2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 – 1st Round
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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. Dupree fits the profile that GM Jerry Reese looks for in his defensive ends. At 6’4, 269 Dupree has almost exactly the same frame as Pierre-Paul and Kiwanuka coming out of college and similar athletic measurements. The Giants have needs on both sides of the ball, but Dupree has elite pass rush potential and I don’t think the Giants will be able to pass that up.
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 – WR Devante Parker, Louisville
The Vikings reunite QB Teddy Bridgewater with his former go-to WR at Louisville. The Vikings don’t have a true #1 WR, but have a couple interesting ancillary receivers. Parker and Bridgewater already have a nice chemistry, but regardless Parker has all the tools to become a legit #1 in the league. He’s got excellent ball skills, can make the tough catch in traffic, tracks the deep ball very well, and is dangerous after the catch. The combination of Parker, Patterson, and Johnson could become one of the more dangerous WR groups in the league.
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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 Randy Gregory, Nebraska
The most polished pass rusher in the draft with an explosive first step, good lean around the edge, elite closing speed, and a handful of polished pass rush moves. His failed drug test at the combine dropped him out of the top 10, but he is too talented to fall any farther than this. The Saints struggled to generate a consistent pass rush last year and Gregory will help with that. He needs to get stronger, maintain his weight, and improve against the run but Gregory has double-digit sack potential as a rookie.
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 – CB Trae Waynes, Michigan St
The Niners lost both of their starting CBs in free agency and replaced them with back-up quality players. Waynes is the best CB in the draft and the Niners are lucky that he fell to 15.
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. My reliable sources in Tempe tell me that the Strong wrist injury concerns are overblown. 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.