NFL Mock Draft – Round 2
49. Jets – WR Brandin Cooks, Oregon St (5’10, 186): The Jets continue to add explosive play-makers to their offense. They need all the help they can get as they had the worst collection of skill players in the NFL last season. Cooks is dangerous with the ball in his hands and will give Geno Smith a reliable target on slants and other short routes which he can turn into big gains. Cooks’ size is less than ideal, but he was unstoppable as a junior (128 catches, 1,730 yards, 16 TDs). He’s a poor man’s Steve Smith.
50. Dolphins: OT Jack Mewhort, Ohio St (6’6, 306): Another strong, versatile O-lineman who played everywhere but center during his stint at OSU. Mewhort showed well at the Senior Bowl, solidifying his 2nd round grade. By all reports, he’s a good guy off the field as well, which is important to the Dolphins after the Martin / Incognito debacle.
51. Bears: S Calvin Pryor, Louisville (6’2, 208): The Bears get lucky and the draft’s #2 rated safety falls to the mid 2nd round. This might reek of a homer selection, but safeties are rarely drafted in the first round (only 5 in last 4 drafts), it’s a deep draft at the position which may force teams that need a safety to address thinner positions (DE, DT) first, there aren’t many teams that need a safety bad enough to draft one early, and at least one safety-needy team (Eagles) is rumored to be filling the position in free agency instead. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Bears signed at least one free agent safety as well, but they can’t afford to pass on Pryor if he is available. He’s the complete package at free safety with great range, good ball skills, and is a solid tackler known for occasionally laying out a receiver over the middle. In other words, he’s exactly what the Bears have been missing at the safety position since Mike Brown. If the Bears draft Pryor and find a way to sign SS TJ Ward, then all of a sudden they could have one of the best safety combinations in the NFL.
52. Cardinals: OLB Kyle Van Noy, BYU (6’3, 244): Another steal in the 2nd round, Van Noy can do it all at the OLB position. He’s more of a finesse guy than some teams like, but you can’t argue with the results (24 sacks, 54 TFLs over last 3 seasons). Van Noy is unique in that he excels in both coverage and rushing the passer. He’ll be an instant upgrade for the Cards over Sam Acho who was the weak link on a very good defense last year.
53. Packers: OLB Trent Murphy, Stanford (6’5, 255): There are rumors all over the place about the Packers targeting Murphy in round 2. It makes sense, the Packers need edge rushers and that’s what Murphy does best (15 sacks in 2013). He gets surprisingly low to the ground coming off the edge despite his height, has a myriad of sneaky pass rush moves, and is a 100% effort all-the-time type of player. Bears fans are going to hate him.
54. Eagles: S Ed Reynolds, Stanford (6’2, 206): I hear the Eagles are going to address the safety position in free agency, but even if they sign two vets, it still makes sense to draft a safety of the future. Chip Kelly is familiar with Reynolds from his days at Oregon and knows that he’s smart in coverage with natural instincts, good ball skills and solid range. Reynolds showed a knack for making big plays returning 3 of his 6 picks for TDs in 2012.
55. Bengals – CB Bradley Roby Ohio St (6’0, 192): The Bengals are one of the few teams in “best player available” mode, since they don’t have any glaring holes on their roster (except Dalton!). Roby might be gone much earlier if he runs a 4.3 at the combine as rumored he can. If he’s available, he would be a great developmental pick for the Bengals. Roby has prototypical physical traits for the position, has shown a willingness to hit in the run game, and just needs some coaching on his technique. He was destroyed by Wisconsin’s Jared Abbrederris in their match-up last year and it really exposed Roby’s poor technique. All his issues as fixable though and he could develop into a pro bowl caliber CB with the right situation and coaching.
56. 49ers – WR Jarvis Landry LSU (6’1, 195 ): With Anquan Boldin a threat to leave in free agency, the Niners draft a younger version in Landry. He’s not a burner, but he’s very strong, knows how to get open, and has great hands. He’s also a willing blocker in the run game and would give Kaepernick a reliable option opposite Crabtree. Landry is a first round talent, but it’s a deep WR class and the Niners get a great value pick late in the second round.