2015 NFL Draft: 1st Round Mock Draft 1.0
By Mike Payton
With the 21st pick, the Cincinatti Bengals select: Gerod Holiman, Safety, Louisville
Nov 29, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals safety Gerod Holliman (8) returns an interception against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John
The Bengals are an enigma. On paper they seem like a team you don’t want to meet in a dark alley. Then at times they look like a team ready to fall apart. Bringing in Holliman will help the 20th ranked pass defense. He can take advantage of Geno Atkins pass rush.
With the 22nd pick, the Pittsburgh Steelers select: Jaquiski Tartt, Saftey, Samford
Jan 22, 2015; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad tight end Clive Walford of Miami (46) catches a pass as safety Jaquiski Tartt of Samford (6) defends during Senior Bowl South squad practice at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports
The Steelers secondary took a hit last week after Troy Palomalu and Ike Taylor retired. Now it’s time for the Steelers to find their safety of the future. Look no farther than Tartt.
With the 23rd pick, the Detroit Lions select, Eric Rowe, Cornerback, Utah
Feb 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Utah defensive back Eric Rowe to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
While most will say the Lions should take a running back or offensive tackle, I think you just can’t pass on Eric Rowe. With Rashean Mathis not getting any younger, the Lions could benefit from having Rowe come in and learn from the ageless wonder himself. Rowe can play either Corner or Safety as well which means he can rotate wherever the Lions need him too. If he’s there at 23, you have to sprint to the podium.
With the 24th pick, the Arizona Cardinals select: Jalen Strong, Wide Receiver, Arizona State.
Dec 27, 2014; El Paso, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) celebrates after defeating the Duke Blue Devils in the 2014 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. The Sun Devils defeated the Blue Devils 36-31. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports
Not necessarily a need for the Cardinals at the moment. But it’s time to start thinking about life without Larry Fitzgerald and take a guy like Jaelen Strong.
With the 25th pick, the Carolina Panthers select: Dante Fowler Jr, Linebacker, Florida
Nov 29, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs the ball past Florida Gators defensive lineman Dante Fowler Jr. (6) and linebacker Antonio Morrison (3) during the game at Doak Campbell Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
The panthers defense came on late in the season last year. What the Panthers could use is a sidekick for Luke Kuechly. Fowler maybe the best linebacker in the draft. He is slated to be a top 10 pick but seems like the guy that will fall. The Panthers could get a steal here.
With the 26th pick, the Baltimore Ravens select: Malcom Brown, Defensive Tackle, Texas
Sep 27, 2014; Lawrence, KS, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Malcom Brown (90) warms up before the game against the Kansas Jayhawks at Memorial Stadium. Texas won the game 23-0. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
After losing Haloti Ngata to the Lions, the Ravens will be in the market for his replacement. Assuming he returns as suggested by Ravens owner Scott Bisciotti, the Ravens could have a scary duo in 2016. If not, the Ravens can still build around Brown.
With the 27th pick, the Dallas Cowboys select: Melvin Gordon, Running Back, Wisconsin
Jan 1, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs the ball in the first half against the Auburn Tigers in the 2015 Outback Bowl at Raymond James Stadium. Wisconsin defeated Auburn 34-31 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
There’s no secret Jerry has a crush on Melvin. After a hard day he goes home and opens a bottle of wine, lies on the couch and watches Melvin Gordon highlights. Any team will rue the day they take Gordon before Jerry has his chance.
With the 28th pick, the Denver Broncos select: T.J. Clemmings, Offensive Tackle, Pittburgh
Feb 20, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Pittsburgh offensive lineman Trevor Clemmings speaks to the media at the 2015 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
It won’t be long before the Broncos are thinking about protecting Brock Osweiler.
With the 29th pick, the Indianapolis Colts select: D.J. Humphries, Offensive Tackle, Florida
Nov 22, 2014; Gainesville, FL, USA Florida Gators offensive lineman D.J. Humphries (70) blocks during the second half against the Eastern Kentucky Colonels at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 52-3. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
While Luck had a great year, he also got sacked 27 times and threw 16 interceptions. That’s what happens when you’re rushed. Humphries gives Andrew Luck more time to make the right play.
With the 30th pick, the Green Bay Packers select: Denzel Perryman, Linebacker, Miami
Oct 4, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Miami Hurricanes linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the first quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Last season the Packers were forced to move Clay Matthews to middle linebacker. While that worked out quite well, drafting Perryman allows Matthews to go back to the outside. The only knock I have on Perryman is he seems undersized at Linebacker, but Chris Borland showed last year that doesn’t matter.
With the 31st pick, the New Orleans Saints select: Devin Funchess, Tight End, Michigan
Oct 11, 2014; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
This would be the best case scenario for the Saints after trading Jimmy Graham. Funchess didn’t have the best combine and has apparently switched to tight end. At 6’5″ and running a 5.48 4o, this could be a scary thing for the NFC South.
With the 32nd pick, the New England Patriots select: Tevin Coleman, Running Back, Indiana
Nov 8, 2014; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman (6) runs the ball through the arm tackle of Penn State Nittany Lions linebacker Brandon Bell (26) in the fourth quarter of the game at Memorial Stadium. Penn State Nittany Lions beat the Indiana Hoosiers by the score of 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
While this seems unlikely because the Patriots could put me in at running back and still make the playoffs, imagine if the Patriots had a solid running back that can out do what’s just good enough to win a championship. If’ I’m the Patriots, I make this pick. But they will probably just trade don like they always do.
What do you think? How bad was this mock draft? Or did I do okay? Leave your comments below or feel free to tell me how wrong I am on Twitter @Lionmike26