2015 NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round 3.0
7.) Chicago Bears – WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
I’ve been confident this would be a defensive pick for most of the offseason, but the signing of edge rusher Pernell McPhee, the announcement that Lamarr Houston would play OLB, the trade of Brandon Marshall, and the lack of effort to sign a #2 WR in free agency leads me to believe that the Bears are considering White or Cooper with this pick. It’s a very deep WR class so they could take Shelton, Beasley, Dupree, Collins or a number of other defensive players here and draft a big WR on day 2, but I think they are going for an elite talent like Cooper. He may be the best route runner in the draft, has excellent ball skills, natural hands, and really all the tools to become a #1 WR in the NFL.
8.) Atlanta Falcons – DE Vic Beasley, Clemson
The Falcons had one of the worst pass rushes in the league last season (31st in sacks with 22). Beasley is coming off an amazing combine performance and has the production and college tape to back it up. I could see them going with Dupree here instead but I’m pretty sure the pick will be an edge rusher.
9.) New York Giants – DE Bud Dupree, Kentucky
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 – OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
The Rams are quietly building a juggernaut but still need a reliable QB and O-line that can keep him clean and open running lanes. They may have found a QB in Foles and the the addition of Scherff is a step in the right direction to fixing the O-line. He could play left tackle if he had to, but ideally Scherff will end up at right tackle or guard where he has Pro Bowl potential early in his career.
11.) Minnesota Vikings – CB Trae Waynes, Michigan St
The Vikings have a Pro Bowl quality corner in Xavier Rhodes, but not much other talent at corner. The addition of Waynes across from Rhodes will give the Vikes two potentially elite corners to deal with the giant receivers in the NFL North.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
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 – OLB Shane Ray, Missouri
Somewhat of a disappointing pro day for a guy that was rumored to run in the 4.4-4.5 range and have a 40″+ vertical. Ray’s performance wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t as impressive as the other top edge rushers at the combine. His tape is still very strong; Ray has a lighting quick first step, can change direction without losing speed, uses his hands well, and has a couple explosive but raw pass rush moves. The Saints had trouble generating a pass rush outside of Cam Jordan and Junior Galette, but Ray should give them a third weapon off the edge.
14.) Miami Dolphins – OT/OG La’el Collins, LSU
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 Collins who can play multiple positions is a perfect fit. His best position right now is probably at guard, but I think Collins can become an NFL left tackle eventually and could be a good right tackle right away. Regardless, Collins will start somewhere on the Phins line as a rookie.
15.) San Francisco 49ers – WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
The Niners have had one of the worst offseasons I have ever seen. They lost multiple players to retirement, about half of their coaching staff, one of the best guards in the NFL, and most of their remaining free agents have made it clear that they have no interest in coming back. It wasn’t all bad news though as the Niners did sign WR Torrey Smith, which gives Kaepernick his first legit deep threat and Parker would give him his first receiver with true #1 potential.
16.) Houston Texans – WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona St
Texan legend Andre Johnson in now a Colt which leaves just DeAndre Hopkins and recently signed (and injury-prone) Cecli Shorts as the legitimate receiving options on the team. They probably need two WRs in this draft, but Strong is a great start. He has excellent size (6’2 | 217). the speed (4.44) to be a deep threat, and the ball skills to high-point catches and be a red zone weapon.