Every year NFL teams look to the future and gamble on a handful of college prospects to make their franchise’s dreams come true: win the Super Bowl.  The 2021 draft has both blue chip “can’t miss” prospects and some definite surprises.  Let’s look a little deeper and find out who snagged a future star and who might have simply reached for the stars.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars

PICK: QB Trevor Lawrence 

Grade: A

Trevor Lawrence is the best quarterback prospect in this draft, and the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck. The Jaguars made the obvious choice and grabbed their franchise guy.

2. New York Jets

PICK: QB Zach Wilson 

Grade: A 

Zach Wilson has a high ceiling, and with a new staff in New York, he could possibly reach that potential. Wilson is the second best quarterback in the class and the Jets didn’t hesitate to jump on that pick. 

3. San Francisco 49ers

PICK: QB Trey Lance

Grade: B+

Trey Lance is who I predicted going to the 49ers in my mock draft, and it is absolutely the right choice. San Francisco traded up a lot to get their guy, and I think it’ll pay off.

4. Atlanta Falcons

PICK: TE Kyle Pitts

Grade: A+

Kyle Pitts is the best prospect in the class. He is an insane offensive weapon, making Atlanta dangerous on that side of the ball. While this pick should arguably have been used to shore up the Falcons woeful defense, I just don’t believe there is a defensive player worth picking at number four.

5. Cincinnati Bengals

PICK: WR Ja’Marr Chase

Grade: B-

I like this pick, but I don’t think it was the correct one. Joe Burrow is reunited with his college receiver, and Chase is my WR1 in the class. However, Cincinnati needed offensive line help. As much as I like Chase, I can’t give this pick a higher grade due to team needs. Burrow can’t throw to his star receivers if he’s busy getting sacked.

6. Miami Dolphins

PICK: WR Jaylen Waddle

Grade: A+

Miami gets themselves an elite receiver to match up with their star QB: Tua Tagovailoa. Jaylen Waddle has an explosiveness to his play that will put the already great Dolphins team in playoff contention.

7. Detroit Lions

PICK: OT Penei Sewell

Grade: B

Penei Sewell has the potential to make it to the Hall of Fame. He has the highest ceiling of possibly any prospect in the class. However, I think the Lions need a receiver more and I think Rashawn Slater will be the better day one player. Definitely a great pick, I’m just not sure if it was the best pick for the Lions.

8. Carolina Panthers 

PICK: CB Jaycee Horn

Grade: A

A surprising pick, but a good one. Carolina needed a cornerback and picked up one of the top two prospects in the draft. 

9. Denver Broncos 

PICK: CB Patrick Surtain

Grade: C+

Ok so Patrick Surtain is an excellent player, but the Broncos needed a quarterback. Justin Fields was still on the board and would’ve been an excellent pick for Denver, but they decided to add onto their secondary. The Broncos will have a scary defense next year, but they need to hope they can put points on the board with Drew Lock at quarterback. There are rumblings that Packers QB Aaron Rogers could be playing at Mile High in the fall, but for now that’s all they are.

10. Philadelphia Eagles (via Dallas Cowboys)

PICK: WR DeVonta Smith

Grade: A

The Eagles traded down to 12 and grabbed a first round pick next year. Then they were able to jump back up to 10 to pass a division rival and grabbed the player they probably would’ve taken originally at six. This is a great pick for the Eagles, who are setting up support for QB Jalen Hurts.

11. Chicago Bears (via New York Giants)

PICK: QB Justin Fields

Grade: A+

The Bears once again trade up for a quarterback. However, compared to Mitch Trubisky, I think it’ll pay off this time. The Bears grab their future franchise QB and in my opinion become a playoff contender.

12. Dallas Cowboys

PICK: LB Micah Parsons

Grade: C-

I don’t think a linebacker like Micah Parsons was a big need for the Cowboys. I think Dallas is set at linebacker and should have tried to trade down and pick up a corner like Greg Newsome or even take a chance on Caleb Farley. Even offensive line would’ve been a better pick. Parsons is an athletic player but not very good in coverage, and I don’t think he’ll add any missing pieces for the Cowboys.

13. LA Chargers 

PICK:  OT Rashawn Slater

Grade: A+

This value the Chargers got from this pick is unbelievable. Slater shouldn’t have slipped out of the top ten, and the Chargers capitalized on the other teams mistakes.

14. New York Jets (via Minnesota Vikings)

PICK: IOL Alijah Vera-Tucker

Grade: A

This is a smart pick by New York who are shaping up to have a good draft. They drafted their future quarterback in Zach WIlson with their first pick, and now they grab him protection with the best interior offensive linemen in the class. Vera-Tucker will now join Mekhi Becton on the Jets new and improved offensive line.

15. New England Patriots

PICK: QB Mac Jones

Grade: C+

I think Mac Jones can possibly thrive in New England’s system. However, I think he was drafted a little too high, and I also think the Patriots should just ride it out with Cam Newton. Not a terrible pick.

16. Arizona Cardinals

PICK: LB Zaven Collins 

Grade: B-

I don’t think Zaven Collins is necessarily a bad pick. In fact, he’s one of the top linebackers in the draft. But with Greg Newsome on the board still, the Cardinals could’ve used the help at cornerback much more. Still a good pick.

17. Las Vegas Raiders

PICK: OT Alex Leatherwood 

Grade: F

With players like Christian Darrisaw and Teven Jenkens on the board, as well as a perfect defensive scheme fit in Jeremiah Owusu-Koromoah, this pick is horrible. The Raiders dropped the ball on this one, passing up on much better talent.

18. Miami Dolphins

PICK: EDGE Jaelan Phillips

Grade: B

Jaelan Phillips has potential to be an elite player in the league. If he can stay healthy, the Dolphins got a steal at 18. However, due to health concerns, the grade is a B.

19. Washington Football Team

PICK: LB Jamin Davis

Grade: C+

I think Washington would have benefited more from offensive lineman Teven Jenkins, but Davis isn’t a bad player. Personally I feel like this wasn’t a great pick based on value and positional need.

20. New York Giants

PICK: WR Kadarius Toney 

Grade: B+

This is a super surprising pick for me, but Toney is a very dynamic playmaker who can become a reliable weapon for Daniel Jones. This trade also provided New York with the Bears future first round pick.

21. Indianapolis Colts

PICK: EDGE Kwity Paye

Grade: B+

Offensive line was a more pressing need for the Colts, but Kwity Paye is a good player who can definitely make an impact on the Colts defensive line.

22. Tennessee Titans

PICK: CB Caleb Farley

Grade: C+

Caleb Farley has potential to be an amazing cornerback talent. However, Farley has had some serious health concerns. If he can stay healthy, this is an A graded pick, but the concerns keep me from grading higher than a C+. The will Titans take the risk at number 22 and hope it’ll pay off.

23. Minnesota Vikings (via New York Jets)

PICK: OT Christian Darrisaw 

Grade: A

The Vikings were able to trade down and still get a top offensive linemen. Darrisaw falls to Minnesota at 23 and the VIkings grab serious value for their pick.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

PICK: RB Najee Harris

Grade: D+

Good player. Bad pick. The Steelers could’ve grabbed one of the top three running backs in the second round, whereas here they need offensive line. Their running back won’t be too productive without a line to run behind. Steelers fans are thrilled with this pick; however, I have to grade it low based on need.

25. Jacksonville Jaguars

PICK: RB Travis Etienne 

Grade: B+

Travis Etienne going to Jacksonville with Trevor Lawrence is a great story. I do think the Jaguars have bigger needs, but Etienne will act as a reliable offensive weapon who already has chemistry with their rookie quarterback. Not a bad pick.

26. Cleveland Browns

PICK: CB Greg Newsome II

Grade: A+

The Browns needed a cornerback badly, and they were able to pick up one of the best without needing to move up. Huge pick for the Browns, who came into the draft looking to add the finishing touches to their defense.

27. Baltimore Ravens

PICK: WR Rashod Bateman

Grade: A

Baltimore is able to pick up a serious receiving threat with their 27th pick, which is a huge need for them. Bateman is great value at this pick.

28. New Orleans Saints

PICK: EDGE Payton Turner

Grade: C-

The Saints grabbed their Trey Hendrickson replacement. However, I feel like they reached while still needing help in their secondary. 

29. Green Bay Packers

PICK: CB Eric Stokes

Grade: B+

I think Green Bay should’ve drafted an offensive weapon for Aaron Rodgers—especially since Rogers is looking to possibly leave the team—but pairing Eric Stokes with Jaire Alexander could make for an elite cornerback duo.

30. Buffalo Bills

 PICK: EDGE Gregory Rousseau

Grade: D-

Gregory Rousseau is simply not a first round talent. This feels like a wasted pick by Buffalo who could’ve taken a better defensive linemen in Azeez Ojulari. Luckily for the Bills, their team is already very good.

31. Baltimore Ravens

PICK: EDGE Jason Oweh

Grade: B-

The Ravens needed a defensive linemen, and they got one. Oweh is a great athlete, however he lacks the technical skill at the moment.

32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 

PICK: EDGE Joe Tryon

Grade: B

The Bucs don’t need a whole lot. Defensive line was their biggest need, and they were able to grab some depth at the end of the first round.