39.) Chicago Bears – ILB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
The Bears were one of the worst tackling teams in the league last season and could use a sideline-to-sideline run stopper like Kendricks (440 career tackles). The Bears are moving to a 3-4 scheme and don’t have 2 starting caliber ILBs.
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40.) New York Giants – OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
Like the Bears, the Giants used to be known for their bad-ass linebackers, but the last few years they have suffered from a lack of talent and athleticism. The Giants seemed to have found a late round gem in OLB Devon Kinnard in last year’s draft but they still need upgrades at the other two LB positions. Thompson is an elite athlete who is a bit raw but could develop into a dynamic run stopper who also excels in pass coverage.
41.) St. Louis Rams – OT/OG Cedric Ogbeuhi, Texas A&M
The Rams have some young talent on the O-line but could use upgrades on the right side. Ogbeuhi could play either right tackle or guard and has the potential to be elite at either if he can stay healthy.
42.) Atlanta Falcons – TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota
Falcons TE Levine Toilolo may have been the worst starting TE in the league last year. Every Falcons game I watched he seemed to drop at least one pass. The Falcons need an upgrade and Williams is probaly the best TE option in this draft. He’s not an elite athlete, but can block, runs sharp routes, and has soft hands. Williams can’t be any worse than Toilolo.
43.) Cleveland Browns – OLB Eli Harold, Virginia
This may be the steal of the second round. Harold is a first round talent and would give the Browns a dangerous pass rusher across from Barkevious Mingo as well as a replacement for free agent Jabaal Sheard.
44.) New Orleans Saints – WR Sammie Coates, Auburn
The Saints need help on defense, but WR Marcus Colston is on his last legs and they don’t have a replacement on the roster. It may take a year or two, but the combination of Brandin Cooks and the ultra-athletic Coates could give the Saints one of the most explosive WR combos in the league.
45.) Minnesota Vikings – MLB Denzel Perryman, Miami
The Vikings defense showed flashes of potential last year under new HC Mike Zimmer, but they still have some talent deficiencies. They have a solid interior D-line combo in Shariff Floyd and Linval Jospeh who could keep blockers off Perryman allowing him to use his considerable power to crush opposing ball carriers. As a Bears fan, I hope this pick doesn’t happen.
46.) San Francisco 49ers – OG Laken Tomlinson, Duke
All-Pro guard Mike Iupati is a free agent and may follow his former coaching staff out of town. If so the Niners will need a replacement at guard and Tomlinson has the power, skill, and smarts to step in on day 1 and hold his own.