2021 NFL Draft Results - RD1 Picks 17-32

We had been pretty consistent in our mock of the past month that the Raiders would go OT-S, or S-OT in the first two rounds and well that's exactly what happened. Alex Leatherwood wasn't a personal favorite of mine, but the Raider's war room liked him, so he's the pick. Time will tell if Leatherwood performed to the level of Darrisaw or Teven Jenkins, who were also available. The former 5-star OT who played a lot of football for the dominant Tide, brings versatily (could play RT or OG) and a pedigree indicative of a probable Day-One starter. Hoping that Leatherwood doesn't become another in a string of Round 1 talent reaches for the Raiders.

Grade: B

The board fell so that the Dolphins had their pick of the Edge Rushers. Ultimately, Chris Grier decided to go with the local prospect. EDGE was the biggest need on a defense that promises to be excellent again in 2021. Jaelan Phillips fills the spot left by Shaq Lawson after he was traded to the Texans.

Phillips broke out in The Hurricanes' 2020 campaign and improved greatly as the year progressed. He's raw but deserves to have superlatives like 'upside' and 'high ceiling' used on him. The discussion in the Dolphins' War Room about Phillips would have focused on his health. Miami's doctors must have been convinced that the concussion issues weren't such a big red flag. The Fins will hope the rookie Pass Rusher can have an immediate impact.

Grade: B

- David Payne, Dolphins Analyst.

Washington found themselves in a tough spot; they missed out on their QB (Justin Fields) and didn't have a blue-chip player remaining to either select or dangle as bait for a trade-down opportunity. Jamin Davis was a late-riser and has all the ability you look for in a do-it-all linebacker, but I feel like he would've been available down the board. If Ron Rivera can turn Davis into his Luke Kuechly 2.0, this pick is a home run. If he ends up being a just solid weak-side linebacker, Washington fans will be underwhelmed by this selection. A trade-down and a selection of Davis would've been far more appetizing in my eyes. While not necessarily a fault of their own, this pick is somewhat underwhelming for a team that seems to have done everything right this offseason thus far.

Grade: B-

- Kennedy Paynter, Senior Draft Analyst (@Kennedy_Paynter on Twitter)

Toney adds to the WR stable already improved by the addition of Kenny Golladay. With all the Giants' elite targets (WRs, CBs) off the board at #11, the move down was excellent by Gettleman after DeVonta Smith was poached by the Eagles. All the prospects that Gettleman would have considered at #11 were available at #20, perhaps with the exception of Jaelan Phillips.

Let's talk about what Kadarius Toney can do. He's a freak athlete: vertical of 40 inches (90th percentile), broad jump of 136 inches (99th percentile) and a 4.41-second 40. Toney is fast and explosive. Toney will probably contribute immediately as a returner for the Giants, as they work him into the WR spot a little more slowly, though his 83.3% reception/target rate was one of the best in CFB.

Grade: B+

We've been talking OT at this pick for weeks. The stage was set for the Colts, as Vera-Tucker, more a Guard, was off the board, and the Raiders inexplicably took Leatherwood. Cosmi, our #25 player was still on our Tackle Positional board. Paye is quick and athletic, but raw as far as tools are concerned. We haven't turned a page on the Castonzo Era quite yet. Maybe tomorrow. Sigh...

Grade: B

Farley is a great player; let's get that out of the way. He's at worst the second-most-talented CB in the draft. The big worry with him is, of course, his health. His back is messed up, but you have to trust the Titans did as much research as they could on his health. My much bigger issue is that the Titans have huge holes at both WR and OT. CB is their third-biggest need, but I would have preferred to see them take a WR or OT. I can't hate too much on taking the best player available, though. If Farley is healthy he's a steal; he would have been a top-ten pick in the draft. So great pick on value, good-not-great pick on need. I'll say this: if Farley is healthy, then the Titans don't have to worry about Kristian Fulton developing or Janoris Jenkins re-signing. Grade: B+

- Jonah Anderson, Titans Analyst

The Vikings saw two of the top 3 Tackles fall to Pick #10 and sat patiently. The Chargers took Rashawn Slater at Pick #13, which left Christian Darrisaw, our third-ranked Tackle, for the Vikings who needed a Left Tackle in the worst way. What did they do? They trade down with the Jets giving up Pick #14 and #143 to get Picks #23, #66, and #86. In the meantime, they saw Alijah Vera-Tucker and Alex Leatherwood come off the board.

Rick Spielman did a masterful job of knowing his rivals and taking the chance of a player he really liked being still available. The Vikings get quite a steal at Pick #23 by taking Darrisaw, who was ranked #14 on the DraftTek big board. Darrisaw is the third-ranked Tackle on most draft boards, and is a solid player who feels specifically like a zone-blocking scheme Left Tackle only.

The Vikings can now feel set at Left Tackle and only need another Guard to have their offensive line totally re-built. This grade, combined with the trade-down, can be nothing but an A++

- Mark P, Vikings Analyst - DrafttekVikings@Gmail.com

The Steelers needed to address the feeble run game, last in the league in yards per rushing attempt, in this draft. Tomlin and GM Kevin Colbert attended Harris's Pro Day and showed obvious interest through the draft process. Harris is a big back with quickness and soft hands. He fits the team's preference as a feature back that can stay on the field for all three downs. Harris was very productive for the Tide with 2600+ yards and 39 TDs over the last two years. Critical to contributing early, Harris is an excellent pass protector. The team passed on O-Line here in the first, something they'll have to address in Day 2 from this deep class.

Grade: B

With the 25th overall pick, the Jacksonville Jaguars select, Travis Etienne, RB Clemson!

Listen there comes a time when you get to pat yourself on the back. That time for me, is right now because I called this in May! Travis Etienne is an absolute BURNER as a RB and is the ACC all-time leader in rushing yards! Travis Etienne returned back to school for his senior season and became a true receiving threat out of the backfield for the Tigers!

At 5'10", 215 lbs, Travis ran a 4.41 forty-yard dash at his Pro Day and his ability to maintain balance after contact and turn on the afterburners is absolutely ridiculous! The Jaguars just provided travelers with a high-end security blanket for the next 5 years! I love this pick!

Grade: A+

- Cody Lachney, DraftTek Senior Analyst

What a terrific turnout from the Dawg Pound with the draft in their backyard. The rain didn't deter them, nor did the cold, and the expectations are higher than they have been in a very long time in Cleveland. I mentioned in our final mock draft that the Browns had done a lot of homework on the corners, and that the only thing that might sway them would be an edge-rusher. It appears no defensive end on the board was more tempting than the elite athlete from Northwestern. He needs to get more polished with his footwork, as his success has mainly come from his raw athletic ability. Still, if he gets more technically sound, the interceptions that he lacked in college are going to show up. Grade: B+

~Austin Smith, DraftTek Senior Analyst

Lamar just got a new toy. Adding another WR to Baltimore's offense was a draft necessity and it's come to fruition. If the Ravens are going to turn playoff berths into playoff wins more regularly, they need to expand the offense, and pass more often. This doesn't necessarily signal a move away from a run-first philosophy, but there had to be a Plan B.

Rashod Bateman's skillset fits what the Ravens need perfectly. The Minnesota star joins a receiving corps that now has a diverse set of talents. Bateman is the reliable, high-volume pass catcher that was missing from the roster. A value pick in a position of need; as always, the Ravens make drafting look easy. His draft comp is Stefon Diggs.

Grade: A-

- David Payne, DraftTek Senior Analyst.

I'm not crazy about this pick. The Saints had their pick of linebacker Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoa, multiple WR options, OT Trevon Jenkins, and (our latest pick) CB Asante Samuels Jr. Payton Turner is one of those guys who saw his stock rise at the later hours of the draft process, which is not exactly the thing one wants on a resume. (Daniel Jeremiah bumped him up to pick 42.) To his credit, Turner recorded 25 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and five sacks in just five games played for the Cougars last season. He does have great size and agility. I just did not see this as a postion of need.

Trey Hendrickson, who benefited from playing opposite Cameron Jordan, signed a four-year, $60 million deal with the Bengals. GM Mickey obviously made Turner a priority as his replacement. I felt there were better options to fill - CB, WR, or OT. Our DraftTek Big Board Analyst struggled to find room to fit Turner in or top 100 board.

~NOBudMan, Saints Analyst

Grade: D

Even though the Packers brought back Kevin King and Chandon Sullivan, we had CB rated as Green Bay's top need. Eric Stokes is oozing with talent and athleticism. Stokes has the size and length to be an ideal complement to Jaire Alexander. His 9.37 RAS is highlighted by a 4.31 forty-yard dash and 1.5 ten-yard split.

Stokes is experienced with over 400 snaps in each of the past three years. Last season, he allowed 16 catches for 145 yards on 28 targets, allowing just .51 yards per coverage snap. All four of Stokes' INTs came last season, but his 22 career PDs show his potential ball production. Stokes' biggest question mark is going to be his tackling, but he has the potential to develop into a high-quality cover man to pair with Jaire.

Draft Grade: B

Grade for the day as a whole: F

- James Siebers, Packers Analyst (Twitter @DraftTekPackers)

Darryl Johnson: 1.17 TFLs per Game, top two in his draft class. AJ Epenesa: .97 TFLs per Game. Our new EDGE, Rousseau's 1.39 TFLs per game led the entire EDGE class, and his tackles per game did too. Sample size was small; he only had a year as a starter, but it resulted in 15.5 sacks and 20.5 tackles for loss. At 6-foot-7 and 266, Rousseau's upside is through the roof --Julius Peppers' roof. He has personality that earned my A++ Inteview award for EDGEs, Rousseau only had one big year , so not the games played Beane usually looks for. Make no mistake; this pick is for the future. Rousseau is the top pure edge rusher in this year's class.

Grade: A

Dean Kindig, Bills Analyst

A busy hour for the Ravens, at the end of RD1, concludes with a pick to address the team's biggest need. The loss of Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue, in Free Agency, left Baltimore with limited pass-rush options. Tyus Bowser will have a chance to be a breakout star in 2021, and Pernell McPhee returns as a veteran presence, but it was clear another option was required.

Jason Oweh didn't have any sacks in 2020, but the Ravens are betting on his immense upside. A reach? possibly. Ravens' fans may have expected a replacement OT, with the pick acquired from the Chiefs for Orlando Brown, but that can wait. If anyone can, Wink Martindale can get Jayson Oweh to reach his full potential.

Grade: B

- David Payne, DraftTek Senior Analyst.

Without any glaring needs the Bucs add some depth to their pass rush. After opting out of the 2020 season, the major concern with Joe Tryon was that he may need a year to reach his full potential; his talent is undeniable but his pass rush technique needs polish.

Tampa offers a perfect opportunity to learn behind Shaq Barrett and Jason Pierre Paul before likely taking over for the latter in 2022. In the meantime, Tryon should serve nicely in a rotational role and ensures the Bucs defense stays dominant into the future.

Grade: B+