Preseason 2015 NFL Mock Draft

Posted by Brad On May – 21 – 2014
"Devonte Fields"

Jerome Miron-US PRESSWIRE

17. Cincinnati Bengals – Devonte Fields, DE, TCU

The Bengals lost Michael Johnson to free agency, which could prove to be a bigger than anticipated hole to fill. Fields has top 10 talent but his off-the-field issues could keep him in the back half of the first round.

18. Atlanta Falcons – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

The Falcons need a bellcow back to take some of the pressure off Matt Ryan and the passing game. They find one down the street in Todd Gurley. Gurley is a punishing runner at 230+ pounds but has the feet to make him the first RB taken in this talented class.

19. Arizona Cardinals – Noah Spence, Edge Rusher, Ohio State

Spence has elite get-off and could be a perfect transition to standup edge rusher in Arizona’s scheme. John Abraham’s contract is up and likely won’t return due to being 37-years old next season.

20. Carolina Panthers – Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State

I’m not sold on Erving as a first rounder at this point. He’s made the transition from DT but still requires some technique refinement before he can be considered a top flight tackle prospect. That said, Carolina NEEDS a tackle in the worst of ways.

21. Baltimore Ravens – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Steve Smith may be a stopgap at the receiver position but Baltimore would be wise to start looking long-term. Strong is a huge target at over 6-foot-3 and really emerged from the JUCO ranks as one of the top WR prospects in the country last season. Expect to hear a ton of buzz on Strong as the draft process takes shape and he may emerge as the top receiver in this draft.

22. Kansas City Chiefs – Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford

KC avoided the WR market during draft weekend, making it a priority for 2015. Montgomery is a big target that quietly has put up some great numbers in Palo Alto. With Kevin Hogan at the helm, expect another big season in 2013 and for him to start the hype train heading into the draft.

23. Philadelphia Eagles – P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

The Eagles nabbed Jaylen Watkins in the 2014 NFL Draft but CB still remains a high priority heading into the season with Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher penciled in as starters. Williams has the length and athleticism that Chip Kelly seeks at the position.

24. Chicago Bears – Nelson Agholor, WR, USC

The Bears roster is in pretty good shape, so they take a guy to add to the offensive firepower. With Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall locked in, they could use Agholor as a dangerous slot option for Jay Cutler.

25. Pittsburgh Steelers – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

The Steelers didn’t take a corner in the draft until the 157th selection – much to my surprise. I think this becomes a huge need as the season wears on. Waynes is a solid value at 25, so it’s not a reach for the Steelers to snag him here.

26. New Orleans Saints – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

The Saints are likely to part ways with Mark Ingram after this season – who knows maybe he’s cut prior to this season. That leaves Pierre Thomas, who will turn 30 this season and may not be back if he doesn’t produce this season. Gordon gives the Saints some much needed juice in the backfield and adds another dimension to this offense.

27. Indianapolis Colts – Bernardrick McKinney, OLB, Mississippi State

McKinney is a freak. At 6-foot-5, 255 pounds McKinney has the athleticism to push himself up draft boards. Indy boasts an aging but still productive Robert Mathis, Erik Walden, and Bjoern Werner as rush linebackers. The combo of Walden and Werner may need upgrading if they don’t produce this season.

28. Green Bay Packers – Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor

No clue where Oakman goes but his combination of size, speed, and strength is sure to intrigue teams as high as the top 10. The bad news is that Oakman has very little film due to being used sparingly thus far. If he breaks out in 2014, expect his name to be called early. This is a very un-Ted Thompson pick, but I anticipate he won’t be around for this possibility.

29. San Francisco 49ers – Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

Alex Carter is a guy that has caught my eye on some initial takes on 2015 prospects. With NFL size and physicality, expect him to draw interest if he performs well in 2014 and enters the draft. The Niners drafted Jimmie Ward to handle slot corner duties and eventually work into the safety rotation. That said, the talent and depth at the CB position could be a sore spot for the Niners, so they should look locally for an answer at the CB position.

30. New England Patriots – Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

I expected New England to target an end that could take some of the heavy workload off Ninkovich and Jones. They didn’t. Equally I expect Fowler to be off the board way before the 30th pick. This would be a dream scenario for Bill Belichick if he can score Fowler this low in the first.

31. Denver Broncos – Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami

Perryman is one of my early favorites for an official draft crush. He’s a bit undersized but makes plays all over the field for Miami. If he’s still around this late in the first, he’s a steal in my book.

32. Seattle Seahawks – Josh Shaw, CB, USC

Shaw brings that Seattle size and versatility to the defensive backfield. Shaw has played free safety and corner at USC after transferring from Florida. I think Shaw has the goods to stay a corner in a league looking to get bigger at the position but is also a nice fallback option at safety.

  • Reggie

    If this did happen as a Lion fan I would like Ifo Ekpre Olumu…you are not doing rankings your self but if we picked 11th Caldwell would be in some heat. As a Spartan fan I would be happy/sad that so many left early but that would be a sign we are going to Elite status. Calhoun is a beast and will be a top 20 selection. Waynes and Cook have 1st Round ability so we shall see. I like both players a lot and even think Langford has top 4 Round ability at RB and Kurts Drummond as well in Round 2/3

    • bradc11

      I can’t see the Lions picking this early next year…good news for you Reg. I see them as a borderline playoff team. I’d have to think they’ll look for a top flight CB in 2015. So Ifo makes a ton of sense this early. I spent a day at MSU this spring…Cooks looks great and Drummond was a guy that I loved walking away. I didn’t spend a lot of time on either line, so I can’t give much on Calhoun and Langford wasn’t practicing the day I was there. Overall, they are going to be really strong and wouldn’t be surprised if they were on top when it’s all said and done in the Big 10. That said, my Buckeyes looked damn good…that defense is sorting things out and looked really fast.

      • Reggie

        MSU and Ohio State will be down to the wire…Ohio State might have the initial edge since it seems they are returning more. MSU lost a lot of Seniors and though their talent wasn’t as elite as the ones replacing them there is no substitution for experience. Guys like Allen, Bullough, Hoover, Lewis, and Dennard were winners who went through good and bad. I think the offense will be better but the defense will take a small step back. Drummond is the best safety Dantonio has had. I also love the intangibles of Connor Cook. Guy is calm and has the ability to keep eyes down field under pressure which is a very under rated ability.

        Go Lions!! Go Browns!!

  • Bex_r1986

    I’m very underwhelmed with a number of the “bigger names” already this year, and I think I’m getting slightly better these days as taking players as I see them. Of course there is a full season of potential improvement to be potentially had at this way too early stage but none-the less:

    Andrus Peat – Don’t rate him at all at this stage. Ends up on the ground way too much, not impressed with body control and balance. When faced with speed rushers he loses co-ordination badly, and technique goes out the window. At this stage he has size, but not much else. I’m reminded with Kouandjio at this point – high reputation, but doesn’t back it up, and unless he improves he’s a second round guy.

    Bryce Petty – Yes, plenty numbers, but I don’t think he has the intangibles and leadership qualities. The Stanford game last year is an example of where he worked himself up too much and lost his game big time, and it showed. Same again in that he has time to improve, but I only see a 3rd round guy at this stage.

    Brett Hundley – Reminds me of Tajh Boyd in some ways. I’m not buying his overall game and ability to decipher and exploit defences. Great athlete in college and big playmaker at this level but not sold that his game translates. Boyd was to a lot of people a consensus top 10 pick at this time last year who ended up in the 6th round. I don’t see quite that level of drop with Hundley, but I’m not sold on his all round game and IQ to give him more than a 2nd round grade at this point.

    Just some early thoughts of course, we all agree that these are early days! But still, I need some convincing on a lot of these top guys in the coming season…

    • bradc11

      Bex,

      I haven’t focused at all on any of the 2015 guys. Just now getting around to checking out a handful of these guys. I did head to 9 spring practices this year and will have a report up soon on some of my takes. I will say the times I watched Stanford, I liked what I saw from Peat. Opposite for Hundley…all the physical tools but his accuracy and decision making were abysmal at times. Again these are all my perspectives as a fan as I haven’t looked at these guys in detail. I do have some good stuff from my spring trips. It should be out in June at some point.

    • JudgeMaggie

      Bryce Petty doesn’t have the leadership or intangibles? Based upon the Stanford game? Really? The last time Baylor played Stanford was … NEVER. You’ve probably seen the guy play one game, and YOU DON’T EVEN KNOW WHO HE PLAYED. Or worse, you’ve got him confused with someone who plays in the Pac-12. So I’m thinking that Brett Hundley isn’t sold on your IQ either, nimrod.

  • Bex_r1986

    Totally with you on Ty Montgomery and Josh Shaw though, especially Shaw. I thought he has a superb all round game, think he has some comparisons to Kyle Fuller in his all round game and versatility. With a good year I see him going high as well :)

  • Duncan

    If you have the Bills 1st round pick at 4 one of two things happened: EJ turned out to be a bust and the Bills are screwed for another two years until they get another shot at a QB, or EJ is injury prone and the Bills are screwed for another two years until they get another shot at a QB. Either way, the outcome is not in favor of the Bills long time prospects.

    I personally don’t think that EJ is the guy for Buffalo, (can’t fix accuracy unfortunately) but I’m PRAYING that he proves me wrong and becomes the franchise guy. Hopefully Watkins can help Manuel in his endeavor

  • Phi Nguyen

    You got to be kidding with Conner Cook.So far, no way he is a 1st rounder. 2-3 round is ideal.You should look at Oregon State QB Sean Mannion, he has a lot of potential.And if Bryce Petty is getting criticized due to his offense, then so should Marcus Mariota (not bashing them at all, they are sure 1st rounders, Mariota more).I hope Hundley will mature and improve. I would love for the Texans to get any of these Qbs(mostly Qb Marcus Mariota) .Though, Sean Mannion is would need to be traded back to get him, he’s a late 1st rounder (22-32)

  • michael lindsay

    This draft order is seriously screwed up Bengals drafting way later than 17 Who Dey!!!