For picks 1-16, click here.
17. San Diego Chargers – Cameron Erving, C, Florida St
The Chargers have a big need at Center, with previous starter Nick Hardwick announcing that he was going to retire from the NFL. Erving is versatile, having played at multiple positions at Florida State, but his best fit is at Center, where he led the Seminoles to some big games in 2014. This is a good blend of value and need.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – La’el Collins, OT, LSU
This pick isn’t a feel-good one for the Chiefs, who took Eric Fisher #1 overall two years ago. Fisher has struggled, though, and Ryan Harris is nothing special at the right side of the line, either.
Collins would provide depth, competition and upgrade the offensive line. Maybe if Alex Smith had a little more time in the pocket, he’d actually attempt to throw deep occasionally. Probably not, though.
19. Cleveland Browns – Alvin Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Dupree probably won’t make it this far, honestly, but I personally have some concerns about Dupree as a bust prospect as he lacks functional football strength and will disappear on the field at times. He’s well worth it for the Browns here, though, and can help them with an anemic pass rush.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Collins is the top safety in the draft and the Eagles need help at the position. Beat writers for the Eagles give the impression the team would be thrilled if he fell to them and I think that’s more likely than not at this point. Of course, their interest may be over stated but this one seems like a good connection at this point.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
Brown is a big body that the team can pair with Domata Peko to have a great defensive front. He can play in both 4-3 and 3-4 alignments and is considered a leader on and off the field.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Peters has some character concerns which may rule him out for the Steelers. It will depend on how they feel about him. Cornerback is a big need for the team, however, and Peters has the size and skills to be able to start quickly. Peters has been working on convincing teams that he recognizes his mistakes in college, which included multiple arguments with the coaching staff and a sideline rant that earned him a one game suspension.
If the Steelers believe him to be sincere, they have the organizational pieces in place to be able to help guide him and turn him into a productive player.
23. Detroit Lions – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
The Lions get the best RB in the draft with this pick, taking Gurley out of Georgia to help their run game that lacks a star. Gurley is still healing from an injury but he has said that he expects to be ready for his rookie season. He is muscular and does a good job of getting pad level low. He has the speed and vision to excel in the NFL.
24. Arizona Cardinals – Shaq Thompson, LB/S, Washington
Thompson has undeniable talent but suffers from lacking a true position in the NFL. He likely will play as both an outside linebacker and can move to safety to come into the box. Not every team wants hybrid players but the best coaching staffs will see Thompson for what he is – a good football player that can contribute in multiple schemes to help the defense get matchups that they like.
25. Carolina Panthers – Ereck Flowers – OT, Miami (FL)
In Flowers, the Panthers would get a large, mauling offensive lineman who can clear running lanes for their rushing attack. He still needs work at pass protection footwork but is still an upgrade for the Panthers. There’s a risk that Flowers doesn’t have the footspeed necessary to play OT in the NFL which would move him to guard. He still has the skill set to dominate in the run game at guard.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Collins has the size, speed, and length to be a man corner in the NFL. He still could use technical instruction and the Ravens have a good coaching staff that can assist him with learning the nuances of the position.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Eddie Goldman, NT, Florida St
The Cowboys let Henry Melton walk in free agency and, as of now, are looking likely to start 2011 third round pick Terrell McClain at 3 technique and former seventh round pick Josh Brent at nose. Brent, in particular, could use an upgrade. He missed part of 2012, all of 2013 and most of 2014 due to being convicted in the death of a teammate who died when Brent crashed his car, driving under the influence.
In Goldman, the team can get an active player who has strong rushing game skills but also can get penetration in the passing game. He can give the Cowboys another piece on defense to shore up their ability to get the other team off the field.
28. Denver Broncos – D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
The Broncos could use an upgrade at OT anyway but it takes on an even bigger importance with Peyton Manning reaching the end of his career and becoming increasingly less mobile in the pocket. With this pick, the Broncos would likely initially start Humphries at right tackle, pairing him with LT Ryan Clady. They could begin to groom him for the future job at left tackle, if needed.
29. Indianapolis Colts – Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
The Colts take the best inside linebacker in the draft in Kendricks. Kendricks is a little undersized but that didn’t stop him from being extremely productive in college. He is smart and instinctive and able to read plays as they develop to put himself in the best position to make tackles. He has the speed to go sideline to sideline as needed.
30. Green Bay Packers – Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
The Green Bay linebacker corps, once a strong force for the team, is shaky going into 2015. Last year the team had to move Clay Matthews to the Mike position because they didn’t have a good fit there. Nick Perry, who played OLB for the team, had a forgettable season, scoring an okay but not good -1.7 for the team. At the other side, 35 year Julius Peppers is set to start again for the Packers. He was good last year but cannot be counted on past this year.
The team needs young, talented linebackers quickly and Harold fits the bill, here. Even if he can’t win the starting job right away, he can come in as a situation pass rusher and work his way up to being a starter for the team, either at ILB or OLB.
31. New Orleans Saints – Byron Jones, CB, UCONN
The Saints had a terrible secondary in 2014 from the cornerbacks to the safeties. In free agency, the team signed Brandon Browner from the Patriots and Kyle Wilson from the Jets to address the issue. These are solid moves but the team still has issues. Browner will likely play outside and Wilson will move to the nickel position.
Across from Browner, Keenan Lewis is again projected to start at outside cornerback. Lewis had a poor -11.7 PFF score and could use an upgrade. Jones can come in and help address issues in the secondary for the team and potentially turn it into a strength instead of a weakness.
32. New England Patriots – Melvin Gordon
An example of the rich getting richer. The Patriots pick last due to their recent Super Bowl win and still get a great value with Gordon falling to them. Gordon has great vision and is a powerful runner. He will revitalize the ground attack for the Patriots and allow Brady to continue to be productive for the near future.
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