The 2021 NFL draft is finally here, and we’re ready to predict all 32 picks for tonight’s first round in Cleveland.
Here’s how we think it shakes out, including trade predictions, with the Jets and Giants both going offense up top:
1. JAGUARS: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
The Tigers’ star passer goes first overall as the wire-to-wire chalk.
2. JETS: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU
Asking this rhetorical question again: How is Wilson good enough to be the lock No. 2 pick but not good enough to challenge Lawrence at No.1?
3. NINERS (via Dolphins): Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
I don’t think this is what the Niners should do, but I think it’s what they will do. Jimmy Garoppolo might get traded to the Patriots.
4. FALCONS: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
The Falcons could draft a successor to Matt Ryan, 35, but they take the most coveted position player in the draft.
5. BENGALS: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Joe Burrow reunites with his top college weapon in the pros.
6. DOLPHINS (via Eagles): Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Waddle is on record saying he’d take Mac Jones over another former Alabama teammate, Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa. Awkward!
7. LIONS: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
The Lions want to trade out, but end up staying put and taking a nasty O-lineman who will bite off kneecaps for coach Dan Campbell.
8. TRADE: PATRIOTS (from Carolina): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Hell freezes over when Bill Belichick follows up a rare free-agency spending spree by trading up from No. 15 for a quarterback.
9. BRONCOS: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota St.
GM George Paton can’t go into the season with Teddy Bridgewater and Drew Lock as his QBs.
10. COWBOYS: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
It’s between Horn, Patrick Surtain II and an offensive lineman. I see the son of former wide receiver Joe Horn as the first defensive player off the board.
11. GIANTS: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
The Giants consider Micah Parsons and Surtain, but they pick the Heisman Trophy winner to give Daniel Jones the best chance to succeed.
12. EAGLES: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
The Eagles, like the Giants, see the top WRs and CBs among this year’s best prospects. They take the one that’s left: the polished son of the former Pro Bowler with the same name.
13. CHARGERS: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech
This could be Rashawn Slater, but some teams believe the Northwestern opt-out will be a guard in the pros. Darrisaw is a left tackle who played in 2020 and will protect Justin Herbert in 2021.
14. VIKINGS: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC
Mike Zimmer really wants to fix his defense, but Vera-Tucker addresses a need on the line and is versatile. He played both tackle and guard for the Trojans.
15. TRADE: PANTHERS (from New England): Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
The Panthers want a corner and really like Farley, a top talent who should still be available here due to back surgery in March. They get more assets in their trade back from No. 8, as well.
16. CARDINALS: Greg Newsome II, CB Northwestern
Cardinals GM Steve Keim is a total wild card, but Arizona needs corners.
17. RAIDERS: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Parsons’ slide stops in Vegas, where Jon Gruden spins the wheel on one of this draft’s most talented players despite his off-field flags.
18. DOLPHINS: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan
One of the cleaner evaluations in the draft helps Brian Flores’ defense.
19. WASHINGTON FOOTBALL TEAM: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern
Supposedly Washington likes TCU safety Trevon Moehrig, but I like them fortifying their front.
20. BEARS: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
The Golden Gophers’ opt-out pairs nicely with No. 1 wideout Allen Robinson and could be groomed to replace him.
21. COLTS: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
Davis playing next to Darius Leonard? Good luck penetrating the second level of that defense.
22. TITANS: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
The Titans almost turned over their entire secondary this spring. Moehrig helps the back-end facelift. Tulsa LB Zaven Collins also could be the pick here.
23. JETS: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Robert Saleh would love to go defense, but accepts that he needs a bookend to LT Mekhi Becton.
24. STEELERS: Joe Tryon, DE, Washington
Mike Tomlin bolsters his pass rush with this 6-5, 259-pound specimen. If the Patriots don’t go quarterback, they could even take Tryon at 15.
25. JAGUARS: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
Urban Meyer goes best player available and helps his defense after taking the QB Lawrence at No. 1.
26. BROWNS: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
This 6-4, 259 inside linebacker adds menace to the middle for the Browns. Davis and Barmore would be options here if they were still on the board.
27. RAVENS: Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia
This young pass rusher with upside feels like a great fit for Don Martindale’s defense.
28. SAINTS: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Maybe you believe Jameis Winston and Taysom Hill are the Saints’ entire QB depth chart for 2021. I don’t.
29. PACKERS: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss
The Packers finally give Aaron Rodgers a first-round wide receiver.
30. BILLS: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami
The Bills’ pass rush needs an upgrade. So they take a risk on Phillips, a top-5 talent who quit football two years ago due to concussions.
31. TRADE: DOLPHINS (from Baltimore): Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Miami trades back into the first round from No. 36 for this defensive chess piece. The Ravens flip their first-round return in the Orlando Brown Jr. Chiefs trade for more assets.
32. BUCS: Landon Dickerson, OL, Alabama
Tom Brady gets more protection up front. The Bucs take a chance on Dickerson, who teams love despite the center/guard’s knee issues.