2021 3-round NFL mock draft: Washington Football Team adds a QB
By Ian Cummings
49. Arizona Cardinals: Ole Miss WR Elijah Moore
With the long-term futures of both Christian Kirk and Andy Isabella up in the air, it makes sense for the Cardinals to spend an early pick on a wide receiver. Elijah Moore would fit in perfectly alongside DeAndre Hopkins and A.J. Green. There aren’t many holes in his game, and he has the dynamic ability and toughness to be a star in the slot.
50. Miami Dolphins: Florida WR Kadarius Toney
The Dolphins could have gone in a number of different directions here. Center was a viable option, as was edge. However, Kadarius Toney presents very compelling value, especially after the Dolphins passed on WR in Round 1. Miami still lacks run-after-catch ability and dynamic capacity in the short range, and that’s exactly what Toney brings to the table.
51. Washington Football Team: Stanford QB Davis Mills
I know many Washington Football Team fans won’t like this pick. I don’t like it either. But it’s not a matter of preference. It’s what I think happens if the Washington Football Team doesn’t trade up in Round 1.
The Washington Football Team likes Mills a lot, and if he’s here in Round 2, the prospect of allowing him to learn under Ryan Fitzpatrick will be appealing. Mills has some traits to mold. He’s reasonably mobile for a pocket passer, he’s tough in the pocket, and he has a lot of zip on his arm. That said, he has a lot of room for growth mentally. He was inconsistent at Stanford, and often struggled to identify safeties when anticipating on his throws. He also led defenders to the ball with his eyes, something Dwayne Haskins was criticized for doing before his benching.
This is why I’d rather trade up for a quarterback than take one later on. If you’re going to use a second-round pick on a quarterback, I’d rather it be in a trade up for a guy who has a better chance of being successful — a la Justin Fields or Trey Lance. I don’t hate the prospect of adding a developmental player, but odds are, you’re searching for your long-term answer again in 2022.
52. Carolina Panthers (via CHI): North Dakota State OT Dillon Radunz
By trading down from the No. 8 overall pick earlier, the Panthers were able to add another Round 2 pick from the Chicago Bears. Whatever their future holds at quarterback, they should invest in the tackle position, with Greg Little failing to impress and Taylor Moton on a one-year deal. Dillon Radunz is great value here with his athleticism, flexibility, and drive in the running game. If the Washington Football Team wants a tackle on Day 2, Radunz is a good option.
53. Tennessee Titans: Florida OT Stone Forsythe
Stone Forsythe is another offensive tackle who might go much higher than expected, by virtue of his testing numbers. The Florida product logged a Relative Athletic Score of 8.78 at 6-foot-8, 307 pounds. He might not be a starter right away, but he has the physical traits that teams will naturally gravitate toward at this point.
54. Indianapolis Colts: Oklahoma EDGE Ronnie Perkins
Under Chris Ballard, the Colts are constant seekers of value. And here, they get one of the better value deals in this 3-round mock draft, by taking Oklahoma EDGE Ronnie Perkins at No. 54 overall. Perkins is a bit undersized, but he’s explosive, powerful, and fearless in both pass and run defense, and he can help revamp the Colts’ EDGE group.
55. Pittsburgh Steelers: Wisconsin-Whitewater C Quinn Meinerz
Quinn Meinerz was dominant at the Senior Bowl, against unfamiliar Division IA competition. Then he went and tested out of this world at his pro day. Meinerz likely isn’t lasting outside of the first two rounds. Here, the Steelers add him as a welcome upgrade on the interior offensive line. Their revamp of the blocking unit continues.
56. Seattle Seahawks: Georgia CB Eric Stokes
After losing Quinton Dunbar and Shaquil Griffin in free agency, the Seattle Seahawks are back to square one at the cornerback position. Picking first at No. 54, they’ll miss out on a lot of the top options, but one high-upside investment that makes sense is Georgia CB Eric Stokes. Stokes is long, fast, and physical, and he has the building blocks to be a potential standout.