2015 NFL Mock Drafts

[manxman2601]

David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

Johnson is a fascinating guy at 6'3" and 225lbs that runs in the 4.5's. I see him best as 3rd down back/H-Back. A future Charles Clay type perhaps or merely a bigger Shane Vereen? He's fairly difficult to project but I can see a myriad of ways that he can be used to help the offense. I find him very intriguing.

Mike Manock just called Johnson the best receiving RB he's seen in years and someone on twitter (I can't remember who) said he was the best blocking RB they'd seen at the Senior bowl.

I'm sold if Vereen doesn't come back, particularly considering he's 225lbs. I do think he's a little limited as a RB though, albeit serviceable. But then ours is a system that had four different leading RBs for each of the last four months.

 

[luuked]

Mike Manock just called Johnson the best receiving RB he's seen in years and someone on twitter (I can't remember who) said he was the best blocking RB they'd seen at the Senior bowl.

I'm sold if Vereen doesn't come back, particularly considering he's 225lbs. I do think he's a little limited as a RB though, albeit serviceable. But then ours is a system that had four different leading RBs for each of the last four months.

Sounds intriguing, especially his size. What range (day 1/2/3) is he projected to go ?

 

[ATippett56]

The ATippett56 Early Bird Special

2015 New England Patriots Realistic Mock Draft - 1/23/15

1st Round - Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE - UCLA (39)
2nd Round - Laken Tomlinson, OG - Duke (76)
3rd Round - John Miller, OG - Louisville (97)
4th Round - David Cobb, RB - Minnesota (110) or David Johnson, RB - Northern Iowa (128)
4th Round - Jeff Heuerman, TE - Ohio State (129)
6th Round - Tre McBride, WR - William & Mary (173)
7th Round - Ben Beckwith, OG - Mississippi State (231) or Jon Feliciano, OG - Miami, Fla. (239)

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=DE&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=OG&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=RB&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=TE&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=WR&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

Priority UDFAs
Jake Waters, QB - Kansas State
Taylor Kelly, QB - Arizona State
Mark Weisman, FB - Iowa
Corey Grant, RB - Auburn
Kenny Hilliard, RB - Louisiana State
Dillon Day, OC - Mississippi State
Kaleb Johnson, OG - Rutgers
Terry Poole, OT - San Diego State
Gerald Christian, TE - Louisville
Sam Arneson, TE - Wisconsin
Deon Long, WR - Maryland
Chris Conley, WR - Georgia
Cam Worthy, WR - East Carolina
Andre Davis, WR - South Florida
Ryan Russell, DE - Purdue
Amarlo Herraro, ILB - Georgia
Maurice Falls, OLB - East Carolina
Nick Perry, FS - Alabama
Ronald Martin, SS - LSU
Craig Mager, CB - Texas State
Garry Peters, CB - Clemson
Joe Cardona, LS - Navy

Note: Compensatory draft selections will be amended when officially announced by the NFL.

 

[manxman2601]

Sounds intriguing, especially his size. What range (day 1/2/3) is he projected to go ?

I think early to mid day three, mainly because he's not an especially explosive runner.

 

[kennyb]

1. Cameron erving g/t
2. Eli Harold lb de
3a. Tony lippett wr
3b. Clive walford te
4a. Bj finney c/g
4b. Marcus hardison dt
5a. Steve Nelson cb oregon state

 

[patsfaninpa]

The ATippett56 Early Bird Special

2015 New England Patriots Realistic Mock Draft - 1/23/15

1st Round - Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE - UCLA (39)
2nd Round - Laken Tomlinson, OG - Duke (76)
3rd Round - John Miller, OG - Louisville (97)
4th Round - David Cobb, RB - Minnesota (110) or David Johnson, RB - Northern Iowa (128)
4th Round - Jeff Heuerman, TE - Ohio State (129)
6th Round - Tre McBride, WR - William & Mary (173)
7th Round - Ben Beckwith, OG - Mississippi State (231) or Jon Feliciano, OG - Miami, Fla. (239)

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=DE&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=OG&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=RB&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=TE&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/member...=WR&draftyear=2015&sortorder=tsxpos&order=ASC

Priority UDFAs
Jake Waters, QB - Kansas State
Taylor Kelly, QB - Arizona State
Mark Weisman, FB - Iowa
Corey Grant, RB - Auburn
Kenny Hilliard, RB - Louisiana State
Dillon Day, OC - Mississippi State
Kaleb Johnson, OG - Rutgers
Terry Poole, OT - San Diego State
Gerald Christian, TE - Louisville
Sam Arneson, TE - Wisconsin
Deon Long, WR - Maryland
Chris Conley, WR - Georgia
Cam Worthy, WR - East Carolina
Andre Davis, WR - South Florida
Ryan Russell, DE - Purdue
Amarlo Herraro, ILB - Georgia
Maurice Falls, OLB - East Carolina
Nick Perry, FS - Alabama
Ronald Martin, SS - LSU
Craig Mager, CB - Texas State
Garry Peters, CB - Clemson
Joe Cardona, LS - Navy

Note: Compensatory draft selections will be amended when officially announced by the NFL.

An anchor at LDE would real help run defense post-Ninko. Same with OL. Strong player at RG would help our interior running game on offense too.

Not sure I'd couple-dip at guard before getting a DT. Miller prob wouldn't crack Gameday 46. Will need a rotational DT.

Cobb and Heuerman both look like solid prospects to me.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Deflategate driving me batty until I hear TB12. Here ya go. Releasing VW. Gets me under CAP. Then, I'm extending Revis and Solder. Re-working Mayo. I think I can save about 15m there. Should be enough for the first year of; McCourty, Gostkowski, Casillas, Siliga and Branch(10-11m). I'm not going to extend these guys; Connolly, Ridley and Ayers. There are 3 skill positions that are flexible.

2. WR - Still have Amendola in this scenario. Would consider dropping him for a vet. Post June 1st designation frees up 4.5m if you go there. Want a deal in place before pulling the trigger.

I can't imagine a scenario where Wilfork is released and Amendola is kept on his current contract.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Wilfork is due a 4.5m roster bonus March 10th. He will be cut before that date.

Amendola's contract can be cut or re-worked at any time. You can bring WR X in and agree to terms. Cut DA with a post June 1st designation and have 4.5m in 2015 Cap Space. Or, if you don't upgrade his slot thru free-agency, you can re-work his contract at any time.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Wilfork is due a 4.5m roster bonus March 10th. He will be cut before that date.

Why? It's not like he's become a shell of himself or anything. The only reason he isn't playing as much is because they have much better depth on the DL than last year.

 

[BobDigital]

I have done a new Mock after every game for a few now. Why stop? The one thing i learn in the last 2 games is Kline looks like a keeper. He is up gradable perhaps but he saw a lot of time in 2 playoff games and that proves to me he is a quality backup. This to me means assuming you keep Connolly or sign a FA and the fact you just paid Cannon and are keeping Flemming means you have 8 OL with no more than 2 spots open and maybe only one.

So in this mock I will not take more than 1 OL as it be a waste in my mind to do more.

I assume we take care of FA. With that in mind I am super aggressive this draft.

-TRADE- our 1st, 3rd & 4th - To move up to #18 & their 5th - Eddie Goldman - DT- I keep making up reasons not to do this trade but the more i look at the board of top end prospects the more i thought Eddie Goldman is probably the best player is it possible for the Pats to get that fills a need. If you do this you cut Wilfork and use that money in FA. Goldman becomes your day 1 starter. The fact is the Patriots just have too many picks and not enough roster spots open. This fits well.

2nd Jeremiah Poutasi - G - Can't trade up for a G cause you used up a lot of your capital but this guy will do well.

3rd(comp) - Phillip Dorsett - WR - I still like this pick. One of the best burners in this class and if the Pats go WR it should be for a really fast down field guy.

4th(TB) - Josh Shaw - CB - has good size and some skill. I want to see if we can develope him. CB currently is looking not as deep as it should. IDK what to think of Dennard. Ryan has not played well most of the season. Butler has done well but you never know with 2nd yr CBs. If something happens, to the top 3 It could get ugly fast. Brig in this guy and see if he sticks.

5th -Best catching RB available.

6th - Best TE available.

6th comp - best DE available.

7th - Best LS available.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Why? It's not like he's become a shell of himself or anything. The only reason he isn't playing as much is because they have much better depth on the DL than last year.

He can't even get off the LOS on pass plays. About half of the plays in a game. He's strong at the point of attact. But, he's not making tackles because he's not agile enough to extend and reach for the rb or qb and run thru the tackle. While a valuable piece. His cap hit is 8.5m and he's just nowhere near that good of a player any longer. He was ticked off that he had to re-negotiate his contract last off-season. He's not going to do it again this year. He can get a better deal with a team that has cap space. We are actually over the cap without making cuts or re-doing contracts. Without a guy like McCourty signed. Who is much more valuable than VW at this point in their careers. Vince was a great Pat. He's on the back 9 and making a lot of money. History has told us those types of players don't finish their careers here.

 

[manxman2601]

I have done a new Mock after every game for a few now. Why stop? The one thing i learn in the last 2 games is Kline looks like a keeper. He is up gradable perhaps but he saw a lot of time in 2 playoff games and that proves to me he is a quality backup. This to me means assuming you keep Connolly or sign a FA and the fact you just paid Cannon and are keeping Flemming means you have 8 OL with no more than 2 spots open and maybe only one.

So in this mock I will not take more than 1 OL as it be a waste in my mind to do more.

I assume we take care of FA. With that in mind I am super aggressive this draft.

-TRADE- our 1st, 3rd & 4th - To move up to #18 & their 5th - Eddie Goldman - DT- I keep making up reasons not to do this trade but the more i look at the board of top end prospects the more i thought Eddie Goldman is probably the best player is it possible for the Pats to get that fills a need. If you do this you cut Wilfork and use that money in FA. Goldman becomes your day 1 starter. The fact is the Patriots just have too many picks and not enough roster spots open. This fits well.

2nd Jeremiah Poutasi - G - Can't trade up for a G cause you used up a lot of your capital but this guy will do well.

3rd(comp) - Phillip Dorsett - WR - I still like this pick. One of the best burners in this class and if the Pats go WR it should be for a really fast down field guy.

4th(TB) - Josh Shaw - CB - has good size and some skill. I want to see if we can develope him. CB currently is looking not as deep as it should. IDK what to think of Dennard. Ryan has not played well most of the season. Butler has done well but you never know with 2nd yr CBs. If something happens, to the top 3 It could get ugly fast. Brig in this guy and see if he sticks.

5th -Best catching RB available.

6th - Best TE available.

6th comp - best DE available.

7th - Best LS available.

Can't say I'm a fan of the Goldman pick, particularly after a trade up, and personally I think there are better WR fits than Dorsett, but I really like the 2nd and 4th picks here. I just don't see it with Goldman over what someone like Carl Davis offers (of course after his Senior Bowl his stock is on the rise again). I think Goldman can be a good NFL player, I just don't think he'll be a great one. But that's just my opinion.

 

[luuked]

I have done a new Mock after every game for a few now. Why stop? The one thing i learn in the last 2 games is Kline looks like a keeper. He is up gradable perhaps but he saw a lot of time in 2 playoff games and that proves to me he is a quality backup. This to me means assuming you keep Connolly or sign a FA and the fact you just paid Cannon and are keeping Flemming means you have 8 OL with no more than 2 spots open and maybe only one.

So in this mock I will not take more than 1 OL as it be a waste in my mind to do more.

I assume we take care of FA. With that in mind I am super aggressive this draft.

-TRADE- our 1st, 3rd & 4th - To move up to #18 & their 5th - Eddie Goldman - DT- I keep making up reasons not to do this trade but the more i look at the board of top end prospects the more i thought Eddie Goldman is probably the best player is it possible for the Pats to get that fills a need. If you do this you cut Wilfork and use that money in FA. Goldman becomes your day 1 starter. The fact is the Patriots just have too many picks and not enough roster spots open. This fits well.

2nd Jeremiah Poutasi - G - Can't trade up for a G cause you used up a lot of your capital but this guy will do well.

3rd(comp) - Phillip Dorsett - WR - I still like this pick. One of the best burners in this class and if the Pats go WR it should be for a really fast down field guy.

4th(TB) - Josh Shaw - CB - has good size and some skill. I want to see if we can develope him. CB currently is looking not as deep as it should. IDK what to think of Dennard. Ryan has not played well most of the season. Butler has done well but you never know with 2nd yr CBs. If something happens, to the top 3 It could get ugly fast. Brig in this guy and see if he sticks.

5th -Best catching RB available.

6th - Best TE available.

6th comp - best DE available.

7th - Best LS available.

I like the first two names but dont like the price for Goldman.

My concern with the rest of the draft is that we will miss some nice trench/passrush prospects for a WR and CB. I get that we want to keep the CB pipeline going but think that there are bigger fish to fry.

WR is a luxury need. Am happy with Smelter or McBride late as Manx and Mayo are suggesting.

 

[manxman2601]

Deflategate driving me batty until I hear TB12. Here ya go. Releasing VW. Gets me under CAP. Then, I'm extending Revis and Solder. Re-working Mayo. I think I can save about 15m there. Should be enough for the first year of; McCourty, Gostkowski, Casillas, Siliga and Branch(10-11m). I'm not going to extend these guys; Connolly, Ridley and Ayers. There are 3 skill positions that are flexible.

1. RB - I believe we have enough to extend Vereen. I think he's played his way back as our 3rd down back. I don't see him being an every down back for other teams. Meaning, we should be able to afford him.

2. WR - Still have Amendola in this scenario. Would consider dropping him for a vet. Post June 1st designation frees up 4.5m if you go there. Want a deal in place before pulling the trigger.

3. TE - I'm going to draft a younger one. Hoping he's a better blocker than Hoo-Man.

We have a couple of other guys who can be extended to save money; Arrington, Browner and Vollmer. I'm going to hold off on those. Now, the draft. I want a dt who can play in the rotation, a guard who can push Wendell and Fleming. Should be able to start. The rest is really depth. I think the Ravens are our biggest threats in the AFC. Want to get a little bigger and tougher to compete with them. That strategy won't hurt against our divisional opponents either. They seem to be going with big, tough defenses and running games too.

1. Trading 32 and 96 to move up and get a DT; Jordan Phillips, Malcolm Brown or Goldman. I think we can get to 25 with Carolina. They need picks because they're drafting much lower than they should. I'll say Jordan Phillips for now.

2. Laken Tomlinson - G - Duke - I think he can start as a rookie. Big, smart and strong player. Isn't that what you want in your RG?

3. tRADED

3 Supple - Preston Smith - DE - Miss St - Not that true pass rusher. But, if you're running a 4-2-5 as your base most of the time. The LDE has to be a bit of an anchor vs the run. Take him out and put a pass rusher in obvious passing situations. Like Hightower. Has a year or two to develop behind Ninko.

4 fm TB - David Cobb - RB - Minnesota - May not be here. But, I think he might become a starter with a year or two in a pro S&C program.

4 Shaq Mason - G - Ga Tech - 8th or 9th OL in 2015. Replaces Wendell in your gameday 7 OL in 2016 because he can prob learn to be back-up C. Battles Fleming for G spot.

6 Blake Bell - TE - Oklahoma - Big body and a decent athlete.

7 K. Smelter - WR - Georgia Tech - Required pic. Just kidding Manx.

7 T. Williams - DT - ECU - Takes more than one body to replace VW

I'm sorry this one passed me by.

Overall, I like this mock a lot and obviously I think you killed it with those last four picks.

1. I think you know how I feel about a first round DT and some of the prospects you named so I won't go on about the first round pick.

2. I like Laken Tomlinson although there are other OGs I prefer. Do you see Cameron Fleming as a LG? Because you are drafting two RGs here. I think I'd rather have someone with better feet for that first OG pick personally. Poutasi, Erving or Jamil Douglas would be way I'd go (unless I went with a first round OG like Collins).

3. I think Preston Smith and Obdighizuwa are similar players and obviously I prefer the latter but I really like the value of this pick. My question is, do you think he, Buchanan and Moore are enough to pick up the slack should Chandler Jones get injured again (you aren't re-signing Ayers).

4. I've not done a proper evaluation of Cobb but he's been getting rave reviews in Mobile. I'd lean towards a more nimble back personally or a pass catching back but that all depends on how the RB roster is managed this off-season. Excellent pick though.

5. I LOVE your last four picks.


I hope you don't think I'm nit-picking here, because aside from the first pick which I'm a little dubious about, I love the mock overall. My only question would be: Who plays LG?

 

[patsfaninpa]

I'm sorry this one passed me by.

Overall, I like this mock a lot and obviously I think you killed it with those last four picks.

1. I think you know how I feel about a first round DT and some of the prospects you named so I won't go on about the first round pick.

2. I like Laken Tomlinson although there are other OGs I prefer. Do you see Cameron Fleming as a LG? Because you are drafting two RGs here. I think I'd rather have someone with better feet for that first OG pick personally. Poutasi, Erving or Jamil Douglas would be way I'd go (unless I went with a first round OG like Collins).

3. I think Preston Smith and Obdighizuwa are similar players and obviously I prefer the latter but I really like the value of this pick. My question is, do you think he, Buchanan and Moore are enough to pick up the slack should Chandler Jones get injured again (you aren't re-signing Ayers).

4. I've not done a proper evaluation of Cobb but he's been getting rave reviews in Mobile. I'd lean towards a more nimble back personally or a pass catching back but that all depends on how the RB roster is managed this off-season. Excellent pick though.

5. I LOVE your last four picks.


I hope you don't think I'm nit-picking here, because aside from the first pick which I'm a little dubious about, I love the mock overall. My only question would be: Who plays LG?

Don't mind the nitpicking at all. Personally, I don't think it's a big deal for a player to move from RG to LG. Most teams run to their right more than left. I'd guess that's why he lines up there. Duke has a pretty sophisticated screen game. He has the feet to get downfield. Have to think he can play either guard spot. I view Mason as your Gameday backup at C/RG. If LG gets hurt, Tomlinson moves over there. He'll battle Fleming for a starting spot at RG in 2016. I have Wendell and Tomlinson starting in 2015. Mason mainly learning how to play C.

I can see us taking Iggy in round one. Even if we release VW. I don't think Erving or Poutasi make it to 64. Especially Erving. I'd be ok with Iggy at 32 and a trade up for Poutasi in 2nd.

 

[manxman2601]

Don't mind the nitpicking at all. Personally, I don't think it's a big deal for a player to move from RG to LG. Most teams run to their right more than left. I'd guess that's why he lines up there. Duke has a pretty sophisticated screen game. He has the feet to get downfield. Have to think he can play either guard spot. I view Mason as your Gameday backup at C/RG. If LG gets hurt, Tomlinson moves over there. He'll battle Fleming for a starting spot at RG in 2016. I have Wendell and Tomlinson starting in 2015. Mason mainly learning how to play C.

I can see us taking Iggy in round one. Even if we release VW. I don't think Erving or Poutasi make it to 64. Especially Erving. I'd be ok with Iggy at 32 and a trade up for Poutasi in 2nd.

Just watching the Senior Bowl coverage and Mayock thinks La'el Collins is a second rounder. I'd be all over him at 32 if that's the case. Potentially elite LG as fa as I'm concerned.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Might not have to trade up for a good prospect at all in the first. Seems like most people like the DT's. Someone should be there. Same with Odighizuwa. No prob taking him. Or, a guy like Fleming or Collins. I would have no prob if we took Erving or Collins in the first. Either would prob be an 8-10 year starter at LG. At a pretty high level. Erving can be your backup C. While Collins can slide to tackle if there is an in-game injury.

 

[manxman2601]

Might not have to trade up for a good prospect at all in the first. Seems like most people like the DT's. Someone should be there. Same with Odighizuwa. No prob taking him. Or, a guy like Fleming or Collins. I would have no prob if we took Erving or Collins in the first. Either would prob be an 8-10 year starter at LG. At a pretty high level. Erving can be your backup C. While Collins can slide to tackle if there is an in-game injury.

I think the stock of the DTs will fall, they have done the past couple of years (Tuitt, Hankins, Nix, Hageman, Jernigan and even Sharif Floyd were all considered first rounders and fell at the time of the draft - Nix was injured and Floyd still went in the first but was previuosly considered a mid-high first rounder). Jordan Phillips is the that could stay in the first based upon his athleticism/size combo.

I wouldn't rule out Gurley and Coates. BB has drafted rare athletes with his first pick in recent years and both Gurley and Coates are very rare potentially. Drafting either could amount to drafting a top five pick in terms of ceiling. I do get that the floor/value on both is an issue though.

 

[JerseyShore99]

Latest Mock:
1.32. Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
2.64. Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
3.96. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
3 (Comp). Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
4 (TB). Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke
4. Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin
5. Damian Swann, CB, UGA
7. Brandon Ivory, DT, 'Bama
7(Comp). Jordan Taylor, WR, Rice

 

[manxman2601]

Latest Mock:
1.32. Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
2.64. Paul Dawson, LB, TCU
3.96. Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
3 (Comp). Laken Tomlinson, OG, Duke
4 (TB). Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke
4. Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin
5. Damian Swann, CB, UGA
7. Brandon Ivory, DT, 'Bama
7(Comp). Jordan Taylor, WR, Rice

Interesting mock. I'm not a fan of Armstead personally but can see the appeal to others and I'm assuming drafting Dawson at 64 (love him btw) means that Mayo is gone in your eyes. Smith and Tomlinson aren't my first choices at the position but again I can see the appeal and your later round guys are interestingly different.

But here's the thing. It might not be my favourite mock ever (sorry about that) but I can really see it being what happens in April. Armsted is a physical freak and BB has been drafting those guys with his first picks recently. Dawson reminds me of Mayo so much that it makes absolute sense to replace Mayo with Mayo mkII and BB hasn't been shy to draft extreme speed at WR in the past.