2021 NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-10

Breaking down a realistic Top 10 with plenty of props to take advantage of

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#1 Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (QB, Clemson)

There hasn’t been a pro prospect like Lawrence since Andrew Luck and he should immediately step in and start under first-year Jags coach Urban Meyer and his staff. Given the fact that all he and Meyer have done is win at the collegiate level, don’t count out an immediate playoff berth in what should be a wide open AFC South division with all sorts of chaos in Houston, question marks about Carson Wentz in Indy and a team that's reliant on Derrick Henry in Tennessee. 

Best Bet: Jacksonville Jaguars To Win The AFC South Division (+850, FanDuel)

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#2 New York Jets: Zach Wilson (QB, BYU)

Even though it seems like it, Wilson’s viral throw at his pro day wasn’t the only reason why he’s projected to go 2nd overall. At BYU, he threw just three interceptions compared to 33 passing touchdowns and added 10 more scores on the ground in just 12 games last season. With elite arm strength and the ability to create outside the pocket with his legs and all sorts of release points, Wilson will be a lot of fun to watch, but going up against Bill Belichick and the Patriots as well as the Bills a combined four times in the division won’t be very fun for the rookie.

Best Bet: Jets Under 6.5 Regular Season Wins (+110, PointsBet)

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#3 San Francisco 49ers: Justin Fields (QB, Ohio State)

(From Miami Dolphins via Houston Texans)

The Niners moved up to the 3rd pick for a reason: to draft their next franchise quarterback. Kyle Shanahan admitted it. Everyone knows that’s what they’re doing. While most of the hype is surrounding Mac Jones due to the team’s offensive style, it’s hard to imagine San Francisco passing on Fields, who is clearly the more elite prospect from an upside point of view. Jones does a lot of what Jimmy Garoppolo does well and has essentially his same limitations whereas Fields’ athleticism and elite accuracy could vault Shanahan’s offense to a whole new level.

Best Bet: Fields To Be The 3rd Overall Pick (+260, BetMGM)

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#4 New England Patriots: Mac Jones (QB, Alabama)

(Projected trade from Atlanta Falcons)

There was a lot of smiling at Jones’ pro day and some of it was done by Belichick, who is buddies with Nick Saban. Despite the fact that New England re-signed Cam Newton, they’re clearly searching for their next franchise quarterback and even though it’d likely take multiple 1st round picks to move up into Atlanta’s spot (they probably didn’t forget the whole Super Bowl comeback), this is the time for the 68-year-old Hall of Fame coach to get bold and pull off an uncharacteristic deal. Don't be shocked if this happens.

Best Bet: Jones To Be Over Pick 3.5 (+142, FanDuel)

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#5 Cincinnati Bengals: Penei Sewell (OT, Oregon)

Joe Burrow took 32 sacks (11th most in the NFL) last season and he only played 10 games. In case you were wondering, that was tied for the 2nd most in the NFL through Week 11. Not only that, but the Bengals were essentially a revolving door on their o-line all year long. Shockingly, 10 different players logged at least 200 snaps, per PFF. While the allure of drafting tight end Kyle Pitts will be difficult to pass up, Sewell is the best OT prospect in this draft and can immediately fill a glaring need. 

Best Bet: Sewell 1st Non-QB Selected (+150, DraftKings)

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#6 Miami Dolphins: Kyle Pitts (TE, Florida)

(From Philadelphia Eagles)

Pitts is an absolute freak. At 6’6 and 246 pounds, Pitts runs like a wideout and will be an immediate red zone and big-play threat in his rookie year. Alongside fellow tight end Mike Gesicki, Pitts could create a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses similar to the way that Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez did for years in New England. Arming Tua Tagovailoa with another weapon in the passing game will also guide his development forward. The pick makes too much sense and he won't fall from here.

Best Bet: Pitts Over Pick 5.5 (-104, DraftKings)

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#7 Detroit Lions: Ja’Marr Chase (WR, LSU)

Even though seeing a reunion between Chase and his former college QB Burrow at No. 5 overall would be really exciting, this is a logical destination. Not only did the Lions just lose No. 1 wideout Kenny Golladay to free agency, but No. 2 wideout Marvin Jones Jr. also bolted. Therefore, there’s a realistic possibility that Detroit drafts Chase as the first of a few wideouts and he’d be the clear go-to playmaker for Jared Goff on Day 1. 

Best Bet: Chase Over Pick 6.5 (-112, DraftKings)

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#8 Carolina Panthers: Micah Parsons (LB, Penn State)

Even though he sat out the entire 2020 season to prepare for the draft, Parsons is regarded as the best defensive prospect available. Due to the fact that offenses are consistently getting bigger, faster and stronger, Parsons’ versatility and athleticism will allow the Panthers to use him all over the field where he could be the ball-hawking leader that Luke Keuchly was. It’ll be somewhat surprising to see the first defensive player get taken at No. 8, but Parsons should be the first defender called.

Best Bet: Parsons To Be 1st Defensive Player Drafted (-130, BetMGM)

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#9 Denver Broncos: Patrick Surtain II (CB, Alabama)

Unfortunately for the Broncos, they’ll have to face Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs at least two times a year for his entire career. With that being said, adding the SEC Defensive Player of the Year with elite one-on-one outside coverage skills seems like a great idea. Keep in mind that Surtain's dad played 11 years in the NFL and he also practiced against 2020 first-rounders Henry Ruggs III and Jerry Jeudy along with presumed 2021 first-rounders DeVonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle over the last couple of years at Alabama. Therefore, his most impressive film might not even be against Bama's opponents.

Best Bet: Surtain II To Be A Top 10 Pick (-112, DraftKings)

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#10 Pittsburgh Steelers: Trey Lance (QB, North Dakota State)

(Projected trade from Dallas Cowboys)

It’s not much of a secret that Ben Roethlisberger is nearing the end of his career. With that being said, I fully expect the Steelers to try to land his future replacement in this draft. Since Lance is most likely going to need to adapt to the NFL coming from North Dakota State with limited reps, grooming him and even giving him some package-specific snaps (like the Saints did with Taysom Hill and the Colts did with Jacoby Brissett last season) makes a ton of sense. If Lance slips to this spot, it seems reasonable to assume that a team like the Steelers will try to trade up and give the Cowboys a handsome amount of compensation in return. 

Best Bet: Lance Over Pick 7.5 (+172, DraftKings)

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