NFL Mock Draft 2015: Latest Projections on Heels of Free-Agency Surge
With the first couple of waves of free agency over, teams' NFL draft needs have become much more clear. For the most part, every player who is going to be viewed as a starting-caliber player by teams is off the market. With definitive needs, we now have a much higher chance of guessing how the NFL draft plays out.
At the top, there are some picks which look like solidified locks, and down the line there are now selections that make much more sense, with players leaving and missed attempts to bring in free agents at certain positions. Nailing down the first 32 picks of the draft is something that no one in the league can do, but it's easier to predict when the concept of the "draft process" is finally finished, which it appears to be.
In this piece, we'll compile which selections appear the most likely for 30 of the teams in the league with first-round picks. (Sorry, Seahawks and Bills fans.)
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
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When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers let Josh McCown go this offseason, a quarterback with the top selection in the 2014 draft was essentially locked in for many.
The team's current depth chart at the position is Mike Glennon, who was held on the bench as a backup for McCown and has been involved in many trade rumors, such as a report by ESPN.com's Pat Yasinskas, over the past year, and Seth Lobato, who was an undrafted free agent last season. The position needs addressing, and it's one where even functional talents need to be drafted high.
There's just too much smoke for there not to be fire here. If Jameis Winston isn't the top pick in this draft, the sports world will be in shock.
Head coach Lovie Smith is in his second year, and where the NFL used to give a coaching staff three or four years to cook, they've recently been more trigger-happy, turning off the oven after just two seasons. Winston can be the best quarterback Smith has ever coached, and with Smith's defensive mind, the last-place Buccaneers can quickly turn around the franchise, saving everyone's jobs.
September seems forever ago, but over the past seven months Tampa Bay went from potential playoff team to the bottom of the league. The talent many projected to win the NFC South hasn't left the roster. You need a quarterback to win in the NFL, and that's where everything starts. The 2014 team couldn't get it done.
2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
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The additions of Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo were huge tips of the hand by Tennessee this offseason. The slow transition from a 4-3 to a 3-4 defense is still ongoing, and the team needed to fill two pass-rushing outside linebacker roles. With those two signings, they did just that.
In this draft class, the real "premier talent" is in pass-rushers, to which they just handed money to new starters, quarterbacks and Leonard Williams.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt hasn't been historically a coach who has really invested much in the quarterback position, as he's built his name off being somewhat of a quarterback whisperer, even turning around Kurt Warner's career in Arizona for a Super Bowl run, while a first-round quarterback, Matt Leinart, watched from the bench.
Whisenhunt has liked pocket passers in the past, and he has a second-year starting pocket passer in Zach Mettenberger. For that reason, it's logical to rule Marcus Mariota out of the equation for Tennessee in the second slot. It's totally viable that someone trades into the pick and picks the quarterback from Oregon, but on paper it doesn't look like a Whisenhunt move.
What does appear to be a smart guess is the last "premier player" who hasn't been ruled out: Williams from USC. Jurrell Casey is the heart of the defense as the pressure-creating 5-techique defensive end, but there's not another force on that line to play off the freed up space double-teams create for Casey.
Williams, who's played in a 3-4 defense as a 5-technique, can play into what the Titans are looking for defensively like a glove.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
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For my money, Vic Beasley is the best pass-rusher in the draft class. Coming into the draft process, there were two questions about him: his run defense and his size. At the combine, he was measured at 246 pounds while running and jumping through the gym. That knocked the questions regarding his weight out of the park.
There is still poor run defense film on his resume, but if what's holding a team back from an edge player is the fact that he's one-dimensional as an elite pass-rusher, it needs to reevaluate how it scouts the position. Rare are the athletes on Earth who can get after a quarterback consistently, like Beasley has the past two years at Clemson. You can find run defenders as street free agents.
Beasley ranks in the top 5 percent of defensive ends in the vertical jump, the broad jump and the 40-yard dash, per Mock Draftable. His explosive body translates well on tape.
He can win via speed, speed-to-power, as an edge bender or with technique. The Jacksonville Jaguars badly need "the guy" to rack up sacks on an improving defensive line, and everything on paper says Beasley not only could be that guy, but it should also be him.
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4. Oakland Raiders: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
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Last season the Oakland Raiders were able to nail their two first picks in the draft with Khalil Mack and Derek Carr. Mack was one of the best rookie defenders in the league, while Carr showed promise of becoming a franchise quarterback down the line. Still, the Raiders finished with a 3-13 record as the rest of their roster lacked the overall talent to compete week-to-week.
General manager Reggie McKenzie is going into his fourth year with the team. He managed to get the squad out of "cap hell," but he has yet to rebuild the talent pool. It could be a "win or go home" season for McKenzie, who again has to hit on early draft picks to bring in talent.
There's some debate as to who the top receiver in the class is, but to many it's Kevin White from West Virginia. He's a deep threat who fits into Carr's skill set: his giant arm. James Jones was the 2014 team's leading receiver, which isn't a good sign for the health of the unit.
White basically put up one-year-wonder numbers in college, and is on the older side of the spectrum, but he can develop into a Larry Fitzgerald-type of player. Allowing a young quarterback to mesh with a receiver of that talent can result in a couple of more wins and job security for Oakland's front office.
5. Washington Redskins: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
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The Robert Griffin III saga in Washington has been one of the most consuming stories in recent years. The Washington Times' Jason Reid reported on the dissatisfaction of head coach Jay Gruden, and there are the multiple injuries and his amazing rookie season. After trading years worth of premier picks, the Redskins haven't exactly received their money's worth.
It's not too often that a potential franchise quarterback falls into a team's lap. Last time around, Washington had to move up for a king's ransom. That player is now damaged goods, both on the field because of his history of knee injuries and off the field due to media outlets, which have seemingly set their eyes on the relationship between him and Gruden.
The franchise can quickly change the conversation by taking Marcus Mariota, who some at one point were talking about as the top pick in the draft, giving Gruden "his guy."
By all accounts, Mariota is the quieter type of player who leads by example and is willing to buy into a system more than freelance. On paper, that's exactly the type of player Gruden needs to play in his offense. Think of Andy Dalton without the physical limitations.
Not all is lost for Griffin, either. Still young, there's a good shot that a team like the New York Jets, the St. Louis Rams or even maybe the Philadelphia Eagles would be willing to entertain the idea of shipping valuable draft picks for the passer. The Redskins could use those picks to rebuild depth on their roster.
6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
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While many believe that Leonard Williams and Vic Beasley rank ahead of him, there are still others who believe that Randy Gregory from Nebraska is the top defender in the draft class. A two-year edge-rusher for the Nebraska Cornhuskers after a junior-college stint, Gregory has been hyped as a "freak" since he entered the FBS stage. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted Gregory's weight changes:
"I can confirm: Randy Gregory started Combine training at 218. Got up to 242 before getting sick. Weighed in at 238.
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) February 20, 2015"
Gregory's combine was one of the biggest storylines from Indianapolis this year. Gregory weighed in at 235 pounds, the size of an off-the-ball linebacker, not an edge player, but he was allegedly sick, as our own Matt Miller reported last month. Because of that, it's hard to use any of the data gathered at the combine as a definative representation of Gregory's upside.
One thing is certain, though: He must put on more weight. Because he needs to reshape his body, there's inherent risk in selecting him. All the New York Jets are missing to become a top-five defense in the league is a quality edge player. Once rumored in the top-pick range, Gregory has the chance to fall because of unknowns surrounding his body. If he should slip, look for the Jets to make a move for him.
7. Chicago Bears: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
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Entering the offseason, one would have said the Chicago Bears were in a position to spend all their assets on the defensive side of the ball. Since then, though, the team has added talents like Parnell McPhee, an interior rusher from Baltimore, and Antrel Rolle, a hybrid safety and cornerback by way of the New York Giants. They also traded star receiver Brandon Marshall to flip late-round picks with the New York Jets.
Because the defensive side of the ball is addressed, and the receiving unit now has a hole blown into it, it makes sense that the Bears could target a top receiver with their first selection now. Alshon Jeffery is a long red-zone target who has proven valuable over the years. Recently signed Eddie Royal is also a solid receiver but is really viewed as a slot pass-catcher.
The role that needs to be filled is a deep threat, and Amari Cooper fits that mold well.
Cooper's 40-yard dash, his agility drills and his hand size all score well above the positional average, according to Mock Draftable, even comparing athletically to Jeffery. For years Cooper was held back by mid-tier quarterback play from Alabama's passers. With Jay Cutler's gun, the two should be able to get the most out of each other's strengths.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dante Fowler, EDGE, Florida
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There's a case to be made that last season the Atlanta Falcons had the worst pass-rushing unit in the league. Under a new coaching staff, which will come with a 4-3 under defensive transition, there are definitive roles to look for improvement.
There's an interior-rusher role on the strong side of the defensive line, which should be filled by Adrian Clayborn, a recently signed former first-round pick who has been held back in his young career due to injuries.
There's also a strong-side outside linebacker role which can be a heavy-blitzing position depending on the game plan, and Brooks Reed, who also signed this offseason with the Falcons, appears set to get playing time there. The final role is what is called a "Leo," a weak-side hybrid defensive end and linebacker role which is schemed to get after the quarterback.
On paper, currently the team's Leo is O'Brien Schofield, who played for head coach Dan Quinn in Seattle in that role, but he isn't the type of player you hang your hat on as your premier pass-rusher. In his two years in Seattle, he netted three sacks in two starts for the team. The Leo role still needs to be addressed.
Some, such as USA Today's Nate Davis, have mocked Florida's Dante Fowler as high as the second overall pick. Just studying the tendencies that teams trend toward, I would be fairly surprised if Fowler was drafted in the top five, but his floor is the eighth overall selection.
The pass-rusher not only can pin his ears back and play the run well, as possibly the best well-rounded player at the position, but he also played under Quinn at Florida when Quinn was the defensive coordinator and defensive line coach during Fowler's freshman season.
There's too much going around this pick for it not to happen, given the circumstances. If Fowler should make it past the Jets and Bears, he should be viewed as a lock to land with the Falcons.
9. New York Giants: Shane Ray, EDGE, Missouri
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The New York Giants are an interesting team because of their recent downfall from a once high pedestal. Both their quarterback and coaching staff have multiple world titles under their belts, but they haven't made deep playoff runs outside of those attempts.
On the offensive side of the ball, they'll get Victor Cruz back from injury, who should match up well with Odell Beckham Jr., the rookie star receiver, and Shane Vareen, a recently signed running back.
On the defensive side of the ball, though, there needs to be some revamping. The Giants have been the team which has most neglected the linebacker position, but it's for good reason: They had some of the best defensive lines in the league for a stretch. In 2014, that wasn't the case. Jason Pierre-Paul nearly hit the market and left New York, but he's once again a Giant after having the franchise tag placed on him.
His future with the team is uncertain past 2015, though, and that's a huge issue for a franchise without another real pass-rushing threat.
As Dan Graziano, who covers the Giants for ESPN.com, put it: "They need defense." Shane Ray of Missouri was hindered by an injury at the combine and put up a poor 7.7-second three-cone time at his pro day, which is the worst result for a potential first-round-pick edge player in over a decade, but he had very good production at the SEC level, the best conference in college football.
Ray's poor pro day performance may be a result of the lingering injury, and the sacks he was able to net in the SEC could ease the mind of the coaching staff. With two years remaining on his contract, head coach Tom Coughlin needs to put pieces together quickly. Ray can play opposite of Pierre-Paul early on and prove to be a cheaper, but still quality, replacement down the line.
10. St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
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Since the Marc Bulger era, two questions have consistently come up regarding the St. Louis Rams. The first is the question of who will play quarterback. Previously, the answer typically defaulted to Sam Bradford, who was formerly the top pick in the draft, but he struggled to stay on the field. This offseason, though, the Rams moved Bradford to Philadelphia for Nick Foles and some draft value.
The next question is how will they assist the quarterback with the receiving unit.
The team has tried to shore up the corps, even drafting Tavon Austin from West Virginia with the eighth overall pick, which hasn't panned out. After investing so much in the defense over the years, building a top-five defensive line in the league, and missing on Austin, it's probably time to take another big swing at a pass-catcher. Face it, Foles is going to need some help.
If DeVante Parker were healthy all season, no one knows how high his stock would be. Staying in school while Teddy Bridgewater declared, he was the top senior receiver heading into the 2014 season, but a foot injury kept him out of games. When he returned to play, he wasn't performing at the level he did his junior year, when he looked like a Jordy Nelson-type force at the college level.
If Parker makes a full recovery, he can be an A.J. Green clone and end up as the top receiver of the draft class. St. Louis needs to get something going, and Parker looks like a worthy risk based on his junior film.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, IOL, Iowa
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The issue with this draft class is premium talent. After the edge-rushers, the quarterbacks, the receivers and Leonard Williams, there really isn't any more "premier position" players who are in the top tier of the class. One of the players who plays a non-premier position, but is of high level talent, is Brandon Scherff of Iowa.
A left tackle for the Hawkeyes, he projects better as a guard, due to size and athletic limitations. He's an effort player who does very well in the ground game, but he struggles against speed on the edge. If you're going to compare him to a player in the league, Zack Martin is the perfect example.
Martin was a left tackle for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish but was moved to guard when he was drafted in the first round by the Dallas Cowboys. There, he was a first-team All-Pro player as a rookie. Scherff can be an elite guard, but the NFL doesn't value the position very much.
With all the other "elite" players off the board, Scherff lands perfectly in the Vikings' lap. Early on, he can compete for the starting job on either the right or left side for the team. He also may be able to hang on the edge in a pinch, in case Matt Kalil, Minnesota's left tackle, either gets injured or goes on another bad streak.
12. Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton, DL, Washington
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In 2011, Phil Taylor was drafted to be the center of the Cleveland 3-4 defense. After a few seasons with new defensive coordinators, it would appear that Taylor isn't going to be that force the Browns once thought he could have been. In this draft class, there is a player being looked at as an elite nose tackle, who could replace Taylor when his contract runs out after next season.
That player is Danny Shelton, an All-American defensive lineman from the University of Washington. Many have compared him to Haloti Ngata, who played in a 3-4 defense as a nose tackle and defensive end for Cleveland's intradivisional rival, the Baltimore Ravens. That's the route Shelton can take. In 2015, he can be a strong-side defensive end next to Taylor, and in 2016 he can slide into the nose tackle role.
The tandem of run defenders can be great early on, and down the road, there are hopes of Shelton being an All-Pro top defender for the squad. The Browns can also make a run for a quarterback or receiver later in the first round with the selection they received from the Buffalo Bills in the Sammy Watkins trade last season. At this point, though, there isn't much value in selecting those two positions.
13. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
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The New Orleans Saints need to revamp the defensive side of the ball, specifically in the passing game. The two spots that can be most improved are cornerback and pass-rushing linebacker. The early run on pass-rushers has already happened in this mock, leaving the Saints without an option there.
On the flip side of this, there isn't a cornerback off the board. New Orleans did add Brandon Browner via free agency, but he's good enough to play both boundary spots for the squad. Paired with a player like Trae Waynes, the team can turn around the unit in a single offseason.
Waynes isn't the tallest cornerback out there, but he's not small by any means, and he's fast enough to run a 4.31 40-yard dash.
The way the Seattle Seahawks built the top secondary in the league over the past couple of seasons has been with size and speed on the boundary. Browner and Waynes fit the mold there. If the defensive backfield can hold up with Waynes, Browner, Jairus Byrd, a 2014 free-agency addition and Kenny Vaccaro, a 2013 first-round pick, the unit can make up for the flaws on the edge.
14. Miami Dolphins: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
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Last season Louis Delmas, formerly of the Detroit Lions, signed a one-year deal with the Miami Dolphins. This week, according to ESPN.com's James Walker, he's going to re-sign on another one-year deal. That doesn't sound like the Dolphins have much faith in who's currently starting for them in the backend of the secondary.
This year, there's really one top prospect at the safety position. Alabama's scheme under Nick Saban prepares players for the NFL more so than others because of the Crimson Tide's pattern-matching assignments for defensive backs. Last year, safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix took over the Packers' starting-free-safety gig as a rookie. This year, Landon Collins can do so in a hybrid safety role.
Collins is more of a box safety than a one-high safety, but he can participate in two-high shells, too. It's hard to play safety in the league, but if he can slowly take the starting role throughout his rookie season, Collins can be an impact player in his first year. This would eliminate the necessity for a third straight one-year deal for Delmas.
After Miami signed Ndamukong Suh to a mega deal, it's pretty obvious that they're looking toward the future. Collins may not be the best pick for 2015, but it is a very solid forward-thinking selection.
15. San Francisco 49ers: La'el Collins, IOL/OT, LSU
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La'el Collins could easily be the best tackle in the class in a couple of years. Collins played left tackle for LSU and is a monster in the run game. Unlike Brandon Scherff, he has the length to stick outside primarily. Not all teams are looking for a tackle, though, and Collins can also play guard.
The San Francisco 49ers are a team which can use Collins as an immediate starter at guard. They have Joe Staley starting as a left tackle and Anthony Davis playing right tackle for the foreseeable future.
San Francisco did lose guard Mike Iupati to their intra-division rivals, the Arizona Cardinals, though. Brandon Thomas, a 2014 third-round selection who played left tackle at Clemson, has a shot to start as Iupati's replacement on the left side, but he's a boom-or-bust prospect who is coming off an ACL injury.
As the 49ers have learned recently with Marcus Lattimore and Tank Carradine, those picks don't always pan out. Collins is a surefire starter Day 1 if he's added to the roster. It all comes down to how much the team is willing to chance it with Thomas.
Collins also has a chance to play outside for the team when Davis and Staley do end up aging out of their current contracts. Collins has the athleticism to keep up on the left side if Staley walks, but he also possesses the raw power to do the same for Davis on the right side.
16. Houston Texans: Alvin Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky
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The Houston Texans took Jadeveon Clowney with the first overall selection last year. Clowney, who was talked about as one of the best prospects ever, wound up missing significant time due to injury and had microfracture surgery which may keep him off the field entirely in 2015. That injury is no joke, and there's a real possibility that Clowney never hits the peak that many thought he would when entering the league.
Right now Whitney Mercilus and John Simon are slated as the starting edge players for the Texans in 2015. Mercilus is a mid-level player who is a complementary rusher, but Simon isn't who you want to hang your hat on starting. With the majority of free agency over, it's hard to imagine that the team will add a starting-level talent at the position outside of the first two or so rounds in the coming draft.
Alvin Dupree tested off the charts in Indianapolis, and on paper he's a future Pro Bowler.
In this situation, the Kentucky edge player and Mercilus would match up as starters in 2015, giving Dupree much-needed live reps. In 2016, Mercilus' rookie contract will be up. That offseason could be a fork-in-the- road moment for Clowney's future with the team. Having Dupree in your back pocket won't hurt in either case, and he has the potential to be an all-world talent.
This is a safety-blanket selection with upside. There's something in it for everybody.
17. San Diego Chargers: Carl Davis, DL, Iowa
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Just before free agency, many outlets alleged that the San Diego Chargers were in the works to make an offer for Ndamukong Suh, the super free agent by way of Detroit. One example of this was the San Diego Union-Tribune's Michael Gehlken noting that the NFL Network had alleged a link. Losing on the Suh race to the Miami Dolphins, there is a somewhat similar consolation prize in this year's class: Carl Davis of Iowa.
Based on measurables according to Mock Draftable, Davis compares the most to current 2015 NFL draft class member Leonard Williams, who in this mock went second overall to the Tennessee Titans. His third-most comparable player is Suh, who was the second overall selection in his class and signed a $100 million contract this offseason. That's great company to be in.
Davis is probably best suited playing a 1-technique role as an even front nose tackle, but he can fit in a 3-4 defense as well. Plus, let's face it, as much as we like to pin down a defense to a 3-4 or 4-3, every team has a hybrid defense in 2015. Davis can play as a slanted nose tackle or as a base end, giving upside as a pass-rusher in both spots.
Kendall Reyes and Corey Liuget start as the ends on the defensive line, and are serviceable, but if a first-rounder comes in and flashes potential early, it's hard to imagine their past keeps their jobs safe.
The Chargers' current starting nose tackle is Sean Lissemore, who has had marginal success in 10 starts with the team over the last two years. Davis most likely earns the starting tackle job and gets to stay on the field as an end in third-down nickel situations.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
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The famous statistic that hangs over the Kansas City Chiefs' 2014 is that they had no touchdown receptions via their receivers. Alex Smith isn't a quarterback who can really create for himself, as he's a mobile game manager with a below-average arm. With Dwayne Bowe gone from the team due to salary implications, there's an obvious need for help at the position.
Jaelen Strong played two years at Arizona State after transferring from a junior college. Standing 6'2", with a 4.44 40-yard dash and a 42" vertical, even on paper he screams red-zone threat. With his addition, Smith's life would get a lot easier, giving the team their best quality red-zone threat since Tony Gonzalez left for Atlanta years ago.
He's a former basketball player who is still raw at the position, but he possesses the tools that you'd want to buy into within this range. Without too many more "No. 1 receiver" options out there, this is a more than solid pick for the Chiefs, who are adjusting their roster around the salary cap.
19. Cleveland Browns: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
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The Cleveland Browns have added Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline to their roster, but both of those players are in the declining portion of their careers. The squad's receiving unit is still missing that Josh Gordon-type talent, and Gordon is suspended until the 2016 season.
Compounding that with the loss of Jordan Cameron, who signed with the Miami Dolphins, the Browns are missing a top receiving target both at receiver and tight end.
They might be able to kill two birds with one stone, though. Devin Funchess from Michigan is a 6'4", 232- pound hybrid pass-catcher who can play on the boundary or as a "jumbo slot" player like some move tight ends or giant receivers such as Marques Colston have played in the past. Giving multiple looks, his versatility allows for flexibility based on how the Bowe and Hartline signings play out in camp.
With their first selection going toward the defensive side of the ball, the second keeps a receiving stud in the Midwest. After a first-rounder was used on Johnny Manziel last season, it is time to start using assets to bring big-body receivers around him. After all, his favorite target at Texas A&M was 6'5" Mike Evans, and the 2014 Cleveland Browns were littered with undersized receivers.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Eddie Goldman, DL, Florida State
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It's very hard to pin down who the Philadelphia Eagles would be considering with this pick.
After weeks of the media discussing a trade-up scenario involving the selection of Marcus Mariota, it would appear that head coach Chip Kelly has found his passer in Sam Bradford. The team also let running back LeSean McCoy go in a trade to Buffalo for Kiko Alonso, but it signed DeMarco Murray, the 2014 NFL rushing leader, and Ryan Mathews, a former first-round running back from San Diego.
The team could go for a receiver, a cornerback or a guard, but one of the more interesting improvements I could see the Eagles making is at nose tackle. Bennie Logan is doing a solid job holding down the position, but he's nothing special. He's also a player who was sort of forced into the role, coming out of college at 309 pounds, which isn't usually what a two-gapping 0-technique weighs.
Eddie Goldman of Florida State was a highly touted recruit who put together a great final year after being buried behind talented starters. Unlike Logan, Goldman is of prototypical size, weighing in at Indianapolis at 336 pounds. Still, though, he can get after the quarterback, an important part of a Philadelphia defense that stresses conditioning and speed.
Goldman will need some time to adjust to the NFL level, and Logan is a great bridge toward that, but he should be a full-time starter by the end of his first season there. Logan also can move outside to defensive end, giving the team another stout option on running downs.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DL, Texas
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Since Geno Atkins' injury, the Cincinnati Bengals haven't been full force on the defensive line. With Carlos Dunlap and Michael Johnson on the edges again, things are looking up, though. At nose tackle, Domata Peko is a serviceable defensive lineman, but he's getting up there in age at 30 years old.
A player like Malcom Brown of Texas can give Cincinnati versatility and flexibility in the defensive interior. At his size and strength, he can replace Peko as a nose tackle down the line and in pass-rushing situations early on. He also can come in and give Atkins rest as an under tackle.
He's a value selection who can do a little of everything. He may not have the greatest impact on Day 1, but with a shady future on the defensive interior, having a strong defensive lineman like Brown in the back pocket of the franchise can pay off greatly for a team which doesn't spend much in free agency.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
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The Pittsburgh Steelers aren't in a good position with their defensive backs right now. Troy Polamalu, the former Pro Bowl safety for the squad, is rapidly declining in an evolving league. On the boundary, B.W. Webb and Cortez Allen are slated to start; both are players who may not be starters for 80 percent of teams in the league. The unit needs a talent infusion and quickly.
The free-agency period may not have been the best option for the Steelers, who didn't exactly have loads of cash to spend. The cornerback market reset this season with Darrelle Revis getting a huge deal, leading to markups on Byron Maxwell to Tramon Williams. Free-agent starting-caliber cornerbacks are now receiving a lot more money than they used to.
The best cornerback in this class on tape is Marcus Peters, who was dismissed from the University of Washington during the 2014 season. While in Seattle, though, he displayed the ability to play press coverage and beat up receivers at the line of scrimmage. He's not too far from being a young Richard Sherman-type player.
If Peters suits up for the Steelers in September, there's a good chance he's a starter. I'd even say there's a gambler's chance that he'd be the best player in the defensive backfield from day one.
23. Detroit Lions: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
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There are a couple of directions that the Detroit Lions can go with this pick, but selecting Andrus Peat of Stanford, who before the season was talked about like a top-five selection, is a safe choice. At left tackle the Lions have Riley Reiff, who is a serviceable bookend, and on the right side they have LaAdrian Waddle, who was an undrafted player from Texas Tech who has started eight games so far in his NFL career.
Waddle is a player who makes the right tackle position one which doesn't immediately need to be addressed, but it's not a bad idea to take a shot at improving the area when a player like Peat falls. Peat is a dancing bear who's had the spotlight on him since high school, but he's still inconsistent. If you watch his junior tape against Notre Dame and Washington, you'd be convinced you're watching two different players.
He's got a heavy lower body which makes him look like a pear. That's not usually what you think of when you're imagining elite tackle prospects, but Peat somehow makes it work. He can come in and be a day-one starter on the right side or even the left if the Lions want to slide Reiff to the right side. If he hits his peak, he can be an All-Pro player in the trenches, a worthy pick of a late first-rounder.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
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If Todd Gurley were totally healthy, I'm not sure he wouldn't be looked at as a top-five selection. For as much as the media likes to talk about the declining value of running backs, we haven't seen a rusher leave college with tape as impressive as Gurley's since Adrian Peterson. That's the type of player we're talking about.
ACL injuries can be tricky, especially at the position. We're only so far removed from saying Marcus Lattimore, coming off an ACL tear, was the top running back in the SEC. After another injury to his knee, he retired before he ever saw a snap in the league. This is somewhat a boom-or-bust pick, but the boom is one that can rock the core of a franchise.
The Arizona Cardinals are currently starting Andre Ellington at running back with Stepfan Taylor backing him up. Neither of those are terrible options, but they're barely passable as it currently stands. A three-headed monster of them and Gurley is plus-value unit, though.
With Carson Palmer coming off another knee injury, the Cardinals need to keep some of the weight off defenses trying to blow him up in the pocket. Gurley will keep defenses honest with his bell-cow style of play.
25. Carolina Panthers: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
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The Carolina Panthers added Michael Oher this offseason to play right tackle for the squad, but the offensive line still needs improvements across the board. In the Cam Newton era, the team has heavily invested in the defensive side of the ball, making the offense somewhat of a one-man band. It has gotten to a point where Newton's play demands some assistance on the line and in the receiving unit.
Jake Fisher is an interesting prospect because of his versatility. He was a right tackle at Oregon until he was forced to the left side due to injury. He did very well at both spots in the Ducks' spread, zone-heavy offense. He's quick enough to play guard, pushing for playing time at that spot, but he's athletic enough to more than likely get a look as a bookend first.
The team's current starting left tackle is Nate Chandler, a converted defensive lineman from UCLA who has had eight starts in his NFL career. Fisher can come in and be a serviceable left tackle from the jump, giving Newton much-needed time to find his men downfield. The worst-case scenario is that Chandler develops, which then would lead to Fisher either taking Oher's spot on the right side or bumping inside to guard.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Arik Armstead, DL, Oregon
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The heart of the Baltimore Ravens defense since Ray Lewis retired, Haloti Ngata, was traded to Detroit this offseason. The defensive line isn't in terrible shape, as the Ravens spent early draft selections on nose tackle Brandon Williams and defensive end Timmy Jernigan recently. That other defensive end spot, though, currently filled by DeAngelo Tyson on paper, is one of concern.
With Arik Armstead, who played 5-technique as a 3-4 defensive end at Oregon, dropping down the board, the Baltimore Ravens, who have historically been a "best player available" team, seem like a perfect landing spot. Playing in the same role, the Calais Campbell clone can help usher the Ravens out of the Ngata era. With three young talents on the defensive line, the unit should be solidified for the foreseeable future.
Armstead is still raw, but he's only 20 years old. The former blue-chip recruit looked to be ready for the NFL coming out of high school and hasn't regressed one bit since then.
If the Ravens can teach him leverage, he can be one of the best weak-side defensive ends in an odd front in the league. For as much as some members of the media like to say Leonard Williams is the closest thing to J.J. Watt that you can get in this class, my reponse would be Armstead.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, EDGE, UCLA
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Rod Marinelli worked wonders for the Dallas Cowboys last season. The legendary defensive coach took a squad which many thought was the worst defense in football and ran with it into the playoffs. This year, the Cowboys have made some efforts to infuse the roster with talent.
The squad's biggest signing, by far, was Greg Hardy, who most recently played with Carolina. Hardy was suspended for 15 of the 16 games the Panthers played last season due to domestic-abuse charges. Some speculate he might even miss time in 2015, cutting into his one-year contract with the Cowboys.
Hardy is still a short-term answer for the team. Bringing long-term talent to the roster is a must for Dallas. This is where a player such as Owamagbe Odighizuwa comes in, a Brian Orakpo clone from UCLA. The power-rusher wins in the same ways as Hardy and can pay opposite of him early and replace him in 2016.
He's not an edge-bender, but he's a power speed-to-power converter. If anyone can scheme two power-rushers on the edges into a functional defense, it's Marinelli.
28. Denver Broncos: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
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Peyton Manning's time is numbered. Ever since he signed with Denver, his arm has gradually been declining. At this rate, it's hard to imagine he's able to hang around in the league for more than just another year or two.
John Elway, the team's general manager, knows the business of football, too: find a quarterback and you have a shot. He can't wait until Manning leaves to find his next guy; he needs to develop him so he's ready by the time their current Hall of Famer is out. In this class, there aren't many options after Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota come off the board.
The two options at this point are UCLA's Brett Hundley, a junior declaration, or Bryce Petty, who is close to 24 years old, has back issues and came from an Air Raid offense.
Hundley has the higher upside and what appears to be the smoothest transition to the league, so my educated guess would be the squad would lean toward him. Hundley played under a former NFL coach in Jim L. Mora and has shown leadership even outside of the football field, becoming one of the heads in a student-athlete union while in Los Angeles.
Given time on the bench like Aaron Rodgers, Colin Kaepernick or Philip Rivers, Hundley can develop into a quality passer, the most valuable asset in sports today. Denver has a rare opportunity to lock up its future while still competing on the front end with a living legend.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
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Because of the Trent Richardson experiment, the Indianapolis Colts didn't have a first-round selection last season. Between him and Bjoern Werner, an average selection so far, the Colts have been "missing" at the top of the draft since Andrew Luck was selected in 2012. With Luck's giant extension on the horizon, the team must capitalize on his cheaper contract quickly.
On the defensive side of the ball, there's really no team star. There are quality players, but there's no one who can stand next to Luck on promotions. Vontae Davis is one of those solid starters, a cornerback whom the Colts traded with the Miami Dolphins to acquire. Opposite of him is a question mark, though.
Kevin Johnson of Wake Forest has a strong case for being a top-20 selection in this class. He's a lengthy guy with speed, and his biggest knock was settled at the combine. He was listed in the 170-pound range while playing for the Demon Deacons but weighed in at 188 pounds in Indianapolis.
If the Colts were smart, they would bring the player who rose a bit in their own stadium back in blue and white. The tandem of Davis and Johnson can become the identity of a defense that previously had nothing other than "old and average."
30. Green Bay Packers: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
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The Green Bay Packers' defense has been hindered by its linebackers in recent past. With A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones now off the roster, there's a vacancy in the spot next to Sam Barrington, who came on in 2014. Linebackers aren't a premier position, but if a special one should fall into general manager Ted Thompson's hands, there's a solid shot that he'll take a swing.
Shaq Thompson from Washington can be viewed as a value pick this late into the first round. Thompson was a defensive back recruit and was a safety his first year in Seattle. He transitioned to linebacker in a 3-4 defense, the same setup that is Green Bay's base.
Thompson cannot only provide valuable 3-4 weak-side inside linebacker looks, but because of his coverage background, he also is a plus value player in nickel and dime, which Green Bay plays more than base. All and all, Thompson is a perfect plug and play athlete for what the Packers need in 2015.
31. New Orleans Saints: T.J. Clemmings, OT/IOL, Pittsburgh
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Earning the Seahawks' first-round selection via the Jimmy Graham trade, the New Orleans Saints get a second shot at at a top-32 pick in this class. At guard, they're missing a starter, with Senio Kelemete currently listed as a full-time player. Kelemete hasn't started a game since being drafted in the fifth round in 2012.
An upside selection at the position is T.J. Clemmings, who is a converted defensive tackle and basketball player. At the University of Pittsburgh, Clemmings finished his career at right tackle, as he had potential due to size and athleticism, and he's a strong run-blocker, but his footwork in pass protection is an issue. One would imagine that in a phone booth, those issues would be lessened.
Clemmings can be a short-term answer at guard and a long-term answer at tackle, a more premier position. Despite signing Zach Strief, the starting right tackle and captain for the team, to a five-year deal last season, the Saints are strapped for cash.
If the team should want to move past Strief, or refuse to pay Terron Armstead, their left tackle who is on a rookie contract, Clemmings could prove himself as a cheaper, but quality, replacement.
32. New England Patriots: Cameron Erving, IOL, Florida State
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Cameron Erving was being looked at last season as a potential first-round tackle. As 2014 went on, that seemed like a stretch. When facing off against speed-rushers such as Clemson's Vic Beasley, he couldn't handle his own on the edge.
When moved inside to center, though, his strength as an anchor was on display, and his lack of foot speed was hidden. Overall, he found his "spot" on the offensive line. With his ability to play center, there's a strong chance that his high level of play in the interior offensive line translates well to guard, too.
The New England Patriots aren't in need of a center, as they drafted Erving's college teammate, Bryan Stork, last season. They do need a guard, though. Reuniting the two of them, this time on the interior, is a good way to solidify the "protection detail" for Tom Brady, whose health becomes more of a concern as he ages.
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