It's a little early for a mock of the 2021 NFL Draft but that doesn't stop those that do them. The Athletic's Dane Bugler posted his first mock draft yesterday. I like his draft analyses so I take notice of his rankings and his mocks. It also passes some time as we wait for the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers to finally close out the Week 12 games.
Dane Bugler's NFL Mock Draft 1.0
Notes: The draft order is current as of Monday, Nov. 30; An asterisk signals draft-eligible underclassmen who haven’t declared for the draft.
1. New York Jets: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson*
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU*
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
4. Dallas Cowboys: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Patrick Surtain, CB, Alabama*
6. Carolina Panthers: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State*
7. Philadelphia Eagles: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU
8. Washington Football Team: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
9. Detroit Lions: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
10. Atlanta Falcons: Gregory Rousseau, edge, Miami (Fla.)
11. Miami Dolphins (from Houston): Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama*
12. Denver Broncos: Derion Kendrick, CB, Clemson*
13. Minnesota Vikings: Kwity Paye, edge, Michigan
14. Chicago Bears: Rashawn Slater, OT/G, Northwestern
15. New England Patriots: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida*
16. San Francisco 49ers: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame*
18. Baltimore Ravens: Alijah Vera-Tucker, OG, USC*
19. New York Giants: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
20. Arizona Cardinals: Azeez Ojulari, edge, Georgia*
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Joseph Ossai, edge, Texas*
22. Miami Dolphins: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa*
23. Indianapolis Colts: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
24. Cleveland Browns: Jayson Oweh, edge, Penn State*
25. Jacksonville Jaguars (from Los Angeles Rams): Christian Darrisaw, OT/G, Virginia Tech*
26. New York Jets (from Seattle): Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan*
27. Tennessee Titans: Nick Bolton, LB, Missouri*
28. Buffalo Bills: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State*
29. Green Bay Packers: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
30. Kansas City Chiefs: Landon Dickerson, OG/C, Alabama
31. New Orleans Saints: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama
32. Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Bugler also mocked picks for the teams currently without selections in the first round.
Second Round
Seattle Seahawks: Rashad Weaver, edge, Pittsburgh
Los Angeles Rams: Tyler Linderbaum, OC, Iowa
Third Round
Houston Texans: Nico Collins, WR, Michigan
***
First of all, the Minnesota Vikings will be drafting much lower than #13. But, if the Vikings are selecting in the real 2021 NFL Draft where they are slotted in Bugler's mock, I'm more inclined to think that an offensive lineman will be the selection. Especially if that offensive lineman is Northwestern's Rashawn Slater. Bugler has Slater going to the Chicago Bears at #14. I'd pick Slater at #13. I'd probably pick Slater at any pick after Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell is selected.
I have to admit that it'd be fun to have a player named Kwity Paye on the Vikings' roster. I just don't see defensive end as a first round need. This year's pass rush has left much to be desired but I'm counting on Danielle Hunter returning to his usual high level of play and I like rookie D.J. Wonnum moving forward. Teams can never have enough pass rushers so it wouldn't be much of a surprise if the position is a first round consideration of the Vikings. Especially if the player is named Kwity Paye. And has the pass rushing talent to go with that splendid name.
History could play a role in the Vikings' decision to select or not select an edge rusher in the first round. The team has had recent success in finding them in later rounds. Ray Edwards, Brian Robison, Everson Griffen, and D.J. Wonnum were fourth round selections. Danielle Hunter was selected in the third round. The Vikings spent a few picks, including a first, to acquire Jared Allen but he was originally a fourth round selection. Those players have been the Vikings' edge rushers since about 2007.
Now, we can go back to waiting for that Ravens-Steelers game and the rest of the 2020 NFL season.
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