Mock NFL draft, 2021: Pitt's Patrick Jones No. 9 to the Falcons, Jaylen Twyman No. 26 to the Vikings
While Pat Narduzzi continues building his 2021 recruiting class, expectations for Pitt’s 2020 season continue to increase.
Taking into serious consideration that it’s nearly a full year before the real thing, two Pitt players are projected to be selected in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, according to CBSSports.com.
This mock even projects the team doing the picking, so there are plenty of moving parts that might throw it off track.
Nonetheless, defensive end Patrick Jones II is predicted to go ninth overall to the Atlanta Falcons.
Jones. a two-star prospect in 2016 when he signed with Pitt from Chesapeake, Va., would be the third defensive player drafted after ends Gregory Rousseau of Miami and Quincy Roche of Temple.
Later in the round, the New England Patriots are said to be choosing Penn State linebacker Micha Parsons at No. 21 before Pitt defensive tackle Jaylen Twyman goes No. 26 to the Minnesota Vikings.
That’s one pick after the Pittsburgh Steelers, probably filling a desperate need, take Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith.
Penn State tight end Pat Freiermuth goes No. 28 to the Dallas Cowboys.
All of this means nothing on May 10, 2020, when there are even questions about how much football — college or pro — will actually happen later this year.
Meanwhile, it does create some interesting conversation and/or debates while waiting out the covid-19 quarantine.
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Jerry DiPaola is a TribLive reporter covering Pitt athletics since 2011. A Pittsburgh native, he joined the Trib in 1993, first as a copy editor and page designer in the sports department and later as the Pittsburgh Steelers reporter from 1994-2004. He can be reached at jdipaola@triblive.com.
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