NFL Draft 2021: Mock Predictions for Patrick Surtain II, Top Defensive Prospects

Is it too early for NFL teams to be eyeing the 2021 draft? Of course not. While the annual selection event is still roughly 10 months away, evaluators have likely already begun zeroing in on the positions they want to target.

Quarterbacks like Clemson's Trevor Lawrence highlight the 2021 class—as they usually do—and may become the targets of a season-long tank job or two. The 2021 class is also chock full of offensive support talent, such as Oregon tackle Penei Sewell and LSU wideout Ja'Marr Chase.

Defensive prospects who are eligible for next year's draft haven't received quite as much fanfare to this point, but make no mistake: Teams looking for defensive help will have plenty of options.

Here, we'll examine some of the top 2021 defensive prospects and where they might land in the draft order. First though, an updated Round 1 mock.

Draft order is determined by the latest Super Bowl odds from Caesars Palace in reverse order with coin flips used to settle ties.

2021 NFL Mock Draft

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (250-1 odds): Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2. Washington Redskins (150-1): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

3. Carolina Panthers (125-1): Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

4. Cincinnati Bengals (100-1): Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

5. New York Jets (100-1): Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

6. Miami Dolphins (100-1): Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

7. Arizona Cardinals (60-1): Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State

8. Detroit Lions (60-1): Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

9. Atlanta Falcons (60-1): Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas 

10. Miami Dolphins [from Houston] (55-1): Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

11. Denver Broncos (50-1): Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

12. Chicago Bears (50-1): Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

13. New York Giants (50-1): Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

14. Los Angeles Chargers (45-1): Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

15. Cleveland Browns (35-1): Tyler Shelvin, DL, LSU

16. Tennessee Titans (30-1): Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

17. Las Vegas Raiders (30-1): Richard LeCounte, S, Georgia

18. Jacksonville Jaguars [from Rams] (30-1): Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

19. Minnesota Vikings (28-1): Paulson Adebo, CB, Stanford

20. Indianapolis Colts (25-1): JaCoby Stevens, S, LSU

21. Pittsburgh Steelers (25-1): Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

22. Buffalo Bills (25-1): Eric Stokes, CB, Georgia

23. Philadelphia Eagles (20-1): LaBryan Ray, DL, Alabama

24. New England Patriots (20-1): Jay Tufele, DT, USC

25. Green Bay Packers (16-1): Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

26. Dallas Cowboys (13-1): Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State

27. New Orleans Saints (13-1): Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia

28. Seattle Seahawks (12-1): Wyatt Davis, OL, Ohio State

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12-1): Chuba Hubbard, RB, Oklahoma State

30. San Francisco 49ers (15-2): Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

31. Baltimore Ravens (7-1): Creed Humphrey, IOL, Oklahoma

32. Kansas City Chiefs (4-1): Caden Sterns, S, Texas

4. Cincinnati Bengals: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

While cornerbacks traditionally aren't popular top-five targets, this is a trend that has changed in recent years. The Cleveland Browns took Denzel Ward fourth overall in 2018, and the Detroit Lions just took Jeff Okudah third overall this past April.

Alabama's Patrick Surtain II has the potential to continue this more recent trend, as he is an elite talent at the cornerback position. He's also a two-year starter who should see additional improvement in Year 3.

"The ascension from good player to great player is not only expected; it would be honestly shocking if it doesn’t happen," The Athletic's Aaron Suttles wrote.

The Cincinnati Bengals were heavily focused on offense in April, using their first two draft selections on quarterback Joe Burrow and wideout Tee Higgins. By using their first pick on Surtain, they can bolster the other side of the ball and help improve a pass defense that ranked just 21st in 2019.

6. Miami Dolphins: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

The Miami Dolphins added several intriguing pieces to their defense this offseason, including cornerback Byron Jones, linebacker Kyle Van Noy and defensive end Shaq Lawson. What the Dolphins lack is an elite edge-rusher who can really pressure opposing passers.

The Dolphins produced just 23 sacks as a team in 2019.

For the Dolphins, Miami pass-rusher Gregory Rousseau could be the perfect target. The Hurricanes star had 15.5 sacks last season and could immediately add some punch to the Dolphins pass rush.

The caveat with Rousseau at this point is that he is a one-year starter who only appeared in two games in 2018. He's put one tremendous year on film, but one year only. The potential for him to disappear in 2020 is very real.

However, with another strong season, he could put himself into position to be the first defensive player off the board in 2021.

7. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State

The Arizona Cardinals should look to build around quarterback Kyler Murray moving forward. However, they should also focus on improving a defense that ranked dead last in yards allowed last season. This is where Florida State defensive tackle Marvin Wilson enters the equation.

Wilson has the potential to be a truly elite defensive prospect, and he may already be better than one of the top defenders taken this past April.

"I think he can be better than Derrick Brown," Austin Gayle of Pro Football Focus said, via Twitter. "...I think he wins early in the down as a pass-rusher much more effectively, uses his hands better. I think this is what people want Derrick Brown to be."

Brown was taken seventh overall by the Carolina Panthers in April's draft.

Wilson produced 44 tackles, 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for a loss in 2019, and he should instantly add a disruptive presence to the interior of Arizona's defensive front.