2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

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Spruce Derden-USA TODAY Sports

With two weeks to go before the draft, it’s time for my 2nd to last mock draft. With free agency pretty much wrapped up, team needs are fairly static at this point so there may not be much difference between my last two mocks barring any significant trades, off-field arrests or news of more failed drug tests from the combine.

As for our Bears, they have been active both early in free agency and on the second-tier market. They added depth at a number of thin positions, giving them more flexibility in the draft and allowing them to use the “best player available” strategy which may not have been an option with some many glaring holes on the defensive side of the ball.

2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0- Round 3

65.) Tampa Bay Bucs – S Cody Prewitt, Mississippi

The Bucs safeties were so bad last season that they were forced to start Major Wright for 7 games. Then they not only re-signed Wright this offseason but paired him with former Bears teammate Chris Conte. The Bears tried starting those two together in 2013 and the result was the worst defense in the Bears storied history. It obviously wasn’t just their fault, but they didn’t help much either. The Bucs need safety help in a bad way. Prewitt would have a legit chance to contribute as a rookie in Tampa. He has great instincts in the passing game, but has shown inconsistent effort against the run.

66.) Tennessee Titans – DE Mario Edwards Jr, Florida St

The Titans switch to a 3-4 scheme was a disaster last year as teams ran all over them. They have one quality DE on the roster in Jurrell Casey, but that is it. Edwards has the potential and physical maturity to play as a rookie and possibly lock down the other DE position. His production at FSU was spotty; there were moments of dominance surrounded by long stretches of no impact. The talent is there for Edwards to be a beast, but his inconsistency is what dropped him this far in the draft.

67.) Jacksonville Jaguars – CB Alex Carter, Stanford

If Gus Bradley is looking to implement a secondary scheme similar to the one he helped create in Seattle, Alex Carter would be a perfect fit. He has the size and strength to be effective in a press scheme while good enough instincts to drop back into a zone. Carter has late first / early 2nd round talent and would be a steal this late.

68.) Oakland Raiders – OT Ty Sambrailo, Colorado St

The Raiders have a solid LT in Donald Penn, but he’s 32 years old. If Penn can continue to be productive for at least another year it would give Sambrailo some time to get stronger which is really his only red flag. Sambrailo has great footwork, long arms, and a nasty demeanor. I think he’s a year or two away from being a starting NFL left tackle which is great value from a 3rd round pick.

69.) Washington Redskins – S Gerod Holliman Louisville

The Redskins safety combo of Ryan Clark and Brandon Meriweather may have been even worse than the Bears and Bucs safety combos. Holliman proved to be a play-maker with 14 interception after taking over for former 1st round pick Calvin Pryor. There are questions about his tackling ability which is why Holliman is still available this late but he will be a massive upgrade at free safety over Clark who might have been the slowest safety in the league.

70.) New York Jets – QB Brett Hundley, UCLA

Geno Smith probably isn’t the answer at QB, so the Jets take the 2nd tier QB with the highest upside in Hundley. On paper he has all the tools to succeed, but his slow progressions and decision making will make it tough to survive at the next level. Hundley needs a year or two of seasoning and NFL caliber coaching, so hopefully the Jets will be patient enough with him and wait until 2016 before putting him in the lineup. Hundley has a cannon arm, elite athleticism for a QB, and is smart enough to learn an NFL offense.

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2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 – Round 3

By Mike Flannery | Apr 18, 2015

2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0- Round 3