2015 NFL Mock Draft: 1st Round 3.0
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27.) Dallas Cowboys – RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
The Cowboys lost one of the best RBs in the league in DeMarco Murray, but replaced him here with arguably the most talented RB in the draft. Gordon goes from running behind one of the best O-lines in college football to running behind one of the best O-lines in the NFL. If Gordon ends up in Dallas I will be using a relatively high pick on him in my fantasy drafts next year. Gordon has great vision, an elite burst though the line of scrimmage and breakaway speed. Rookie RB records could be in jeopardy.
28.) Denver Broncos – ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi St
The Broncos were already thin at ILB before they lost Nate Irving in free agency. McKinney has the athleticism and potential to be an elite 3-down MLB.
29.) Indianapolis Colts – OT T.J. Clemmings, Pitt
The Colts may have had the best offseason of any team in the league, but they still haven’t addressed their O-line issues. The right side of the Colts line needs to improve to keep Andrew Luck clean, and Clemmings could contribute at either guard or right tackle as a rookie and has potential to develop into a quality NFL left tackle.
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30.) Green Bay Packers – DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
The Packers got sub-par play from their nose tackles last year which resulted in a bottom 10 rush defense. The Packers rush defense hasn’t been good since B.J Raji was healthy in 2012, but Phillips could provide similar value to what Raji did in his prime. Right now the Packer’s have no legit NTs on the roster. They may sign free agent B.J. Raji, but last year’s starting NT Leroy Guiton is facing legal troubles and probably won’t be brought back. Phillips has way more upside than either of those guys anyway. It’s a rare draft that has three quality nose tackles and the Packers will be lucky to get one of them with the 30th pick.
31.) New Orleans Saints – TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota
The Saints shocked the league by trading All-Pro TE Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks and don’t have an obvious replacement on the roster. Williams isn’t the athlete that Graham is, but is the best TE in this year’s draft class and has natural hands and receiving ability. He can also block a bit and should start as a rookie.
32.) New England Patriots – DT Carl Davis, Iowa
The Patriots were thin at DT before they lost NT Vince Wilfork, but now they have a massive hole in the middle of their defense. Davis isn’t as big as Wilfork, but he’s big enough to take on double teams (6’5 | 320) and has the talent to be a force on the inside if he’s motivated. The additions of Davis and last year’s 1st round pick Dominique Easley could give the Pats a better defensive line than they had last season, though Wilfork will be impossible to replace as a run stopper.