2015 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: 3rd Round
78) New Orleans Saints – D Ellis McCarthy, UCLA
If he’s stayed in school for 1 more year, got in better shape and improved his technique, McCarthy may have been a day 1 pick next year but right now he is just a raw question mark with a high ceiling. His athleticism for a big man is unique, but he has to be able to stay on the field to take advantage of it. He is strong with a surprisingly quick first step, but McCarthy’s career will be determined by how much work he is willing to put in to his conditioning.
79.) San Francisco 49ers – CB D’Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic
Both of the Niners starting corners from last year left in free agency and all they have done so far to replace them is re-sign Chris Cook, who missed most of last year with injury, and Shareece Wright, who wasn’t good for the Chargers last year. Smith is the best corner available at this point of the draft and showed better than expected speed at the combine. He has quick feet, great ball skills and is aggressive against the run. Smith could earn a starting spot as a rookie unless the Niners bring in an upgrade over Wright.
80.) Kansas City Chiefs – C Andrew Galik, Boston College
The Chiefs lost one of the best centers in the league in Rodney Hudson and they are going to have to bring in a replacement from somewhere. Galik has a similar profile as a cerebral overachiever, but it may take him a year or two to adapt to the speed and strength of the NFL game.
81.) Buffalo Bills – QB Bryce Petty, Baylor
With the retirement of Kyle Orton the Bills are stuck with E.J. Manuel and mediocre Matt Cassell at QB. Petty has good size, the necessary confidence, athleticism and an NFL arm but the transition from a spread offense to an NFL scheme may take at least a year or two. Either way, the Bills need some new talent at the QB position and Petty has starter potential.
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82.) Houston Texans – RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon get all the press, but Abdullah isn’t far behind them talent wise. He’s a bit undersized (5’8 | 198) but has elite burst, can change direction without losing speed, and may have the best vision in the draft class. Abdullah has a fumbling issue, but is a home run threat and would give the Texans another option if Arian Foster continues to occasionally miss games and frustrate his coaching staff.
83.) San Diego Chargers – CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomo, Oregon
The Chargers re-signed #1 CB Brandon Flowers and do have last year’s first round pick Jason Verrett coming back from injury, but they could use a competent 3rd corner. Once both Verrett and Ekpre-Olomo are healthy the Chargers could have one of the best young corner tandems in the AFC.
84.) Philadelphia Eagles – S Anthony Harris, Virginia
The Eagles have thrown a bunch of money at their secondary but could still use help at safety. Harris has good length, natural football instincts, breaks on the ball well, and had 10 INTs the last two seasons. He struggles shedding blockers, isn’t aggressive enough against the run, and is too thin (183) to deal with bigger NFL receivers (Brock Vereen weighs 15 more pounds). In a year or two with another 10-15 pounds of muscle, Harris could be a top-tier NFL safety.
85.) Cincinnati Bengals – WR/TE Devin Funchess, Michigan
The Bengals are probably going to lose free agent TE Jermaine Gresham and a hybrid WR/TE like Funchess would be an ideal replacement. His slow 40-time at the combine hurt his stock, but he cut over a tenth off his time at his pro day and could be a matchup nightmare if used correctly.
86.) Arizona Cardinals – OLB Davis Tull, Chattanooga
The Cards generated a solid pass rush last season, but it took the highest blitz percentage in the league to do so. They had very little talent on the edge last year after the surprise loss of John Abraham. Tull is an elite athlete who dominated at the DII level. His exceptional combine measurements should ease concerns about the transition to OLB and worst case Tull should be an asset as a situational pass rusher and special teams ace. Once Tull adjusts to the speed of the NFL, he could become a starting caliber edge rusher.
87.) Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Daryl Williams, Oklahoma
RT Marcus Gilbert showed flashes as a run blocker but gave up too much pressure in the passing game (7 sacks in 12 starts) and the Steelers could use at least some competition for him at the position if not an upgrade. Williams isn’t much of an athlete, but is a powerful run blocker who gives max effort in pass pro and has some of the longest arms in the draft class (35″). The tools are there to improve his pass blocking and he is already a solid run blocker, who is a leader on and off the field, and has an aggressive demeanor through the whistle. Willliams’ ceiling may not be as high as some of the other tackles in the draft, but his floor is higher than most and I think he will be a quality NFL right tackle. I wouldn’t be upset if the Bears took him with their 3rd round selection.