2021 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 17-32

Posted March 3, 2021.

I’ve done this the past 10 years, and I thought it would be fun to do it again. It’s exactly what it sounds like – if free agency occurred in a draft format, who would be the top picks? I’ve excluded all the free agents who are either restricted or previously franchised prior to the published date.

Go here for my 2021 NFL Mock Draft or follow me @walterfootball for updates.

2021 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 1-16


  1. Las Vegas Raiders: Jayon Brown, LB, Titans. Age: 26.
    The Raiders are so close to the playoffs. They just need to add a couple of talented players to their defense, and they’ll be there. Jayon Brown would qualify as such to help a horrible linebacking corps.



  2. Miami Dolphins: Aaron Jones, RB, Packers. Age: 26.
    There’s been some chatter about the Dolphins being interested in Aaron Jones, so I think they would nab him with the 18th pick in this sort of a format. Myles Gaskin and Salmon Head both played well at times last year, but neither is a true lead back.

  3. Washington Redskins: JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Steelers. Age: 24.
    The Redskins need a better No. 2 receiver than Cam Sims. They also need a quarterback, but there isn’t one worth selecting at this juncture, as Cam Newton is the top remaining player at the position.



  4. Chicago Bears: Kenny Golladay, WR, Lions. Age: 27.
    Allen Robinson is gone – at least in this free agency mock draft – so the Bears will need to replace him. They’re quite familiar with Kenny Golladay. There’s major upside with him, but there’s plenty of downside as well because of the injury history.

  5. Indianapolis Colts: Trey Hendrickson, DE, Saints. Age: 26.
    If Carson Wentz reverts to pre-2020 form with his old coach aiding him, the Colts will be one of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl. Of course, the Chiefs are the primary favorite, so Indianapolis will need its pass rush to be as potent as possible.



  6. Tennessee Titans: Lavonte David, LB, Buccaneers. Age: 31.
    Jayon Brown’s potential departure would be a huge blow to Tennessee’s defense, so I expect the Titans to attempt to retain him, or at least obtain a viable replacement. David is better than Brown right now, but his age is why he’s lower in this free agency mock draft.

  7. New York Jets: William Jackson, CB, Bengals. Age: 27.
    The Jets have had trouble at cornerback for quite some time now, so they’d be interested in someone like William Jackson to pair with their new edge rusher.



  8. Pittsburgh Steelers: Taylor Moton, OT, Panthers. Age: 27.
    Taylor Moton has emerged as one of the better right tackles in the NFL. As it so happens, the Steelers have a hole at right tackle, so I imagine they would be highly interested in the ex-Panther.

  9. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Giants. Age: 27.
    The Jaguars need help everywhere on defense. This includes the interior of the defensive line, which sorely misses Calais Campbell. Dalvin Tomlinson is a monstrous run stuffer who is capable of generating solid pressure on the quarterback.



  10. Cleveland Browns: Jadeven Clowney, DE/OLB, Titans. Age: 28.
    Jadeveon Clowney didn’t sack anyone last year, but he was still a force against the run. He’s expected to rebound as a pass rusher, so the Browns could want him as a bookend across from Myles Garrett.

  11. Baltimore Ravens: Matt Feiler, G, Steelers. Age: 29.
    Marshal Yanda was sorely missed last year when Lamar Jackson took a step backward. The Ravens need to make sure their offensive line is excellent, so that would require finding a replacement for Yanda.



  12. New Orleans Saints: Will Fuller, WR, Texans. Age: 27.
    The Saints need a potent No. 2 receiver across from Michael Thomas, especially with Drew Brees likely retiring. Will Fuller would have been chosen much earlier in this free agency mock draft if it weren’t for a very extensive injury history.

  13. Green Bay Packers: Kyle Van Noy, OLB, Dolphins. Age: 30.
    If the Packers don’t find a No. 2 receiver for Aaron Rodgers, they at least need to improve their defense. Kyle Van Noy can play everywhere, so he would be a huge help.

  14. Buffalo Bills: Carl Lawson, DE, Bengals. Age: 26.
    Bills fans have bad memories of Shaq Lawson, but perhaps Carl Lawson will erase those. Buffalo’s pass rush must improve, so it would be interested in the young edge rusher.

  15. Kansas City Chiefs: Trent Williams, OT, 49ers. Age: 33.
    I believe the Chiefs would have won the Super Bowl if their offensive line was fully intact. Instead, three starters were sidelined, including Eric Fisher, who may miss a chunk of the 2021 season because he suffered a major injury so late in the year.



  16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Antonio Brown, WR, Buccaneers. Age: 33.
    The second team to retain a player of theirs. The Buccaneers lost Chris Godwin to the Patriots in this free agency mock draft, so seeing Antonio Brown depart as well would be way too painful.



  17. Back to 2021 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 1-16


    Real 2021 NFL Mock Draft







NFL Picks - Dec. 11


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11


NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9


2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4






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