2015 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1
21.) Cincinnati Bengals – DE Alvin Dupree, Kentucky (6’4 | 267 | 4.63)
The Bengals pass rush was anemic last season and they need some quick help. Dupree should go earlier than this with long arms, good burst off the edge, and a variety of polished pass rush moves. Steal for the Bengals.
22.) Pittsburgh Steelers – CB P.J. Williams, Florida St (6’0 | 196 | 4.48)
Had a bit of a down year after winning the MVP of the national championship game in 2013, but the junior corner has the size, speed, and elite athleticism to be a stud corner at the next level. Once Cortez Allen got hurt, the Steelers couldn’t cover anyone downfield and I think they will take the best available corner in round 1.
23.) Detroit Lions – DT Malcolm Brown, Texas (6’4 | 320 | 5.24)
Another good pick for a division rival, Brown dominated at times this season and is just scratching the surface of his potential. The Lions top three DTs (Suh, Fairley, Mosley) are all free agents and there is little chance they re-sign all of them so they will need a rotation replacement. I’d rather have Brown than Fairley right now.
24.) Arizona Cardinals – RB Todd Gurley, Georgia (6’1 | 226 | 452)
I have Melvin Gordon rated as my #1 RB but with speedy Andre Ellington already in the mix, Gurley is about a perfect fit for the Cardinals offense. They have been looking for a power back the last two seasons and they end up with the best one to come out of the draft since
Beanie Wells
Marshawn Lynch.
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25.) Carolina Panthers – WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma (6’5 | 225 | 4.49)
DGB has top 5 talent but serious off-field concerns. If he can stay out of trouble the Panthers would have two dynamic 6’5 WR options for Cam Newton. Throw in TE Greg Olsen and all of a sudden the Panthers have a dangerous group of giant pass catchers.
26.) Baltimore Ravens – CB Jalen Collins, LSU (6’2 | 198 | 4.52)
DGB would have been the perfect deep threat for Joe Flacco and his big arm, but the Ravens are better off grabbing a corner anyway after they were literally pulling people off the street to play the position last season. With Collins and CB Jimmy Smith coming back from injury, the corner position could be a strength next year. Collins is raw but has more upside than any corner in the draft.
27.) Dallas Cowboys – LB Shaq Thompson, Washington (6’2 | 231 | 4.56)
Elite athlete who played three positions during his time with the Huskies (LB, RB, S) and could be a sideline-to-sideline run stopper as the Cowboys weak-side OLB.
28.) Denver Broncos – ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi St (6’4 | 249 | 4.58)
The Broncos struggled to find a quality MLB last year after letting Wesley Woodyard leave in free agency. McKinney has unlimited upside in the middle due to his size and elite athletic ability.
29.) Indianapolis Colts – RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin (6’1 | 257 | 4.52)
A rival AFC team should do whatever they can to block this from happening. Adding Gordon to the Colts already potent offense will make things scary for any team trying to stop the Colts next season. I think Gordon is the total package and an All-Pro caliber RB right now.
30.) Green Bay Packers – DT Eddie Goldman, Florida St (6’3 | 320 | 5.28)
Has the size and power to play nose tackle and enough quickness to play the end in the Packers 3-4 scheme. Leroy Guiton was decent for the Pack at the nose last year, but is more of a stop-gap solution and would be better suited as a rotation player. Defense end Mike Daniels has just one year left before hitting free agency and Datone Jones improved last year, but has been somewhat disappointing at the other end position.
31.) New England Patriots – DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma (6’6| 334 | 5.34)
DT Vince Wilfork can’t play forever and is nearing the end of his borderline Hall of Fame career. Phillips is a ridiculous athlete for his size, but still raw. If Wilfork can play for another season or two, the Pats can rotate Phillips into the lineup gradually and eventually have a high upside replacement.
32.) Seattle Seahawks – WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona St (6’4 | 215 | 4.55)
QB Russell Wilson gets a legit red zone weapon at WR for the first time in his career. Strong could be a force right away for the Seahawks with great size, strong hands, and big play ability. The combination of Strong and healthy deep threat in Paul Richardson could give the Seahawks a dynamic receiving core next season.
¹ Mock drafts used to determine average draft slot: CBS Sports (Rang, Brugler), WalterFootball, DraftTek, ESPN Insider (Kiper, McShay), NFL (Brooks), and SB Nation.