2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bengals add more protection for Joe Burrow
By Brad Weiss
60. . Wide Receiver. Minnesota Vikings. Rashod Bateman. 16. player
The Minnesota Vikings used a first round pick this past April on LSU star Justin Jefferson, and he is definitely going to be a good one at the NFL level. With the No. 16 overall pick in 2021, the Vikings may choose to bring in another first round guy, adding the electric Rashod Bateman from Minnesota.
Bateman can certainly stretch the field, and he gives Kirk Cousins another weapon to attack with on the outside. They have already paid star running back Dalvin Cook, and while they could go offensive line here, Bateman is a guy who could team with Jefferson to give the Vikings two top wideouts for years to come.
17. player. 52. . Offensive Lineman. Jacksonville Jaguars. Walker Little
The Jacksonville Jaguars will pick twice in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, thank to the trade they made during the 2019 season with the Los Angeles Rams. With this pick, they should look to upgrade along the offensive line, and Walker Little from Stanford is one of the more versatile linemen in this draft class.
Jacksonville had a nice showing in Week 1, beating the Indianapolis Colts on the road, but there is a lot of work to be done in terms of this roster. Having two first round picks next April will help, and the combination of Lawrence and Little in this mock draft will certainly get them moving in the right direction.
. Cornerback. Indianapolis Colts. Caleb Farley. 18. player. 46
The Indianapolis Colts got shredded by Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew in Week 1, as he tied a career-high with three touchdown passes. The Colts also will have to deal with the loss of running back Marlon Mack, so it was definitely a tough first weekend for a team trying to vie for an AFC South title.
On defense, they have work to do in the secondary, and Caleb Farley is widely considered the best at his position in this draft class. Sure, he could be gone earlier than No. 18, but if he is still available, Indy has to consider adding him to a defensive backfield that includes youngsters Malik Hooker, Rock Ya’Sin and Julian Blackmon.