2015 NFL Draft Rumor Mill: Andrus Peat On The Rise
The 2015 NFL Draft is almost here, which means rumors are swirling and no one really knows what to believe. Actually, at this point before the draft, it’s smart to not believe much of what you hear, because teams are trying to jockey for position to get the players they covet and they’ll stop at nothing to make it happen.
One interesting rumor making the rounds right now, however, is that Stanford OT Andrus Peat could be on the rise…
Peat continues to climb in mock drafts. I don’t know if people are just now realizing he might be the only pure left tackle that you can even take in the first round, or what the situation is there, but it’s a curious situation to be sure.
Peat went 6th overall in Peter King’s latest mock draft, which he acknowledged was too high, but there have been other rumors that he won’t make it past the 10th pick and the St. Louis Rams, who covet his services as well.
Peat has the physicality to play the right tackle position but the length and athletic ability to also play left tackle and do very well with it. If a team needs a left tackle in this draft, Peat is the guy to get if you want the best. Brandon Scherff might be the best lineman in this draft period, but he’s more of a right tackle or guard in the NFL. I see him as a future All-Pro at guard with his nastiness and ability to move around.
Things Get Interesting at Pick #3
The Tennessee Titans are obviously not married to the idea of taking Marcus Mariota with the 2nd overall pick, but their asking price to move up might be too high. I think the Cleveland Browns could make a run at going up for Mariota, but if they aren’t willing to pay three first round picks to do it, then I think the Titans are kind of stuck there.
That being said, the real intrigue of this draft in terms of already knowing what players will go 1st and 2nd (we think…) will come with the Jacksonville Jaguars on the clock at pick no. 3. Will the Jaguars take the best player (defensively or otherwise) in this draft in Leonard Williams? Will they get a much needed pass rusher in Dante Fowler Jr.?
What about Amari Cooper?
The Jaguars’ pick seems to be one that no one can really pin point, which means they’re an ideal candidate to trade down and give someone else the opportunity to select Leonard Williams, the best defensive player in this draft.
If the Jags covet Amari Cooper, they won’t be able to move down much further than they currently are, but if they are fine with a number of players in the top 10 of this draft and feel like having the extra picks would be worth it, then they should pull the trigger and move down.
Trae Waynes to the Vikings?
There’s one pick in mock drafts that you see almost as much as Jameis Winston to the Buccaneers, and it’s Trae Waynes to the Minnesota Vikings.
Obviously, the Vikings would love to add another cornerback with size, speed, and skills like Waynes to pair with Xavier Rhodes, another former first round pick, but is it as much of a no brainer as people think?
There are just some things that are worth buying into. Waynes to the Vikings seems like one of them.
The other option for the Vikings would be to take DeVante Parker, who was Teddy Bridgewater’s college teammate. Seeing that he is now the future of the organization, I would think adding Parker would be as wise a move as any in this draft for the Vikings.
Bengals Love Oregon OT Jake Fisher
Don’t be surprised if, when the Bengals’ pick is turned in at 21 overall it’s for Oregon offensive tackle Jake Fisher.
Fisher is an athletic, quick tackle that can immediately come in and play either right tackle or guard, but has a future at the left tackle position if he continues to work on his functional strength.
He’s not really a mauler, but Fisher knows how to get the job done and is a name to watch as we approach the draft. The Bengals could also look at a playmaker at wide receiver, like Ohio State’s Devin Smith.
Rumors I Buy…
I don’t buy all pre-draft rumors I hear, but there are a few out there I put some stock into. These reports are making the rounds to far too many knowledgable people to be ignored at this point.
1. The Giants could very well take Miami (FL) offensive lineman Ereck Flowers at pick #9
2. Todd Gurley to the Dolphins at pick 14 is a lock if he’s on the board. There were rumors last year well before the draft that they were taking Ja’wuan James. Look what happened. The news of Ndamukong Suh also reached the general public well before it happened. Are the Dolphins that predictable? They seem pretty confident in getting what they want.
3. Cameron Erving won’t last as long as people think. If you’re mocking Erving to the Broncos at 28, you might want to look for a team slotted higher that needs an All-American that played both center and tackle. Or, the Broncos could trade up to get him.
4. Jake Fisher to the Bengals. See above.