2023 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 17-31

Posted March 9, 2023.

I’ve done this the past 12 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 2023 NFL Mock Draft or follow me @walterfootball for updates.



2023 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 1-16


  1. Pittsburgh Steelers Pittsburgh Steelers: Anthony Walker, LB, Browns. Age: 28.
    The Steelers have struggled at linebacker since Ryan Shazier’s devastating injury. They could finally rectify that problem by signing Anthony Walker, who was dominant last year until he got hurt.

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  2. Detroit Lions Detroit Lions: Vonn Bell, S, Bengals. Age: 28.
    Here’s more help for Detroit’s secondary. The Lions need to improve their pass defense as much as possible because they’re in a two-horse race with the Vikings for the NFC North crown this upcoming season.



  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ethan Pocic, C, Browns. Age: 28.
    Tampa Bay’s offensive line was so bad last year that it forced Tom Brady into retirement. It’s unclear who the Buccaneers’ next quarterback will be, but they need to make sure he’s protected as well as possible.

  4. Seattle Seahawks Seattle Seahawks: Marcus Davenport, DE, Saints. Age: 26.
    The Seahawks need to improve their defensive line. They had the 10th-worst pressure rate in the NFL. Marcus Davenport struggled last year, but he could rebound.



  5. San Angeles Chargers Los Angeles Chargers: Sean Murphy-Bunting, CB, Buccaneers. Age: 26.
    The Chargers have some improvements to make in their secondary to contend with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Signing someone like Sean Murphy-Bunting would make sense.



  6. Baltimore Ravens Baltimore Ravens: Jonathan Jones, CB, Patriots. Age: 29.
    Marcus Peters is an impending free agent. He went earlier in this free agency mock draft, so the Ravens could replace him with a slightly worse cornerback.

  7. Minnesota Vikings Minnesota Vikings: Fletcher Cox, DT, Eagles. Age: 32.
    The Vikings have a miserable pass defense. They could stand to improve their secondary, but they could use a better pass rush as well, primarily in the interior of the defensive line. Fletcher Cox doesn’t have much time remaining, but he would be a great veteran presence for a team ready to win now.



  8. Jacksonville Jaguars Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Graham, DE, Eagles. Age: 35.
    Speaking of teams that could benefit from adding a veteran Eagles defensive lineman, the Jaguars need to improve their pass rush. Brandon Graham once played for Doug Pederson, so this would be a nice fit.

  9. New York Giants New York Giants: Isaac Seumalo, G, Eagles. Age: 29.
    The Giants had better offensive line play last year, but they still need to improve their blocking. Stealing a key player from Philadelphia’s roster would be ideal.



  10. Dallas Cowboys Dallas Cowboys: Germaine Pratt, LB, Bengals. Age: 27.
    Leighton Vander Esch can’t stay healthy, so the Cowboys may want to obtain another linebacker this offseason. Germaine Pratt, who thrives in coverage, would be a nice addition.

  11. Buffalo Bills Buffalo Bills: Juan Thornhill, S, Chiefs. Age: 27.
    Jordan Poyer is set to hit free agency. He’s been a great safety for many years, but he’ll be 32 to start the 2023 season. Buffalo could stand to sign a younger safety.



  12. Cincinnati Bengals Cincinnati Bengals: Kareem Hunt, RB, Browns. Age: 28.
    Joe Mixon struggled last year, while Samaje Perine is set to hit free agency. The Bengals could sign Kareem Hunt to help their running game this offseason.

  13. New Orleans Saints New Orleans Saints: Lavonte David, LB, Buccaneers. Age: 33.
    The Saints believe they can win now, so adding a veteran like Lavonte David makes sense. They were interested in Quay Walker during the 2022 NFL Draft, so perhaps they’ll sign a linebacker this offseason.

  14. Philadelphia Eagles Philadelphia Eagles: Bobby Wagner, LB, Rams. Age: 33.
    The Eagles lost T.J. Edwards earlier in this free agency mock draft, so they could be interested in a veteran like Bobby Wagner to help them reach the Super Bowl again.



  15. Kansas City Chiefs Kansas City Chiefs: Jimmie Ward, S, 49ers. Age: 32.
    Like the Eagles, the Chiefs could replace a younger free agency departure with a veteran player because they’re looking to win now. Jimmie Ward would be a fine, short-term substitute for Juan Thornhill.



  16. Back to 2023 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 1-16


    Real 2023 NFL Mock Draft







2024 NFL Mock Draft - March 26


NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12






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Other 2014 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (5/8) /Goals (5/3) /Not Mock (4/27) /Emmitt Mock (4/20) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Celebrity Mock (4/11) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Overreaction Mock (12/30)
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Other 2015 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/30) /Goals (4/25) /Not Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Trades Mock (4/12) /Celebrity Mock (4/10) /Backward Mock (4/3) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/5) /Overreaction Mock (12/29)
2016 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2016 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 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 2018 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Combo (5/6) /Goals (4/21) /Not Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/15) /Trades Mock (4/13) /Backward Mock (4/8) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/11) /Senior Bowl (1/27)
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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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2020 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/25): 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 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)
2022 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
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)
2023 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
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
Other 2023 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Backward Mock (4/19) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Senior Bowl Mock (2/4) /Overreaction Mock (1/9)
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 3/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/25)
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