Safid Deen’s final 2021 NFL mock draft
In the final version of South Florida Sun Sentinel Dolphins beat writer Safid Deen’s 2021 NFL mock draft, he predicts what each team will do based on their needs, the runs on certain positions, and where the strengths and weaknesses in the draft’s talent pool could lead them when the first round begins on April 29.
Here Miami lands a dynamic playmaker with its first pick, and a promising edge rusher with the second of its two first-round picks.
And there’s a potential draft-day nightmare scenario for Dolphins fans later on in the first round.
1. Jaguars: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence
No surprise here.
2. Jets: BYU QB Zach Wilson
Hopefully for the Dolphins, the comparisons to Kanas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes don’t come to fruition.
3. 49ers (via Dolphins): Ohio State QB Justin Fields
The Mac Jones smoke screens were fun, but Fields is clearly one of the top quarterbacks in this draft.
4. Falcons: North Dakota State QB Trey Lance
Lance could mature behind Matt Ryan, 36, in new Atlanta coach Arthur Smith’s offense, which revived former Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill’s career in Tennessee.
5. Bengals: Florida TE Kyle Pitts
Cincinnati should get Joe
Burrow more protection, and Burrow would love to reunite with his former teammate in Ja’Marr Chase, but Pitts’ talent is hard to pass up.
6. Dolphins (via Eagles): LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase
Chase is an alpha-dog receiver who could become one of the best in the NFL in a few seasons. Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa would love throwing to him.
7. Lions: Oregon OT Penei Sewell
Detroit could use a playmaker here, but Sewell is the best player available on the board and can fit in at left or right tackle for new quarterback Jared Goff.
8. Panthers: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle
Waddle would be the icing on Carolina’s new offense with quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Christian McCaffrey, allowing coach Matt Rhule to really work his offensive magic.
9. Broncos: Penn State LB Micah Parsons
Denver picks up the best defensive player on the board in Parsons, who could excel as an outside linebacker or edge rusher like Von Miller.
10. Cowboys: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II
Dallas secures the best cornerback in the draft to address its glaring issues in the secondary.
11. Giants: Alabama WR DeVonta Smith
The Giants add the dynamic playmaker they lost when New York traded away Odell Beckham Jr., getting a player who should aid quarterback Daniel Jones’ development.
12. Eagles (via Dolphins, 49ers): South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn
Philadelphia would’ve loved to have Smith fall to them at 12 (good move by the Dolphins to trade back up), and fill its glaring need with the second-best cornerback in the draft.
13. Chargers: Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater
Los Angeles gets lucky Slater, who some consider the best offensive lineman in the draft, falls to them here, adding more protection for quarterback Justin Herbert.
14. Vikings: Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw
Minnesota also gets more protection for quarterback Kirk Cousins and running back Dalvin
Cook to fuel the Vikings offense.
15. Patriots: Michigan DE Kwity Paye
While I don’t expect New England to stand pat at 15 on draft day, they should take one of the best pass-rushing prospects in the field in Paye if they do.
16. Cardinals: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley
Farley drops outside of the top 15 because of his recent back procedure, but Arizona addresses its biggest need defensively.
17. Raiders: TCU S Trevon Moehrig
Las Vegas addresses one of the worst secondaries in the NFL with the best safety available in the draft.
18. Dolphins: Georgia OLB Azeez Ojulari
Edge rusher is truly Miami’s biggest need, and the Dolphins take Ojulari, whose 91.7 pass-rush grade was second in college football last year. He can line up on either end in coach Brian Flores’ defense.
19. Washington: USC OL Alijah Vera-Tucker
While WFT may be searching for a new quarterback, they support their offensive line with a versatile lineman who can play guard or tackle.
20. Bears: Northwestern cornerback Greg Newsome II
Chicago would love to get an offensive playmaker here, but a defensive playmaker will also do, addressing a need at cornerback.
21. Colts: Miami DE Jaelan Phillips
Phillips’ injury history, mainly his multiple concussions, does raise some concerns, but his tenacity and motor as an edge rusher is too enticing for Indianapolis to pass up.
22. Titans: Oklahoma State OT Teven Jenkins
Jenkins is the best right tackle in the draft, and Tennessee hopes this first-round pick overcomes the mistake of drafting troubled offensive lineman Isaiah Wilson a year ago.
23. Jets (via Seahawks): Notre Dame OLB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
The Jets have a need for a cornerback, but take the best edge/outside linebacker on the board to boast coach Robert Saleh’s new defense.
24. Steelers: Alabama QB Mac Jones
Ben Roethlisberger may likely play his final season this year, and Pittsburgh finds his replacement still on the board in the first round.
25. Jaguars (via Rams): Alabama DT Christian Barmore
After landing their quarterback, the Jaguars select the best defensive tackle in the draft to help their run defense, which allowed 2,452 yards (31st of 32 teams) and 23 touchdowns (30th) last season.
26. Browns: Tulsa LB Zaven Collins
After landing Jadeveon Clowney in free agency to pair with Myles Garrett, the Browns add Collins, college football’s best defender with 11.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, four interceptions, a fumble recovery and a safety last season.
27. Ravens: Miami DE Gregory Rousseau
Baltimore addresses its drastic need at defensive end after losing Matt Judon (Patriots) and Yannick Ngakoue (Raiders) in free agency this offseason.
28. Saints: Florida WR Kadarius Toney
New Orleans adds the shifty and dynamic Toney to play in the slot, joining receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara with Jameis Winston or Tayson Hill at quarterback now that Drew Brees has retired.
29. Packers: Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman
Green Bay has needs at cornerback and offensive line, but Bateman can contend to be the No. 2 receiver behind standout DeVante Adams — a draft move that makes quarterback Aaron Rodgers happy for however long he remains with the Packers.
30. Bills: Alabama RB Najee Harris
Sorry, Dolphins fans. Buffalo could use an edge rusher here, but adds even more firepower to its offense, taking the best running back in the draft to help dynamic quarterback Josh Allen.
31. Chiefs: North Dakota State OT Dillon Radunz
Kansas City makes a muchneeded offensive line addition, hoping to give Mahomes more time to throw than he had during the Super Bowl 55 loss to Tampa Bay.
32. Buccaneers: Penn State DE Jayson Oweh
Tampa Bay supplements its defensive line with an edge rusher who raised eyebrows during his pro day by running a 4.36 40-yard dash and 4.21 shuttle at 6 foot 5, 237 pounds.