2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 – 1st Round
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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 replace 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 – LB 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 Ereck Flowers, Miami
The Colts need to do a better job of protecting Andrew Luck and the right side of the O-line was most of the problem. Flowers can be an elite run blocker, which seems counter-intuitive to protecting Luck, but despite an ugly kick-slide Flowers has long arms and a wide base that will keep DEs at bay. Flowers imposing size and strong punch will be an improvement over Cherilus in pass pro and Flowers has the potential to be an elite run blocker as well.
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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 either B.J. Raji and Leroy Guiton who is facing marijuana charges. 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 – CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest
They picked up CB Brandon Browner to man the #2 CB position across from Keenan Lewis and they have last year’s 2nd round pick Stanley Jean-Baptiste as a developmental back-up, but Johnson is polished enough to come in and contribute as a rookie and has the potential to beat out Browner for the starting gig. Johnson has the footwork, length, and ball skills to be a shut-down corner, he just needs to get a little stronger. The Saints had one of the worst secondaries in the league last year and Johnson will help even if he doesn’t start right away.
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 tough to replace as an interior run stopper.