2021 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles bring in competition for Jalen Hurts

On Monday, the Arizona Cardinals stole the spotlight of the offseason once again, as they agreed on a two-year deal with star edge rusher J.J. Watt. The thought of Watt lining up with Chandler Jones is downright scary, and it enables the three-time Defensive Player of the Year to reunite with DeAndre Hopkins in the desert.

Staying on the defensive side of the ball, the Cardinals address another issue on defense at pick No. 16, adding South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn. This is a kid who is going to be special at the next level, and with the selection, the Cardinals inch closer to being a perennial playoff contender.

The Las Vegas Raiders hit the jackpot if this is the way the 2021 NFL Draft begins, as it enables them to get a player many consider the best defensive player in the draft class. Micah Parsons from Penn State is starting to trend in the wrong direction in terms of mock drafts, but if he is available at pick No. 17, he is an absolute steal for the Silver and Black.

General manager Mike Mayock has stated this team has no playmakers on defense, and Parsons is definitely someone who can come in and start right away, and be an impact player in Year 1. The Raiders have long had issues at linebacker, but Parsons could fix all of that, especially if Cory Littleton improves in Year 2 in Las Vegas.

With their second of two first-round picks gained from the Miami Dolphins for Deshaun Watson, the Houston Texans fill in the void left by J.J. Watt leaving for Arizona. With this pick, the Texans add Michigan star Kwity Paye, who is the most elite edge rushing prospect this draft class has to offer.

Houston is going to go through a long rebuild, and they may not be good for a very long time. However, adding both Zach Wilson and Kwity Paye in this mock draft is a start, but with how good the AFC South currently is, more talent is going to be needed on both sides of the ball this offseason.