2021 NFL Mock Draft – Watson Traded to Jets

Monday, Feb. 1, 2021.
2021 NFL Mock DRAFT – WALT’S | CHARLIE’S
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2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 12/11): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The Jacksonville Jaguars won the lottery with landing the No. 1-overall pick given there is a generational quarterback prospect available. This is a no-brainer pick for Urban Meyer, and it will be fascinating to see if Meyer and Trent Baalke squander Lawrence the way Ryan Grigson and Chuck Pagano squandered Andrew Luck, or if they deliver on Lawrence’s promise and become a consistent Super Bowl contender.

Lawrence made some beautiful throws in 2020, showing off his powerful arm, accuracy, and an impressive ability to throw on the run. His deep ball accuracy was phenomenal. On the year, Lawrence completed 69 percent of his passes in 2020 for 3,153 yards, 24 touchdowns passing and five interceptions. Lawrence also rushed for eight touchdowns.

In 2019, Lawrence completed 66 percent of his passes for 3,665 yards with 36 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He also ran for 563 yards and nine touchdowns while leading Clemson back to the National Championship Game. Lawrence showed further development as a passer and as a team leader. Lawrence took college football by storm as a freshman in 2018, compiling a flawless season that culminated with him ripping Alabama’s defense comprised of NFL talent to win another National Championship for Clemson. Lawrence completed 65 percent of his passes for 3,280 yards with 30 touchdowns and four interceptions on the year.

The 6-foot-5, 205-pounder has a powerful arm, developed poise, and play-making ability. Lawrence makes good decisions while distributing the ball well to his phenomenal supporting cast. On top of his great size and arm, Lawrence is a dangerous runner with surprising speed and moves in the open field. He can make something out of nothing and shows real toughness as a runner. Lawrence needs to improve not staring down his first read and getting quicker at working through his progressions.

Houston Texans: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Jets and Dolphins are realistically the two best positioned teams to pull off a trade for Deshaun Watson. The Jets could offer their two first-rounders this year, Sam Darnold, and a 2022 first-round pick, probably the pick from Seattle. New York general manager Joe Douglas works for a franchise that does not have a lot of patience and is in a high-pressure media market. Deshaun Watson is a much safer bet to lead the Jets to being championship-caliber team and save Douglas’ job than Sam Darnold or a new rookie quarterback like Zach Wilson, Trey Lance or Justin Fields.

If the Texans take Sam Darnold in a deal, they can use the picks to build up around him. Here’s a No.1 receiver to replace DeAndre Hopkins.

Chase (6-1, 200) enjoyed a breakout 2019 season and was a source of big plays for the Tigers’ offense. On the year, the sophomore averaged 21.2 yards per reception with 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns. He was the No. 1 receiver for the Tigers’ offense, showing off game-breaking speed with quality route-running and yards-after-the-catch ability. Chase was the best wide receiver in college football in 2019, and there wasn’t a close second. As a freshman, he had 23 catches for 313 yards with three scores.

Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Dolphins grab a weapon for Tua Tagovailoa and an elite mismatch weapon to go with DeVante Parker. Pitts could play receiver across from Parker and be a tight end to pair with Mike Gesicki in certain packages. Pitts is a rare receiving weapon who also has great character and work ethic, so he is an excellent fit for Brian Flores.

Team sources say they think Pitts is a top-10 talent due to his dynamic ability as a receiver, and some scouts feel he is the best receiving weapon in the 2021 NFL Draft. Some think he could play wide receiver and be a poor man’s Calvin Johnson. Others think Pitts should stay at tight end but could be a Travis Kelce- or Tony Gonzalez-caliber weapon. The consensus among team evaluators is that Pitts is a far better tight end prospect than T.J. Hockenson, Eric Ebron, O.J. Howard or Evan Engram.

Pitts was incredible in 2020, showing speed on long touchdown receptions, size on jump balls, superior route-running to create separation, good hands, and dangerous yards-after-the-catch skills. He was too fast for linebackers and some defensive backs while being too big for safeties or cornerbacks in coverage. Pitts is matchup nightmare and the most dynamic mismatch receiving weapon in the 2021 NFL Draft, including Ja’Marr Chase, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle. The 6-foot-6, 239-pound Pitts also is known to be a great kid who loves football, works hard, and is a good teammate.

Pitts totaled 43 receptions for 770 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2020. He turned into play-maker in 2019, creating mismatches in the passing game while recording 54 receptions for 649 yards and five touchdowns.

Atlanta Falcons: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Given the age of Matt Ryan and the Falcons’ salary cap issues, it would make sense to draft their starter of the future if they have a shot at one of the top quarterback prospects. A new regime in Atlanta could start the rebuilding process with its own quarterback.

Wilson has some arm talent, makes good decisions, and has an efficient style of play. The 6-foot-3, 210-pounder also is a very good athlete who can pick up yards with his feet and is excellent at buying time to escape the pass rush and extend plays. Team sources say Wilson is confident and intelligent, plays tough, has keen recall, and inspires his teammates play for him. On the negative side, they say Wilson is a rich, entitled brat who rather than being a leader, is a selfish know-it-all – his parents are a pain to deal with too. In the short interviews at the combine and in Zoom meetings, Wilson probably be a star because his intelligence, confidence and excellent recall will shine through in those environments. Thus, I could see Wilson continuing to rise throughout the draft process.

Wilson played well in 2020, dominating a lot of weak competition and completing 73 percent of his passes for 3,692 yards with 33 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also notched 10 rushing scores. In 2019, he completed 62.4 percent of his passes for 2,382 yards with 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. In 2018, he completed 66 percent of his passes for 1,578 yards with 12 touchdowns and three interceptions.

Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Bengals add a franchise left tackle to protect Joe Burrow.

Sewell (6-6, 325) had a dominant 2019 season as the blind-side protector for Justin Herbert. With his good size, length, quickness and athleticism, Sewell has a nice skill set that could end up making him one of the top choices of the 2021 NFL Draft. For his excellent sophomore season, Sewell won the Outland Trophy and was the Pac-12 co-offensive player of the year. Sewell was a shutdown pass protector as a freshman in 2018, not allowing a sack in over 926 snaps. He only was credited with allowing seven pressures and two hits that season. Having skipped the Pac-12’s pandemic-shortened season should not harm Sewell’s draft stock because he had already produced two good seasons of tape for the NFL to examine.

Philadelphia Eagles: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Philadelphia could use linebacker upgrade, and this is a deep receiver draft, so they could land the top linebacker in the first round and take a good receiving weapon on Day 2.

Parsons totaled 109 tackles, five sacks, four forced fumbles and five passes defended in 2019. He was always around the ball and produced some splash plays for Penn State. Parsons broke into the starting lineup as a true freshman in 2018 and showed that he has lot of upside to develop into an intriguing player. On the year, he totaled 83 tackles with five for a loss, 1.5 sacks and two forced fumbles.

Parsons (6-3, 245) has good size, speed and quality instincts. Prior to the Big Ten canceling and then restarting its season, Parsons decided not to play in 2020. Team sources say that while Parsons is not a criminal, he is being dinged for character in their reports.

Detroit Lions: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Detroit starts the rebuilding process with their quarterback of the future. The Lions could be in good position to have Trey Lance or Justin Fields fall to them.

Fields completed 70 percent of his passes in 2020 for 2,100 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions. He had five rushing scores as well. Fields possesses a dynamic skill set with natural passing ability and is a dangerous runner. He is an accurate passer with a strong arm, is aggressive to push the ball downfield, and is a playmaker with his feet. Team sources agreed he looks like a bigger Deshaun Watson. Fields definitely needs development and refinement, as he as a serious lack of pocket awareness. Improving his pocket passing, executing in the face of the rush, handling blitzes, and anticipating receivers coming open are critical areas of emphasis for Fields.

Coming out of high school, Fields (6-3, 223) was one of the top recruits in the nation along with Trevor Lawrence. Fields started off his career at Georgia before transferring to Ohio State. In Fields’ one season at Georgia, he was 27-of-39 for 328 yards with four touchdowns passing and four touchdowns rushing. He took over as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback in 2019 following Dwayne Haskins’ departure for the NFL and dominated the Big Ten. Fields completed 67 percent of his passes for 3,273 yards with 41 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also ran for 484 yards and 10 scores in 2019.

Carolina Panthers: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
The Panthers need two cornerbacks, a linebacker, a three-technique defensive tackle, and more offensive line talent. A long-term quarterback, however, trumps all other needs. Head coach Matt Rhule and offensive coordinator Joe Brady wanted Teddy Bridgewater, and that ended up wasting $42 million over two seasons that could have been spent elsewhere on the roster. Bridgewater is a competent NFL starter, but he is a Kirk Cousins-caliber player who is limited rather than a championship-level quarterback.

The money spent on Bridgwater could have been used to keep cornerback James Bradberry and sign an offensive tackle, like Jack Conklin, sign a tight end to replace Greg Olsen, like Austin Hooper, or sign a replacement for Luke Kuechly, like Nick Kwiatkoski. Instead, the Panthers still need a quarterback of the future while having big holes at linebacker, at cornerback, on the offensive line, and for a pass-rushing defensive tackle. The organization also will have $42 million less available to fill those needs because of Bridgewater’s contract. Carolina is being aggressive to replace Bridgewater, if they don’t land Deshaun Watson or another veteran they could target a young quarterback in the draft. Lance could learn behind Bridgewater for a year before taking over.

Lance’s one game of the 2020 season was a mixed outing. He missed some throws and made some mistakes, but considering the rust factor, that is somewhat understandable. Lance completed 15-of-30 passes for 149 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He ran for 143 yards and two touchdowns on 15 carries as well. The 2019 season was Lance’s first year of playing time, and he produced a huge year, completing 67 percent of his passes for 2,786 yards with 28 touchdowns and zero interceptions.

Lance is listed at 6-foot-3, 221 pounds, and sources say he has a good skill set of physical tools. In the spring of 2020, scouts told me they needed to see more from Lance and were wary of a 1-year-wonder situation, but North Dakota State had its football season canceled, other than that one game, which makes Lance a tougher and more risky evaluation for the 2021 NFL Draft.

Check out my video on racism in the NFL, with recent examples involving the Carolina Panthers.

Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The Broncos could use a cornerback upgrade, and Surtain could be their long-term No. 1 corner.

Surtain had 38 tackles, one pick-six and 11 passes batted in 2020 while playing sound coverage for Alabama. He did give up a long touchdown to Trevon Grimes in the SEC Championship.

Surtain (6-2, 203) is a big corner who brings speed and athleticism to go with his size. He was the rare freshman defensive back to see the field under Nick Saban, and in 2018, Surtain contributed 28 tackles with an interception and seven passes defended. He moved to the “star” position for 2019, which is a critical nickel corner/safety role in Alabama’s defense. Surtain is a great fit for that position, like Minkah Fitzpatrick was in past years. As a sophomore in 2019, Surtain had 42 tackles with two interceptions, three forced fumbles and eight passes broken up. Surtain is the son of former Miami Dolphins corner and three-time Pro Bowler Patrick Surtain.

Dallas Cowboys: Jaelen Phillips, DE, Miami
The Cowboys go with the best defensive player available and take an edge rusher to go across from Demarcus Lawrence. Aldon Smith and Randy Gregory are cheap rotational players, but with their off-the-field histories, they can’t be counted on as long-term pieces.

The Hurricanes were dealt a serious blow when star defensive end Gregory Rousseau decided to skip the 2020 season. Miami gave Rousseau’s number to UCLA transfer Jaelen Phillips, who did a nice job of continuing the disruptive presence coming from No. 15. Team sources said Phillips really impressed them and they see a lot of upside with the junior. On the year, Phillips totaled 45 tackles, eight sacks, an interception and three passes defended.

Phillips has a good skill set with strength to shed blocks and hold his ground in run defense. The 6-foot-5, 266-pounder really improved as a pass rusher over the course of the 2020 season, and he has quality speed to go with length and strength. Phillips could continue to grow as he gains experience.

New York Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Giants need to get more receiving weapons for Daniel Jones, and the position has been a painful weakness since trading away Odell Beckham Jr. They should double up at the position by adding receiver talent on Day 1 and Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft.

In 2020, Smith totaled 117 catches for 1,856 yards with 23 touchdowns and won the Heisman. He put together a tremendous junior season for Alabama, recording 68 receptions for 1,256 yards with 14 touchdowns. Smith had 42 catches for 693 yards and six scores in 2018.

For the NFL, Smith (6-1, 175) is dynamic receiver who could be a deadly weapon and has wide receiver No. 1 potential. He has the speed to get vertical and can burn defenses deep down the field. Smith is a phenomenal route-runner who is very sudden in and out of breaks. Cornerbacks are practically incapable of running with him, and Smith’s fabulous route-running leads to him creating separation. On top of getting open, Smith is superb after the catch with moves in the open field and a second gear to run away from defenders. Smith really is a complete package as a receiver and is NFL ready. It would not be surprising if Smith hits the ground running and is emerging as a dynamic receiver by the end of his rookie season.

San Francisco 49ers: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The 49ers could use some young talent at cornerback and safety. Here’s the former, and one who can complement Richard Sherman before eventually taking over as their No. 1 corner.

The 6-foot-2, 207-pound Farley has an excellent skill set with size, speed and athleticism. After starting out at wide receiver for the Hokies, Farley missed the 2017 season with a torn ACL. He had a bad year 2018, but was excellent in 2019, recording four interceptions with 12 passes broken up and 20 tackles. It was impressive that Farley played that well considering he had a serious back injury for a lot of the season.

Farley decided to sit out the 2020 season because of the pandemic, so he will enter the 2021 NFL Draft having been a 1-year wonder and flagged with durability issues. His physical tools, however, could be enough to lead to him being selected during the opening night of the 2021 NFL Draft.

Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC
The Chargers grab a long-term left tackle to protect Justin Herbert.

With Austin Jackson in the NFL, Vera-Tucker took over as the Trojans left tackle and played well in limited action. Vera-Tucker was going to sit out the 2020 season before opting back in, and re-joining USC helped him display the versatility to compete at guard or tackle in the NFL. The 6-foot-4, 315-pound Vera-Tucker was a good left guard for the Trojans in 2019 and has upside to develop at the next level.

In the ground game, Vera-Tucker is not a bull at the point of attack, but he is effective. He is more of a wall-off-and-position blocker who beats defenders to a spot to cover them up and keep them from making a tackle. He does a nice job of scrapping and keeping his hands fighting to sustain his blocks. It would help him to add strength if his frame isn’t maxed out. For a pro rushing offense, Vera-Tucker might fit best in a zone-blocking scheme.

There is a lot to like about Vera-Tucker in pass protection for the next level. He is an easy mover with athleticism, quickness and agility. He can glide with speed rushers, showing an easy ability to play the typewriter with his feet. Vera-Tucker is a natural knee bender who maintains good leverage while avoiding bending at the waist. He looks like a starting left tackle or guard in the NFL.

Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, DT, Michigan
The Vikings could use more young defensive line talent. Paye, Danielle Hunter and D.J. Wonnum could give Minnesota a talented group of pass rushers.

In 2020, Paye totaled 16 tackles and two sacks. The 6-foot-4, 277-pounder put together an impressive 2019 season as a well-balanced defender at the point of attack. The junior notched 50 tackles with 6.5 sacks on the year. With his developed strength, Paye can set the edge and hold his ground. He also shows some pass-rush ability and upside to be better as he gains experience. Paye was only a first-season starter in 2019, so he has room for improvement.

New England Patriots: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
New England clearly needs more receiver help, and Waddle could be a plug-and-play upgrade.

Waddle is very fast and could develop into a dangerous outside or slot receiver. Some team sources think that the 5-foot-10, 182-pounder could be a Tyreek Hill-type game breaker in the NFL. Waddle has game-changing speed and the ability to score on any catch.

Waddle notched 28 receptions for 591 yards and four touchdowns in 2020 while missing a lot of time with an ankle injury. In 2019, Waddle recorded 33 receptions for 560 yards and six touchdowns. He would have produced more at other schools, but at Alabama, he was rotated with a loaded receiving corps that included the likes of Jerry Jeudy, Henry Ruggs and DeVonta Smith. Waddle recorded 45 receptions for 848 yards and seven touchdowns in 2018.

Arizona Cardinals: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami
The Cardinals could use young edge rush talent to go with Chandler Jones, who could leave the team before long without a contract extension.

Rousseau (6-6, 260) was one of the best edge defenders in college football during his redshirt freshman season. For his breakout 2019, he notched 15.5 sacks with two forced fumbles and 54 tackles. Rousseau has an excellent skill set with upside to improve, but his development could be slowed down by his decision to opt out of the 2020 season. There is no substitute for experience and a year of refining pass-rushing moves, getting off blocks, and improving technique. Thus, Rousseau will enter the NFL as a 1-year wonder who could require more developmental time. He might still be a top-10 pick, but he will be more raw and underdeveloped compared to other recent high first-round defensive ends like Jadeveon Clowney, Myles Garret, Bradley Chubb and the Bosa brothers.

Go to Watson Traded to Jets 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.

Other 2021 NFL Mock Drafts:

2021 NFL Mock Draft – Walt’s

Charlie Campbell’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft

NFL Picks - Dec. 13

2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11

NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9

2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29

Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4

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