2015 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 – 1st Round
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24.) Arizona Cardinals – OLB Shane Ray. Missouri
It’s been a rough last month for Ray with the recent weed citation and a somewhat disappointing pro day. Ray’s pro day performance wasn’t bad, his athleticism just didn’t match up to the rumors (4.5, 35 reps, 40″ vert) or even the other top edge rushers at the combine. His tape is still very strong; Ray has a lighting quick first step, can change direction without losing speed, uses his hands well, and has a couple explosive but raw pass rush moves. The Cards generated a pass rush with a blitz heavy scheme, smoke, and mirrors last year. They did it without a legit pass rusher off the edge and still don’t have one on the roster. Ray could give the Cards an explosive pass rusher with a great work ethic and the ability to get to the QB consistently. He is a steal this late.
25.) Carolina Panthers – OT Jake Fisher, Oregon
The Panthers got by with the worst tackle combination in the league last year and need an upgrade at one of the tackle positions at least. Fisher has the size and athleticism to play left tackle, he just needs to get a little stronger. He is talented enough right now that he’d be an upgrade over either of last year’s starting tackles for the Panthers.
26.) Baltimore Ravens – CB Marcus Peters, Washington
GM Ozzie Newsome seems to always pick the best player available regardless of need, but in this case the best player left on the board happens to fill the Ravens biggest need. Peters has some off-field red flags but he’s more talented than any corner currently on the Ravens roster besides maybe Jimmy Smith.
27.) Dallas Cowboys – DE Bud Dupree, Kentucky
Dupree has all the physical talent necessary to be a dominant NFL pass rusher, but his technique is raw and will need to improve if he is going to be successful at the next level. There probably isn’t a better coach for Dupree than Dallas DC Rod Marinelli who has an impressive track record of unlocking young talent. Marinelli still hasn’t gotten enough credit for building a credible defense out of the spare parts he was given in Dallas last year. It may not happen this season, but the combination of Dupree and last year’s 2nd round pick Demarcus Lawrence have the potential to be a dominant pass rushing duo in the near future.
28.) Denver Broncos – OL Cameron Erving, Florida St
With the switch to a zone blocking scheme under new OC Gary Kubiak, the Broncos need to improve the mobility of their offensive line. Last year’s center Manny Ramirez is a phone booth mauler who isn’t a great fit for a zone blocking scheme and basically the whole right side of the O-line is questionable after the loss of RG Orlando Franklin. Erving was versatile enough to play anywhere on the O-line at FSU and could upgrade multiple positions on the right side of the Broncos line though center may be his best fit.
29.) Indianapolis Colts – S Landon Collins, Alabama
The Colts will probably go with an offensive linemen here as protecting Andrew Luck should be their first priority, but they also need to stop opposing offenses which their 22nd ranked defense didn’t do a great job of last season. Collins is a steal at #29. He has elite football instincts which allow him to be an impact run stopper in the box and a pretty solid single-deep safety as well. I’m not sure why he is dropping so far in mocks, CBS has Collins going to the Bears in round 2 (please!), because safeties are as important as ever with the proliferation of 3-4 WR sets. Collins has the potential to be an intimidating run stopper in the box, a deterrent to WRs crossing the middle and an effective player in coverage.
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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. At NT right now the Packer’s have either B.J. Raji or the underwhelming Leroy Guiton, who is also dealing with potential legal issues. Phillips has more upside than either of those options. As I mentioned with the Bears pick of Shelton, less than half of the teams in the league have a true nose tackle who can handle double teams and still have enough quickness to collapse the pocket, but Phillips has has the potential to be one. 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 – WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona St
The Saints traded their best receiver (Jimmy Graham) during the offseason, leaving pretty much only 2nd year player Brandin Cooks as a legitimate threat. The rest of the Saints receiving corps is either old, slow, or both. Strong would be a perfect complement to Brandin Cooks, replace Graham as a big red-zone threat and have enough speed to take the top off defenses. The Saints catch a break here after rumors about a wrist injury dropped Strong’s draft stock. Fast-rising WR Nelson Agholor could be an option here as well.
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 (if healthy) 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.