Steelers have uncertainty unfolding at their tackle positions. On the left side, Alejandro Villanueva turns 32 years old soon and hits free agency in 2021. And on the right side, Zach Banner, the team’s initial starting right tackle, tore his ACL, leaving the job to unproven 2018 third-round pick Chukwuma Okorafor.
Regardless of Pittsburgh’s confidence in their younger tackles, it would be a good idea to invest more talent in the position in the spring, to both insulate Ben Roethlisberger’s remaining years, as well as prepare for the next signal caller. Clemson’s Jackson Carman, a strong, capable tackle, can give the Steelers what they need.
26) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Gregory Rousseau, DE Miami
Even with Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul on the edges, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could stand to generate more pressure. Fielding a 3-4 scheme, Tampa Bay could use a lineman who can rotate in with the edge rushers, while also possessing the ability to shift inside to a three-technique defensive end position.
Gregory Rousseau is a player who has these capabilities. Sporting a massive 6-foot-7, 265-pound frame, Rousseau has the length to pry open lanes anywhere along the line, and he has enough explosiveness to be a threat on the edge from a stand-up position as well. He can stand to improve his power and torso flexibility, but his athletic makeup will provide teams with unquestionable versatility.
27) New England Patriots: Jaylen Waddle, WR Alabama
Every year, the New England Patriots seem to get by on subpar NFL receiving talent. But if you think that’s going to stop me from giving them a wide receiver in this 2021 3-round mock draft, think again.
The Patriots are a lot of fun with Cam Newton, but wouldn’t they be even more fun if they had a menacingly dynamic receiving target with the shiftiness to create open space from thin air, and the top-end speed and explosiveness to hit daylight on any given play? I rest my case for Jaylen Waddle.
28) Dallas Cowboys: Jevon Holland, S Oregon
The Cowboys’ secondary is difficult to evaluate; the cornerbacks are young and have upside, but at the safety position, there’s a clear lack of production. Dallas could use a versatile chess piece on the back end, and Jevon Holland can provide just that.
As a blitzer, a run defender, and a cover man, Holland is very proficient, and while he’s not a top-flight athlete, he has enough athleticism to produce with his instincts and his awareness at multiple levels. He’d help Dallas capitalize on a promising front seven.
29) New Orleans Saints: Nick Bolton, LB Missouri
The Saints invested enough into their linebacker group in 2020 to stay afloat for at least another year, but with Demario Davis aging, they’ll have to find another alpha soon. Luckily for them, there’s one linebacker prospect in their range who’s flying under the radar, and his name is Nick Bolton.
Bolton has all-encompassing sideline-to-sideline speed, and he plays with torrid urgency. He’s a bit undersized for a linebacker from a height and weight perspective, but his build is extremely compact, and it allows him to fly around the field and impose his will. He’s the kind of player you want at the center of your defense.
30) Baltimore Ravens: Paris Ford, S Pittsburgh
After releasing Earl Thomas, the Ravens still have a need to fill at free safety, and while DeShon Elliott still has time to win over the coaching staff, he hasn’t made an impression thus far. At the 30th pick, the Ravens can upgrade with Pittsburgh safety Paris Ford.
Ford hasn’t often been discussed in the context of the first round, but he’s every bit as deserving as other safeties on the board. Ford is an elite athlete with good size, instincts, and a penchant for playmaking. The Ravens will enjoy honing his fast, aggressive playstyle, and he’ll fit right in among one of the best secondaries in the league.
31) San Francisco 49ers: Trey Smith, OG Tennessee
The interior offensive line was a problem for the San Francisco 49ers in Week 1, and this was against a Cardinals defensive front that didn’t offer much-established talent aside from Chandler Jones. The 49ers’ offensive scheme calls for the line to actively generate space, and that’s something Trey Smith is somewhat of a specialist at.
Smith, a 6-foot-6, 330-pound mauler, was a first-team All-SEC honoree in 2020, standing out on a Tennessee offensive line that routinely faced off against formidable competition. Smith blends solid functional athleticism with overwhelming power and anchor strength, and he’s exactly the kind of interior blocker that’s in demand in the modern NFL.
32) Kansas City Chiefs: Jaycee Horn, CB South Carolina
The Chiefs could probably just Zoom call into the draft, get their attendance points, and walk. With their first-round pick in 2021, they’ll have two options: Make a great offense better, or make a solid defense better.
I chose defense, specifically cornerback, where the depth is a little less inspiring than the rest of the roster. Jaycee Horn, an athletically well-built, instinctive defender, should be able to complete a promising young secondary that includes the underrated Charvarius Ward and the upstart rookie L’Jarius Sneed.
Cummings’ 3-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft | Round 2
33) Jacksonville Jaguars: Elijah Molden, CB Washington
34) Washington Football Team: Kyle Pitts, TE Florida
35) Cincinnati Bengals: Jalen Mayfield, OT Michigan
His name may be too phonetically similar to a certain rival AFC North quarterback for comfort, but don’t worry, Jalen Mayfield is no double agent. He’ll do his job for the Bengals, just as he’s done so with the Michigan Wolverines.
Mayfield earned All-Big Ten honors in his first full season as a starter in 2019, and he’s not done trending up. Mayfield offers a solid combination of size, mobility, and power, and while he can continue to refine his hand technique, he should be an upgrade over what the Bengals currently field opposite Jonah Williams.
36) Carolina Panthers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG USC
37) Miami Dolphins: Tyler Linderbaum, C Iowa
38) New York Giants: Chris Rumph, EDGE Duke
39) Detroit Lions: Samuel Cosmi, OT Texas
40) New York Jets: Quincy Roche, EDGE Miami
41) Arizona Cardinals: Wyatt Davis, OG Ohio State
The offensive line revamp continues, as the Cardinals now select Ohio State offensive guard Wyatt Davis in the second round, after picking up Washington State offensive tackle Abraham Lucas in the first.
Both Justin Pugh and J.R. Sweezy underwhelmed in Week 1, and both guards are over 30 years old. At this juncture, Arizona has a chance to pick up a high-upside interior blocker who they can either ease in or start right away. You know how dynamic Kyler Murray is. Now imagine when he has more time in the pocket.
42) Las Vegas Raiders: Derion Kendrick, CB Clemson
43) Los Angeles Chargers: Tamorrion Terry, WR Florida State
44) Atlanta Falcons: Pat Freiermuth, TE Penn State
45) Miami Dolphins (via Texans): Ar’Darius Washington, S TCU
46) Chicago Bears: Najee Harris, RB Alabama
47) Denver Broncos: Christian Barmore, DT Alabama
48) Cleveland Browns: Carlos Basham, EDGE Wake Forest
Carlos Basham sometimes gets buried amidst the vast allotment of obscurity that the 2021 NFL Draft class has to offer, but he’s one of the most established talents in this class. A team could luck into drafting him as a potential starter in Round 2 or Round 3 next year.
Athletically, Basham is only average. But he’s a thickly-built edge defender who can win with his power, his motor, and his searing fast hands. Basham almost seems built for the Dawg Pound, and with Olivier Vernon starting to trend downward, there might be an opening for Basham to fill next year.
49) Los Angeles Rams: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB Notre Dame
50) Green Bay Packers: Paulson Adebo, CB Stanford
51) Tennessee Titans: Darius Stills, DT West Virginia
52) Buffalo Bills: Tyson Campbell, CB Georgia
53) Seattle Seahawks: Dillon Radunz, OT North Dakota State
54) Indianapolis Colts: Chris Olave, WR Ohio State
55) Jacksonville Jaguars (via Vikings): Travis Etienne, RB Clemson
56) Philadelphia Eagles: Andre Cisco, S Syracuse
57) Pittsburgh Steelers: Kyle Trask, QB Florida
Kyle Trask wins the “QB4” battle in this 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft, but he benefits somewhat from the fact that he hasn’t had a chance to deflate his stock yet (Brock Purdy) and he hasn’t opted out of a season that would grant him needed development (Jamie Newman).
Instead, Trask awaits the SEC season. Trask distinguished himself with game-to-game consistency last year, and he has an intriguing pallet of tools — among them solid arm talent, mobility, and accuracy in the intermediate range. Trask has to improve his play-to-play consistency, but he could be a smart venture for the Steelers at this point.
58) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Chazz Surratt, LB North Carolina
59) New England Patriots: Osa Odighizuwa, DT UCLA
60) Dallas Cowboys: Brevin Jordan, TE Miami
61) New Orleans Saints: Caden Sterns, S Texas
62) Baltimore Ravens: Shaka Toney, EDGE Penn State
63) San Francisco 49ers: Robert Rochell, CB Central Arkansas
This is pretty rich for an FCS cornerback, but Robert Rochell is built differently. He’s a transcendent athlete at the cornerback position. At 6-foot-1, 197, Rochell reportedly has a 4.38 40-yard dash time, a 41-inch vertical, a 140-inch broad jump, and a sub-4.00 short shuttle time. Rochell’s production backs up his athletic traits; he has 10 interceptions and 35 pass deflections to his name through three seasons.
Rochell’s a Senior Bowl participant this coming offseason, and he could potentially be invited to the NFL Combine. If he does, he’ll no doubt light up the charts and boost his stock tremendously. The 49ers need high-upside developmental talent at cornerback, and without a third-round pick, they might reach a bit to get it.
64) Kansas City Chiefs: Victor Dimukeje, EDGE Duke
Cummings’ 3-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft | Round Three
65) Jacksonville Jaguars: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR USC
66) Washington Football Team: Seth Williams, WR Auburn
Week 1 exposed a dire need for more receiving talent for the Washington Football Team. Terry McLaurin and Steven Sims have the skills to serve as pieces of the offense, but more is needed if the group is to flourish as a whole.
On the surface, Seth Williams might not seem like the right fit. His chief strength might be his ability to win in contested situations by contorting his body and boxing out defenders. But Williams also has very good speed and acceleration for his 6-foot-3, 211-pound frame, and he can give Washington a very complete X-receiver on the boundary.
67) Cincinnati Bengals: Rashawn Slater, OG Northwestern
68) Carolina Panthers: Israel Mukuamu, CB South Carolina
69) Miami Dolphins: Rasheed Walker, OT Penn State
70) New York Giants: Landon Young, OT Kentucky
71) Detroit Lions: Tylan Wallace, WR Oklahoma State
72) New York Jets: Kenneth Gainwell, RB Memphis
Le’Veon Bell may just be a name at this point. The Jets offense under Adam Gase has starved him of his opportunities and his support, and it appears as though a union that was once looked on with optimism may soon fall under twilight.
With that being said, it might be best for the Jets to change course, and eventually give touches to a younger, more versatile player. At this point in Round 3, Kenneth Gainwell is a massive steal, and he fits the profile New York is looking for, with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage in the 2019 season.
73) Arizona Cardinals: Levi Onwuzurike, DT Washington
74) Las Vegas Raiders: Trevon Moehrig, S TCU
75) Los Angeles Chargers: Kuony Deng, LB California
76) Atlanta Falcons: Joseph Ossai, EDGE Texas
77) Houston Texans: Eric Stokes, CB Georgia
78) Chicago Bears: Ronnie Perkins, EDGE Oklahoma
79) Denver Broncos: Jacoby Stevens, S LSU
Safety tandems can be very valuable, and last year, the Broncos had a good one with Kareem Jackson and Justin Simmons. But with Jackson turning 33 years old next April, and Simmons on the franchise tag, it might be smart to use this third-round pick on insurance. LSU’s Jacoby Stevens is quite the insurance policy.
Standing at 6-foot-2, 230, Stevens is a heavily-built defensive back with a ton of mass to throw around the field. Stevens has versatility, in that he’s very powerful lingering in the box, but he can also close ground in the deep third if necessary. With the future of two Broncos safeties up in the air, Stevens provides a nice mix.
80) Cleveland Browns: Cameron McGrone, LB Michigan
81) Los Angeles Rams: Zion Johnson, OG Boston College
82) Green Bay Packers: LaBryan Ray, DT Alabama
83) Tennessee Titans: Anthony Schwartz, WR Auburn
84) Buffalo Bills: Deonte Brown, OG Alabama
85) New York Jets (via Seahawks): Aashari Crosswell, S Arizona State
86) Indianapolis Colts: Liam Eichenberg, OT Notre Dame
87) Minnesota Vikings: Tyler Vaughns, WR USC
88) Philadelphia Eagles: Thomas Graham Jr., CB Oregon
89) Pittsburgh Steelers: Tyler Shelvin, DT LSU
90) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Kenny Pickett, QB Pittsburgh
Let me clarify first. This pick isn’t so much a prediction as it is a move to draw attention to one of my favorite quarterback sleepers in the 2021 NFL Draft. For the moment, Pittsburgh’s Kenny Pickett is still a Day 3 pick, overshadowed by the likes of Kellen Mond, Kyle Trask, and Tanner Morgan, but he has the upside to rise into the Day 2 conversation.
Pickett has a strong, elastic arm, and displays the ability to hit his mark when throwing off-platform. He’s also a relatively explosive athlete for the quarterback position, and a fiery competitor who gives his all on every snap. In Week 1 — albeit against FCS competition — Pickett showed flashes of improved pocket presence and processing skills, and if he takes the long-awaited leap, he could garner more respect on the draft circuit.
91) Dallas Cowboys: Marco Wilson, CB Florida
92) Cleveland Browns (via Saints): Terrace Marshall Jr., WR LSU
93) Baltimore Ravens: Aidan Hutchinson, DE Michigan
94) Washington Football Team (via 49ers): Richie Grant, S UCF
95) Kansas City Chiefs: Sage Surratt, WR Wake Forest
Sage Surratt announced his intention to opt out of the 2020 college football season and prepare for the 2021 NFL Draft, a decision that was viewed as unwise by many in the draft community, including Tony Pauline, who was hoping to see Surratt improve his route running and produce with a new signal caller in 2020.
Surratt could drop into Day 3 if he doesn’t show enough athleticism at the NFL Combine, but in this 3-round 2021 NFL mock draft, the Chiefs save him from slipping into Round 4. While not overly fast or sudden, Surratt has excellent toughness and reliability at the catch point, as well as some run-after-catch potential. This is a value proposition for the Chiefs, who hope to give Surratt more space to make plays with all the speed around him.