2021 NFL Mock Draft

Last update: Tuesday, March 23, 2021. Major updates.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

NFL Draft Recent Links:
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 10/9): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/11)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (7/17)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


    *** 2021 NFL MOCK DRAFT updated March 23. This mock draft will be updated weekly. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***
  1. Jacksonville Jaguars 2021 NFL Mock Draft Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson Clemson
    The Jaguars were gifted the No. 1 overall pick due to the Jets’ incompetence. This was a franchise-altering turn of events that even had the mayor of Jacksonville thanking the Jets via Twitter. This is an obvious selection. The Gardner Minshew experience was fun, but it’s sadly coming to an end. Minshew is a feisty quarterback, but will be relegated to backup duties because he can’t throw passes longer than 15 yards.

    Trevor Lawrence is locked in as the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has it all, and that includes size (6-6, 215), a big arm, accuracy and mobility.

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  2. New York Jets 2021 NFL Draft New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU BYU
    The Jets made a very foolish decision to beat the Rams (and the Browns.) Now, they have a dilemma. Do they select the second-best quarterback in the class or stick with Sam Darnold? Considering that Darnold has shown no signs of becoming a franchise quarterback and has admitted to “seeing ghosts,” it would be best to trade him, especially given that New York will have to pay him a large contract to retain him. It would be smart to move him for a second- or third-round pick.

    Zach Wilson is a smart quarterback with good arm talent. However, there are some reported off-the-field and injury issues. Go here to read about Teams Having Concerns with Zach Wilson. I’ve moved Wilson up to No. 2, but the Jets could still go with Justin Fields.

  3. Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon Oregon
    The Dolphins signed Will Fuller, so that likely takes them out of Devonta Smith/Ja’Marr Chase consideration. That means there are now three possibilities for this pick: Penei Sewell, Kyle Pitts and a trade. I think the latter is the most likely because a team desperate for a quarterback may want to move ahead of the Falcons.

    If there’s no trade, Sewell makes the most sense. Picking Sewell will create major complications if Austin Jackson turns into a Pro Bowl-caliber tackle because Miami will have to hand out two huge contracts to the same position in a span of 12 months – it’s why the Browns didn’t select Bradley Chubb after Myles Garrett – but it’s possible that the Dolphins have soured on Jackson a bit after his underwhelming rookie campaign.



    Pick change; previously DeVonta Smith, WR



  4. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State Ohio State
    Entering free agency, the Falcons had the third-worst cap situation in the NFL, and really, the second-worst only behind Philadelphia if the Saints were excluded (Drew Brees will be off the books in the wake of his retirement.) They could move on from Matt Ryan as a result. New regimes mean new quarterbacks, so this selection could be used on the third signal-caller in this class.

    Justin Fields dominated in his first season at Ohio State. He continued his strong play into the shortened 2020 campaign, aside from sloppy performances against Indiana and Northwestern. He seemed injured in those games, but after a long layoff, he dominated Clemson in the playoff semi-final. Drawing comparisons to Deshaun Watson, Fields should be the second- or fourth-overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft.

  5. Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida Florida
    The Bengals would love Penei Sewell to fall to them, which is a possibility if the Dolphins move out of the No. 3 pick. If Sewell isn’t available, Kyle Pitts is the favorite to be chosen at this spot. The Bengals haven’t possessed a talented tight end since Tyler Eifert’s pre-injury days. Joe Burrow would greatly benefit from Pitts’ presence.

    Pitts is a matchup nightmare, as he’s too fast for linebackers and too big for safeties.

    Pick change; previously Penei Sewell, OT



  6. Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama Alabama
    The Eagles tanked to move from No. 9 to 6. They claimed that they wanted to take a look at Nate Sudfeld, when it’s more likely that they saw film on DeVonta Smith and were hoping to obtain him. Smith – or Ja’Marr Chase – would offer a huge upgrade at receiver. Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson are gone, while Jalen Reagor was a major bust last year.

    Smith is an excellent route runner with great hands and tremendous run-after-catch ability. He rightfully won the Heisman and then embarrassed Ohio State in the national championship.

    Pick change; previously Kyle Pitts, TE

  7. Detroit Lions Detroit Lions: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU LSU
    Matthew Stafford was traded to the Rams, but I don’t think the Lions are going after a quarterback with this pick because they’re likely to give Jared Goff a try for one year. If so, Detroit will focus on its other big issues, including their receivers. Both Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones have signed elsewhere, so two new receivers are needed.

    Chase caught 17 passes in his freshman year, then took a huge step forward in 2019, displaying the ability of a top-10 prospect.



  8. Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State North Dakota State
    The Panthers are extremely desperate to find a quarterback. They reportedly are willing to trade three first-round picks and Christian McCaffrey for Deshaun Watson. If that deal is done, the Panthers will be using this selection on a quarterback anyway. If not, the Panthers may use this pick on a signal-caller.

    Trey Lance has some nice physical tools, and he’s coming off a huge year in 2019. For more on him, check out Charlie Campbell’s entry in the NFL Hot Press.

  9. Denver Broncos Denver Broncos: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State Penn State
    The Broncos have been looking for a stud linebacker for years. They could finally address that need in the 2021 NFL Draft.

    Looking like the next great linebacker to come out of Penn State, Micah Parsons was very productive. That was not a surprise, as Parsons was a highly athletic five-star recruit.



  10. Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama Alabama
    The Cowboys will be tempted to upgrade their offensive line, but I suspect that they’ll target a potential shutdown cornerback instead to fix their woeful pass defense.

    Son of former Dolphins star cornerback Patrick Surtain Sr., Surtain II was tested early by teams, yet was able to punish opponents for doing so. The 6-foot-2 cornerback projects as a top-15 pick in the future.

  11. New York Giants New York Giants: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami Miami
    The Giants needed to upgrade their pass defense. They signed Adoree Jackson to pair with James Bradberry, but the two talented cornerbacks could use support from a better pass rush.

    Jaelan Phillips had a monster year in replacing the opted-out Gregory Rousseau.

    Pick change; previously Jaylen Waddle, WR

  12. San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech Virginia Tech
    The 49ers lost a couple of cornerbacks to free agency – Richard Sherman, Ahkello Witherspoon – so there’s a good chance they’ll be targeting this position when the 2021 NFL Draft arrives.

    Caleb Farley opted out of the 2020 season, but he has high upside with nice size and speed.

  13. Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, OT/G/C, Northwestern Northwestern
    The Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert as well as possible. They have a huge hole at left tackle that must be addressed.

    Rashawn Slater can play every position on the offensive line. He some great tape against Chase Young.

  14. Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami Miami
    The Vikings need as much defensive help as possible. They have to bolster their defensive line to replace some recent departures, including Yannick Ngakoue, who was traded during the 2020 season.

    Gregory Rousseau logged double-digit sacks as a redshirt freshman in 2019. He was compared to Calais Campbell entering Miami.

    Pick change; previously Jaelan Phillips, DE

  15. New England Patriots New England Patriots: Zaven Collins, DE/OLB, Tulsa Tulsa
    With the top four quarterbacks off the board, the Patriots should wait until Day 2 to find a new signal-caller and obtain help on their defensive line in the meantime.

    Zaven Collins seems built for the Patriots. He’s extremely versatile – he can rush on the edge or play linebacker in the middle of the field – and could be viewed as a better version of Kyle Van Noy.

    Pick change; previously Gregory Rousseau, DE



  16. Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina South Carolina
    The Cardinals had major issues stopping the pass. They need someone to replace Patrick Peterson, who signed with the Vikings this offseason.

    Jaycee Horn is a fast, fluid athlete. Team sources have told Charlie Campbell that Horn is a better prospect than his teammate, Israel Mukuamu.


  17. Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

    Sorry for cutting this into two halves; I’ve received complaints about load times and putting the mock draft on two pages saves bandwidth.



Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2 | Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3


Go to 2022 NFL Mock Draft | Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell


Go to 2023 NFL Mock Draft | Go to 2021 Fantasy Football Rankings


Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4 | Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 5







NFL Picks - Oct. 12


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 9


NFL Power Rankings - Oct. 8


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2003 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/8/08)
My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
2005 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/4/08)
My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
2006 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded on 7/3)
My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
2007 NFL Draft Grades
2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 10/9): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/11)
2026 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 7/24): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (7/17)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock