April 28, 2024
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2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 3

Walt15 mins
Last update: Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021. Major updates.
Next update: Occasionally. Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

The order of this 2021 NFL Mock Draft is based on my NFL Power Rankings, adjusting for playoff seeding in the 19-32 range.
NFL Draft Recent Links:
2024 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
(More links to previous NFL mock drafts at the bottom of this page)


    *** This mock draft will be updated each week. Check out old versions of this 2021 NFL Mock Draft in the archived mock section. Follow @walterfootball for NFL Draft updates. ***




  1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Patrick Jones, DE, Pittsburgh
    The Jaguars have missed Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue. They need to add multiple defensive linemen.

    Follow @walterfootball for updates. Also, you can Support Us on Patreon here!

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    A Safety and a Field Goal

    You can buy it here. It has some NFL Draft-related topics, so like I said, if you want to support the site, this is a great way to do it!

  2. New York Jets: Pete Werner, LB, Ohio State
    The Jets have had injury issues at linebacker the past couple of years. Perhaps they’ll add someone to finally fix this position.

    Pete Werner is a stout run defender who had a strong finish to his 2020 campaign.

  3. Houston Texans: LaBryan Ray, DT, Alabama
    The Texans finally get to pick! They had a woeful run defense in 2020, so perhaps they’ll use this pick to fix this problem.

    LaBryan Ray flashed a bit alongside Quinnen Williams and now has a larger role on Alabama.

  4. Atlanta Falcons: Kenny Gainwell, RB, Memphis
    Todd Gurley won’t be around next year. The Falcons need to find a real lead back.

    Kenny Gainwell is explosive and fast, and he can go the distance on any play. He needs to bulk up a bit, but his upside is through the roof.



  5. Cincinnati Bengals: Marvin Wilson, DT, Florida State
    Geno Atkins looked done in 2020. The Bengals will need to find a new defensive tackle.

    Marvin Wilson has outstanding size (6-5, 311) and athleticism, and he is capable of putting consistent pressure on the quarterback.

  6. Philadelphia Eagles: Caden Sterns, S, Texas
    The Eagles need to continue to repair their woeful secondary. Multiple picks need to be used on defensive backs.

    Caden Sterns emerged as a star for Texas’ defense as a freshman, picking off four passes. Unfortunately, he missed most of his sophomore campaign with a knee injury.

    Pick change; previously Richie Grant, S

  7. Denver Broncos: Aaron Robinson, CB, Central Florida
    The Broncos have released A.J. Bouye, leaving them with just one great cornerback, the oft-injured Bryce Callahan. Denver will be interested in using an early selection on a cornerback in the wake of cutting Bouye.

    Aaron Robinson is a big corner (6-1, 193) who tackles well.

    Pick change; previously Chazz Surratt, DE/OLB



  8. Detroit Lions: Azeez Ojulari, DE/OLB, Georgia
    The Lions need to add to their pass rush if they want to beat Aaron Rodgers.

    Azeez Ojulari has great potential, but doesn’t appear ready to play in the NFL just yet. He should’ve returned to school for another year.

  9. Carolina Panthers: Jevon Holland, S, Oregon
    The Panthers must upgrade their horrible secondary.

    Jevon Holland has tremendous instincts as a very talented play-maker, though he needs to improve his tackling.

    Pick change; previously James Hudson, OT

  10. Washington Redskins: Trey Smith, OT, Tennessee
    The Redskins have a solid offensive line, but their left tackle situation needs to be upgraded.

    Despite being a freshman, Trey Smith was arguably Tennessee’s best player in 2017. Unfortunately, injuries have ruined his career.



  11. Dallas Cowboys: Paris Ford, S, Pittsburgh
    The Cowboys have had issues at safety for quite some time.

    Paris Ford was all over the field last season, and he stood out on film to several scouts.

    Pick change; previously Caden Sterns, S

  12. New York Giants: Jayson Oweh, DE/OLB, Penn State
    The Giants have needed to bolster their edge for quite some time now.

    Jayson Oweh has potential, but didn’t do all that much in 2020. He needs to become stronger for the pros.

  13. Los Angeles Chargers: Quincy Roche, DE/OLB, Miami
    Melvin Ingram may not be around much longer, so here’s another edge rusher.

    Quincy Roche needs to bulk up, but he has plenty of explosion of out of the snap.



  14. Minnesota Vikings: Jamie Newman, QB, Georgia
    The Vikings should look into spending a Round 2-4 pick on a quarterback to challenge the overpaid Kirk Cousins in a year or two.

    Jamie Newman has nice passing talent and can also beat the opposition with his legs.

  15. Arizona Cardinals: Hamlicar Rashed, DE/OLB, Oregon State
    As mentioned earlier, the Cardinals must upgrade their pass rush, which was lacking when Chandler Jones got hurt.

    Hamlicar Rashed had a great 2019 season, but took a step backward in 2020.

    Pick change; previously Aaron Robinson, CB






  16. Las Vegas Raiders: Hamsah Nasirildeen, S, Florida State
    John Abram has been a huge bust thus far. The Raiders may want to find some insurance.

    Hamsah Nasirildeen has nice upside and athleticism, but he needs to fill out.

  17. Miami Dolphins: Payton Turner, DE, Houston
    The Dolphins need to improve their pass rush, so I imagine they’ll focus on that this offseason.

    Payton Turner can play in any scheme. He’s raw, but has lots of upside.

  18. Washington Redskins: Rashod Bateman, WR, Minnesota
    The Redskins have nothing at receiver outside of Terry McLaurin. They could add multiple wideouts in the first few rounds. Rashod Bateman runs routes well, but there’s question about his ability to separate.



  19. Chicago Bears: Dan Moore, OT, Texas A&M
    Here’s another offensive lineman for the Bears, who really need to improve the pass protection.

    Pick change; previously James Hudson, OT

  20. Philadelphia Eagles: Shi Smith, WR, South Carolina
    The Eagles have a lackluster receiving corps, so they’ll need to address that at some point.




  21. Tennessee Titans: Richie Grant, S, Central Florida
    The Titans need a long-term solution at safety next to Kevin Byard.

    Richie Grant is a ball-hawking safety who picked off six passes as a sophomore.

    Pick change; previously Ar’Daius Washington, S

  22. New York Jets: Alec Lindstrom, C, Boston College
    Connor McGovern didn’t perform very well as the Jets’ center, so an upgrade is needed.

    The brother of Falcons guard Chris Lindstrom, Alec had an injury history early in his collegiate career but has seemingly overcome those.

  23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Michael Carter, RB, North Carolina
    The Steelers need to work on actually having a running game, as opposed to not. Michael Carter had a great week at the Senior Bowl and may have put himself into Day 2 consideration.

  24. Detroit Lions: Tedarrell Slaton, NT, Florida
    The Lions can use the pick they acquired from the Rams to fix their woeful run defense.

    Tedarrell Slaton is a massive nose tackle who causes lots of disruption.



  25. Cleveland Browns: Paddy Fisher, LB, Northwestern
    The Browns have a weak linebacking corps they’ll need to address.

    Paddy Fisher was unbelievably productive for Northwestern despite being a freshman. He’s become one of the top linebackers in the Big Ten.

  26. Minnesota Vikings: Sage Surratt, WR, Wake Forest
    The Vikings don’t have much at receiver beyond their two studs.



  27. Cleveland Browns: Josh Jobe, CB, Alabama
    The Browns could use some depth at corner after the injury issues they dealt with last year.

    Josh Jobe is a big, athletic cornerback with tremendous upside.

    Pick change; previously Greg Newsome, CB

  28. Green Bay Packers: Alaric Jackson, OT, Iowa
    The Packers should look into a tackle. Ricky Wagner is an aging player, while David Bakhtiari may not be 100 percent for the start of 2021.

  29. Buffalo Bills: Victor Dimukeje, DE, Duke
    Teams are always on the lookout for talented edge rushers.

    Victor Dimukeje lacks length, but he was a productive edge rusher for the Blue Devils.

  30. Kansas City Chiefs: Baron Browning, LB, Ohio State
    The Chiefs don’t value linebackers very highly, but they still need to upgrade the position.

    Baron Browning made some nice plays in the college football playoff.

  31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaun Wade, CB, Ohio State
    The Buccaneers have a weak pass defense they’ll need to improve.

    Shaun Wade has a ton of upside and was able to produce well in the slot in 2019. He has struggled this past year, however.





    32. Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 4




    Back to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1 | Back to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2


    Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie Campbell | Go to 2023 NFL Mock Draft


    Go to 2021 Fantasy Football Rankings | Go to 2022 NFL Mock Draft


    Go to 2021 NFL Mock Draft: Round 5





2024 NFL Mock Draft - April 23


NFL Power Rankings - Feb. 22


Fantasy Football Rankings - Feb. 19


NFL Picks - Feb. 12






NFL Draft Links:

My 2003 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2003 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/8/08)
My 2004 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/24): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2004 NFL Draft Prospects/ 2004 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/6/08)
My 2005 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2005 NFL Draft Prospects
2005 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded 6/4/08)
My 2006 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3
2006 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/28)
2006 NFL Draft Grades (Re-graded on 7/3)
My 2007 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/ Round 4/ Round 5/ Round 6/ Round 7
Other 2007 Mock Drafts:April Fools
2007 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 4/24)/Kenny Ortiz's Top 40 Prospects
2007 NFL Combine and Pro Day Results
2007 NFL Draft Grades
2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 / Round 2/ Round 3/Round 4/Round 5/Round 6/Round 7
Alternative 2008 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/7): Round 1 /Round 2
2008 NFL Re-Draft - Round 3 (UPDATED 4/27)
2008 NFL Draft Prospects (UPDATED 8/5)
Other 2008 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/25)/ Craig Smith (4/22)/ Emmitt Smith (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Shocker (4/21)/ Matt McGuire Backwards (4/19)/ Forum Mock (4/15)/ April Fools (4/1)
2009 Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
Other 2009 Mock Drafts: Re-Draft (4/26) /Matt McGuire (4/25) /Reader Mock (4/25) /Hunter Ansley (4/24) /Backward Mock (4/19) /Emmitt Smith (4/16) /Celebrity Mock (4/9) /April Fools (4/1) /Experts (3/30) /KFFL (3/14)
2010 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 3 (4/24): Round 4 (Walt's) / Round 4 (Matt's)
2010 NFL Mock Re-Draft Day 2 (4/23): Round 2 (Walt's) / Round 3 (Walt's) / Round 2 (Matt's) / Round 3 (Matt's)
Other 2010 Mock Drafts: Matt McGuire (4/22) /Backward Mock (4/20) /Emmitt Mock (4/17) /Celebrity Mock (4/8) /Experts (3/17) /Reader (4/13) /Consensus (2/25)
2011 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/28): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2011 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 2 /Round 3
Other 2011 Mock Drafts: Free Agency (5/9) /Greg Cox (4/28) /Backward Mock (4/22) /Emmitt Mock (4/21) /Team Big Boards (4/21) /Celebrity Mock (4/13) /Experts (4/7) /Not Mock (4/6) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Greg Cox's 2012 Mock (2/22) /Matt McGuire (1/8)
2012 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2012 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): 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 2012 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/26) /Pick History (4/23) /Emmitt Mock (4/19) /Not Mock (4/19) /Backward Mock (4/17) /Celebrity (4/15) /Goals (4/10) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock (4/1) /Free Agent Mock (3/6) /Greg Cox (9/9)
2013 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2013 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): 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 2013 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /GM Mock (4/21) /Charlie's Trade Mock (4/20) /Goals (4/19) /Rapid Reader Mock (4/18) /Emmitt Mock (4/14) /Not Mock (4/13) /Pick History (4/5) /Backward Mock (4/4) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Archived 2013 NFL Mock Drafts
2014 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATE 5/8): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2014 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/10): 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 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)
2015 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/30): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2015 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/2): 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 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)
2017 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/27): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2017 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 2017 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/27) /Combo (5/7) /Goals (4/22) /Not Mock (4/21) /Emmitt Mock (4/16) /Backward Mock (4/9) /Celebrity Mock (4/7) /April Fools Mock (4/1) /Reader Mock /Free Agent Mock (3/7) /Overreaction Mock (1/2)
2018 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/26): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2018 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/28): 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 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)
2019 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2019 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 4/27): 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 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)
2020 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/23): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
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)
2021 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/29): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6 /Round 7
2021 NFL Mock Re-Draft (UPDATED 5/1): 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 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 4/25): Round 1 /Picks 17-32 /Round 2 /Round 3 /Round 4 /Round 5 /Round 6
Other 2024 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (4/25) /April Fools Mock (3/31)
2025 NFL Mock Draft (UPDATED 4/22): Round 1 /Picks 17-32
Other 2025 Mock Drafts: Charlie Campbell (3/23)
2018 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2017 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2016 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2015 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2014 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2013 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2012 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2011 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2010 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2009 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2008 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2007 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2006 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2005 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2004 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2003 NFL Draft Re-Mock / 2002 NFL Draft Re-Mock


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