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2015 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

Posted by Brad On October – 29 – 2014

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

"Todd Gurley"

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

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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  • Braeden

    Yes! He’s back! Glad to see new content up on the site, it’s been missed. This site gives some of the better draft analysis out there. As a patriots fan, I love the Jaelen Strong pick, and that was who I have them taking in my mock (granted my homerism makes me mock them at 32 until they absolutely aren’t going to be picked there, even if it’s not logical to some people), Brady needs a top flight receiver and Strong is a guy that could be special. He’s a specimen and with Brady showing him the ropes, he could grow into a stud. If Brady can throw 14 touchdowns without a pick in a 4 game stretch with Brandon Lafell as his ‘elite outside receiving threat’, I’d love to see what he could do with a young stud, since he hasn’t had an outside receiving threat since Moss. There have been times the past two years where I thought to myself, “I bet Moss keeps himself in good shape and is still fast like he was, maybe we should bring him back…”, when you want a 37 year old receiver who has been irrelevant and out of the league for 3 years to come back because he’d be the best receiver on your team (sans healthy Gronk), you have a problem at the receiver position. Too bad belichick would never make that pick, he will probably take an injured defensive tackle who won’t see significant playing time until week 8 or a backup quarterback again (I hated our 2014 draft).

    I’ve been joking around that the Jets will take Winston and he will be the next Jamarcus Russell (not a Winston fan, nor a Jets fan), because that’s just what happens, it’s the jets.

    I’m also a Glennon supporter, but he has been up and down this year, and the Bucs want a guy who can contribute now at that position, since that roster, when healthy, is probably good enough to compete for a playoff spot with even a serviceable guy under center every week. I would love to see Glennon get a shot in Houston, O’Brien (O’Brian?) is a good QB coach, and that roster is ready to compete for titles with a good QB. When Schaub was still good for a couple years they were near the top of the AFC, and they could get back there if Ryan Fitzpatrick’s beard wasn’t bigger than his resumé and smaller than his paycheck as a starting QB.

    I’m a big Connor Cook fan myself. I haven’t watched all of his tape yet, but he looks good in what I have seen and he has all the physical tools.

    Atlanta frustrates me, because they should be better than they are. Offensively, they’re offensive line still needs work, and defensively they are awful, but a team that scores the way they [should] score, should still be able to win 8 or 9 games and compete for the division in a year when the Saints and Panthers are leading the division with 3 win records. I think they clean house this year, hire a new coach and GM, and start committing to a defense first mindset. If they have a high pick, they should trade down, acquire more choices, and build up depth, while still getting one of the later first round pass rushers. There will be a demand to trade up for Connor Cook I think, especially a team like Arizona (Carson Palmer isn’t getting any younger), or Houston (Fitzy’s beard is still bigger than his resumé), who doesn’t have a QB for the future because of talent elsewhere.

    I think RG3 is done, at least in Washington. In my opinion they should ride Colt McCoy (been driving the Camp Colt bandwagon since week 6 of 2010 when he beat the saints and patriots in back to back weeks before getting a concussion vs. the steelers), and regroup next year and look to find the answer at QB. Griffin can’t stay healthy. He’s torn his ACL twice times (once in college, which people forget), sprained his LCL, and a dislocated ankle already. These aren’t just a bunch freak injuries. This is because he is small guy for a QB (not necessarily short, but he’s built like a runner, with longer, skinnier limbs, which don’t hold up to the punishment of getting hit as easily, and add in the fact that he gets hit, a lot, he’s an injury waiting to happen).

    Solid draft overall, though to me Gurley is better than the 20th prospect for sure, he’s one of the best skill position players I’ve ever seen (granted I’ve only been following the draft since 2010), and a top 5 talent. Maybe the off field concern and the suspension will drop him, but I don’t see him falling very far past the top 12.

    • bradc11

      Braeden,

      It’s good to be back and hearing from you. I think it’s time BB pulls the trigger on an early receiver and Strong is a guy that could be a great fit for Tom Terrific to ride into the sunset with.

      I’m with you on Bill O’Brien. It would be perfect for Glennon to land in HOU with BOB…I’d personally love to see that one happen. Cook is a guy that I think someone needs to be patient with at first. I don’t think he’s a guy you can rush in and play right away. A year of sitting behind a veteran would be optimal…although unlikely.

      I can’t get on the Colt bandwagon. I’ve too often (as a Browns fan) been fooled by the magic Colt is capable of bringing. I’m going to ride with RGIII for a little while longer. Injuries aside, he brings a lot to the position that others can’t/don’t.

      I agree on Gurley…he’s in my top 10 (maybe top 5 if I recall). Huge fan but I couldn’t find a match that made sense to me in the draft. Considered Minnesota but they really need an impact defender in that LB corps. A little thought to NYG but too many other needs to address the RB position. He’s a steal if he makes it out of the top 15. I don’t see the suspension affecting him at all – maybe a positive in NFL eyes as the missed time = less punishment.

      Good hearing from you!

      • Braeden

        I hope you’re right about the patriots, it would be the right thing to do to do right by Brady and send him into his swan song with a good set of weapons to go after a title with.

  • Reggie

    Welcome Back!!! Lions at 28th would be worth celebrating. DT could be a need we will have to wait and see. I do think two players at that point would also be hard not to take…Melvin Gordon would give us that elite RB we have waited for since Barry Sanders but I know RB is a devalued position but with his speed he is worth it….also La’El Collins would be hard not to take since he could play RT or LG right off the bat…maybe push Reiff to RT in time.

    GO Lions and Go Browns. Look forward to the MSU vs Ohio State game in 2 weeks

    • bradc11

      I really debated an OL for the Lions but opted for the DT with the unknown at this point. If the Lions end up drafting at 28, I know you won’t be all too worried about the draft.

      I’m not looking as forward to the MSU v. OSU game…I think Sparty may best us again this year. This OSU team is a good year away from being really competitive. Good being back and hearing from you. I will be making spot appearances until about Combine time…then I’ll be back at it.

      • Reggie

        Lions are in a quandary with Suh and Fairley. I hate spending that much on a DT but now that our defense is good I do not see the benefeit of letting them go. Fairley’s injury should make a short term contract possible. I do not think the Lions let Suh go if we make the playoffs.

        This MSU team is not as good as last years….defense can be exposed in the deep pass game…Cook can battle inconsistencies from time to time. It is at MSU so I will give them the edge but if it was at OSU I would not.

        I am confused at the Lions OL…all of them have regressed. What is going on? I hope once Calvin comes back the defense has to play less men in the box.

        • bradc11

          I would hate to see the Lions let one of them go. I haven’t watched enough of the Lions to gauge what is going on up front. The one game I focused on (think it was against the Panthers), they were getting dominated on the interior of the OL. La’el would be a nice upgrade with his versatility to play tackle or guard.

          OSU has struggled mightily against even mediocre defenses. Teams that can control their run game, all but shut down the offense as much of the pass game relies on and plays off the zone read. The defense is playing much better the last couple of weeks, so I’m hopeful they are finally putting it together. This should be a fairly close game with the defenses winning the day. I think the home turf plays a major role in this one and could be the difference in a close game.

  • Profetta

    I think that you could be underrating Shawn Oakman and Eddie Goldman. Leonard Williams might be the best college player available in this draft, but Oakman is the best pure prospect. Oakman’s size/speed combo is almost incomprehensible – he’ll undoubtedly be the star of the Combine. If guys like Ziggy Ansah and Dion Jordan can pop off in the top ten, then Oakman has to be considered at #1 overall, IMO. Goldman has quietly emerged as a legit force. Assuming Jordan Phillips doesn’t come out, there’s a pretty steep drop-off from Goldman to the second tier of DTs. He’ll be a valuable commodity come draft day. I doubt he escapes the top 15. Here’s my (way too early) take on the top 20, for what it’s worth:

    1 OAK DE S. Oakman
    2 JAX DT/DE L. Williams
    3 NYJ QB J. Winston
    4 TB QB M. Mariota
    5 TEN DE/OLB R. Gregory
    6 ATL OLB S. Ray
    7 WAS DT E. Goldman
    8 CHI OLB S. Thompson
    9 NYG S L. Collins
    10 SL RB T. Gurley
    11 CAR WR A. Cooper
    12 HOU OG/OT L. Collins
    13 MIN DE D. Fowler
    14 SF WR D. Parker
    15 SD OT/OG B. Scherff
    16 BAL WR D. Green-Beckham
    17 CIN DE A. Dupree
    18 MIA CB T. Waynes
    19 CLE WR/TE D. Funchess
    20 SEA OLB V. Beasley