NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Reacting To Free Agency Moves (Picks 17-32)
NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Picks 1-16
The first part of the NFL offseason has come and gone. Teams are still signing free agents, but the initial wave with the biggest additions is already over. That gives us another piece of the puzzle as we try to figure out where prospects will land come April.
Yesterday, I gave you the first 16 picks. Today, I am finishing out my latest first-round mock draft with picks 17-32. Some of my picks have changed due to decisions made in free agency, and I have now added trades into the mix as well.
Let's get started, shall we?
17. Las Vegas Raiders - Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB/S, Notre Dame
Previous Pick: Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
The Raiders signed two second-level defenders in free agency last year: Cory Littleton and Nick Kwiatkoski. Unfortunately, that duo didn't make the impact in Year 1 that Jon Gruden and company were hoping. Owusu-Koramoah can be used in a variety of ways as an off-ball linebacker, slot defender and more, making him a valuable chess piece in Vegas.
18. Miami Dolphins - Kwity Paye, EDGE, Michigan
Previous Pick: Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
It was tough moving off Najee Harris with this pick, but I'm starting to think the Dolphins will go with a more impactful position than running back in Round 1. Shaq Lawson was moved to Houston for off-ball linebacker Benardrick McKinney, so another exterior pass rusher is needed. Paye, while not an elite prospect, fits the bill.
19. Washington Football Team - Micah Parsons, LB, Penn State
Previous Pick: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Washington signed Curtis Samuel in free agency, and they're also courting slot receiver Adam Humphries. That's enough for me to move off Bateman for now, so I'll go with yet another impactful first-round defender. I'm not as high on Parsons as others, but I can see where he can be eventually. He’s a freak physically and athletically.
20. Chicago Bears - Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Previous Pick: Kadarius Toney, WR, Florida
Allen Robinson's future in Chicago is still unknown, but regardless of how it turns out, the offense needs more weapons in the passing game. Cole Kmet isn't a great receiving threat at tight end, and Anthony Miller has been a major disappointment playing out of the slot. Toney will provide some lightning to Robinson's thunder.
21. Indianapolis Colts - Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
Previous Pick: Samuel Cosmi, OT, Texas
If Carson Wentz can recapture even 80 percent of where he was at a few years ago, the Colts will have one of the top rosters in the NFL. The only thing missing is an exterior pass-rushing threat. Jaelan Phillips has concerning medicals, but he's good enough to be the second edge player off the board. High risk, high reward selection.
22. Tennessee Titans - Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
Previous Pick: Jaycee Horn, CB, South Carolina
Going into the offseason, the two biggest needs for Tennessee were at outside linebacker and cornerback. The release of Malcolm Butler made corner even more pressing, but the signings of Janoris Jenkins and Kevin Johnson will make it a serviceable group. With Bud Dupree now paired with Harold Landry on the edges, wide receiver is now the most glaring need -- even with Josh Reynolds.
23. New York Jets - Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Previous Pick: Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
I believe the Jets can wait and snag a running back at the top of Round 2, especially considering the first runner hasn't come off the board yet. Signing Carl Lawson finally gives New York an effective edge player for the first time in seemingly forever, but more is needed. Ojulari will be the perfect complementary piece on the opposite side, turning a major weakness into a strength.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers - Najee Harris, RB, Alabama
Previous Pick: Jalen Mayfield, OT, Michigan
I love this fit for Pittsburgh and for Harris. James Conner is currently a free agent, so running back is one of the team’s biggest needs. Harris is a true three-down player who can run with power while also providing aging Ben Roethlisberger with another easy, effective weapon in the passing game. His presence could even have a Le’Veon Bell type of effect on the offense.
25. Jacksonville Jaguars - Trevon Moehrig, S, TCU
Previous Pick: Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, LB, Notre Dame
Two of Jacksonville's first signings were safeties Rayshawn Jenkins and Rudy Ford, but I'm still not convinced that it’s no longer a position of need. Trevon Moehrig has tons of range and playmaking ability on the back half, so he'll do well in a defense loaded with talent and potential.
26. Cleveland Browns - Zaven Collins, LB/EDGE, Tulsa
Previous Pick: Jaelan Phillips, EDGE, Miami
The Browns have done a fantastic job addressing their needs on defense. I like Takkarist McKinley and Malik Jackson along the defensive front, but another pass rusher is needed. Similarly, I like the signing of Anthony Walker and re-signing of Malcolm Smith, but I still believe more star power is needed at linebacker. Zaven Collins can help fill both needs.
27. Baltimore Ravens - Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, LSU
Previous Pick: Liam Eichenberg, OT, Notre Dame
If we've learned one thing in free agency, it's that Baltimore is going to need to draft upgrades at wide receiver. Apparently, none of the top free agents want to play in the offense, but that's fine. Marshall is a fine complementary piece to Hollywood Brown, and he keeps the team from having to spend big money at the position.
28. New Orleans Saints - Greg Newsome II, CB, Northwestern
Previous Pick: Joseph Ossai, EDGE, Texas
As soon as I saw others buzzing about Greg Newsome, I knew I had to go check him out. The hype is real, despite a smaller sample size of top play. He possesses a scheme-diverse skill set that would help him thrive playing opposite star corner Marshon Lattimore. With Newsome, the Saints secure a long-term replacement for Janoris Jenkins.
29. Green Bay Packers - Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
Previous Pick: Aaron Robinson, CB, UCF
The Packers re-signed Kevin King, but there were major issues in the secondary even with him on the roster. Fans are pining for a tackle or wide receiver, but I don't know if that would fit the front office. Four of the team's last seven first picks were spent on defensive backs after all, and I think after a two-year hiatus, they return to the well. Robinson can play in the slot, which was a big weakness in 2020.
30. Buffalo Bills - Travis Etienne, RB, Clemson
Previous Pick: Gregory Rousseau, EDGE, Miami
Similar to the Chiefs last April, I believe this is a luxury pick for the Bills. There aren't a lot of holes on the roster, and Etienne would take a lot of pressure off Allen and the passing game. Can you imagine an Allen-Diggs-Sanders combination through the air and a Allen-Etienne-Singletary combination on the ground? Good luck, opposing defenses.
31. Kansas City Chiefs - Teven Jenkins, OT, Oklahoma State
Previous Pick: Zaven Collins, LB, Tulsa
OK, so the world isn’t crashing down around Patrick Mahomes like we thought. The team parted ways with tackles Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz, but the additions of guards Joe Thuney and Kyle Long help alleviate those losses. It’s a solid start, but at least one tackle will still be needed. Even if one of the two guys listed above are eventually re-signed, Teven Jenkins would help solidify the group to keep Mahomes off his backside.
32. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Christian Barmore, IDL, Alabama
Previous Pick: Azeez Ojulari, EDGE, Georgia
Yes, Tampa Bay just re-signed Ndamukong Suh, but it's a one-year deal. He's 34 and Steve McClendon is 35, so another long-term piece next to Vita Vea is needed on the defensive line. There are inconsistencies with Barmore's game, but he'll do well playing a situational role behind those other guys in Year 1.
Best available: OT Jalen Mayfield, Michigan; IDL Levi Onwuzurike, Washington; OT Liam Eichenberg, Notre Dame; OT Alex Leatherwood, Alabama; LB Nick Bolton, Missouri; IOL Wyatt Davis, Ohio State; WR D’Wayne Eskridge, Western Michigan; IOL Landon Dickerson, Alabama; CB Asante Samuel Jr., Florida State; EDGE Gregory Rousseau, Miami; OT Samuel Cosmi, Texas
NFL Mock Draft 3.0: Picks 1-16
Previous mock drafts: Part I and Part II (Feb. 23); Part I and Part II (Jan. 31)
Follow Clint Lamb on Twitter @ClintRLamb.