2015 NFL Draft: Predictions for This Year's Star Prospects
The 2015 NFL draft is less than a week away, and that means it's time to start making some solid predictions. We have all the information we're going to have at this point in the offseason, barring an extremely ill-timed quandary, legal or otherwise, by one of this year's top prospects.
The order of the top 10, in particular, could be surprising come draft day, given the unexpected trades that could go down.
Let's take a look at some of the most in-demand prospects in the class and nail down when their names may be called on Thursday.
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Mark it now: Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota will be off the board within the first two picks of the draft. However, there are multiple ways that could happen.
Many draft analysts initially saw Mariota landing with the New York Jets at No. 6. Though the Jets have other needs on defense and could potentially have their pick of outside linebacker Bud Dupree or defensive end Shane Ray at No. 6, it's becoming clear that Geno Smith is not their franchise quarterback, and it would be difficult to pass on Mariota if he fell to them there.
The Cleveland Browns are another potential player in the Mariota market, but they would have to trade up if they wanted to get him. Per Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman, five separate NFL personnel men said a move that risky just isn't going to happen.
What those personnel men did agree on, however, is that Mariota is headed to Tennessee. Three of those sources thought the Titans would take Mariota outright at No. 2. Two others thought that Tennessee would still land him, but by trading down slightly to No. 5—one spot ahead of the Jets—with the Washington Redskins, who have their sights set on Leonard Williams.
Draft analysts tend to lean toward that second scenario, as well. In their most recent mocks, both NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah and Lance Zierlein have Mariota being selected at No. 2 overall, but they note it might not be by the Titans.
CBSSports.com's Rob Rang reports in his most recent mock that the Jets, Chicago Bears, St. Louis Rams, Browns, San Diego Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles are all in play for Mariota at No. 2. Per Rang, the Chargers appear to be the most likely team to win out should the Titans look to deal the pick, since they have something to offer besides a draft pick: quarterback Philip Rivers.
Ultimately, Titans general manager Ruston Webster will make the move that benefits his team the most. With the organization high on Zach Mettenberger, who is "doing everything right [this] offseason," per NFL.com's Jeff Darlington, that may be acquiring more picks in exchange for dealing No. 2.
Prediction: Mariota goes at No. 2 to the highest bidder.
OL Brandon Scherff
Iowa product Brandon Scherff will almost assuredly be off the board by No. 11, but the question is which of three possible teams will select him: the New York Giants at No. 9, St. Louis Rams at No. 10 or Minnesota Vikings at No. 11?
The Giants, Rams and Vikings are all in the market for an offensive lineman and wide receiver, and New York will have to decide between both.
If the Oakland Raiders draft either Amari Cooper or Kevin White, and the Bears improve their defense rather than add a weapon to replace Brandon Marshall, the Giants will likely have their pick of whoever remains between Cooper or White, or offensive lineman Brandon Scherff.
With Scherff, the Giants have the opportunity to take the best player at his position. A left tackle in college, Scherff could potentially start at left guard for New York over Jerry John.
"Scherff is athletic enough to remain outside at tackle but his build and physicality could be even more effective inside at guard," writes CBSSports.com's Rang and Dane Brugler. "Regardless of where along the offensive line his NFL teams asks him to play, Scherff boasts the talent and toughness to stand out immediately."
This Giants front office, under general manager Jerry Reese, will take the best player available at No. 9. Unless a surprising player falls, it would be hard to argue that's not Scherff, who Reese revealed he thinks could play tackle or guard, per Jordan Raanan of NJ.com.
A player with Scherff's versatility, not to mention strength, technique and commitment, could be more of a boon to New York's offense than a shiny new receiver.
If the Giants make that move, it could start a run on wide receivers, with the Rams likely to take whoever of White or Cooper is still on the board and the Vikings, potentially, going after Louisville's DeVante Parker after that.
Prediction: Scherff goes to Giants at No. 9
WR DeVante Parker
If the Giants select Brandon Scherff, the Minnesota Vikings could set their sights on Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker, whose draft stock has risen this offseason to the point where he's been mocked in the top 10 often.
Where the 6'3", 209-pound prospect lands is really up to the Bears, first off, and then the Giants. But if both those teams pass on him, it's hard to see him making it past Vikings general manager Rick Spielman.
Is wide receiver Minnesota's biggest need? Certainly not; the Vikings could also go with cornerback Trae Waynes, or even an offensive lineman. Currently, quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has a receiving corps that includes Mike Wallace, Cordarrelle Patterson and Charles Johnson.
However, Parker has better size at 6'3" and 209 pounds than any receiver currently on Minnesota's roster, and he has the frame to get even stronger, per Brugler.
Parker is a franchise-changing prospect who could give Minnesota's offense the push it needs to be legitimate contenders in its division. Unbelievably, he scored a touchdown every 4.7 catches for the Cardinals.
Especially if the Vikings trade running back Adrian Peterson, they'll need to be sure they have a competitive offense without him.
"Parker does his best work when the ball is in the air," writes Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. "He uses his height and wingspan to consistently snatch anything that comes his way."
Parker, who was a favorite target of Bridgewater's at Louisville, is a perfect fit in Minnesota.
Prediction: DeVante Parker goes to Vikings at No. 11
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