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Daniel Jeremiah 2021 NFL mock draft 1.0: Justin Fields to Lions; plus, a trade!

The NFL has released the list of underclassmen who have been granted early entry to the 2021 NFL Draft, marking the official start to Mock Draft Season! With 97 days until Round 1 kicks off in Cleveland, here's my first look at how the first 32 picks of the 2021 draft class could play out.

Note that the order of the final two spots below will be determined by the outcome of Super Bowl LV (the Bucs and Chiefs are ordered in this mock based on regular season record).

EDITOR'S NOTE: This mock draft was published prior to the news that the Lions and Rams had agreed to a blockbuster trade involving Matthew Stafford and Jared Goff. The order for picks 29-32 was updated based on the outcome of the conference championship games.

Pick
1
Trevor Lawrence · QB

School: Clemson | Year: Junior


The Urban Meyer era begins with one of the most talented quarterbacks to enter the league in the last five years. 

Pick
2
Zach Wilson · QB

School: BYU | Year: Junior


The draft starts at this pick. The Jets have a lot of options, but Wilson's upside would be tough to pass up. 


Pick
3
Ja'Marr Chase · WR

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE HOUSTON TEXANS


School: LSU | Year: Junior


The Dolphins need to add some playmakers around Tua Tagovailoa. Chase is the best pass catcher in the draft. 

Pick
4
Trey Lance · QB

School: North Dakota State | Year: Sophomore (RS)


This decision will likely come down to Lance versus Ohio State's Justin Fields. I can make a strong argument for both players, but I'll stick with Lance because of his advantage as a decision-maker on the field. 

Pick
5
Rashawn Slater · OT

School: Northwestern | Year: Senior


Florida TE Kyle Pitts would be tempting right here, but the Bengals must address the offensive line. Slater has five-position flexibility and his tape is outstanding. 

Pick
6
DeVonta Smith · WR

School: Alabama | Year: Senior


I believe the Eagles will stick with their current quarterback situation and give the offense a boost with the most polished receiver in the draft class.

Pick
7
Justin Fields · QB

School: Ohio State | Year: Junior


Detroit is expected to be in the QB market following the news that the team plans to begin trade discussions for Matthew Stafford. It would be a gift for Fields to fall to the Lions with the seventh pick, but the board works their way in this scenario.

Pick
8
Penei Sewell · OT

School: Oregon | Year: Junior


I wouldn't rule out Carolina trading up for a QB, but there are other needs on this roster. Sewell will help solidify what was a struggling offensive line.

Pick
9
Caleb Farley · CB

School: Virginia Tech | Year: Junior (RS)


I think Farley is incredibly talented and he fills a need for Vic Fangio's defense.

Pick
10
Patrick Surtain · CB

School: Alabama | Year: Junior


The Cowboys still need to upgrade the secondary. Surtain will reunite with former Alabama teammate Trevon Diggs to give Dallas a promising young tandem at cornerback.

Pick
11
Jaylen Waddle · WR

School: Alabama | Year: Junior


The Giants are all in with Daniel Jones and now they need to give him some weapons on the outside.

Pick
12
Kyle Pitts · TE

School: Florida | Year: Junior


Don't freak out, people! I know the Niners already have an elite tight end. However, they have embraced the positionless-player movement, and Pitts would team up with George Kittle, Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk to give Kyle Shanahan an embarrassment of riches. 

Pick
13
Alijah Vera-Tucker · OT

School: USC | Year: Junior (RS)


Vera-Tucker is one of the cleanest players in the draft. He's played at a high level at both guard and tackle. The Chargers must address the offensive line this offseason. 

Pick
14
Gregory Rousseau · Edge rusher

School: Miami | Year: Sophomore (RS)


I'm a big fan of Rousseau and his potential at the next level. He has elite length and surprising pass rush polish despite his limited experience at the position. The Vikings' defense took a big step back last year due to an inability to pressure the quarterback. 

Pick
15
Micah Parsons · LB

School: Penn State | Year: Junior


Parsons is an explosive, versatile playmaker, and the Patriots need to get faster on defense. 

Pick
16
Jaelan Phillips · Edge rusher

School: Miami | Year: Junior (RS)


Phillips is the most gifted pass rusher in this year's draft. He has an excellent get-off, he can bend at the top of his rush and he is a finisher.

Pick
17
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah · LB

School: Notre Dame | Year: Junior (RS)


Owusu-Koramoah is a dynamic athlete at the second level of the defense. He can cover in the slot if needed and he's an excellent blitzer. The Raiders need to address the pass rush, too, and that could be an option here with this pick. 

Pick
18
Christian Darrisaw · OT

School: Virginia Tech | Year: Junior


The Dolphins need to devote this offseason to supporting their young QB. Darrisaw is a sound, dependable player and would step right into the starting lineup at right tackle. 

Pick
19
Kadarius Toney · WR

School: Florida | Year: Senior


Toney is electric with the ball in his hands, and the Washington Football Team needs more playmakers. I also wouldn't rule out a trade up for a quarterback if Washington fails to address the position in free agency. 

Pick
20
Jalen Mayfield · OT

School: Michigan | Year: Sophomore (RS)


The Bears could use Mayfield at tackle or slide him inside to guard. I love the way he finishes in the run game. 

Pick
21
Kwity Paye · Edge rusher

PROJECTED TRADE WITH INDIANAPOLIS COLTS


School: Michigan | Year: Senior


I believe the Colts are the most likely landing spot for Matthew Stafford in a trade, so they make the move to get a replacement for Philip Rivers in this scenario. The Lions got their QB at No. 7 overall, but they still need to address the pass rush. Paye is one of the more dynamic athletes in the draft. 

Pick
22
Jaycee Horn · CB

School: South Carolina | Year: Junior


The Titans need better cover guys on the back end. Horn has the ability to play at a high level in press or off coverage. 

Pick
23
Travis Etienne · RB

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE SEATTLE SEAHAWKS


School: Clemson | Year: Senior


Don't get caught up in the "we can't take a running back in the first round" conversation. You need to have playmakers on offense to play winning football. Etienne would add an explosive element as both a runner and receiver. 

Pick
24
Teven Jenkins · OT

School: Oklahoma State | Year: Senior (RS)


The Steelers' inability to run the football last season was a major problem. They could take a runner here -- I love North Carolina's Javonte Williams and Alabama's Najee Harris -- but I think they will address the offensive line instead. Jenkins plays with an edge (see what he did against Texas) and would provide some youth/athleticism to Pittsburgh's aging group. 

Pick
25
Trevon Moehrig · S

PICK ACQUIRED FROM THE LOS ANGELES RAMS


School: TCU | Year: Junior


Moehrig is the best safety in the draft class and has the ability to play the deep middle or inside the box. He has a high ceiling and a high floor. 

Pick
26
Zaven Collins · LB

School: Tulsa | Year: Junior (RS)


Collins is very similar to Leighton Vander Esch when he was coming out of Boise State. Collins has the same size, length and athleticism. Cleveland needs to upgrade at the linebacker position.

Pick
27
Azeez Ojulari · Edge rusher

School: Georgia | Year: Sophomore (RS)


Ojulari is a tough evaluation. He's a little undersized, but he plays with excellent leverage and strength. The Ravens will love his energy and passion. 

Pick
28
Nick Bolton · LB

School: Missouri | Year: Junior


Bolton is a run-and-hit linebacker with outstanding range. The Saints are getting a little older at the second level of their defense and need to add some speed. 

Pick
29
Tutu Atwell · WR

School: Louisville | Year: Junior


I know the Packers don't traditionally draft wide receivers in the first round, but I love this potential fit. They don't have anyone with Atwell's skill set on their offense. He is a blur who can be utilized on jet sweeps and to stretch the field. He would be the perfect complement to Davante Adams and Allen Lazard

Pick
30
Aaron Robinson · CB

School: UCF | Year: Senior (RS)


The Bills have built a very complete roster. They could easily trade out of the first round and collect some extra picks. Robinson is a tall, rangy cornerback prospect with the ability to play in the slot or outside. 

Pick
31
Joe Tryon · Edge rusher

School: Washington | Year: Junior (RS)


Tryon is very well regarded around the league. He has size, length and power. He would be a nice fallback option if the Bucs lose Shaq Barrett in free agency. 

Pick
32
Levi Onwuzurike · DT

School: Washington | Year: Senior (RS)


The Chiefs have the luxury of simply taking the best available player on their board. I believe Onwuzurike is the best interior defensive lineman in this draft class. 

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