14. Philadelphia Eagles: Paxton Lynch, QB Memphis.
Replacing Sam Bradford with a quarterback with similarly bad mechanics is pretty curious. In Bradford’s case it’s a matter of repeated knee injuries. In Lynch’s case, it’s just bad mechanics.
Who knows if Chip Kelly will be the coach next season, but Lynch would have a strong appeal to him since he has option-spread experience. Perhaps not in a Chip Kelly-style option attack, but in a passing heavy one that could make him more prepared to the NFL.
The fear with Lynch is that his bad footwork negates his considerable arm strength and if he suffers any sort of major knee injury to his other leg, then his throws will lose all their power.
16. Oakland Raiders: Tre’Davious White, DB LSU.
This is a simple ‘best player available’ pick. White is a very talented CB who excels in man to man coverage which the Raiders play primarily.
After Antonio Brown’s big game against them, it’s clear that DJ Hayden and Charles Woodson aren’t enough at defensive back for them. White could slot in immediately and contribute.
White will struggle if asked to play a lot of zone. However, much like the Legion of Boom in Seattle he’ll thrive when pressing the wideouts and asked to get between the receiver at the quarterback.
15. New Orleans Saints: Reggie Ragland, LB Alabama.
The Saints drafted Stephone Anthony last May to try and eventually replace David Hawthorne and Dannell Ellerbe at linebacker.
Even with this reinforcement, the position is still a work in progress. And this was best seen by their struggles with Marcus Mariota and his tight ends.
Ragland might not be a high talent/potential guy but he should end a lot of the problems that Hawthorne and Ellerbe have. He’s going to play the run tough and won’t blow coverages like they did.
14. Kansas City Chiefs: Corey Coleman, WR Baylor.
Jeremy Maclin has been pretty decent for the Chiefs. The rest of the WRs have combined for 391 receiving yards. That’s less than 10 tight ends and 2 running backs have gotten this season.
Coleman’s draft stock has taken a major leap this season thanks to Baylor’s success and his own success in their system. Teams have seen such great production from young WRs that his value should jump pretty high.
He’s got some serious straight line speed, but his quickness and hands should remind you of Emmanuel Sanders.
13. Washington Redskins: A’shawn Robinson, DL Alabama.
Despite all their changes in the offseason, the Redskins defense is truly horrible. Over the last 4 games, they’re given up 740+ rushing yards at over 5.3 yards per rushing attempt.
Robinson is a prospect who can fit in either defensive front and with his size/speed combo and intelligence. His pass rush skills need to improve but it seems like at the worse you would get Cory Redding(sold 5 tech who can be relied on).
Redskins GM Scot McClougan often mimics his old boss John Schneider’s drafting style: reaching for reliable picks early before going best talent available later. Robinson would certainly fit this mold.
And he is a big framed guy built like a vending machine who’s nimble enough to do
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Ronnie Stanley, OL Notre Dame.
Repeat it with me: Donovan Smith is not a left tackle in the NFL. He’s too slow, his footwork too stiff and he’s going to be beaten like a drum by most speed rushers that he’ll face.
Ronnie Stanley isn’t having a great 2015 season, but he has an NFL body and NFL level skills. And their offensive line coach Warhop is widely considered a guru who can fix young players’ problems.
And this allows them to maximize their talent by moving Smith inside or to the right side where his deficiencies could be hidden more.
11. Chicago Bears: Ezekiel Elliot, RB Ohio State.
Unless something dramatic changes, Matt Forte will test free agency and be one of the biggest names available. And since Alshon Jeffery will be hitting free agency at the same time, the Bears have to make a choice here.
They have an in-house option in Jeremy Langford who had 140 yards replacing Matt Forte against the porous Chargers defense but he hasn’t shown much to indicate that he can replace Forte.
Elliot might not be able to do that as well. He played in a spread system meant to hide his deficiencies but after the success of Carlos Hyde in San Fran, someone will take him very high.
Combined Langford and Elliot could form a very deadly backfield which also keeps both guys healthy.