Raiders 2021 NFL Draft: 32-Team Full 1st Round Mock Draft
The 2021 NFL Draft is shaping up to be one of the most memorable and intriguing drafts in recent memory. Headlined by Trevor Lawrence, a generational talent, the player selection meeting features some of the most exciting, albeit polarizing, quarterback prospects in recent memory (see Justin Fields and Mac Jones). Also, it will be interesting to see who the Las Vega Raiders take with the 17th overall pick.
The intrigue starts with the San Francisco 49ers pick at number three. Questions abound as to which quarterback the Raider’s old cross-town rivals will take. Could the Niners’ brass have really given up that much capital to take Mac Jones, a player many see as the fifth-best quarterback?
What about the Denver Broncos? Yes, they just traded for Teddy Bridgewater, but if Fields or Lance falls, do they make it past the Broncos at 9?
Adding to the mystery is the reality that this is the most ambiguous draft, probably this century. Numerous college players opted out of the 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, such as Gregory Rousseau, Micah Parsons, and Caleb Farley. Many scouts are having to rely primarily on 2019 film to evaluate top prospects. Thus, it stands to reason that there could be some major surprises in round one, with players potentially rising and falling based on the extent to which teams felt comfortable evaluating them amidst the tumult of the 2020 season.
This mock draft serves as my attempt (as best as any attempted mock drafts will be this year) in predicting who the Raiders will draft and how the first round one will play out. Let’s get started.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson.
Trevor Lawrence is the sure-fire number one pick in the draft. A generational talent with supreme accuracy, awareness, touch, and timing. The Tennessee native has been penciled in as the number one pick almost since his freshman year. Urban Meyer gets an incredible quarterback for the next 15 years.
2. New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Jets fans may have been hoping for the number one pick all season long, but Zach Wilson is not a bad conciliation prize. The BYU product has an amazing arm, and his athleticism enables him to make some serious big-time throws off-platform.
3. San Francisco 49ers
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
Kyle Shanahan scoops up the player that he thinks will best fit his system. Mac Jones is far from an athletic specimen, and in truth, he struggled on deep throws in his pro-day. However, he possesses incredible short to intermediate accuracy, he is immensely smooth in the pocket and has interviewed very well. A lot of scouts see him as the smartest quarterback in the class.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
It may come down to Justin Fields and Kyle Pitts here. Word is that Falcons owner Arthur Blank loves Fields, and believes the team might not be in a position to pick a quarterback this high in the draft for some time. The prevailing consensus is that Atlanta will likely look to build around Matt Ryan.
This may be difficult though. In signaling that they are looking to trade Julio Jones (or are at least open to the idea), that speaks to a strategy that might not see Ryan in Atlanta for much longer. Yes, Jones was injured last year, but he’s been Ryan’s partner in crime ever since he was drafted a decade ago. Fields could be the pick here. His incredible athleticism, arm strength, and toughness will energize a lachrymose fan base.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Whilst it might be tempting to reunite Joe Burrow with Ja’Marr Chase, Sewell is the smart pick here. When your number one overall rookie quarterback tears his ACL as a result of a poor offensive line, you need to protect him. The Bengals can easily add a top pass catcher at the top of round 2.
6. Miami Dolphins
Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
The Dolphins take the best pass catcher available to pair with Tua. Regardless of whether Tagovailoa is the long-term answer or not, Chase immediately elevates the offense with his smooth route running, top-end speed, and ability to outmuscle defenders to locate the football. A great pick.
7. Detroit Lions
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Rumors are that Detroit has been putting feelers out to trade up for Chase. That may or may not happen, but Waddle is a tremendous pick nonetheless. Having lost both Marvin Jones and Kenny Golladay to free agency, the Lions snag a young playmaker to help out new quarterback Jared Goff.
8. Carolina Panthers
Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Carolina Panthers are a team who ideally would like to trade back. In this scenario though, they happily stay put to pick who many think is the best player in the draft. Pitts is an outstanding athlete and could have a Darren Waller-like role at the next level. His size and frame mean he can bully cornerbacks, but his speed and athleticism will leave linebackers and most safeties in his wake. A true matchup nightmare. In this instance, the Panthers also address one of their top needs.
9. Denver Broncos
Trey Lance, QB, NDSU
There’s a good chance that the Broncos go offensive line, but Lance might be too good to pass up. Yes, he might not look like the type of quarterback Vic Fangio usually likes to run his offensive (one of the criticisms of Lance has been his accuracy), but he could be a superstar at the next level.
The Broncos already traded for Teddy Bridgewater in an effort to give Drew Lock some competition, but the new brass might not see either quarterback as the long-term answer. In this scenario, they can redshirt Lance for a year, whilst also feeling comfortable knowing that he won’t be forced into action with both Lock and Bridgewater ahead of him.
10. Dallas Cowboys
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
It’s Jayce Horn or Patrick Surtain here. Horn gets the edge because, as NFL Network’s Jane Slater pointed out, Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy coached Horn’s father for several years, and has a good connection there. A sticky, aggressive corner, Horn will bring some moxie to the Cowboys’ secondary.
11. New York Giants
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Dave Gettleman resists the urge to put more talent around Daniel Jones and opts for the ferocious Micah Parsons. Character concerns aside, Parsons is a dynamic pass rusher, with the ability to bring the hammer on contact. Ge needs to work a bit better on processing, as he can be trigger happy when shooting an incorrect gap on occasions, but Parsons is an outstanding talent.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Eagles snag the Heisman trophy winner and get Hurts some big-time help. Yes, some critique his size but….apart from that…what can you not like about Smith? An incredibly intelligent receiver, Smith glides through opposing secondary’s like a knife through hot butter. A great pick.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
The Los Angeles Chargers look to protect their future by slotting in Rashawn Slater. A polished, plug and play starter, Slater can be moved inside if need be. Scouts have lauded his footwork and fundamentals. In an ideal world, the Chargers would love to reunite Herbert with Sewell, but this is the next best option.
Slater gives the Chargers a protection plan for their rookie of the year quarterback. Whilst AFC West rivals (Raiders especially) might not threaten too much on the defensive line front, if the Bolts are to take the next step towards the playoffs, they’ll be coming against teams who can effectively get after the quarterback. This would be an excellent step for the team’s future chances moving forward.
14. Minnesota Vikings
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OT, USC
Viewed by many as one of the safest picks in the draft, Alijah Vera-Tucker manned the left tackle position for the Trojans but offers excellent potential along with the interior. He gives the Vikings some much-needed versatility on the o-line.
15. New England Patriots
Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama
The Patriots are looking to trade up for Justin Fields. However, they get cornerback 1B in this draft. A long, rangy corner, Surtain would pair nicely with emergent star J.C. Jackson and give the Patriots the flexibility to move on from 30-year-old Stephon Gilmore (if they so wish).
16. Arizona Cardinals
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Cardinals take a bit of a flier on a player coming off two back surgeries in college. Farley is an exceptional athlete, with exceptional man coverage skills and an ability to high point the football like a wide receiver (he used to be one). If it weren’t for his injuries, Farley may well be the top corner on many boards. He could stand to improve in the zone as he can be a bit flat-footed, but he has interviewed very well.
17. Las Vegas Raiders
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
No doubt the epicenter of this article, the Raiders pick. The two greatest needs for the Raiders are offensive tackle and safety. That said, the Raiders understand that the tackle class is quite deep this year. They could target BYU’s Brady Christensen or Texas’ Samuel Cosmi in the second round to shore up the right tackle spot, leaving Denzelle Good inside at guard.
Moreover, a good safety can be found in the second round too, Oregon’s Jevon Holland is a name that has been linked to the Raiders often, as has UCF’s, Richie Grant.
The Raiders will look to add a player who can immediately help the defense, albeit in both the run and pass game. Owusu-Koramoah can do just that. The linebacker is on the skinny side at 216 pounds, but he offers plenty of versatility. He’s been used in man coverage plenty of times at Notre Dame, he can rush the passer, and he tackles like someone who is 20 pounds heavier.
The key factoid regarding the Raiders’ pick is the acquisition of new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. His defenses rely on having a smart, fast, and fluid linebacker in the middle of the field. As head coach of the Jaguars, he drafted Myles Jack in 2016, whilst as defensive coordinator for the Chargers, he had a big say in selecting Kenneth Murray in last year’s draft. Owusu-Koramoah fits the bill here and will bring some much-needed talent and toughness to the Raiders’ defense.
