C3 Mock 3.0: Picks 17-24

Draft week is here, and C3’s Mock Draft 3.0 is here.  This version takes is our final version and is our predictions of what we think will happen. Smokewagon is back making his picks along with me in the First Round.  We each give insight as to why we think each one makes sense.  As usual, we look at some of these selections from a Panthers Fan point of view, but no matter who you are a fan of, take a look and let us know your thoughts.  You can follow me on twitter at @PanthersDrafter and Smokewagon (@SamSslater96)

Mel Mayock's Picks

They should take Gurley here, but he has not visited with the team and they may they have  their eyes of Tevin Coleman or Jay Ajayi in Rd 2.  Collins  is the best remaining Tackle and they would love to move DJ Fluker inside to Guard.  Brett Hundley could also be in play and wouldn’t be a bad idea since Philip is saying that he may not re-sign with the Chargers.  And I could see this pick being traded to the Titans, along with the #2 Pick.

originally had Jaelen Strong going here, and that could still happen.  However, the Chiefs signed Jeremy Maclin.  Though they will look to add more help at the WR spot after releasing Bowe and Avery, this is a deep WR draft and they don’t have to reach for one here.  They have to address the Offensive Line after losing Rodney Hudson to the Raiders.  They did bring in Grubbs but desperately need a Center.  Erving is the man for the job.  I love Erving’s versatility.  KC is the perfect fit.  Jamaal Charles will love this pick and he moves up in my Fantasy ranking with this too. One other player that has visited with the Chiefs that could be a surprise pick is Breshad Perriman.

With Johnny Football looking to come back, and with DeVante Parker as their first Pick, the Browns look to continue to make things easier on Offense.  And this is the best pick by anyone in the draft so far.  Hope they pass on him too.  But Gurley is going to be an amazing RB.  Fellow C3 Staffer, Joe Riollano compares him to Eric Dickerson.  Good comparison.

6’2/ 212 lbs.  Big hands, and a blazing 4.25 40?.  What’s not to like?  The Eagles are going to try to trade up and nab Mariota.  But that didn’t work out in this mock Chip gets a stud that may be every bit as good as the departed Jeremy Maclin.  His future is very bright.  Many don’t like him and say he drops too many balls.  I love what I see on film and see a bright future.  He has visited with the team and if there isn’t a trade up, I can definitely see this pick.

The Bengals put less pressure on opposing QBs than any other team according to PFF.   They did re-sign Michael Johnson after a one-year hiatus in Tampa, but they need more.  Shane Ray has a foot injury and may not start right a way.  But with the combination getting Johnson back and the Coach getting a one-year extension, they can afford to let Ray take his time.  He’s a special talent that is worth the wait.

With Troy Polamalu retiring to spend more time on his hair, and with Ike Taylor retiring too, there is a huge void left in the Defensive backfield.  Landon Collins is in play here, but Marcus Peters fits what the Steelers do.  He’s long, fluid and a ball-hawk.  One of the heavier CBs (197 lbs.) he can bring the wood.  I see this as a great fit.  Peters has questions about his attitude but the Steelers is a veteran locker room and makes a lot of sense.

Losing both Suh and Fairley in the same year would normally set a franchise back.  But luckily they replace those to with Haloti Ngata and now Malcom Brown.  6’1/ 319 and moves extremely well.  Perfect pick at #23.  Melvin Gordon or Todd Gurley could be the pick as well.    

The Cards are going to be even better next year when Carson Palmer returns and with this selection they will be able to run the ball consistently.  Gordon is a machine and I love how explodes through holes and accelerates.  Shocker, but I think this pick makes Arizona the best team in the NFC West.

SmokeWagon's Picks

With the loss of Eddie Royal to FA and with an aging Malcom Floyd (33), Keenan Allen is the only viable threat on the roster going into 2015. If San Diego is to go all in with the little time they have left with Philip Rivers at the QB position, adding a weapon like Smith to stretch the field for the offense is a good bet at this spot. Pair Smith with Allen will go a long way into helping San Diego compete for a Super Bowl in the twilight of Rivers career.

he Chiefs offensive line took some hits prior the 2014 NFL season with the losses of Branden Albert (Miami Dolphins), Geoff Schwartz (New York Giants), and Jon Asamoah (Atlanta Falcons) with these three starters gone and the mediocre development of Eric Fisher Kansas City’s line suffered immensely in 2014. The Chiefs take another shot here on an OT that offers the upside few others do in this draft. 

Cleveland had a formidable defense in 2014 but the pass rush could use an upgrade by all accounts. The team lost Jabaal Sheard to New England and will sorely miss his pass rushing ability. Barkevious Mingo the teams first round selection just a couple of seasons ago (2013) has been by many’s estimation a complete flop. If Cleveland can land Gregory here it will be a step in the right direction on making opposing QB’s uncomfortable in the AFC North.

Where do I begin with this pick. Philadelphia basically used this years free agency period to rebuild a whole new roster from the QB position down. Looking over the roster Kelly will need to address the loss of Jeremy Maclin in FA. In Chip Kelly’s offense you need WR’s that can work the middle and run after the catch. Agholor fits this mold like a glove. 

Cincinnati was able to resign Clint Boling to a five year contract during FA. The one thing though to consider is that OT Andrew Whitworth is starting to get long in the tooth and the team might want to think about taking his future replacement here with Humphries still on the board. We do know that the team has met with Humphries and whispers in scouting circles have hinted Cincy is high on him.

incinnati was able to resign Clint Boling to a five year contract during FA. The one thing though to consider is that OT Andrew Whitworth is starting to get long in the tooth and the team might want to think about taking his future replacement here with Humphries still on the board. We do know that the team has met with Humphries and whispers in scouting circles have hinted Cincy is high on him.

With the retirement of Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor, Pittsburgh needs to bring in a new leader for the secondary. Collins is considered the best safety in this years draft class and was the leader of the Crimson Tide’s defense in 2014. Pittsburgh has been accustomed to great safety play and Collins can end up being the next in line for this franchise.

With Detroit possibly losing both of their starting DT’s in Suh and Fairley to FA.  At this point in the draft Detroit get’s some good luck with a glaring position of need intersects with the BPA. Malcom Brown is an instant starter at the DT position and IMO an actual upgrade over what Fairley has brought to the position in his time with Detroit. Losing Suh will be a blow to Detroit, but taking Brown will help ease that pain just a little.

I had earlier slotted Todd Gurley III in this spot but he is long gone by now to Minnesota. The next best RB in the draft is Melvin Gordon III and Arizona still needs a “bell cow” back on their team for there is none at the moment. Andre Ellington is a nice spell back that has packages for his attributes, but to ask him to be the main rock toter is absolutely not acceptable if Arizona wants to continue to build on their success under Bruce Arians guidance.