2015 NFL Mock Draft 2.0

17. San Diego Chargers - Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

The NFL is a copycat league and when a team like the Cowboys has such a drastic turnaround from their offensive line, others take notice. The Chargers 2013 1st round pick, D.J. Fluker, is almost too big to continue at right tackle and would benefit from a move inside to right guard. This gives them flexibility to pick up one of the better OT prospects in the draft.

18. Kansas City Chiefs - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Common logic in mock drafts for the past two seasons is that the Chiefs need a wide receiver in the first round. When you think about how average Alex Smith can be it makes sense to imagine if you give him weapons, maybe he performs at an above average rate.

But Andy Reid just doesn’t draft ‘em in the first round; some guys are stubborn that way. If you knew about Freddie Mitchell, you would understand. Reid’s philosophy is that he needs to find the guys that stop the WRs early and he’ll use smoke and mirrors offensively to score 24 points a game.

Trae Waynes is the safest pick among a weak cornerback crop this year. Maybe it’s the dreads, but there is a lot of Richard Sherman in Trae Waynes. Waynes has great length (6’1″), plays with a competitive fire and thrives in man coverage. He’s going to get called on illegal contact early on in his career, but once he adjusts he should be a solid CB.

19. Cleveland Browns - Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

The Browns shored up one side of the ball with their first 1st round pick and shift their focus to doing the same with the second with 3-technique DT Malcom Brown.

Brown has been shooting up draft boards recently, and not due to outstanding combine or pro day measurables. Malcom Brown is getting more attention now that scouts are watching film of him because they find Texas running back prospect Malcolm Brown and wonder where the 320 pound man they were looking for is, or it’s the fact that nobody watches Texas football anymore, you know since they suck.

20. Philadelphia Eagles - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

The Eagles secondary got burned repeatedly at the end of 2014 and they need to shore up the backend of that defense. The running joke is that Chip Kelly wants the entire team and staff from his days at Oregon to come to play in Philly with him, but mock drafts are for serious business…

Chip Kelly has used his time in Eugene, Oregon in the past to scout other players he’s coached against and he saw how special Marcus Peters was before his suspension.

Plus, Oregon DE Arik Armstead doesn’t really fill a big need for the Eagles right now.

21. Cincinnati Bengals - T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

Allow the Bengals need a pass rusher, they don’t want to reach if the elite players are gone and there isn’t anyone of value at #21. With their running back duo, extra emphasis to the offensive line with a semi-local product seems like the Bengals’ best option in this mock draft.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

The Steelers have neglected their secondary for too long; costing Dick LaBeau his job. Kevin Johnson is an aggressive corner that fits the Steelers mold, or at least the mold they used to have.

23. Detroit Lions - Arik Armstead, DT/DE, Oregon

The Lions are going to lose Ndamukong Suh to free agency. While some would argue that Arik Armstead isn’t going to be a “scheme fit,” Teryl Austin is a clever enough guy that he could use Armstead in many different ways. As long as Nick Fairley returns to Detroit, Austin would be provided the flexibility to use Armstead as

Armstead is built in similar stature and potential to Cardinals Calais Campbell.

24. Arizona Cardinals - Todd Gurley II, RB, Georgia

The Cardinals overachieved in 2014. Bruce Arians has the Cardinals playing at a high level and he should be allowed to make a luxury pick for his team to take some of the pressure off of Carson Palmer.

Todd Gurley would be able to be eased into the team game plan as he recovers from a torn ACL suffered in November of 2014. Andre Ellington is a decent running back with playmaking ability, but he hasn’t been able to stay healthy, while Gurley is an every down back and has a chance to take it the distance every time he touches the ball.

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