2021 NFL Draft: The first round picks
From the 2021 NFL draft: These are the top players by position series
It's time to put away the mock drafts -- finally! -- and make way for the real deal.
The brightest talents take center stage on the opening day in Cleveland as rookie stars are formally introduced to their new employers. As usual, the quarterback position commands most of the attention, but there's always drama up and down the draft board. Here are selections 1 through 32.
1. Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence. A once-in-a-decade talent, the big, strong-armed signal caller is instantly the face of the Jaguars' franchise.
2. Zach Wilson, QB, New York Jets
Brigham Young quarterback Zach Wilson. The second QB off the board, but first in the hearts of Jets fans.
3. Trey Lance, QB, San Francisco 49ers
North Dakota State quarterback Trey Lance. The 49ers paid a steep price to move up and the elite physical prospect is the payoff.
4. Kyle Pitts, TE, Atlanta Falcons
Florida tight end Kyle Pitts. The first non-quarterback off the board, the Falcons hope to add a perennial All-Pro to their mix.
5. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
LSU wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1). Although he opted out of the 2020 campaign, the sturdy receiver is first off the board at one of the draft's deepest positions.
6. Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Alabama wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Small but explosive, he'll find plenty of room to run in South Florida.
7. Penei Sewell, OT, Detroit Lions
Oregon offensive tackle Penei Sewell. The top-ranked tackle in the class immediately upgrades the line in front of Jared Goff.
8. Jaycee Horn, CB, Carolina Panthers
South Carolina cornerback Jaycee Horn (1). In a pass-happy NFC South, the Panthers add a big, tough corner.
9. Patrick Surtain II, CB, Denver Broncos
Alabama cornerback Patrick Surtain II. The Broncos pass on a QB for a polished, natural playmaker who slots in immediately on the defenisive side of the ball.
10. DeVonta Smith, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith. With sure hands and elite route-running skills, Smith is natural fit in Philadelphia.
11. Justin Fields, QB, Chicago Bears
Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields. The Bears move up on draft day to target the Buckeyes' accurate Fields and his quick release.
12. Micah Parsons, LB, Dallas Cowboys
Penn State linebacker Micah Parsons. Possibly the most physically-gifted LB in the draft drops out of the Top 10 and into the laps of defense-needy Dallas.
13. Rashawn Slater, OT, Los Angeles Chargers
Northwestern offensive tackle Rashawn Slater. A likely Day 1 starter, Slater fills an immediate need in L.A.
14. Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, New York Jets
USC offensive lineman Alijah Vera-Tucker. Just added a franchise QB? Why not trade up for an interior lineman to help protect the investment!
15. Mac Jones, QB, New England Patriots
Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. Speculation had him going as high No. 3, but Jones will have the chance to learn from Bill Belichick.
16. Zaven Collins, LB, Arizona Cardinals
Tulsa linebacker Zaven Collins. Big and fast, Collins is a dynamic addition to the Cardinals' defense.
17. Alex Leatherwood, OT, Las Vegas Raiders
Alabama offensive tackle Alex Leatherwood (70). He rockets up the board in Las Vegas as the Raiders snap up the solid Crimson Tide product.
18. Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami Dolphins
Miami defensive end Jaelan Phillips (15). A hometown selection, Phillips gives the Dolphins speed and strength on the edge.
19. Jamin Davis, LB, Washington Football Team
Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis. An excellent tackler, Davis is coming off a monster 2020 and should help firm up Washington's run defense.
20. Kadarius Toney, WR, New York Giants
Florida wide receiver Kadarius Toney. The Giants need weapons on offense, and they hope the Gators' slot receiver can help.
21. Kwity Paye, DE, Indianapolis Colts
Michigan defensive lineman Kwity Paye. In need of edge help, the Colts turn to the Ann Arbor product with good size and a high ceiling.
22. Caleb Farley, CB, Tennessee Titans
Virginia Tech defensive back Caleb Farley (3). The biggest need in Nashville was a cover corner and Farley fits the bill with both size and speed.
23. Christian Darrisaw, OL, Minnesota Vikings
Virginia Tech offensive lineman Christian Darrisaw (77). A solid left tackle falls to the Vikings, who just happen to need one. If Darrisaw learns to finish, he'll be a steal.
24. Najee Harris, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Alabama running back Najee Harris. With excellent size and speed, Harris will be an immediate weapon in the Steelers' offense.
25. Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Clemson running back Travis Etienne (9). The Jaguars aren't done adding to their offense and aren't done with Clemson alums.
26. Greg Newsome II, CB, Cleveland Browns
Northwestern defensive back Greg Newsome. The Browns add to their bevvy of first-round defensive talent with the versatile Newsome.
27. Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Minnesota wide receiver Rashod Bateman.
28. Payton Turner, DE, New Orleans Saints
Houston defensive end Payton Turner. With length and bend, Turner is a versatile weapon on defense -- not a bad consolation prize for a Saints team that was making noise about moving into the Top 10.
29. Eric Stokes, CB, Green Bay Packers
Georgia defensive back Eric Stokes (27). He can press and play man, so Stokes is a great add to the Packers' defense -- and maybe a not-so-subtle message for disgruntled quarterback Aaron Rogers.
30. Gregory Rousseau, DE, Buffalo Bills
Miami defensive end Gregory Rousseau. Sat out the 2020 season but racked up 15.5 sacks as a freshman and he'll get a chance to develop in Buffalo.
31. Jayson Oweh, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh (28). The physical tools are undeniable, and expect the Ravens to get the best out of the explosive Oweh.
32. Joe Tryon, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington linebacker Joe Tryon. Tryon takes his quick first step to Tampa, adding to the Bucs' pass rush and versatile enough to drop into coverage.
Check out the latest mock draft and position previews for the 2021 NFL draft.
Watch the picks and follow the latest updates from rounds 4-7 of the 2021 NFL draft.
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