2021 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections pre-Super Bowl week
Minnesota. 52. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. WR. Rashod Bateman. 25. player
The Jaguars are going to go with their new franchise quarterback and with their second pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, they will go and get him a wide receiver with who he can build chemistry with from day one. Rashod Bateman of Minnesota can line up out wide or in the slot and is not afraid to go up and get the ball. He will be highly used when it comes to short-yardage situations or in the redzone. DeVonta Smith, Jaylen Waddle and Ja’Marr Chase are all top-tier receivers but Bateman should be right up there in the discussions for the best wide receiver in the draft.
Scouting Report. 26. player. 53. Pick Analysis. LB. Missouri. Nick Bolton
The Browns are set on offense and with Grant Delpit returning from injury, their secondary will take a step forward but where the Browns could use some help is in the middle of the field. Missouri linebacker Nick Bolton is an explosive and high IQ linebacker who is great at filling in the gaps to stop the run. But where Bolton will make his biggest impact is in zone coverage versus the passing game. Bolton brings a presence that will make receivers hesitant to run across the middle of the field.
26. Scouting Report. WR. Purdue. Rondale Moore. 27. player. Pick Analysis
Lamar Jackson had a down year after winning the NFL MVP Award in 2019. But a lot of that can be credited to injuries on his offensive line and inconsistent play from his receivers. Jackson could use a new WR1 but it does not have to be someone of prototypical size but rather someone who is athletic, fast and deceptively strong given their size. Enter Rondale Moore of the Purdue Boilermakers and you get just that. Moore always seemed to be making big play after big play and when in open space can be the most dangerous player in all of football.