2021 NFL Draft: ESNY 4-Round Mock Draft

Which college stars will end up coming to New York to join the Giants and Jets? Let’s look ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft!

We’re one week from the Super Bowl, which (unfortunately) means Giants and Jets fans are already looking ahead to the 2021 NFL Draft.

The 2021 NFL Draft begins on Thursday, April 29 and runs through Saturday, May 1. With Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence being the assumed number one overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars and new head coach Urban Meyer, the eyes of the football nation turn to the Jets, who own the second overall pick.

What we don’t know yet is whether or not the Jets will make the second pick. Will they trade down to add more picks? They already have two in the first round. Or will they swing big for a franchise quarterback, trading for Deshaun Watson or Matthew Stafford?

While we won’t assume or project any trades, it’s worth taking some time to consider how the 2021 NFL Draft might play out.

With that, let’s jump into a four-round mock draft.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

This has felt like a fait accompli for more than a year. Lawrence is arguably the most hyped quarterback to enter the draft since Andrew Luck, and he’ll be the centerpiece of Urban Meyer’s new look in Jacksonville. Can they build a winner around him? They certainly have the picks to make a quick difference.

2. New York Jets
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

The Jets were roundly blasted for winning enough to lose out on Lawrence. And this pick may end up in the hands of a team that is looking to move a franchise quarterback. But, if the Jets stay put, receiver is a significant need. Smith, the Heisman Trophy winner, would be an incredible addition to the Jets’ offense.

3. Miami Dolphins (from HOU)
La’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Analysts will argue forever about whether or not Chase or Smith should be the first receiver off the board, but Miami (again – if they’re still picking third) will be happy to have either one. They need a big play target and they should be able to land one here.

4. Atlanta Falcons
Patrick Surtain III, CB, Alabama

Atlanta has issues all over their defense and could look to select an impact player and every level on that side of the ball. They may also consider an heir apparent to Matt Ryan at quarterback. But the best corner in the draft is a smart play. Remember: Atlanta selected Deion Sanders fifth overall 32 years ago.

5. Cincinnati Bengals
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

The picture of Joey Burrow getting carted off the field last year was the absolute worst case scenario for the Bengals. So they’ll look to protect him at all costs moving forward. Sewell is the best tackle in a really good class at that position, so this is a smart choice.

6. Philadelphia Eagles
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

What the hell will the Eagles look like by the time of the draft? New coach. New franchise quarterback? New offense? What we do know is they need to protect their quarterback, whomever it is. So taking a big tackle like Darrisaw makes sense.

7. Detroit Lions
Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

They’re shopping Matthew Stafford apparently, which means it’s time for a new era to begin in Detroit. They could have their choice of the second tier of quarterbacks in the draft after Lawrence. We’re banking on them going with the talented Fields, who was tremendous at Ohio State.

8. Carolina Panthers
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

Carolina needs a new face of the franchise, and will likely address it early like Detroit. Wilson and Fields appear to be swapped out between QB2 and QB3 on most draft boards. So the players we have here at picks seven and eight could flip.

9. Denver Broncos
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

Denver has to know what the future holds for Von Miller and make a decision about their quarterback position before they can make a choice in the draft. But knowing how Dallas covets an elite corner will make taking Farley a need-filling move here for the Broncos.

10. Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

If the top two corners are off the board, the Cowboys would be wide to take the best linebacker in the draft. Parsons is the complete package and would fill an enormous need for Dallas. Considering how poorly their defense played last year, drafting a leader makes too much sense here.

11. New York Giants
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

The Giants could go with an edge rusher here, but the incredible talent of Waddle might be too hard to pass on. Waddle is an electric receiver who could immediately change the passing game for the Giants. New York fans would be thrilled to have a talent like this join the offense.

12. San Francisco 49ers
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

Will they trade for a quarterback? Maybe. If they don’t, Lance is your next quarterback on the big board. He’s an intriguing talent coming from North Dakota State but it’s hard not to fall in love with his tape. We’ll see how they start another build in the Bay.

13. Los Angeles…