KS4GM’s Legally Tampered Third 2021 Mock Draft

We’re now in the thick of the college Pro Days, this year’s alternative to a unified Combine, and entering the “legal tampering” period for free agency. Blazing 40 times, spectacular shuttle drills, and titillating 3-cones have set the mock drafterratti aflame, sending some players skyrocketing up boards, and dampening prospects for others.

My prior two 2021 drafts can be found below:

KS4GM’s Way Too Early First 2021 Mock Draft

KS4GM’s Still Too Early Second 2021 WFT Mock Draft

As I did in the last go around, I used the PFF Mock Draft Simulator to make my mock selections. Unfortunately, PFF does not archive the full draft online. I’ve done my best to indicate the top players who were available when I selected in the first several rounds for some additional context.

I was looking for an opportunity to trade back in the first, but, this time there were no takers.

Round 1, Pick 19

Christian Darrisaw, OT

Trevon Moehrig, S

Rashod Bateman, WR

Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB

Teven Jenkins, OT

To be honest, I would have been ecstatic with any of the options on the table at #19. If it goes down like this in April, Washington will be in the catbird seat.

Several Hogs Haven posters have made their preference for the “big boys” (i.e., offensive and defensive linemen) in the first round well known, and I think that sentiment rubbed off on me here. Though Darrisaw was ranked more highly on the board, Brett Kollmann’s recent review of Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins sold me on this selection. A favorable comp to the Bucs’ Tristan Wirfs? Yes, please. Jenkins gets some time as a swing tackle behind Moses and Lucas. Charles officially starts training as a guard, and we’re off.

Round 2, Pick 19

Pat Freiermuth, TE

Landon Dickerson, C

Terrace Marshall, WR

I’ve already made my case for Terrace Marshall here:

Washington is set with Terry McLaurin as its number one receiver, and has several larger, slower receivers in the wings (Harmon, Golden-Gandy, and Cam Sims). What it really needs is another speedy outside receiver and reliable slot option. Marshall fits the first bill well, with a player like Elijah Moore or Amari Rodgers being a near ideal fit for the slot role. A player of Marshall’s ability at the WR position needs to be a top target for the WFT during the 2021 draft.

Round 3, Pick 10

Ronnie Perkins, EDGE

Jalen Mayfield, T

Michael Carter, RB

Kellen Mond, QB

To be honest, there was no non-QB on the board in this spot that interested me that much, and I couldn’t find a trade partner. That sent me looking at the QBs. Davis Mills was still around, and was the most highly rated passer on the board, but Chris Simms’ recent take on Mond made me think he was worth a flier here. Turns out, Simms has a pretty solid track record of predicting college QB success in the pros.

Round 3, Pick 19

Jamin Davis, LB

Davis is another player I profiled earlier in the offseason. I think he’s a pretty solid deal at this point in the draft as he’s now being discussed as an early Day 2 pick. Davis projects as a WILL linebacker in the NFL and, though still raw, is expected to improve significantly over the next couple of years.

Round 4, Pick 19

Cameron McGrone, LB

I’m sure taking back-to-back linebackers here will have its detractors, but McGrone was one of the best players left on the board and is a very promising MIKE LB with explosive athleticism. 2021 is the year the WFT’s linebacking corps flips from liability to asset.

Round 5, Pick 19

Trade to the Colts with pick #245 for Round 5, Pick 21 and #204. (Draftek Rich Hill Chart value: WFT = 11; Indy = 10)

Round 5, Pick 21

Brady Christensen, T/G

Christensen is projected in some mocks to go much higher than this. He has the ability to play left and right tackle as well as move inside to guard. I drafted him here thinking his eventual destination will be on the interior of the line, but his incredible versatility makes him a welcome addition to Washington’s OL room. This season, Christensen was PFF’s top rated left tackle, with Jenkins its top rated right tackle. If that doesn’t satisfy the HH OL lovers, I don’t know what will.

Round 6, Pick 22

Jalen Virgil, WR

I wasn’t familiar with Virgil until l looked him up for an earlier mock I had run. Last year, Virgil made Bruce Feldman’s “Freak List” in the Athletic:

According to Feldman, Virgil has a vertical jump of 40.5 inches and a broad jump of 10’11”. Those marks would correspond to a 9.7 and 9.73 RAS score, respectively. Both marks would place Virgil among the top-100 wide receivers of all-time, but it’s the speed factor where Virgil truly shines. In addition to football, Virgil is a track star at Appalachian State and has run a 10.29-second 100-meter dash. That roughly corresponds to a 4.35 40-yard dash, which would give Virgil a 9.98 RAS and place him fifth all-time at the position.

Washington has taken late round fliers on Feldman’s “freaks” in the past, including James Smith-Williams and Bryce Love.

Round 7, Pick 17

Bryan Mills, CB

Mills is a small school prospect out of NC Central who impressed against top competition at the Senior Bowl. If he’s around this late in the draft, he’s a no-brainer. He’s initially depth at cornerback and a contributor on special teams, with an opportunity to grow into a larger role eventually.