43. Minnesota Vikings – Cameron Heyward – DE, Ohio State – Minnesota will look to upgrade their defensive front by drafting Heyward. Most view Heyward as a fringe first round prospect but I think the questions regarding his dedication and desire will trump his performance.
44. Detroit Lions – Bruce Carter – LB, North Carolina – The Lions will look to Carter to immediately fill the hole left by Julian Peterson, who is unlikely to return to Detroit next season.
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45. San Francisco 49ers – Colin Kaepernick – QB, Nevada – Assuming that Blaine Gabbert does not fall to the 49ers in the first round, Kaepernick will be the pick in the second. The amount of upside he has is incredible and has the leadership qualities needed to be successful in the NFL.
46. Denver Broncos – Stephen Wisneiski – C, Penn State – Despite what many may think, I believe that Wisneiski, not Mike Pouncey, is the best center prospect in this year’s draft. The Broncos will get a very good starter with big game experience in Wisneiski.
47. St. Louis Rams – Stephen Paea – DT, Oregon State – Paea wowed everyone at the combine this year by bench-pressing 225lbs a record 49 times. Paea’s size and strength could make him the last piece of the defensive puzzle for Rams coach Steve Spagnuolo.
48. Oakland Raiders – Ras-I Dowling – CB, Virginia – With Nnamdi Asomugh’s future in Oakland in doubt, the Raiders will need to bolster their secondary. Dowling has the size and playmaking ability to be a very good corner in the NFL.
49. Jacksonville Jaguars – Curtis Brown – CB, Texas – Jacksonville would love to have grabbed Ras-I Dowling with this pick, but instead will have to settle for Texas’ Curtis Brown to come in and help a struggling secondary.
50. San Diego Chargers – Jabaal Sheard – DE/OLB, Pittsburgh – With all of the top-tier rush linebackers off the board at this point and their need at DT solidified with Muhammad Wilkerson, the Chargers will draft Sheard simply because he fills their biggest need.
51. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Danny Watkins – OT, Baylor – Danny Watkins is one of the most intriguing prospects in the draft because he is ready to play now, but is 27 years old. Tampa Bay is built to win now and Watkins is fully matured and can step in right away as a difference-maker on the offensive line.
52. New York Giants – Kyle Rudolph – TE, Notre Dame – The Giants would have loved to get a linebacker at this point in the draft, but anyone they take here would be a reach and not much of an upgrade from Jonathan Goff and Michael Boley. With no other glaring needs on defense, I see the Giants going for the best available player at this point and in this mock, it is Kyle Rudolph. Eli Manning will benefit from having as many weapons around him as possible and Rudolph will provide him with a nice threat downfield, over the middle or as a checkdown option for when the Giants run out of a two TE set. In addition to his skill set as a receiver, at 6’6 260lbs, Rudolph can provide extra protection in the blocking game.
