NFL Draft 2021: Latest 1st-Round Mocks, Odds, Best Fits for Top Prospects

The 2021 NFL draft is so close that you can almost hear commissioner Roger Goodell announcing the selections and, if you listen close enough, the echos of boos that followed so many past picks.

It's crunch time in draft war rooms.

Final evaluations are due. Big boards must be built. Prospect stocks are nearing their final resting place.

The talent grab starts Thursday night, so let's get rolling on the latest preview with a fresh mock first round, the latest draft odds from Draftkings Sportsbook and the best team fits for a couple of the top wide receiver prospects.

Mock 1st Round

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

2. New York Jets: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

3. San Francisco 49ers (via MIA/HOU): Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

4. Atlanta Falcons: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

5. Cincinnati Bengals: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

6. Miami Dolphins (via PHI): Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

7. Detroit Lions: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

8. Carolina Panthers: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

9. Denver Broncos: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

10. Dallas Cowboys: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

11. New York Giants: Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern

12. Philadelphia Eagles (via MIA/SF): Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

13. Los Angeles Chargers: Alijah Vera-Tucker, G, USC

14. Minnesota Vikings: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

15. New England Patriots: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

16. Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

17. Las Vegas Raiders: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech

18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami

19. Washington Football Team: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

20. Chicago Bears: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida

21. Indianapolis Colts: Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami

22. Tennessee Titans: Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU

23. New York Jets (via SEA): Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

25. Jacksonville Jaguars (via LAR): Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State

26. Cleveland Browns: Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan

27. Baltimore Ravens: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota

28. New Orleans Saints: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

29. Green Bay Packers: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame

30. Buffalo Bills: Javonte Williams, RB, North Carolina

31. Kansas City Chiefs: Elijah Moore, WR, Ole Miss

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Zaven Collins, OLB, Tulsa

NFL Draft Odds

Matthew Hinton/Associated Press

1st Overall Pick

Trevor Lawrence -10000

Zach Wilson +1600

Justin Fields +3300

2nd Overall Pick

Zach Wilson -5000

Justin Fields +1600

Trey Lance +3300

Trevor Lawrence +3300

Kyle Pitts +3300

3rd Overall Pick

Mac Jones -167

Justin Fields +175

Trey Lance +400

Kyle Pitts +3300

Zach Wilson +3300

Top-5 Pick

Mac Jones -400

Justin Fields -200

Kyle Pitts -150

Ja'Marr Chase -125

Penei Sewell -125

Trey Lance -110

Rashawn Slater +250

Micah Parsons +700

Patrick Surtain II +1000

Jaycee Horn +1400

Kwity Paye +1400

DeVonta Smith +1400

Jaylen Waddle +1400

Ja'Marr Chase Best Fit: Miami Dolphins

John Bazemore/Associated Press

While it's fun to think about reuniting Ja'Marr Chase with Joe Burrow on the Cincinnati Bengals (like we have mocked), Cincy already has impact pass-catchers and needs help on the offensive line.

That's just as well for Chase since he could make the biggest impact in Miami.

The Dolphins need more playmakers around Tua Tagovailoa, and Chase might be as productive as they come. He doesn't have a ton of film—he had a relatively minor role in 2018 and opted out of 2020—but what's there is phenomenal. In 2019, he caught 84 passes for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.

"Ja'Marr is the best WR in this class and would've been the best in 2020 draft as well," an AFC scout told ESPN's Cameron Wolfe. "He's a do-it-all WR with dynamic ability after the catch. ... Makes plays at all three levels. I think he has a chance to develop into an All-Pro guy."

Miami has a few talented pass-catchers—starting with DeVante Parker and tight end Mike Gesicki—but the aerial attack needs a focal point. Chase could thrive in that role.

Jaylen Waddle Best Fit: Los Angeles Chargers

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Justin Herbert had an electric debut season for the Los Angeles Chargers behind one of the worst offensive lines in football and with almost all of his top weapons missing some time because of injury.

Assuming the front office feels it has done enough up front in free agency—adding All-Pro center Corey Linsley and guards Matt Feiler and Oday Aboushi—it could be salivating at the thought of giving Herbert an explosive weapon in the passing game.

In this draft, Jaylen Waddle is as explosive as it gets. He averaged 21.1 yards per catch as a junior and 18.9 per reception over his three seasons at Alabama. Of his 106 career receptions, 17 found the end zone.

He has blink-and-you-missed him burst. NFL Media's Lance Zierlein dropped a Tyreek Hill comparison on Waddle and doubled down by writing Waddle "will come into the league as one of the fastest receivers to ever play the game."

Waddle's speed and Herbert's arm strength and willingness to take shots could be an ideal marriage.

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