Minnesota’s David Cobb is among the running backs projected to be fourth-round picks. (Photo: Jesse Johnson — USA Today Sports)
BBD Editor: Dan Hope
WARNING: You should probably take the following projections with a grain of salt. After going zero-for-67 on my Day 2 mock draft projections yesterday, I must admit that it is very possible none of the following projections will actually happen.
Nonetheless, we might as well have some fun with Saturday, the final day of the 2015 NFL Draft, getting set to begin. So without further adieu, here are my best-guess predictions on what could happen—taking into account my previous projections, which players are still left on the board and what needs teams have already addressed—in Round 4.
100. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Hardison, DE, Arizona State
After upgrading their offense with each of their first three picks, the Titans should be set to kick off Day 3 with a defensive selection. Hardison, a powerful, athletic 5-technique defensive end they had a chance to coach at the Senior Bowl, would be a good fit to compete for immediate for playing time on their 3-4 front.
101. New England Patriots (from Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Doran Grant, CB, Ohio State
The Patriots have gone all defense so far with their first three draft selections, but they still have a big need at cornerback. Given that the Patriots have numerous connections to Ohio State, it would make sense for them to draft Grant, the most well-rounded cornerback still on the board.
102. Oakland Raiders: Josh Shaw, CB, USC
The Raiders could use some reinforcement at the cornerback position, and a big, fast and strong cornerback like Shaw would fit the bill. Shaw is unfortunately best known for his embarrassing balcony-jumping incident and subsequent lie about it last summer, but he is a second-round-caliber talent whose character is well worth taking a chance on in Round 4.
103. Jacksonville Jaguars: Derron Smith, FS, Fresno State
Smith is a well-rounded free safety who has the coverage skills to compete for a starting job at the position right away. Considering the Jaguars’ best current option at the position is Sergio Brown, they would be smart to select Smith with their upcoming pick.
104. New York Jets: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
I projected yesterday that the Jets would draft Hundley in Round 2, so I might as well make the same projection before Round 4 today. Hundley has the physical tools to potentially develop into a capable starting quarterback, and considering the Jets are currently looking at a quarterback competition between Geno Smith and Ryan Fitzpatrick, they shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to add a big, athletic, strong-armed passer on Day 3. Selecting Hundley now would leave them no pressure to start him in the future, unless he truly emerges as the best signal-caller on their roster.
105. Washington Redskins: Dezmin Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas
The Redskins could use some size and a red-zone threat at the wide receiver position, which they would get from Lewis, a talented small-schooler with a great ability to make tough grabs.
106. Chicago Bears: Ibraheim Campbell, SS, Northwestern
Staying local and drafting Campbell would be a smart fourth-round move for the Bears, who would give them another option and some much-needed depth at the safety position.
107. Atlanta Falcons: T.J. Clemmings, OT/G, Pittsburgh
The Falcons have yet to address their needs on the offensive line in this draft, and Clemmings, one of the team’s pre-draft visitors, was expected to be selected long before the fourth round. Concerns about a stress fracture in his foot might be sinking his draft stock, but his length, athleticism and power make him well worth taking a chance on in Round 4, as he could potentially be an upgrade at either right tackle or guard.
108. New York Giants: Kevin White, CB, TCU
The Giants could use some depth at the cornerback position. White could continue to fall due to a lack of size and speed, but his instinctiveness, technical skill and physicality make him worth taking a chance on in Round 4.
109. Indianapolis Colts (from St. Louis Rams via Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Michael Bennett, DE/DT, Ohio State
Bennett is not an ideal fit for the Colts’ 3-4 defense, but he’s a top-32 talent in this year’s draft who should have been off the board well before the fourth round. The Colts certainly could use another disruptor on their front line, and Bennett is one of the draft’s most explosive penetrators.
110. Minnesota Vikings: David Cobb, RB, Minnesota
Even though it appears that Adrian Peterson will most likely be staying with the Vikings for 2015, they would still be smart to draft another running back for insurance. It would make sense to stay local and draft Cobb, a big, powerful between-the-tackles runner who finishes through contact and has good cutting ability for a back of his size.
111. New England Patriots (from Cleveland Browns): Andy Gallik, C/G, Boston College
Gallik projects best as a center, but could move to guard for the Patriots, who have a solid center in Bryan Stork but needs at the guard position. A four-year starter at Boston College who is powerful and technically sound, Gallik is the best interior offensive lineman available in this scenario.
112. Washington Redskins (from New Orleans Saints via Seattle Seahawks): Joey Mbu, NT, Houston
With Terrance Knighton signed for only one year, Mbu would be a solid choice on Day 3 to bring as a developmental nose tackle and for defensive line depth.
113. Philadelphia Eagles (from San Francisco 49ers via Buffalo Bills): Adrian Amos, FS/CB, Penn State
An athletic defensive back who can play both safety and cornerback, Amos has drawn interest from the Eagles and would be another strong addition to help them complete their secondary renovation.
114. Miami Dolphins: Ramik Wilson, ILB, Georgia
The Dolphins need to add more talent at the linebacker position. Wilson is a solid middle linebacker prospect who has visited the team and could potentially enable Koa Misi to move to his more natural position of strongside linebacker.
115. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills): Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville
Holliman is a flawed player whose game needs a lot of work, especially in run support, but his ability to make plays on the ball—as evidenced by his FBS record-tying 14 interceptions in 2014—is undeniable. He would be a good choice for the Browns to draft this year and groom as a potential replacement to their incumbent ballhawk free safety, Tashaun Gipson, who the team does not expect back in 2016, according to Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller.
116. Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans): Jesse James, TE, Penn State
The Browns have bucked expectations and passed up the draft’s top pass-catchers with their picks in the first three rounds, but at some point in this draft, they really ought to add a wide receiver or tight end to their offense. James, a big tight end who also offers in-line blocking ability, could be a strong complement to Rob Housler at the position.
117. San Francisco 49ers (from San Diego Chargers): Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State
The 49ers would be smart to add another wide receiver on their roster, and Greene would be a good value selection in the middle of Round 4. He’s neither a big wideout nor a burner, but he is a skilled route runner who finds ways to get open and could be a solid weapon for San Francisco at the intermediate level.
118. Kansas City Chiefs: Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina
The Chiefs could still use another wide receiver in addition to third-round pick Chris Conley, and adding Hardy—a player they have been rumored to have interest in—would be a good addition to play out of the slot. Hardy is the Football Bowl Subdivision’s all-time leader in receptions.
119. St. Louis Rams (from Philadelphia Eagles): Tre McBride, WR, William & Mary
The Rams, who have drafted four wide receivers in the past three years but still have no stars at the position, could keep a run on wide receivers going by selecting McBride, a smooth athlete who is one of the best small-school prospects still on the board.
120. Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas
A strong, long and linear defensive end who is very good against the run and can kick inside in pass-rushing situations, Flowers fits the Bengals’ mold for the position and can add talent at an area where the Bengals could use it.
121. Pittsburgh Steelers: Anthony Harris, FS/SS, Virginia
Following the retirement of Troy Polamalu, the Steelers should be looking to add a young safety in this year’s draft. Harris is a well-rounded player with the coverage skills and experience to play both free safety and strong safety, and he should be able to compete for immediate playing time.
122. Baltimore Ravens (from Detroit Lions): Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
The Ravens have been getting great value with their picks throughout the draft so far (per usual), and could do so again by landing Ajayi in Round 4. A tough between-the-tackles runner who is also a reliable pass-catcher and skilled pass protector, Ajayi is arguably the draft’s most well-rounded back, but is falling due to concerns about his knee.
123. Arizona Cardinals: Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Even after drafting Logan Thomas last year, the Cardinals could be inclined to draft another developmental quarterback, especially considering the Ryan Lindley debacle they had to suffer through in their playoff loss to the Carolina Panthers last season after Carson Palmer went down with a torn ACL. A 6’3”, 230-pound quarterback with a big arm, Petty fits Cardinals coach Bruce Arians’ preferences at the position.
124. Carolina Panthers: Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma
Despite having a projected starting tackle combination of Jonathan Martin and Michael Oher, the Panthers have yet to draft an offensive lineman in this draft. Williams, who was expected by many draft prognosticators to be a second- or third-round pick, would be a good fit to come in and compete for the starting right tackle position.
125. Baltimore Ravens: Tray Walker, CB, Texas Southern
The Ravens should be looking for depth at the cornerback position. Tray Walker, who had visits or workouts with at least 14 teams prior to the draft, according to SB Nation’s draft visit tracker, has big size and upside, and that could make him an attractive option late in Round 4.
126. San Francisco 49ers (from Denver Broncos): Jeff Luc, ILB, Cincinnati
After stunning retirements by both Patrick Willis and Chris Borland this offseason, the 49ers need to draft another inside linebacker this year. Luc is a big thumper who brings much of the same downhill explosion to the field that Willis and Borland were known for.
127. Dallas Cowboys: Javorius “Buck” Allen, RB, USC
The Cowboys still need to draft a replacement for DeMarco Murray. Among the running backs who were pre-draft visitors to Dallas, according to Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Allen is the only one left on the board.
128. Indianapolis Colts: Hayes Pullard, ILB, USC
A sound tackler who is also more than adept in coverage, Pullard is an experienced and well-rounded linebacker who should be able to immediately contribute to the Colts’ inside linebacker rotation on their 3-4 defense.
129. Green Bay Packers: Mike Hull, ILB, Penn State
Hull is a small linebacker who might not make the on-field presence that the Packers truly need at the position, but he an instinctive, high-effort player who consistently gets in position to make plays and will make the most of his limited physical abilities.
130. Seattle Seahawks: Tony Lippett, WR/CB, Michigan State
A big, strong wide receiver who had excellent production in the Big Ten while also playing cornerback and special teams, Lippett could potentially project to play on either side of the ball in the NFL, and the Seahawks could use depth at both wide receiver and cornerback. He is a limited athlete who is unlikely to be a standout at either position, but his size could make him an intriguing conversion candidate in Seattle.
131. New England Patriots: Mario Alford, WR, West Virginia
The Patriots are expected to add another wide receiver at some point in this draft, and Comcast Sports Net’s Tom Curran (h/t NEPatriotsDraft.com’s Mike Loyko), has reported that Alford is a player New England is targeting. Alford is very small for a wide receiver, at just 5’8” and 180 pounds, but he is a great athlete who ran an outstanding three-cone drill time of 6.64 seconds at the NFL Scouting Combine, and the Patriots are known to value the three-cone drill highly.
132. San Francisco 49ers (compensatory pick): Tyeler Davison, DT, Fresno State
A stout run defender with good quickness for his size, Davison would be a good fit to come in and play nose tackle for San Francisco’s 3-4 defensive front.
133. Denver Broncos (compensatory pick): Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson
Considering there were some pre-draft projections that the Broncos potentially taking Jarrett with their first-round selection, he would be considered a great value if Denver was able to land him in Round 4. A short but strong defensive tackle with great quickness and hands, Jarrett would be a strong addition to Denver’s defensive line rotation.
134. Seattle Seahawks (compensatory pick): Shaq Mason, C/G, Georgia Tech
After losing two starting interior offensive linemen this offseason, the Seahawks need to add some talent in that area on Day 3 of the draft. Mason is an undersized but agile blocker with good power for his size and the ability to play both guard and center, both positions of need in Seattle.
135. Cincinnati Bengals (compensatory pick): Kenny Bell, WR, Nebraska
With each of their top three wide receivers set to be free agents in 2016, the Bengals should looking to add some young talent at the position in this year’s draft. Bell is a fast, well-rounded wideout who could be a steal late in Round 4.
136. Baltimore Ravens (compensatory pick): Robert Myers, G, Tennessee State
The Ravens appear to be in the market for depth at the guard position, and have specifically had their eye on Myers, who has had a private workout with the team and multiple additional meetings with them. He could give the Ravens solid insurance at a position where both of their starters, Kelechi Osemele and Marshal Yanda, are set to be free agents in 2016.
Correction: This mock draft previously had the Houston Texans holding the No. 116 overall selection. The Texans traded that selection to the Cleveland Browns in a deal during Friday’s second round.
