APC Mock Draft 2017, Picks 11-15: SEC Defenders Galore

With less than three weeks to go until the 2017 NFL Draft, you can’t go more than two or three clicks on the internet without stumbling onto a mock draft.

That also means that it’s time for APC’s contributors to fire up the draft projection parts of our brains and put our heads together for the official APC mock draft. Seven contributors are pitching in for this year’s mock, each of whom was assigned either four or five teams. We also took care not to assign more than one team from the same division to any one writer.

After rounding out the top ten yesterday with a handful of players on offense, the teens in our mock get going with a slew of defensive players; in fact, four of the five players in this batch of picks are on D, and all four of those come from SEC colleges. We even get back-to-back Alabama players at 14 and 15.

Here are the next five picks in the mock, and scroll down for the full draft board.

1.11 - New Orleans Saints

Derek Barnett, EDGE, Tennessee (Mike)

The Saints had one of the worst defenses in the NFL last season. They gave up 29 points per game last year and were ranked 27th in the league with only 30 sacks. Derek Barnett should give the Saints a viable pass rush right away. Some knock his size and length but when you’re the all-time sack leader at the University of Tennessee, you can play. He has great hands, feet and the awareness to make adjustments to play action and drop into a zone if necessary. Barnett will be a good book end with Cameron Jordan and give the Saints a threat on all passing downs.

1.12 - Cleveland Browns (from Eagles)

Jamal Adams, S, Tennessee (J.E. Barnett)

The Browns, and their fans, will desperately want a QB here, but in this mock Watson and Trubisky are gone. There really is not anyone else here that makes sense in the first round. I am making the assumption that Cleveland makes a solid pick based on having a ton of needs. Adams is a big, athletic, physical safety and this will give the Browns a front end leader and back end leader to a defense deeply in need of athletic upgrades. Adams quite possibly the best player available and it fills a need

1.13 - Arizona Cardinals

Ryan Ramczyk, OT, Wisconsin (J.E. Barnett)

The Cardinals had very good offensive numbers and a great defense. Still, this team sputtered. The biggest hole on this team was the offensive line which was one of the worst in the league in 2016. Yes, there were injuries, but that hurt more because there was no depth. Ramczyk is a well rounded player who moved up through UW-Stevens Point to UW-Madison. Ramczyk will pass block and run block so he matches the well-rounded Cardinals offense.

1.14 - Philadelphia Eagles (from Vikings)

Marlon Humphrey, CB, Alabama (JBH)

In addition to stripping away the receiving corps, the Chip Kelly era had a destabilizing effect on the secondary. Only one of the defensive backs drafted by the team during Kelly's tenure remains on the roster, and that lone survivor -- safety Jaylen Watkins -- spent nearly a full year in Buffalo before returning to Philadelphia. As it stands, Jalen Mills and the recently acquired Patrick Robinson appear set to start at corner in the Eagles' base defense. Accordingly, a prospect like Alabama's lengthy and athletic Marlon Humphrey could provide immediate impact at an area of need.

1.15 - Indianapolis Colts

Jonathan Allen - DT - Alabama (Jon Meerdink)

New Colts general manager Chris Ballard has said that he wants to fortify both the offensive and defensive lines as he reshapes his team. Allen’s versatility and potential allow him to do both. Scouts have compared his ability to line up inside and outside to that of Michael Bennett in Seattle, and even if he ends up as a fraction of the player Bennett is, it will be an improvement for Indianapolis.