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2021 first-round NFL mock draft
Ken Ruinard/USA Today Images

2021 first-round NFL mock draft: Trevor Lawrence heads to NYC

With five weeks of the NFL season in the books and many college football conferences underway, we're getting a slightly clearer picture for the 2021 NFL draft. With that in mind, here's a look at an early 2021 NFL first-round mock draft.

 
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1. New York Jets: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

New York Jets: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Sports Images

It's fair to say that Sam Darnold hasn't gotten a fair shake with his coaching and supporting cast in New York, but the opportunity to select Lawrence would be too good to pass up for the Jets. Lawrence is a generational quarterback prospect with the talent to run any offense, and he's off to a blazing start in 2020, throwing for 848 yards and seven touchdowns through three games.

 
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2. New York Giants: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon

New York Giants: Penei Sewell, OT, Oregon
Troy Wayrynen / USA Today Sports Images

The Giants are starting two rookie tackles, and the development has been a slow go. Fixing the offensive line has been a long-term failure for the Giants front office, but Sewell has a chance to make significant strides in that regard as one of the top offensive line prospects in recent memory.

 
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3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

Jacksonville Jaguars: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Gardner Minshew's play has been inconsistent early this season, which probably isn't enough to prevent the Jaguars from selecting Fields. Fields threw for 3,272 yards and 41 touchdowns last year, while also running for 10 touchdowns.

 
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4. Atlanta Falcons: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

Atlanta Falcons: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Jesse Johnson / USA Today Sports Images

The Atlanta defense continues to be sub-par, and it might be time for a complete rebuild on that side of the ball. Parsons was a former top recruit and has dominated in two seasons with 191 tackles and 6.5 sacks. 

 
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5. Washington Football Team: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU

Washington Football Team: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU
Derick E. Hingle / USA Today Sports Images

Washington has keeper at wideout in Terry McLaurin, but they need far more offensive help. Quarterback is certainly in play after the new coaching staff has apparently given up on 2019 first rounder Dwayne Haskins, but Washington has the defense to compete soon if they can find a veteran. Chase is an elite wideout prospect who was uncoverable last year with 84 catches for 1,780 yards and 20 touchdowns.

 
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6. Miami Dolphins (via Texans): Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (FL)

Miami Dolphins (via Texans): Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami (FL)
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Rousseau had an incredible 2019 season at Miami, recording 15.5 sacks and 54 tackles in 13 games. He could go down the road and join a Dolphins team that would welcome another edge rusher, even after signing Shaq Lawson and Kyle Van Noy during the offseason. Rousseau opted out of the 2020 college season.

 
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7. Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas

Cincinnati Bengals: Sam Cosmi, OT, Texas
Scott Wachter / USA Today Sports Images

Cincinnati selected left tackle Jonah Williams in the first round last year, but he clearly isn't enough. Cosmi is a strong left tackle prospect at 6-foot-7, 300 pounds.

 

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

Denver Broncos: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

The Broncos continue to have quarterback issues, and it remains to be seen if Drew Lock is the answer. Lance shows enticing upside with great accuracy and running ability.

 
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9. Detroit Lions: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State

Detroit Lions: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
Wayne McGahee III / USA Today Sports Images

Detroit's defensive performance continues to be disappointing under Matt Patricia, and the personnel up front is a big issue. Williams had 44 tackles and five sacks for the Seminoles last season.

 
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10. Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

Miami Dolphins: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

Miami has reason to be optimistic about the futures of DeVante Parker and Preston Williams at wideout, but more upside the position would also be welcome. Waddle stands below six feet, but he has blazing speed and is off to a great start with 13 catches for 276 yards and three scores in his first two games. He also has a history catching passes from Tua Tagovailoa at Alabama.

 
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11. Philadelphia Eagles: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama

Philadelphia Eagles: Dylan Moses, LB, Alabama
Gary Cosby Jr. / USA Today Sports Images

The microscope has been on Philadelphia's offensive issues early this season, but they also have major needs at linebacker. Moses missed 2019 with a knee injury but has regained most of his form this year.

 
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12. Carolina Panthers: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

Carolina Panthers: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama
Jasen Vinlove / USA Today Sports Images

Carolina lost James Bradberry in the offseason and have had early trouble against the pass. Surtain's father has an 11-year career in the NFL, and the younger Surtain has similar upside.

 
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13. Minnesota Vikings: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State

Minnesota Vikings: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
Greg Bartram / USA Today Sports Images

Minnesota replaced their veteran corners with rookies this year, but the early returns haven't been great. If Jeff Gladney and Cameron Dantzler don't show improvement this year, Wade could be in play.

 
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14. Los Angeles Chargers: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State

Los Angeles Chargers: Wyatt Davis, OG, Ohio State
Joseph Maiorana / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers have had injury issues on the interior of the offensive line this year, and would have a chance to shore up that area with an elite prospect in Davis. A former five-star recruit, Davis had an excellent 2019 season.

 
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15. Las Vegas Raiders: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama

Las Vegas Raiders: Alex Leatherwood, OT, Alabama
Matthew Emmons / USA Today Sports Images

Former first-round pick Kolton Miller's development hasn't been smooth at left tackle, while the Raiders have also been banged up with Richie Incognito and Trent Brown missing time on the offensive line. Adding more depth could be a priority in the offseason, and Leatherwood is a potentially dominant tackle in the NFL.

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

Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech
Brett Davis / USA Today Sports Images

Patrick Peterson is a pending free agent, and Arizona already has cornerback concerns. Farley opted out of the 2020 season as a potential first-round pick who had four interceptions last year.

 
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17. San Francisco 49ers: Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse

San Francisco 49ers: Andre Cisco, S, Syracuse
Rich Barnes / USA Today Sports Images

The 49ers secondary has been exposed more often this season with their pass rushers unable to create as much pressure. Cisco has seen plenty of playing time since 2018 ansd has 13 picks in 24 games.

 
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18. Dallas Cowboys: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

Dallas Cowboys: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama
John David Mercer / USA Today Sports Images

The Dallas defense has been a mess early this year, including some issues on the interior of the defensive line. Barmore is a giant at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds, and could vault up draft boards if he returns from a knee injury later this season.

 
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19. New England Patriots: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

New England Patriots: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

New England selected two tight ends in last year's draft, but a pass catcher with Pitts' ability could be too great of an opportunity for the team to pass up. The 6-foot-6 Pitts very well might push himself beyond the Patriots price range if his early pass continues, after catching six touchdowns in the first two games of the year.

 
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20. Chicago Bears: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

Chicago Bears: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama
Mickey Welsh / USA Today Sports Images

With Allen Robinson a pending free agent, Chicago could look at wideout this offseason. Smith had 1,256 yards and 14 touchdowns last season, and is off to another fine start this year.

 
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21. New Orleans Saints: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida

New Orleans Saints: Kyle Trask, QB, Florida
Justin Ford / USA Today Sports Images

The end is near for Drew Brees, so quarterback would almost certainly be in play for the Saints. No quarterback in college football has pushed further up draft boards early this season than Trask, who threw for 684 yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two games.

 
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22. Cleveland Browns: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue

Cleveland Browns: Rondale Moore, WR, Purdue
Nikos Frazier / USA Today Sports Images

Cleveland is certainly comfortable with Odell Beckham and Jarvis Landry, but they're lacking wideout depth. Moore is looking to rebound from an injury-shortened in 2019 season, but had 114 catches in 2018.

 
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23. Tennessee Titans: Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest

Tennessee Titans: Carlos Basham, DE, Wake Forest
Butch Dill / USA Today Sports Images

Jadeveon Clowney signed a one-year deal with Tennessee before the season started, and the Titans will likely need to replace him after this year. Basham is coming off a great junior season, recording 10 sacks and 57 tackles, and has three sacks in his first three games early this year.

 
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24. Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State

Jacksonville Jaguars (via Rams): Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State
Matthew O'Haren / USA Today Sports Images

Josh Allen continues to develop well for the Jaguars, but their defensive line remains an area to build upon after trading Yannick Ngakoue. Oweh should get more playing time to increase his stock this year after recording five sacks last season.

 
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25. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia
Dale Zanine / USA Today Sports Images

Tampa Bay's secondary continues to develop nicely, but could be in the market to add more depth in next year's draft. Campbell is a potential lockdown corner with plenty of size at 6-foot-2.

 
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26. Pittsburgh Steelers: Walker Little, OT, Stanford

Pittsburgh Steelers: Walker Little, OT, Stanford
Jaime Valdez / USA Today Sports Images

The Steelers could be in the market for a tackle next offseason with Alejandro Villanueva a pending free agent. Walker is a strong prospect in a loaded tackle class in 2021.

 
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27. Buffalo Bills: Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh

Buffalo Bills: Jaylen Twyman, DT, Pittsburgh
Charles LeClaire / USA Today Sports Images

Ed Oliver continues to impress for the Bills, but they could still use more young talent on the defensive line. Twyman opted out of the 2020 season but recorded 10.5 sacks in 13 games last year.

 
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28. Indianapolis Colts: Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson

Indianapolis Colts: Jackson Carman, OT, Clemson
Ken Ruinard / USA Today Sports Images

Left tackle Anthony Castonzo is in his 10th NFL season, and retirement could be a consideration. Carman started at left tackle for Clemson last year and continues to emerge as a top prospect.

 
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29. New York Jets (via Seahawks): Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State

New York Jets (via Seahawks): Dillon Radunz, OT, North Dakota State
Sam Wasson / Getty Images

Even after selecting Mekhi Becton in the first round this year, the Jets desperately need more offensive line help. Radunz hasn't faced top competition at North Dakota State but has a shot to be a first-round pick for his on-field performance, nonetheless. 

 
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30. Baltimore Ravens: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State

Baltimore Ravens: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
Alicia Devine / USA Today Sports Images

Cutting Earl Thomas just before the season left a void for the Ravens, and they've already had issues at safety early this year. Nasirildeen is a huge safety at 6-foot-4 with great speed and tackling ability, and could emerge in the late first round if he proves healthy after a torn ACL.

 
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31. Green Bay Packers: Trey Smith, OT, Tennessee

Green Bay Packers: Trey Smith, OT, Tennessee
Bryan Lynn / USA Today Sports Images

All-world left tackle David Bakhtiari is a free agent after this season, and it's no sure thing the Packers re-sign him. Smith has returned from health issues to perform well for the Vols, and has experience at guard and tackle.

 
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32. Kansas City Chiefs: Quincy Roche, DE, Miami (FL)

Kansas City Chiefs: Quincy Roche, DE, Miami (FL)
Kim Klement / USA Today Sports Images

The core of KC's defensive line is signed long term with Frank Clark and Chris Jones, but depth could become an issue with multiple free agents after this season. A transfer from Temple, Roche had 13 sacks last year and has two through three games early this year.

Seth Trachtman is a fantasy sports expert and diehard Kansas City Chiefs fan. He doesn't often Tweet, but when he does, you can find him on Twitter @sethroto.

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