Post-Combine NFL Mock Draft (Round Two, Picks 33-48)
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 continue brining you the complete two round mock draft all week and begin round two today.
Round Two
33.) Tennessee Titans: Nate Orchard, OLB Utah
Previous pick: Marcus Mariota
Orchard is a very good pass rusher and the Titans desperately need someone to get after the quarterback. Orchard can fill that role and it is sorely needed when you play in a division with Andrew Luck. Derrick Morgan is a free agent and never fit when the team switched schemes, making him a likely departure and a higher priority positional need.
34.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Shaq Thompson, OLB Washington
Previous pick: Jameis Winston
The Buccaneers need playmakers on defense and depth at linebacker. With Thompson seeing his stock slide a bit after the combine, this is a perfect fit. He has great coverage skills and the intelligence needed to function in Lovie Smith’s defense. Whether he plays outside or inside linebacker may be dependent on free agent decisions. That said, he has a penchant for big plays and will find a place to cause disruption for opposing offenses.
35.) Oakland Raiders: Ifo Ekpre-Olumu, CB Oregon
Previous pick: Kevin White
Despite tearing his ACL, Olumu is a great talent who should still be selected highly in the NFL Draft. He would’ve likely been the first cornerback selected and the Raiders love physical specimens. Slowly but surely the Raiders defense could become pretty solid with these high draft picks invested in playmakers.
36.) Jacksonville Jaguars: Benardrick McKinney, ILB Miss State
Previous pick: Leonard Williams
If their first round pick of Leonard Williams was meant to provide a star on defense, then this pick will create stability. McKinney is average to good at everything but does not have one standout trait. He can cover tight ends, play the run and pressure the quarterback – all skills needed for this defense. Consider him a player who will provide a consistent presence for a young defense and be a starter for years to come.
37.) New York Jets: Jay Ajayi, RB Boise St
Previous pick: Amari Cooper
The Chris Johnson signing didn’t work out and he likely won’t return to New York. Middle round draft picks on Bilal Powell and Joe McKnight didn’t develop into assets, either. Chris Ivory has been a solid two down running back, but the Jets need better talent at the position. Ajayi is one of the most well rounded backs in the draft and will help take pressure off Geno Smith.
38.) Washington Redskins: Jake Fisher, OT Oregon
Previous pick: Dante Fowler
This makes sense for a few reasons. First, Washington has two tackles who are free agents in Tyler Polumbus and Tom Compton. Additionally, outside of Trent Williams, there is little talent at the tackle position. And third, Williams is only signed through 2016 and he will have a big market. I don’t foresee the team failing to resign Williams but Fisher has the ability to play either tackle position and could even kick inside to guard. That versatility will give him more opportunity at early play and Washington sure could use a player to push some of their offensive linemen.
39.) Chicago Bears: Eli Harold, OLB Virginia
Previous pick: Trae Waynes
Chicago is going to transition to a 3-4 defense the next few seasons and a big part of that is having athletic linebackers who can get after the quarterback. The Bears are full of question marks in that area with Shea McClellin, Jared Allen, Willie Young and Cornelius Washington. Harold can step right in to compete for one of the starting jobs and get some playing time as a rookie.
40.) New York Giants: Maxx Williams, TE Minnesota
Previous pick: Vic Beasley
[inlinead]I keep hearing wide receiver as a need for the Giants, but tight end looks like a bigger one. Larry Donnell is a free agent who will be asking for much more than he is worth after a surprise season. Williams would represent a huge upgrade at the position and give Eli Manning another receiving option, the true need of the team. Williams would be a matchup problem for most defenses and would open things up for Odell Beckham. He is the only tight end I trust in this draft and in a situation like this, I would be very high on him to deliver TE1 level numbers for a long time.
41.) St. Louis Rams: Brett Hundley, QB UCLA
Previous pick: Andrus Peat
This draft has worked out well for the Rams as they’ve taken value with both selections. In round one they get a great offensive tackle and round two they have a potential starting quarterback. Hundley has some good tools, but needs time for development. The Rams will have a solid line in front of him and playmakers at his disposal. The defense will keep them in games, so not as much pressure will be on the offense to produce.
42.) Atlanta Falcons: P.J. Williams, CB Florida State
Previous pick: Danny Shelton
Desmond Trufant and Robert Alford are the only two cornerbacks who are under contract for the 2015 season – that is not a bad thing as the Falcons struggled in coverage and gave up over 65% completion percentage on the non-Trufant side. Williams had an interesting combine as his 40-yard dash was a little slower than expected (4.57) but his 40 inch vertical and 11 foot broad jump showed his explosiveness. He has experience outside and in the slot but seems best suited to battle larger receivers in press coverage and on jump balls. Williams has the upside to be the best cornerback out of the draft and playing across from Trufant would be an intimidating proposition for opposing defenses.
43.) Cleveland Browns: Breshad Perriman, WR UCF
Previous picks: Devante Parker, Bud Dupree
The Browns don’t want to reach for a quarterback, but they could surround Johnny Manziel with a two early picks on wide receivers. Perriman (along with Parker in round one) would give the Browns legitimate weapons and force defenses to not creep up. I like Perriman’s game as he is a big player who is physical and a good overall athlete.
44.) New Orleans Saints: D.J. Humphries, OT Florida
Previous pick: Randy Gregory
After getting a pass rushing option in round one, it would be smart to find more protection for Drew Brees in round two. Terron Armstead did better than expected in 2014 but Humphries has the looks of an elite tackle and could rise up the board significantly between now and the draft. He was a highly rated player coming out of high school but was reliant on athleticism over technique. Humphries needs to be coached up but he could be a long-term answer on the blind side for the Saints.
45.) Minnesota Vikings: Arie Kouandjio, G Alabama
Previous pick: Brandon Scherff
Minnesota doubles up on the offensive line to further protect their young signal caller and support the weapons on that offense. Kouandjio is a road grader and will create more yardage for the running game immediately. He’s still developing as a pass protector, but has the athleticism to be solid in that area.
46.) San Francisco 49ers: Alex Carter, CB Stanford
Previous pick: Dorial Green-Beckham
Both starting cornerbacks for the 49ers are free agents and it is a strong possibility that at least one leaves for another team. Getting Carter would provide insurance while giving them a player capable of playing cornerback or transitioning to safety for depth. Carter is more of a zone coverage cornerback as he has stiff hips but could handle man coverage against less fluid receivers. He has good tackling ability and sees the field well, making it likely that he fairs well in the NFL.
47.) Miami Dolphins: Josue Matias, G Florida State
Previous pick: Marcus Peters
The Dolphins offensive line still needs a lot of work and mainly on the interior. Matias can instantly start at guard and give Tannehill more time than he’s had the past two seasons. Matias is a better run blocker than pass protecting, but he’s good enough in both areas. This is a big need area for Miami and Matias is also a good value at this spot in the draft.
48.) San Diego Chargers:Â Jordan Phillips, NT Oklahoma
Previous pick: Ereck Flowers
There are other needs on this team but Phillips would be a great addition to this defense. He has all the attributes that they would look for in a nose tackle and would cement their ability to stop the run. The ability to penetrate the pocket from the position is rare and Phillips has a nice swim move that gets him there in a hurry. Sometimes, the rich get richer and that’s what the Chargers are doing here.
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Nick can be found on Twitter at @_NickWhalen
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