2015 NFL Mock Draft: Analyzing Ideal Picks for Every 1st-Round Team
The 2015 NFL draft class looks to be a fairly strong one from top to bottom, which will provide teams of all different talent levels with an opportunity to improve significantly ahead of next season.
Parity is perhaps stronger than ever before in the NFL currently, and that means one fantastic first-round pick could mean the difference between selecting early once again next year or contending for a playoff spot.
It is no secret that teams that hit on their first-round picks tend to be near the top of the league on a yearly basis. Many perennial cellar dwellers tend to struggle in that regard, but the 2015 draft could signal the start of a new era for some organizations.
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With that in mind, here is a full rundown of ideal selections for every team picking in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
*Draft order based on current standings
1. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Titans aren't going anywhere with Zach Mettenberger or Jake Locker under center, but Mariota could very well be the next great NFL quarterback, which makes him an obvious pick.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
While Tampa needs a quarterback, it may not feel as though there is one worth taking at No. 2. With that in mind, look for the Bucs to address their second-biggest need by nabbing a top pass-rusher like Gregory.
3. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
While few draft classes can compare to what 2014 produced in terms of wide receiver, the 2015 class may produce the best pass-catcher in recent memory in the form of Alabama wideout Amari Cooper.
The dominant junior from Miami, Fla. had a spectacular season that saw him earn a Heisman Trophy nomination. In addition to that, he was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year, according to Cecil Hurt of The Tuscaloosa News:
The SEC has a rich history of producing quality wide receivers, which is why the fact that he set a single-season record for receptions may be even more impressive, per SportsCenter:
There is absolutely no question that Cooper is the No. 1 pass-catcher in this draft, so a litany of teams figure to have interest in him. The Oakland Raiders cold certainly use help at several different positions, but Cooper makes perfect sense due to his ability to elevate an offense.
Derek Carr has experienced some ups and downs during his rookie season, but he has done enough to earn another year as the Raiders' starting quarterback. With that said, he won't be able to make strides unless he is given more weaponry to utilize.
James Jones and Andre Holmes are decent receivers, but Cooper is already at an entirely different level. Cooper could potentially help Carr become a good-to-great quarterback in the coming seasons, and that is reason enough to draft him at this spot.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Jags hope they have their quarterback of the future in Blake Bortles, but they have to protect him. Scherff will give Jacksonville a great tackle duo with Luke Joeckel that could develop into the NFL's best over time.
5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
The Redskins defense has certainly had its struggles this season, but it can be argued that Williams is the most talented player in this draft, and he figures to make an instant impact.
6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
There is no question that there is a ton of risk involved with Winston due to his character issues. The Jets must find an answer at quarterback, though, and the former Heisman Trophy winner has elite potential.
7. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
The Falcons have been absolutely awful in terms of getting to the quarterback, and there is no question that finding a pass-rusher is their No. 1 priority. Ray is somewhat of a tweener in terms of playing end or linebacker, but he has all the physical tools needed to be a stud.
8. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
New York has been searching for answers at the linebacker position for quite some time, but that could very well change if it decides to select a dynamic playmaker like Thompson.
9. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Chicago no longer has a vaunted defense, and much of that is due to its questionable secondary. Collins is the best safety in the draft, though, and he will instantly add a new attitude to that side of the ball.
10. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Panthers have really struggled to protect quarterback Cam Newton at times this season. They need someone who can tidy things up on his blindside, and Peat is the perfect person to do just that.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
The Vikings have had an extremely difficult time protecting rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, however, Ogbuehi will give them a high-upside prospect and immediate starter at tackle as soon as he enters the league.
12. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
St. Louis needs a strong secondary to complement its excellent defensive line, and Waynes feels like the surest thing at corner in this draft, so he would be the perfect selection for Jeff Fisher's overachieving squad.
13. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Houston is a team with plenty of talent on both sides of the ball, but its quarterback situation is holding it back. It can be argued that no signal-caller is worth taking here with Mariota and Winston gone, but it is easy to envision the Texans rolling the dice on someone like Hundley.
14. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Browns have one of the NFL's best wide receivers in Josh Gordon, but their complementary pass-catchers are questionable. Quarterback Johnny Manziel needs more options, and Parker is an explosive one.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
It is tough to pinpoint exactly what the 49ers are lacking, although their defensive line certainly isn't as good as it could be. Oakman is a big-bodied guy who can get to the quarterback, which makes him a great fit in this defense.
16. Miami Dolphins: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
Miami's defense is one of the NFL's best due largely to its defensive line. Its linebacker corps leave plenty to be desired, though, which is why taking the top inside linebacker in McKinney is a no-brainer.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Chiefs have gotten absolutely no production out of their wide receivers, and it is time to address that issue. White is the best pass-catcher available at this point, and he may finally give quarterback Alex Smith someone he can trust outside.
18. San Diego Chargers: Danny Shelton, DL, Washington
Shelton is an absolute beast at 339 pounds, but he is also quick and athletic enough to make explosive plays. The Chargers already have Corey Liuget on their defensive line, however, Shelton would give them a devastating duo.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Among the most intriguing prospects in the 2015 class is Clemson pass-rusher Vic Beasley. From a pure production standpoint, few players at any position can match what Beasley accomplished at the collegiate level.
At the same time, though, there are major questions regarding whether he has the size and skill set needed to be an NFL star.
The 235-pound defensive end was a revelation in 2013 with 13 sacks, and he followed that up in 2014 with 11 sacks in the regular season, which was good enough to net him ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors, per Clemson football on Twitter:
Due to his diminutive size, one can only assume that Beasley will be best used as a rush linebacker in the NFL rather than an end. According to Eric Edholm of Yahoo! Sports, though, an anonymous college scout suggests that recent history could bode well for Beasley's NFL prospects.
"Body-wise, he's probably closest to (Denver Broncos pass-rusher) Von (Miller). People forget, but (DeMarcus) Ware wasn't very big either (coming out of Troy). But what a lot of them have—Ware, the Jason Taylor types, Aldon Smith, all those—is length. I'll want to see that number, those numbers, on his height and (arm length).
"
The Cleveland Browns struggle to pressure the quarterback with great regularity, and they can afford to take some chances with two first-round picks.
Beasley has top-five potential if he lives up to it, which means Cleveland would be wise to take a calculated risk by selecting him.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Philly struggling against the pass is nothing new, but something must be done to stop it. Ekpre-Olomu is an Oregon product who is likely to appeal to head coach Chip Kelly, and he's a remarkable athlete, too.
21. New Orleans Saints: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
There is plenty wrong with the Saints, and most of those issues are on defense. New Orleans simply can't stop anyone, but that could change if Williams lives up to his potential as a possible shutdown corner.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
Pittsburgh is getting old in the secondary, and it shows through the team's struggles to stop opposing passing games. Carter is exactly the type of smart and savvy corner the Steelers desperately need.
23. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Baltimore has gotten shockingly efficient production out of veteran running back Justin Forsett in 2014, but he isn't a long-term option. Gordon is a potential stud at the next level, and he will take a great deal of pressure off quarterback Joe Flacco.
24. Cincinnati Bengals: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
The Bengals lack a truly dominant pass-rusher on defense, and while it remains to be seen if Fowler will become one at the next level, he has proven to be just that thus far.
25. Dallas Cowboys: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
While the Cowboys have managed to cover up many of their defensive deficiencies, their inability to sack the quarterback will come back to bite them eventually. Calhoun is a dynamic pass-rusher who can help Dallas reverse course in that regard, though.
26. Detroit Lions: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Peters comes with baggage after getting dismissed from Washington's football team. He may be the best corner in this draft from a skills perspective, though, which makes him worth the risk for a Lions team that struggles perennially at the position.
27. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
The Colts offense is predicated on the play of quarterback Andrew Luck, so Indy must do everything possible to accommodate him. Taking a potentially great guard like Cann would certainly make life easier for the all-world passer.
28. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (Fla.)
The Packers have had some success using Clay Matthews at inside linebacker, but they need a more permanent solution. Perryman is an ideal 3-4 inside backer, so he is an obvious pick at this point.
29. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
Seattle gets very little offensive production from the tight end position, but that will change if it lands Funchess. Quarterback Russell Wilson could really use a big outlet option, and the Michigan pass-catcher fits the bill.
30. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
There is no doubt that Oklahoma wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham is one of the most physically gifted wideout prospects of the past several years. With that said, nobody is quite sure what to make of his draft stock due to off-field issues.
DGB didn't play in 2014 after getting dismissed from Missouri, which resulted in him transferring to Oklahoma. Green-Beckham was seemingly on the verge of becoming an elite receiver as he racked up 883 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Tigers in 2013. There is a certain degree of mystery attached to him due to the lost year, though.
Green-Beckham could return to school for another year, but Charlie Campbell of Walter Football reports that he is leaning toward declaring for the draft:
If he does that, he would be taking a bit of a risk. Even with his character issues in two, however, ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper believes a team may be willing to take a chance on him very early in the draft.
"Even though he was kicked off the team at Missouri, his talent level may be too tantalizing to pass up," Kiper wrote.
One team that can afford to take a chance is the New England Patriots. They could use some help at wide receiver with only Julian Edelman and Brandon LaFell looking like reliable options. The also have a penchant for taking troubled players and making them quality NFL contributors.
Randy Moss had issues before and after his tenure in New England, but he was absolutely fantastic on the field with the Pats. Perhaps DGB could do something similar, especially with future Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady throwing him the ball.
31. Arizona Cardinals: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Arizona has an extremely impressive defense, but it tends to have trouble pressuring the quarterback at times. Dupree may very well translate to a 3-4 outside linebacker at the next level, which makes him a great option for the Cards.
32. Denver Broncos: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The Broncos have pretty much everything a team could possibly want, although they are lacking a bit on their interior defensive line. Goldman would be a major steal here, and the rich would certainly get richer.
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