Mock Draft #1: First Round 1-10
7. Chicago Bears: SS Landon Collins (Alabama), 6-0, 222 pounds
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers wide receiver Darius White (8) fumbles the ball as Alabama Crimson Tide defensive back Landon Collins (26) defends during the fourth quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
The Bears may go with a DE at the seventh overall pick or maybe even package it with Jay Cutler (including his long-term/huge contract) to receive a potential franchise quarterback in return. If both of these possibilities fall through, I believe they will look to improve their defense and take Collins out of Alabama to be a new hard-hitting safety in the secondary.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray (Missouri), 6-3, 245 pounds
Dec 6, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive lineman Shane Ray (56) tackles Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims (6) during the second quarter of the 2014 SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. The play caused Ray to be ejected from the game for targeting. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Ray should be the top remaining prospect on the board at this point if he hasn’t gotten picked already and the Falcons should be perfectly okay with taking him. Ray led the SEC in sacks (14.5) and tackles for loss (21.5). He is an all-around athlete after showing off his speed with a 4.54 40-yard time and he also boasts a vertical of over 40 inches.
9. New York Giants: OT Andrus Peat (Stanford), 6-7, 312 pounds
October 10, 2014; Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Cardinal offensive tackle Andrus Peat (70) blocks Washington State Cougars linebacker Kache Palacio (40) during the second half at Stanford Stadium. Stanford defeated Washington State 34-17. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
New York struggled mightily with their offensive line this year and Peat may be the answer to their prayers. Stanford has produced numerous first-round caliber offensive linemen in the past few years and Peat is yet another terrific product from the Cardinal. Peat could automatically slide into the right tackle spot to help give Eli Manning some more time to stand in the pocket.
10. St. Louis Rams: OT La’el Collins (LSU), 6-5, 321 pounds
Collins has flown under the radar for the majority of his collegiate career, but will show up big time on draft day with a first round selection. He could go ninth overall if the Giants prefer him over Peat, but if New York goes with Peat instead then the Rams may look Collins’ way to protect injury-prone Sam Bradford. He is physically built to withstand some blows in the NFL in the trenches and could prove to be an extremely reliable blocker.