2021 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: 3 QBs in the Top 4 picks as the Patriots slide

It’s been a little over a month since the debut of the 2021 NFL Mock Draft, and very little has changed. But we’re going to continue to update the draft throughout the year, with some new players entering, slight team shifts based on projections, and sometimes, there will be no movement at all.

This much is certain: It’s a far better QB draft than 2020, and the defensive back class has the potential to be one of the best in several years.

2019 season stats: 3,665 passing yards, 36 passing TDs, 65.8 completion percentage

As I dive deeper into every team during the 2020 offseason, this much is clear: The Jaguars have the least talented roster in football. They’re in need of players at every position. Minshew Magic may be good for a couple upset wins this Fall, but this is a colossal rebuilding project.

People were surprised I had the Dolphins this high after the 2020 draft. Brian Flores had an impressive 2nd half of 2019 but historically throughout the NFL, that’s meant nothing. The Tua talk about starting in Week 1 was comical. Plus, would you want to throw Tua out there behind that putrid offensive line?

2019 season stats: 3,273 passing yards, 41 passing TDs, 67.2 completion percentage

How long before Joe Judge looks at Daniel Jones and says … yeah, I’m going to need my own QB. Jones was up-and-down last year, but it’s tough to crush him without mentioning the injury woes to the offense. Fields was outstanding in 2019, and if you remove the Clemson game, he threw 40 TDs with just one INT.

2019 season stats: 2,786 passing yards, 28 passing TDs, 66.9 completion percentage; 1,100 rushing yards, 6.5 yards per carry, 14 rushing TDs 

Summing up the replies to Lance being in the Top 10 of the initial Mock Draft in April: “Who?” The buzz around Lance has gotten so big, I’ve moved him up. He’s only got 15 starts in his career, and in three of those he completed a single-digit number of passes.

2019 season stats: 84 receptions, 1,780 receiving yards, 20 receiving TDs

The Panthers went with the rare all-defensive draft, and assuming Teddy Bridgewater has a good season, I don’t think a QB will definitely be in play here. But OC Joe Brady knows just how dominant Chase is.

I remain bullish on Joe Burrow’s ROY campaign, and even the Bengals' win total for 2020 (over 5.5). Protect your investment in 2021, Cincy.

2019 season stats: 3,982 passing yards, 27 passing TDs, 65.7 completion percentage

If the Raiders are this bad it means two things: Derek Carr and Marcus Mariota are definitely not the answer for Jon Gruden. Maybe something crazy happens in 2021 free agency and Dak Prescott hits the market, but in the absence of chaos, Gruden will be targeting a QB. In four games against ranked teams last year, Purdy threw 8 TDs and had just one interceptions. But the Cyclones went just 1-3 in those games.

2019 season stats: 15.5 sacks, 54 total tackles, 2 fumbles forced, 1 fumble recovered

From Florida, plays for the Hurricanes. Last year, the Dolphins had four former Hurricanes on the roster. A front four of Rousseau (15.5 saCKS, 19.5 TFL IN 2019), Ogbah, Wilkins and possibly Raekwon Davis has some potential.

2019 season stats: 2,868 passing yards, 26 passing TDs, 60.9 completion percentage

A top five QB question this offseason: What happens in Washington? Ron Rivera will want his own guy, right? Casual fans are down on Haskins; in the 2nd half of the season he was solid. In the final three games: 8 TDs, 1 INT.

2019 season stats: 5.0 sacks, 1 fumble forced, 1 fumble recovered, 44 tackles 

I don’t have much faith in the Titans next year. The pass rush was anemic in 2019, and they lost their best interior rusher, Jurrell Casey. Wilson is poised to be the best interior lineman in the draft.

2019 season stats: 2 INTs, 3 fumbles forced, 1 fumble recovered, 42 total tackles

The Rams rebounded from a shaky offseason to have a very good draft. Still, a difficult season awaits. Surtain will probably be the second best defensive back in America in 2020 after LSU sophomore Derek Stingley.

2019 season stats: 5.0 sacks, 109 total tackles, 4 fumbles forced, 1 fumble recovered, 5 passes defended

Jerry Jones has the makings of another Top 5 offense, but the defense is full of holes. Parsons will be talked about in the same breath as Isaiah Simmons, who went eighth in 2020 to the Cardinals.

My biggest team move from the last mock draft to now is the Patriots sliding. The schedule is extremely daunting. I know, I know - trust your first instinct. The closer I inspect this roster, the more I notice it is devoid of talent. At 6-foot-7, 310 pounds, Cosmi played right tackle as a freshman, left tackle last year, and will be the first Longhorns player drafted in the first round since 2015.

2019 season stats: 1 INT, 7 passes defended, 26 tackles, 2 fumbles forced

Reports say Wade is expect to move from slot corner to outside, and another strong season could make him the 2nd corner take in the 2021 draft.

2019 season stats: 1 pass defended, 1.0 sack, 59 tackles

The Falcons didn’t have a cornerback or safety crack the Top 55 at their positions according to Pro Football Focus grades. And they’re projected to have one of the youngest secondaries in the NFL in 2020. Sterns is an All-American who has been compared to former Longhorn Earl Thomas.

2019 season stats: 1 INT, 3 passes defended, 1 fumble recovered, 28 tackles

The Jets made a slew of moves to try and fix the offensive line, and next offseason the focus should be at cornerback. Jobe has the size - 6-foot-1, 180 pounds - and he’s playing opposite an All-American, giving the Tide the best pair of CBs in college football.

2019 season stats: 4 INTs, 12 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovered, 79 total tackles

The Broncos offense has some juice heading into 2020, but there are a lot of new pieces on defense, and they’re still missing some.

2019 season stats: 68 receptions, 1,256 receiving yards, 14 receiving TDs

“Oh, now you want to take a receiver in the first round,” 37-year old Aaron Rodgers screams after the Packers miss the playoffs.

No change on the pick, but yes, I swapped the Patriots and Bills. For now.

If the Lions are picking in this range, they made the playoffs and kept their coach. If they’re not … all bets are off, as the franchise could go through a massive overhaul.

2019 season stats: 33 receptions, 560 receiving yards, 6 receiving TDs

The Chargers have to pay a lot of guys in the coming years, including Keenan Allen. He’s (mostly) shed the injury label, but Waddle is insurance.

My prediction: Tom Brady’s first season in Tampa is a success, but the offensive line crumbles when it matters most for its 43-year old leader, so the Bucs go with a tackle in the draft.

2019 season stats: 2 INTs, 3 passes defended, 3 fumbles forced, 1 fumble recovered, 1.0 sack, 101 tackles 

Last year, everyone bought the Browns. I passed. Now, I’m all in after they got Baker Mayfield protection. I anticipate issues at linebacker, but the back end of the defense matters more.

2019 season stats: 4 INTs, 4 passes defended, 66 total tackles

It feels like the Cardinals are building something on both sides of the football. A secondary of Patrick Peterson, Budda Baker, Byron Murphy and Holland has some promise.

2019 season stats: 1.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovered, 2 passes defended, 27 tackles

The Colts really thought DeForest Buckner would solve their anemic pass rush problems? I’m surprised they didn’t add to the position in the draft. Thomas was a 5-star recruit who had a slightly disappointing 2019.

2019 season stats: 4 INTs, 9 passes defended, 59 tackles

Two Steelers DBs are restricted free agents in 2021, and if they aren’t retained, it’ll be a position of need when the draft rolls around.

2019 season stats: 9 passes defended, 1.0 forced fumble, 1.0 sack, 38 total tackles

The Seahawks drafted eight players in 2020, none in the secondary. In a division with Goff, Murray, and Jimmy G, you’ve constantly got to be adding secondary depth.

2019 season stats: 60 receptions, 1,219 receiving yards, 11 receiving TDs

If Alshon Jeffery and DeSean Jackson are just one year band-aids while they work in Goodwin, Reagor and Arcega-Whiteside, another receiver in 2021 feels likely.

2019 season stats: 29 receptions, 387 receiving yards, 2 receiving TDs 

With Patrick Mahomes angling for the richest contract in NFL history, the Chiefs will have to make some sacrifices. Probably at receiver. So they’ll just draft another speed merchant.

2019 season stats: 5.5 sacks, 80 total tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumbles recovered, 4 passes defended

The Saints' third round pick this year (Zack Baun) doesn’t address their need at inside linebacker, but JOK does.

2019 season stats: 51 receptions, 697 receiving yards, 7 receiving TDs

Lamar Jackson makes a deep playoff run. Kolar could be the best tight end in America next year, and would look great opposite Mark Andrews

2019 season stats: 4 INTs, 10 passes defended, 33 tackles

Still surprised the 49ers spent zero of their five picks in 2020 at a position that ultimately cost them the Super Bowl. The pass rush will be there, but the defensive backs matter more in a passing league.