Live 2021 NFL Draft Blog

My Thoughts on the 2021 NFL Draft – Live on Draft Day!

What is this? I’ll be posting my thoughts on the 2021 NFL Draft here. That will include everything from the actual picks, to the TV personalities, to the commercials, etc. Anything goes. This page will be updated every five minutes or so, so I hope you join me for the 2021 NFL Draft!

By the way, I’ll be posting live 2021 NFL Draft Grades for individual picks. Overall 2021 NFL Draft Grades will be posted all day Sunday. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

7:07: And we’re live! I can’t believe the 2021 NFL Draft is underway.

7:08: I’m watching the NFL Network broadcast, and it’s nice to have Rich Eisen as the anchor again this year. Last year’s broadcast was so miserable with Trey Wingo introducing musical acts every 30 minutes. I’m still having horrible flashbacks about it.

7:09: If the No. 3 pick isn’t a quarterback because of the Aaron Rodgers trade, it’ll be hilarious, yet sad at the same time because Charlie and I worked so hard on our mock drafts throughout the year.

7:10: It looks like a glorious, gray, rainy day in beautiful Cleveland. The perfect location for the NFL’s largest non-Super Bowl event.

7:13: It’s crazy that we haven’t had any news on the 49ers yet. I mean, as far as their pick is concerned. We’ve had all of this trade nonsense, of course, but no big-media person has leaked anything about the pick. The closest thing we’ve had is Pat McAfee stating that sources told him Mac Jones wasn’t going to be the pick.

7:14: Great idea by the NFL to push the schedule release to May. If Rodgers is traded, they can put fewer Packer games on national TV.

7:16: It would be nuts if the 49ers picked Mac Jones. Not because it would mean McAfee’s sources would be wrong, but because several teams don’t even have first-round grades on him. One team has him graded on Day 3!

7:18: I already posted my grade for the Jaguars picking Trevor Lawrence on the 2021 NFL Draft Grades page. Just 258 more grades to go!

7:20: I’ve had NFL Network on the entire day, and I think this is the third time they’ve aired Jane Slater’s interview with Ja’Marr Chase. Not that I’m complaining, or anything.

7:21: Ahh, fond memories of Tyron Smith’s bulging disc.

7:24: All vaccinated fans in Cleveland? Vaccinated with what?

7:27: OK, I lied a bit earlier. I said there were 258 grades to go, but I’ve already graded the Jets, 49ers, Falcons and Bengals picks. All the possibilities. I’ll obviously post the appropriate stuff on the grades pages, but I’ll show you the grades of the picks that didn’t happen here.

7:31: When Nelson Agholor and Jonnu Smith are your “pieces of the puzzle,” things are rather grim.

7:33: Charles Davis saying that Zach Wilson is starting right away, but don’t count out James “Captain” Morgan making a push for the job!

7:36: I guess I spoke too soon about the anchor announcing a musical score every half hour.

7:37: That girl with the neon orange hair has some voice. I bet that’s her natural hair color, too.

7:38: Oh wow, Ann Wilson is performing the national anthem? I have all her albums.

7:39: Ann Wilson is sporting the green ring from Twin Peaks. Don’t be surprised if she suddenly vanishes and reappears in the Black Lodge.

7:42: That was a beautiful rendition of the national anthem. Only one of my mirrors shattered when Ann Wilson yelled “free.”

7:46: Look at these two grumpy Guses:

What’s wrong with reading? Reading is fun. And can’t you say the same thing about anything? If you’re watching a movie, you’re basically watching actors read off a script.

7:47: One of those guys is not a fan of mine, by the way. I won’t say which, but one of them yelled at me for grading free agent signings years ago. I don’t know why they cared so much, but it’s cool I had such an impact on one of their lives!

7:48: It looks like the End of Times outside. There’s strong rain and heavy winds. I have backup Internet if I lose power, but I don’t know how lng it’ll last.

7:49: And yes, “lng.” My cmputer’s “o” key gets stuck sometimes, and it’s incredibly annoying. I think I’m getting a new laptop this summer, but if you notice more missing “o” instances, you’ll know why.

7:51: Reports on Twitter indicate that the Packers are asking for three first-round picks for Rodgers. That’s definitely worth it, no sarcasm this time. Rodgers makes any team not named the Eagles, Texans or Lions an instant Super Bowl contender.

7:52: I can’t wait for Urban Meyer to feign heart problems when the Jaguars go on a three-game losing streak in his second year.

7:55: Cecil Lammey just tweeted that the Broncos are very close to a deal for Aaron Rodgers! My guess: three first-round picks and something else. If the Packers have the ninth pick, I imagine they’ll be taking one of the Alabama receivers, to the chagrin of the Giants and Eagles.

7:58: This is kind of a bummer. I was confident the Broncos were going to pick Justin Fields. Now, Fields may fall out of the top 10. The Patriots might get him, but I could see the Bears trading up for him.

7:59: I really wasn’t wrong about Rich Eisen pulling a Wingo by announcing musical acts every 30 minutes.

8:01: Trevor Lawrence doesn’t appear to have a TV in his den. I hope he can afford one with his new contract.

8:05: Just had my final pre-draft pee, and it somehow took four minutes. Perhaps I should see my doctor.

8:06: Just got a text that Rodgers was traded to the Jets. The link was to a fake Schefter account. Screw you, fake Schefter accounts!

8:10: Rodgers is going to be nuts in Denver’s offense. The Broncos have so many talented receivers and a solid offensive line. Plus, he won’t have to score 40 points per game because the defense is great. The only issue is that Rodgers will be in the same division as Patrick Mahomes!

8:11: We waited 365 days for the NFL Draft, and we got a concert! Exactly what football fans wanted!

8:12: Roger Goodell bringing up Browns legends with him so he doesn’t get booed. And yet, it didn’t work.

8:14: It’s funny that Goodell brought his chair with him to the draft, but what about the three dead bodies he had in his basement closet?

8:15: Is Goodell drunk? He stuttered throughout that entire segment. He almost called this the 2020 NFL Draft!

8:17: At any rate, the Jaguars are on the clock. Word is they’ve narrowed down this pick to Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson and Patrick Surtain. I have a feeling it’s not going to be Wilson.

8:18: Trevor Lawrence not on the phone yet. Maybe he won’t be the pick!

8:19: Money on NFL Network going to commercial during Jacksonville’s No. 25 pick?

8:20: Jaguars running out of time!

8:24: I always wonder about teams milking the clock. What if the guy delivering the card misplaces it, or falls up the stairs?

8:25: Everyone in the Jaguars’ draft room is clapping. They got their guy!

With the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jaguars select Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

8:28: Phew! Got one pick correct. I was worried it was going to be Patrick Surtain.

8:29: Some people whose stock accumen I respect were betting on Justin Fields to be the pick. I’m still thinking it’s JetBlue Wilson’s nephew.

With the No. 2 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jets select Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

8:34: The Jets have selected Tommen Baratheon, apparently. I’m sure Zach Wilson will run the plays he’s asked to if he gets his lemon cakes.

8:35: And the draft is underway! Let’s see what the 49ers do. If the pick is Mac Jones, prepare for an epically bad grade.

8:37: Zach Wilson says he’s going to give it his all. Hmm… I thought he would say he would give a mediocre effort.

8:40: 49ers’ pick is in!

With the No. 3 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the 49ers select Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

8:43: OH YEAHHH! I had Mac Jones to the 49ers for two days, but Trey Lance otherwise. Charlie Campbell deserves all of the credit for talking me out of Jones, who never made any sense to me.

8:44: As promised, here’s my grade for the 49ers picking Mac Jones:

Unvaccinated O’Brien Grade
F I don’t understand what the 49ers are thinking. Picking Mac Jones at No. 3 is bad enough on its own, but why did they trade two first-round picks to do so? Several teams we’ve spoken to had Jones graded as a second-round prospect. One team even pegged him as a mid-rounder, comparing him to Matt Barkley. To me, Jones is an Andy Dalton with DUIs. His talent level is very medium, and you can’t even say he has high intelligence and character traits because of his history with DUIs. This is an incredibly foolish decision on the 49ers’ part that reeks of selecting Solomon Thomas over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Both Trey Lance and Justin Fields would have been better options.

8:45: The Falcons have to be pissed. They wanted Lance. But, they’ll get a nice consolation prize!

With the No. 4 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Falcons select Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

8:53: Site is down. Just the biggest day of the year. Awesome.

8:55: Site back up! Hopefully permanently, but we’ll see.

With the No. 5 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bengals select Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

8:59: Feels great to be 5-for-5 in my 2021 NFL Mock Draft. Charlie, too. All credit goes to Charlie for obtaining this great info.

9:00: That said, this is where Charlie and I differ. He has Jaylen Waddle. I have Penei Sewell. Watch it be Devonta Smith!

With the No. 6 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dolphins select Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

9:04: Charlie is 6-for-6 in his mock!

With the No. 7 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Lions select Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

9:09: Emmitt’s favorite prospect, Penes Swell, is off the board!

9:10: I harp on this every year, but the NFL needs more time in between picks because they always fall behind, and Twitter is always ahead of the TV broadcast.

9:11: And Charlie is now 7-for-7!!!

9:12: Rich Eisen appears to be losing his voice already. It might be time for another musical score!

9:13: Oh yeah. The site went down, so I didn’t get to post my hypothetical grade for the Falcons picking Trey Lance:

A- Grade
F I don’t understand what the 49ers are thinking. Picking Mac Jones at No. 3 is bad enough on its own, but why did they trade two first-round picks to do so? Several teams we’ve spoken to had Jones graded as a second-round prospect. One team even pegged him as a mid-rounder, comparing him to Matt Barkley. To me, Jones is an Andy Dalton with DUIs. His talent level is very medium, and you can’t even say he has high intelligence and character traits because of his history with DUIs. This is an incredibly foolish decision on the 49ers’ part that reeks of selecting Solomon Thomas over Patrick Mahomes and Deshaun Watson. Both Trey Lance and Justin Fields would have been better options.

9:14: Jacob is also 7-for-7, which is awesome. That means the three guys who did the mock draft on our YouTube channel are averaging 6.33 correct picks in their mocks. Unfortunately, I’m weighing down the team with predicting Sewell to the Dolphins.

With the No. 8 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Panthers select Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

9:20: Charlie is now 8/8! Unfortunately, 9/9 may not be possible if the Broncos are trading for Aaron Rodgers. Both Charlie and I had Justin Fields slotted to the Broncos.

9:21: It would be wild if a trade is announced right now.

9:22: Could Denver be drafting for Green Bay here? If the Broncos pick Devonta Smith, lock in the trade.

With the No. 9 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Broncos select Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama

9:28: As expected, the streak is over for Charlie, but only because of the potential Rodgers trade. I wonder if Surtain will be going to Green Bay as part of the package for Rodgers. Perhaps the Packers asked Denver to pick Surtain. That would explain why the Broncos took so long to make the pick.

9:31: Eagles trade up! With the Cowboys. They’ve done this before, with the Eagles losing in a Kevin Kolb-Anthony Spencer deal long ago. The Giants were going to pick Devonta Smith, so it would make sense if this pick were for Smith.

9:32: Argh, a classic example of a trade ruining a mock draft. The Giants were going to take Smith.

With the No. 10 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Eagles select Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

9:38: The Bears have moved up! I’ll fall out of my chair if this isn’t for Justin Fields.

9:39: Chicago was going into the season with Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback. How could it not trade up for a quarterback? The Bears have to be shocked that Fields is still on the board. This better not be for Mac Jones because the Bears have the same quarterback on their roster right now.

With the No. 11 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bears select Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

9:44: Just what we wanted, a PSA during the 2021 NFL Draft.

9:46: It’s crazy that the potential Aaron Rodgers trade allowed the Bears to trade up for Justin Fields. The Packers not only hurt themselves, but they helped their greatest rival!

With the No. 12 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cowboys select Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

9:50: Blah, blah, blah, more PSAs. When is Roger Goodell going to announce that he’s helping fat football Web site owners?

9:53: And now, we enter the non-Penei Sewell offensive line portion of the 2021 NFL Draft.

9:54: Where does Mac Jones go, by the way? Chargers, no. Vikings, probably, not. Patriots, ???. Cardinals, no. Raiders, no. Dolphins, no. Redskins, no. Giants, no. Colts, no. Titans, no. Jets, no. Steelers, ??? If he doesn’t go to the Patriots, this could be a long fall.

9:56: Parsons would’ve been in the Pitts-Chase-Sewell pantheon if it weren’t for his character concerns.

With the No. 13 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Chargers select Rashawn Slater, OT/G/C, Northwestern

10:00: Ugh, so close to nailing Slater to the Vikings! I was hoping the Chargers would think of Slater as more of a guard, but apparently not.

10:02: The first round ended at 12:05 a.m. last year. Because of this chair and PSA nonsense, it might end later. But hey, this is great, so I’m not complaining!

10:04: Clayton Thorson made the highlights!

10:05: The Jets are trading up! For an offensive lineman, maybe? Perhaps Alijah Vera-Tucker or Christian Darrisaw.

10:06: The Jets gave up Nos. 66 and 86, and they got back No. 143. That seems like a lot. This pick better not be a running back!

With the No. 14 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jets select Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT/G, USC

10:11: “The Patriots love Mac Jones.” – Ian Rapoport. If someone on the Patriots said that, I’m inclined to think the opposite. Nothing gets out of New England.

With the No. 15 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Patriots select Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

10:17: Mac Jones goes from throwing to Jaylen Waddle and Devonta Smith to… uhh… Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne…?

With the No. 16 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Cardinals select Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

10:23: Another correct pick for Charlie! He’s up to nine, and he’d have at least 11 if it weren’t for some of the trades.

10:24: The Raiders desperately need an offensive lineman. Alex Leatherwood makes so much sense.

With the No. 17 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Raiders select Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

With the No. 18 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Dolphins select Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

10:35: So dumb that the Raiders are getting so much flak. We’ve had Alex Leatherwood in the teens for a long time.

With the No. 19 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Redskins select Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

10:39: I feel like I’m living in a parallel universe from everyone else. We’ve had Alex Leatherwood in the teens the entire time, but it was too early for him, and I had Jamin Davis at No. 41, but the Redskins made a great pick.

10:40: Jordan Raanan said the Giants were considering Kwity Paye at No. 11…

10:42: So many masks covering noses and faces in the Giants’ war room, but why aren’t the masks covering their eyes? I’ve been wearing a mask over my eyes.

With the No. 20 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Giants select Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

10:47: Hard to believe there are only 12 more picks in the first round. Unfortunately, I can’t get the next three picks correct because Jaelan Phillips and Kadarius Toney are off the board, and the Jets already traded up.

10:49: Can’t wait to see how Jason Garrett uses Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay, Kadarius Toney and Evan Engram. I’m sure he’ll come up with some creative schemes.

10:50: More PSAs. Please do one for fat football Web site owners!

With the No. 21 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Colts select Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

10:54: Argh, I had Kwity Paye to the Colts about a week ago, but went with Jaelan Phillips instead. I think Phillips would’ve been the pick if he were available, but the stupid Dolphins had to ruin everything!

10:55: The Titans are now on the clock, and they basically need everything except quarterback and running back.

10:57: Some blue check on Twitter just said he hasn’t seen Alex Leatherwood anywhere near 17 in mock drafts. Clearly, he’s looking at inferior Web sites!

With the No. 22 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Titans select Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

11:02: Poor Caleb Farley didn’t have any friends with which to watch his own draft. Sad!

11:04: I thought the Vikings would pick Christian Darrisaw at No. 14 if Rashawn Slater wasn’t available, so this could be a nice steal. Then again, we heard “there’s something missing with Darrisaw” from several teams, so he could continue to fall.

With the No. 23 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Vikings select Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

11:09: Why don’t people in Cleveland like that the Steelers are on the clock? Am I missing something?

With the No. 24 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Steelers select Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

11:14: I think Charlie is up to 716 picks correct in his mock.

11:15: Both Charlie and I have Teven Jenkins going to the Jaguars. Come on, Jags, be like the Jets and improve your offensive line!

With the No. 25 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Jaguars select Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

11:22: Apparently, Urban Meyer didn’t watch any tape of James Robinson last year.

11:23: How do the Browns not take a linebacker to deal with Lamar Jackson?

With the No. 26 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Browns select Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern

11:26: The Browns just broke the Saints’ hearts.

11:28: Enough already. Time for the fat football Web site owner PSA:

During this pandemic, it’s been revealed that fat football Web site owners are extra fat. Let’s take a moment to honor fat football Web site owners, who suffered through the pandemic.

I feel better already!

11:29: Anyway, we now know that the Jaguars traded Jalen Ramsey for K’Lavon Chaisson and a running back. Whoops!

With the No. 27 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Ravens select Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

11:34: The Ravens should’ve just traded for N’Keal Harry if they wanted a big receiver who can’t separate.

11:35: So sad for the Saints that their Greg Newsome is off the board. I’m actually more sad for myself that I can’t get this pick correct.

With the No. 28 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Saints select Payton Turner, DE, Houston

11:41: I think Roger Goodell’s chair will need to be vaccinated once this night is over.

11:42: The Packers would be dumb to take a cornerback because they can maybe get Patrick Surtain in a potential Aaron Rodgers trade.

With the No. 29 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Packers select Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

11:47: Man, this team is capsizing fast. Jordan Love better be good, or the Packers will soon be the laughing stock of the NFL.

11:48: Oh, and we got screwed out of another correct pick because the Bills would’ve taken Eric Stokes! ARGH!

11:49: The Bills need to beat Patrick Mahomes. Pass rusher?

With the No. 30 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Bills select Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami

11:51: NOOOOOOOOOOO, I HAD ROUSSEAU HERE A WEEK AGO!!!!

11:54: Come on, Ravens: Jayson Oweh or Liam Eichenberg!

With the No. 31 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Ravens select Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State

11:59: Charlie’s 762nd correct pick.

With the No. 32 pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers select Joe Tryon, DE, Washington

12:02: Yes, got that one correct!

12:12: That was fun! There won’t be a live blog tomorrow because the picks come in quickly. However, all of the picks will be graded.