The Indianapolis Colts will be one of the most interesting teams to watch in the 2021 NFL Draft, as they have the ability to go in one of several different directions with the No. 21 pick in this loaded draft class.
The Colts need replacements at wide receiver and cornerback, but the exceptional talent at tight end, offensive tackle, and safety could help Chris Ballard shake up the latter half of the draft.
While the top of the draft might be somewhat easy to predict, the Colts could completely turn the latter half of the draft on its head by making one unusual pick.
The Colts have a ton of power in this draft, and they could look to exert it by making one pick that sets them up nicely for a decade.
2021 Indianapolis Colts first-round NFL mock draft
The Jets might as well be on the clock, as Jacksonville’s 1-15 season helped them win the rights to Lawrence, the best quarterback prospect in nearly a decade. The fact that he lost just two games (both postseason) in college and his insane stats are, somehow, not the most impressive part of his illustrious resume.
At 6-5 with a bazooka of a right arm, lethal accuracy down the field, and the ability to make plays with his legs, Lawrence does nearly everything a quarterback prospect needs to be able to do at an above-average level. Indianapolis is right to be a bit nervous, as Lawrence looks ready to give Urban Meyer and the Jaguars a star quarterback for the next decade.
The Jets finally decided to move off of Sam Darnold, and doing so could allow new head coach Robert Saleh to get a potential franchise signal-caller he can help mold. While Wilson and Justin Fields are almost equal in terms of prospect status, the hype surrounding Wilson could help him get picked a bit earlier than Fields given his 11-to-1 TD/INT ratio.
While he is a bit cavalier with his decision-making, Wilson’s ability to go deep, skill throwing from awkward angles, and his willingness to make plays on the move sound perfect for an offense that will be very derivative of what Kyle Shanahan does. Wilson’s arm talent is far superior to that of Darnold, and he could be the one who reverses the New York quarterback curse.
Mac Jones has been the big name rumored to go to San Francisco, but Fields unequivocally has a higher ceiling, and he would be lethal in a 49ers offense that has grown tired of Jimmy Garoppolo’s inconsistency. Critics of Fields’ inability to get past his first read are not only misrepresenting him, but they are utterly wrong in every which way.
Fields can throw lasers to all parts of the field, use his 4.5 speed to be an absolute demon in the running game, and fit the ball into tight windows due to precise accuracy. While he didn’t have great games against top-tier competition, Fields has the talent to become a star in any system. Adding him to a Kyle Shanahan offense could be borderline unfair.
Atlanta is in need of a potential Matt Ryan successor, a running game, and pieces on the defensive side of the ball. Even with all of those holes, Pitts’ 4.44 40-yard dash at his pro day has put him in such an elite tier that it would be foolish for the Falcons to let him slip. He should be able to start over Hayden Hurst the minute he touches down in Georgia.
Pitts is an average blocker, but his historically long wingspan, jaw-dropping speed for the position, and ability to make tough catches in close coverage make him one of the best tight end prospects of the last decade. The defense will need work, but an Arthur Smith offense featuring Pitts, Julio Jones, and Calvin Ridley would be too much for any defense to stomach.
After watching Joe Burrow’s leg get folded in half last year, Cincinnati needs to build him a wall up front. Jonah Williams is promising, and Riley Reiff arrived in free agency, but the Bengals are in the perfect position to draft the consensus top offensive lineman in this class in Sewell, who could be a potential Pro Bowler during his rookie season.
He’s young, but Sewell’s athletic ability for someone that tips the scales at 331 pounds is breathtaking. He doesn’t sacrifice an ounce of power, however, as he ground the best Pac-12 edge rushers into the dirt without breaking a sweat. The Bengals will need to shift guys around if Sewell is the pick, but he could give Burrow a rock-solid left tackle for the next decade.
While Devonta Smith won the Heisman in a season that saw Chase opt out in order to go pro, that doesn’t change the fact that Chase, who hauled in 20 touchdowns during his final season with LSU, is the top receiver in this class, which could be a huge boon for Tua Tagovailoa if Miami decides to pick him.
Chase might have some questions about his long speed, but passing on him for that would be a classic case of overthinking things. The Dolphins have their guy at quarterback in Tua, but they need to give him some studs to throw to, and the combination of Chase, DeVante Parker, and Mike Gesicki would be a lethal group given Chase’s ability to secure 50/50 catches easily.
Dan Campbell will need to fix that defense at some point, but the loss of Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones has the Lions in the market for a new wide receiver to help out Jared Goff. The first receiver to win the Heisman since Desmond Howard, Smith’s insane production (117 catches, 1,856 yards, 23 TD) proves he’s well on his way to pro stardom.
Smith will need to overcome his gangly frame and lack of amazing speed, but he is the best route-runner and separator in this class, which should help a quarterback in Goff who is at his best when he gets the ball out of his hands quickly. 1,000 yards as a rookie would not be out of the ordinary for a player like Smith, who could be a new No. 1 target in Detroit.
The Sam Darnold trade has, in theory, ended any talk of Carolina taking a quarterback. Protecting Darnold and Teddy Bridgewater should be the top priority, and Slater’s rising draft stock could leave him in a perfect position to get picked by the Panthers and start right away at the left tackle spot over Greg Little.
Slater has short arms and average power for a tackle that will get picked this high, but he is a top-shelf athlete for the position with maneuverability and a nastiness in his game that Matt Rhule and Joe Brady will love. If Darnold is to fulfill his potential, he needs a good offensive line, and the combination of Slater and Taylor Moton at the tackle spots is an excellent start.
Drew Lock was given a solid OC in Pat Shurmur, a plethora of offensive weapons, and a solid offensive line, and he still completed just 57% of his passes while leading the league in interceptions. Drafting Lance would officially put Lock on the clock, but the North Dakota State product has a higher ceiling due to his athletic ability.
Both Lock and Lance have incredible arm talent, but Lance pairs that with an ability to slice up defenses as a runner while throwing off-platform much better than Lock. In a tough AFC West, Denver isn’t going to make a dent barring an upswing in production at quarterback. Lance might not start as a rookie, but he is a safe bet to have a long career in this league for the Broncos.
The Cowboys might get distracted by some of the offensive stars available, but this defense is an atrocity, and drafting the best corner in this draft in Surtain could help fix it. A 6-2 cornerback with enough speed to run with anyone and succeed in multiple defensive schemes, Surtain is as close to a Day One starter as you’ll see on defense in this draft.
An already thin Dallas secondary losing Chidobe Awuzie and Xavier Woods was certainly not an ideal situation. Trevon Diggs had some struggles as a rookie, but Surtain, the son of a tremendous NFL corner in his own right, could help give the Cowboys a super-young, super-talented cornerback tandem that fixes their defensive issues.
The Giants did sign Leonard Williams long-term, but that doesn’t mean they should pass up a player like Paye, especially considering how they filled their wide receiver hole by signing Kenny Golladay. Paye has proven to be the best edge rusher prospect in this class, as the former running back can move all around the defensive line at 272 pounds.
With the speed to bend the edge while also possessing the ability to disengage from blocks and make plays in the run game, New York should feel comfortable lining him up as a rush linebacker while also putting his hand in the dirt, even at his weight. He lacks tremendous football IQ with regards to his pass rush plan, but he’s still a no-doubt first-rounder.
Jalen Reagor still has time to prove he wasn’t a bust, but the Eagles need to improve their wide receiver corps anyway, as Jalen Hurts and Nick Sirianni need warm bodies to construct their Air Raid fantasy. While his stock has been dropping due to his injury concerns, Waddle’s speed could help him instantly replace DeSean Jackson.
Waddle is more than just a speed demon, as his ability to find soft spots in coverage, make electric plays as a runner, and run a somewhat diverse route tree will make him an instant Day 1 starter. Waddle could be on the receiving end of plenty of Hurts’ bombs, especially in an offense constructed by a former wide receivers coach in Sirianni.
Surrounding Justin Herbert with quality linemen has to be the main priority this offseason in Los Angeles, as he’s proven he can be someone new head coach Brandon Staley can lean on. Vera-Tucker might slip because NFL teams will be unsure where he fits in best at the pro level, but the Chargers should sprint to the podium if he is there at pick No. 13.
A lack of strength and anchor ability shows up in pass protection, but Vera-Tucker is an old-school road-grader that should be able to make blocks at the second level and revitalize what was a lackluster ground game from LA. That balance will help Herbert and the Chargers compete in a tough division, making Vera-Tucker one of the safer prospects in this class.
Minnesota could use some pass rush help due to the potential contract debate with Danielle Hunter, and they could add an instant impact starter in Rousseau, a 6-7 specimen of an athlete who recorded 15.5 sacks in his only season with Miami. With a special blend of size, speed, power, and pass rush technique, the Vikings would love to get their hands on him.
Rousseau has started to slip due to the fact he lacks experience, but players with his physical profile and production in a tough ACC don’t always slip to this point in the draft. Even if the Vikings manage to mend fences with Hunter, adding Rousseau on the other side might be a very prudent drafting strategy to adhere to.
Jones could go as high as No. 3 to San Francisco, but it’s not inconceivable that he slips if the Niners are indeed feigning interest in him. Cam Newton might be the starter in Foxborough next year, but the Patriots will need to find someone they can trust for the next decade, and Jones’ record-setting year in Tuscaloosa could give them the confidence they need.
Questions about his athletic ability are fair, but his arm talent is up there with many of the top prospects in this draft class, and he could eventually take over a Bill Belichick/Josh McDaniels system that just added several new contributors on offense. This is ideal for New England, as they land a franchise quarterback without trading up.
Horn, who owns perhaps the single most dominant game from any prospect this year thanks to his decimation of Seth Williams and Auburn, proved at his pro day that he has the combination of length, physicality, and athleticism general managers are drooling over. Kliff Kingsbury needs to improve his defense, and Horn could hop right in and make waves in Arizona.
Horn’s production started to slightly wane as the season went on, but that start, coupled with his testing numbers, has proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he is the No. 2 cornerback in this class. Patrick Peterson may be gone, but Horn has the stickiness at the line of scrimmage that Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is going to fall in love with.
The Raiders will be doing cartwheels if Parsons, a potential Top 10 pick, falls to them at No. 17. Yes, they need a new offensive line after bizarrely cutting their whole unit, but Parsons is a Top 10 talent that could help Las Vegas get a pass-rusher, bone-crunching linebacker, and defensive cornerstone in one package.
Parsons has the speed to cover sideline to sideline, the strength to power through blockers in the trenches, and a motor that Jon Gruden will love to see. The Raiders defense still needs to find some stars if they are to compete in the AFC West, and Parsons could be the man in the middle for the next decade if he is developed correctly.
After Houston gifted Chase to Miami due to the Laremy Tunsil trade, the Dolphins continue to get Tagovailoa some weapons by adding his former college running mate in Harris. At 6-2 and 230 pounds, Harris should be able to be the sledgehammer the Dolphins need in the backfield while possessing more than enough speed to break off big plays.
Myles Gaskin and Matt Breida are fine backups, but Miami should’ve learned from the end of Dan Marino’s career that failing to give a franchise quarterback a running game can lead to disaster. Harris should be good for 15-20 carries a game, making him the featured component of Miami’s new-look offense that finally gives Tua some support.
After Washington signed Ryan Fitzpatrick to be their starting quarterback for their charge to the postseason, their chances of drafting a potential franchise QB in this draft decreased. With all of the top prospects gone here, Washington opts for a potential decade-long starter at left tackle in Darrisaw.
His footwork in pass protection will need work, but Darrisaw is a bruising run-blocker that shouldn’t have a ton of trouble immediately assimilating to the pro game in a run-heavy offense. Washington will need to keep whoever plays quarterback upright while paving lanes for Antonio Gibson, and Darrisaw should be a major boost on both areas.
The Bears missed out on a quarterback, and their commitment to Andy Dalton at that position remains baffling. Despite Chicago’s offensive woes, losing Kyle Fuller in the offseason could be a near-fatal blow for this defense, and they could address that in the draft by adding a player like Farley, who represents amazing value at this point.
His medicals could see him slip, and teams might be more interested in someone like Horn given his 2020 tape, but Farley blends elite speed, a tremendous ability to bat away balls in the air, and the anticipation needed to jump routes into one package. Chicago replaces one star Virginia Tech corner with another, keeping that elite defense as one of the best in football.
The Colts could pick a pass rusher here, as their reluctance to give Justin Houston a new contract could lead to some problems, or a wide receiver considering the need for a potential No. 1 for the future, but the retirement of Anthony Castonzo has opened up a huge hole at left tackle they could address in the draft.
With the top tier of Sewell, Slater, Vera-Tucker, and Darrisaw starting to officially become more rigidly defined, the Colts will likely have their pick of the cream of the second-tier crop. Cosmi, who was, at times, an immovable tackle for the Longhorns, could have the highest ceiling of those picks.
How would Samuel Cosmi help the Colts?
Cosmi is one of the best athletes in the draft at his position, as his ability to pull and block at the second level really pops on film. With 14 starts at both right and left tackle in his career, Cosmi has several different points of entry he could use to sneak into Indianapolis’ starting lineup early in his career.
Cosmi might not be the strongest tackle in the world, but his versatility, athletic ability, and polished technique could help him become a high-level starter quicker than most of the tackles picked in this range. Cosmi could start at either tackle spot for the Colts as a rookie, and their masterful offensive line development culture could help him emerge as a world-beater.
Tennessee needs a ton of work on the defensive end, but losing Jadeveon Clowney has prompted the need for yet another edge rusher alongside Harold Landry and the big, new signing in Bud Dupree. Phillips made scouts’ jaws hit the floor with his unicorn-like athletic profile, and the ex-Miami star could find a home with the Titans if Jon Robinson again gambles on potential.
Phillips is raw and has a ton of injury concerns, but Tennessee could be a perfect fit for him as he starts off his NFL career. Wait and learn as a situational pass rusher as a rookie, then take over the starter mantle as either a rush linebacker or hand-in-the-dirt pass rusher. If developed correctly, Phillips could be the best edge rusher in this class.
The Jets needed to get Wilson some help, but they also need to buff up a defense that was torn apart last season. Saleh could opt for another pass rusher here, but finding a potential cornerback star might be more important, and adding someone like Newsome could help Saleh patch things up in record time.
He might be a bit green and not the best athlete, but some of the numbers Newsome tallied with the Wildcats are downright comical, and they should give the Jets every indication he can be an important cog in their defense instantly. With Carl Lawson and Quinnen Williams on the defensive line, Newsome could help turn the secondary around.
Pittsburgh could go running back here, as replacing James Conner is something this front office will have to figure out, but getting the corpse of Ben Roethlisberger another lineman is also a wise strategy. While he is solely a right tackle at this point, Jenkins’ rise up draft boards has certainly been warranted.
Jenkins’ strength is evident when you look at how the best pass rushers in the Big 12 were completely ground into the dirt by the former Cowboy. He looks like a rock-solid starter for a decade on the offensive line, and him preventing pass rushers from getting to Roethlisberger could be the difference between a Wild Card berth and missing the postseason.
With Lawrence already secured, Jacksonville needs to get him some linemen that can help keep him upright. Cam Robinson is back at tackle, but picking a player that could offer tackle-guard versatility in Leatherwood, who has been a solid starter for years in Tuscaloosa, seems like a wise move.
Leatherwood is best at home in a zone-blocking scheme that allows him to utilize his mobility and power at the point of attack. Be it at guard or tackle, Leatherwood shouldn’t be on the bench for long at all, and the Jaguars offense of the future with Lawrence at quarterback and Leatherwood paving the way will start to take shape.
Owusu-Koramoah is the consensus No. 2 linebacker in this draft behind Parsons, and his speed, zone coverage skills, and hitting power are all reasons why he is so highly regarded. The Browns need some help on the defensive side of the ball, as a linebacking corps led by Sione Takitaki and Jacob Phillips could use another young stallion in their ranks at this point in the draft.
Owusu-Koramoah will struggle in run defense as he breaks into the pros, but he gives a Cleveland defense in need of safety and linebacker help a potential Swiss Army knife who could fill either one of those roles in sub-packages. JOK might need some fine-tuning, but Cleveland will give him some reps early on as he tries to carve out his NFL identity.
Bateman’s stock has started to fall a touch lately, as his measurements proving him to be shorter and skinner than previously indicated are not a very good look. His slide will end with the Ravens, however, as they are looking for someone with the blend of speed, separation ability, and zone-beating skills that Bateman has.
Lamar Jackson needs some more wide receivers, as free agents weren’t convinced to come to Baltimore due to the fact that they would be spending more time blocking than receiving. However, if they take someone like Bateman, the Ravens could open up their passing game and reach the postseason once again.
With Jameis Winston the likely starter next season in New Orleans and the Saints not able to grab one of the top prospects in this draft, getting Winston some weapons seems to be the best way to go for the cash-strapped saints. Winston loves bombing it deep, but Sean Payton thrives with shiftier YAc guys, Toney could help scratch both of those itches.
Toney only has one year of sustained production, but he was one of the most dominant players in the SEC, as his borderline illegal ability to shake tacklers is paired with quality top-end speed and soft hands (leading to one of the lowest drop rates in the country). Toney and Michael Thomas crossing over the middle could help Winston out as he tries to replace Drew Brees.
After the Packers foolishly failed to grab Aaron Rodgers any more perimeter weapons in last year’s draft, selecting Moore would show that they learned the error of their ways. The Boilermakers didn’t surround Moore with a ton of talent, but he still proved to be one of the most dangerous receivers in the country.
Selections like Marquise Brown have proven that drafting receivers as small as the 5-9, 181-pound Moore can pay off, and his athletic testing numbers are off the charts, matching up with the visuals of a slippery, explosive playmaker both on vertical routes and as a runner. Moore would finally give defenses another speed threat on Green Bay to worry about that isn’t named Davante Adams.
Buffalo is in a position where they could take a chance on an athletic prospect that hasn’t put it all together yet, as the re-signing of Matt Milano filled their hole at linebacker. The Bills’ pass rush could use a fresh injection of supreme athletic ability, and Oweh’s sky-high ceiling could get him picked in the first round.
Oweh is without question the biggest gamble in this draft. On one hand, his production in college was so poor he didn’t even record one sack last year. On the other, he is a 260-pound defensive end with 4.38 wide receiver speed that could be a Pro Bowler every year if he hits his stride. Oweh epitomizes the word “freak”, and Sean McDermott could have a field day with him.
While the Super Bowl showed exactly what can happen to Kansas City whenever their backup linemen are in the game, the Chiefs didn’t have the Great Wall of Dallas in front of Patrick Mahomes even when healthy. The opt-out of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif showed how much they need a player like Dickerson.
While the likes of Wyatt Davis and Trey Smith could also get picked in this spot, Dickerson gets the edge for his run-blocking ability and performance in the best conference in college football. Incredibly strong and surprisingly nimble in the open field, Dickerson could solve Kansas City’s center issues as soon as he arrives.
The champions in Tampa continue to get richer, as they add the best interior defensive lineman in the draft in Barmore. Even though the former Crimson Tide lineman is a bit on the raw side, he looks like an ideal Todd Bowles defensive lineman given his ability to explode off of the snap and stop the run.
Ndamukong Suh is one of several Buccaneers that are scheduled to hit the open market, and Tampa could look to use some draft capital on Vita Vea’s new running mate. If Bowles helps him improve his plan of attack as a pass rusher, Barmore might be yet another Pro Bowler Tampa could add to their ranks.