NFL Draft: SI All-American Mocks the Class of 2021 Into the First Round

It's NFL Draft Day!

The entire football world, and likely well beyond, has a different pep in their theoretical step Thursday as the first "live" American sporting event since COVID-19 hit is upon us.

Amid the unprecedented build up to the now-digital event, thousands of mock drafts have been published on just how the first round of the draft may go.

Why not take it a step further?

SI All-American tracks the top college football stars of tomorrow on a daily basis, the instant-impact prospects ready to become national names sooner rather than later.

What if they could be drafted?

We're not advocating for the radical change in real life but we can dig our cleats in the dirt for the duration of the last mock draft before the anticipated event. In this format, the first 32 picks are each from the recruiting class of 2021.

Selections and draft position, including trades, will be based upon Sports Illustrated's mock draft, published Wednesday evening.

The draft is finally here!@EDSFootball gives his final projection of how the first round should play out on Thursday night.

Check out where all the top prospects land: https://t.co/500fVj6pNO
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) April 23, 2020

1. Cincinnati Bengals

SI Mock 18.0: Joe Burrow, QB, LSU

SI All-American: Caleb Williams, QB, Washington (D.C.) Gonzaga

The top prep passer in the class of 2021 is the dual-threat from D.C. who can develop into a defensive coordinator's nightmare. Williams has that rare combination of natural arm talent, elite athleticism and a certain competitive drive that gives us 'can't miss' vibes more and more as the cycle wares on. College programs like LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma, Penn State and Maryland are still vying to build their future offense around him, much like the Bengals plan to do with that first selection.

2. Washington Redskins

SI Mock 18.0: Chase Young, DE, Ohio State

SIAA: Korey Foreman, DE, Corona (Calif.) Centennial

Foreman isn't the true edge bender Young is but the Californian has the chance to become an elite pass rusher from the outside or interior at the next level. The end game is the same, he collapses the pocket as well as any prep talent in the country and it's why his recruitment will be as highly-contested as any in America. Foreman decommitted from Clemson this week and has the likes of USC, Alabama, LSU and many others on his trail.

3. Detroit Lions

SI Mock 18.0: Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

SIAA: Tony Grimes, DB, Virginia Beach (Va.) Princess Anne

Big, physical defensive backs with length and ball skills are few and far between but Grimes is that guy to this point in the 2021 cycle. Much like Okudah at the prep level, he could excel as a true corner or as a safety should that become a need in the secondary. Grimes is uncommitted and looking at eight programs.

4. N.Y. Giants

SI Mock 18.0: Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama

SIAA: Tommy Brockermeyer, OT, Fort Worth (Texas) All Saints Episcopal

The Giants need a safe selection on the edge of the offensive line and like Wills, Brockermeyer fits that bill. The massive athlete, listed at 6-6, 295 pounds, can maul a defender for four quarters just as well as he could sit back in pass protection with efficiency and consistency. Brockermeyer, considering Texas, Alabama, Clemson, LSU and Auburn, may have the highest floor in the country.

5. Miami Dolphins

SI Mock 18.0: Justin Herbert, QB, Oregon

SIAA: Brock Vandagriff, QB, Bogart (Ga.) Prince Avenue Christian

Vandagriff has all the tools, physically, athletically and mentally, to assume a starting job at each ascent to another level so why not position him with Brian Flores and the Dolphins? The Georgia commitment heads to his neighboring state with that 'it factor' to handle the pressure of being the guy right out of the gates.

6. L.A. Chargers

SI Mock 18.0: Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama

SIAA: Tyler Buchner, QB, La Jolla (Calif.) Helix

The San Diego native represents for former local pro team and becomes the dual-threat spark that takes the Chargers into their next phase. Talk about a fit on and off the field. Buchner is in the conversation with Caleb Williams when it comes to overall ceiling and athleticism at the position, another built for this modern era of quarterback control and decision-making. The margin for error is just larger with talents like the Notre Dame commitment.

7. Carolina Panthers

SI Mock 18.0: Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson

SIAA: James Williams, DB, Plantation (Fla.) American Heritage

Considering Georgia, Clemson and Alabama (in that order?),Williams is a towering and athletic defender out of south Florida. He is set on playing defensive back in college at near 6-5, 225 pounds but has natural traits to be moved around like Simmons was at Clemson. Williams flashes physicality and ball skills at the second and third level while having the raw length and power to compete as a pass rusher down the line.

8. Arizona Cardinals

SI Mock 18.0: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

SIAA: J.T. Tuimoloau, DT, Sammamish (Wash.) Eastside Catholic

Here is where best available has to meet best fit. Tuimoloau, an uncommitted two-way talent, would contend for most talented regardless of position so he comes off the board as a prospect who can grow into an interior defender with the potential impact of Brown. Right now the Washington native seems most comfortable at defensive end or outside linebacker but it will be too tempting to push him inside with just how nimble and physical he already is at 275 pounds or so.

9. Atlanta Falcons (trade with Jacksonville)

SI Mock 18.0: C.J. Henderson, CB, Florida

SIAA: Jason Marshall, CB, Miami (Fla.) Palmetto

Henderson stays in-state in heading to the next level and the same goes for Marshall, who may very well end up at Florida as well. Marshall is a stout, quick and savvy cornerback with great technique and athleticism, some of the same traits we used to rave about with Henderson out of high school.

10. Cleveland Browns

SI Mock 18.0: Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa

SIAA: J.C. Latham, OT, Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academy

Wirfs was a big riser in the last year or so and Latham is doing the same now that he's all in on playing offensive tackle. The 6-7, 315-pounder was a rock solid defensive lineman earlier in his career, with some occasional flashes on offense, but buying into the projected position in the last 12 months has pushed his game to the next level in a hurry. Few prospects have improved with each showing like Latham has and he still has a year to go before the collegiate level, the reason Ohio State, LSU, Alabama and so many others want him in their class.

11. N.Y. Jets

SI Mock 18.0: Mekhi Becton, OT, Louisville

SIAA: Amarius Mims, OT, Cochran (Ga.) Bleckley County

Not many prep prospects can measure up to Louisville and combine star Becton but Mims could at least contend for it right now. The uncommitted prototype player, who is set to commit in October, stands 6-7, 315 pounds and displays some of the most effortless athleticism for a man of his stature. Sound familiar?

12. Las Vegas Raiders

SI Mock 18.0: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Oklahoma

SIAA: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Steilacoom (Wash.) High

Lamb is the complete package at wide receiver with solid size, great route running ability along with that tendency to get behind a defense and we see similar in Egbuka. The long and well put together athlete shines in a variety of ways (see above) but his flashes of dominance out wide are as good as any prospect at their respective position.

13. San Francisco 49ers (from Indianapolis)

SI Mock 18.0: Henry Ruggs, WR, Alabama

SIAA: Mario Williams, WR, Plant City (Fla.) High

We see T.Y. Hilton more than Ruggs in Williams' game but the selection still makes sense here. Despite a smaller stature, there is a physicality and explosiveness to his game that makes him a threat in the slot and out wide any time he gets his hands on the football.

14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (trade with Jacksonville)

SI Mock 18.0: Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia

SIAA: Savion Byrd, Duncanville (Texas) High

Admittedly, Thomas and Byrd are more like opposites than a comp to one another at the same level. Thomas has always been a high-floor, technically sound presence while Byrd is all about raw athleticism and ceiling. Either way, the Texan's athletic profile at at 6-5, under 300 pounds is too promising to pass up here given Tampa's need to protect a certain new pair of offensive investments.

15. Denver Broncos

SI Mock 18.0: Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama

SIAA: Jacorey Brooks, WR, Miami (Fla.) Booker T. Washington

Safe picks, safe picks across the board! Jeudy would immediately find a way into the starting line up opposite from Courtland Sutton and Brooks could eventually be similar. The big, strong, physical Miami-area wideout isn't the fastest at the position but he brings everything else to the table at an elite level. Brooks is more of an alpha than Jeudy was at the same stage.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars

SI Mock 18.0: Javon Kinlaw, DL, South Carolina

SIAA: Maason Smith, Houma (La.) Terrebonne

Kinlaw physically overwhelms blockers and so can Smith (see below). The Louisianan is nimble for a 315-pounder but make no mistake, he can absolutely win with power as well. Double digit sacks on the interior is rare and Smith did it as a junior in high school.

17. Dallas Cowboys

SI Mock 18.0: K’Lavon Chaisson, DE, LSU

SIAA: Jack Sawyer, DE, Pickerington (Ohio) North

Chaisson made the most of up-and-down availability at LSU and it will safely slide him into Round 1. Sawyer is the prospect that seems most similar in that he can wreck and offensive game plan given fewer chances with his ability to rush on the edge as a true speed finisher or with the counter of powering at the point. The Ohio State commitment looks like he's next up on this current run of Buckeye greats up front.

18. Miami (from Pittsburgh)

SI Mock 18.0: Austin Jackson, OT, USC

SIAA: Nolan Rucci, OT, Lititz (Pa.) Warwick

The Dolphins are rebuilding the offense and here Vandagriff gets his blindside protector in Rucci. At 6-foot-8, he is somehow light on his feet and can get to multiple assignments in between whistles with absolute power in finishing despite a slender build relative to his size.

19. Las Vegas (from Chicago)

SI Mock 18.0: Kristian Fulton, CB, LSU

SIAA: Jakailin Johnson, CB, Saint Louis (Mo.) Desmet

Much like Fulton, Johnson can compete well at the line of scrimmage and has the speed and athleticism to do the same down the field. The Ohio State commitment has prototypical size as well.

20. Jacksonville (from L.A. Rams)

SI Mock 18.0: A.J. Terrell, CB, Clemson

SIAA: Isaiah Johnson, Bluefield (W.V.) High

Big cornerbacks are always in high-demand in the spread, 50-50 ball era and Johnson is among the best to contend consistently at 6-foot-2. He runs incredibly well relative to his size and holds his own with above-average quickness and in breaking on the ball.

21. Philadelphia Eagles

SI Mock 18.0: Justin Jefferson, WR, LSU

SIAA: Agiye Hall, WR, Valrico (Fla.) Bloomingdale

Jefferson turned into a reliable play-maker for the national champs and Hall has some similar traits in his game, mainly length and an elite catch radius. Where Hall, a recent Alabama commitment, may be more advanced at the same stage is with pure physicality and overall size at 6-3, 200 pounds or so. Each plays with an edge, too.

22. Minnesota Vikings (from Buffalo)

SI Mock 18.0: Josh Jones, OT, Houston

SIAA: Bryce Foster, OL, Katy (Texas) Taylor

Foster may not be a typical left tackle projection, but his floor at guard is rock solid based on his point of attack ability. Good length and great footwork could potential push him to right tackle in the right situation, too.

23. Baltimore Ravens (trade with New England)

SI Mock 18.0: Kenneth Murray, LB, Oklahoma

SIAA: Terrence Lewis, LB, Hollywood (Fla.) Chaminade-Madonna

Murray is a sideline-to-sideline flasher and the best in that department in 2021 is no doubt Lewis. Each perhaps undersized, yet it doesn't show up on tape against very good competition. Lewis, a one-time Florida commitment, is on the open market with SEC and Big Ten programs giving chase.

24. New Orleans Saints

SI Mock 18.0: Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

SIAA: Smael Mondon, LB, Dallas (Ga.) Paulding County

If Lewis is the best in his department, Mondon is the top linebacker in the country in most other categories. He is the right combination of size, explosiveness and versatility at the second level. A true three-down defender, Mondon looks like the future centerpiece of a top defense.

25. Minnesota

SI Mock 18.0: Jaylon Johnson, CB, Utah

SIAA: Jordan Hancock, CB, Suwanee (Ga.) North Gwinnett

Another big cornerback with ball skills here in Hancock, a verbal commitment to Clemson. He plays with physicality and can transition from sprinting to breaking as well as any corner in the country.

26. Miami (from Houston)

SI Mock 18.0: Xavier McKinney, S, Alabama

SIAA: Corey Collier, S, Miami (Fla.) Palmetto

McKinney can cover, hit and line up at nickel if need be and Collier is in the same boat. He actually recently said he prefers a cornerback projection despite great safety length and range. Florida, Georgia and Clemson will be in the race for the Miamian down the home stretch.

27. Seattle Seahawks

SI Mock 18.0: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State

SIAA: Demeioun Robinson, DE, Gaithersburg (Md.) Quince Orchard

It seems like Seattle will lean towards an edge presence who could settle into a traditional second-level role if need be and Robinson makes sense. The Maryland commitment is a pure blur off the edge and presents immediate issue for the offensive line, but is long and aware enough to play effective against the run and even in coverage.

28. New England Patriots (from Baltimore)

SI Mock 18.0: A.J. Epenesa, DE, Iowa

SIAA: Keeshawn Silver, DE, Rocky Mounty (N.C.) High

North Carolina kept Silver within state lines and what a grab that will turn out to be. He is still somewhat raw overall, but few made the one-year jump he did from 2018 to 2019 on the football field. Silver, like Epenesa, could be a situational instant-impact guy before blossoming into a three-down star.

29. Tennessee Titans

SI Mock 18.0: Isaiah Wilson, OT, Georgia

SIAA: Tristan Leigh, OT, Fairfax (Va.) Robinson Secondary

Much like Wilson, Leigh is a towering presence somewhat raw in his game at the prep level. It didn't slow Wilson from making an early impact at Georgia. Expect the same from uncommitted Leigh, who has a strong motor and can finish with consistency.

30. Green Bay Packers

SI Mock 18.0: OT Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State

SIAA: Donovan Jackson, OT, Bellaire (Texas) Episcopal

Jackson may not be the most athletically gifted trenchman available but he is as technically sound and comfortable anchoring in pass protection as any tackle talent. The Ohio State pledge is ready to play sooner rather than later.

31. Indianapolis Colts (trade with San Francisco)

SI Mock 18.0: Jordan Love, QB, Utah State

SIAA: Miller Moss, QB, Mission Hills (Calif.) Bishop Alemany

A cerebral quarterback with great physical traits playing at Lucas Oil stadium? Imagine that. Moss can become the Manning right out of the gates or be Luck-y enough to sit a year or two behind the Philip Rivers.

32. Kansas City Chiefs

SI Mock 18.0: Cesar Ruiz, IOL, Michigan

SIAA: Landon Tengwall, OL, Olney (Md.) Good Counsel

A Penn State commitment, Tengwall is among the most physically impressive offensive line prospects in 2021. He has a tackle ceiling, especially on the right side, but mauls more like an interior prospect much like we used to say about Ruiz at IMG Academy a few years back.

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