Alabama Football: Mac rises in 2021 NFL Mock Draft 4.0
By Dakota Cox
17. Las Vegas Raiders: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
The Raiders have a type. You would think this makes it easy to predict where they will go, but they have surprised us with overdrafts in recent years. They took Clelin Ferrell fourth overall and drafted a running back in the first round one year. They followed that up with overdrafting Damon Arnette in 2020. They might fall in love with a guy and shock us all in the first round.
However, the value of Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah makes this pick a slam dunk. When Notre Dame played Alabama football, he was the only defender who held his own for the Fighting Irish. He has speed and range, and he would bolster a defense that needs answers for how to stop Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. He’s not perfect, but he is a great value at a position of need.
18. Miami Dolphins: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
This is the first NFL mock draft I’ve done that doesn’t have the Dolphins taking Alabama football’s Najee Harris. I love Najee, and I would love for him to be paired with Tua in Miami. That being said, the Dolphins need a pass rusher, and Phillips adds value.
The Dolphins could potentially land Travis Etienne or Javonte Williams in the second round, but the depth at edge worrisome. Phillips has the traits and production, and he would add a facet to Miami’s game that they currently miss. There are other pass rushers on the board, but Phillips is the best value at 18th overall.
19. Washington Football Team: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Washington probably doesn’t have enough to trade up for a top-tier quarterback, so they are more likely to take one on Day 2. Instead, they need to work on helping the offensive line. Ryan Fitzpatrick needs time to air the ball out, and the current line can’t do it.
Teven Jenkins is probably the best right tackle in this class. His landing spot will determine if he makes the move to the left side, but he has what it takes to be a top-level right tackle. This would give Washington a building block on the offensive line. There is depth at other key positions, so adding a starter on the line in the first round would be fine as long as Washington drafts a receiver on the second day of the 2021 NFL Draft.
20. Chicago Bears: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Bateman did not have a great year, but he flashed in 2019. If he had simply opted out for the entire season, there wouldn’t be many reasons to overanalyze his status.
Chicago would love a quarterback, but they shouldn’t draft QB6 in the top 20. That’s on par with drafting Trubisky over Mahomes. Instead, they need to give Andy Dalton some weapons. The Bears are wasting a generational defense due to offensive struggles, and this would be a key step in the right direction.
Bateman would get WR1 snaps with the Bears. He’s not on the same level as the top 3, but he’s a great receiver with plenty of upside.