2021 NFL Mock Draft: Minnesota Vikings take Justin Fields
By Brad Weiss
25. player. 52. . Cornerback. Jacksonville Jaguars. Shaun Wade
Thanks to the trade they made with the Los Angeles Rams during the 2019 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars hold two first round picks in the 2021 NFL Draft. While they address the offensive side of the ball early in this mock, they go defense late in round one, grabbing a top cornerback in this draft class.
Shaun Wade from Ohio State is another in a long list of NFL-ready corners this program has developed, and he would slide right in as a starter in Jacksonville. They are going young, and Wade has the talent to be a shutdown guy at the next level, making this a solid late first round pick.
player. 124. . Defensive Lineman. Kansas City Chiefs. Christian Barmore. 26
The Kansas City Chiefs will likely be picking at No. 32 overall, as this draft order is based on record and strength of schedule. When all is said and done, they are my pick to once again be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy over their heads, but for the sake of this order, they stand here at No. 26 and get a solid defensive lineman.
Adding Christian Barmore to a defensive line that includes Chris Jones is downright scary, as the rich continue to get richer in terms of the Chiefs. After signing Patrick Mahomes II for the next decade-plus, they are not going anywhere, and Barmore helps an improving defense get even better.
57. . Offensive Lineman. Chicago Bears. Trey Smith. 27. player
The Chicago Bears got that Nick Foles magic to work for them in Week 3, as he replaced the ineffective Mitchell Trubisky and led his team to their third win of the season. It looks like it will be the Foles show the rest of the way, and good thing too for the Chicago fan base, as this team has the defense to make a serious run.
Going forward, the Bears have to get better along the offensive line, and they need the kind of versatility that Trey Smith can bring them. This guy can play all over the line, and if Foles is the man to lead this team in the future, he needs all the protection he can get.
Pittsburgh Steelers. Quincy Roche. 28. player. 55. . Edge
The Pittsburgh Steelers got their quarterback back this season, and have promptly gone back to being one of the better teams in the AFC. They have gotten out to a 3-0 start to the season, and have a real statement game coming up in Week 4, as they go on the road to take on the undefeated Tennessee Titans.
One area where the Steelers have really improved via the last few drafts is the defense, and they continue to bolster that side of the ball with this pick in 2021. Quincy Roche is a premier edge rusher in this draft class, and the thought of he and T.J. Watt getting after the quarterback is downright scary.