2015 NFL Draft: Updated Round 1 Projections

As Week 4 of the NFL season comes to an end, most teams have hit the end of their first quarter of the season. That means it is time to fire up the mock draft machine and put out updated projections. 

One important note on this mock draft: Draft order has been determined by the updated Super Bowl odds as provided by OddsShark.com. Once every team gets a few more games under their belts, basing draft order off of record will make more sense. 

Another note: For all of my projections, I include all eligible underclassmen I have ranked high enough. Yes, I understand that some of these young players will not declare, and others will emerge. The players in these projections are based on my most current rankings, which are always subject to change.

1. Oakland Raiders

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Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Conventional wisdom here says that the Oakland Raiders will try to add some explosion to the offense for quarterback Derek Carr. If Oakland can work a trade back, look for an offensive skill player here. 

However, sitting tight, the Raiders instead get a player to protect Carr's blind side. Iowa's Brandon Scherff is the best all around and most NFL-ready of any offensive linemen in this draft. He isn't a transcendent talent at the position, but is a plug-and-play left tackle for the next decade.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars

Leonard Williams, DE, USC

If the Jacksonville Jaguars continue to follow the Seattle Seahawks' method of building their team, look for another player on defense here. Both of the Jaguars starting defensive ends are over 30, so adding an elite player who can play either side makes sense.

USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams flashes some real elite potential. At 6'5" and 300 pounds, Williams has the ability to play multiple spots along the defensive line. Equally adept at stuffing the run as he is rushing the passer, Williams would be great in that left defensive end spot.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers end up picking this early, it is likely poor quarterback play is a big part of it. The Buccaneers have an impressive mix of young skill players, so adding a quarterback who can maximize those guys is a must.

In this draft class, Oregon's Marcus Mariota is the top quarterback. He is built in the mold of the modern NFL quarterback. Physically, Mariota is an elite athlete, in terms of both running and throwing. What is still developing is the cerebral part of his game, in terms of breaking down defenses and going through reads. Assuming all goes well, Mariota is going to be the hot ticket at quarterback next spring.

4. Tennessee Titans

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Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

It might seem redundant for the Tennessee Titans to draft an offensive tackle again in 2015, after doing the same in 2014. However, when you consider the starting tackles are an aging and oft-injured Michael Roos and an overrated Michael Oher, a pairing of Taylor Lewan and Stanford's Andrus Peat in the long term is enticing. 

Peat is a mauling run-blocker and emerging pass protector. Every team wants a smart, athletic tackle who plays with a mean streak like Peat.

5. St. Louis Rams

Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

It is unfortunate that the St. Louis Rams are going to have to part ways with quarterback Sam Bradford. Nevertheless, this franchise needs to move forward and plan for the future. And that means replacing Bradford.

Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook isn't a household name yet, but just wait. If he continues on the track he's going now, it will be hard to keep him out of the draft. And with his big arm and nimble feet, he will be a hot commodity. 

6. Minnesota Vikings

Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

There are multiple directions the Minnesota Vikings can go here. I could just as easily plug a cornerback or safety in here as I did a running back. However, in the final analysis, it was a combination of overall talent of the prospect compared to the relative strength of the current personnel.

Georgia's Todd Gurley has a chance to be a really special back in the league. He is as good a combination of size and speed to come into the NFL since the Vikings spent a first-round pick on Adrian Peterson in 2007.

7. Kansas City Chiefs

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

There could be a clamoring among Kansas City Chiefs fans to take a quarterback here. And should a player like Mariota slide, then he is the pick for sure. However, if they are sitting here and Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper is on the board, they have to take him. 

Cooper might not be the best all-around wide receiver in this draft, but his big-play ability is where he stands out. The Chiefs need a weapon to stretch defenses and take pressure off the running game, and Cooper fits the bill.

8. Cleveland Browns

Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford

Perhaps the best way to describe Stanford wide receiver Ty Montgomery is he is a bigger, stronger version of Antonio Brown. High praise, I know, but having seen everything Brown has done, it is fitting. Whoever Cleveland has under center next season would be happy to have a burner like Montgomery to throw to. Don't be shocked if he runs one of the best 40 times of any prospect during the combine.

9. New York Jets

Vic Beasley, DE/LB, Clemson

For all of the praise that the New York Jets defense gets, they are not great at the outside linebacker position. This was never an issue when the secondary was elite, but now they must upgrade to deal with mediocre talent on the back end. Clemson pass-rush specialist Vic Beasley is an ideal outside linebacker prospect for the 3-4 with his explosive first step. Beasley can turn the corner and closes with a flourish.

10. Washington Redskins

Landon Collins, S, Alabama

Call me nostalgic, but with the recent media attention to former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor, it has me thinking safety to Washington. Alabama safety Landon Collins is the most versatile and explosive safety in this draft by far. He can crash the line of scrimmage against the run, but what makes him special is that he can cover like a cornerback.

11. Miami Dolphins

P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

The Miami Dolphins are dealing with an aging and struggling group of cornerbacks. The hope was the pass rush could mask these concerns, but it just hasn't been the case so far. Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams is a very natural cover corner with smooth hips and exceptional ball skills. Williams at this point in the first round would be an absolute steal.

12. Cleveland (from Buffalo Bills)

Dante Fowler, DE/LB, Florida

Cleveland comes back on the clock with their second pick of the round and this time look to add defense. Linebacker Barkevious Mingo is still very much a work in progress, so the Browns need to think about getting a second option. Florida's Dante Fowler is a disruptive force coming off the edge and a natural athlete. His game needs some polish, but he should be able to contribute right away as a pass-rusher.

13. New York Giants

Rogelio V. Solis/Associated Press

Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State

One area where the New York Giants could really improve their defense through this draft is at linebacker. This is a crowded class and is packed with versatile talent. There might not be any linebacker who can do more from more positions than Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney.

For New York, McKinney can excel inside or outside, in any scheme. The Giants love having guys who can move around and help in multiple ways, and McKinney is one of the best.

14. Houston Texans

Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

If we are just gauging a player's draft stock on potential, UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley might be the best of the bunch. He flashes absolutely elite skills at times. Unfortunately, when the heat is on, he doesn't always show it. For Houston, they are in dire straits when it comes to their quarterback, so they have to take a chance. Hundley is a risk, but one worth taking at this point.

15. Dallas Cowboys

Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

One of the biggest surprises thus far this season has been how well the Dallas Cowboys defense has played. What looked like it could be a historically bad group has played very well to start the year. Nevertheless, Dallas could still stand an upgrade at cornerback.

Assuming that Washington cornerback Marcus Peters can keep his nose clean all season, he will be in the mix to be the first cornerback off the board in 2015. Peters has prototypical NFL size and excellent physical gifts. Peters is polished in his coverage skills and a real bargain at this point.

16. Pittsburgh Steelers

Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

If the Pittsburgh Steelers don't draft a cornerback early in the 2015 draft, things could get ugly. The secondary has been picked on all season long, and if we assume cornerback Ike Taylor is done after this season, there is no time to waste.

Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu might not be the biggest cornerback in the draft, but he might be the most technically sound of any of them. Ekpre-Olomu is a fabulous athlete who excels in man coverage, and has shown tremendous ball skills. 

17. Carolina Panthers

Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

It might be time for the Carolina Panthers to start thinking about their future at running back. Neither DeAngelo Williams nor Jonathan Stewart can be counted on to carry the load in the running game. Instead, they use their first-round pick on the explosive Melvin Gordon to give quarterback Cam Newton a viable home run threat behind him. Newton is electric in the open field, and underrated running between the tackles. 

18. Baltimore Ravens

Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

Age is starting to catch up to the Baltimore Ravens defensive line. Haloti Ngata and Chris Canty are getting older and it's time to make a change. With Timmy Jernigan waiting in the wings on the other side, the Ravens add Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Bennett. Bennett has great size and can really press the issue in run support with his quick first step and upper body strength. 

19. Chicago Bears

Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor

Putting Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman this high is a real leap of faith. At his best, there's no doubt he deserves to be a first-round pick. He's got amazing size and can just overpower people when his leverage is correct. For the Chicago Bears, Oakman could either play the left defensive end spot, or in the under tackle position next to Stephen Paea. Oakman is boom or bust right now, so how he finishes the season will be vital.

20. Atlanta Falcons

Randy Gregory, DE/LB, Nebraska

If the Atlanta Falcons can land Nebraska pass-rusher Randy Gregory this late in the round, it would be a real coup for their defense. I suspect by the time the draft gets here, some team is going to take a shot on Gregory and that explosive first step well before this point. However, for this projection, Gregory slides a little and the Falcons are better off for it.

21. Indianapolis Colts

Shilique Calhoun, DE/LB, Michigan State

It is time for the Indianapolis Colts to get serious about upgrading their defense. The offense is in good hands with quarterback Andrew Luck, but he needs a little help on the other side of the football. Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun is a long, rangy pass-rusher with gobs of potential. He'd be a perfect fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker in that scheme. 

22. Arizona Cardinals

Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

Could it be that the Arizona Cardinals are preparing for life AF (After Fitzgerald)? Maybe so, and if it is the case, its time to consider who to pair with Michael Floyd and John Brown. Michigan tight end/wide receiver hybrid Devon Funchess is a fascinating prospect. He's got size like a tight end (6'5", 230 pounds), but can run like a wide receiver. Funchess is being showcased more as a wide receiver this year, which can only help his draft stock.

23. Green Bay Packers

Gabe Wright, DE/DT, Auburn

Whenever you run a 3-4 base defense, you take some inherent risk in selecting defensive linemen. The Green Bay Packers need to add a 5-technique defensive end in the worst way, so they roll the dice here. Auburn's Gabe Wright passes the eyeball test at 6'2" and 285 pounds. Wright is a penetrating interior lineman who should do well sliding back inside in sub packages for the Packers.

24. Detroit Lions

Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Last draft, the Detroit Lions chose not to make cornerback a top priority. At this point in the season, they probably wish they would have. Darius Slay is a solid starter, but the Lions need a player opposite him to take off some of the pressure.

This is where Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes comes in. Waynes is a long, lean athlete with great field speed and tremendous technique. For a taller corner, Waynes understands how to stay low, and plays with very good anticipation.

25. San Francisco 49ers

Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Florida State

What happened to the once dominating San Francisco 49ers defense? Age and injuries seem to be catching up to the 49ers, so they address that side of the football early. And they address it by adding a massive 5-technique defensive end in Florida State’s Mario Edwards Jr. Edwards is a surprisingly good athlete at 293 pounds, with a very good first step and tremendous power.

26. San Diego Chargers

Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

The San Diego Chargers have a real young star in wide receiver Keenan Allen. This year the Chargers have a shot to add a running mate opposite him. San Diego goes back to the Pac-12 and snatches up Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong.

Strong has been all but unstoppable in college, whether it is on a short dig route or a vertical. His ability to fight for the football and go up and make the contested catch would match well with Allen’s style.

27. New Orleans Saints

Jordan Jenkins, LB, Georgia

Strange things are afoot with the New Orleans Saints. The whole team seems out of sorts, and that includes the defense. With a 3-4, the pass-rushing outside linebackers have to be special. Right now, things aren’t so special. If Georgia linebacker Jordan Jenkins declares, he could be that special player the Saints need coming off the edge.

Jenkins has impressive range. He can work from one sideline to the other with great lateral quickness. Jenkins is still a little raw with his technique, but the Saints can take a talent like his and put him in position to be successful.

28. Cincinnati Bengals

Eric Striker, LB/S, Oklahoma

I am not entirely sure what the Cincinnati Bengals will do with Oklahoma linebacker Eric Striker, but it will be fun finding out. The Bengals really have the option of trying to turn Striker into a "Will" linebacker, moving Vontaze Burfict to the strong side. Or, they could move him into a Kam Chancellor-type of role as a big-hitting strong safety. No matter what, you can count on Striker delivering blows and covering lots of ground.

29. Philadelphia Eagles

Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State

If you believe that the early part of the 2014 season is going to stay true all year, defense must be the pick for the Philadelphia Eagles. This pick could go a number of different ways, but inside linebacker and cornerback seem to make the most sense.

This time around, the Eagles opt for a playmaker in the defensive secondary. Florida State’s Ronald Darby is overshadowed by some of the other cornerbacks in this class, but there’s no doubt he can make all the plays. He can line up in the slot and cover bigger wide receivers, and is willing to work the boundary against speedier players as well.

30. New England Patriots

Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

There are problems with the New England Patriots offense. I can’t be completely certain, but some of it has to do with the lack of real talent among the skill players. The Patriots have plenty of possession-type players at wide receiver. What they lack is that guy who can peel the top off of a defense deep.

Auburn speedster Sammie Coates fits the bill to a tee. Coates can go from zero to full speed in just a few steps and seems to have a second gear when he needs it to just pull away from defenders. Quarterback Tom Brady needs a player who can get separation like Coates and make his life easier.

31. Denver Broncos

Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Can it be real that Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston is still on the board this late? And if he is, would the Denver Broncos really draft him? The answer to the first is maybe, and the answer to the second is yes. The Broncos have tinkered with finding a solution for life after Peyton Manning, but haven’t had much success the past two seasons.

If Winston can correct his mechanical issues, he has a chance to move way up. But as we have seen in recent drafts, some of the high-profile prospects get picked apart and can take a tumble. Winston has a ton of NFL potential, but there's no doubt he is a risk.

32. Seattle Seahawks

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Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

What do you get the team that has everything? How about a possible franchise left tackle with the last pick in the first round? Justin Britt has been a nice surprise, but if the Seahawks can get Texas A&M tackle Cedric Ogbuehi to pair up and maybe eventually replace Russell Okung, they must make that move.

I am not as high on Ogbuehi as many, hence the slide here. He certainly has the chance to move way up between now and the draft, but right now Ogbuehi is a notch below the true elite of this tackle class.