2015 NFL Mock Draft 4.0 – Round 3
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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 – DT Xavier Cooper, Washington St
New Broncos DC Wade Phillips runs a unique 3-4 that is more like a 4-3 under than a classic 3-4. Their front 3 are 1-gap disrupters instead of the standard 2-gap lane cloggers that most 3-4 schemes utilize. Cooper’s best assets are his quick first step and his ability to avoid blockers. He could fit well as a DE in Phillips scheme and maybe even a nose tackle if he can add strength. Jay Ratliff made 4 Pro Bowls as a NT in Phillips scheme at barely 300 pounds and Cooper has some similar traits.
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.
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94.) Green Bay Packers – LB Jordan Hicks, Texas
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. Hicks was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school who struggled with injuries and inconsistent play most of his college career until putting it all together as a senior. He showed the ability to be a sideline-to-sideline run stopper, cover TEs and RBs, and time blitzes well. Hicks played on the weak-side in the Longhorn’s scheme, but has the traits to be successful inside as well and has as much upside as any ILB in the draft.
95.) Seattle Seahawks – WR Kenny Bell, Nebraska
Bell is one of the best run blocking WRs in the draft which makes him a good fit for the Seahawks run heavy scheme, but he showed at the combine that he is more than just a blocker with a 4.42 40-time, a 41.5″ vertical, and the 3rd best 3-cone time among the WR group (6.66). Bell was stuck in a run-first scheme in college with a run-first QB, but could be much more productive playing with Russell Wilson. The Seahawks receiving core is mediocre at best and Bell is polished enough in all aspects of the position that he could earn significant snaps as a rookie.
96.) New England Patriots – CB D’Joun Smith, Florida Atlantic
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. Smith is underrated due to lack of exposure at Florida Atlantic, but has smooth footwork, good ball skills, and an explosive closing burst.
97.) New England Patriots – CB Steven Nelson Oregon St
After losing both starting CBs in the offseason, the Pats double up on corners in round 3, similar to how they restocked their RB position in 2011 with Vereen and Ridley. Nelson is a bit undersized (5’10 | 197), but aggressive and tough which he proved at the Senior Bowl shutting down the much bigger Sammie Coates. With the proliferation of 3 and 4 WR sets, teams need as many competent corners as possible and the Pats got two late in the 3rd round who could contribute right away and have starter potential.
98.) Kansas City Chiefs – LB Ramik Wilson, Georgia
Even if Derrick Johnson comes back 100% healthy, the Chiefs still need help at the other ILB position. Wilson is an athletic LB who is still learning the position and just scratching the surface of his potential., but has shown good instincts recognizing plays and moves with the fluidity necessary to cover both RBs and TEs.
99.) Cincinnati Bengals – TE Jeff Heuerman, Ohio St
I was tempted to go with a QB here, but they did draft A.J. McCarron last year and I have no idea how they feel about his development. I could see the Bengals picking up a QB before the draft is over, but they have more immediate needs like a TE who can actually block. Tyler Eifert is a dangerous receiver, but injury prone and not much of a blocker. Heuerman was barely used as a receiver in the Buckeyes scheme, but has shown NFL athleticism and soft hands when given a chance. Heuerman would complement Eifert well and will likely be more productive as a pro than he was in college.