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2021 NFL Mock Draft: The Patriots Trade-Up for a QB

Despite being a website dedicated to baseball, we’re still going to make custom trading pins for the fans and take a stab at doing a 2021 NFL Mock Draft.

Why?

Because why not. We are in the early part of the baseball season and, honestly, the 2021 NFL Draft is probably going to be the most exciting thing to happen this upcoming week in the world of sports.

The TTFB 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Top Ten Selections

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence

Let’s be honest … the New York Jets have been on the clock for months now. We all know Lawrence is going to the Jaguars. And rightfully so. He is considered to be the best prospect to enter the draft since Andrew Luck.

2. New York Jets: BYU QB Zach Wilson

Now that Sam Darnold is officially out of the Big Apple and a member of the Carolina Panthers, the door is wide open for the Jets to finally, finally get the true QB of the franchise’s future. Wilson is an outstanding QB in his own right and would likely have been the first overall pick if not for Lawrence being a generational talent.

3. San Francisco 49ers: Ohio State QB Justin Fields

After trading up into the 3rd spot, it is clear that the 49ers are in the market for one of the top QB prospects. It’s either going to be Wilson or Fields, but my gut tells me the Jets take Wilson, leaving the 49ers with Fields. I just don’t see Trey Lance or Mac Jones going this early. Fields is simply too much of an upside QB to pass up and the 49ers will be able to build around him in the coming years.

4. Atlanta Falcons: Florida TE Kyle Pitts

This is a tough spot for the Falcons to be in. They have the ability to perhaps select the team’s QB prospect of the future and allow that pick to develop under the mentorship of Matt Ryan … or they could draft a game-changer that immediately impacts the offense and helps Ryan. I think they do the latter and go after Pitts.

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Oregon LT Penei Sewell

The Bengals are in an amazing place. They have not only a top-five pick, but also have the team’s quarterback of the future already secured. Now it is time to protect that QB o the future. Considering the team’s offensive line struggles and Joe Burrow’s terrible knee injury last season, this pick is literally a lock.

6. Miami Dolphins: LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase

This seems like an outstanding opportunity for the Dolphins to add another weapon for Tua Tagovailoa to throw to, including DeVante Parker, after adding Will Fuller in free agency.

TRADE 7. New England Patriots: Alabama QB Mac Jones

Reports have been picking up all week that the Detroit Lions are willing to trade down if the right offer is made. The Patriots clearly have a need for a long-term solution at quarterback. Drafting Jones would give them an efficient, smart player that could be built around immediately.

8. Carolina Panthers: Northwestern OL Rashawn Slater

Before the trade for Sam Darnold, the Panthers were perhaps a team to watch in terms of trading up to snag a QB prospect of the future. But now the Panthers will be looking to protect their new QB investment. And not only is Slater one of the best options available, he fills an immediate need.

9. Denver Broncos: North Dakota State QB Trey Lance

Yes, the Broncos have Drew Lock as their quarterback. But he isn’t the team’s future. Drafting Lance provides competition for the position and he is truly a high-upside quarterback.

10. Dallas Cowboys: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain

Surtain is the top cornerback in this year’s draft and fills an immediate need for the Cowboys.

The Rest of the 2021 NFL Mock Draft

11. New York Giants: Alabama WR Devonta Smith

Adding a dynamic WR like Smith will add to an offense that has Kenny Golladay, Sterling Shepard, Evan Enram, and Saquon Barkley. That is a scary good offensive grouping for QB Daniel Jones to work with.

12. Philadelphia Eagles: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle

I’m not convinced that the Eagles are going to trade up. While the Eagles did use their first-rounder on Jalen Reagor last year, the WR spot is still an area of need and some believe that Waddle is actually the best in the draft.

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw

It just makes sense for the Chargers to invest in some elite protection for QB Justin Herbert.

14. Minnesota Vikings: USC OL Alijah Vera-Tucker

The Vikings are one of the other teams in big need of offensive line help. Some draft scouts think he is capable of playing left tackle as well. But, even if he doesn’t end up being a plug-and-play type of player, he still is a solid selection for the Vikings.

15. TRADE: Detroit Lions: Penn State LB Micah Parson

The Lions ultimately trade back and pick up some future draft capital in the process. Despite that, they are still in good position to get an impact player. Parsons is regarded as a possible top-ten type player, but the needs just aren’t there for earlier teams. He will be a mainstay in Detroit’s defense.

16. Arizona Cardinals: South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn

Even with Malcolm Butler coming in to help with the loss of Patrick Peterson, the Cardinals still need help in the secondary. Horn is that help.

17. Las Vegas Raiders: TCU S Trevon Moehrig

The Raiders were not able to fill their need for a safety through free agency, so drafting Moehrig is the obvious solution. He will be a very good fit playing next to Jonathan Abram.

18. Miami Dolphins: Michigan DE Kwity Paye

The Dolphins literally have no edge rush. Luckily, Paye will resolve that issue. He is also an excellent defender against the running game as well. A true all-around defensive lineman.

19. Washington: Notre Dame LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah

Washington keeps on investing heavily in their already great defensive unit. They get an explosive player at this pick that is capable of holding up in coverage and rushing the quarterback if needed.

20. Chicago Bears: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley

The Bears signed Desmond Trufant after being forced to cut Kyle Fuller this offseason. But, they still need help at this position. Farly was regarded as a top-10 prospect but had medical concerns with this back.

21. Indianapolis Colts: Miami DE Jaelan Phillips

Despite some durability concerns, Phillips is the best pure pass rusher in this year’s draft.

22. Tennesse Titans: Northwestern CB Greg Newsom

Newsome will be a great fit in Tennessee’s system and is a high-upside prospect.

23. New York Jets: Georgia OLB Azeez Ojulari

The Jets spent a boatload of cash on Carl Lawson in free agency, but stil need help. Despite being undersize, Ojulari was always a big-time playmaker in college and will likely continue that at the professional level.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alabama RB Najee Harris

Despite needs at the offensive line, the Steelers maintain the “Steeler way” and seek to redevelop the rushing game that disappeared last season.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars: Alabama DT Christian Barmore

Barmore is considered the best defensive tackle in this year’s draft class and will be a chore for opposing offenses to block.

26. Cleveland Browns: Tulsa LB Zaven Collins

The Browns, surprisingly, have one of the deepest rosters in the NFL. But the linebacker position is still a bit thin. Collins has drawn comparisons to Dont’a Hightower.