Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Kelly: Dolphins target playmakers at 6, 18
In the second version of South Florida Sun Sentinel Dolphins columnist Omar Kelly’s 2021 NFL mock draft, he hypothesizes what each team will do based on their needs, the predicted 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.
1. Jaguars: Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence
The Jaguars begin the Urban Meyer era with the most anticipated quarterback prospect to enter the draft since Andrew Luck came out of Stanford in 2012. Lawrence has all the tools needed to eventually become a franchise quarterback. Top needs: QB, OL, LB, WR
2. Jets: BYU QB Zach Wilson
The Jets’ trade that sent Sam Darnold to the Panthers for three draft picks makes it a certainty that New York will select a quarterback in the first round, and Wilson’s arm talent and upside makes him the front-runner over Ohio State’s Justin Fields. Top needs: QB, CB, RB, LB
3. 49ers: Ohio State QB Justin Fields
Most NFL insiders suspect the 49ers aggressively moved up in the draft to select a quarterback to replace Jimmy Garoppolo, who might be traded. While the Mac Jones to San Francisco rumors have the league buzzing, Fields has the athleticism to open up the 49ers’ play-action passing game and possesses more upside as a player. Top needs: DE, LB, OG/C, CB
4. Falcons: Oregon OT Penei Sewell
The addition of Sewell, a phenomenal athlete with tremendous movement skills, would give Atlanta an immediate answer at left guard. His selection would allow Atlanta to slide Jake Matthews or Kaleb McGary inside in order to utilize Sewell on the perimeter. Top needs: Edge rusher, OT, TE, LB
5. Bengals: LSU WR Ja’Marr Chase
Chase was the main producer during quarterback Joe Burrow’s Heisman Trophy winning season at LSU. Reuniting those two could jump-start Zac
Taylor’s stagnant offense, and give him another season to prove he’s head coach material. Top needs: OT, TE, QB, LB
6. Dolphins: Florida TE Kyle Pitts
The Dolphins goal this offseason is to add elite talent at the skill positions, giving quarterback Tua Tagovailoa the playmakers he needs to succeed. Pitts is a once-in-a-generation tight end, a player who has the potential to be a constant mismatch in the NFL. Paired with Mike Gesicki the Dolphins could have one of the best tight end duos in the NFL. Top needs: Edge, RB, WR, C
7. Lions: Alabama WR Jaylen Waddle
After losing two of the team’s top receivers during free agency, the Lions add Waddle, a speedster who can ease new quarterback Jared Goff ’s workload by producing run-after-catch years. Waddle can also help on special teams as a return specialist. Top needs: WR, CB, OT, QB
8. Panthers: Alabama WR DeVonta Smith Acquiring Darnold via a trade buys the Panthers at least a season when it comes to finding a quarterback who can carry the franchise. But it would be wise to add a reliable playmaker to Carolina’s offense, and Smith proved in college that he’s a phenomenal possession receiver. Top needs: QB, OT, CB, TE
9. Broncos: North Dakota State QB Trey Lance It is not a secret that the Broncos are uncertain about Drew Lock’s upside and development. Adding a young, talented quarterback like Lance would be controversial but a quarterback competition never killed anyone. May the best cannon-armed QB win. Top needs: QB, CB, LB, Edge
10. Cowboys: Alabama CB Patrick Surtain II Surtain, whose father was a standout player at the same position for the Miami Dolphins, is a technician, whose game is fundamentally sound. That makes him a safe pick for a Dallas defense that needs to be patched up. Top needs: CB, DT, OT, S
11. Giants: Penn State LB Micah Parsons
The Giants would benefit from putting better playmakers around quarterback Daniel Jones, but the defense shouldn’t be ignored. Parsons would give the team an athletic option at edge rusher or linebacker. Top needs: LB, CB, WR, S
12: Eagles: Tulsa LB Zaven Collins
The Eagles moved down from pick No. 6 since they are rebuilding, and seemingly have their sights set on a prospect other teams don’t view as a top-10 talent. Collins is a leader and the type of player that can help a defense tighten up immediately. Top needs: TE, QB, WR, CB
13. Chargers: Northwestern OT Rashawn Slater
Quarterback Justin Herbert had a record-setting rookie season despite playing behind what can arguably be described as the NFL’s worst offensive line. The Chargers added center Corey Linsley this offseason, but need to improve the other spots on that unit. Slater’s talent puts him on par with Sewell as this draft’s best offensive line prospect. Top needs: OT, TE, Edge, CB
14. Vikings: Virginia Tech OT Christian Darrisaw
If quarterback Kirk Cousin is going to survive and running back Delvin Cook is going to thrive, the Vikings must beef up their offensive line. Darrisaw has the power and fast-twitchiness needed to manhandle most NFL edge players. Top needs: OT, OG, S, QB
15. Patriots: Minnesota WR Rashod Bateman The Patriots’ anemic passing game is a direct result of the franchise’s inability to identity and develop receiver talent. Bateman has a knack for finding his way into soft spots against zone coverage, and that’s typically how New England wideouts have found success in the NFL. Top needs: QB, LB, WR, CB
16. Cardinals: South Carolina CB Jaycee Horn While the Cardinals have a need at tailback after losing Kenyan Drake in free agency, Arizona has an even greater need at cornerback. Horn has the athleticism and toughness needed to become a Day 1 starter. Top needs: RB, CB, Edge, ILB
17. Raiders: TCU FS Trevon Moehrig
The Raiders need to tighten up the secondary, and seemingly left that unit to be addressed in the draft. Moehrig is a pure center-fielding free safety, who possesses great range and a knack for finding the football (seven interceptions in 34 games). Top needs: OT, S, CB, ILB
18. Dolphins: Alabama RB Najee Harris
The simplest route to taking pressure off a young quarterback is to give him a forceful run game. The Dolphins, who ranked 29th in yards per carry (3.9) last season, would instantly become a physical running team by selecting Harris, a violent back with phenomenal hands and tremendous body control. Top needs: Edge, RB, WR, C
19. Washington: USC OG Alijah Vera-Tucker Washington has one of the NFL’s best defensive fronts, which means coach Ron Rivera’s team can turn its attention to the offense. Because a solid offensive line is the foundation to success on that side of the ball, Washington selects the highest-rated lineman left and then figures out whether Vera-Tucker should be a tackle or a guard. Top needs: OT, LB, S, QB
20. Bears: Oklahoma State OT Teven Jenkins Chicago needs to find an offensive tackle who can serve as an immediate starter, potentially replacing Bobby Massie at right tackle. Jenkins is tall, wide and athletic. He’d help the Bears reset the line of scrimmage. Top needs: QB, OT, WR, CB
21. Colts: Michigan DE Kwity Paye
The Colts need to create more pressure off the edges, and even though that’s not Paye’s specialty, his explosiveness, get-off skills, and ability to set the edge should help Indianapolis tighten up on defense. Top needs: OT, CB, WR, Edge
22. Titans: Georgia DE Azeez Ojulari
The Titans were the only team to allow opponents to convert more than 50 percent of their third downs, which proves they need to improve the team’s pass rushing. There isn’t a better pure pass rusher in this draft than Ojulari, who produced 14 sacks in 27 games in college. Top needs: Edge, CB, TE, WR
23. Jets: Notre Dame OLB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
The Jets are seemingly moving on from Neville Hewitt, a free agent who contributed 209 tackles last season. Owusu-Koramoah has the movement skills of a safety. He’s more than capable as a blitzer, but might need time to blossom in the NFL because he only played two seasons at Notre Dame. Top needs: QB, CB, RB, LB
24. Steelers: Oklahoma C Creed Humphrey The Steelers’ once dominant offensive line has deteriorated, and it doesn’t help that Maurkice Pouncey retired. The law of supply and demand will push Humphrey into the first round because the Steelers can’t take the chance that they will find a starting center on the second day of the draft. Top needs: C, RB, QB, CB
25. Jaguars: Miami DE Jaelan Phillips
After selecting Lawrence, the Jaguars need to shift their focus toward improving the defense. Phillips had a phenomenal Pro Day and showed off his athleticism. He has a few medical concerns that could impact his draft grade, but he’d be a perfect end to put on the opposite side of Josh Allen. Top needs: QB, OL, LB, WR
26. Browns: Miami DE Greg Rousseau
With Olivier Vernon not re-signing, the Browns are searching for a playmaker to put opposite Myles Garrett. Rousseau has the length, speed and power to be an NFL starter, but his stock is dropping because teams fear he’s a one-year wonder after sitting out the 2020 season and looking stiff at his Pro Day. Top needs: Edge, DT, WR, CB
27. Ravens: Texas OLB Joseph Ossai
The Ravens are in the market to add an edge rusher because of the free-agent defections of Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue. Ossai is an explosive athlete who can consistently win around the edges, and has a motor that never goes idle. Top needs: Edge, WR, S, RB
28. Saints: Alabama QB Mac Jones
Jones’ accuracy and quick decision-making indicates that he is the type of quarterback coach Sean Payton can mold into an elite passer in his offense in time. With Jameis Winston in the fold, the Saints have the ability to let Jones watch and learn as a rookie. Top needs: CB, WR, DT, LB
29. Packers: Alabama OT Alex Leatherwood Green Bay needs to put all its focus and energy on giving quarterback Aaron Rodgers the tools he needs to win a second championship. Leatherwood looks the part of a Day 1 starting tackle. He has length, power and decent movement skills. Top needs: OT, WR, CB, DT
30. Bills: FSU CB Asante Samuel Jr.
Buffalo needs a cornerback who has the ability to read and recognize routes like Samuel, whose father of the same name, carved out a long and accomplished career with the Patriots and Eagles jumping receiver routes. Top needs: CB, Edge, WR, TE
31. Chiefs: Virginia Tech CB Caleb Farley
The Chiefs need to undergo an offensive line makeover, but can’t pass up taking Farley, who many thought was the top-rated cornerback before he underwent back surgery this offseason. Farley is long, and fluid, and he excels in press coverage. Top needs: OT, WR, LB, Edge
32. Buccaneers: Alabama DT Christian Barmore
There are only so many one-year deals left in Ndamukong Suh, who turned 34 in January. That’s why the Buccaneers should select Barmore, who possess a broad frame and powerful hands, and ease him into Tampa’s defensive line rotation. Top needs: DT, Edge, S, QB