2015 NFL Mock Draft - Kevin Hanson

- Updated: Thursday, April 30th

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Here is Round 3 of my 2015 NFL mock draft:

65. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Draft History): Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

Not only did defensive ends Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers become free agents after last season, but the team released Michael Johnson only one season after signing a big free-agent deal with the Bucs. They did trade for George Johnson, however, who should start opposite Jacquies Smith. Either way, the Bucs could use add depth to their defensive end rotation. With only 1.5 sacks in 2014, Hunter has the potential to be a much more productive pro than college player.

66. Tennessee Titans (Draft History): Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (FL)

The Titans used the earliest pick of any team to draft a running back last season, but it's fair to say that Bishop Sankey was a bit of disappointment and safe to question his ability to be a featured back. While ball security and past injury history may be a concern, Johnson is an explosive runner and is a good receiver out of the backfield. Johnson rushed for 1,652 yards and 10 touchdowns last season while adding 38 receptions for 421 yards and three more scores. With a strong tradition of running backs (Edgerrin James, Frank Gore, Willis McGahee and Clinton Portis to name a few) at The U, no running back has rushed for more yards in school history than Johnson (3,519).

67. Jacksonville Jaguars (Draft History): Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

The second overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, left tackle Luke Joeckel had an injury-shortened rookie season and a disappointing second season. Joeckel graded out as PFF's 67th tackle among 84 qualified tackles last season. The team signed right tackle Jeremy Parnell and center Stefen Wisniewski in free agency, but I expect them to add more reinforcements via the draft. Sambrailo played left tackle for the Rams and is an excellent foot quickness for the position although he'll need to improve his strength. NFL.com's Gil Brandt wrote last month that Sambrailo could be a high second-round draft pick."

68. Oakland Raiders (Draft History): Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

I'm not sure that Bennett will last to the top of Round 3, but if he does, he provides the Raiders with an excellent value here. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah thinks Bennett could sneak into the first round. If the Raiders come away with Cooper, Williams and Bennett through Day 2, they would be putting together a strong draft in back-to-back years.

69. Washington Redskins (Draft History): Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma

While Washington is set on the left side with Trent Williams, they could use an upgrade on the right side. And as noted earlier, only the Jags allowed more sacks than the Redskins last season. A First-Team All-Big 12 performer last season, Williams is a powerful road-grading right tackle that could also move inside at the next level.

70. New York Jets (Draft History): Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor

Geno Smith is going into his third season and Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has familiarity with Chan Gailey's offense, will be a free agent after this season. Especially given the new regime, it's possible that Smith isn't in their long-term plans, but he did improve his completion percentage (55.8 to 59.7 percent) and cut his interception rate (1 per 21.1 attempts to 1 per 28.23) in his second season. Petty has some intriguing physical tools, but there will likely be a steep adjustment period. With Smith and Fitzpatrick ahead of him on the depth chart, however, he would have at least one year, maybe more, to develop.

71. Chicago Bears (Draft History): Cody Prewitt, S, Mississippi

The Bears signed Antrel Rolle in free agency to play strong safety and Brock Vereen, the team's fourth-round pick last year, currently projects as the team's starting free safety. Vereen and Rolle graded out as the 54th and 81st of 87 qualified safeties, respectively, via PFF last year. At a minimum, the Bears will look to add depth to the position group.

72. St. Louis Rams (Draft History): Garrett Grayson, QB, Colorado State

The Rams traded Sam Bradford to the Eagles for Nick Foles along with draft pick compensation, but Foles will be an unrestricted free agent following the 2015 season. The Rams have been one of the teams linked to a potential move up for Marcus Mariota, but I'd expect them to add a quarterback at some point either way. Grayson, the MWC Offensive Player of the Year, threw for a school-record 4,006 yards, 32 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season.

73. Atlanta Falcons (Draft History): Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL)

The Falcons added a couple of veteran tight ends in free agency -- Jacob Tamme and Tony Moeaki -- but Walford, a clear-cut top-two tight end in this year's draft class, would provide an upgrade over either and incumbent Levine Toilolo. One potential reason that Walford could slip is the attitude he had shown during team interviews (via NFL.com's Lance Zierlein):



74. New York Giants (Draft History): Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (FL)

Middle linebacker Jon Beason has had 100-plus tackles in all seasons that he has played at least 15 games. That said, Beason has played four games (or less) in three of the past four seasons including last year. While he is a liability in coverage, Perryman is stout against the run and would be a no-brainer for the G-Men here. The Giants allowed a league-high 4.9 YPC last season.

75. New Orleans Saints (Draft History): Tre' Jackson, G, Florida State

A first-team AP All-American guard along with Duke's Laken Tomlinson, Jackson started a total of 42 games for the Seminoles. The Saints traded away Ben Grubbs to the Chiefs and Jackson can fill the void.

76. Minnesota Vikings (Draft History): Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

As a vertical receiver, Coates is a physical freak, but drops have been a big issue. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah sums it up well when describing Coates: "TO's body, OBJ's burst and DHB's hands."

77. Cleveland Browns (Draft History): Nate Orchard, OLB, Utah

The Browns ranked near the bottom of the league in sacks (31) last season — only five teams had fewer. Orchard ranked second in the nation with 18.5 sacks last season and no player had more on a per-game basis (1.42/G).

78. New Orleans Saints -- via Miami (Draft History): Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State

The Saints traded away tight end Jimmy Graham and wide receiver Kenny Stills, which means there's a good chance that they could select a pass-catcher within the first three rounds of the draft. While he doesn't stand out as a size-speed guy, Greene is an excellent route runner with good hands and quickness that has drawn comparisons to Emmanuel Sanders. Greene became Florida State's first 1,000-yard receiver since Anquan Boldin.

79. San Francisco 49ers (Draft History): D'Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic

The 49ers will need to replace both starting cornerbacks -- Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox -- from last season. They signed Shareece Wright to a one-year free-agent deal, but they certainly need much more help at the position. Smith had just one interception last season, but he had seven in 2013.

80. Kansas City Chiefs (Draft History): Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon

The Chiefs lost one of the better young centers in the NFL as Rodney Hudson signed a large free-agent deal with the Raiders. Grasu is my second-ranked center prospect in this year's draft class would make sense for the Chiefs here.

81. Buffalo Bills (Draft History): Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

Starting cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Leodis McKelvin will be unrestricted free agents after the 2015 and 2016 seasons, respectively. In addition, Nickell Robey, who played 665 snaps in 2014, will be a restricted free agent next offseason as well. Carter is a physical cornerback with good size (6-0, 196).

82. Houston Texans (Draft History): Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State

DeAndre Hopkins has emerged as a stud receiver for the Texans, but the team cut Andre Johnson and added Cecil Shorts and Nate Washington in free agency. I'd expect them to add more depth at the position at some point in the draft.

One of the more versatile wideouts in this year's draft class, Lockett is a tad under 5-foot-10, but Lockett finished the season with 106 catches for 1,515 yards and 11 touchdowns. Over the final five games of the season, he finished with 57 catches for 833 yards and six touchdowns. Lockett also had six return touchdowns over his K-State career. Lockett's father Kevin was a second-round pick in the 1997 NFL Draft by the Chiefs.

83. San Diego Chargers (Draft History): Jacoby Glenn, CB, UCF

The Chargers re-signed Brandon Flowers this offseason and used a first-round pick last year on Jason Verrett, but I'd expect them to add more depth in the middle rounds of the draft especially considering the explosive passing offense within the division (Broncos). Glenn was a second-team AP All-American last year and the six-foot corner finished with seven interceptions.

84. Philadelphia Eagles (Draft History): Ali Marpet, G, Hobart

Marpet played left tackle for Division III Hobart, but he's expected to move inside at the next level. With strong performances at the Senior Bowl and NFL Scouting Combine, Marpet displayed excellent movement skills and showed that he can compete with large-school prospects after dominating the competition at Hobart. For whatever reason, left guard Evan Mathis appears to be on the trading/cutting block.

85. Cincinnati Bengals (Draft History): Gabe Wright, DT, Auburn

Wright has excellent quickness for his size (6-3, 300) and would be a good fit for the Bengals as part of their defensive tackle rotation.

86. Arizona Cardinals (Draft History): Josh Shaw, CB, USC

Shaw has one of the most unique stories in this year's draft class. With good size (6-0, 201), Shaw has played both corner and safety at USC and posted a 4.44 forty at the Combine and did the most reps (26) on the bench press among cornerbacks. The Cardinals lost starter Antonio Cromartie in free agency and should add depth at some point in the draft.



87. Pittsburgh Steelers (Draft History): Jaquiski Tartt, S, Samford

With the retirement of safety Troy Polamalu, a future first-ballot Hall-of-Famer, the Steelers will need to find his long-term replacement. Perhaps Shamarko Thomas is the answer, but he played just two defensive snaps last year after 193 as a rookie. At a minimum, I'd expect the Steelers to at least add some depth at the position, but I wouldn't be surprised if the 6-foot-1, 226-pound safety turned out to be the long-term starter for the Steelers.

88. Detroit Lions (Draft History): David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa

The Lions released Reggie Bush this offseason and Theo Riddick will assume a larger role in the offense, especially in passing situations, but Joique Bell will turn 29 years old prior to the start of the season as well. A big back (6-1, 224) and excellent receiver out of the backfield, Johnson isn't very elusive but he has decent speed and is a powerful runner. Johnson rushed for 1,625 yards, finished second on the team in receptions (38) and receiving yards (536) and scored 21 total touchdowns in 2014. Against the Iowa Hawkeyes last year, Johnson had five receptions for 203 yards and a touchdown.

89. Carolina Panthers (Draft History): Donovan Smith, G/T, Penn State

Smith started 31 games at left tackle for the Nittany Lions although he will likely move to the right side or inside to guard at the next level. In this mock, the Panthers used their first-round pick on Cedric Ogbuehi, but the Panthers offensive line could use more upgrades at other spots. For example, the team signed Michael Oher, who projects as their starting right tackle, but the Titans released Oher only one season into his four-year free-agent deal.

90. Baltimore Ravens (Draft History): Charles Gaines, CB, Louisville

The team signed cornerback Jimmy Smith to a four-year contract extension, but he missed the second half of last season with a Lisfranc injury, which made the team's lack of depth at cornerback very apparent. I'd expect the Ravens to add depth fairly early in the draft. A former receiver for the Cardinals, Gaines isn't the biggest corner (5-10, 180) but he has excellent speed, instincts and ball skills.

91. Dallas Cowboys (Draft History): Xavier Cooper, DT, Washington State

Cooper possesses outstanding foot quickness for his size and his 4.86 40-yard dash was one of the best among defensive tackles at the NFL Scouting Combine. While he led Washington State in both sacks (five) and tackles for loss (9.5) last season, Cooper is better suited for a 4-3 scheme as a three-technique than the 3-4 scheme that the Cougars utilize.

92. Denver Broncos (Draft History): Davis Tull, OLB, Chattanooga

Tull was battling a hamstring injury, but he has shown explosion at both the Combine -- 42.5-inch vertical and 11-foot broad jump -- and his Pro Day -- 4.57 forty. Tull has recently had shoulder surgery, which is expected to sideline him for four months.

93. Indianapolis Colts (Draft History): Hau'oli Kikaha, OLB, Washington

There may be some medical concerns with Kikaha, who tore his left ACL in 2011 and again in 2012, and he lacks the explosiveness of other pass-rushers. That said, he has a relentless motor and none were more productive than Kikaha last season. Kikaha set single-season records for the Huskies with 19.0 sacks, the most in college football last season, and 25.0 tackles for loss, second only to Arizona's Scooby Wright III.

94. Green Bay Packers (Draft History): Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

Ekpre-Olomu may have been a late first-round selection if he did not tear his ACL prior to the Rose Bowl. A 2014 AP First-Team All-American, Ekpre-Olomu lacks ideal size (5-9, 192), but he's a fluid athlete with excellent ball skills and production for Oregon with experience outside and in the slot.

95. Seattle Seahawks (Draft History): John Miller, G, Louisville

Starting guard James Carpenter signed with the Jets in free agency and the team traded away center Max Unger in the Jimmy Graham deal. Miller started 47 games at guard for Louisville and would fill the void of Carpenter's departure.

96. New England Patriots (Draft History): Henry Anderson, DL, Stanford

Anderson (6-6, 294) led Stanford in both tackles for loss (15) and sacks (8.5) last season and he'd provide Bill Belichick with the versatility to play the five-technique in three-man fronts as well as the three-technique.

97. New England Patriots (Draft History): David Cobb, RB, Minnesota

A big (5-11, 229) and powerful runner, Cobb set the single-season rushing record (1,626 yards) for the Gophers last season. The Patriots lost Shane Vereen and Stevan Ridley in free agency and LeGarrette Blount, who will be suspended for the season opener, will be a free agent in 2016.

98. Kansas City Chiefs (Draft History): Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary

The Chiefs have begun the process of upgrading their wide receiver corps by signing Jeremy Maclin and cutting Dwayne Bowe. Although McBride played the FCS level, he has good athleticism (4.41 forty, 38-inch vertical), hands, body control and size (6-0, 210).

99. Cincinnati Bengals (Draft History): James Sample, S, Louisville

Both of the Bengals starting safeties -- Reggie Nelson and George Iloka -- are scheduled to become unrestricted free agents after the 2015 season. Sample may not get as much attention as teammate Gerod Holliman, who led the country with 14 interceptions but also had a ton of missed tackles, but I expect Sample to be the school's first safety off the board.

-> Continue to Round 4
-> Continue to Round 5
-> Continue to Round 6
-> Continue to Round 7

-> Go back to picks 1-16 of this 2015 NFL Mock Draft
-> Go back to picks 17-32 of this 2015 NFL Mock Draft
-> Go back to 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Round 2


-> For more mocks, check out our 2015 NFL Mock Draft Database or our 2016 NFL Mock Draft for an early look ahead.

-> Also, check out our 2015 NBA Mock Draft and/or NBA Mock Draft Database

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