2021 Backward NFL Mock Draft: Picks 17-32

This is our 12th-annual backward mock draft. It’s what it sounds like: What would the 2021 NFL Draft look like if the order were reversed? Who would the Chiefs take with the first pick? My annual Backward NFL Mock Draft is listed below.

Go here for my 2021 NFL Mock Draft or here for my 2021 NFL Mock Draft.

Back to 2021 Backward NFL Mock Draft: Picks 1-16.



  1. Arizona Cardinals Arizona Cardinals: Caleb Farley, CB, Virginia Tech Virginia Tech
    A third identical pick, which is commonplace for the middle of the backward mock. This makes so much sense for the Cardinals, who are desperate for cornerback help.

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  2. New England Patriots New England Patriots: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State Penn State
    I have the Dolphins and Patriots swapping picks. Micah Parsons makes a ton of sense for the Patriots; he’s arguably the best player available, and he would be filling a huge need.

  3. Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings: Christian Darrisaw, OT, Virginia Tech Virginia Tech
    The fourth, and likely final identical pick. The Vikings lost Riley Reiff, so they could easily select Christian Darrisaw at No. 14 overall – as well as No. 19 overall.



  4. Los Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Alex Leatherwood, OT/G, Alabama Alabama
    The Chargers need to protect Justin Herbert as well as possible. They made some nice moves to upgrade their blocking this offseason, but they still need at least one lineman.

  5. Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles: Tyson Campbell, CB, Georgia Georgia
    With all the top receivers off the board, the Eagles can focus on bolstering their secondary, which has been a problematic area for them for several years.



  6. New York Giants New York Giants: Jaelan Phillips, DE, Miami Miami
    The Giants have done a great job of upgrading their secondary in the past two offseasons, but they need help with their pass rush to finally shut down opposing aerial attacks.

  7. Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys: Aaron Robinson, CB, Central Florida Central Florida
    Speaking of pass defenses that need to improve, the Cowboys have to add lots of talent to their defensive backfield to get better in that area.



  8. Denver Broncos Denver Broncos: Jamin Davis, LB, Kentucky
    The Broncos have tried to upgrade their linebacking corps for years, but have failed to do so. Perhaps this will finally be their opportunity to do so, even though this is a fictional setting.

  9. Carolina Panthers Carolina Panthers: Greg Newsome, CB, Northwestern Northwestern
    The Panthers are another team that would consider a cornerback at this juncture. I have them addressing the position at No. 8 overall in my real mock draft, after all.



  10. Detroit Lions Detroit Lions: Jayson Oweh, DE/OLB, Penn State
    The Lions have just one viable pass rusher, which is a huge problem when considering that Aaron Rodgers stands in their way of competing for the divisional title.

  11. Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins: Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State Notre Dame
    Protecting Tua Tagovailoa is essential. The Dolphins could do this by potentially selecting Penei Sewell sixth overall, but they don’t have that luxury in this scenario.

  12. Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals: Christian Barmore, DE/DT, Alabama Alabama
    The Bengals have some big shoes to fill after finally ending their relationship with Geno Atkins. They’ll be desperate for defensive tackle help in the early stages of the 2021 NFL Draft.

  13. Atlanta Falcons Atlanta Falcons: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame Notre Dame
    The Falcons’ linebacking corps is terrible, save for Deion Jones. They could address this position on Day 2 of the real 2021 NFL Draft.

  14. San Francisco 49ers San Francisco 49ers: Kwity Paye, DE/DT, Michigan Michigan
    The 49ers moved up to No. 3 for a quarterback. In this backward mock, they moved down! They can land a defensive lineman with this selection, as they’re never opposed to addressing that area. Besides, given what happened with injuries last year, the 49ers will want the depth upgrade.

  15. New York Jets 2021 NFL Draft New York Jets: Pat Freiermuth, TE, Penn State
    Here’s a new offensive weapon for Zach Wilson, erm, I mean Trey Lance.



  16. Jacksonville Jaguars 2021 NFL Mock Draft Jacksonville Jaguars: Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU TCU
    The Jaguars can’t draft the same player I have them taking at No. 33 because the Jets just plucked Pat Freiermuth off the board. Instead, Jacksonville can focus on upgrading one of the many positions of weakness on their defense.



  17. Back to 2021 Backward NFL Mock Draft – Picks 1-16 | Real 2021 NFL Mock Draft









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