Calvin Watkins’ 2021 NFL mock draft 2.0: See which cornerback the Dallas Cowboys take at No. 10

The NFL Draft is a guessing game, always has been. One thing is certain about the 2021 draft is Trevor Lawrence is going to the Jaguars and Zach Wilson will be a New York Jet in the fall. After that everything is uncertain.

Will we see Denver and New England, seeking quarterbacks, move up with Atlanta? Will the Cowboys get their targeted cornerback? Will they even select a cornerback?

How many quarterbacks will get taken? Don’t forget those wide receivers especially from the SEC?

This is our second mock draft with some comments about what might happen if something else doesn’t:

1. Jacksonville

The pick: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson

What might happen: If you rebuild a football team and have the No. 1 pick then getting Lawrence is the right move. However, the Jags might trade down. Say a QB-hungry team such as Denver or New England presents you with three first-round picks and a player? Is that too much for Lawrence? Probably but that’s the only scenario that would prompt a move down.

2. New York Jets

The pick: Zach Wilson, QB, BYU

What might happen: Well it’s already happened. The Jets traded quarterback Sam Darnold to Carolina clearing the way for Gang Green to find the next franchise quarterback. The Jets love Wilson according to reports, but is Trey Lance or Justin Fields a better option? Wilson’s Pro Day sealed the deal for him.

3. San Francisco

The pick: Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State

What might happen: The 49ers say they’re committed to Jimmy Garoppolo. Sure. The 49ers are linked to Alabama quarterback Mac Jones. Trey Lance (North Dakota State) is scheduled for another Pro Day so that might help the conversation of going No. 3 overall. Trading down is another possibility to get Jones later in the first round.

4. Atlanta

The pick: Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida

What might happen: The draft starts here. The Falcons could trade down with Denver or New England so one of those teams can select a QB. If the Falcons stay, why not get the best skill position player in the draft to go with Julio Jones and Calvin Ridley.

5. Cincinnati

The pick: Penei Sewell, T, Oregon

What might happen: The Bengals need protection and playmakers for quarterback Joe Burrow and getting the best tackle in the draft is a good start. Some might value Northwestern’s Rashawn Slater as a better fit. One scout said he’d pick Sewell. The Bengals could also snag LSU wideout Ja’Marr Chase. If Pitts is available along with Chase then you got decisions to make.

6. Miami

The pick: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, LSU

What might happen: The Dolphins also need a running back, more on that later. Getting playmakers for quarterback Tua Tagovailoa is a must. The Dolphins are in the middle of their rebuild and are probably one or two quality players away from challenging the Bills in the AFC East. Slater is another possibility as is Alabama wideout DeVonta Smith.

7. Detroit

The pick: Rashawn Slater, T, Northwestern

What might happen: The Lions might get Smith to help the offense but size is a concern. He’s just 175 pounds. Slater is a Day 1 starter but so is Alabama corner Patrick Surtain II and South Carolina corner Jaycee Horn. If you don’t know what to do: Pick offensive line, never a bad pick especially in the Top 10.

8. Carolina

The pick: DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama

What might happen: So much. The Panthers have their quarterback of the future, we think in Darnold, but another trade of backup QB Teddy Bridgewater could net some more late round picks. The Panthers might be sellers, moving down for a team seeking, yeah, a QB. If not, Smith or Michigan edge rusher Kwity Paye are good selections.

9. Denver

The pick: Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama

What might happen: If you can’t move up, then get the best corner in the draft. Denver needs a quarterback, nothing personal Drew Luck, but it’s the truth. Now, the Broncos could snag Lance or Fields if available. Is there a love-fest for Jones? Not in the Top 10.

10. Dallas South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jaycee Horn (7) runs with the ball during the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Florida Gators on November 10, 2018 at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at Florida Field in Gainesville, Fl.(DavidRosenblum / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina

What might happen: Dallas gets CB1A in Horn, who dazzled scouts with his Pro Day. Pitts and Slater will be off the board when Dallas gets to this decision. You can’t go wrong with one of the top corners in the draft. Would Dallas be willing to trade down if the Cowboys had Virginia Tech corner Caleb Farley ranked higher than Horn? Possibly. Virginia Tech tackle Christian Darrisaw might be a nice prize as the future left tackle.

11. New York Giants

The pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State

What might happen: The Giants want upgrades on defense and the offensive line. Parsons is probably the highest-ranked player on their board at this point. You can’t mess this up. Of course, Darrisaw or USC tackle Alijah Vera-Tucker might be logical picks too.

12. Philadelphia

The pick: Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama

What might happen: The medical report will determine if Waddle (ankle) is healthy enough for this selection. Getting quarterback Jalen Hurts one of his former college teammates is a complement to this offense. The Eagles are rebuilding, we believe, but there’s nothing wrong with going with defense too. Cornerback Greg Newsome II from Northwestern is too high here but Paye isn’t.

13. Los Angeles Chargers

The pick: Christian Darrisaw, T, Virginia Tech

What might happen: The Chargers could use a corner, Horn if he falls. Maybe Farley. Snagging an offensive lineman is a strong possibility too. USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker won’t have to travel far if he’s the man here. But Darrisaw is probably rated higher than Vera-Tucker.

14. Minnesota

The pick: Gregory Rousseau, DE, Miami

What might happen: Rousseau’s Pro Day was so-so, but coach Mike Zimmer wants his defense to improve. Vikings could also look at Rousseau’s teammate Jaelan Phillips as another edge rusher with impact potential. Farley might be around at this pick, so the Vikings have options.

15. New England

The pick: Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State

What might happen: Lance falls unless his second Pro Day forces a team to trade up. The Patriots want to move up, if not, then Lance or Jones are the options. Selecting a quarterback with veteran quarterback Cam Newton still on the roster, doesn’t force you to start Lance or Jones Week 1. Paye, Parsons and Phillips are in the mix here.

16. Arizona

The pick: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech

What might happen: With Patrick Peterson gone, Farley seems like the future at corner. Yet, getting Georgia linebacker Azeez Ojulari or Tulsa rush end Zaven Collins wouldn’t draw boos from the home crowd on draft night. Can Newsome get in the mix here with Farley coming off back surgery?

17. Las Vegas

The pick: Teven Jenkins, T, Oklahoma State

What might happen: Fix the offensive line. Jenkins or Vera-Tucker are Day 1 starters. Who isn’t in the first round? The only question would be Jones being picked here by the Raiders. This is not to say Jones’ stock is falling but it’s about need. Raiders need a tackle but quarterback is something to think about.

18. Miami

The pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama

What might happen: So, the Dolphins have a need a running back and getting one of the best at this spot is fine. Yet, Vera-Tucker is on the board. Missing out on something? Is finding another wideout, Rondale Moore from Purdue maybe?

19. Washington

The pick: Mac Jones, QB, Alabama

What might happen: Jones probably doesn’t go this far, but this is a perfect place for him to land. Now, Washington needs offensive line help, hello Vera-Tucker? Getting another defender: Ojulari? Collins? Paye? They might be gone.

20. Chicago Southern California guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (75) participates in the school’s pro day football workout for NFL scouts Wednesday, March 24, 2021, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)(Marcio Jose Sanchez)

The pick: Alijah Vera-Tucker, T, USC

What might happen: The fan base is angry about the Andy Dalton signing. This won’t help them, but it’s a solid pick for the future. Landing Kentucky linebacker Jamin Davis or Collins improves the defense. Newsome or Florida State corner Asante Samuel Jr., isn’t out of the question.

21. Indianapolis

The pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame

What might happen: It’s hard to pass on a solid linebacker with potential. Upgrading the offensive line doesn’t hurt. Alex Leatherwood from Alabama could be here, but does he have a first-round grade? Darrisaw is a good pick if he’s around at No. 21.

22. Tennessee

The pick: Rondale Moore, WR Purdue

What might happen: Finding a cornerback isn’t a bad idea. Newsome or Samuel should be around in the 20s. Moore has some size and health issues, but when healthy makes plays and is a good fit. Titans are a solid overall team and a few upgrades to the secondary might be a benefit.

23. New York Jets

The pick: Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern

What might happen: The Jets might trade this pick, moving down to acquire more picks. Yet, when you’re rebuilding finding a pair of Week 1 starters is important. Safety Trevon Moehrig from TCU and Davis is someone of interest if you stay at No. 23.

24. Pittsburgh

The pick: Liam Eichenberg, T, Notre Dame

What might happen: The Steelers lost so much on the offensive line and getting the best available tackle makes sense. Finding a corner, Samuel, Newsome maybe a safety wouldn’t hurt. Is there a quarterback worth taking at this spot? Jones should be gone. But is Stanford Davis Mills a reach?

25. Jacksonville

The pick: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU

What might happen: The Jags got the QB now get the safety to help the backend of the defense. Davis, Phillips and Florida wideout Kadarius Toney are players with impact potential. Is Moehrig that much better than UCF’s Richie Grant at safety? It’s something to think about this late in the first round.

26. Cleveland

The pick: Azeez Ojulari, DE, Georgia

What might happen: The Browns have a strong roster, particularly on defense. That’s why it’s hard to bypass Ojulari because he just makes it stronger. Of course, getting another corner, Newsome, Samuel or Davis at linebacker isn’t a stretch. Penn State defensive end Jayson Oweh can fit in this defense too.

27. Baltimore

The pick: Jayson Oweh, DE, Penn State

What might happen: We can see a safety here. Moehrig. Grant. This might come down to Wake Forest’s defensive end Carlos Basham, Miami’s Jaelan Phillips and Oweh. Ravens might surprise you and pick a guard, Leatherwood anybody? Sam Cosmi, the tackle from Texas, is available too.

28. New Orleans

The pick: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky

What might happen: The secondary needs help, so what’s up with Newsome? Davis should be graded higher if it comes to these two. Saints could always go with a running back, Travis Etienne from Clemson is available. But the holes on defense are more important to fill.

29. Green Bay

The pick: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa

What might happen: Aaron Rodgers is going to go crazy. He wants more offensive playmakers. That’s fine but the front office needs a stronger defense. Collins has the size, 6-3, 259 pounds, that provides versatility at the position. Wide receiver Elijah Moore from Mississippi is around to make Rodgers happy. But it might not happen.

30. Buffalo Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Christian Barmore (58) sacks Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback Ian Book (12) during the second half of play at the Rose Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal at AT&T Stadium on Friday, December 30, 2020 in Arlington, Texas. Alabama Crimson Tide defeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish 31-14. (Vernon Bryant/The Dallas Morning News)(Vernon Bryant / Staff Photographer)

The pick: Christian Barmore, DT, Alabama

What might happen: Is there room for Barmore? Of course. He’s the best interior defensive linemen in this draft and the Bills just get stronger. Finding a corner, Samuel, Newsome or Georgia’s Eric Stokes could happen if available.

31. Kansas City

The pick: Sam Cosmi, T, Texas

What might happen: Finding an offensive tackle is of essence. Cosmi is a nice late first-round selection. Eichenberg and Walker Little from Stanford are two late first round possibilities. The Chiefs are focused on the offensive line, so trading out the first round doesn’t seem possible at this point.

32. Tampa Bay

The pick: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami

What might happen: The playmakers on offense are fine for the defending champs. What about the defense? It’s a solid group, but getting another pass rusher should help. Grant at safety or corner Elijah Molden from Washington isn’t a bad idea.

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