Well it’s about time we got going on the mock draft grind. Annually this is an exercise that can be approached in many different ways. Often, the mock draft world devolves into some form of predictions combined with insider information. Here we don’t really have that access, so rather than a prediction each mock will be connected to our analysts own interpretation of the best way to improve a teams chances in the future.

Without further ado, the first Boom or Bust mock draft of the 2021 season.

  1. New York Jets: QB Trevor Lawrence – Clemson (#1 Overall on Boom or Bust Big Board, #1 QB overall)

Be honest, have you seen a single mock draft that hasn’t slotted Trevor Lawrence to the number one pick? Pending a potential playoff matchup with Justin Fields, Lawrence will be the target here. He’s proven just about everything. Trevor possesses the athleticism, arm talent, and decision making of a quarterback that change the fortunes of a whole organization.

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: QB Justin Fields – Ohio State (#2 Overall, #2 QB)

Fields’ mobility and ability to go through progressions makes him another elite quarterback prospect. But between the Clemson and Indiana games, we’ve seen some hesitation and poor decisions at times from the young QB. It’s not a worry – Deshaun Watson made plenty of mistakes in college – but it’s enough to keep Lawrence over Fields in the pecking order for now. Either way, Jacksonville nabs their talented quarterback of the future. 

  1. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Penei Sewell – Oregon (#3 Overall, #1 OT)

Penei Sewell opted out of the 2020 season because he has absolutely nothing to prove. You name it – vision, speed, power, technique – he’s excellent at it. The Bengals offensive line this season is one of the worst in recent memory. It was only a matter of time before Joe Burrow got hurt and it can’t happen again. This is the best case scenario for Cincinnati.

  1. Dallas Cowboys: LB Micah Parsons – Penn State (#6 Overall, #1 LB)

On my board this is a very slight reach for the Cowboys. I think they’re just about set at wide receiver and Dak Prescott should be their quarterback of the future. Micah Parsons is a versatile off-ball linebacker that excels at pass rushing and flying around the field for disruptive purposes. This is a team that badly needs an influx of talent on the defensive side of the football, and drafting the best defensive prospect is the easiest way to do so.

  1. Los Angeles Chargers: WR Ja’Marr Chase – LSU (#5 Overall, #1 WR)

Although I don’t think wide receiver is a huge need for the Chargers, I don’t believe it wise to pass on a player with this type of ability. He’s a stud route runner with great hands and an aggressive ‘attack the ball’ tendency. Even on a team with Keenan Allen and Mike Williams, it’s possible Chase could be LA’s best receiver in 2021.

  1. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Rondale Moore – Purdue (#8 Overall, #2 WR)

Rondale Moore is my favorite prospect in this draft class. His ability to generate big plays from any area on the field makes him an elite building block for modern NFL playcallers. The Eagles have badly missed a stud offensive playmaker for the past couple of years, and I’m beginning to worry Doug Pederson is losing his offensive creativity. Rondale Moore is the quickest way to relight that creative spark for any offensive minded coach.

  1. Carolina Panthers: QB Zach Wilson – BYU (#4 Overall, #3 QB)

Wilson has flashed unbelievable deep ball arm talent with both power and accuracy. His ability to extend plays is a unique skillset that can elevate an NFL offense. Teddy Bridgewater has proven himself a good quarterback in Carolina, but I have a feeling that Matt Rhule wouldn’t pass up the opportunity to draft a potentially great quarterback in Wilson.

  1. Washington Football Team: QB Trey Lance – North Dakota State (#7 Overall, #4 QB)

Ron Rivera has made it no secret that his priority is finding the quarterback of the future in Washington. Trey Lance has drawn comparisons – from my cohost PJ Clark – to Rivera’s old protégé Cam Newton. QBs with rushing ability add an element of deception in modern offenses. OC Scott Turner can take advantage of this while Lance refines his ability to pass.

  1. Detroit Lions: WR Jaylen Waddle – Alabama (#10 Overall, #3 WR)

Kenny Golladay and Marvin Jones are both free agents in 2021. Let’s say Detroit manages to resign one; they’ll still need a second receiver. Jaylen Waddle, unlike Kenny and Marvin, allows for creative ability in an offense. There goes that word creative again. I highly value deception and ability to move the ball in different ways. Detroit’s offense has been relatively boring of late. Waddle should open things up from a playcaller’s perspective.

  1. Atlanta Falcons: CB Patrick Surtain – Alabama (#11 Overall, #1 CB)

A bit of a reach here in my opinion but Atlanta has to address their secondary. I can’t remember the last time I felt confident in the Falcons to stop top end talent at quarterback and wide receiver. Surtain has held his own against top competition. He’s a three year starter in a program that’s produced many talented defensive backs. Pair him with a slowly improving AJ Terrell and you have a building block on that defense.

  1. Miami Dolphins *via Texans: ED Kwity Paye – Michigan (#12 Overall, #1 ED)

Miami has some nice pass rushing pieces already, but one thing I know about creative playcallers, you can never give them enough tools. Brian Flores is the next best defensive playcaller in the NFL after Bill Belichick. The ultra-athletic Kwity Paye has just started producing at a statistical level even with what you’d expect from a high draft pick. Flores can turn Paye into an all-pro edge player.

  1. Denver Broncos: CB Caleb Farley – Virginia Tech (#15 Overall, #2 CB)

The converted wide receiver Farley possesses the athleticism and length necessary to play corner at the next level. Denver isn’t terrible in the secondary, but they lack depth and are getting older. If Justin Simmons walks and the Broncos can’t add secondary talent in free agency, this could quickly become a weakness. Farley compares similarly to another converted wide receiver that’s found success in the NFL at corner: Quinton Dunbar.

  1. Chicago Bears: OT Christian Darrisaw – Virginia Tech (#19 Overall, #4 OT)

Here’s another slight reach. I don’t know that the Bears will be picking low enough to get a top quarterback talent in this draft, so they may have to focus on a productive run game. Chicago’s run blocking has been horrific. Darrisaw has been brilliant getting to the second level in a run heavy Virginia Tech offense. He fits here.

  1. Minnesota Vikings: WR DeVonta Smith – Alabama (#13 Overall, #4 WR)

Justin Jefferson was a homerun draft selection for Minnesota. But, they can really take their receiving corps to whole new level with one more talented playmaker. DeVonta Smith is one of the more polished receiver prospects in this draft. He’s a technician when it comes to route running and making plays on the ball. Smith is the definition of a plug and play guy that won’t need much coaching.

  1. New England Patriots: TE Kyle Pitts – Florida (#9 Overall, #1 TE)

Pitts slides in this mock because a lot of the teams in his range either already have a stud tight end or they just recently spent a high draft pick on a tight end. New England is a team that both heavily relies on this position and needs one badly. Kyle Pitts fits the bill as the athletic pass catching tight end most offenses want. Belichick would run this card in quickly.

  1. San Francisco 49ers: OT Sam Cosmi – Texas (#14 Overall, #2 OT)

Cosmi is the increasingly common athletic offensive tackle that needs some coaching in order to produce at the NFL level. The best way for these guys to develop in my opinion is in a motion heavy zone-blocking scheme. Kyle Shanahan’s offense is super friendly to young offensive linemen. Cosmi becomes the longterm replacement for Trent Williams.

  1. Las Vegas Raiders: ED Gregory Rousseau – Miami (#17 Overall, #2 ED)

Rousseau is the edge rusher in this draft class with high production. 15.5 sacks in his final season at Miami was second to only Chase Young in 2019. Unfortunately it’s the only season Rousseau fully played in college after opting out in 2020. My concern is nine of his sacks came in only three games. He needs to be surrounded by athletes, and I feel the Raiders are one impact pass rusher away from a front four that can heavily impact games. 

  1. Baltimore Ravens: WR Rashod Bateman – Minnesota (#16 Overall, #5 WR)

Lamar Jackson has struggled this season because of an injury to Ronnie Stanley, Marshal Yanda’s retirement, and the loss of pass catching tight end Hayden Hurst. The Ravens do not possess a single passing target that can play all downs and run every route. Rashod Bateman projects as the all-around receiving target that Baltimore needs.

  1. New York Giants: LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – Notre Dame (#24 Overall, #2 LB)

The Giants defense has made leaps and bounds this season, but could use a few more pieces to become a reliable unit. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah is the modern linebacker many teams are looking for. Owusu-Koramoah should draw comparisons to Darius Leonard; except he needs a little more consistency in pass coverage. The Giants could use a player who can cover out of the slot and also help in pass rushing situations.

  1. Arizona Cardinals: OG Wyatt Davis – Ohio State (#28 Overall, #1 IOL) 

With a super mobile quarterback like Kyler Murray, I wouldn’t say offensive line is the Cardinals most dire need right now. However, I think Wyatt Davis’ strength in run blocking is enough to justify this pick. Although Arizona is a pass-centric offense, they possess a creative and deadly run game. Davis can give a youth boost to the interior O-line, and carry on Arizona’s multi-faceted offensive attack.

  1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Shaun Wade – Ohio State (#27 Overall, #4 CB)

The Buccaneers have slowly built up a good amount of depth on the back end. But, they could use at least one more talented player, especially one that can thrive in the slot like Wade. Shaun Wade shows great ability staying with receivers, but can be inconsistent at the catch point. Todd Bowles is the perfect coach for tweaking defensive back technique.

  1. Miami Dolphins: OT Liam Eichenberg – Notre Dame (#30 Overall, #6 OT)

Miami has to come out of this offseason with a plan for the offensive line. Yes Tua Tagovailoa is better moving around the pocket than I anticipated, but he still has an injury history and needs protection. Liam Eichenberg is a continuation of the seemingly infinite Notre Dame OL factory. He’s another well coached player that can start day one in any system.

  1. Indianapolis Colts: CB Asante Samuel Jr – Florida State (#22 Overall, #3 CB)

Samuel came into this season with a reputation for vicious toughness and tackling. Much like his father, we’re now starting to see Samuel’s knack for turnovers. With three interceptions and two fumble recoveries, Samuel has made the plays that should translate to modern NFL defenses. The Colts, like many teams, could use an infusion of youth in the secondary.

  1. Cleveland Browns: S Trevon Moerhig – TCU (#33 Overall, #2 S)

Trevon Moerhiq is the best defensive back in this draft when it comes to purely playing the football at the catch point. There’s a solid argument that it’s the most important and difficult skill to learn in coverage. Moerhig is a rare talent. This is especially true for a middle of the field defender. Cleveland cannot go another season giving snaps to Andrew Sendejo. 

  1. Jacksonville Jaguars *via Rams: OT Alex Leatherwood – Alabama (#18 Overall, #3 OT)

It’s hard to figure out the Jaguars O-line. There are stretches of solid play, and some stretches of really horrible play. That being said, Leatherwood may be the perfect fit for Jacksonville to fix any inconsistencies. Leatherwood has played every position on the offensive line at Alabama. Whatever the Jaguars decide they need, Alex Leatherwood can play there.

  1. New York Jets *via Seahawks: ED Carlos Basham – Wake Forest (#31 Overall, #3 ED)

New York really should add as many offensive pieces as possible in this draft, but the board doesn’t quite fit that way here. So they pull the trigger on a need at edge rusher. Basham had a more productive 2019 season than in 2020, but his explosive athleticism projects well to the next level. At this point, the Jets will take any athletes they can get.

  1. Tennessee Titans: DT Christian Barmore – Alabama (#23 Overall, #1 IDL)

Barmore is unlike most Alabama interior defensive linemen we’ve seen because of how he wins. He can use his strength to push blockers upfield, but more often than not his lateral quickness and ability to disengage blockers are his weapons of choice. Tennessee could use a changeup pass rusher next to the powerful Jeffery Simmons.

  1. Buffalo Bills: RB Travis Etienne – Clemson (#20 Overall, #1 RB)

I’m having a really hard time slotting Etienne. Whoever takes him must be a good enough team to justify selecting a running back, but also a team that could see an upgrade in the passing game from his addition. Buffalo has recently drafted two backs in Devin Singletary and Zack Moss. I like both, but neither is a mismatch on passing downs. Etienne has that Kamara like ability to justify this selection. Buffalo could use a receiver that’s good in space.

  1. Green Bay Packers: CB Jevon Holland – Oregon (#21 Overall, #1 S)

Holland is either a free safety or a slot corner at the next level. For his sake, I think he would be better off starting out as a slot corner. Holland has the elite ball skills to make an immediate impact on an NFL defense, but he needs some development when it comes to play recognition. The Packers are one of many teams that need corner depth.

  1. Kansas City Chiefs: OG Rashawn Slater – Northwestern (#48 Overall, #7 OT)

Kansas City’s interior O-line has struggled at times this season. Add in the fact that Eric Fisher, Mitchell Schwartz, and Laurent Duvernay-Tardif are all free agents in 2022, and it becomes essential they add depth here in the draft. Slater is perhaps the most technically sound tackle in this draft class, but has some size concerns. He can start out at guard in Kansas City, and later on make the move to tackle.

  1. New Orleans Saints: LB Chazz Surratt – North Carolina (#39 Overall, #4 LB)

The Saints revolving door of veteran linebackers isn’t necessarily a weakness, but they could use a younger body. Converted QB Chazz Surratt has the play recognition skills of a quarterback, but could use some refinement at his new position. Surratt’s athleticism will keep him on the field as he learns.

  1. Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Kyle Trask – Florida (#37 Overall, #5 QB)

Ben Roethlisberger’s career is winding down and Kyle Trask gives Pittsburgh an opportunity to run the same offense. The big bodied Trask has similar pocket awareness to Ben and the arm talent neccesary for an NFL QB. He’s been brilliant this season, helping support the meteoric rises of Kyle Pitts and Kadarious Toney, and it should pay off with a first round selection.

All Rights Reserved – Boom Or Bust: The Draft Show – 2020

 Image Credit – Josh Auzenne/WAFB-TV