2015 NFL Not Draft: Picks 17-32

Last update: Sunday, April 19, 2015.

THIS IS NOT A 2015 NFL MOCK DRAFT. Click the link to see my real 2015 NFL Mock Draft. This is a 2015 NFL Not Draft - a compilation of popular mock picks that, in my opinion, will not happen. For the record, I was wrong about zero "not" picks in my 2012 and 2013 Not Mocks (which means I was right about none of my projections not happening). My 2014 Not Mock was less successful, as I "hit" (a bad thing) two of the picks. I'll try to rebound in the 2015 edition.

2015 NFL Not Draft: Picks 1-16

17. San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
    I'm going out on a limb here, as no other "not" pick makes sense to me. The Chargers will absolutely consider Todd Gurley if he happened to be available at this spot. However, I just don't see Gurley being available this late. He's much too talented to fall into the second half of the draft.
    
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18. Kansas City Chiefs: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
    The Chiefs need an inside linebacker, and Eric Kendricks happens to be the top player at that position. A perfect match, right? Well, not really. The issue is that Andy Reid hates drafting linebackers early. He never took one in the first round when he ran the show for the Eagles despite always needing one, so I don't see why he'd start doing so in Kansas City.
    
    
19. Cleveland Browns: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
    This doesn't just cover the Browns' pick; Dorial Green-Beckham has gotten some first-round hype from a couple of analysts. They've ranked him atop their receiving rankings, citing that off-the-field problems are too unpredictable. Umm... no, they are not. Green-Beckham is a freak of nature, but he also comes with way too much baggage. Perhaps the Bengals will take him at No. 21, but why would the Browns do that after dealing with Josh Gordon?
    
    
    
    
    
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
    I'm "not" mocking Landon Collins to another NFC East team, but this time, it's for a different reason. Landon Collins makes sense from a needs perspective, but he just doesn't have the raw athleticism that Chip Kelly likes out of his players. It also hurts Collins that he didn't play in the Pac-12.
    
    
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
    As of this writing, Andrus Peat is getting the most votes for Cincinnati's pick in the Consensus NFL Draft Pick Report. This once made sense, but with Clint Boling re-signed, it's unlikely that the Bengals will use their initial selection on a tackle.
    
    
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
    Marcus Peters also leads the consensus voting, and it's another pick I don't like. I can't imagine the Steelers taking such a risk on a player with big character concerns. If Pittsburgh wants to go cornerback, Jalen Collins or Kevin Johnson would make a lot more sense.
    
    
    
    
    
23. Detroit Lions: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
    Eddie Goldman makes sense for the Lions in a vacuum, but the Detroit front office is all about picking the top player on its board. I can't see that being Goldman, given the possibility of Melvin Gordon, Malcom Brown and several of the offensive tackles being available.
    
    
24. Arizona Cardinals: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
    Once again, Todd Gurley is a highly projected possibility - per the Consensus NFL Draft Pick Report - in a spot in which he won't be available. It'll be absolutely stunning if the best running back prospect in a long time is available at No. 24.
    
    
25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
    Pick a tackle, any tackle. The Panthers can essentially do that, but I don't think T.J. Clemmings will be the one. All of the NFL personnel people we've spoken to project Clemmings to be chosen in the second round, so this is a bit high for the Pitt prospect.
    
    
    
    
    
26. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
    I'm definitely buying the rumors about the Ravens being interested in Melvin Gordon. It's not the first time I heard this. However, I'm not buying him being available at No. 26. There are too many teams that could pluck him off the board prior to this selection, so Baltimore will have to trade up to get him.
    
    
27. Dallas Cowboys: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
    Another "not" pick for Eddie Goldman, but this one is for a different reason. I once mocked Goldman to the Cowboys, but then it hit me that it wasn't a likely pick because the Cowboys don't value the 1-technique position very much. With that in mind, expect Dallas to pick a cornerback, linebacker or running back (via trade).
    
    
28. Denver Broncos: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
    Another "not" pick for Eddie Goldman, but this one is for a different reason. Wait, didn't I just say that? Anyway, Goldman is a popular selection per the Consensus NFL Draft Pick Report, but he doesn't fill a need at all. With Derek Wolfe and Malik Jackson slated to start at defensive end in Denver's 3-4, the team is set at the position.
    
    
    
    
    
29. Indianapolis Colts: Owa Odighizuwa, DE/OLB, UCLA
    A rush linebacker like Eli Harold or Owa Odighizuwa have been suggested for the Colts in the first round, but those people are ignoring how well Jonathan Newsome played down the stretch last year. With Newsome, Trent Cole, Robert Mathis, Bjoern Werner and Erik Walden on the roster, the position is incredibly crowded.
    
    
30. Green Bay Packers: Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State
    The Packers suddenly find themselves having issues at cornerback, so this is a position they could certainly address early in the 2015 NFL Draft. Just don't expect Ronald Darby to be the pick, as he doesn't fit the scheme like Kevin Johnson and Byron Jones do.
    
    
31. New Orleans Saints: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
    Dorial Green-Beckham has been projected here more than any other player except for Maxx Williams, according to our Consensus NFL Draft Pick Report. But the point I brought up on the 1-16 page still stands: Why would the Saints, who have put forth tons of effort this offseason to clean up their locker room, draft such a troubled player? Besides, Sean Payton expressed interest in another receiver, as mentioned in my real 2015 NFL Mock Draft.
    
    
32. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
    I once slotted a different receiver to the Patriots in my 2015 NFL Mock Draft, but never Jaelen Strong or any other wideout. Bill Belichick, in his old age, has gotten very paranoid, which would explain why he only drafts players from programs he trusts. He listens to advice from his buddies like Urban Meyer and Greg Schiano, which is why his selections have come from Florida and Rutgers. I expect him to select some Buckeyes this year; that's why Devin Smith was the receiver I mocked to New England in previous updates.
    
    
    
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