2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 – Round 3
Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
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 Tyler Lockett, Kansas St
The Bengals could use a slot receiver with some speed and the ability to get open underneath. They haven’t had one since Baby Hawk left and Lockett could fill that role as a rookie and also contribute in the return game.
86.) Arizona Cardinals – OLB Davis Tull, Chattanooga
The Cards generated a solid pass rush last season, but it took one of the highest blitz percentages 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 – CB Ronald Darby, Florida St
They could address the position earlier, but it’s a deep CB class and Darby is a potential starter. He has elite speed (4.37), decent size (5’11 | 193), fluid hips, and can play multiple coverage schemes. Darby’s only real weakness is a lack of consistent aggressiveness against the run, but if he develops into the lock down corner he is capable of becoming then I don’t think the Steelers will complain about his run defense.
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 Tony Lippett, Michigan 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-three WRs in this draft. Lippett has good size (6’2 | 192) and tracks deep balls well which is one of QB Joe Flacco’s strengths. There is some talk that Lippett can play corner as well which is also a need for the Ravens.