Mock Draft #2: First Round 11-20
Over the next three-and-a-half months there will be numerous “experts” throwing their ideas around to discuss which collegiate football prospects will be chosen in the upcoming NFL Draft. Here is the second set of ten picks (11-20) in the first round in my “expert” opinion.
11. Minnesota Vikings: WR DeVante Parker (Louisville) 6-3, 209 pounds
Nov 29, 2014; Louisville, KY, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) runs the ball against the Kentucky Wildcats during the second half at Papa John
Parker boasts a wide skill set at the receiver position and would automatically make the Vikings’ receiving corps much more lethal than it was this year after Cordarrelle Patterson didn’t live up to expectations in 2014. Teddy Bridgewater has proved that he is an NFL-caliber quarterback and with a few more weapons on the offensive side of the ball, the Vikings could get out of their recent slump.
12. Cleveland Browns: WR Kevin White (West Virginia), 6-3, 210 pounds
Dec 29, 2014; Memphis, TN, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers wide receiver Kevin White (11) catches a pass while defended by Texas A&M Aggies defensive back Deshazor Everett (29) during the game in the 2014 Liberty Bowl at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
The Browns’ receivers had an up-and-down season with Josh Gordon being suspended for the season, then having his suspension reduced, to him not being very effective once he returned. Andrew Hawkins played well, but he’s not a No. 1 option for Brian Hoyer and with Gordon’s future cloudy due to his poor judgements, White would be the perfect fit for the Cleveland offense.
13. New Orleans Saints: OLB Shaq Thompson (Washington), 6-2, 231 pounds
Nov 1, 2014; Boulder, CO, USA; Washington Huskies running back Shaq Thompson (7) carries for a touchdown past Colorado Buffaloes cornerback Kenneth Crawley (2) in the first quarter at Folsom Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Saints’ defense could be pinpointed as the primary reason they limped to a 7-9 finish in the regular season. New Orleans will need to revamp their defensive unit and Shaq Thompson out of Washington would fit the bill well. Thompson was an absolute monster in the PAC-12 last year as he returned three fumbles for three touchdowns, had an interception return for a touchdown, and finished with 80 tackles. As if that weren’t enough, Thompson also played on offense for the Huskies as he totaled 456 yards on 61 rushing attempts and an additional two touchdowns. He could make for a very sneaky pick in the middle of the first round.