Each player will have a link to a website where you can see their film so it’s easier for the readers to do their own video scouting. As always, this is not a mock draft of what this author would do. It’s a mock draft based on what the team is likely to do based on the current perceptions of the prospects in college football.
32. Carolina Panthers: Su’a Cravens, SS/LB Southern Cal.
Their defense under McDermott has netted a lot of success using those linebacker/safety tweeners to run all over the field. They can do this thanks to the quality on their defensive line.They don’t need Cravens to replace Davis, Coleman or Thompson, but they don’t care: it’s about talent acquisition for them.
31. Denver Broncos: DeForest Buckner, DL Oregon
Buckner is a big 5 tech end going to a defense that will see their two good starting 5s hitting free agency come march.
They have other big needs, especially protecting whomever is their QB come 2016, but that defense is the primary reason for their success.
30. Arizona Cardinals: Shilique Calhoun, DL/LB Michigan State.
They need to give Calais Campbell some help in the front 7. Right now, they aren’t getting much quality play from their collection of over the hill vets and young flawed prospects.Calhoun seems like a fit on either a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. He’s a bit stiff as an outside linebacker but since he’d be a dedicated rusher anyways, he should be fine.
28. (forfeited by New England)
29. Cincinnati Bengals: Jaran Reed, DL Alabama
The Bengals love to stockpile talent now in the high picks of their drafts. Having fixated on their offensive line in 2015, they’re going to do the same for their defensive line.
Reed is a inside/out guy: he’s never going to be a consistent pass rusher from the edge, but he can play some 3 tech, some 4 and some 2 for them. In a pinch, he could play outside on the edge.
27. Kansas City Chiefs: Jason Spriggs, OL Indiana
Eric Fisher is never going to live up to his #1 overall pick billing, but he probably will be a decent right tackle that can generally be relied on. Think Jermon Bushrod.
Spriggs needs some work, especially on his punch and power moves. However, he would make a good value pick here for the Chiefs: he could start for the team on the left hand side and give them two potentially reliable tackles.
26. Minnesota Vikings: Taylor Decker, OL Ohio State
It’s fairly simple for the Vikings: they need an offensive tackle. Loadholt can be good, but he’s hurt far too often. Kalil is better than he was in 2014 but he’s very inconsistant-far too inconsistent to be Bridgewater’s blindside protector.
Decker is a vet leader who might a bit slow footed for a left tackle, but you know he has good athleticism since he played in Meyer’s option offense.
25. Green Bay Packers: A’Shawn Robinson, DL Alabama
The Pack love to stockpile talent on the lines, and they just can’t pass on Robinson: no matter his flaws. He’s a good fit for their zone blitz based defense and they can rotate him in and out to try and hide his occasional laziness.
His lack of pass rush skills won’t be as big a problem for the Pack: they don’t expect their linemen to give a consistent pass rush.