2021 NFL Mock Draft: New York Jets pass on a quarterback
By Brad Weiss
The 2021 NFL Draft will feature quarterbacks at the top, but the team with the No. 2 overall pick could realistically pass on one.
The 2020 NFL season is entering the final weekend, and there are still a bunch of playoff spots up for grabs, including a division title. Week 17 will lay out the first 18 picks in the 2021 NFL Draft, as those teams will all be eliminated, and their draft spot set for next year.
With that being said, here is our latest 2021 NFL Mock Draft:
52. . Quarterback. Jacksonville Jaguars. Trevor Lawrence. 1. player
Thanks to the New York Jets beating the Cleveland Browns on Sunday, the Jacksonville Jaguars clinched the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. With that selection, the Jaguars will undoubtedly draft Trevor Lawrence, a can’t-miss quarterback out of Clemson University.
Lawrence has long been considered the No. 1 prospect in this year‘s draft class, and he goes to Jacksonville with a chance to start right away. This is a franchise that holds two first-round picks next year and has a ton of work to do on both sides of the ball before they are competitive in the AFC South.
30. . Offensive Tackle. New York Jets. Penei Sewell. 2. player
With the No. 2 overall pick, the New York Jets decide to stay with Sam Darnold as their franchise quarterback, passing on Justin Fields from Ohio State. Instead, they decide to add another bookend offensive tackle to the mix, drafting Penei Sewell from Oregon, the best offensive tackle in the draft class.
With this pick, general manager Joe Douglas continues to focus on the offensive line, as Sewell could join 2020 first-rounder Mekhi Becton as protectors for Darnold for the foreseeable future. The Jets are rumored to be parting ways with head coach Adam Gase, and with this pick, they put their confidence in Darnold.
59. . Linebacker. Miami Dolphins. Micah Parsons. 3. player
Incredibly, the Miami Dolphins could make the playoffs this year and still hold a top-five pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. The Dolphins will be picking this high thanks to the trade they made with the Houston Texans for Laremy Tunsil, and with this pick, they add the best defensive player in the draft class.
That player is Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons, who has the ability to play sideline-to-sideline at the next level. Miami has some weak spots on that side of the ball, but head coach Brian Flores is a defensive genius and would love to get his hands on Parsons.