Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft (Round One, Picks 17-32)

Nick Whalen

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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 results with Nick Whalen making all the post-combine odd-numbered choices and George Kritikos taking the even-numbered selections. We’ll be brining you the complete two round mock draft all week – we continue today with the second half of round one.

17. San Diego Chargers: Ereck Flowers, OT Miami

The Chargers offensive line is very bad and they need to start addressing it immediately. They play in a division with Von Miller, Demarcus Ware, Justin Houston and Khalil Mack – that’s scary when your offensive line is horrible, basically telling Phillip Rivers, “Good luck!” Flowers is strong, athletic, and can step in right away to help that poor offensive line.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Landon Collins, S Alabama

I was panned for this pick before the combine, so why stop now? Collins is the only safety who will be selected in the first round and with the unfortunate situation Eric Berry is dealing with, there is no certainty he will return. Receiver is the number one need here but I can’t imagine the team reaching when they can address it later in the draft or through free agency. Collins is vicious against the run and has the speed to be a better coverage safety, technique will be key in his development.

19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo): Bud Dupree, OLB Kentucky
Previous pick: DeVante Parker

Cleveland has missed on many draft picks and thus far Barkevious Mingo hasn’t been getting after the quarterback. At this point in the draft, Dupree represents too much value to pass up on him. He will help pressure the quarterback and bring more stability to that defense. Hopefully he will help take Joe Haden and the rest of that defensive backfield to the next level.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Kevin Johnson, CB Wake Forest

It’s difficult to stress how much Philadelphia needs to improve their secondary. Bradley Fletcher (their de facto best cornerback) is a free agent and the team would be wise to move on. In Johnson, the Eagles would get a pure cover corner who can keep up with receivers (4.52 40-yard dash) and has the size (6’0”, 188 pounds) to deal with larger opposition. This is a safe, steady pick for a team who is closer to being a perennial playoff team than an afterthought in January; they can’t afford to miss here.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: La’el Collins, OT LSU

The Bengals have plenty of weapons on offense, but they need to start protecting Andy Dalton to get the most out of their assets. Collins is a versatile lineman that can play all over the line, which will be essential if they decide to move 33-year old Andrew Whitworth inside.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Collins, CB LSU

Cortez Allen was a bust and Ike Taylor is unlikely to return in 2015. There was already a huge need at the position and it has been one for years. In Collins, the Steelers would get an athletic freak (6’1”, 208 lbs, 4.48 40 yard dash) who could matchup against elite receivers. It would ease the pressure on the pass rush to get to the quarterback as quickly and provide a cushion for the rest of the secondary to avoid shifting help over to one side. Gone are the days where the offense is carried by the defense, but this kind of move would make the entire team better.

23. Detroit Lions: Malcolm Brown, DT Texas

The Lions top three defensive tackles are all free agents and it’s likely they will lose some of them. Brown is a very talented player who will help fill the void left and keep that defensive front one of the best in the NFL. He’s quick, yet powerful enough to create havoc in the backfield.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Arik Armstead, DL Oregon

[inlinead]Going running back here was a consideration, despite the endorsements of Andre Ellington, but the Cardinals have several older free agents along the defensive line. The comparisons to Calais Campbell make Armstead an interesting choice for the team and gives him a mentor to learn from as he is still raw. He could easily step into an end spot and be part of the rotation immediately, providing the team with a big defensive end capable of disrupting plays with his length and movement. It is also nice Darnell Dockett insurance if he struggles to return after an ACL injury at age 34.

25. Carolina Panthers: Sammie Coates, WR Auburn

Cam Newton needs a field stretcher to complement Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen. Coates is an athletic specimen who would keep defenses honest and provide Newton with a much needed quality target. Carolina wanted to address that poor offensive line, but it would’ve been a massive reach. Coates fits need with solid value in this draft.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Ronald Darby, CB Florida State

The injury to Jimmy Smith exposed the Baltimore secondary as very dependent on their elite corner. With such a good run defense and pass rush, getting another cornerback would help this Ravens defense from being beaten with deep passes. Drafting a player who just posted a 4.32 combine will help defend those deep passes and provide a nice counterpart to the bigger Smith. His run defense is suspect but it is his cover skills that are needed here so the fit is ideal.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia

Gurley represents the best available player and would fit a huge void left if DeMarco Murray leaves during free agency. This will allow the Cowboys to save money to address other areas of the team and perhaps even upgrade at running back. Gurley is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson and now he gets to work behind the best offensive line in the NFL. Do you remember Emmitt Smith from the early 1990’s? Yeah, that’s what I envision here.

28. Denver Broncos: Cameron Erving, C/G/T Florida State

It’s hard to say where Denver’s biggest need is given all the free agents they are faced with. When all else fails, protect Peyton Manning. Erving can play any of the line positions, which is crucial as two members of their interior line are free agents. He has experience in a pro-style offense that audibles at the line, which should make the transition easier. Erving might not be the glamorous draft pick some would hope for, but he fills a major need and would keep that offense humming.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Melvin Gordon, RB Wisconsin

The Colts got by last season by smoke and mirrors at the running back position. They need to help take pressure off of Andrew Luck and make that offense more dynamic. Gordon is a very good back who will eat up yardage due to safeties’ deep fearing Luck throwing to TY Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Duron Carter and the tight ends. Gordon can break big plays, but also grind out yardage on his bulked up frame. He will be an instant starter both in the NFL and on FF teams.

30. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Clemmings, OT Pittsburgh

This is another situation that depends on free agent priorities. If Bryan Bulaga is prioritized and locked up quickly, their needs will change. I think Randall Cobb is re-signed and Bulaga gets a big deal elsewhere, making Clemmings a great fit. While he has the ability to move to left tackle, he has experience on the right side and would be able to work on his protection technique before being asked to slide to the left side. As a former basketball player, Clemmings has great feet and will be able to maintain a pocket for Aaron Rodgers.

31. Seattle Seahawks: Jaelen Strong, WR Arizona St

Did you watch the Seahawks in the playoffs? If so, you know this pick is a huge need and it just so happens to hit a great value with Strong. He’s a bigger player that tested very well at the combine and proved to be more athletic than once perceived. Strong will provide Russell Wilson with his first true starting caliber wide receiver in his NFL career for more than a few games.

32. New England Patriots: Eddie Goldman, DT Florida State

Vince Wilfork isn’t getting any younger so a replacement should be groomed. With Goldman, the Patriots would have a player capable of rotating with Wilfork and holding up the run similarly. Much like Wilfork, Goldman struggles to create much of a pass rush but is aggressive and will collapse the pocket with his power. This will only help the defending champions attempt to repeat in 2015.

We’ll return with round two tomorrow.

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