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The 2015 NN community mock draft rolls along with picks 13 and 14 this morning. We have been doing three picks per post, but with the San Francisco 49ers at No. 15, I wanted to separate them out. We'll have the 49ers pick later this afternoon, but in the meantime, below are the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins picks.
Here are the first 12 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
10. St. Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - Landon Collins, S, Alabama
12. Cleveland Browns - Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
With the 13th pick of the NN community mock draft, Poldarn and the New Orleans Saints select...Alvin Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
I see the primarty needs of the Saints going into the draft as:
- ILB: Curtis Lofton was atrocious according to PFF. Ellerbe, while not much better than replacement-level, is an upgrade over him. Hawthorne is of similar talent.
- OLB: Galette is a pass rusher with limited help against the run. Haralson is a run defender, but not a long-term option.- starting LG, with Grubbs traded to Kansas City.
- WR with both Graham and Stills traded away, but with Brandin Cooks selected in the first last year, the Saints will not spend a 1st on a WR with all the D needs.
- TE. Graham was traded away.Payton was talking Josh Hill up, but that might be a smokescreen.
- improving on the DL (both NT and DE). John Jenkins, the currently penciled in NT, is a big run stopper drafted in 2013, but he was inconsistent in both years, starting the last few games due to injuries in a D that had two games with 200+ rush yards allowed through that stretch. The DEs are Cam Jordan and Akiem Hicks (Hicks can also play NT), and only Jordan was better than average on the DLine.
- Safety. Vaccaro and Byrd's performance was bust worthy in 2014. Yet given Vaccaro's draft status and Byrd's guaranteed money, they will be given another year.
One of the two major needs on the roster (OLB and ILB) filled with the best player on the board. Somewhat raw and inconsistent. Yet he is superathletic with an incredible first step - he is not a "snap anticipator" like Shane Ray is, and this translates much better to the NFL level. Dupree moves his 270lbs body like it was 20-30lbs lighter. According to his college coach, he can play DE, and every linebacker positions. He is an immediate upgrade over Haralson. And I won't be surprised if he is moved inside.
Alternatives:
- WR Devante Parker. Too injury-prone to worth a BPA pick, the Saints picked Cooks in the 1st-round last year, and D needs are bigger concern.
- OT/OG La'el Collins. He'd project as a starting guard, necessary as the offense becomes more run-heavy. I'd count on a guard available in later rounds.
- CB Trae Waynes. The team has two good starting perimeter CBs in Keenan Lewis and Brandon Browner, drafted SJB last year. If they need a corner, they need one to play the slot to replace Kyle Wilson. That's not Tre Waynes.
With the 14th pick of the NN community mock draft, ak4niner and the Miami Dolphins select...DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
For the 14th pick of the Niners Nation Mock Draft, the Miami Dolphins...trade their #1 pick to the San Francisco 49ers in exchange for QUINTON PATTON. The Dolphins need a wide receiver, and Patton fits the bill. He is an excellent route runner and has deceptive speed and great hands. This pick will immediately improve the Dolphins offense and get them over the hump in the AFC East. (sound of phone ringing in the background)
Hold on a second, let me get that.
"Hey Fooch, how's it going? ... Really? How'd you know I was typing this? ... What do you mean I can't do that? DANG IT! ... All right, all right. I'll cancel the trade and pick someone else." (hangs up phone)
Well, in that case, the Miami Dolphins select Devante Parker, WR, Louisville. Even with Kenny Stills, the Dolphins have a big need at Wide Receiver. Parker is by far the best WR on the board, and can be argued to have the most potential of the "big three". This helps to fill a glaring need in an otherwise well-built team with only a few "must needs".
Some alternatives that were considered:
Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA: The ILB position is also a weakness on the Dolphins, but Parker was too good to pass up.
Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: Some questions regarding his "clashes" with coaching staff; if you can't get along in the college environment, how can you expect to succeed in the NFL? Also, there should be a good CB available in the 2nd round.
I also looked at Trae Waynes; WR is a bigger need.Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: First round talent, but not a "must need".
Thanks also to my staff on the Phinsider for their help; I wouldn't be the success I am today without them!