2015 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 – 1st Round
Jaime Valdez-USA TODAY Sports
16.) Houston Texans – DE/DT Arik Armstead, Oregon
At just 20 years old and 6’7, 292 pounds, Armstead’s ceiling is immense. Who better to set the right example and possibly unlock Armstead’s potential than all-world DT JJ Watt? Watt needs some help on the D-line to limit the double teams he constantly deal with and the additions of Armstead and last year’s #1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney could turn the Texans front seven into a unit to be feared.
17.) San Diego Chargers – RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
After the loss of Ryan Matthews the Bolts have only a group of complementary backs (Oliver, Woodhead, Brown) and need an RB who can carry the ball 20+ times per game. Gordon has elite acceleration through the line and the potential to be one of the best RBs in the NFL.
18.) Kansas City Chiefs – OT D.J. Humphries, Florida
The Chiefs lost their three best O-linemen in free agency the last two seasons in Brandon Albert, Jon Asamoah, and Rodney Hudson and 2013 #1 overall pick Eric Fisher is looking like a bust at LT. They need to do something about the O-line early and often in this year’s draft. I originally had La’el Collins in this spot, but with news breaking that he is possibly withdrawing from the draft due to legal issues I can’t see a team taking Collins anywhere near the first round. Humphries has good enough feet and athleticism to eventually play on the left side, which would allow the Chiefs to move Fisher to right tackle where he is a better fit.
19.) Cleveland Browns – WR Breshad Perriman, UCF
With the loss of Josh Gordon for another year and the lack of potential #1 WRs on the roster, the Browns take a chance on the extraordinary athletic ability of Perriman. The son of former NFL WR Brett Perriman, he has all the tools to be a top receiver in the league, but wasn’t dominant in college and it may take a year or two for his skills to translate into production in the NFL. Right away Perriman is by far the most talented WR on the Browns roster and they catch a break with him falling to 19.
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports
20.) Philadelphia Eagles – WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri
Chip Kelly likes big, physical wide receivers in his high-octane, quick pass offense and proved this offseason that he is willing to take some risks. DGB has the size and strength to be a quick pass receiver like Demaryius Thomas, but also the deep speed to take the top off defenses. His ceiling is as high as anyone’s in the draft, but he’s raw technique wise and has some serious off-field red flags which is why he’s still available this late.
21.) Cincinnati Bengals – OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
The Bengals are shifting towards a power running game on the back of bruising 2nd year RB Jeremy Hill and Flowers has the potential to be a mauling run blocker. His footwork in pass pro needs to improve and he may never be a LT, but Flowers has the size and strength that the Bengals prefer in their O-linemen and could step in at RT right away.
22.) Pittsburgh Steelers – CB Kevin Johnson. Wake Forest
The Steelers defense got old quick, especially in the secondary where Ike Taylor and Cortex Allen really struggled. Taylor has retired as has Steeler legend SS Troy Polamalu (and OLB Jason Worilds) leaving the Steelers with a few significant holes in their secondary. This pick is between SS Landon Collins, OLBs Shane Ray / Eli Harold, and Johnson. Ultimately the Steelers have less functional depth at CB, so Johnson wins out here. Johnson is a little thinner than ideal, but his technique is as polished as any outside CB in the draft and he should be able to step in immediately across from Cortez Allen and improve the Steelers coverage.
23.) Detroit Lions – DT Eddie Goldman, Florida St
The Lions lost both starting DTs, Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, in free agency and need depth at the position. They pulled off a great trade acquiring monstrous DT Haloti Ngata and signing promising DT Tyrunn Walker from the Saints, but they still are very thin at DT.