NFL Mock Draft – Round 2
59.) Colts: S Terrence Brooks, Florida St (5’11, 198) – The Colts lost FS Antoine Bethea in the off-season and SS Laron Landry is an in the box safety who should be paired with someone who has strong coverage skills. Brooks is fast and a big hitter despite being a bit undersized. He has a tendency to go for the big hit a little too often which leads to some missed tackles, but he usually finds a way to take down his target. Brooks has great range in coverage and can cover slot receivers when needed. His height isn’t ideal but his excellent vertical leap adds an inch or two. One knock on Brooks is his hands. He only had 4 interceptions in two years despite putting himself in position for at least double that many picks. Brooks only played safety for two seasons, so he is still learning the position and could get considerably better with more experience.
60.) Panthers: T Billy Turner, North Dakota St (6’5, 315) – A bit of a reach, but the Panthers O-line is a mess and Turner is a potential starting LT who is versatile enough to play RT or G in the short-term. Turner dominated for 4 years at ND St, but that is a long ways from the NFL. Even the Senior Bowl was a huge step up in competition for Turner, but he more than held his own. He had a little trouble with speed rushers, but was never overpowered.
61.) 49ers: CB Marcus Roberson, Florida (6’0, 191) – The Niners lost both of their starting corners from last year (Brown, Rogers) and despite signing Chris Cook and Perrish Cox they need some starting caliber talent at the position. Roberson had a bad combine and didn’t do much better at his pro day, but the tape doesn’t lie. He was one of the better cover guys in the country last season and has the potential to be a lock-down corner. Roberson is a non-factor against the run, but should improve the pass defense wherever he ends up.
62.) Patriots: TE Jace Amaro, Texas Tech (6’5, 265) – He’s a perfect fit for the Aaron Hernandez role in the Pats offense and a steal this late in round 2. Amaro had a disappointing combine, though he did look better at his pro day. Amaro has great size, good hands, and has shown a knack for getting open against zone coverage and should create mismatches against linebackers and most safeties. Amaro should be a big upgrade over the TEs the Pats put out there last season.
63.) Broncos: LB Jeremiah Attaochu, Georgia Tech (6’3, 252) – The Broncos get an explosive pass rusher and some insurance in case Von Miller’s recovery from an ACL injury doesn’t go as planned. Even if it does, Attaochu is versatile and can be moved around on passing downs or give Miller the occasional breather. He showed plenty of potential as a pass rusher on tape and enough athleticism at the Senior Bowl to handle the transition to OLB. Attaochu has a very quick first step and the natural ability to get to the QB. He ran a blistering 4.58 40-time at his pro day which pretty much insures he won’t make it out of the second round.
64.) Seahawks: WR Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt (6’3, 205) – Matthews is a big, sure-handed receiver who runs crisp routes and displayed better than expected speed and athleticism at the combine. Matthews was very productive in college and finished his career at Vandy as the SEC’s all-time leading receiver. He will give Russell Wilson a big target with reliable hands and is the perfect complement across from Percy Harvin.
Twitter: @MikeFlannery_