2015 NFL Draft: 1st Round Mock 2.0
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18.) Kansas City Chiefs – S Landon Collins, Alabama
It’s a sad story but All-Pro safety Eric Berry may not play football again and the Chiefs need to plan accordingly. They obviously have a need at WR, but they throw to WRs so rarely it seems like a stretch to use a first round pick on one. The Chiefs ground-based offensive scheme had a lot to do with their lack of WR TDs as well. They definitely need talent at the position, but it’s a deep WR class and they can easily find a good one on day 2. Collins is the best safety in the draft and a steal at 18.
19.) Cleveland Browns – WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona St
The Browns are looking at starting Andrew Hawkins and Taylor Gabriel at WR this year unless they do something about it. Strong would be the most talented receiver on the roster from day 1. He would give Manziel a poor man’s Mike Evans.
20.) Philadelphia Eagles – CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
The Eagles may have had the worst secondary in the league last year and they need two upgrades at corner (and safety). Johnson has all the tools to be a shutdown corner at the NFL level and should be solid as a rookie.
21.) Cincinnati Bengals – DT Malcolm Brown, Texas
The Bengals D-line was a strength as recently as two seasons ago but last year it was a mess both inside and out. Brown has the size to play the 1-tech if Peko and Still don’t improve next year and the quickness to take over for Geno Atkins if needed at the 3-tech. Defensive end may be a bigger need, but Brown is a top 15 player and can’t be passed up this late in the draft.
22.) Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Jalen Collins, LSU
After Cortez Allen got hurt last year, the Steelers had worse corners than any team in the league except the Eagles and Ravens who were literally signing corners off the street. Collins has the upside to be an elite corner eventually, but has enough skill right now to be better than any corners the Steelers had on the field last season.
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23.) Detroit Lions – DT Eddie Goldman, Florida St
There is little chance that the Lions bring back both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley next season. Even backup C.J. Mosley is a free agent. The Lions built one of the best defenses in the NFL last year around two dominant DTs and they will need a replacement for at least one of them. Goldman is a top 15 talent and a good value this late in the first round.
24.) Arizona Cardinals – RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
This pick won’t make any sense if the Cardinals sign Adrian Peterson. They are making a push for it, but I’m pretty sure AP ends up in Dallas and the Cards will be looking for a power complement to Andre Ellington. A Gurley / Ellington duo will be tough to stop if both players are healthy.