Ideal 1st-Round Picks for Every Team in the 2015 NFL Draft
The wait is finally over as the 2015 NFL Draft begins in Chicago Thursday night. Below are the ideal first-round picks for all 32 teams.
Tampa Bay...you're on the clock.
1. Tampa Bay BUCCANEERS: JAMEIS WINSTON, QB—The Bucs have done a thorough background check and decide his off-field issues are worth the risk.
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2. Tennessee TITANS: MARCUS MARIOTA, QB—Titans finally decide they need to take a shot on the raw talent of Mariota.
3. Jacksonville JAGUARS: DANTE FOWLER JR., OLB/DE—Easily the most versatile defender in this draft. Fowler can rush the passer either with his hand in the dirt or standing up at equal dominance. His ability to play multiple positions in the front seven and effectively drop back into coverage has the Jaguars sprinting to the podium.
4. Oakland RAIDERS: AMARI COOPER, WR—Cooper & Kevin White are No. 1 and No. 1a in this draft at receiver. Cooper can play inside and outside, which he combines with polished route running.
5. Washington REDSKINS: LEONARD WILLIAMS, DT—Touted by many as the best overall athlete in the draft, Williams needs some refining. His natural gifts are elite and he should be an instant contributor on the blitz and stopping the rush.
6. New York JETS: ANDRUS PEAT, OT—A bit of a reach, but he's a pro-ready, athletic tackle that the Jets desperately need.
7. Chicago BEARS: KEVIN WHITE, WR—The twin towers returns with White paired opposite Alshon Jeffery.
8. Atlanta FALCONS: VIC BEASLEY, OLB - Beasley's career could begin as a situational pass-rusher as he works on his run defense. However, his explosiveness in getting after the quarterback is definitely worth a top 10 pick.
9. New York GIANTS: BRANDON SCHERFF, OG/OT—This selection goes a long way in trying to keep Eli Manning upright and will help the run game as well in 2015.
10. St. Louis RAMS: LA'EL COLLINS, OT—The Rams have taken enough wide receivers in the first round in recent years. Time to get someone that can give the quarterback time to throw to those weapons.
11. Minnesota VIKINGS: DEVANTE PARKER, WR—Sophomore quarterback Teddy Bridgewater gets to reunite with his Louisville Cardinals college teammate. This choice gives offensive coordinator Norv Turner's attack the extra punch it was lacking last season.
12. Cleveland BROWNS: DANNY SHELTON, DT—Large and super athletic, Shelton instantly improves the Browns' last-ranked run defense as a plug up the middle.
13. New Orleans SAINTS: ARIK ARMSTEAD, DT—Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan gets a mountain of a man that can move across his front line to get after the quarterback and stuff the run.
14. Miami DOLPHINS: TRAE WAYNES, CB—The top cornerback in an average defensive back draft class goes to South Beach.
15. San Francisco 49ERS: MALCOM BROWN, DT—This is a smooth, versatile and surprisingly quick lineman that utilizes his 315-plus pound frame to penetrate behind the line of scrimmage.
16. Houston TEXANS: BRESHAD PERRIMAN, WR—Houston needs to weigh the pros of his lightening quick and downfield abilities to the con of Perriman having drop issues in college.
17. San Diego CHARGERS: TODD GURLEY, RB—This is the first running back taken in the opening round since Trent Richardson in 2012. All comments from multiple analysts say that there are no lingering issues to Gurley's ACL surgery. If the injury didn't effect his explosiveness, then this RB is a rare talent.
18. Kansas City CHIEFS: LANDON COLLINS, SS—Only safety with a first-round grade according to CBSSports.com. The Chiefs secondary must be upgraded so Andy Reid goes with this safe bet.
19. Cleveland BROWNS: BUD DUPREE, OLB—Cleveland doesn't have a true pass-rusher opposite Paul Kruger. A no-brainer choice if he's here. Browns can fill their wide receiver void in the second round.
20. Philadelphia EAGLES: ELI HAROLD, OLB—Last first-round caliber pass-rusher without character or legal issues available and the Eagles need one.
21. Cincinnati BENGALS: KEVIN JOHNSON, CB—The aging Bengals secondary gets a face lift.
22. Pittsburgh STEELERS: BYRON JONES, CB—Troy Polamalu is retired and the Steelers try to find their next defensive backfield stud in Jones.
23. Detroit LIONS: T.J. CLEMMINGS, OT—Adding Haloti Ngata in free agency turns Detroit's attention to protecting Matthew Stafford.
24. Arizona CARDINALS: ERECK FLOWERS, OT—The run on athletic offensive linemen continues.
25. Carolina PANTHERS: D.J. HUMPHRIES, OT—Extra protection for Cam Newton is always a good thing.
26. Baltimore RAVENS: EDDIE GOLDMAN, DT—Baltimore has to be in the market for a big man in the middle of the defensive line to try and replace Haloti Ngata.
27. Dallas COWBOYS: MELVIN GORDON, RB—Owner Jerry Jones can say he won't draft a running back in the first round, but Gordon falling to No. 27 is too hard to resist. Darren McFadden is not a reliable-enough option for Dallas and Gordon gives instant star power to the running game.
28. Denver BRONCOS: JAELEN STRONG, WR—Peyton Manning would love a tough receiver with great hands. Strong brings that to bolster the Broncos offense for one last Super Bowl run.
29. Indianapolis COLTS: ERIC KENDRICKS, ILB—Indy's defense must improve for this team to take the next step in the playoffs.
30. Green Bay PACKERS: DENZEL PERRYMAN, ILB—A tough, gritty tackling machine like Perryman allows the Packers to move Clay Matthews back to the outside.
31. New Orleans SAINTS: SHANE RAY, DE/OLB—A marijuana-possession arrest this week plummets his draft stock. If he can stay out of trouble, New Orleans has a bright future on defense with their pair of first-round selections.
32. New England PATRIOTS: RANDY GREGORY, OLB—Freakishly talented, but failed drug tests makes him a high-risk pick. The Patriots are known for taking on problem projects before and the ceiling on Gregory's pass-rushing abilities may be worth it.
Leave your draft picks and trade possibilities in the comments section below.
Andy McNamara is an international sports broadcaster and journalist.
Follow Andy on Twitter @AndyMc81
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.jpg?w=480 "Titans Camp Football")
