2015 NFL Draft: 1st Round Mock 2.0
9.) New York Giants – DE Bud Dupree, Kentucky
I”m not sure 5 edge rushers have ever been selected in a row in the top 10, but this could be the year. The Giants pass rush has fallen apart the last two years with disappointing seasons from their defensive ends. At 6’4, 269 Dupree has a very similar frame to Pierre-Paul and Kiwanuka and similar explosiveness off the edge.
10.) St. Louis Rams – WR Kevin White, West Virginia
The Rams get a steal here and exactly what they need in a vertical WR with the size to be a red zone threat. They have a bunch of quick, smallish guys but no legit #1 WR. Now they do with Kevin White. QB is a bigger need, but unless Mariota drops, there is no chance they address the QB position at 10 overall. If White goes 4 to the Raiders, then Amari Cooper is the obvious choice here. Adding either one of the top receivers makes the Rams offense much more dangerous.
11.) Minnesota Vikings – WR Davante Parker, Louisville
An O-lineman is definitely a possibility with this pick, but reuniting Teddy Bridgewater with his favorite college receiver is pretty tempting. More importantly Parker has legit #1 WR potential and the size, route-running ability, and red zone presence that the Vikes just don’t have right now in their WR group. If both Parker and Cordarelle Patterson can develop, then Bridgewater could have two dynamic weapons at receiver.
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12.) Cleveland Browns – DT Danny Shelton, Washington
The Browns gave up more rushing yards than any other team in the NFL last year. Shelton is a perfect fir for their 2-gap NT position and will improve their rush D from day 1. He is a steal this late.
13.) New Orleans Saints – CB Trae Waynes, Michigan St
The Saints defense gave up more yards last year than any other team in the NFL except the Falcons. It was a really steep fall from 2013 when they gave up the 4th fewest yards in the league and the main difference was the secondary. Big ticket free agent Jarius Byrd got hurt early and both Keenan Lewis and Kenny Vaccaro regressed last season. The Saints badly need help at corner and Waynes has established himself as the best one in the draft.
14.) Miami Dolphins – OG/OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
The Dolphins completely rebuilt their O-line last year and some of it worked and some didn’t. They still have a few holes on the line and a guy like Scherff who can play multiple positions is a perfect fit. His best position right now is at guard, but Scherff could be a dominant right tackle as well and will start somewhere on the Phins line as a rookie.
15.) San Francisco 49ers – WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
Anyone who has read my fantasy posts knows I”m not a Kaepernick fan, but there is no debating that he has a cannon arm. Kaepernick hasn’t had a legitimate deep threat in his career and a long, fast target like DGB who can go get the ball could open up the Niners offense. There are off-field issues obviously, but talent wise, DGB is a top 5 pick.
16.) Houston Texans – OT/OG La’el Collins, LSU
The Texans aren’t going to have a good QB this year, so they may as well run the ball well. A versatile lineman like Collins who could potentially play LT, RT, or either guard position will improve the Texans O-line depth and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up starting somewhere on the line as a rookie.
17.) San Diego Chargers – OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
The Chargers have a few right tackles on their roster but no true left tackles. Peat could start on the left side from day one and allow the Bolts to move Dunlap to right tackle, which is his true position, and D.J. Fluker to guard where his power will play better.