2015 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Predictions Before Week 9
The 2014 NFL season is just passing the halfway point, but a number of fanbases have already turned the focus toward the upcoming 2015 draft, with teams struggling to poor records and college standouts dominating Saturdays.
It's a somewhat stronger quarterback class at the top of the draft than a year ago, with a couple of potential long-term starters sure to fly off the board in the first few selections. But just as noticeable are the standouts on the defensive side, as some impact pass-rushers and secondary players will fill huge needs for certain teams early in Round 1.
There still remains nine weeks of regular-season action to help decide what the top of the draft order will even look like, but it's never too early to take a look ahead.
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Let's break down a fresh mock draft as the season enters Week 9.
1. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
The Raiders are miles away from contending, but one great way to streamline the rebuilding process is to nab a game-changing defensive tackle. Leonard Williams is just that. The best overall player in the class, Williams has been wreaking havoc against all of USC's opposing offenses this season and is near impossible to block.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The 2015 class is deep on pass-rushers, but the Jaguars will be set on nabbing the best one out there after yet another ghastly season. Randy Gregory is as athletic as they come off the edge, using his 6'6", 240-pound frame to rip past tackles. He'll make a quick impact on a Jacksonville defense that sorely needs it.
3. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
It's a match made in heaven. The oft-criticized New York Jets will be in the hunt for a franchise quarterback who can be a commanding leader from day one after watching Geno Smith regress in 2014. Jameis Winston—despite all of the off-field headlines—has a chance to be the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck.
He has some developing left to do, but Winston's mechanics and vastly intelligent football mind will make him a very effective NFL starter in New York.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Unless Mike Glennon absolutely lights it up to close out 2014, the Bucs will be fighting tooth and nail for one of the top quarterbacks in the draft. Marcus Mariota may be defined as a dual-threat quarterback, but his ability to escape the pocket and still throw bullets could have him emerging with his first opportunities. Think 2012 Colin Kaepernick, only on a much worse team.
5. Tennessee Titans: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
Ken Whisenhunt might sell the farm just to get a shot at Mariota or Winston, but the next most crucial thing in this pass-happy league is rushing the quarterback. Shane Ray is incredibly quick off the edge, and he'll perfectly fit the 3-4 outside linebacker spot that both Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley have struggled to adapt to.
6. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
The Falcons' opponents are getting all day to throw the ball, as told by their ranking 29th in the league in pass defense. Vic Beasley would almost single-handedly reverse Atlanta's fortune in disrupting the passer. He can line up either on the line or off the edge, but he's among the best in this class at getting to the quarterback.
7. Washington Redskins: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Amari Cooper has the talent to be selected No. 1 overall, but he'll fall to a team that will put him to good use. Looking to 2015, Washington should be set with Robert Griffin III, but he needs a reliable game-changing wideout to reach the next level. Offensive dynamo and head coach Jay Gruden won't be shy in adding the most dangerous player in the draft.
8. St. Louis Rams: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
For all the positive talk that the Rams' emerging defensive front has been getting over recent years, it's been far from effective so far in 2014. Shawn Oakman would give St. Louis some extra bite on the outside, injecting some more young talent into the pass rush and making the Rams' defensive line future even brighter.
9. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Offensive tackle isn't a glaring need in Minnesota, with the starting jobs locked down for the foreseeable future, but quality depth up front is critical in the Vikings system. With the ability to get the most impactful and best overall offensive lineman in the class in Brandon Scherff, the Vikings won't turn away.
10. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, FS, Alabama
The Bears will be doing cartwheels on draft day if Landon Collins falls to them at No. 10. Alabama's ball-hawking free safety impacts nearly every play and has all of the physical tools to make a quick transition. Chicago's woeful secondary has endured hit after hit at the safety position, but Collins would become a huge building block.
11. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
The Saints need help all across their defense in certain areas, but among the most glaring is the lack of a pass rush off the edge. Dante Fowler could change that in a heartbeat, and his high-energy, hit-you-in-the-mouth rushing style will translate to the next level well.
12. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
New York has great cover corners when healthy, but the Giants have lacked playmakers in the middle of the field to thwart passes down the center. Shaq Thompson will become the Giants' center fielder, so to speak, using his athleticism to track down run plays while turning into a ball-hawking safety in passing situations.
13. Carolina Panthers: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
After having one of the NFL's nastiest defenses in 2013, the Panthers are below average against the pass this season. That can be attributed to struggles at the cornerback position, and Carolina could shore up many of those issues by nabbing Trae Waynes—the best cornerback in the class.
14. Houston Texans: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
The Texans didn't like what they saw from last year's top quarterbacks, and they're playing too well in 2014 to have a shot at the top gunslingers this year. Tom Savage hasn't taken off like many expected and Ryan Fitzpatrick is a temporary adhesive, so expect Bill O'Brien to roll the dice on Connor Cook's NFL-caliber arm and leadership abilities.
15. Cleveland Browns: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
At left tackle, the Browns are sparkling, with Joe Thomas locking things down as well as anyone in the league. At right tackle, they're a mess. Cedric Ogbuehi has the versatility to fill in wherever needed, which will most likely be at right tackle, where he will emerge as a starter from day one.
16. Miami Dolphins: Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE, Kentucky
The Dolphins' once-daunting pass rush of Cameron Wake and Dion Jordan won't be around long, with Wake 33 years old and Jordan struggling to make an impact. Alvin "Bud" Dupree, on the other hand, would make his impact felt immediately, with speed off the edge and an innate ability to close down on the passer.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Chiefs entered last year's draft in desperate need of a first-round receiver, and they'll enter the 2015 draft with a similar need. They won't hesitate to grab Kevin White, West Virginia's speedy playmaker who can do everything from move the chains in tight coverage to catch deep touchdowns.
18. San Francisco 49ers: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The 49ers remain one of the NFL's stingiest defenses, but it comes amid big struggles at the cornerback spot by way of both injuries and poor play. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is no stranger to the big stage, and the Oregon cornerback will continue his ball-hawking prowess at the next level.
19. Seattle Seahawks: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
This works out so nicely for the Seahawks that it wouldn't be surprising to see a rival trade up just to prevent it from happening. The end of Marshawn Lynch's time in Seattle seems to be drawing nearer, and Todd Gurley is the most complete running back to come out of college in years. His combination of speed and a bruising style would make him the best heir imaginable to Lynch's throne.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
Ben Roethlisberger has the Steelers looking for a playoff push, but that's not thanks to a pass defense that ranks 19th in the league. Looking for youth on the perimeter, the Steelers will nab Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams, a Thorpe Award finalist who closes on the ball among the best in the nation.
21. Baltimore Ravens: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Ravens are strong up front, but reloading the offensive line is a constant struggle in the NFL, and nabbing uber-athletic linemen can make that struggle a bit less worrisome. Andrus Peat is that type of player, with his 6'7", 315-pound frame and quick footwork making him a nuisance to get through for pass-rushers.
22. Green Bay Packers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Without B.J. Raji, the Packers have been absolutely horrible up front defensively, ranking dead last in run defense. Danny Shelton could come in right away and change the culture, with his strength and size blowing up the middle of the line, just like Raji has done so well in his career.
23. San Diego Chargers: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
San Diego's defense is nothing short of unstoppable when it can rush the passer, but the gaping holes open up when the Chargers cannot get there. Benardrick McKinney will primarily play as a linebacker, but using him in pass-rushing situations will make the Chargers much better in 2015.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Lorenzo Mauldin, DE/OLB, Louisville
The Colts have a promising future up front defensively, but it still lacks one final impact pass-rusher to play opposite Bjoern Werner. Lorenzo Mauldin could have that sort of an impact right away, but Robert Mathis' impending return will allow him to ease into his role.
25. Cleveland Browns (from Bills): Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
The Browns figure to have a more lethal receiving corps in 2015 with Josh Gordon set to return, but the needs are still glaring. Devin Funchess will serve as another downfield target to stretch the field and can also line up in two-tight end sets with Jordan Cameron.
26. Cincinnati Bengals: La'El Collins, OL, LSU
The Bengals can lean on Andy Dalton and the passing game when needed, but the rushing attack is a growing presence in Cincinnati's offense, with Giovani Bernard and Jeremy Hill toting the rock with a purpose. Hill is used to running through lanes blown open by LSU's La'El Collins, and one of the nation's best run-blockers will quickly find a home in Cincinnati's offensive line.
27. Philadelphia Eagles: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
Even with the best cornerback talents in this class off the board, the Eagles will be desperate to target the best cover corner available. That just so happens to be Stanford's Alex Carter, who over time can develop into the impact starter that Philadelphia craves.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Eddie Goldman, DT, LSU
After fortifying the offensive line via the draft, next up for the Cowboys is to do the same on the defensive side. Eddie Goldman could be the missing piece needed, as he figures to plug up Dallas' defensive line for years to come.
29. Detroit Lions: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
The Lions have their beefy guys up front in Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, but Detroit needs athletic pass-rushers. Shilique Calhoun is the best one available at No. 29 and could make an impact right away, as he'll continue to chase down NFL quarterbacks like he has those in the Big Ten.
30. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
As long as Tom Brady is producing like one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, the Patriots had better surround him with capable targets. Those targets are hard to find on the perimeter, but Dorial Green-Beckham could be the answer. He emerged as one of the most talented receivers in college football with Missouri, and immersing himself into New England's culture could be the best thing for him.
31. Denver Broncos: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The Broncos are starting to find out that Montee Ball isn't the answer at running back, and they'll enter the draft desperately looking for a physical punch alongside Ronnie Hillman. With Gurley off the board, Melvin Gordon is the obvious pick. He's physical enough to run between the tackles but also has the elusiveness needed to shake defenders.
32. Arizona Cardinals: Markus Golden, DE, Missouri
Arizona's secondary ranks among the worst in the NFL, despite the Cardinals' blistering start to the season, and that has more to do with a nonexistent pass rush off the edge than anything else. To address that in the draft, Arizona will look to Missouri defensive end Markus Golden, who has the speed to make a difference.
Stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
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