17. Seattle Seahawks – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Seattle has proven not afraid to pull the trigger on OL in the early rounds and this one comes down to value. All that is not say that OL isn’t a need for this team because it is but maybe not the biggest. Scherff may be best suited inside but he’s a guy you draft and figure out later.
18. Miami Dolphins – Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi St.
Ryan Tannehill’s inconsistency has many Dolphins fans hoping for a change at the position. Let’s hold off on that – for now. Dolphins fans should be concerned with the defense as they have some major holes now (LB/CB) and in the future (DL). McKinney can be what they thought they were getting when they (over)paid Dannell Ellerbe.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
I’ve been calling for Pittsburgh to take a CB early for two years and it hasn’t happened. I will continue throughout the 2015 draft process to trumpet the need. The only need I could argue more than CB is LT and Sambrailo gave me some hesitancy with this pick. That said, Waynes is the tall corner they need to replace Ike Taylor.
20. Baltimore Ravens – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Ray Rice is toxic at this point and his days are surely numbered in Baltimore (and the NFL for the foreseeable future). Having Todd Gurley fall into their laps at the 20th spot is a blessing. It seems that Ozzie Newsome has a knack for being in the right place at the right time when it comes to the draft. Gurley gives Joe Flacco and this offense the firepower it once had with Ray Rice – not good for the rest of the AFC North.
21. Carolina Panthers – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The Panthers desperately need to upgrade the defensive backfield this offseason. Olomu doesn’t have the prototypical size that NFL teams covet but he checks most of the other boxes. Jason Verrett slid due to size concerns and that has turned out alright for the Chargers – I see a similar future for the Panthers if Olomu makes it down their way.
22. Green Bay Packers, Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
If the Packers doubled up at the LB spot in rounds 1 & 2 you wouldn’t hear a peep out of me. Perryman may not fit the size prototype for LB’s but his game is as good as they come. He’s an athletic guy that is a force in the run game. Just what Ted Thompson ordered for the middle of this defense.
23. San Diego Chargers – Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado St.
Philip Rivers has been amazing, especially considering the so-so play of the guys in front of him. The interior of the OL needs help as well as LT. Sambrailo may lack the strength to bully people in the run game but his feet are good enough to step in day one at LT and serve as an upgrade over King Dunlap.
24. Cleveland Browns f/BUF – Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Who would have thought the Bills would be a playoff team through 7 weeks of the season? Not me. I had them pegged as a bottom feeder. Credit to Doug Marrone and Co. for having a team led by Kyle Orton competing in the AFC East. Too bad for the Browns. Going into the season, everyone thought the strength of this Browns team was their DL. Thus far, that hasn’t been the case. Ahtyba Rubin is a free agent and Phil Taylor hasn’t lived up to expectations making Danny Shelton a logical pick at this point. It’s tough finding 330 pounders that can move like Shelton.
25. Indianapolis Colts – AJ Cann, OG, South Carolina
Let me start this one by saying I’ve watched three SC games this year. In all three I’ve been glued to the interior OL and AJ Cann. Indy needs help on the interior of their offensive line and Cann has first round ability.
26. Cincinnati Bengals – Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
It’s clear watching the Bengals that front seven help is needed. Bud Dupree gives them a versatile guy that can rush the passer and is more than adequate at stopping the run.
27. Philadelphia Eagles – PJ Williams, CB, FSU
I could make the argument that CB is the two biggest needs for this team. I’m not sure anyone could argue against that. PJ Williams has the length and athleticism that Chip Kelly covets on the defensive side of the ball and fills their biggest need – no brainer pick in my book.
28. Detroit Lions – Eddie Goldman, DT, FSU
The DT spot is up in the air for 2015. With Suh and Fairley’s deals set to expire, they will have to make some tough choices. If they think Caraun Reid is ready to step in and contribute they could look at an interior OL here. I’ll work under the assumption that one of Fairley or Suh is gone and Reid isn’t ready for the spotlight. Eddie Goldman has officially lived up to the hype this season and worked his way into a legit first round prospect on the way.
29. New England Patriots – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
A player in the defensive front seven makes a ton of sense but I don’t see anyone on the board that really is a great value and fits their scheme. So why not add a big receiver for Tom Brady. Strong has some holes but his physical gifts are undeniable.
30. Dallas Cowboys – La’el Collins, OT, LSU
Here me out on this one Cowboys fans. I know OL is a strength of this team but the depth isn’t there yet. If Doug Free is not back, RT becomes a major need area for this team. Let’s make it four out of five years for a first round OL. Collins can step in immediately at LT and/or provide help on the interior in a pinch.
31. Arizona Cardinals – Dante Fowler, Rush LB, Florida
The Cardinals should be targeting a front seven defender early and often in this draft. Fowler gives them a significant upgrade over the trio of Sam Acho, Matt Shaughnessy, and Alex Okafor.
32. Denver Broncos – Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan St.
The Broncos are in a spot to take a pure value pick and Calhoun offers a boatload of value at this point. They could use a MLB and Eric Kendricks is someone that I like but Calhoun gives them a pass rusher that could a stud in the long-term.
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