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The 2015 Niners Nation community mock draft continues as we move on to picks 10, 11 and 12. We started things out with Marcus Mariota going No. 1 overall. That was followed by nothing too shocking, although Jameis Winston slipped to No. 6. That was followed by a wide receiver and two pass rushers in picks 7-9.
We're back today with picks 10-12, which includes the Cleveland Browns using the first of their two picks. Here are the first nine picks.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
2. Tennessee Titans - Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Dante Fowler, Jr., OLB/DE, Florida
4. Oakland Raiders - Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5. Washington - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
6. New York Jets - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
7. Chicago Bears - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
8. Atlanta Falcons - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
9. New York Giants - Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
With the 10th pick of the NN community mock draft, EastBayNinerFan and the St. Louis Rams select...Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The St Loius Rams OL was pretty bad last season. A combination of injuries and just flat out bad play. With the off season moves of cutting Scott Wells (C) and the expensive, and oft injured, Jake Long, drafting along the OLine became a definite need for the Rams.
Scherff has consistently ranked as the best OT in this draft and was pretty much a no-brainer choice when still available at the #10 pick. Scherff can potentially be like Alex Boone, but in reverse. He played at LG in 2011 as a redshirt freshman and slid outside to left tackle in 2012 where he played the rest of his college ball. A consensus All-American and the Outland Trophy winner (best OL).
There is some small concern about his durability as he has had 2 injuries to his right leg, the 2nd requiring surgery. He is very good in the upper body but could use some better footwork. He will either start at LG or LT with the Rams depending on other FA signings to come.
Alternates:
Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama) was definitely on the radar, but da Bears put the kybosh on that idea. Rams will be looking hard at WR in the 2nd and 3rd rounds.
Randy Gregory (DE, Nebraska) & Shane Ray (DE Missouri) were both on the board as well. Some help in the defensive trenches also a need in "Los Louis"!
Another name that also came up and was in the mix was Todd Gurley (RB, Gerogia). However RB is deep in this draft and with the top OT's still available the need along the line was an easy choice.
With the 11th pick of the NN community mock draft, 49erFanSince1950 and the Minnesota Vikings select...Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Alternates: NT Danny Shelton (Washington), CB Trae Waynes (Michigan State), WR DeVante Parker (Louisville)
The Vikings have many needs and only 7 picks ... best alternative would be to trade down to gain additional picks, but that, of course, is not allowed in this mock. Biggest needs include ILB, CB, SS, DT, and OG. Will focus on ILB in second round. CBs and DTs will be available later in the draft but Collins is the most unique impact prospect available only here ... pick him now or he's gone. I pick him.
Other note: In reality, I believe that Peterson WILL be traded to pick up additional draft picks.
With the 12th pick of the NN community mock draft, RutherfordBHayes and the Cleveland Browns select...Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Alternatives: Jaelen Strong (WR, ASU), Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Oklahoma/Mizzouri), Cameron Erving (OL, FSU).
Though the Browns were very un-Brown-like in fielding a competitive team and winning 7 (!) games last year, there are still considerable question marks on this roster. The Browns were able to get DL help and WR help, and it's clear that the front office thinks that Bowe and Hartline will be fine, and that Starks will reinvigorate the DL. These are short term solutions though: and, you can't really rely on a 31 year old to come in and reinvigorate your league-worst run defense. Help it, maybe. But, you need more. You need someone who can stop the run, and, I think that Shelton is the guy.
The Browns were competitive due to that defense and run game (see their Thursday night game against Cincy), so, I see no reason to go for one of the WRs on the board. I also included Cam Erving as an alternate here, because I think the OL is good, but am a but worried about Mack recovering and overall depth. Bottom line: If the Browns want to stay competitive, they need to get a run defense that isn't literally the worst in the game.