I love when the NFL draft rolls around each year, and wow, this 2021 class is loaded with talent. Teams have the chance to add true impact players right out of the gate in Round 1, whether it's a franchise quarterback, a dynamic wide receiver or a defensive game-changer.
Every NFL organization has its own draft board and prospect preferences, but today, I'm not concerned with any of their evaluations or rankings. I'll leave figuring out how Round 1 will actually play out to my guys Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Instead, I'm sliding back into the GM chair to map out how I'd make the picks if I was representing each of the 29 teams with at least one Day 1 selection. (Sorry Texans, Seahawks and Rams.)
It wasn't too long ago that I was playing a big role in the picks for the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, and I know I would have been excited to write some of these prospects' names on the draft card. This is how I would roll through the first 32 picks if I was making the selections on April 29, starting with a no-brainer for new Jaguars GM Trent Baalke at No. 1 overall. And be sure to check out the Mock Draft SportsCenter Special on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
What is there even to discuss here? Lawrence is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the draft class, and the Jaguars are very much in the quarterback market. I'm getting new coach Urban Meyer his guy to build around, and the draft really starts with the second pick.
One thing to know: A loss as an NFL starter will be Lawrence's first in a regular-season game since prior to high school. His only two losses at Clemson came in the College Football Playoff.
2. New York Jets
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Any doubt that the Jets were going this route has now been put to bed, as the Jets traded Sam Darnold to Carolina. The near certainty of the first pick is perhaps now matched by the near certainty of the second. Wilson has great arm strength and an ability to make things happen outside the pocket, even though his pre-2020 production, injury history and weaker strength of competition at BYU are all things to consider. In the end, Darnold just wasn't consistent enough for the Jets to pass up Wilson.
One thing to know: Wilson's 73.5% completion rate in 2020 ranks seventh in college football history.
3. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA/HOU)
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
I see Jones as very similar to Matt Ryan, whom Kyle Shanahan had a lot of success with in his Atlanta days. He is an accurate thrower and processes quickly, and I think he's a better mover than most give him credit. And I love his closing statement on the 2020 season, throwing 14 touchdowns over his last three games en route to a national title. North Dakota State's Trey Lance was also in the mix, but it's too risky for my blood to trade all those picks to move up this high to invest in a quarterback who played just one game since 2019 and zero in his career against FBS competition.
One thing to know: In 2020, Jones led the FBS with 4,500 passing yards and set the NCAA all-time mark for completion percentage (77.4%).
4. Atlanta Falcons
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
If I'm Atlanta, I'm building for the future and taking a quarterback who can learn behind the soon-to-be 36-year-old Matt Ryan before eventually taking over. There's no guarantee that the Falcons are picking this high again, so take advantage of the opportunity. I'd also spend some time thinking about Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, and if there were a defensive player worth this pick, I'd consider that after Deion Jones led the team in sacks last season with 4.5. But ultimately, it's Lance as a critical part of Atlanta's future.
One thing to know: Lance threw just one interception in his collegiate career, covering 317 passing attempts across 17 games.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Sewell is still available? I'm sprinting to the podium to lock in that pick. No discussion necessary, even with pass-catchers such as Ja'Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle on the board. Sewell is the top lineman in the class, and the Bengals' blocking unit was super inconsistent in 2020. Simply put, you have to protect quarterback Joe Burrow.
One thing to know: In 2019, Sewell was the first Polynesian player, first sophomore offensive lineman and first Oregon player to win the Outland Trophy.
6. Miami Dolphins (via PHI)
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Look, the Dolphins aren't -- and shouldn't be -- moving on from QB Tua Tagovailoa. He was a top-five pick last year, and they still need to surround him with talent. Let's do just that. Chase is a special player who would provide a spark on offense. I also thought about offensive line, as a stronger unit would allow Tagovailoa to climb the pocket and make better throws.
One thing to know: Chase was an unanimous first-team All-American in 2019, becoming just the 12th LSU player to receive that honor.
ESPN Illustration
Every NFL organization has its own draft board and prospect preferences, but today, I'm not concerned with any of their evaluations or rankings. I'll leave figuring out how Round 1 will actually play out to my guys Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Instead, I'm sliding back into the GM chair to map out how I'd make the picks if I was representing each of the 29 teams with at least one Day 1 selection. (Sorry Texans, Seahawks and Rams.)
It wasn't too long ago that I was playing a big role in the picks for the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, and I know I would have been excited to write some of these prospects' names on the draft card. This is how I would roll through the first 32 picks if I was making the selections on April 29, starting with a no-brainer for new Jaguars GM Trent Baalke at No. 1 overall. And be sure to check out the Mock Draft SportsCenter Special on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
What is there even to discuss here? Lawrence is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the draft class, and the Jaguars are very much in the quarterback market. I'm getting new coach Urban Meyer his guy to build around, and the draft really starts with the second pick.
One thing to know: A loss as an NFL starter will be Lawrence's first in a regular-season game since prior to high school. His only two losses at Clemson came in the College Football Playoff.
Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Any doubt that the Jets were going this route has now been put to bed, as the Jets traded Sam Darnold to Carolina. The near certainty of the first pick is perhaps now matched by the near certainty of the second. Wilson has great arm strength and an ability to make things happen outside the pocket, even though his pre-2020 production, injury history and weaker strength of competition at BYU are all things to consider. In the end, Darnold just wasn't consistent enough for the Jets to pass up Wilson.
One thing to know: Wilson's 73.5% completion rate in 2020 ranks seventh in college football history.
Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
I see Jones as very similar to Matt Ryan, whom Kyle Shanahan had a lot of success with in his Atlanta days. He is an accurate thrower and processes quickly, and I think he's a better mover than most give him credit. And I love his closing statement on the 2020 season, throwing 14 touchdowns over his last three games en route to a national title. North Dakota State's Trey Lance was also in the mix, but it's too risky for my blood to trade all those picks to move up this high to invest in a quarterback who played just one game since 2019 and zero in his career against FBS competition.
One thing to know: In 2020, Jones led the FBS with 4,500 passing yards and set the NCAA all-time mark for completion percentage (77.4%).
Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
If I'm Atlanta, I'm building for the future and taking a quarterback who can learn behind the soon-to-be 36-year-old Matt Ryan before eventually taking over. There's no guarantee that the Falcons are picking this high again, so take advantage of the opportunity. I'd also spend some time thinking about Oregon tackle Penei Sewell, and if there were a defensive player worth this pick, I'd consider that after Deion Jones led the team in sacks last season with 4.5. But ultimately, it's Lance as a critical part of Atlanta's future.
One thing to know: Lance threw just one interception in his collegiate career, covering 317 passing attempts across 17 games.
Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Sewell is still available? I'm sprinting to the podium to lock in that pick. No discussion necessary, even with pass-catchers such as Ja'Marr Chase, Kyle Pitts, DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle on the board. Sewell is the top lineman in the class, and the Bengals' blocking unit was super inconsistent in 2020. Simply put, you have to protect quarterback Joe Burrow.
One thing to know: In 2019, Sewell was the first Polynesian player, first sophomore offensive lineman and first Oregon player to win the Outland Trophy.
Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Look, the Dolphins aren't -- and shouldn't be -- moving on from QB Tua Tagovailoa. He was a top-five pick last year, and they still need to surround him with talent. Let's do just that. Chase is a special player who would provide a spark on offense. I also thought about offensive line, as a stronger unit would allow Tagovailoa to climb the pocket and make better throws.
One thing to know: Chase was an unanimous first-team All-American in 2019, becoming just the 12th LSU player to receive that honor.
ESPN Illustration