2015 NFL Mock Draft One: Picks #17-#32

This will be my first of several mock drafts I hope to do prior to the actual NFL Draft. I am a draft junkie, like many of you, and try to absorb and analyze every bit of data available to make the most logical picks for each team.

I would recommend using this first mock draft to gauge current college player’s value and NFL team’s needs. Inevitably, as the combine passes and free agency begins to take shape, we will see both of those become clearer. If you missed the first sixteen picks, make sure you check it out here.

1.17) San Diego Chargers – Ereck Flowers (OT, Miami)
Team Needs: HB, OLB, OG, OT

The Chargers don’t have any glaring needs but rather, have positions where they can upgrade to help propel them to the playoffs. While I was tempted to put either Todd Gurley or Melvin Gordon on the team, Flowers just makes too much sense here. There are needs at both left tackle and inside at guard and Flowers has the size (6’6”, 325 pounds) to play either for the Chargers. If last year’s first rounder D.J. Fluker is expected to remain on the right side, Flowers becomes less of a luxury and more of a need.

1.18) Kansas City – Landon Collins (S, Alabama)
Team Needs: S, WR, OG, CB

Kansas City has a few clear needs that have been masked by efficient quarterback play and a ferocious pass rush. A big need is a playmaker in their secondary after the loss of Eric Berry to his sudden lymphoma diagnosis. By drafting Collins, they get a player who is great playing in the box against the run and is the type of enforcer who is able to make receivers reconsider that pass over the middle. While he doesn’t have the coverage skills, the aforementioned pass rush should help mask some of those deficiencies, particularly in the deep field where he has been known to get beat.

1.19) Cleveland Browns – Malcom Brown (DT, Texas)
Team Needs: WR, DT, DE, ILB

[inlinead]By addressing the wide receiver with the earlier selection, the Browns have to look towards the defensive front seven. Ahtyba Rubin was a disappointment at the nose tackle spot and Brown is capable of sliding in and competing on the first day. He has the size (6’4”, 320 pounds) and is an active run stopper to improve what was the league’s worst run defense. However, if the team has lost faith in Phil Taylor, Brown should be able to move outside and play a 3-4 end spot and perform well. If they decide against Parker at 12, they could go for Devin Funchess or Jaelen Strong.

1.20) Philadelphia Eagles – Marcus Peters (CB, Washington)
Team Needs: CB, OLB, QB

Sorry Eagles fans, I don’t think they will be moving up to take Mariota in this draft. Now then, what they should be looking for is some help in coverage as their offensive scheme puts a lot of pressure on the position. In Peters, Philadelphia would get an equally talented and mercurial player. He plays the receiver and ball well in the air and is a strong tackler for the position. However, he was also suspended for a game early in the season for a sideline outburst before being dismissed by the team in November. If Peters can prove the attitude issues are behind him, this is a great match for everyone involved.

1.21) Cincinnati Bengals – Shaq Thompson (LB, Washington)
Team Needs: DE, ILB, DT, C

The Bengals need help on defense, it’s really that simple. With Ray Mauluga set to be a free agent and struggling through another incomplete season due to injury, Cincinnati could use an upgrade. Thompson is a difficult one to peg as he was successful both as a linebacker and a running back, pointing to his athleticism but also distracted him from focusing on one position. He could easily rise during the draft process and not be available for the Bengals, who would then look for the next best front seven player available.

1.22) Pittsburgh Steelers – Kevin Johnson (CB, Wake Forest)
Team Needs: CB, DE, S, OLB

To me, there is one need that stands significantly above the rest. The signing of Cortez Allen was a complete failure that saw his benching occur before the season ended so it wouldn’t surprise me to see the Steelers try and shore up the weakest point of their defense. With Johnson, they would get a pure cover corner who knows how to make plays on the ball (27 passes defended, six interceptions in last two seasons) and has the height (6’0”) to match up with most receivers. He does have a slight frame (175 pounds) but he will be in a city that knows how to make that rib-sticking food.

1.23) Detroit Lions – Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia)
Team Needs: OG, C, OLB, HB, DT

When looking at the draft pool and surveying the Lions’ needs, they are sitting in a spot where value is going to be difficult to match need. One player though who could meet both is Gurley as his torn ACL has dropped his stock enough to slide to a playoff caliber team like the Lions. While Joique Bell and Reggie Bush each have two more years left on their contracts, neither is a long-term option for the team. Letting Gurley rehab, then slowly transitioning him into the offense will lessen the risk. I could see the team opting for a defensive tackle if Nick Fairley and/or Ndamukong Suh leave via free agency.

1.24) Arizona Cardinals – Vic Beasley (DE/OLB, Clemson)
Team Needs: QB, OLB, HB, ILB, C

The Cardinals had an overachieving season, in large part due to their defense, and could go in several directions with their first round pick. In this instance, I see them looking for pass rush help as their secondary was not given a chance, instead letting quarterbacks sit in the pocket and wait for the eventual opening. By going after Beasley, Arizona gets a player with three straight seasons of at least eight sacks who is capable of replacing John Abraham. He could easily move up if he tests well (Beasley is listed at just 235 pounds) and could slide if teams think he is too small to be a defensive end in a 4-3 or an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme.

1.25) Carolina Panthers – Ronald Darby (CB, Florida State)
Team Needs: CB, WR, OT, HB

The Panthers have several key needs on offense, specifically upgrading their offensive tackles (left untouched after Jordan Gross’ departure last year) and the second wide receiver spot. However, it was their secondary that was the key culprit in many of their losses and will require multiple picks/free agents to improve, mostly thanks to the failings of Antoine Cason. Darby would be a good start as he is a cover corner that has been part of a championship level defense for the last two years. The track star speed (estimates have him in the high 4.3s) and good size (5’11”, 189 pounds) will make it possible for him to deal with either big receivers or speed-based pass catchers. They may be tempted by Devin Funchess or Dorial Green-Beckham if they are still around like in this draft.

1.26) Baltimore Ravens – Alex Carter (CB, Stanford)
Team Needs: CB, WR, HB, TE

This is an instance where I can see a playoff level team reaching for need, which is a bit unusual given that they are one of the premier believers in “best player available”. That being said, their pass defense after Jimmy Smith’s injury was atrocious and is a good reason to make an exception to the rule. Carter is a physical cornerback, similar to Smith, who will be able to play the run well and also jam receivers at the line with his size (6’0”, 200 pounds). He is experienced despite entering the draft as a junior, having played since he was a true freshman (eight starts that season). An intriguing option here could be Melvin Gordon if the Ravens don’t feel that Carter or any other cornerback is worth this selection.

1.27) Dallas Cowboys – Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin)
Team Needs: DE, HB, TE, S

There are some immediate needs like defensive end, and then there are some needs that are pre-emptive like running back. My gut feeling is that the Cowboys opt to resign Dez Bryant and worked DeMarco Murray to the bone knowing he is not getting a new contract with the team. Gordon seems like a natural fit here as a back capable of shouldering a heavy load right away while having the balance and speed to take advantage of the holes this offensive line creates. I could easily see the team going to defensive end but the talent drop at running back between here and their next pick is greater than what I envision for defensive end prospects.

1.28) Denver Broncos – Ty Sambrailo (OT, Colorado State)
Team Needs: ILB, OT, TE, QB

The Broncos are a complete team and can be unfairly criticized for being too reliant on Peyton Manning for success. They are a suffocating defense and a complete offense and have few needs that you could classify as “glaring”. The Broncos, in this position, could go for the best remaining offensive tackle in Sambrailo. He is capable of playing the left tackle spot as he is fluid with good feet. I question his strength some as a run blocker and could add some weight to slide inside to guard. This is a bit of a luxury pick for the Broncos but would add depth and provide insurance for a team so reliant on great offensive line play.

1.29) Indianapolis Colts – Jordan Phillips (DT, Oklahoma)
Team Needs: HB, OLB, DT, DE

While getting a running back would be nice, the Colts seem to be just fine making the most out of what they have available. Defense, however, has struggled with generating a pass rush and defending the run. In Phillips, the Colts would get a premier run stuffer who would free up the linebackers to make plays on the ball. His sheer size (6’6”, 335 pounds) belies his nimble feet and ability to disrupt the backfield. The other option here is to look for a pass rusher capable of playing the 3-4 opposite Bjorn Werner.

1.30) Green Bay Packers – Paul Dawson (LB, TCU)
Team Needs: DT, ILB, TE

The NFC championship game is a reminder as to how talented and how few holes this team has. There are several upgrades that can be made, specifically at positions designed to stop the run. Their most troublesome spot was at inside linebacker, where Clay Matthews was needed at the detriment of the Green Bay pass rush. In Dawson, the Packers would find an instinctual linebacker who always is there to make the play. He averaged a tackle every 5.3 snaps for TCU in 2014 so the nose for the ball is there. Some attitude issues have cropped up and he is a little undersized (6’2”, 230 pounds) for inside linebacker. If any team can help correct these problems, it is the Packers. They could look at defensive tackle options as well, especially if Phillips slips to them.

1.31) New England Patriots – Devin Funchess (WR/TE, Michigan)
Team Needs: WR, OG, DT

The Patriots had more issues with injury this year than they had with lack of talent. Because of that, they can go for a player who has slipped (in my eyes) in this draft and also fills a secondary need. Funchess makes too much sense here as the Patriots could have what they thought Tim Wright was going to be when they traded for him. He excelled as a tight end before making the switch to wide receiver this past season. The height (6’5”) and ability to high point a ball is something missing alongside Rob Gronkowski. Funchess does have issues with drops and catching into his body but how much of that was a result of poor quarterback play at Michigan is difficult to say.

1.32) Seattle Seahawks – Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State)
Team Needs: WR, DT, OG

The needs of both Super Bowl teams appear to be quite similar. Seattle could use some help at wide receiver, as the NFC championship game showed, and injecting some height and talent will help Russell Wilson. While Strong has been questioned on his speed, his game is predicated on using his size (6’3”, 215 pounds) to gain separation. He has a unique ability to get after contested throws and can be an asset in the intermediate game. Strong would be a perfect complement to 2014 rookie Paul Richardson and leading receiver Doug Baldwin. Another option would be to draft a defensive tackle like Arik Armstead to add to their frontline rotation.

I hope you enjoyed the first mock draft of the season and welcome comments and suggestions for future editions.

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