I love when the NFL draft rolls around each year, and wow, this 2021 class is loaded with talent. Teams have the chance to add true impact players right out of the gate in Round 1, whether it's a franchise quarterback, a dynamic wide receiver or a defensive game-changer.
Every NFL organization has its own draft board and prospect preferences, but today, I'm not concerned with any of their evaluations or rankings. I'll leave figuring out how Round 1 will actually play out to my guys Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay. Instead, I'm sliding back into the GM chair to map out how I'd make the picks if I was representing each of the 29 teams with at least one Day 1 selection. (Sorry Texans, Seahawks and Rams.)
It wasn't too long ago that I was playing a big role in the picks for the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets, and I know I would have been excited to write some of these prospects' names on the draft card. This is how I would roll through the first 32 picks if I was making the selections on April 29, starting with a no-brainer for new Jaguars GM Trent Baalke at No. 1 overall. And be sure to check out the Mock Draft SportsCenter Special on Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET (ESPN2).
1. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson
What is there even to discuss here? Lawrence is the consensus No. 1 prospect in the draft class, and the Jaguars are very much in the quarterback market. I'm getting new coach Urban Meyer his guy to build around, and the draft really starts with the second pick.
One thing to know: A loss as an NFL starter will be Lawrence's first in a regular-season game since prior to high school. His only two losses at Clemson came in the College Football Playoff.
