11 different mock drafts yields 5 different names…

Mock Draft Roundup: 11th Edition

by Myles Simmons

http://www.stlouisrams.com/news-and-events/article-1/Mock-Draft-Roundup-11th-Edition/f2f63ce6-e5fe-4c5c-ab37-72dfa8b7795c

As the offseason continues to speed along, the 2015 NFL Draft will commence two weeks from Thursday. While some may say this is where draft talk goes into “silly season,” this time of year does give analysts the chance to delve into some fairly intriguing scenarios. It’s always worth keeping in mind that these picks are either best guesses, or sometimes just seeing ways in which the dominoes may fall.

With that, there are a couple of players this week who have not been particularly popular in these roundups and then a big trade for our last entry. And don’t forget to check out any roundup you may have missed in the links below.

Let’s start with a prediction that could definitely be called out of left field (happy Opening Day, Cardinals). In his fourth mock draft, (insider subscription required — $$) Kiper has the Rams selecting UCF wide receiver Breshad Perriman.

“No player has risen more on my board over the past month than Perriman, a player who I always thought looked explosive on tape, then lived up to that by running [a] sub-4.3 [40-yard dash] two separate times at his pro day,” Kiper writes, adding that he could be a potent weapon in the passing game. “One of the bigger sleepers in the 2015 draft class at this point, Perriman has good length but will also prove dangerous after the catch.”

“At one time I had him as a likely second-round pick,” Kiper continues, “but now I see him as a close call in terms of overall ability next to the top few wide receivers in this class.”

It’s a big rise for Perriman, who Kiper had going No. 31 to the Seahawks in his third mock draft released on March 6 (a pick that has since been traded to the Saints). Kiper does stay consistent in his position for the Rams, though, as he had them taking Amari Cooper last time. In the fourth version, Cooper goes No. 4 to the Raiders, and Kevin White goes No. 7 to the Bears.

The 6-foot-2, 212-pound Perriman was a first-team All-AAC honoree after making 50 receptions for 1,044 yards and nine touchdowns in 2014. In the process, he became the first UCF wideout to reach the 1,000-yard mark since Mike Sims-Walker in 2006

For another pick that hasn’t been as popular, Rob Rang of The Sports XChange/CBS Sports projects the Rams selecting Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers, saying that he could fill a void on the offensive line.

“Like last year’s No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson, the 6-foot-6, 329-pound Flowers is a mauler in the running game with enough athleticism to remain outside at tackle,” Rang writes.

Flowers started at left tackle for the Hurricanes and was a second-team All-ACC honoree. He’s contributed at that position since he was a freshman in 2012, when he started four games, and then was a full-time starter at LT in 2013.

Getting back to more conventional roundup selections, Rotoworld’s Josh Norris has St. Louis taking LSU offensive lineman La’el Collins at No. 10.

“If Collins is selected, who plays LT?” Norris writes, presumably referring to 2014 No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson. “Either way, you have two powerful blockers along the offensive line in an offense that will need to keep its quarterback clean in the pocket and open running lanes.”

Rams head coach Jeff Fisher has repeatedly stated that Robinson will be the team’s left tackle for the foreseeable future, so that’s not necessarily up for debate. But Collins does have the potential to be a solid contributor along the line as well.

One of the featured OTs in our #FutureInvestments series [http://stlra.ms/1CJfCwq], Collins was awarded the Jacobs Blocking Trophy as the SEC’s best blocker, and was a second-team All-American in 2014. After serving as the Tigers’ starting left guard his sophomore season, he was the team’s left tackle his junior and senior years.

Lance Zierlein also takes a more conventional approach to his latest mock, which has the Rams picking Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes in the first round.

“Waynes’ size, speed and lockdown cover ability could allow defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to fully unlock the defense’s massive potential,” Zierlein writes.

One of the corners in our #FutureInvestments series, the defensive back had a stellar combine, highlighted by his 4.31 40-yard dash. He was named first team All-Big Ten and a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award (given to the top defensive back in the nation) after recording three interceptions and eight pass break-ups in 2014.

Finally, FOX Sports’ Peter Schrager projected a big trade in his latest mock draft, as he has the Rams moving up to No. 4 to select Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota.

“The Rams make a big splash here and trade their 2015 (10th overall) and 2016 first-round picks for Oakland’s fourth overall selection,” Schrager writes, adding that having Nick Foles gives the St. Louis “the luxury of letting Mariota sit for a bit, learn Frank Cignetti’s and Chris Weinke’s offense, and still be competitive in 2015. Big swing here for Les Snead and Jeff Fisher. I like it.”

Mariota, of course, won the Heisman Trophy in 2014 after throwing for 4,454 yards, 42 touchdowns, and only four interceptions last season. He also rushed for 770 yards and 15 touchdowns. He completed 66.8 percent of his passes in three years as a starter for the Ducks.

Schrager goes on project that the Rams will take Utah defensive back Eric Rowe with their 41st overall pick in the second round. While he doesn’t make any comments on the DB, Rowe was a three-year starter at free safety before moving down to cornerback for his senior year. You can check out his draft profile here.