Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft (Round Two, Picks 49-64)

George Kritikos

coleman

Nick Whalen and George Kritikos recently completed a two round NFL mock draft after the combine in Indianapolis. Many selections will change after free agency concludes, but below are the final results with Nick Whalen making all the post-combine odd-numbered choices and George Kritikos taking the even-numbered selections. We’ve brought you the complete 6,000 word, two round mock draft all week and hope you’ve enjoyed it.

49.) Kansas City Chiefs: Denzel Perryman, LB Miami
Previous pick: Landon Collins

Two rounds into the draft and no receiver for the Chiefs? Let’s also be honest – Alex Smith can’t throw downfield anyway. So why put an Olympic sprinter in the shot put? Kansas City has a good formula to win football games and it’s worked recently – run the football and play really good defense. Perryman dropped in the draft due to his combine, but he’s a good football player who can step in right away to help this team. Derrick Johnson tore his achilles and we don’t even know if he will recover 100% from that injury.

50.) Buffalo Bills: Tevin Coleman, RB Indiana
Previous pick: None

While C.J. Spiller was never used effectively, he was still an offensive threat and the team is likely going to see him leave in free agency. Getting Coleman will provide another speed back for the Bills and an explosive playmaker who can open up a few passing lanes for E.J. Manuel. While a quarterback would have been ideal, there is no one at this point who could challenge Manuel and I suspect free agency will be their route to provide competition this off-season.

51.) Houston Texans: Byron Jones, CB UCONN
Previous pick: Shane Ray

Byron Jones lit up the combine. He broke the combine record for the broad jump, which is a great accomplishment. But when I tell you he broke it by eight inches, that’s amazing! He’s rising up draft boards due to his athleticism and Houston may have a hole here if Kareem Jackson leaves during free agency. With a dominating defensive front, pairing an athletic defensive back could take this defense to another level.

52.) Philadelphia Eagles: Devin Funchess, WR/TE Michigan
Previous pick: Kevin Johnson

Surprise, surprise! The Eagles may need a receiver with Jeremy Maclin a free agent and Riley Cooper being a slug. Jokes aside, if anyone can figure out how to use Funchess, it is Chip Kelly. Funchess is able to play outside and be that red zone threat the team lacks or move to tight end and play more of an inside role. He seems to fight the ball, either struggling to catch it cleanly or simply letting his body do the work. Kelly likes to have a downfield threat (that’s Jordan Matthews) and another possession player to work the intermediate field, which is where Funchess could thrive.

53.) Cincinnati Bengals: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE UCLA
Previous pick: La’el Collins

The Bengals are hoping Tampa Bay releases Michael Johnson and they can grab him. But if that doesn’t happen, Odighizuwa is a perfect fit at defensive end. They lacked pass rush last season and it cost their defense.

54.) Detroit Lions: Ameer Abdullah, RB Nebraska
Previous pick: Malcolm Brown

I know the Lions have claimed their love for Theo Riddick, but this smells too much like Lance Dunbar for my liking. Joique Bell is not a long-term answer there while Riddick is no more than a gadget back. Enter Abdullah, the diminutive back (5’9”, 205 lbs) who has the looks of a three-down runner given his natural receiving ability and explosive running. The Lions are the perfect fit to monitor his workload but give him the chance to shine in a feature role. I envision a more talented Andre Ellington.

55.) Arizona Cardinals: Quinten Rollins, CB Miami Ohio
Previous pick: Arik Armstead

Rollins is a very raw player who was a four year basketball player and decided to give football another shot last season. He didn’t play since high school and became the MAC defensive player of the year. Rollins is still raw, but shows the ball skills to be a solid corner in the NFL. Arizona likely will lose Antonio Cromartie and needs help filling that gap.

56.) Pittsburgh Steelers: A.J. Cann, OG South Carolina
Previous pick: Jalen Collins

[inlinead]The Steelers have invested repeatedly in their offensive line and it has paid out handsomely. In Cann, they would be able to shore up the left guard spot and provide Le’Veon Bell with another run-mauling blocker. He fits he Steelers’ profile of smart, disciplined linemen as he has four years of starting experience in the SEC and is best suited for the type of power scheme run in Pittsburgh. This is a pick that will help Bell long-term and if Cann is able to improve his pass protection, Ben Roethlisberger as well.

57.) Carolina Panthers: Cedric Ogbuhei, OT Texas A&M
Previous pick: Sammie Coates

Prior to the season, Ogbuhei was a top ten NFL Draft pick. Late in the season, he dropped to a late first round pick, but then he tore his ACL in the bowl game and now is looking to be a day two pick. Carolina needs help all over the line and getting a talented player like Ogbuhei is great for them. They may need to wait, but he could pay big dividends.

58.) Baltimore Ravens: Nelson Algholor, WR USC
Previous pick: Ronald Darby

Even if the Ravens re-sign Torrey Smith, they need to find offensive weapons. Algholor may not fit the Trestman style of receiver in terms of size, but he is talented as an intermediate option and has natural catching ability. With uncertainty at the tight end, running back and wide receiver spots, Joe Flacco needs an option like Algholor he can defer to. He’ll never be a top flight receiver, but this is about as good a situation as he can ask for.

59.) Denver Broncos: Clive Walford, TE Miami
Previous pick: Cameron Erving

Julius Thomas is likely gone in free agency and Walford is rising up draft boards. He has good size and hands that will help support Peyton Manning and this passing game immediately. At this point, Denver is just hanging on and trying to make another run, Walford helps with that philosophy.

60.) Dallas Cowboys: Mario Edwards, DL Florida State
Previous pick: Todd Gurley

With running back addressed in round one, focusing on the defensive line in round two is a priority. Edwards was the classic case of a talented player who consistently underperformed. His passion has been questioned consistently but he has shown tremendous power to shed blockers and anchor. There is little pass rush to his game but the Cowboys need run stoppers, making Edwards a good fit here with a lot of upside.

61.) Indianapolis Colts: Hronnis Grasu, C Oregon
Previous pick: Melvin Gordon

That guy behind the Center is pretty darn important and upgrading the offensive line to let him do what he does should be the most important. Grasu can step in day one to compete for the starting job and also help out that first round pick Melvin Gordon.

62.) Green Bay Packers, Eric Kendricks LB UCLA
Previous pick: T.J. Clemmings

The Packers neutered their defensive attack in 2014 by being forced to move Clay Matthews inside after being gashed by injuries and poor play (not to mention the recent release of A.J. Hawk). Kendricks has abilities in both the run and pass, even if his size (6’0”, 235 pounds) suggests a better fit for a 4-3 defense. He owns the UCLA tackling record with 408 so he makes plays. Green Bay is looking for stability in the middle and Kendricks can provide that instantly as a 3-down option and steady presence.

63.) Seattle Seahawks: Carl Davis, DT Iowa
Previous pick: Jaelen Strong

Seattle needs to continually add to the monster that is one of the best defenses of all time. Davis will help support that with replacing Kevin Williams and keeping the interior of that line fresh. This also helps Bobby Wagner roam free and he’s one of the more underrated middle linebackers in the league.

64.) New England Patriots: Duke Johnson, RB Miami
Previous pick: Eddie Goldman

The Patriots have a lot of question marks at running back, but what makes their situation unique is the use of multiple backs rather than one featured option. In Johnson, New England would get the big play back with receiving ability. He has good vision and the ability to cut back quickly to the hole, making himself small to get through for extra yardage. No one is going to ask him to run inside and on this team, he will be given the chance to work in space often.

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