NFL Draft 2021: Mock Predictions for Justin Fields, Penei Sewell, Top Prospects

If there's one thing we can predict about the 2021 NFL draft with some certainty, it's that we don't know exactly how things will unfold.

A year ago, Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa looked like a consensus No. 1 pick. Months later, however, he lost that position because of a significant hip injury and the surprise emergence of LSU's Joe Burrow.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence appears likely to be 2021's No. 1 pick right now, but that could quickly change depending on how other prospects perform and which team lands the first overall selection.

The good news is that the 2021 draft class is loaded with top-tier talent. So while teams can't know exactly whom they will be targeting in April, they do know that those players should be worthy of being selected.

A lot has yet to transpire, but here's an early look at how the 2021 draft might unfold. Draft order is based on the latest Super Bowl odds from Caesars Palace in reverse order, with coin flips used to break ties.

2021 NFL Mock Draft

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

2. Washington (150-1): Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

3. Carolina Panthers (125-1): Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

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

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

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

7. Arizona Cardinals (60-1): Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas 

8. Detroit Lions (60-1): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

9. Atlanta Falcons (60-1): Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State

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): Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

14. Los Angeles Chargers (45-1): Devonta Smith, WR, Alabama

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

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

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

18. Jacksonville Jaguars [from Rams] (30-1): Walker Little, OT, Stanford

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. New England Patriots (20-1): LaBryan Ray, DL, Alabama

24. Philadelphia Eagles (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): Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-1): 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): Elijah Molden, CB, Washington

2. Washington: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

John Bazemore/Associated Press

There's a very real chance that Washington will pull the trigger on a quarterback if it lands another top-five selection. Picking that high will likely mean that second-year quarterback Dwayne Haskins struggled to show the qualities of a franchise quarterback.

If Haskins is being given the benefit of the doubt, however, it makes a ton of sense for Washington to go with an offensive tackle instead. Trent Williams was traded to the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, and a top-tier tackle would help make Haskins' continued development much easier.

For now, Oregon's Penei Sewell could be the top tackle in the draft class—though it's worth noting that this isn't the consensus, according to Bleacher Report draft analyst Matt Miller:

Sewell was the most accomplished tackle this past season, winning the Outland Trophy, the Morris Trophy and being a unanimous first-team All-American. Another strong season could cement Sewell's spot as the top tackle, though the pre-draft process will also play a big role in his standing.

Should concerns about Sewell's size and strength persist, prospects like Texas' Samuel Cosmi and Stanford's Walker Little could enter the equation here.

8. Detroit Lions: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

The Detroit Lions will be an interesting team to watch when it comes to quarterbacks. They have a Hall of Fame-caliber passer in Matthew Stafford, but they have continuously underachieved during his tenure. Another down season could be enough for both Detroit and Stafford to want to move on.

NFL Network's Michael Silver reported in February that some around the league believe that Stafford was looking to be traded:

Trading Stafford this offseason was never a realistic option for Detroit, though, as he $32 million in dead money remaining on his contract. That number drops to $19 million next offseason, which will be easier to swallow and/or convince another team to absorb.

Should Detroit move on from Stafford, Ohio State's Justin Fields would become an enticing target. He was the best pure pocket passer in 2019, according to Pro Football Focus, and his skill set would allow the Lions to replace what they had in Stafford.

"The greatest strength of the second-year quarterback is his pocket passing," Anthony Treash of PFF wrote.  "... Fields' patience in the pocket shines, and pressure doesn't throw him off his game like most other quarterbacks due to his elite athleticism."

21. Pittsburgh Steelers: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

Sean Rayford/Associated Press

We have to move down the draft board a bit to get into running back prospects. There doesn't appear to be a Saquon Barkley-caliber back in this draft class, but a phenomenal season could catapult a runner in the top half of Round 1.

Miller had Etienne going at No. 11 to the Miami Dolphins in his early 2021 mock draft in April.

Much will depend on where running back-needy teams land in the draft order too, and the Pittsburgh Steelers could be such a franchise. James Conner failed to follow up a strong 2018 campaign, and a back like Clemson's Travis Etienne could help round out a potent Pittsburgh offense.

A two-time ACC Player of the Year, Etienne might have been one of the top backs taken in the 2020 draft, but he decided to return for his senior season. From a skill set standpoint, he would be a perfect fit for what the Steelers like to do offensively.

Etienne is capable as both a runner and a receiver. He finished the 2019 season with 1,614 rushing yards, 432 receiving yards and 23 total touchdowns. He could be the dangerous dual-threat back the Steelers had in Le'Veon Bell a few years ago.