2021 NFL Draft Goals – Picks 17-32

Posted April 23, 2021.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

What does every team need to accomplish in the 2021 NFL Draft? We’ll look at each team’s goals on this page, as well as possible selections for each squad. Also see how the goals are being addressed in the 2021 NFL Mock Draft (will be updated tomorrow).

Back to 2021 NFL Draft Goals: Picks 1-16.




  1. Las Vegas Raiders:
    The Raiders inexplicably dismantled their offensive line this offseason. They have so many holes on the blocking unit they need to fill, which is a huge problem because the defense has so many holes as well.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    17. Alex Leatherwood, OT
    48. Nick Bolton, LB
    79. Paulson Adebo, CB
    80. Trey Hill, C
    121. Talanoa Hufanga, S

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  2. Miami Dolphins Miami Dolphins:
    The Dolphns have already made some good moves in the 2021 NFL Draft, netting an extra future first-round pick, thanks to their move from three to 12, and then back to six. Now that they have the sixth pick again, they can get a blue-chip player to help Tua Tagovailoa. The young quarterback needs at least one more weapon and another offensive line upgrade. Meanwhile, the defense needs an injection of pass-rushing and linebacking talent.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    6. Penei Sewell, OT
    18. Zaven Collins, LB
    36. Najee Harris, RB
    50. Rashad Weaver, DE
    81. Joshuah Bledsoe, S

  3. Washington Redskins:
    The Redskins are the favorite to win the NFC East. They have the best team in the division, so there aren’t too many needs that must be addressed. Left tackle and linebacker are two primary areas that must be fixed; otherwise, the Redskins can obtain the best player available.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    19. Christian Darrisaw, OT
    51. Nick Bolton, LB
    74. Kelvin Joseph, CB
    82. Davis Mills, QB
    124. Trevon Grimes, WR



  4. Chicago Bears:
    The Bears would be built to win now if they could find a quarterback and upgrade the offensive line. However, they currently have Andy Dalton starting behind some bad blockers. Given the small number of needs, the Bears can afford to trade up for a quarterback, though there’s a chance one of the first-round signal-callers will fall to them.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    20. Mac Jones, QB
    52. Liam Eichenberg, OT
    83. Tutu Atwell, WR

  5. Indianapolis Colts:
    The Colts found a quarterback this offseason when they traded for Carson Wentz, but they lost their left tackle to retirement. They must replace Anthony Castonzo in order to protect Wentz. Otherwise, they have a few small holes to plug (receiver, defensive line, linebacker, cornerback, safety), but they don’t possess any glaring needs otherwise.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    21. Caleb Farley, CB
    54. Spencer Brown, OT
    127. Osa Odighizuwa, DE/DT



  6. Tennessee Titans:
    The Titans made some adjustments to their defense this offseason, but they still have plenty of holes on that side of the ball. They must fix those, all while plugging some weaknesses on offense like receiver and right tackle.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    22. Teven Jenkins, OT
    53. Aaron Robinson, CB
    85. Ronnie Perkins, DE/OLB
    100. Joshuah Bledsoe, S
    126. Dare Odeyingbo, DE/DT

  7. Seattle Seahawks:
    The Seahawks have just three draft choices heading into the 2021 NFL Draft, so I imagine they’ll want to trade down on several occasions. As they do so, they must somehow fill big needs on their offensive and defensive lines.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    63. D’Ante Smith, OT (trade down)
    129. Hamilcar Rashed, DE
    136. Tre Brown, CB (from trade down)



  8. Pittsburgh Steelers:
    The Steelers need to find a successor for Ben Roethlisberger, but more prominently, they must find replacements for the numerous defensive players and offensive linemen they lost this offseason.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    24. Tyson Campbell, CB
    55. Javonte Williams, RB
    87. Kellen Mond, QB
    128. Chuba Hubbard, RB

  9. Los Angeles Rams:
    The Rams are built to win the Super Bowl now with Matthew Stafford as their quarterback. They lost some defensive backs this offseason they must replace. Otherwise, they can settle for taking the best player available with their four draft choices prior to No. 200.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    57. James Hudson, OT
    88. Eric Stokes, CB
    103. Baron Browning, LB
    141. Shawn Davis, S



  10. Cleveland Browns:
    The Browns don’t have that many needs on their loaded roster. They’re in a position where they can draft the best players available to help them get over the top against the Chiefs. Part of that would be getting another edge rusher to pressure Patrick Mahomes.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    26. Jaelan Phillips, DE
    59. Jabril Cox, LB
    89. Tutu Atwell, WR
    91. Ar’Darius Washington, S
    110. Marvin Wilson, DT
    132. Paddy Fisher, LB

  11. Baltimore Ravens:
    Lamar Jackson and the Ravens had an amazing 2019 because of a stellar offensive line. Marshal Yanda retired, and it sounds like Orlando Brown could be traded. Two new offensive linemen will need to be acquired. Baltimore will also have to address their pass rush, which lost Yannick Ngakoue and Matthew Judon this offseason. A receiver is needed as well.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    27. Alex Leatherwood, OT/G
    58. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR
    104. Ronnie Perkins, DE/OLB
    131. Tamorrion Terry, WR



  12. New Orleans Saints:
    The Saints lost some key players this offseason, particularly on defense, thanks to their horrible cap situation. They’ll need to fill these holes on their stop unit, all while adding a second receiver to replace Emmanuel Sanders.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    28. Christian Barmore, DT
    60. Rashod Bateman, WR
    98. Asante Samuel Jr., CB
    105. Ar’Darius Washington, S
    133. Grant Stuard, LB

  13. Green Bay Packers:
    The Packers seem determined not to help Aaron Rodgers. They didn’t upgrade receiver across from Davante Adams in the 2020 NFL Draft, and they allowed three offensive line starters to walk in free agency. Rodgers won MVP last year, and yet he’ll need to be even better in 2021 to reach the NFC Championship again unless the Packers make some great selections in the 2021 NFL Draft.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    29. Teven Jenkins, OT
    62. Terrace Marshall Jr., WR
    92. Wyatt Davis, G
    135. Jerome Johnson, DT
    142. Jimmy Morissey, C

  14. Buffalo Bills:
    The Bills are so close to being the best team in the AFC. Unfortunately for them, they need to defeat Patrick Mahomes. That’s easier said than done, but Buffalo can start by adding great talent to their defensive line to bolster their pass rush. The Bills also need a new running back and tight end.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    30. Jaelan Phillips, DE
    61. Brevin Jordan, TE
    93. Kenny Gainwell, RB

  15. Kansas City Chiefs:
    We all saw what happened in the Super Bowl. Patrick Mahomes was under siege on nearly every play. The Chiefs made some upgrades at guard, but they still need help at tackle and center. Their defense could use some better players as well.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    31. Teven Jenkins, OT
    63. Landon Dickerson, C
    94. Milton Williams, DT
    136. Patrick Jones, DE
    144. Simi Fehoko, WR



  16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
    The Buccaneers had numerous key free agents entering March, and yet they re-signed all of them, save for Antonio Brown. They now have no major needs, but they could draft players to replace some of the veterans who will be gone in a year or two. This includes a quarterback, as Tom Brady is the only player at his position on the roster.

    Ideal 2021 NFL Draft (First Four Rounds):
    32. Jayson Oweh, DE
    64. Rondale Moore, WR/RB
    95. Kyle Trask, QB
    137. Shaun Wade, CB



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


    2021 NFL Mock Draft | 2022 NFL Mock Draft





NFL Picks - Oct. 7


2025 NFL Mock Draft - Oct. 2


Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4


NFL Power Rankings - Aug. 28






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Other 2016 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Combo (5/8) /Goals (4/23) /Not Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
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Other 2019 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /Combo (5/5) /Goals (4/20) /Not Mock (4/18) /Witten Mock (4/14) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Emmitt Mock (4/7) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/10) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/26) /Video Mock (1/8) /Overreaction Mock (12/31)
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Other 2020 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/23) /Combo (5/3) /Goals (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/12) /Trades Mock (4/8) /Backward Mock (4/5) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/16) /Corey Long (3/13) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/27) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
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Other 2021 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/17) /Goals (4/23) /Backward Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/11) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (1/30) /Overreaction Mock (1/4)
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2022 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
Other 2022 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/28) /Goals (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/5) /Overreaction Mock (1/10)
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2023 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Walt Round 4 /Walt Round 5 /Charlie Round 4 /Charlie Round 5 /Walt Round 2 /Walt Round 3 /Charlie Round 2 /Charlie Round 3
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Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
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Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (10/4)
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Other 2026 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (7/17)
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