2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post Week 3 Breakdown
Week 3 is almost over, which means most NFL teams are just about one quarter of the way through the season already. With the first bunch of byes approaching, fanbases whose clubs are idle may be looking toward the future.
The 2015 NFL draft is still far away, but it's becoming easier to determine at least a few of the elite teams, along with some of the woeful, maligned outfits destined to land near the top of the draft order. One prime example is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose 56-14 loss in Atlanta has them as a top contender for the No. 1 overall pick.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here is an updated mock of the first round, with the order determined by Super Bowl odds from Odds Shark. The more detailed analysis will focus on the top quarterbacks in the 2015 class.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Coach Lovie Smith brought in Josh McCown and tried to mold the 35-year-old journeyman into a legitimate NFL starter. It hasn't worked out, and even though a promising youngster in Mike Glennon is the backup, the Bucs appear to have little interest in playing him.
That leads to the selection of Mariota at the top of the draft. The dynamic Oregon star has amazing speed and a release that matches the lightning-quick tempo of the offense he operates.
Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller hinted at Mariota taking his talents to Tampa:
Per ESPN's John Buccigross, Mariota just flat-out helps the Ducks produce:
The Bucs have the pieces in place for Mariota to thrive right away. Big-bodied receivers in Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans are there, along with a talented back in Doug Martin who just has to get healthy.
Mariota is the type of player the Bucs can build around to get their franchise pointed back in the right direction. In an NFC South that features QBs Cam Newton, Matt Ryan and Drew Brees, Tampa Bay needs someone like Mariota to give it a chance to compete on a consistent basis.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DE, USC
The whole "rally around Chad Henne" situation lasted for all of 2.5 games, so the Blake Bortles era appears to be beginning in Jacksonville. With Bortles entrenched at QB, general manager David Caldwell can supply defensive-minded coach Gus Bradley with the best defensive prospect in the draft.
3. Oakland Raiders: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
LaMarr Woodley and Justin Tuck aren't getting any younger, and the Raiders need to inject some youth into their defense. Gregory is the best player available on that side of the ball, giving Oakland a promising front seven built around him and linebackers Khalil Mack and Sio Moore.
4. Tennessee Titans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
If the Titans are all the way up here, that will put an end to Jake Locker's bid to be the starting quarterback. Jameis Winston brings a lot of baggage with him, so Hundley is the better bet here.
Locker threw two interceptions in Week 3's loss to Cincinnati, seeming to regress from his promising 2014 debut. Josh Norris of Rotoworld offers an ominous comparison in that context:
A non-throwing elbow injury kept Hundley out of action for much of his last game, though that shouldn't be a big concern. Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt would welcome someone with Hundley's combination of intangibles and arm talent under center in Tennessee.
Between receivers Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter and a massive investment in the offensive line, there were no excuses for Locker not to get it done this year. The position has to be a priority for the Titans, though they could wind up taking a flier on Winston if Hundley's health is a concern.
5. St. Louis Rams: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
As well as Austin Davis has filled in for Shaun Hill so far, it's unlikely he'll be the long-term answer. The same goes for Sam Bradford, who's torn his ACL twice in less than a year.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher is perhaps the best at handling players with past off-field issues. Cornerback Janoris Jenkins is a recent example of that. Winston could be the next one, and it could pay off in a big way for St. Louis.
Winston was suspended for Florida State's most recent game—an overtime thriller that nearly cost the Seminoles a shot at repeating as national champions.
ESPN's Mike Greenberg weighed in on what it could mean for Winston's future:
It just doesn't seem like Winston quite grasps how to properly conduct himself and be the face of an NFL franchise.
Former Heisman and national title winner Tim Tebow recently shared his thoughts on Winston, via USA Today's Scott Gleeson:
"I hope he can [...] understand that these kids are going to watch him and they’re going to follow him and it's his responsibility to lead them in a good direction. And this kid has so many attributes that could be used for positive things. … Whether … he leads people in a good direction or a bad direction, he’s a big-time leader. His attributes of infectious personality, you know people rally around him. That could be used for good things or bad things.
"
Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman reported earlier in the week what one NFC scout said about Winston's draft stock, using the NFL's recent scandals as a backdrop.
"What concerns me about Winston...is there's no learning curve. That's a scary thing for a quarterback who is supposed to be a leader. To me, he's gone from a top-three pick to a late second-rounder."
There is time for Winston to change, plenty of the college football season left and numerous opportunities for him to improve his stock. The question is whether it will all click in time for him to improve a rather checkered reputation that currently precedes him.
6. Kansas City Chiefs: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
It's becoming pretty clear that Cooper is the top wideout in the 2015 class. The man is averaging almost 11 receptions and 165 yards per game. With precise route running, breakaway speed and adequate size, Cooper has everything the Chiefs could want.
KC quarterback Alex Smith needs a viable No. 2 target to go opposite Dwayne Bowe, which is just what Cooper would be.
7. New York Jets: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
A thin secondary has taken some lumps through two games. If coach Rex Ryan is still around with the Jets in the top 10, he'll want a premier cornerback. Ekpre-Olomu would form one of the best young tandems in the NFL with Dee Milliner.
8. Cleveland Browns: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Other than Josh Gordon and Miles Austin, the other receivers on the Browns roster are extremely diminutive. Funchess is the complete opposite with his 6'5", 230-pound frame. Whether it's Brian Hoyer or Johnny Manziel at QB in 2015, Cleveland could use another big target on the outside.
9. New York Giants: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Tremendous balance in Week 3 saw the Giants stick it to the Houston Texans' vaunted defense. Nevertheless, New York could use some insurance on the offensive line, and acquiring the best offensive tackle in Ogbuehi would be tremendous value at No. 9.
10. Minnesota Vikings: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Coach Mike Zimmer continues to build on defense with a player in Calhoun who can add necessary depth to the defensive front. Brian Robison and Everson Griffen are the current starters on the end, so there's a chance for Calhoun to be a factor from the beginning.
11. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
There aren't any pressing needs, and this becomes more of a luxury pick that the Browns could wind up trading for future assets. In this scenario, they grab a technically sound tackle in Peat, who may be an upgrade over 2012 second-round pick Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle.
12. Miami Dolphins: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
This Pro Football Focus stat from NFL.com's Marc Sessler is part of what makes Ryan Tannehill such an enigma:
There is no use in bringing in a QB to replace Tannehill as he enters the final year of his contract. Instead of kicking him straight to the curb, the Dolphins should try to help the young field general, choosing Scherff to offer added protection and superior run blocking on the right side.
13. Dallas Cowboys: Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Florida State
The versatility Edwards brings at 6'3", 294 pounds will be attractive to America's Team.
Pairing Edwards inside with Henry Melton or off the edge to enhance the run defense will benefit the Cowboys either way and give flexibility to their defensive schemes. The only concern is Edwards' concussion suffered this last Saturday, which will be worth monitoring as the season moves forward.
14. Washington Redskins: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Collins diagnosed a play and made a tackle for loss in the backfield, and he also made a one-handed interception in the Crimson Tide's most recent victory over Florida. That gives you an idea of the type of all-around safety prospect he is.
Washington would love to plug Collins in as an immediate starter. Brandon Meriweather's numerous illegal hits ought to be tiresome by now, warranting a change at the position.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
It couldn't hurt to add someone as dangerous after the catch as Coates at this spot. If the Steelers don't go receiver here, look for a cornerback to come off the board. The only potential red flag here is that Coates is in such a run-heavy Auburn offense, making the evaluation process a bit tricky.
16. Baltimore Ravens: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
The drought ends. After two years of no running backs going in the first round, Gurley goes to Baltimore to give the Ravens backfield a spark, a new direction and a stud playmaker. Check out this number from College GameDay:
Gurley is capable of running, receiving and returning the ball to the house on any given play. Having him as a complement to Super Bowl MVP quarterback Joe Flacco could be lethal for the AFC North and the rest of the Ravens' opponents.
17. Houston Texans: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Jerrell Powe is a free agent after the 2014 campaign, and rookie third-round pick Louis Nix III hasn't made his mark yet. Bennett would bring a shot of competition to the trenches and a great pass-rushing option from the inside to join with J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney.
18. Detroit Lions: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Adding a projected stand-up linebacker to use as a blitzer and even deploy at defensive end would make the Lions even more formidable defensively. Beasley and 2014 second-rounder Kyle Van Noy give Detroit's NFC North foes a lot to account for in 2015 if this pick becomes a reality.
19. Chicago Bears: Kurtis Drummond, FS, Michigan State
Rookie cornerback Kyle Fuller came to play with two interceptions versus San Francisco in Week 2. Chicago just needs to shore up other areas of the defensive backfield, which makes Drummond a great fit at free safety as opposed to incumbent Chris Conte.
20. Indianapolis Colts: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
The front seven is in desperate need of an athleticism injection. Armstead is precisely that—a 6'8", 290-pound phenom whose physical tools would translate well as a 3-4 linebacker or defensive end, depending on what the Colts would want to do with him.
21. Arizona Cardinals: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
There's a need at this position, what with the concussion issues likely ending John Abraham's career and Darnell Dockett's status in question moving forward because of his torn ACL. CBSSports.com's Dane Brugler likes what he sees from Fowler:
The Gator standout has a magnificent blend of size and speed that would see him fit well in the Cardinals' attacking style of defense, featuring a great secondary.
22. Atlanta Falcons: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Sideline-to-sideline speed and a nose for the football are features Thompson has that can help him overcome being a bit undersized.
Thompson had two defensive touchdowns in the Huskies' win over Illinois. Perhaps no defense needs someone like Thompson more than the Falcons, whose unit is still struggling to start 2014.
23. New Orleans Saints: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
Jairus Byrd and Kenny Vaccaro give the Saints some great safety play, but New Orleans doesn't have a lot of sharp players at cornerback. Williams has the instincts and experience in an exotic FSU system to compete for a starting spot in training camp.
24. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The injuries to Ryan Mathews and Danny Woodhead, combined with the nearly career-long ineffectiveness of Donald Brown, creates a need in the backfield. Gordon, fresh off a ridiculous five-touchdown performance, warrants a first-round selection.
25. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
The promising start by rookie first-round receiver Kelvin Benjamin allows the Panthers to address left tackle. Between offseason ankle surgery and a rib injury that kept him out Week 1, Cam Newton needs some insurance on his blind side. Collins can serve as that immediate anchor on the edge.
26. Cincinnati Bengals: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
The Bengals' depth at almost every position affords them the shot to take a flier in the latter part of the first round. Similar to Armstead, Oakman has a freakish 6'9", 280-pound body, comparable to Cincinnati's 2013 second-round pick Margus Hunt.
Teaming up Oakman and Hunt as the defensive end duo of the future would make the Bengals even more difficult to handle upfront, in addition to Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap.
27. Green Bay Packers: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
Yielding 156 yards per contest on the ground in 2014 shows that the Packers still need help upfront.
B.J. Raji is on IR and isn't under contract beyond this year, triggering a defensive tackle like Davis with this pick. Davis is 6'5" and can compensate for his leverage issues with tremendous length and anticipation.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Fresh off a one-game suspension, Peters recorded two interceptions in the Huskies' win over Georgia State. The competition wasn't great, yet Peters proved he can bounce back from adversity.
If Peters keeps playing at a high level and avoiding coach Chris Petersen's doghouse, he will continue climbing up draft boards.
29. San Francisco 49ers: Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA
An absolute load to handle, McCarthy is a legitimate nose tackle prospect at 6'5" and 325 pounds. He would provide insurance in the event that Glenn Dorsey doesn't come back from his torn biceps as the same player.
30. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Head coach and GM Bill Belichick has failed to supply his sensational QB Tom Brady with enough sustainable weapons, yet Brady somehow gets the Pats deep into the playoffs routinely. The odds are with New England to make another postseason run, but to get over the hump, Brady needs someone else to throw to.
Doug Haller of azcentral.com highlights what makes Strong so tough to match up with:
The 6'3" receiver is just what Brady needs since he likely won't be able to produce at an elite level with the likes of Brandon LaFell, Aaron Dobson and Kenbrell Thompkins on the outside.
31. Denver Broncos: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (Florida)
A number of Broncos stepped up well in Seattle, yet Denver still lacks a standout playmaker at inside linebacker. That means nabbing someone like Perryman, whose explosiveness, hard hitting and football IQ make him a great candidate to be a Denver tone-setter for years to come.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
A second Sparty secondary stud sets sail for Seattle to close out the first round. In Week 3, Richard Sherman locked down his side of the field for the most part, but the Seahawks still lack a true No. 2 cornerback opposite him.
The 6'1" height Waynes has, combined with his tenacity and ability to battle with his hands in the physical Big Ten, makes him an ideal fit for Seattle's "Legion of Boom" secondary.
Seattle is one of the teams entering a bye week, along with the Broncos. Both are off to 2-1 starts and appear to be the favorites to win their respective conferences, perhaps destined to meet in the Super Bowl again.
That's what the oddsmakers say, and Sunday's epic overtime thriller that saw the Seahawks emerge victorious 26-20 may be a sign that Denver is figuring Seattle out. However, there is still plenty of season left, other formidable contenders and even some luck involved for another Seahawks-Broncos clash to be possible.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
