2015 NFL Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams Go Wide Receiver

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Oct 18, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) catches a pass for a touchdown against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

11. Minnesota Vikings: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Minnesota found their quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater through last years draft. Adrian Peterson coming back in a Vikings uniform certainly would help Bridgewater a lot. The team did acquire Mike Wallace in a trade with Miami this offseason, so the offense has been addressed. With teams in their division having high powered offenses, Minnesota has an opportunity to put themselves in better shape against the pass.  Trae Waynes is by far the best cornerback in this years draft. Waynes possesses great length and speed, and he loves matching up one on one in coverage. Waynes was a star on a Michigan State defense that was one of the best in the country the past two seasons. Waynes paired up with Xavier Rhodes and Captain Munnerlyn would make the Minnesota Vikings a much better team.

12. Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

The Browns finished dead last against the run last season, and are lacking talent up front on defense. I know the move is not as sexy as what the Browns did in the first round a season ago, but it’s needed. At 339 pounds, Danny Shelton can plug up space for opposing rushers. Last season Shelton had 5 fumble recoveries, leading the nation. The big man also had 16 tackles for a loss. Shelton wont light up the draft like Johnny Manziel did a year ago, but he’s a solid addition to a defensive line that needs a lot of help against very good running backs in the AFC North.

13. New Orleans Saints: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

As Drew Brees continues to cope with the departure of Jimmy Graham, help is on it’s way. You simply can’t replace what Jimmy Graham brings to your offense, but you need to do something. Kenny Stills is also gone and off to Miami, which leaves Brandin Cooks and an older Marques Colston. The addition of CJ Spiller will help provide a screen game, and bringing in DeVante Parker would be another step in dealing with the loss of Graham. Parker is no Kevin White or Amari Cooper by any means, but he’s the next guy up. Parker is tied for the Louisville school record in career touchdown receptions even after missing 7 games his senior season due to a foot injury. Parker doesn’t possess great speed, but he doesn’t have to. In his last three seasons at Louisville, Parker only had 3 registered drops.

14. Miami Dolphins: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky

After signing Ndamukong Suh in free agency, the Dolphins are definitely a threat to be a top five defense next season. The secondary played very well a season ago, and it only gets better with the pass rushing aspect Suh brings. The team did lose wide receivers Brian Hartline, Mike Wallace, and Brandon Gibson this offseason though. If one of the top 3 wide receiver prospects drop to the Dolphins, there’s a good chance Miami will jump on them. Assuming they don’t fall, the Dolphins need to solidify their defense. The defensive line is there, but Miami is a little thin in the middle. Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe was traded to the Saints for Kenny Stills, and Miami needs to find a replacement for him. Alvin Dupree has raw athletic ability that makes him very capable of getting after the ball. At the combine, Dupree had a 42 inch vertical jump even at 270 pounds. Dupree had 23.5 sacks in his career at Kentucky.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon

After a nightmare offseason for the 49ers, there are plenty of holes to fill on a defense that went from very good to very shaky in the matter of a week. After the retirements of Patrick Willis and Chris Borland, this team needs help right away. On top of that, It’s unknown at this point whether or not Justin Smith will be back. Arik Armstead wont replace any of those guys, but he will help out the guys that do. Armstead has great size at 6’7″, and is very athletic. Learning the position through a guy like Darnell Dockett would be very benefiial to Armstead also.

16. Houston Texans: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

Houston is another team to look for to trade up in this years draft. After losing Andre Johnson, there’s a need for wide receiver. But before the Texans worry about receiver, they need to figure out who’s playing quarterback. Whether it’s Ryan Mallet or Brian Hoyer, there’s room for improvement. Again we have to assume. Assuming Houston stays put, the next area of improvement would be there secondary. The Texans are another team that isn’t missing many pieces to become a top defense. Landon Collins is a nice “piece”. Collins led his Alabama team in tackles even being at the safety position in 2014. A typical Bama safety that attacks the ball very well. Collins was named a first team All-American last season. After the Ed Reed experiment failed last year for Houston, you have to think they’ve got their eyes on a player like Collins.

17. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Coming off a season in which the Chargers ranked 30th in rushing, they just lost their starting running back Ryan Matthews in free agency. Luckily for San Diego, nobody ahead of them is as desperate for a running back in this years draft. Melvin Gordon put up video game like numbers last season at Wisconsin. Only Barry Sanders had more rushing yards in one season at college than Melvin Gordon. Gordon rushed for 2,587 yards for the season, and a ridiculous 408 yards in one game. Gordon went on to win the Doak Walker award (Nations best running back), and was a finalist for the Heisman trophy. Gordon has all of the tools to be a top running back at the professional level, and he would make life much easier for Phillip Rivers.

Nov 15, 2014; Madison, WI, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Melvin Gordon (25) rushes with the football during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford 

Only six teams gave up more sacks than the Chiefs last season. Andy Reid has a history of drafting lineman early in the draft. It all starts up front for an offense that relies on its running game. At 6’7″ Peat has great length with a wide base. Kansas City does need to address the wide receiver position, but the quality tackle prospects that will fall to them will make it very hard to pass up on

19. Cleveland Browns: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

7 picks after the Browns first selection the answer is still the line. This time the offensive line. Ereck Flowers has great size, and is a mauler on the offensive line. Also has great footwork that helps him in pass protection. The key to success in this league is building your team up front, and Cleveland has an opportunity with two top picks to do that.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

Where do I even begin with the Philadelphia Eagles? A completely new roster for the Eagles brings plenty of questions heading into next season. Regardless of everything that went on, the Eagles still need help in their secondary. Cary Williams is out, and Walter Thurmond III is in. Only the Falcons gave up more passing yards than Philly last season. The Eagles need a guy that can go against Dez Byrant, Victor Cruz, Odell Beckham, and Desean Jackson. Jalen Collins has the combination of height, weight, and speed to do that. Collins only had ten career starts at LSU, but he’s tremendously talented.

Next: Picks 21-32