2015 Mock Draft: Detroit Lions select Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia 23rd overall

The 23rd pick of the 2015 Big Blue View Community Mock Draft is in!

23) Detroit Lions

GM - ct17

Pick - Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Explanation

When you are picking in the 20's and an elite talent falls to your slot you have to take him. The power and speed of Gurley, even if slowed slightly by the ACL repair, are still unmatched in the NFL today. My highest ranked RB since and a similar prospect as McFadden, he also reminds me of Dickerson. Although the loss of Suh is huge, the Lions have a better ranked defense than offense, and the running game has been poor for years. Guys like Ebron and Tate will benefit from a real running threat. Also on my short list for this pick were the previous two picks, Malcom Brown, DT and Jalen Collins, CB, as well as Michael Bennett, DT and Byron Jones, CB, since they could have competed for starting jobs. But they need to swing for the fences if they want to knock off the Packers for the division.

Raptor's View

This is definitely a "Swing For The Fences" type move. Gurley's injury concerns are absolutely concerning, but his upside is just enormous. Gurley's blend of size & speed are just rare, and he is a true 3-down back who never has to be taken off the field. The combination of Megatron, Tate, & Gurley -- assuming all three are healthy -- would be very, very difficult to defend. If Ebron plays up to his potential, then it almost isn't fair.

I'd like to note that I would have loved the pick of Bennett. Lining him up next to Hiloti Ngata would make the loss of Suh and Fairley sting a lot less.

The Arizona Cardinals are officially On The Clock!

The Picks So Far

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Jameis Winston (QB, FSU) - Full Story
2. Tennessee Titans - Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon) - Full Story
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Leonard Williams (DL, USC) - Full Story
4. Oakland Raiders - Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama) - Full Story
5. Washington Redskins - Dante Fowler Jr. (DE/OLB, Florida) - Full Story
6. New York Jets - Kevin White (WR, WVU) - Full Story
7. Chicago Bears - Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson) - Full Story
8. Atlanta Falcons - Alvin "Bud" Dupree  (DE/OLB, Kentucky) - Full Story
9. New York Giants - DeVante Parker (WR, Louisville) - Full Story
10. St. Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff (OL, Iowa) - Full Story
11. Minnesota Vikings - Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford) - Full Story
12. Cleveland Browns - Danny Shelton (DT, Washington) - Full Story
13. New Orleans Saints - Randy Gregory (DE/OLB, Nebraska) - Full Story
14. Miami Dolphins - Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan St.) - Full Story
15. San Francisco 49ers - La'El Collins (OL, LSU) - Full Story
16. Houston Texans - Shane Ray (OLB, Missouri) - Full Story
17. San Diego Chargers - Ereck Flowers (OT, Miami) - Full Story
18. Kansas City Chiefs - Cam Erving (OL, FSU) - Full Story
19. Cleveland Browns - Marcus Peters (CB, Washington) - Full Story
20. Philadelphia Eagles - Landon Collins (S, Alabama) - Full Story
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Malcom Brown (DT, Texas) - Full Story
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Jalen Collins (CB, LSU) - Full Story