2015 NFL Draft: Pre-Free Agency Mock Draft

Playing in the pass happy NFC North demands the presence of strong secondary play. Mike Zimmer has consistently believed in adding quality players to the secondary and Trae Waynes is that guy. Adding him gives the Vikings two potentially special cornerbacks in Waynes and Xavier Rhodes. Dealing with the plethora of receivers in the NFC North just got a little easier.. Cornerback. Michigan State. Trae Waynes. 11. player. 60

player. 53. Josh Gordon leaves a big hole in the receiving corps (not to mention Jordan Cameron’s impending exit) and the Browns are investing in new quarterbacks. Although many believe a defensive tackle is the pick here, the Browns still have the 19th selection to address that.  Parker gives the Browns an option on the outside and a player who can win jump balls.  He’ll need some refining, but giving the quarterbacks something to work with must be paramount here.. Wide Receiver. Louisville. DeVante Parker. 12

15. The Saints could use some help on defense, and Ray dropping to the them here makes plenty of sense. His relentless attacking style could bring life to his fellow defenders and improve the effectiveness of the secondary.  The Saints will be pleasantly surprised to see him 14, and they jump at the chance.. Defensive End. Missouri. Shane Ray. 13. player

14. player. 59. The Dolphins will likely lose Jared Odrick, so Brown will fill a big need. His penchant for disrupting the pass game will be huge for the Dolphins and could make things even easier for players like Cameron Wake. His presence should also help against a quarterback like Tom Brady who the Dolphins must conquer if they hope to make the playoffs.. Defensive Tackle. Texas. Malcom Brown

A big, strong possession type of receiver who seems to be a pretty sure thing to produce at the next level sounds like a safe, prudent selection here. Strong will act much like Anquan Boldin does, presenting a strong target who can also bring down contested catches. This should help Kaepernick.. Wide Receiver. Arizona State. Jaelen Strong. 15. player. 42

10. The Texans are a pretty well stacked team, but in need of a quarterback. That won’t happen here, but improving in the trenches always helps. I’m tempted to selected Danny Shelton here, which would be simply fun, but Flowers is a dominant tackle who could bookend the line along with Duane Brown. Either pick would be incredible for this team.. Offensive Tackle. Miami (Fla.). Ereck Flowers. 16. player

13. Shelton finally comes off the board, and the Chargers are ecstatic. He’ll help anchor a burgeoning defense and sure up their biggest issue, run stoppage. This is a big win for the Chargers who could do little better here.. Defensive Tackle. Washington. Danny Shelton. 17. player

The Chiefs are in dire need of a wide receiver, but moving on one here seems like forcing the issue (unless they want to gamble on Dorial Green-Beckham in the first round). Instead the Chiefs bolster the secondary by selecting a playmaker and the draft’s best safety.. Safety. Alabama. Landon Collins. 18. player. 124

19. player. 53. Having already addressed the wide receiver need, the team now moves to nose tackle. Goldman offers great upside and could anchor the defensive line for years to come.. Defensive Tackle. Florida State. Eddie Goldman

20. player. 54. With Landon Collins off the board, the team selects Peters and bolsters the secondary. Teams will be pleased with Peters taking responsibility for his past actions, and the Eagles will benefit greatly from what he brings on the field.. Cornerback. Washington. Marcus Peters