2015 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Predictions Before Week 5
Just because it's October doesn't mean it's too early for an NFL mock draft.
Wait, that's exactly what that means? Oh. Sure, the draft order will change 13 times before the real thing is hammered down. The NFL also features the same group of geniuses that let Teddy Bridgewater slip to No. 32 because of a pro day, so no player's stock will stay stagnant.
But we're all here already. Besides, fans of the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars are feeling gloomy, so let's give them something to look forward to seven months down the line. Since the NFL controls the universe, here's the latest mock draft heading into Week 5.
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Note: To decipher all the early ties, the team with the worse point differential gets the higher selection.
1. Oakland Raiders: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
The Jaguars could edge them out for the No. 1 pick, but the Raiders will receive a top slot to give Derek Carr some protection heading into his second season. Cedric Ogbuehi represents the latest monster offensive tackle to come out of Texas A&M's offensive powerhouse.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
At this point, the Jaguars can barely classify as an actual NFL defense. They've allowed a league-worst 451.3 yards per game this season, so Gus Bradley will welcome Leonard Williams in the trenches a year after solidifying their future quarterback in Blake Bortles.
3. Tennessee Titans: Marcos Mariota, QB, Oregon
Oregon athletic director Andy McNamara posted a fact about quarterback Marcus Mariota that is impressive and terrifying at the same time.
While proving that Mariota is an amazing college quarterback, he also provided a jarring reminder about such rousing success not necessarily translating to the pro level. Yet with Jake Locker once again struggling to stay healthy, the Tennessee Titans take the plunge.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Taking a lesson from last year's draft, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers realize they don't need to reach for a quarterback early in Round 1. Besides, Mike Glennon might prove a solid option if given the chance. They'll instead fortify the offensive line with Andrus Peat.
5. New York Jets: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The New York Jets could abandon Geno Smith, but addressing their achy secondary is the wiser choice. If Rex Ryan remains the head coach, cornerback Ifo Epre-Olomu is the clear choice. Of course, that's far from a given if the Jets don't snap their three-game losing streak.
6. New Orleans Saints: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
OK, the New Orleans Saints aren't picking No. 6 during the actual draft. Should they not snap out of their slide, they'll have the No. 29 defense to blame. They went offense last year with Brandin Cooks, so they'll turn to the other, incredibly disappointing side to snag Nebraska pass-rusher Randy Gregory.
7. Washington Redskins: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
D'Angelo Hall is out for the season and Eli Manning awoke from a yearlong slumber to accumulate five touchdowns against Washington on Thursday night. Cian Fahey of Rotoworld compared safety Landon Collins favorably to former Alabama teammate Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, whom the Green Bay Packers selected late in last year's first round.
"Collins finished the 2013 season as the starting safety alongside Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. Clinton-Dix went on to become a first round draft pick in 2014, selected 21st overall by the Green Bay Packers. His former teammate sold himself to NFL teams with his technical ability and his discipline. He wasn't able to boast about the same caliber of athleticism that Collins appears to have. Safeties need a certain level of athleticism to be effective starters in the NFL and Clinton-Dix had enough to be a low first round pick.
If the Florida game is anything to go by, Collins not only has the athleticism to go much higher than Clinton-Dix did, but also the technical versatility and consistent discipline to be a top five or 10 pick.
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8. St. Louis Rams: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Despite the horror-show year of dreadful NFL news off the field, it remains a huge business driven by money, which is collected by winning. As of result, the St. Louis Rams will move on from Sam Bradford and take the plunge on Jameis Winston.
9. Cleveland Browns: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
How would Johnny Manziel enjoy the wideout tandem of Josh Gordon and Amari Cooper next season? The junior has registered at least 130 receiving yards in every game this season, giving him 655 through a quadrant of matches.
10. Carolina Panthers: Todd Gurley, RB, Georiga
They shelled out enormous amounts of cash to retain DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart, but neither has consistently stayed healthy or delivered irreplaceable production. Todd Gurley has already tallied 610 rushing yards and six score for Georgia, making him an early Heisman favorite.
He can also do this, as depicted by the team's Twitter page:
It's a luxury pick a team like the Carolina Panthers can afford to make after just missing out on Cooper.
11. New England Patriots: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
If it actually came to this, the Overreaction Olivers out there would call for the New England Patriots to lock up a long-term replacement for Tom Brady, who exits September with 5.77 yards per attempt. Bill Belichick doesn't look sold.
Instead, let's give Brady a wideout with big-play potential in Devin Funchess, whose season hasn't gone according to plan on a struggling Michigan squad. He admitted to playing through pain to the Detroit Free Press' Mark Synder.
"It is always going to be pain for the rest of the season," Funchess said. "You never go into a season and stay 100 percent in the season. Each week, you get chopped down, and I got chopped down and probably going to get more chopped down the rest of the season."
The 6'5", 20-year-old is still worth the gamble due to his immense upside.
12. Chicago Bears: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
The Chicago Bears have shifted to an offensive-minded team under Marc Tressman's watch, but look for them to continue rebuilding the once stout defense through the draft. A year after landing a steal in Kyle Fuller, they'll tackle the front seven with Clemson's Vic Beasley.
13. Green Bay Packers: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Shaq Thompson provides a well-rounded defensive arsenal as a pass-rushing menace and notable contributor against the run and pass. The Green Bay Packers won't pick this high, but the Washington linebacker could fall to them in the 20s.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Ben Roethlisberger has a loaded batch of skilled players surrounding him, so now he gets an added layer of protection in Brandon Scherff. ESPN's Kevin Weidl marveled at the Iowa standout's imposing physical presence.
Even if he profiles as a guard at the pro level, his crushing style will play perfectly in Pittsburgh.
15. Miami Dolphins: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
Cortland Finnegan and Brent Grimes isn't the worst cornerback pairing, but they'll both enter 2015 on the wrong side of 30. P.J. Williams, the best guy on the board anyway, gives the Miami Dolphins secondary some young blood.
16. San Francisco 49ers: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Justin Smith turned 35 yesterday, and the San Francisco 49ers can't rely on Aldon Smith going forward. A well-built squad can think long-term and add some pass-pressuring depth with Shilique Calhoun.
17. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
For the second year in a row, Cleveland boasts two first-round picks. They're currently surrendering 5.2 yards per carry, so the 288-pound Michael Bennett makes sense up the middle.
18. Minnesota Vikings: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Greg Jennings hasn't fared as well without Aaron Rodgers, and Cordarrelle Patterson has yet to blossom into a superstar playmaker the way most pundits expected. As a result, the Minnesota Vikings get Bridgewater a lucrative route-runner in Sammie Coats.
19. New York Giants: Leonard Floyd, OLB, Georiga
After years of assembling patchwork linebacker units, the New York Giants finally splurge on Leonard Floyd, a speedy outside presence who is more of a swing-for-the-fences selection. NFLDraftScout.com's Dane Brugler noted his skills and weaknesses.
20. Atlanta Falcons: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
The Atlanta Falcons just allowed 213 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata. They should probably do something about that.
21. Kansas City Chiefs: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
Their dominant Monday night performance vaulted the Kansas City Chiefs to No. 15 in yards allowed, but they're still far from the superb unit fans recall from last season. Florida's Dante Fowler could just as easily skyrocket into the top 10 with a strong season, but the explosive defensive end comes at a bargain here.
22. Indianapolis Colts: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
The Indianapolis Colts have eight sacks this year, four against the Jaguars. They need some help rushing the passer, and Baylor's Shawn Oakman is the towering force to provide it.
23. Denver Broncos: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (Florida)
Go ahead and pretend this pick is happening at No. 30-32 if it makes it easier to process. The Denver Broncos passing defense continues to falter despite bolstering the secondary, so they'll turn to inside linebacker Denzel Perryman to replace Nate Irving up the middle.
24. Seattle Seahawks: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Seattle Seahawks don't have any pressing needs elsewhere, so they treat themselves to another wide receiver. Jaelen Strong has the attention of NFL squads after grabbing a dozen catches against UCLA last weekend.
John Middlekauff, former scout and current co-host of 95.7 The Game, has heard positive rumblings about Strong's draft stock.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Passing defense remains the Philadelphia Eagles' primary weakness, as they're ranked No. 25 against the pass despite their 3-1 record. Marcus Peters, who has picked off three passes in his last two games, is rising up draft boards after collecting five interceptions last year.
26. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
The Houston Texans enjoy a cake-walk schedule this season, so don't assume they'll pick at a significantly higher spot. Either way, the Dolphins are the only teams that could have justifiably grabbed Brent Hundley before he slipped this far.
27. Detroit Lions: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Detroit Lions eschewed defense last year, instead upgrading an already strong passing offense with tight end Eric Ebron. Don't bank on them making the same mistake this year with local cornerback Trae Wayne on the table, who should offer much better immediate production than Ebron.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Florida State
The Dallas Cowboys have surprisingly not stunk on defense this year. Let's see if that lasts, but Mario Edwards Jr. still represents a solid value late in Round 1, and nobody can ever have a shortage of athletic defensive ends.
29. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Running backs in Round 1 are typically a poor investment, but Melvin Gordon is too tempting for the San Diego Chargers to resist. The Heisman hopeful, whom WalterFootball.com said "is being viewed as the next Jamaal Charles," has scored seven touchdowns in the past two games,
30. Baltimore Ravens: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
Gurley and Gordon get all the love, but Nebraska's Ameer Abdullash already has 10 touchdowns on the season. Big Ten Football showed just how much damage he has unleashed on a per-game basis.
31. Arizona Cardinals: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
In this scenario, the Arizona Cardinals defied the odds and won the NFC West. Why not celebrate with a go-big-or-go-home flier in Arik Armstead?
32. Cincinnati Bengals: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
This is a best-player-available pick for the Cincinnati Bengals, who know Andy Dalton's worse days come when the defense circumvents the offensive line. Ty Sambrailo adds another layer of protection. While the order will fluctuate, the Bengals are a very real threat to pick No. 32 next year.
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