It’s never too early for a mock draft, and we already have a handful of projections for next year’s event, showing off a loaded class with big names on both sides of the ball.
Top quarterback prospects like Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence and Ohio State’s Justin Fields are likely to battle for the No. 1 overall pick, while there are some worthy challengers at other positions, especially if that pick isn’t secured by a QB-needy team.
The latest 2021 NFL mock draft comes from Pro Football Network, and it kicks off with a no-brainer, as the Jacksonville Jaguars opt for Lawrence at No. 1 overall as their quarterback of the future. Fields lands at No. 4 overall to the Carolina Panthers, giving new head coach Matt Rhule a backup plan if Teddy Bridgewater doesn’t live up to expectations.
A third quarterback sneaks into the top 10 in this mock, as North Dakota State’s Trey Lance heads to the Detroit Lions at No. 8 overall. Matthew Stafford still has plenty left in the tank, but for a redshirt sophomore like Lance, going to a team that could allow him to sit for a year or two would be an ideal landing spot.
Two more quarterbacks find their way into the top 32 picks in this two-round projection, as Iowa State’s Brock Purdy lands with the Indianapolis Colts at No. 19 overall, while Wake Forest-to-Georgia transfer Jamie Newman goes to the Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 25 overall.
The most surprising picks in this mock’s top 10? Purdue wide receiver Rondale Moore at No. 7 overall to the New York Giants, and Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth to the Arizona Cardinals at No. 9 overall. Big-name wide receivers like Minnesota’s Rashod Bateman and Alabama’s DeVonta Smith being left out of the first round was equally surprising.
To check out the full two-round projection at Pro Football Network, click here.
