The festivities get underway Thursday night in Cleveland, Ohio (and in war rooms and beach mansions around the league).
Over three days, the NFL will welcome 259 new players to its ranks starting with Trevor Lawrence, the Clemson quarterback, to the Jacksonville Jaguars with the first pick and ending Saturday afternoon when the Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers tab “Mr. Irrelevant” with the final selection.
The Arizona Cardinals have five picks, including the 16th overall choice in the first round.
We’ve been updating you on the week-by-week trends in NFL mock drafts for 16 weeks. This week, we’ll focus just on the new mocks that have been posted around the country starting Saturday, April 24 and leading up to the draft.
| Date |
Outlet |
Author |
Mock Draft |
Cardinals pick at #16 |
| Apr 29 |
Pro Football Focus |
Andrew Erickson |
Erickson’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Atlanta Falcons select QB Trey Lance, Miami Dolphins nab TE Kyle Pitts, New England Patriots land their QB of the future |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama *9 |
| Apr 29 |
Boston Herald |
Alexi Lafrato |
Alexi Iafrato’s 2021 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Belichick trades with Lions to select Ohio State QB Justin Fields |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 29 |
Akron Beacon Journal |
Dan Kadar |
2021 NFL mock draft: A final attempt with the action starting after Trevor Lawrence, Zach Wilson |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 29 |
Pro Football Network |
Dalton Miller |
2021 4-Round NFL Mock Draft: Top-10 trades in store? |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 29 |
St. Louis Post-Dispatch |
Barry Wilner |
2021 NFL mock draft: It is all about QBs once again |
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State |
| Apr 29 |
CBS |
Jason La Canfora |
NFL Mock Draft 2021: Patriots-Lions swap nets both teams a franchise quarterback and 49ers go with Mac Jones |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 29 |
Action Network |
Matthew Freedman |
Freedman’s Final NFL Mock Draft & First Round Predictions For All 32 Picks |
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 29 |
Action Network |
Scott Smith |
NFL Mock Draft Predictions: Travis Etienne In Round 1, Justin Fields To Broncos, More |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 29 |
NFL.com |
Charley Casserly |
Charley Casserly 2021 NFL mock draft 3.0: Patriots snag Trey Lance to apprentice under Cam Newton |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 29 |
Cleveland.com |
Tim Bielik |
Who Will Andrew Berry and the Browns take with their first two picks? |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 29 |
CBS Sports |
Ryan Wilson |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots, Washington trade up for QBs |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 29 |
For the Win |
Charles McDonald |
One last NFL mock draft: Yeah, we definitely got it right this time |
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami |
| Apr 29 |
The Athletic |
Dane Brugler |
2021 final NFL mock draft: 49ers, Broncos, Patriots welcome QBs in Mac Jones, Trey Lance and Justin Fields |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 29 |
AZCentral |
Bob McManaman |
Bob McManaman’s third and final 2021 NFL mock draft: Arizona Cardinals land star receiver |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 29 |
ESPN |
Mel Kiper Jr. |
NFL mock draft 2021: Mel Kiper’s final predictions for top 32 picks, including surprise quarterback fits and three trades |
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama *9 |
| Apr 29 |
ESPN |
Todd McShay |
NFL mock draft 2021: Todd McShay’s final predictions for all 32 first-round picks, QB landing spots, trades, more |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina |
| Apr 29 |
NFL.com |
Lance Zierlein |
Lance Zierlein 2021 NFL mock draft 4.0: Packers trade up to add playmaker for Aaron Rodgers |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 28 |
NFL.com |
Daniel Jeremiah |
Daniel Jeremiah 2021 NFL mock draft 4.0: Broncos, Patriots trade up for QBs |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 29 |
USA Today |
Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz |
NFL mock draft 2021: Justin Fields, Trey Lance are last pieces in QB puzzle for final projection |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 29 |
SI.com |
Conor Orr |
2021 NFL Mock Draft 5.0: Six First-Round Quarterbacks; Three Projected Trades |
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama *10 |
| Apr 28 |
Cards Wire |
Jess Root |
Cards Wire’s 1st-round mock draft from podcast |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa *8 |
| Apr 28 |
NFL.com |
Charles Davis |
Charles Davis 2021 NFL mock draft 2.0: Ja’Marr Chase reunites with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati |
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 28 |
Pro Football Focus |
Mike Renner |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: San Francisco 49ers select QB Trey Lance, Denver Broncos trade up for Justin Fields in Mike Renner’s final mock draft |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama *6 |
| Apr 28 |
ESPN |
NFL Nation Staff |
2021 NFL mock draft: NFL Nation reporters make first-round predictions |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 28 |
CBS Sports |
Chris Trapasso |
Two-round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Trades galore make for a fascinating top half of Round 1 |
Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabaman *7 |
| Apr 28 |
Pro Football Network |
Benjamin Allbright |
Benjamin Allbright’s 1-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft |
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 28 |
Pro Football Network |
Tony Pauline |
Tony Pauline’s Final 3-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 28 |
CBS Sports |
Will Brinson |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers go with Justin Fields, teams trade up for Trey Lance and Mac Jones |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 28 |
Yahoo! Sports |
Eric Edholm |
Final 2021 NFL mock draft: 49ers make controversial pick at 3, Justin Fields slips |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 28 |
NBC Sports Chicago |
Glynn Morgan |
2021 NFL Mock Draft 24.0: Final Edition |
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama |
| Apr 28 |
Sporting News |
Vinnie Iyer |
NFL Mock Draft 2021: Complete 7-round edition pairs Patriots, Bears, Washington with new QBs after top picks |
Gregory Rousseau, Edge, Miami |
| Apr 28 |
MLive.com |
Ben Raven |
Ben Raven’s final 2021 NFL mock draft: Detroit Lions trade back, land Alabama WR DeVonta Smith |
Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 28 |
Sportsnet |
Andy McNamara |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: Complete first-round breakdown of all 32 picks |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina |
| Apr 28 |
Denver Post |
Ryan O’Halloran |
Final first-round NFL mock draft: Broncos make big move to add Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields |
Jaelan Phillips, Edge, Miami *5 |
| Apr 28 |
AL.com |
Mark Inabinett |
AL.com NFL Mock Draft 3: Tide goes for record round |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina |
| Apr 27 |
Pro Football Talk |
Mike Florio |
PFT’s one, and only, mock draft of the year |
Kwity Paye, DE, Michigan |
| Apr 27 |
NFL Trade Rumors |
Logan Ulrich |
Two-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft 3.0 |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 27 |
The Athletic |
Staff |
2021 NFL mock draft: Writers find QBs for Patriots 49ers, Falcons, Bears over 2 rounds |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 27 |
NBC Sports |
Chris Simms |
Chris Simms’ 2021 NFL mock draft |
Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama |
| Apr 27 |
CBS Sports |
Ryan Wilson |
Three-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots move up for QB, Cowboys pull off two trades, Bucs land QB in Round 2 |
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC |
| Apr 27 |
SI.com |
Albert Breer |
2021 NFL Mock Draft 4.0: 49ers Pick Mac Jones; Bengals Take Ja’Marr Chase |
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 27 |
MLive.com |
Kyle Meinke |
Kyle Meinke’s final 2021 NFL mock draft: Detroit Lions invest in their future with Ohio State QB Justin Fields |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 27 |
Draft Wire |
Staff |
2021 NFL Wire mock draft: See the staff’s picks in the first round |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 27 |
Pro Football Focus |
Staff |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: PFF senior analysts mock all 7 rounds |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina |
| Apr 27 |
NBC Sports Philly |
Reuben Frank |
2021 NFL mock draft: Eagles make a surprising pick at No. 12 |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 27 |
CBS Sports |
Pete Prisco |
Pete Prisco’s what teams ‘should’ do 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Jets take a QB at No. 2, but it’s not Zach Wilson |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 27 |
NFL.com |
Bucky Brooks |
Bucky Brooks 2021 NFL mock draft 3.0: 49ers pick Trey Lance; Najee Harris to Cardinals |
Najee Harris, RB, Alabama |
| Apr 27 |
Walter Football |
Charlie Campbell |
2021 NFL Mock Draft – Charlie Campbell |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 27 |
Walter Football |
Walter Cherepinsky |
2021 NFL Mock Draft |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 26 |
The Ringer |
Danny Kelly |
The Ringer’s NFL Mock Draft |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina *4 |
| Apr 26 |
Sporting News |
Vinnie Iyer |
NFL mock draft 2021, 3-round edition: 49ers opt for Mac Jones; Lions throw QB curveball; Penei Sewell, DeVonta Smith slide |
Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami |
| Apr 26 |
CBS Sports |
Jonathan Jones |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: Bears trade up to capitalize on Justin Fields’ fall, Patriots move up for QB |
Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa |
| Apr 26 |
Draft Wire |
Luke Easterling |
2021 NFL mock draft: Updated 2-round projections for draft week |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina |
| Apr 26 |
CBS Sports |
Ryan Wilson |
Three-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Patriots move up for QB, Cowboys make two trades, Bucs land QB in Round 2 |
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC |
| Apr 26 |
The Tennesseean |
Gentry Estes |
The Tennessean’s final 2021 NFL mock draft: Here’s who Titans will pick | Estes |
Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern |
| Apr 26 |
Athlon Sports |
Bryan Fischer |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: First-Round Predictions (Updated) |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern *3 |
| Apr 26 |
USA Today |
Staff |
NFL mock draft 2021: USA TODAY Network experts explain first-round picks |
Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State |
| Apr 26 |
Peter King |
NBC Sports |
FMIA Mock Draft: Mysteries, Trades and Guesswork As First Round Nears |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 26 |
Akron Beacon-Journal |
Dan Kadar |
2021 NFL mock draft: What happens after Trevor Lawrence goes No. 1 |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 26 |
NBC Sports Philadelphia |
Dave Zangaro |
2021 NFL mock draft: Eagles take a top defensive player at 12 |
Azeez Ojulari, Edge, Georgia *2 |
| Apr 26 |
Pro Football Focus |
Eric Eager and George Chahrouri |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: 49ers lock in on Ohio State QB Justin Fields, Broncos trade up for NDSU QB Trey Lance |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 26 |
NFL.com |
Rhett Lewis |
Rhett Lewis 2021 NFL mock draft 1.0: Packers help Aaron Rodgers; Bills boost backfield |
DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 25 |
The Athletic |
The Athletic NFL Staff |
2021 NFL mock draft: Writers find QBs for Patriots 49ers, Falcons, Bears over 2 rounds |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama |
| Apr 25 |
Walter Football |
Charlie Campbell |
2021 NFL Mock Draft – Charlie Campbell |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 25 |
Walter Football |
Walter Cherepinsky |
2021 NFL Mock Draft |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 25 |
CBS Sports |
Patrik Walker |
NFL Mock Draft 2021: 49ers give the nod to Justin Fields, Broncos make surprise grab at No. 9 |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 25 |
Draft Kings |
Pat Mayo |
2021 First Round NFL Mock Draft |
Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern |
| Apr 25 |
NFL Spin Zone |
Randy Gurzi |
3-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Broncos, Bears trade up for quarterbacks |
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC |
| Apr 24 |
Pro Football Network |
AJ Schulte |
7-Round 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Which QB goes to San Francisco at 3rd overall? |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina *1 |
| Apr 24 |
San Diego Union-Tribune |
Eddie Brown |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: First-round projections |
Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina |
| Apr 24 |
CBS Sports |
Cody Benjamin |
2021 NFL Mock Draft: Falcons, Patriots take QBs in top 10 after 49ers go with surprise pick at No. 3 |
Alijah Vera-Tucker, OL, USC |
| Apr 24 |
Elite Sports New York |
Tab Bamford |
2021 NFL Draft: ESNY’s Final 4-Round Mock Draft |
Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech |
| Apr 24 |
Fox Sports |
Jason McIntyre |
McIntyre’s Mock Draft 9.0: What will Atlanta and Dallas do in the top 10? |
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama |
