2013 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 17-32

Posted Thursday, March 7, 2013.

I did this the past two years, and I thought it would be pretty 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 franchised. Go here for my 2013 NFL Mock Draft or follow me @walterfootball for updates.

2013 NFL Free Agency Draft: Picks 1-16

17. Pittsburgh Steelers: William Moore, S, Falcons. Age: 28.
    Troy Polamalu has been unreliable in recent years. It's prompted Dick LeBeau to recently talk about getting younger at the safety position. That can happen if the Steelers bring in a talented player like William Moore.
    
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18. Dallas Cowboys: Louis Delmas, S, Lions. Age: 26.
    The Cowboys cut Gerald Sensabaugh recently, so they really don't have much at the safety position. Louis Delmas would be a high-upside signing. He usually can't get on the field, but when he does, he's a huge factor with his great play-making ability.
    
    
19. New York Giants: Tony Gonzalez, TE, Falcons. Age: 37.
    Tony Gonzalez has just one or two more seasons left, so it normally wouldn't be wise for a team to spend the 19th pick in a free agency draft on such an old player. However, the Giants are ready to win now, and a potent intermediate weapon like Tony Gonzalez would be a huge boost for Eli Manning.
    
    
20. Chicago Bears: Sam Baker, OT, Falcons. Age: 28.
    A lesser free agent to fill a big need. The Bears desperately need help on the offensive line. Sam Baker has an extensive injury history - he has battled a bad back for years - but he would be huge in an effort to keep Jay Cutler healthy.
    
    
    
    
    
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Kenny Phillips, S, Giants. Age: 26.
    Upgrading the safety position is a big priority for the Bengals this offseason. Kenny Phillips, despite the injury history, is one of the top free agents available.
    
    
22. St. Louis Rams: Steven Jackson, RB, Rams. Age: 30.
    Steven Jackson is the best remaining free agent left on my big board, so why not? The Rams would love to keep Jackson, but he's aiming to finish his career with a Super Bowl contender. St. Louis could foil Jackson's plans in this free agency draft.
    
    
23. Minnesota Vikings: Greg Jennings, WR, Packers. Age: 29.
    The Vikings are desperate for a receiver upgrade. They'll need two if Percy Harvin is traded. Greg Jennings hasn't been very reliable in terms of staying healthy, but I'm sure Minnesota would love to steal yet another player from its bitter rival.
    
    
24. Indianapolis Colts: Ed Reed, S, Ravens. Age: 34.
    Here's another old player, but I had to place Ed Reed somewhere. Besides, Reed would fit right into Chuck Pagano's defense, as he played for Pagano when the two were in Baltimore.
    
    
    
    
    
25. Seattle Seahawks: Eric Winston, OT, Chiefs. Age: 29.
    The Seahawks need to give Russell Wilson some weapons to work with. They also have to upgrade his blocking. Right tackle Breno Giacomini didn't stand a chance against Chris Long in the season finale.
    
    
26. Green Bay Packers: Fernando Velasco, C, Titans. Age: 28.
    Jeff Saturday somehow made the Pro Bowl despite not starting for Green Bay at the end of the year. The center position is something the Packers desperately have to address this offseason.
    
    
27. Houston Texans: Connor Barwin, DE/OLB, Texans. Age: 26.
    Nothing else really makes sense for the Texans at this juncture, so they can keep one of their talented defensive free agents.
    
    
28. Denver Broncos: Reggie Bush, RB, Dolphins. Age: 28.
    John Elway talked about adding some weapons around Peyton Manning this offseason. He specifically mentioned upgrading the running back and receiver positions. Reggie Bush would give Manning a very potent target out of the backfield.
    
    
    
    
    
29. New England Patriots: Wes Welker, WR, Patriots. Age: 32.
    I think Tom Brady will be pretty pissed if Bill Belichick doesn't retain his favorite receiver. Fortunately for Belichick, he doesn't have to worry about Welker's price tag here.
    
    
30. Atlanta Falcons: Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, CB, Eagles. Age: 27.
    The Falcons, who recently cut Dunta Robinson, would have Dominique Rogers-Cromartie and Asante Samuel as their starting cornerbacks in this scenario. Now, why does that sound familiar?
    
    
31. San Francisco 49ers: LaRon Landry, S, Jets. Age: 28.
    The 49ers and Jets have essentially traded safeties in this free agency mock draft. With Dashon Goldson gone, San Francisco needs a hard-hitting safety to replace him.
    
    
32. Baltimore Ravens: Sean Smith, CB, Dolphins. Age: 26.
    Taken from my 2013 NFL Mock Draft: The Ravens suddenly have glaring issues at cornerback. Lardarius Webb tore an ACL for the second time in his career, while Cary Williams is a free agent.
    
    
    
    
    
    
    2013 NFL Free Agency Draft - 33-40:
    
    
33. Jacksonville Jaguars: Matt Moore, QB, Dolphins. Age: 29.
34. San Francisco 49ers: Chris Houston, CB, Lions. Age: 28.
35. Philadelphia Eagles: Charles Woodson, S/CB, Packers. Age: 36.
36. Detroit Lions: Kevin Boothe, G/C, Giants. Age: 30.
37. Cincinnati Bengals: Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Giants. Age: 27.
38. Arizona Cardinals: Shaun Phillips, DE/OLB, Chargers. Age: 32.
39. New York Jets: Martellus Bennett, TE, Giants. Age: 26.
40. Tennessee Titans: Dwight Freeney, DE, Colts. Age: 33.
    
    Back to 2013 NFL Free Agent Draft: Picks 1-16
    
    
    Real 2013 NFL Mock Draft