2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Week 8 Breakdown
The 2015 NFL draft doesn't commence until late April, but it's late enough in the current calendar year to get a feel for how the first round will look.
A number of teams are halfway through their seasons, with some out of contention to the point that their fanbases are already eying the next campaign for optimism.
Part of that perpetual phenomenon that some fans are more accustomed to than others deals with the draft and the prospect of hitting on those ever-critical higher picks. There is now a lot of college game tape for evaluators to sift through, too.
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The following is a complete mock of the first round, with the draft order determined by the latest odds to win the Super Bowl from Odds Shark. Featured extended analysis will focus on the top quarterback prospects.
1. Oakland Raiders: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Ogbuehi is the next College Station product in line to be chosen near the top of the draft, following the likes of Luke Joeckel and Jake Matthews in the previous two years. This will ensure that Raiders prospective franchise quarterback Derek Carr is aptly protected on his blind side.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Loading up the trenches will boon Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley's bid to impose his team's will with tenacious defense.
Even though Jacksonville has several strong contributors across the front four, the addition of Williams will only make the rotation that much more intimidating.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Bucs are reeling. Even within a weak NFC South division, they aren't remotely competitive this year. A big reason why is an unpromising quarterback depth chart headed by second-year signal-caller Mike Glennon.
Despite throwing his first interception of 2014 in Oregon's game this last Friday, Mariota's stock isn't plummeting by any means. He still threw for five scores in a 59-41 win, and Ducks coach Mark Helfrich wasn't concerned.
"It's almost funny," said Helfrich of the rare Mariota miscue, per Tyson Alger of The Oregonian. "You expect him to be perfect ... Marcus is such a stud, and it's great that he's got another year-and-a-half left."
Helfrich may be presuming too much regarding Mariota's eligibility. It's highly likely Mariota will forgo his senior year in Eugene and make the jump to the pros. That's much to the delight of the fortunate franchise that is in position to secure him.
ESPN College Football highlighted the dual-threat Mariota's prowess as a passer:
In an NFL cluster that features Cam Newton, Drew Brees and Matt Ryan, Tampa Bay brings up the rear at the most important position by a long shot. If the organization is lucky enough to see Mariota on the board here, pulling the trigger on the pick is a must.
4. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The raging dumpster inferno that prompted Geno Smith's first-quarter yank in Week 8 should lead the Jets to look elsewhere for a QB of the future—not to mention a new general manager. ESPN Stats & Info provided Smith's dismal QB rating prior to being replaced:
Although Winston is a risk due to some of his off-field issues, he has been groomed in a pro-style offense at Florida State. Amid all the distractions and negative criticism he's experienced, Winston has still excelled on the gridiron as a Heisman winner and national champion. He seems cut out to handle the New York media market.
Jets coach Rex Ryan shouldn't field the blame for how anemic his team's offense has been. Ryan hasn't had a competent quarterback since he took over in New York. Winston at least gives him a chance at having that, provided the polarizing QB's character concerns check out.
5. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
An investment in the offensive line is still the priority, even after QB Teddy Bridgewater was sacked just once in Week 8's overtime win over the Bucs. Scherff is a suitable option, given his ability to play both guard and tackle.
6. Tennessee Titans: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Current starter George Wilson is a free agent after the season, and injured veteran Bernard Pollard has just one year left on his contract. That makes Collins a logical option to inject some youth into the Titans' defensive backfield as someone who can start immediately if need be.
7. Washington Redskins: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Huskies star goes to a different Washington in this scenario. If veteran DeAngelo Hall can return and play at a high level in 2015 in addition to Peters' arrival, the nation's capital's professional football club would have a strong secondary for the rest of the NFC East to deal with.
8. St. Louis Rams: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
This may not be the position to address on the surface. However, Chris Long's injury has exposed the lack of depth across the Rams' defensive front. Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller thinks highly of Gregory and sees him perhaps going even higher in Round 1:
Throwing Gregory into the mix with Long, Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald among others is a tantalizing proposition for the Rams to consider.
9. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Hundley may be viewed as a reach this high in the draft. A big reason the Texans brought coach Bill O'Brien in was to develop a franchise quarterback, though. The arm talent and athleticism Hundley possesses are undeniable.
What the UCLA star needs to work on is speeding up his processing of information, decision-making and overall mechanics from within the pocket. The threat to run would aid Hundley's ability to succeed in the NFL while he digests the complex O'Brien playbook.
O'Brien has done a commendable job getting Houston to 4-4 with Ryan Fitzpatrick under center. Until or unless Ryan Mallett turns out to be the long-term answer, look for the Texans to grab a QB like Hundley toward the top of the 2015 draft.
10. Atlanta Falcons: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
Traveling across the pond in Week 8 did nothing to amend Atlanta's defensive woes. That triggers the decision to select Oakman, a freakishly athletic behemoth whose upside is too grand for the Falcons to pass up.
11. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Schematic concerns from the Mountaineers' simplistic, spread attack aside, White has proven enough to establish himself as the premier talent in the 2015 receiver class.
The Browns could pair White opposite Josh Gordon and create a lethal tandem on the outside to complement slot dynamo Andrew Hawkins and tight end Jordan Cameron. Combined with play-caller Kyle Shanahan's penchant for the run, Cleveland's offense has the makings of a balanced juggernaut.
12. Chicago Bears: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
The Bears failed to sack Tom Brady amid the New England Patriots' 51-point blitz on Sunday that has Chicago in a tailspin. That creates a need on the front four, where Calhoun would thrive as a contributing member to a group that could use depth.
13. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
The spotty play of Barkevious Mingo should lead Browns coach Mike Pettine to lobby for an outside linebacker who might be a more consistent pass-rusher. That's where Clemson's all-time sack leader in Beasley comes in.
14. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Playmaking is sorely needed in the Giants' front seven. That is the precise strength Thompson brings to the table with his hard-hitting, speedy style of play. Joining forces with Jon Beason and Jameel McClain in New York's linebacker corps figures to be a great place for Thompson to develop.
15. Miami Dolphins: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
Exploring alternative options at defensive end to combat the apparent first-round misfire on Dion Jordan isn't a bad move for Miami to make. Acquiring a Sunshine State product in Fowler creates a nice storyline and a promising, deep Dolphins defensive line.
16. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
After Ben Roethlisberger threw for over 500 yards in Week 8, wide receiver seems low on the Steelers' list of needs. However, adding a weapon like Cooper to join with Antonio Brown and another strong youngster in Markus Wheaton would make Pittsburgh's offense a true load to handle.
17. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
It wasn't a pretty Week 8 outing for Carolina's offense in a 13-9 home loss to Seattle. Peat is as pro-ready as any offensive lineman in this 2015 class, and he has the chops to fill the need at left tackle, providing Cam Newton with necessary help in protecting him in the pocket.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
A complementary cornerback to Sean Smith is a wise choice for Kansas City in its 2015 draft. Williams is a press-coverage specialist who, paired with Smith, helps anchor an extremely physical secondary that already features safety Eric Berry.
19. New Orleans Saints: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
Something needs to change on defense for New Orleans to meet gaudy expectations. Whether coordinator Rob Ryan is still in the fold is irrelevant to the Saints' need for an inside linebacker prospect like McKinney to be an enforcer and take charge of the team's maligned side of the ball.
20. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The former 5-star recruit, according to 247Sports, is coming into his own as a junior, commanding double-teams and allowing the Seminoles to compete with college football's elite. Teaming Goldman's strength against the run with Geno Atkins' prowess as an inside pass-rusher generates a new dynamic for Cincinnati's defense.
21. Detroit Lions: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Thanks to the tremendous play of the defensive line, Detroit's secondary hasn't been exposed despite a lack of supremely talented personnel at cornerback. Waynes has a shot to start in Week 1 and gets to stay in-state if the Lions go with him on draft day.
22. San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Gurley breaks the spell of running backs not being chosen in the first round the past two drafts by taking his talents to San Diego. The perpetual injury concerns about Ryan Mathews and a lack of workhorse alternatives leads the Chargers to bolster a rushing attack that ranked 30th entering Sunday's games.
23. Baltimore Ravens: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Steve Smith may have one or two more years left as a productive NFL receiver, and the Ravens will be counting on Torrey Smith to be the No. 1 option thereafter.
Bringing along Funchess, a converted tight end, to learn from the Smiths and catch passes from Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco seems like a good recipe for sustained success through the air in Baltimore.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
This team may be a shocking 6-1, but the league-worst pass defense was torched once more in Week 8 to the tune of 411 yards by Philadelphia's Nick Foles, who also wasn't sacked.
Armstead hails from the program Eagles coach Chip Kelly built. He is therefore accustomed to practicing against uptempo offenses and should thus be in ideal condition to be the spark-plug pass-rusher the Cardinals despierately need.
25. Philadelphia Eagles: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Sacks hadn't been hard to come by for Philadelphia until Week 8, when it failed to get to Cardinals QB Carson Palmer at all. There is an evident need for a pressure-inducing force like Ray, and in a draft littered with talent at his position, the Eagles get great value with this possible selection.
26. San Francisco 49ers: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
A merciful bye week will help the 49ers heal and figure out how to scheme to mask the lack of cornerbacks in San Francisco. Jimmie Ward and Ekpre-Olomu would make two defensive backs in two years in the first round, but it makes sense with the Niners' current roster makeup.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Ahmad Bradshaw has played well as an all-purpose back for Indianapolis. As injury-riddled as he's been in the past, though, it would be wise to take a chance with a special player in Gordon.
The electric Badgers ball-carrier hasn't slowed down this year and ran for another three touchdowns this past weekend to give him a whopping 16 scores on the ground in 2014.
28. New England Patriots: Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
It doesn't appear to matter who Tom Brady throws to, because the Patriots are always rolling. Nevertheless, someone with Montgomery's knowledge in pro-style schematics and route trees makes him an intriguing option for New England to bolster a thin cast of mostly castoff receivers.
29. Seattle Seahawks: Mike Davis, RB, South Carolina
The report by ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Marshawn Lynch is leaving Seattle before the 2015 campaign means the Seahawks need another back. Davis fits the bill as a compact, downhill runner with the ability to catch passes out of the backfield as well.
Lack of proof that Christine Michael and Robert Turbin could be feature backs leads Seattle to choose Davis. The hunt for a second, viable starting cornerback should see the Seahawks splurge in free agency on a proven player.
30. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
The offense is no problem for America's Team in either dimension. A front on defense featuring Bennett, who can get to the opposing QB quite well, Henry Melton, 2014 second-round pick Demarcus Lawrence and others ensures the Cowboys will continue to be as complete as they look through seven games.
31. Green Bay Packers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Packers can't stop the run, so Shelton emerges as the new candidate to fill the nose tackle position. GM Ted Thompson will have spent four straight first-round picks on defense if Shelton is the man here. It is on Dom Capers to make it work.
32. Denver Broncos: A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
Orlando Franklin hasn't done a great job filling in for the departed Zane Beadles at left guard, mostly since it isn't his usual position. Perhaps Franklin can slide back to right tackle if the Broncos elect to go with the top guard prospect in Cann.
What's nice about having such a sensational signal-caller like Peyton Manning is that deficiencies up front can be masked. As Manning gets later into his career, though, he can use all the help Denver can muster to protect him and pave running lanes for Broncos running backs.
It's hard to argue with Denver as the Super Bowl favorite after its 35-21, Week 8 victory over San Diego on Thursday Night Football. As long as Manning is directing the offense, the Lombardi Trophy is a realistic possibility for the Broncos.
The question is how long Manning will play. Denver can't get enough insurance to extend Manning's sensational run in the Mile High City.
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