2015 NFL Mock Draft 3.0: 3rd Round
Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
88.) Detroit Lions – RB Duke Johnson. Miami
The Lions released RB Reggie Bush and get a replacement in Duke Johnson who is a perfect complement to power back Joique Bell. Johnson is a threat to score every time he touches the ball, catches it well out of the backfield and has enough bulk to carry the ball 12-15 times per game.
89.) Carolina Panthers – RB T.J. Yeldon, Alabama
The Panthers finally escaped from DeAngelo Williams’ massive contract, but are now left with only fragile Jonathon Stewart as a viable starting RB. Yeldon has the size, speed, and power to be a dominant NFL back, but injuries and weight gain led to a sub-par 2014 season. The potential is there for Yeldon to be special and he is a worth a gamble at this point of the draft.
90.) Baltimore Ravens – WR Rashad Greene, Florida St
The Ravens were already light at WR before they lost Torrey Smith in free agency. With only diminutive Steve Smith and the underwhelming Marlon Brown on the depth chart I wouldn’t be surprised if they added two WRs in this draft. Green is a sharp route runner, with great hands, and slick moves after the catch. He’s polished enough to contribute right away which the Ravens will need him to do.
91.) Dallas Cowboys – S Damarious Randall, Arizona St
Both of the Cowboys safeties were sub-par last season and without much cap space to find one in free agency, they will have to roll the dice in the draft. It’s not a very strong safety class after Landon Collins, but Randall looks like one of the safest bests. He’s a bit undersized, but is very good in coverage and has solid instincts and aggressiveness against the run.
92.) Denver Broncos – C BJ Finney, Kansas St
The Broncos will be focusing more on zone blocking under new HC Gary Kubiak and current center Manny Ramirez struggled with some zone schemes last year. Finney is a technician at center with great footwork and the mobility to get to the second level. He could become a solid starter for the Broncos in a year or two.
93.) Indianapolis Colts – G Jarvis Harrison, Texas A&M
The Colts have all the weapons on offense to be dominant, but still need to improve their protection of Andrew Luck and their run blocking. Harrison is massive (6’4 | 330), can be a a mauling run blocker, and also has surprisingly quick feet for his size. His pass pro still needs work but the talent is there for Harrison to become a well rounded beast at guard.
Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
94.) Green Bay Packers – LB Ramik Wilson, Georgia
The Packers were so thin at ILB last season that they had to move elite pass rusher Clay Matthews inside. The fact that the Packers then cut ILBs Brad Jones and AJ Hawk this offseason pretty much ensures they will add at least one inside linebacker in the draft. Wilson has the size and speed to be a force inside, but needs to improve his block shedding technique and be aggressive more consistently.
95.) Seattle Seahawks – DT Grady Jarrett, Clemson
An injury to Brandon Mebane exposed a lack of depth on the Seahawks interior D-line but Jarrett could fill that from day 1. He has an elite burst off the line of scrimmage for a 300 pounder, a non-stop motor, and good football instincts. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jarrett starting by the end of his rookie season.
96.) New England Patriots – CB Ronald Darby, Florida St
The Pats lost the best corner in the league in Darrell Revis and a solid #2 in Brandon Browner. Super Bowl hero Malcolm Butler should play a bigger role this season, the Pats brought in some 2nd-tier free agent corners, and still have a few decent corners who played important minutes before the additions of Revis and Browner. Darby has world-class speed and the potential to eventually become a shut-down corner. Great value pick this late in the draft.
97.) New England Patriots – WR Tyler Lockett, Kansas St
With Tom Brady’s pinpoint accuracy on underneath passes, Lockett could be a dangerous weapon as a rookie. The Pats could use a deep threat more, but at this point of the draft Lockett is the best WR available and a great fit for the Pats offense. Lockett could also contribute as a kick and punt returner.
98.) Kansas City Chiefs – LB Jordan Hicks, Texas
Even if Derrick Johnson comes back 100% healthy, the Chiefs still need help at the other ILB position. Hicks has as much talent as any LB in the draft but didn’t start playing like it until his senior year. Hicks has had some injury issues and was inconsistent early in his career, but showed the talent to be a sideline-to-sideline run stuffer last year and rarely missed a tackle.
99.) Cincinnati Bengals – DT Xavier Cooper, Washington St
A penetrating 3-tech DT who can back up Geno Atkins in the short term and has the potential to eventually take over if he can improve his overall strength. Cooper has a good burst off the line of scrimmage and uses his hands well to shed blockers. He could be a rotational pass rusher as a rookie with the ability to start eventually.