2015 NFL Mock Draft: Pre Free Agency
By P. L. Colter
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Although they were a ball hawking unit last year, the Bengals starting corners are getting long in the tooth. Johnson adds quality depth, and will eventually replace Hall or Newman. Maybe even this year.. Cornerback. Wake Forest. Kevin Johnson. 21. player. 56
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
Alabama. Landon Collins. 22. player. 55. And speaking of long in the tooth, Steelers safety Troy Polamalu’s days in Pittsburgh are essenitally over. Collins makes sense here. He can play both free and strong saftey. And like Polamalu, Colllins can play close t the line to stop the run.. Safety
23. Detroit Lions
50. The Lions struggled to run the ball (3.6 ypa) and protect QB Matthew Stafford (allowed 45 sacks) last season. Expect to see new faces in that starting unit this year. Flowers can step right in and protect the edge.. Offensive Tackle. Miami (Fla.). Ereck Flowers. 23. player
24. Arizona Cardinals
Defensive End. Kentucky. Alvin Dupree. 24. player. 32. Darnell Dockett’s recent departure makes this a need pick for Arizona, and a good pick indeed. Dupree will have the luxery of landing on a quality unit, and should have opportunities to make plays right away.
25. Carolina Panthers
87. With Panthers DE Greg Hardy’s status uncertain, drafting Odighizuwa would be a smart insurance pick. If Hardy retuns, then Carolina will have a formidible book end set on the defensive front.. Defensive End. UCLA. Owamagbe Odighizuwa. 25. player
Nov 15, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) breaks a tackle by Auburn Tigers defensive back Joshua Holsey (15) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 34-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
26. Baltimore Ravens
Todd Gurley. 26. player. 26. Gurley is the pick here, even if Justin Forsett returns. At Georgia, Gurley played like a Raven. Tough, physical, explosive back. The most talented back in the entire draft. If Gurley stays healthy, he could have a breakout rookie campaign.. Running Back. Georgia
27. Dallas Cowboys
LSU. Danielle Hunter. 27. player. 123. While the Cowboys defense improved last season, they still stuggled to get pressure on the QB. 28th in the league in sacks. Hunter will be in the staring lineup opening day.. Defensive End
28. Denver Broncos
With Manning set to return for another season, keeping him upright should be riority nmber 1. Not only is Erving the most talented center in the draft, he also played a variey of positions at Florida State. And played them well.. Center. Florida State. Cameron Erving. 28. player. 45
29. Indianapolis Colts
46. Abdullah is a younger, faster version of Ahmad Bradshaw…who just happens to be an injured unrestricted free agent. Look for Abdullah to be the Colts week 1 starter.. Running Back. Nebraska. Ameer Abdullah. 29. player
30. Green Bay Packers
30. player. 49. Linebackers AJ Hawk and Brad Jones were released, and the Packers will look to rebild a front seven that struggled against the run last season.. Linebacker. UCLA. Eric Kendricks
31. Seattle Seahawks
Devin Funchess. 31. player. 36. Consider this a luxery pick for the Seahawks. Funchess is a hybrid TE/WR that could really flourish under Russell Wilson’s watch. He was styfled by Michigan’s inconsistent QB play.. Wide Receiver. Michigan
32. New England Patriots
player. 47. Vince Wolfolk and Alan Branch will be elsewhere this season. Armstead, an imposing presence himself, will be thrown into the mix right away.. Defensive End. Oregon. Arik Armstead. 32