2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Week 5 Breakdown
The top prospective quarterbacks in the 2015 NFL draft class faced varying degrees of adversity this last weekend. Two of them suffered unexpected defeats, while the NFL's projected draft order shifted amid another slate of thrilling games.
Despite the presence of hopeful franchise QB Blake Bortles under center, the Jacksonville Jaguars became the first team in the league to fall to 0-5 on Sunday. That puts them in line for the top overall draft pick, which would be a valuable asset for the still-rebuilding franchise.
Using the odds to win the Super Bowl from Odds Shark to determine the first-round order, let's take a look at an updated mock draft following the majority of Week 5's NFL action, with a close focus on QBs.
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1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DE, USC
It wouldn't be a bad idea to parlay this pick into multiple other assets, since Bortles is already in place as the QB of the future.
However, if the Jags do choose, Williams is the best bet. Jacksonville had four sacks in Week 5, but coach Gus Bradley would still love to have the best defensive prospect in the 2015 draft on his team.
2. Oakland Raiders: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Protecting Derek Carr has to be the priority.
The Raiders have fired coach Dennis Allen and will likely do the same with general manager Reggie McKenzie sooner or later. Ogbuehi comes from an impressive litany of College Station offensive tackles and makes the most sense here based on need and talent.
3. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Through little fault of his own, Mariota's Oregon Ducks lost to Arizona on Saturday at home 31-24. The Wildcats contained Mariota, though that was more attributable to Oregon's porous offensive line, as former NFL GM Phil Savage observed:
Mariota is elusive, has tremendous arm talent and accuracy, and time and again makes the proper decisions to put the Ducks in the best spot to succeed. He was 20-of-32 passing for 276 yards and two scores in the Arizona game.
NFL.com's Bucky Brooks praised a lot of Mariota's game, with some notable caveats in his analysis:
"Overall, I walked away from the game with a solid feel for Mariota and his game. While he's an impressive athlete with considerable arm talent, he remains a bit of a developmental prospect as a dropback passer.
Sure, a creative offensive play-caller can mask Mariota's deficiencies by running some of the core concepts of the spread, but Mariota will only become a franchise player when he learns how to consistently win from the pocket.
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If and when Mariota truly learns to light it up from the pocket and proves he has the accuracy to fit it into much-tighter NFL throwing windows, he has the chance to be the next great QB.
4. St. Louis Rams: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The debate regarding Winston and Mariota is a fascinating one—perceived maturity or character issues versus a straighter arrow. It's a pro-style offense disciple versus a pure spread-concept QB.
Winston might be the most ready to take the reins of an NFL franchise from a pure football standpoint. The question is whether he has the mental wherewithal to handle the spotlight and the scrutiny that comes with it.
A Heisman Trophy and national title as a freshman suggest Winston has the ability to thrive under the pressure, yet the stakes are raised in the pros. It was encouraging that he helped the Florida State Seminoles shake off a sluggish start to dominate Wake Forest this past weekend, too.
Rams coach Jeff Fisher is a great mentor for Winston. Unless Austin Davis bucks the odds and continues his strong play, St. Louis will be looking for its next face of the franchise after the maligned Sam Bradford era.
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Young quarterback Mike Glennon has played well enough to avoid overdrafting the position at this spot. Adding someone smart and seasoned as Peat, from his pro-style offensive roots at Stanford, is the best move for the Bucs should they wind up in the top five.
6. New York Jets: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The mess of a secondary, not to mention an inept offense, deserves considerable blame for the team's current four-game losing streak.
Before adding a playmaker at receiver or jumping at the chance for another QB in what will be a vital draft for the organization, New York must be wise and secure at least one need early with a blue-chip player. Ekpre-Olomu is great in coverage and doesn't shy away from contact versus the run—a necessary, all-around asset no matter who's running the front office and coaching staff.
7. Washington Redskins: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
A couple of discouraging coverage breakdowns in the Alabama Crimson Tide's loss to Ole Miss aside, Collins is a smart player who can diagnose what the opposition is doing and make plays accordingly. He will be the latest impressive product from Nick Saban's powerhouse in Tuscaloosa.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Coach Mike Zimmer will want to keep building the defense. Following a Week 5 loss in Green Bay, Vikings defensive end Brian Robison uttered the following words, per the Pioneer Press' John Shipley.
"The mood was almost like some people had checked out, and you know what? I'm just going to be blunt and say it: It can never be that way. This is the team I've felt like, all along, has fought and scratched no matter what type of adversity we have faced, and I felt like we didn't have that last night.
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It couldn't hurt to add someone such as Gregory to Minnesota's defensive front, when the team has so much invested in Robison and Everson Griffen. The cap hit won't be quite as hard, and the Vikings could even swing a top-tier prospect like Gregory in a trade-down scenario.
9. Cleveland Browns: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
What has stood out about the Browns offense is how often Brian Hoyer, as well as he's played, sails the ball over the head of Andrew Hawkins. Hoyer, or Johnny Manziel, if he's QB in 2015, could use a go-to option with some size like Cooper, who has been the best receiver in major college football this year.
Teaming Cooper with a healthier Jordan Cameron and the returning No. 1 wideout Josh Gordon would make Cleveland's offense scary to say the least. It's hard to believe that concept is even real, right?
10. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Thanks to the Buffalo Bills' ineptitude and misfire on first-round QB EJ Manuel, they are on course for another poor season and a top-10 pick—one they traded for Sammy Watkins in the 2014 draft.
Cleveland capitalizes to haul in Beasley, a superior pass-rusher who will try to redeem the inconsistent or flat-out disappointing production out of Barkevious Mingo, Paul Kruger and Jabaal Sheard.
11. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Week 5 proved what we all kind of already knew. The Texans can't get by much longer with their current QB depth chart, headed by Ryan Fitzpatrick.
The journeyman with limited arm strength and erratic tendencies isn't someone Houston can win with on a consistent basis, despite its formidable defense. Hundley, coming off a 30-28 loss to Utah, will be driven more than ever to prove his worth as a viable franchise QB.
In a game where he was sacked 10 times, Hundley hung tough and made big plays such as this one against the Utes, courtesy of ESPN College Football:
There are some concerns about Hundley's quickness in pulling the trigger, but he has the size and ability to extend plays with his feet to compensate as he continues his development.
Receiving counsel from Texans coach and quarterback guru Bill O'Brien would be ideal for both Hundley and the organization's future.
12. Miami Dolphins: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Yes, this high in the draft, Miami is bold in selecting Gurley. If the Georgia playmaker does indeed live up to the hype, what better way could the Dolphins support starting QB Ryan Tannehill?
That the Bulldogs deploy Gurley as a returner shows their faith in his unique vision, durability and all-around skill set, which make him the best running back prospect in recent memory.
13. Carolina Panthers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
Whenever Cam Newton gets fully healthy—it might not be till the dawn of 2015—Carolina can count on his mobility and improved pocket awareness to overcome offensive line issues.
The secondary is a bigger concern for Carolina, particularly since the Panthers have struggled defensively in the past three games after building their 2013 success around that unit. That's where Williams versatility helps, as he is capable of filling any position asked of him in the defensive backfield.
14. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Sports hernia surgery for Donnie Avery prompts the need for a receiver. Beyond Dwayne Bowe and emerging tight end Travis Kelce, Chiefs signal-caller Alex Smith could use a big, friendly target like Funchess to win battles in the red zone and on the commonplace, quick-slant patterns found in coach Andy Reid's offense.
15. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Falcons defense is alarming to say the least. However, general manager Thomas Dimitroff must look to free agency for an established player or two as a more immediate fix on that side of the ball.
In the first round, Scherff is a logical fit just about anywhere in the offensive line. Star QB Matt Ryan and the still-lackluster rushing attack would benefit to a great degree from such an upgrade up front.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The aging Ike Taylor is not a long-term solution, while Cortez Allen is in a contract year. Yes, you could say the Steelers need some help at cornerback. Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com weighed in on Peters:
Pittsburgh would be thrilled to have someone like Peters as a future lockdown corner to contain the likes of AFC North stars A.J. Green and Josh Gordon.
17. Chicago Bears: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
Depth on the defensive line is not a bad area for Chicago to focus on. Despite some recent injury concerns, Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller likes Fowler's upside:
Fowler offers insurance for aging veteran Jared Allen, and the Gators star could excel in a rotation that also features Willie Young and Lamarr Houston.
18. New York Giants: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
With a strong CB tandem of Prince Amukamara and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, the G-Men need a bit more of a push up front. In that vein, adding Bennett as an interior pass-rusher is a logical move to aid Jason Pierre-Paul on the edge.
19. Dallas Cowboys: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
A heavy investment in the offensive line and QB Tony Romo, along with the official arrival of RB DeMarco Murray, have all contributed to the Cowboys' 4-1 mark so far. But so has the defense. Selecting Calhoun and pairing him with Demarcus Lawrence would make for a great future tandem at defensive end.
20. New Orleans Saints: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Defense is still an issue in The Bayou. Coordinator Rob Ryan may be out of a job soon enough. In any event, adding Thompson to the linebacker corps, with his sideline-to-sideline speed, explosiveness off the edge and ability to cover, would be ideal for the Saints.
21. Baltimore Ravens: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Steve Smith, aged 35, is by no means a long-term No. 1 receiver in Baltimore. Torrey Smith is speedy, but he's not the most surehanded target, evident in his critical drop in Week 5's loss in Indianapolis.
In the case of Coates, he combines the crafty route-running of a Steve Smith with the explosiveness and more prototypical size that Torrey Smith possesses. The run-heavy Auburn offense will contribute to Coates dropping here, but he will prove to be great value for the Ravens at No. 21.
22. Detroit Lions: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
Whispers about Ndamukong Suh cruising away from the Motor City for greener pastures should trigger a defensive tackle choice here. Throughout his college career, Davis has endured constant double-teams in the physical Big Ten, which should ease his transition to the NFL and help him make an impact sooner.
23. Arizona Cardinals: Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Florida State
Peyton Manning threw for 479 yards on the Cards in Week 5, so you could say they were exposed. Critical losses to Arizona's front seven finally reared their ugly collective head. The case for Edwards is outlined well by Corey Clark of TDO.com after the defensive end's monster outing against Wake Forest this past Saturday:
Arizona, for all its defensive talent, has four sacks in four games this year. That has to change for the Cardinals to truly compete with the elite that occupy the NFC West division.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
For a front seven that may be the slowest in the NFL, having someone as freakishly athletic as Armstead is only going to be a positive. The boom-or-bust potential isn't as dramatic this late in Round 1, and savvy defensive coach Chuck Pagano can find a way to get the most out of Armstead's immense skill set.
When Armstead left Oregon's loss to Arizona, the Ducks were leading 7-3. What happened thereafter spoke to the impact Armstead can have when he's on his game.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
As a primary leader in the Bulldogs' rout of Texas A&M, McKinney helped shut down an Aggies air-raid offense that's seemed borderline unstoppable for most of the past two-plus seasons.
Assistant athletic director Bill Martin brought up a part of McKinney's background that ought to continue to serve him well:
A field general like McKinney, who also has the ability to excel as an inside linebacker at the next level, will be hard for the Eagles to pass up, especially with DeMeco Ryans around for no more than one more season.
26. New England Patriots: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Tom Brady and the Pats offense appeared to be clicking again in Week 5, thanks largely to better pass protection.
Whether that keeps up is uncertain, so New England would be wise to protect its aging legend with a tackle such as Collins. The Tigers star is capable of starting right away, having played in LSU coordinator Cam Cameron's complex offense.
27. San Francisco 49ers: Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
Diminished production in Montgomery's past two games is cause for concern, but the Stanford Cardinal don't have many other receivers for opponents to key in on. With a patchwork, veteran receiver corps, the Niners dig into coach Jim Harbaugh's former program for a future starter opposite Michael Crabtree.
28. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Look at this. It's another ball-carrier in the first round. Gordon has just been racking up yards at too high of a rate to fall out of the first round. He is electric and special in the open field. The junior had 259 yards and a TD on 27 carries in a loss to Northwestern.
With Ryan Mathews' uncertain future and neither Donald Brown and Danny Woodhead not really suited to be a workhorse back, Gordon is a great addition to the Chargers offense.
29. Green Bay Packers: Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA
The NFL's worst rush defense badly needs a bailout. McCarthy can provide that with his massive presence on the inside (6'5", 325 lbs), which should open things up for first-round picks Nick Perry and former Bruin Datone Jones to make a bigger impact than they have.
30. Cincinnati Bengals: Kurtis Drummond, FS, Michigan State
It would behoove the Bengals to get some insurance on the back end following Sunday night's debacle in Foxborough. The blowout had more to do with Vontaze Burfict's absence, but Drummond nevertheless fits since Reggie Nelson, 31, is only guaranteed through 2015.
31. Denver Broncos: Josue Matias, G, Florida State
Manning can't be operating such a one-dimensional offense the longer his career goes on. Adding a tenacious blocker such as Matias would be a viable, albeit belated, replacement for 2014 free-agent departure Zane Beadles, whose stand-in, Orlando Franklin, has struggled.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Sparty's secondary sees two players off the board in three picks to close out the first round. Waynes is a great cover corner—the kind of player the Seahawks this season have not been able to place opposite Richard Sherman. That has contributed to their mediocre, 19th-ranked pass defense entering Monday night's game in Washington.
If Seattle is to sustain its standing as a championship contender, it has to lock up its key current core and continue to draft well, too. Whenever the massive contract QB Russell Wilson will command goes on the books, the front office will have to get creative to maintain the Seahawks' success.
Hitting on these cost-effective draft picks will go a long way in determining Seattle's potential as a dynasty, particularly in such a hard-nosed division as the NFC West.
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