DLF NFL Mock Draft: 11-20

Eric Olinger

cooks

Last week we took our shots at predicting the first ten picks of the upcoming NFL Draft and just like every other mock out there, there wasn’t a consensus top ten. Now we’re back and trying to pin down picks 11-20. Feel free to comment below and discuss the picks with us on Twitter too, @TheFFGhost, @EDH_27, and @OlingerIDP.

11) Tennessee Titans

Eric O. – C.J. Mosley, LB ALA

“Mosley would be a monster in Ray Horton’s defense. He would step into the Daryl Washington/D’Qwell Jackson role as a player who can do it all. His ability to blitz, as well as cover, makes him a dream for defensive coordinators and IDPers alike. If they’re looking for an edge rusher, Anthony Barr makes a lot of sense, too.”

Eric H. – Khalil Mack, LB BUF

“The 20th ranked rushing defense in 2013 simply needs better playmakers in the front seven.  Mack could also help increase the paltry 36 sacks collected by Tennessee last season.”

Ghost – Anthony Barr, LB UCLA

“Tennessee has had significant problems pressuring the quarterback in recent years. Barr should be an immediate upgrade and will take some pressure off of their secondary.”

12) New York Giants

Eric O. – Zack Martin, OT ND

“The Giants have to re-load up front and Martin’s versatility is what lands him in the Big Apple. He has the ability to effectively play all five positions on the offensive line. Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix is another strong possibility but I don’t think they can pass on offensive line help here.”

Eric H. – Mike Evans, WR TEX A&M

“There’s a great chance he won’t make it this far, but if he does New York would be smart to snap him up.  With the departure of Hakeem Nicks, Victor Cruz is the only receiver in town that has proven something – Eli Manning needs the help.”

Ghost – Xavier Su’a-Filo, OG UCLA

“The lack of a running game in New York was a huge problem last season. Key to this issue was a distinct lack of blocking. Due to the fact that they couldn’t run the ball the Giants were forced to pass more than they preferred. The problem with that was New York wasn’t too good at pass blocking either!” 

13) St. Louis Rams

Eric O. – Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S ALA

“The Rams would love to come out of this draft with a top tackle and the best safety available. Overall, this roster is being built the right way. As long as Sam Bradford can stay healthy and live up to expectations this team has enough fire power on offense to compete with anyone. Adding an elite playmaker on the backend to support a great front seven would make Jeff Fisher a happy man.”

Eric H. – Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S ALA

If the Rams can indeed land the pair of Greg Robinson (#2) and Clinton-Dix, they will have arguably landed the premier talents at their biggest positions of need.  Dix is likely a day one starter for St. Louis.”

Ghost – Ha-Ha Clinton-Dix, S ALA

“The Rams defense has been growing in strength at a very steady pace of the past few season. One of the few remaining holes is a solid free safety so they decide to address that issue with the best free safety in the draft.”

14) Chicago Bears

Eric O. – Louis Nix, DT ND

“It’s been a while since we saw the Bears’ defense get thrown around and abused as often as we did in 2013. Adding a beefcake like Nix to the middle of this soft defense would go a long way to keeping linemen out of the second level. He’s not just a fat boy who can occupy blocks either, as he has the ability to rush the passer from the interior.”

Eric H. – Aaron Donald, DT PITT

“Defense, defense, defense.  The Bears gave up a staggering 161.4 rush yards per game in 2013, and lost Henry Melton in free agency.  Simply put, they can’t avoid this glaring hole.”

Ghost – Ra’Shede Hageman, DT MINN

“Melton’s departure requires an immediate replacement so the Bears go with the most solid pure defensive tackle in Hageman.”

15) Pittsburgh Steelers

Eric O. – Mike Evans, WR TEX A&M

“Evans’ stock is soaring at the moment and the odds of him hanging around to pick 15 are slim, but if he does, the Steelers will finally give Ben Roethlisberger the big, physical target he’s been lacking since Plaxico Burress left the Steel City.”

Eric H. – Eric Ebron, TE UNC

“Ebron would provide a great complement to do-it-all tight end Heath Miller, as well as afford quarterback Ben Roethlisberger another weapon in addition to Antonio Brown (and maybe Markus Wheaton).  Pittsburgh has need of a bigger body, and none of the available receivers make sense at this time.”

Ghost – Justin Gilbert, CB OK ST

“Pittsburgh’s secondary is aging and desperately needs an infusion of young, talented players. Gilbert should help get their defensive unit off the field a few plays earlier than last season.”

16) Dallas Cowboys

Eric O. – Aaron Donald, DT PITT

“Injuries and a lack of talent made the Cowboys’ transition to a 4-3 defense painful. Buttery soft up the middle, the Cowboys were exploited week in and week out. Adding a smart, hardworking player like Donald would go a long way after blowing up the Senior Bowl and impressing at the NFL Combine.”

Eric H. – Taylor Lewan, OT MICH

Selecting Lewan here would allow Dallas to shift Doug Free to his more natural guard position.  Center Travis Frederick was a revelation as a rookie, but the Cowboys still have work to do on the offensive line.”

Ghost – Scott Crichton, DE ORE ST

“After losing Ware to free agency Dallas will recognize that defensive end will be a sore spot of need. Crichton could, quite conceivably, be an upgrade over Ware in fairly quick time.”

17) Baltimore Ravens

Eric O. – Odell Beckham, Jr., WR LSU

“Adding talent to this offense is a must. Joe Flacco needs elite talent around him for this offense to thrive. Adding OBJ to Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Dennis Pitta would do just that. Allowing him to learn from Steve Smith, one of game’s best deep ball receivers of the last decade, would be a great idea too.”

Eric H. – Odell Beckham Jr., WR LSU

The Baltimore passing game simply lacks dynamic behind burner Torrey Smith.  A healthy Dennis Pitta helps, but veteran Steve Smith is no more than a stopgap – the Ravens need an influx of young receiving talent.”

Ghost – Taylor Lewan, OT MICH

“Baltimore lost Oher to free agency and needs to keep their franchise quarterback upright so Lewan makes the most sense here. While wide receiver is also needed the class is very deep so expect them to stock up later in the draft.”

18) New York Jets

Eric O. – Brandin Cooks, WR ORE ST

“The Jets added Eric Decker in free agency but they’re in no way finished addressing the team’s group of pass catchers. Adding Cooks would be a phenomenal start and a huge help to Geno Smith. Cooks’ ability to line up anywhere will create match-up problems but his ability to get deep and create separation is what will make this a great match.”

Eric H. – Brandin Cooks, WR ORE ST

See Baltimore above.  Despite his diminutive stature, Cooks can win contested catches down the field and has speed to burn.  He’ll be a great complement to newly signed Eric Decker, kicking Jeremy Kerley into the slot.”

Ghost – Jason Verrett, CB TCU

“The Jets were giving up right around 250 passing yards to opponents last season and that was before they lost their best cornerback in Antonio Cromartie. Verrett will immediately step in and help bring that total down.”

19) Miami Dolphins

Eric O. – David Yankey, OG STAN

“The Dolphins are looking to re-tool their offensive line after the Richie Incognito/Jonathan Martin fiasco. Adding Yankey to the right side after signing Branden Albert will help. He can play both right guard and right tackle. The more versatile linemen the Dolphins can acquire the better. Ryan Tannehill cannot continue getting destroyed.”

Eric H. – Zack Martin, G/T ND

Talent meets need.  The addition of free agent Branden Albert helps a beleaguered Miami line, but they still need interior help – Martin is the best in the draft.”

Ghost – Cyrus Kouandjio, OT ALA

“It’s not news that Miami suffered a double blow to its offensive line when it lost Martin and Incognito. Kouandjio is a beast of a man and could help soften that blow next season.”

20) Arizona Cardinals

Eric O. – Justin Gilbert, CB OK ST

“Pairing Gilbert with Patrick Peterson would give Arizona a devastating tandem at cornerback. His size, speed and ball skills closely resemble Peterson. If any of the top offensive linemen are still available expect the Cardinals to address the position. Selecting Anthony Barr to address the pass rushing need is another possibility.” 

Eric H. – Derek Carr, QB FRESNO ST

Carson Palmer isn’t going to last forever.  Carr could red-shirt during his rookie season and then potentially function as the 2015 starter.”

Ghost – Kony Ealy, DE MIZZ

“The Cardinals secondary is pretty dang solid but it could be even more dangerous if the Cardinals could put a little more pressure on the quarterback. Ealy could see some early time in a rotation as soon as this season.”

So, what do you think about these predictions?  Post your comments and feel free to make your own predictions below.

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