Dave’s 2015 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Philadelphia Eagles Go Defense Early
By Dave Searles
11. Minnesota Vikings
DeVante Parker
Wide Receiver, Louisville
Cordarrelle Patterson had a crash-and-burn season, and Greg Jennings can’t do it alone. Teddy Bridgewater would have a field day getting Parker the ball, and you can never have too many playmakers.
12. Cleveland Browns
Shane Ray
Outside Linebacker, Missouri
Cleveland may lose Jabaal Sheard to free agency, and with a top quarterback not available at this juncture, it’s the best value pick of the first round so far. Ray will instantly upgrade the Browns defense, but they’re not done yet.
13. New Orleans Saints
Trae Waynes
Cornerback, Michigan State
In the first iteration of this mock draft, I had Trae Waynes being taken sixth by the Jets. I don’t agree with that value at all, it just seemed like something too Jets-like to ignore. This is a much more natural fit for Waynes, even with the addition of CFL stud Delvin Breaux. Still, it’s about the earliest he should feasibly go pending a reach.
14. Miami Dolphins
Melvin Gordon
Running Back, Wisconsin
There are better “need ” players here, but that Miami could easily fall in love with Gordon. He’s a tremendously gifted runner and more talented than Knowshon Moreno was, who went 12th in 2009. He’ll be a great tandem with Lamar Miller, until Gordon takes the reigns completely.
15. San Francisco 49ers
Marcus Peters
Cornerback, Washington
I think Marcus Peters may end up being the best cornerback to come out of this year’s draft, but it’s going to take a team that can afford taking a chance to make it happen. I think San Francisco is that team, and they definitely could use an upgrade at CB.
16. Houston Texans
Sammie Coates
Wide Receiver, Auburn
The Texans need a big time threat now that Andre Johnson may finally be hitting the twilight of an extremely impressive career. They won’t be able to land a WR with the big-time possibility of Coates this time in the 2nd round, and truthfully I’m not sure he’d make it past Kansas City in a few picks.
17. San Diego Chargers
T.J. Clemmings
Offensive Tackle, Pittsburgh
The Chargers are consistently one of the tougher teams for me to mock, because they always have deceptively decent seasons and a laundry list of “it’d be nice to upgrade here” positions. Clemmings is coming on strong as a prospect, and it never hurts to add talent to your offensive line.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
Vic Beasley
Outside Linebacker, Clemson
I think Justin Houston stays in Kansas City, but Tamba Hali may not be in town too much longer if it happens. In the event that 2014 first round pick Dee Ford can step up, Beasley is versatile enough to be able to transition to ILB. He’s the one-size-fits-all LB that Reid loved to have in Philadelphia.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills)
Michael Bennett
Defensive Tackle, Ohio State
Another defensive stalwart for the Browns to use at their leisure if they don’t move both picks for a quarterback. It would be hard to argue with taking him at this point, though a safety or wide receiver would be nice if there was value to be had.
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