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NFL Mock Draft: Full 1st round action

By Ben Almquist

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Spence has issues, but also a ton of potential. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Spence has issues, but also a ton of potential. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

27. Green Bay Packers: Noah Spence – DE/OLB – Eastern Kentucky

Why?: Ideally, the Packers would like to get an ILB to allow Clay Matthews to move back outside.  Unfortunately for them, the draft doesn’t line up well for them to do that this year.

However, Noah Spence gives them the second best option by filling in at OLB and keeping Matthews inside (where he does play at a high level).

Fixing an unexpected situation: At the end of 2015, the Packers had to feel pretty confident about their DL.  Letroy Guion was quickly re-signed, BJ Raji was expected to re-sign, and they had a promising young Mike Pennel.

However, Raji announced a hiatus from football and Pennel got suspended for four games.  That introduces a lot of questions to the group.  Vernon Butler (DT – Louisiana Tech) is an attractive options right here.

Eli Apple is a quality player with an enormous ceiling. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Eli Apple is a quality player with an enormous ceiling. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

28. Kansas City Chiefs: Eli Apple – CB – Ohio State

Why?: The Chiefs biggest loss this offseason was definitely Sean Smith.  Eli Apple goes a long way towards replacing Smith and should be competitive for a starting spot right away.  Apple has some technique issues, but as a 20-year-old sophomore, that’s to be expected.

He already plays at a high level though, and his ceiling is tremendous. The Chiefs secondary will be young in 2016, but with the addition of Apple, would have the parts to be amazing moving forward.

Author’s Note: Most of you know that I’ve talked up Apple for a while now.  I want to assure you that I did not build this draft around the Chiefs getting him.  Rather, he has been one of my favorite options because I believe he will be available here. 

If Apple is gone?: Can’t talk about a player like Apple without recognizing that another team may want him.  If that happens, the Chiefs should strongly consider trading back if they can find a partner.

There really isn’t a whole lot of other value for them at this point, though Vernon Butler (DT – Louisiana Tech) could be a bonafide option if the team feels that negotiations with Dontari Poe aren’t working out.

Next: Picks 29-31

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