NFL Announces 36 Compensatory Draft Choices to 17 Clubs

​​​​Revised list of 2021 compensatory draft selections. The previous list incorrectly indicated that the San Francisco 49ers would receive two special compensatory draft selections in Round 3 of the 2021 NFL Draft. A club that loses two minority employees to other clubs, as did San Francisco, will receive a special compensatory draft selection in the next three drafts. The revised list correctly indicates that San Francisco will receive one such selection in Round 3 of the 2021 Draft.

A total of 36 compensatory draft selections in the 2021 NFL Draft have been awarded to 17 teams. Under the rules for compensatory draft selections, a team losing more or better compensatory free agents (“CFA”) than it acquires in the previous year is eligible to receive compensatory draft picks. The compensatory picks will be positioned within the third through sixth rounds based on the value of the compensatory free agents lost.

Compensatory free agents are determined by a formula based on salary, playing time and postseason honors. The formula was developed by the NFL management council. Not every free agent lost or signed by a club is covered by this formula. No club may receive more than four compensatory picks in any one year. If a club qualifies for more than four compensatory picks after offsetting each CFA lost by each CFA gained of an equal or higher value, the four highest remaining selections will be awarded to the club.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement limits the number of compensatory selections to the number of clubs then in the League (32). This year, seven clubs, the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers qualified for a compensatory selection under the net loss formula but will not receive that pick because the final numerical value of the CFA who was lost ranked 33rd or lower among the final numerical values of all compensatory selections. Each of those clubs except Indianapolis will receive compensatory selections for other CFAs lost whose final numerical values ranked within the top 32.

In addition to the 32 compensatory selections awarded under the net loss formula, four special compensatory selections were awarded to four clubs: the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Rams, Baltimore Ravens, and New Orleans Saints under a recent amendment to the League’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, which was agreed upon by the NFL and the NFLPA to promote equal employment opportunities and an inclusive workforce within NFL clubs. This initiative provides that the prior employer-club of a minority employee who has been hired by another club as its head coach or primary football executive (general manager) will receive compensation in the form of a special compensatory draft selection in the third round of each of the next two drafts, or in each of the next three drafts if two minority employees from the employer-club are hired for these positions by another club or clubs. Special compensatory selections are awarded in draft selection order after all other compensatory selections in round three.

The following 2021 compensatory draft picks have been awarded for the 2021 NFL Draft, which will be held on April 29-May 1 in Cleveland:

Round/Round Choice/Overall Selection / Team
* – Compensatory Picks for Coaching/ Front Offices losses
3 33-96 New England
3 34-97 Los Angeles Chargers
3 35-98 New Orleans
3 36-99 Dallas
3 37-100 Tennessee
3 38-101 Los Angeles Rams
* 3 39-102 San Francisco
* 3 40-103 Los Angeles Rams
* 3 41-104 Baltimore
* 3 42-105 New Orleans

4 33-138 Dallas
4 34-139 New England
4 35-140 Pittsburgh
4 36-141 Los Angeles Rams
4 37-142 Green Bay
4 38-143 Minnesota
4 39-144 Kansas City

5 33-177 Green Bay
5 34-178 Dallas
5 35-179 Atlanta
5 36-180 San Francisco
5 37-181 Kansas City
5 38-182 Atlanta
5 39-183 Baltimore

6 33-216 Tampa Bay
6 34-217 New Orleans
6 35-218 Atlanta
6 36-219 Green Bay
6 37-220 Chicago
6 38-221 Carolina
6 39-222 Minnesota
6 40-223 Philadelphia
6 41-224 Philadelphia
6 42-225 Carolina
6 43-226 Dallas
6 44-227 Chicago

Top 50 Pro Prospects for the NFL Draft 2021

         * underclassmen eligible
Updated March 6, 2021 – Pre-Pro Day Workout schedule        

Here is an updated entering the Pro Day schedule. We continue to attend Pro Days and review film entering the final 7 weeks of preparation for the NFL Draft 2021.

#  Pro Prospect      Pos     Ht / Wt           School
1 * Trevor Lawrence   QB        6-6, 225 Clemson
2 * Penei Sewell          OT       6-6, 330 Oregon
3 * Zach Wilson          QB      6-3, 210 Brigham Young
4 * Ja’Marr Chase     WR       6-0, 210 LSU
5 * Kyle Pitts               TE        6-6, 245 Florida
6 * Caleb Farley         CB        6-2, 205 Virginia Tech
7 Rashawn Slater      OG        6-4, 315 Northwestern
8 * Patrick Surtain    CB        6-2, 205 Alabama
9 DeVonta Smith      WR       6-1, 175 Alabama
10 * Justin Fields      QB        6-3, 225 Ohio St
11 * Gregory Rousseau  DE   6-7, 265 Miami
12 * Jaylen Waddle      WR    5-10, 185 Alabama
13 Kwity Paye              DE      6-4, 270 Michigan
14 * Trey Lance          QB       6-4, 225 North Dakota St
15 * Jaelan Phillips   DE       6-5, 265 Miami
16 * Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah LB 6-2, 215 Notre Dame
17 * Christian Darrisaw  OT   6-5, 315 Virginia Tech
18 * Micah Parsons        LB    6-3, 245 Penn State
19 * Jaycee Horn            CB    6-1, 205 South Carolina
20 Kadarius Toney        WR   5-11, 195 Florida
21 * Alijah Vera-Tucker  OT   6-4, 315 Southern Cal
22 Travis Etienne            RB 5-10, 205 Clemson
23 * Mac Jones                QB 6-3, 215 Alabama
24 * Wyatt Davis            OG 6-4, 315 Ohio St
25 Levi Onwuzurike      DT 6-3, 290 Washington
26 Aaron Robinson       CB 6-1, 195 Central Florida
27 Najee Harris             RB 6-2, 230 Alabama
28 * Nick Bolton           LB 6-0, 235 Missouri
29 * Azeez Ojulari         LB 6-3, 240 Georgia
30 * Jalen Mayfield      OT 6-5, 325 Michigan
31 * Zaven Collins         LB 6-4, 260 Tulsa
32 * Jevon Holland       S 6-1, 200 Oregon
33 * Greg Newsome      CB 6-1, 190 Northwestern
34 * Trevon Moehrig    S 6-2, 205 Texas Christian
35 * Joe Tryon               LB 6-5, 260 Washington
36 * Terrace Marshall  WR 6-3, 200 LSU
37 Teven Jenkins           OT 6-6, 320 Oklahoma St
38 * Ronnie Perkins      DE 6-3, 245 Oklahoma
39 * Javonte Williams   RB 5-10, 220 North Carolina
40 * Samuel Cosmi        OT 6-7, 310 Texas
41 * Rondale Moore      WR 5-9, 180 Purdue
42 * Christian Barmore  DT 6-5, 315 Alabama
43 * Rashod Bateman    WR 6-2, 210 Minnesota
44 * Creed Humphrey   C 6-5, 320 Oklahoma
45 * Joseph Ossai          LB 6-4, 250 Texas
46 * Jayson Oweh         DE 6-5, 255 Penn St
47 Alex Leatherwood    OG 6-6, 315 Alabama
48 Carlos Basham         DE 6-4, 285 Wake Forest
49 Landon Dickerson   C 6-6, 325 Alabama
50 * Pat Freiermuth      TE 6-5, 255 Penn St

Pro Day Workouts 2021 – updated

With the NFL Combine 2021 cancelled this year, the upcoming Pro Days will be more important than ever. NFL scouts, coaches and general managers will canvas the country prior to the NFL Draft to get more updated information on prospects with so many players having the shortest resumes collectively in recent memory.

NFL teams will canvass college campuses this offseason to catchup on scouting prospects for workouts, interviews and medical updates. Draft Insiders’ staff will attend many college Pro Days. We did attend several spring football drills scouting upcoming prospects along with interviewing many coaches.

This schedule is expanded and updated schedule that will be fluid according to the Pandemic situation and college settings.

Pro Days 2021

Updated March 2

Feb. 12 – Clemson (passing drills with QB Trevor Lawrence & receivers)

March

March 5
Kansas

March 9
Kansas State
Northwestern
Wisconsin – Whitewater

March 10
Arkansas
Marshall
Maryland
Wisconsin

March 11
Clemson
Nevada
Texas

March 12
Arkansas State
North Dakota State
Oklahoma

March 15
Army
Kent State
Middle Tennessee
Vanderbilt

March 16
Georgia Tech
Temple

March 17
Arizona
Georgia
Illinois
Pittsburgh
San Jose State

March 18
Auburn
Buffalo
Central Arkansas
Louisiana-Monroe
Louisiana Tech
Stanford
Troy
West Virginia

March 19
Memphis
Ohio U
Texas Christian

March 22
Air Force
Bowling Green
Colorado State
Florida State
Iowa
Missouri
Toledo

March 23
Alabama
Central Michigan
Iowa State
Nebraska
Purdue

March 24
Michigan State
Mississippi State
South Carolina
Southern California
Virginia

March 25
Georgia Southern
Mississippi
North Texas
Penn State
San Diego State
SMU
Tennessee
Western Michigan
UMass

March 26
Boston College
BYU
Michigan
South Dakota State
South Dakota
Virginia Tech

March 29
Arizona State
Duke
Louisiana
Miami (Oh)
Miami
North Carolina
Washington State

March 30
East Carolina
Florida Atlantic
Louisville
NC State
Ohio State
Texas A&M
Tulane
Washington

March 31
Baylor
Boise State
Florida
Kentucky
LSU
Notre Dame
Wake Forest

April

April 1
Appalachian State
Central Florida
Charlotte
Minnesota
Oklahoma State
Oregon State
South Florida
Western Kentucky

April 2
Indiana
Oregon
Tulsa

April 7
Texas Tech

April 9
Alabama-Birmingham
Ball State
Houston

The schedule will change during the offseason due to conflicts, the Covid 19 testing and changes in any regional combine commitments by the NFL.

Pro Prospect Rankings – NFL Draft 2021

     March 2021 Rankings

Offensive Players – Top 10 Rankings
       Offensive Linemen

       * underclassmen
            Player     Ht/Wt       School

Offensive Tackles
1 * Penei Sewell 6-6, 330 Oregon
2 * Christian Darrisaw 6-5, 315 Virginia Tech
3 * Jalen Mayfield 6-5, 320 Michigan
4 Teven Jenkins 6-6, 320 Oklahoma State
5 * Samuel Cosmi 6-7, 310 Texas
6 Dillon Radunz 6-6, 300 North Dakota State
7 * Jackson Carman 6-5, 335 Clemson
8 * Walker Little 6-7, 320 Stanford
9 Liam Eichenberg 6-6, 300 Notre Dame
10 * James Hudson 6-5, 310 Cincinnati

Guards
1 Rashawn Slater 6-4, 315 Northwestern
2 * Alijah Vera-Tucker 6-4, 315 Southern Cal
3 * Wyatt Davis 6-4, 315 Ohio State
4 Alex Leatherwood 6-6, 310 Alabama
5 Trey Smith 6-6, 330 Tennessee
6 * Aaron Banks 6-6, 330 Notre Dame
7 * Larry Borom 6-6, 330 Missouri
8 Deonte Brown 6-4, 350 Alabama
9 * Kendrick Green 6-4, 315 Illinois
10 Robert Hainsey 6-5, 300 Notre Dame

Centers
1 Landon Dickerson 6-6, 325 Alabama
2 * Creed Humphrey 6-5, 320 Oklahoma
3 * Josh Myers 6-5, 310 Ohio State
4 * Trey Hill 6-4, 330 Georgia
5 Quinn Meinerz 6-3, 320 Wisconsin-Whitewater
6 * Drew Dalman 6-3, 300 Stanford
7 Drake Jackson 6-2, 310 Kentucky
8 Jimmy Morrissey 6-3, 305 Pittsburgh
9 Ryan McCollum 6-5, 300 Texas A&M
10 Michal Menet 6-4, 300 Penn State

Pro Prospect Rankings – NFL Draft 2021

February 2021 Rankings
Offensive Players – Top 10 Rankings

* underclassmen
          Player              Ht/Wt     School
Quarterbacks
1 * Trevor Lawrence 6-6, 215 Clemson
2 * Zach Wilson 6-3, 210 Brigham Young
3 * Trey Lance 6-4, 225 North Dakota State
4 * Justin Fields 6-3, 225 Ohio State
5 * Mac Jones 6-3, 215 Alabama
6 Kyle Trask 6-5, 240 Florida
7 Kellen Mond 6-3, 215 Texas A&M
8 Jamie Newman 6-4, 230 Wake Forest
9 Sam Ehlinger 6-3, 225 Texas
10 K.J. Costello 6-5, 225 Mississippi State

Running Backs
1 Travis Etienne 5-10, 205 Clemson
2 Najee Harris 6-2, 230 Alabama
3 * Javonte Williams 5-10, 200 North Carolina
4 * Chuba Hubbard 6-0, 210 Oklahoma State
5 Michael Carter 5-8, 200 North Carolina
6 * Jaret Patterson 5-9, 195 Buffalo
7 * Kenneth Gainwell 5-11, 195 Memphis
8 * Khalil Herbert 5-9, 210 Virginia Tech
9 Trey Sermon 6-1, 215 Ohio State
10 Rhamondre Stevenson 6-0, 245 Oklahoma

Tight Ends
1 * Kyle Pitts 6-6, 245 Florida
2 Pat Freiermuth 6-5, 255 Penn State
3 * Hunter Long 6-5, 250 Boston College
4 Tony Poljan 6-7, 265 Virginia
5 * Brevin Jordan 6-3, 245 Miami
6 Tre McKitty 6-5, 245 Georgia
7 Tommy Tremble 6-4, 245 Notre Dame
8 Matt Bushman 6-5, 240 Brigham Young
9 Luke Farrell 6-6, 255 Ohio State
10 Noah Gray 6-4, 240 Duke

Wide Receivers
1 * Ja’Marr Chase 6-0, 205 LSU
2 DeVonta Smith 6-1, 175 Alabama
3 * Jaylen Waddle 5-10, 185 Alabama
4 Kadarius Toney 6-0, 195 Florida
5 * Tutu Atwell 5-9, 165 Louisville
6 * Rashod Bateman 6-2, 210 Minnesota
7 * Rondale Moore 5-9, 180 Purdue
8 * Terrace Marshall 6-3, 200 LSU
10 * Elijah Moore 5-9, 185 Mississippi

NFL Draft 2021 – Two Round Mock Draft

  February, 2021      * Underclassmen –   
  Selection order after Super Bowl LV –  Pre-postseason workouts 2021       

 All underclassmen had until Jan. 18th to declare for the NFL Draft 2021. Players had three days to rescind their decision and return to school and still retain their college eligibility. No underclassmen rescinded their decision.

1st Round

   #   Team                W/L          Player                     Pos      Ht/Wt                School

1 Jacksonville             1-15      * Trevor Lawrence          QB       6-6, 225            Clemson

2 NY Jets                    2-14      * Zach Wilson                  QB       6-3, 210            Brigham Young

3 Miami (Houston)       4-12      DeVonta Smith           WR       6-1, 175            Alabama

4 Atlanta                     4-12      * Patrick Surtain             CB        6-2, 205            Alabama

5 Cincinnati                 4-11-1   * Ja’Marr Chase             WR       6-0, 210            LSU

6 Philadelphia             4-11-1   * Jaylen Waddle            WR       5-10, 185          Alabama

7 Detroit                     5-11      * Penei Sewell                   OT        6-6, 330            Oregon

8 Carolina                   5-11      * Justin Fields                 QB       6-3, 225            Ohio St

9 Denver                     5-11        Rashawn Slater              OG       6-4, 315            Northwestern

10 Dallas                      6-10      * Christian Darrisaw       OT        6-5, 315            Virginia Tech

11 NY Giants                6-10      * Gregory Rousseau       DE       6-7, 265            Miami

12 San Francisco          6-10      * Caleb Farley                CB        6-2, 205            Virginia Tech

13 LA Chargers             7-9        * Micah Parsons           LB        6-3, 245            Penn State

14 Minnesota                7-9        Kwity Paye                    DE       6-4, 270            Michigan

15 New England            7-9        * Mac Jones                  QB       6-3, 215            Alabama

16 Arizona                    8-8        * Kyle Pitts                      TE        6-6, 245            Florida

17 Las Vegas                8-8        * Christian Barmore       DT        6-5, 315            Alabama

18 Miami                       10-6      * Jaelan Phillips             DE       6-5, 265            Miami

19 Washington              7-9        * Trey Lance                  QB       6-4, 225            North Dakota St

20 Chicago                   8-8        * Jalen Mayfield             OT        6-5, 325            Michigan

21 Indianapolis              11-5      Travis Etienne               RB        5-10, 205          Clemson

22 Tennessee                11-5      * Jaycee Horn                 CB        6-1, 205            South Carolina

23 NY Jets (Seattle)       12-4     Kadarius Toney            WR       5-11, 190          Florida

24 Pittsburgh                12-4      Najee Harris                  RB        6-2, 230            Alabama

25 Jacksonville (Rams) 10-6    * Samuel Cosmi           OT        6-7, 310            Texas

26 Cleveland                 11-5      Aaron Robinson            CB        6-1, 195            Central Florida

27 Baltimore                 11-5      * Wyatt Davis                OG       6-4, 315            Ohio St

28 New Orleans             12-4    * Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah – LB  6-2, 215     Notre Dame

29 Buffalo                    13-3       * Zaven Collins                LB        6-4, 260            Tulsa

30 Green Bay                13-3      Alex Leatherwood         OL        6-6, 315            Alabama

31 Kansas City              14-2      Landon Dickerson         C          6-6, 325            Alabama

32 Tampa Bay              11-5      * Azeez Ojulari             LB        6-3, 240            Georgia

Second Round

33 Jacksonville              * Alijah Vera-Tucker                 OT        6-4, 315            Southern Cal

34 NY Jets                      * Javonte Williams                     RB        5-10, 220          North Carolina

35 Atlanta                       * Nick Bolton                               LB        6-0, 235            Missouri

36 Miami (Houston)      * Eric Stokes                             CB        6-1, 185            Georgia

37 Philadelphia             * Daviyon Nixon                         DT        6-3, 305            Iowa

38 Cincinnati                 * Pat Freiermuth                        TE        6-5, 255            Penn St

39 Carolina                   * Terrace Marshall                     WR       6-3, 200            LSU

40 Denver                      Levi Onwuzurike                        DT        6-3, 290            Washington

41 Detroit                       Kyle Trask                                    QB       6-5, 240            Florida

42 NY Giants                * Rashod Bateman                    WR       6-2, 210            Minnesota

43 San Francisco          * Tyson Campbell                     CB        6-2, 195             Georgia

44 Dallas                      * Shaun Wade                             CB        6-1, 195             Ohio St

45 Jax (Minn)                * Marvin Wilson                      DT        6-5, 305            Florida St

46 New England            Carlos Basham                         DE       6-4, 285            Wake Forest

47 LA Chargers             * Rondale Moore                      WR       5-9, 180            Purdue

48 Las Vegas                * Ronnie Perkins                       DE       6-3, 245            Oklahoma

49 Arizona                    * Joe Tryon                                 LB        6-5, 260            Washington

50 Miami                       * Jevon Holland                         S          6-1, 200            Oregon

51 Washington              Teven Jenkins                           OT        6-6, 320            Oklahoma St

52 Chicago                   * Hunter Long                             TE        6-5, 255            Boston College

53 Tennessee                Dillon Radunz                            OT        6-6, 300            North Dakota St

54 Indianapolis              * Trevon Moehrig                     S          6-2, 205            Texas Christian

55 Pittsburgh                Quincy Roche                             LB        6-3, 245            Miami

56 Seattle                     * Creed Humphrey                      C          6-5, 320            Oklahoma

57 LA Rams                  * Walker Little                             OT        6-7, 320            Stanford

58 Baltimore                 * Amon-Ra St. Brown               WR       6-1, 195            Southern Cal

59 Cleveland                 D’Wayne Iskridge                      WR       5-9, 190            Western Michigan

60 New Orleans             * Dylan Moses                          LB        6-3, 240            Alabama

61 Green Bay                Richie Grant                               S          5-11, 200           Central Florida

62 Buffalo                    * Elijah Moore                            WR       5-9, 185            Mississippi

63 Kansas City              * Greg Newsome                       CB        6-1, 190            Northwestern

64 Tampa Bay              * Tutu Atwell                              WR       5-9, 165            Louisville

NFL Salary Cap 2021 – Updated

The NFL salary cap in 2021 has been readjusted to a new level. The NFL office announced this week that the new salary cap floor has been increased from $175 million to $180 million following talks with the NFLPA.

“As you know, one aspect of the agreements negotiated last summer with the NFLPA to address operations during the pandemic provides that the 2021 Salary Cap will be no less than $175 million. Following discussions with the union that addressed both actual 2020 revenues and projected attendance for the 2021 season, we have agreed to increase the minimum Salary cap for the 2021 League Year to $180 million.

The final Salary Cap for the 2021 season will be set following review of final 2020 revenue figures and other audit and accounting adjustments. The agreement increased the minimum 2021 Salary Cap by $5 million per club, from $175 million to $180 million.

With the pandemic limiting the live game gate at 2020 games for every team along with other revenue streams, the expectation had been that the salary cap would fall significantly from 2020 figure of $198.2 million. Most prior years the cap increased $10 million dollars annually. The new floor mitigates some of that decrease.

Until the official cap is set, teams won’t know exactly where their limits are through free agency in 2021. At the very least, the new floor gives clubs a starting point to begin making plans ahead of the new league year, which opens on March 17. Clubs are expected to make wholesale changes prior to the new year with many high-priced veterans released or traded to get under the cap. The franchise and transitional tags may have fewer teams willing to lock into their high-priced positional salary designations. In additional to the free agency movement, the trade market is primed for a very active period with clubs trying to increase their draft capital and reduce their salary cap figure.  Many deals are starting to be agreed upon but will not become official unto the start of the league year on March 17th.

Pro Days 2021 – updated

With the NFL Combine 2021 cancelled this year, the upcoming Pro Days will be more important than ever. NFL scouts, coaches and general managers will canvas the country at colleges prior to the NFL Draft to get more updated information on prospects. With so many players having the shortest resumes collectively in recent memory, the late Pro Days can become a huge influence on the prospects potential with significant impact on his draft status.

NFL teams will canvass college campuses this offseason to catchup on scouting prospects for workouts, interviews and medical updates, all of which will have a huge effect on their final rating.

This schedule is updated and fluid according to the Pandemic and college situations.

Pro Days 2021

Feb 12
Clemson (passing drills with QB Trevor Lawrence and receivers)

March
5^th – Kansas
9^th – Kansas State
10^th – Wisconsin
10^th – Arkansas

11^th – Clemson
11^th – Nevada

12^th – Oklahoma
12^th – North Dakota State

16^th – Georgia Tech

17^th – Pittsburgh
17^th – Louisiana-Monroe

18^th – Auburn
18^th – Louisiana Tech
18^th – Georgia Tech
18^th – Buffalo
18^th – West Virginia

19^th – Texas Christian
19^th – Memphis19
19^th – Ohio U

22^nd – Iowa
22^nd – Colorado State
22^nd – Florida State
22^nd – Toledo

23^rd – Alabama
23rd – Central Michigan
23^rd – Iowa State
23^rd – Nebraska
23^rd – Purdue

24^th – Michigan State
24^th – Mississippi St
24^th – South Carolina
24^th – Western Michigan
24^th – Virginia

25^th – Mississippi
25^th – SMU
25^th – UMass
25^th – North Texas
25^th – Penn State
25^th – San Diego State
25^th – Western Michigan

26^th – Boston College
26^th – BYU
26^th – Michigan
26^th – Virginia Tech
26^th – South Dakota State

29^th – Miami (Fla.)
29^th – Miami (Oh.)
29^th – North Carolina
29^th – Duke
29^th – Louisiana-Laf

30^th – Louisville
30^th – Washington
30^th – Tulane

31th – Notre Dame
31th – Boise State
31th – Florida
31th – Kentucky

April
1^st – Oklahoma State
1^st – South Florida
1^st – Charlotte

9^th – Houston
9^th – UAB

The schedule will change throughout the offseason due to conflicts, the Covid 19 testing and changes in any regional combine commitments by the NFL.

NFL Calendar 2021 – February thru Opening Day
Key NFL Free Agency Dates and Designations

FEBRUARY 8th – As of Monday, teams are allowed to start releasing players without having to worry about any repercussion on last year’s (2020) Salary Cap, which still technically applies until March 17. So, teams are now able to start making moves with the aim of improving their Salary Cap for 2021. All players released between February 8th and the start of the new league year on March 17th are subject to waivers. If they clear waivers, they immediately become free agents and are free to sign a contract at any time (even if before March 17th).

With the new league year set to commence on March 17th, expect most teams to start making veteran moves at some point in early March.

LATE FEBRUARY – Over the last few years, the NFL has announced the Compensatory Draft picks on the Friday before the Scouting Combine.  With the Combine being virtual this year, it remains to be seen when the League will announce Comp picks.
FEBRUARY 23rd – MARCH 9th – As of February 23rd, teams can start designating a soon-to-be free agent player with the Franchise or Transition Tag. If a team wants to use either Tag, they must do so by 4:00 pm on March 9th.

MARCH 15th – The “legal tampering” window opens. As of March 15th, other teams can start discussing contract offers and terms with potential free agents, though a contract cannot be agreed upon until March 17th.

MARCH 17th – At 4:00 pm on Wednesday, March 17th, the 2021 NFL League year begins:

Teams must have submitted tender offers to all of their Restricted Free Agents (RFAs) and Exclusive Rights Free Agents (ERFAs) who they want to retain. Teams must exercise all 2021 contract options tied to the first day of the league year.

Free Agency for veteran players and the Trading period begins.
All teams must be under the Salary Cap and the Rule of 51 Cap computation begins.

Recent reports have suggested that the league Salary Cap is projected to be in the $180-181M range.  Using the midpoint of that range – $180.5M – as the Cap. Once RFAs and ERFAs are tendered and other adjustments are applied. This number will obviously change as teams make other moves – signing, re-signings, restructures and/or contract extensions.

APRIL 23rd – The deadline for teams to sign RFAs to an offer sheet.  If another team signs a RFA to an offer sheet, the player’s present team has five days to match that offer or potentially (depending on the tender given to the play) receive draft pick compensation if they decline to match.  With the NFL Draft starting on April 29th, the deadline to sign a player to an offer sheet and allow for the required five-day match period is April 23rd.

ARPIL 29th-May 1st – The NFL Draft 2021 – Cleveland, Ohio

MAY 4th – May 4th is the CBA-mandated date by which 5th Year Options must be exercised for 4th year players who were drafted in the 1st round.

MAY 5th – The “May 5th Tender” date.  This date, which was moved forward from June 1st a couple of years ago, is essentially the last date that the signing or losing of a free agent will count toward the Compensatory Draft pick calculation. The May 5th Tender – which rarely happens – is a way a team can potentially obtain exclusive negotiating rights with a player later in the summer.  It also provides extended Comp pick eligibility if the player is tendered a contract of at least 110% of his prior year’s compensation by May 5th.  Otherwise, if the player is not given the May 5th Tender, he no longer counts toward the Comp pick formula and the team cannot gain any special negotiating advantage later in the off season. As a practical matter, very few free agents who remain unsigned by May 5th are worth such a tender.
JUNE 1st – In past years this is the last day that teams can release a player and have all of the dead money from that release count against the present year’s Salary Cap. If released after June 1st, only the present year’s bonus prorations counts against the Cap in that year and all future bonus prorations would count against the following year’s Cap.

JULY 15th – This is the deadline for signing a player who has received the Franchise or Transition tag to a long-term deal. If no long-term deal can be reached by this date, the player must play that year under the one-year contract provided under the Franchise/Transaction Tender and cannot sign a long-term deal until after the season is over.

LATE JULY – NFL Training 2021 camps start opening.

SEPTEMBER 4th – Final cutdown date, all teams must cutdown to 53 players.

SEPTEMBER 9th – At 12:00 a.m., the Rule of 51 ends and all teams must be fully under the 2021 Salary Cap. This includes all of the players on the 53-man roster, the Practice Squad and all players on any of the reserve lists (IR, PUP, etc.).

SEPTEMBER 9th, 12th-13th – Week 1 of 2021 NFL regular season.

Senior Bowl 2021 Game

    Draft Insiders’ Staff

QB Mond and DE Sample Earn Game MVP Honors

The 2021 Senior Bowl game was played after an impressive effort by the All-classic staff led by Director Jim Nagy. The condensed week of practices prior to the Saturday game came off without a glitch from the benefit of strict Pandemic guidelines and an expanded player roster.

With an interesting roster of pro prospects who completed the week of practices, physicals and interviews the All-star classic was a competitive contest that ended with a National team win over the American squad 27-24.

QB Kellen Mond of Texas A&M walked off with the MVP award after a clutch effort directing several drives to lead the National team throughout the second half when they scored all their points. Mond helped his cause, showing a strong arm, fine mobility and sound decision making. He heads the second tier of QB prospects entering the interview process prior the NFL Draft 2021.

         Draft Insiders’ 2021 January Newsletter is available now

The February Newsletter will be available this week with extensive coverage of the Senior Bowl plus Mock Draft and new Top 100 prospects

Runners Michael Carter and Rhondae Stevenson were featured often and produced. Carter displayed big play ability as both a runner and receiver and helped his cause immensely. Wideouts Amari Rodgers, Frank Darby and Shi Smith had nice performances and elevated their stock.

The NFL Draft usually benefits from the Senior Bowl defenders and this game featured several impact pass rushers in Cam Sample, Quincy Roche, Janarius Robinson and Patrick Jones. LB KJ Britt of Auburn had a strong game and picked up his keys quickly and had a burst to the ball to finish. Sample had an impressive game and earned Defensive MVP honors.

Linebackers, Jordan Smith and Baron Browning also made big plays during the game after a strong week of practices. Corner Aaron Robinson displayed fast developing coverage skills in the practices and joined the elite cover men in this class after an impressive overall week.

This was the final football action for the year with the offseason workout portion in disarray with both the NFL Combine and school Pro Days terminated or significantly curtailed. They could be completely closed out due to the Pandemic as teams face stiff limitations completing the scouting process. Zoom sessions may be the only interaction with players in many cases, between prospects and any perspective NFL teams.

Senior Bowl Game Players

Offensive Players
12 Mond, Kellen                        QB       Texas A&M       6024     205
11 Ehlinger, Sam                       QB       Texas               6014     222
7 Carter, Michael                       RB        North Carolina   5077     202
29 Stevenson, Rhamondre         RB        Oklahoma         5115     227
3 Rodgers, Amari                      WR       Clemson           5094     211
10 Felton, Demetric                   WR       UCLA               5085     189
13 Fitzpatrick, Dez                     WR       Louisville           6021     202
84 Darby, Frank                        WR       Arizona State    6001     194
13 Smith, Shi                            WR       South Carolina 5100     186
75 Radunz, Dillon                      OL        North Dakota St   6055 304
72 Hainsey, Robert                    OL        Notre Dame      6044     302
55 Hudson, James                    OL        Cincinnati          6043     302

Defensive Players
5 Sample, Cam                         DL        Tulane             6026     274
92 Odighizuwa, Osa                  DL        UCLA               6020     280
96 Robinson, Janarius               LB        Florida State     6050     266
90 Jones, Patrick                       DL        Pittsburgh         6044     264
49 Graham, Ta’Quon                 DL        Texas               6030     290
55 Roche, Quincy                      DL        Miami               6027     243
33 Britt, KJ                                LB        Auburn             6001     239
47 Smith, Elerson                      LB        Northern Iowa   6064     262
55 Browning, Baron                   LB        Ohio State        6031     241
31 Robinson, Aaron                   CB        Central Florida 5114     190
25 St. Juste, Benjamin               CB        Minnesota         6033     200
8 Taylor, Keith                           CB        Washington       6023     191
27 Grant, Richie                        S          Central Florida 5115     8200