2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Week 9 Breakdown
A ton of football is still to be played in the current NFL season, but the 2015 draft is an epic upcoming event that some unfortunate fanbases are already looking forward to.
There are some clear, poorer teams in the league that appear destined to choose near the top of the order. Odds Shark's latest odds to win this year's Super Bowl offer a decent snapshot of which slots every team should wind up drafting at on April 30 in Chicago.
Below is an updated mock of the first round, with a focus on the players at the top of this mock who could help change the course of their respective, prospective NFL franchises.
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1. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
Williams' toughness is evident in that he's played through injuries this season. That is the type of player the Raiders need as a franchise cornerstone on their struggling front seven.
Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com has high praise for the Trojans star:
Williams would team up with linebackers Sio Moore and 2014 first-round pick Khalil Mack to bolster Oakland's guard against the AFC West's other explosive offenses. The Raiders are just 26th against the run, and while protecting quarterback Derek Carr is a priority, he has enough mobility to escape when protection breaks down.
General manager Reggie McKenzie has built a roster to win now, this year, and it hasn't worked out. Plugging in Williams as a starting defensive end is the best next step in getting Oakland back on track.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
A bit of a bold choice here, but Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley would love to have a physically gifted defender such as Oakman to mold into a star.
Oakman spoke to ESPN.com's Brandon Chatmon about Baylor's defense not being highly regarded and how it drives him:
"Naw, we feel like we don't get any respect but it's perfectly fine. You want your defense to have that chip on their shoulder and I feel like everyone on defense comes to practice with that chip on their shoulder.
It doesn't matter if they don't respect us, it's more so "We're going to make you respect us" then you giving us respect. We're going to show you and prove to you week in and week out.
"
That attitude would make Oakman an ideal fit in Jacksonville, an organization that has been maligned for years.
The offense has committed to Blake Bortles as the quarterback, so a lot of that unit's production will depend on his development with a skilled, young supporting cast. In the meantime, Oakman can join a tremendous trench trio featuring Sen'Derrick Marks, Red Bryant and Chris Clemons.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Multiple turnovers in Week 9 by Mike Glennon confirmed that the Buccaneers are still unsettled under center. Until that position is fixed, Tampa Bay will be hard-pressed to compete in the NFC South, based on the caliber of QBs across the board.
A brilliant performance that featured four total touchdowns saw Mariota defeat the physical Stanford Cardinal this weekend. ESPN's College GameDay noted before the Ducks' 45-16 win how Mariota had struggled against them in the past:
Exorcizing that demon solidifies Mariota's status as the top-ranked signal-caller. With plenty of pop from his arm, blended with precision, sound decision-making and swift feet, Mariota is the prototype modern QB prospect.
The Bucs should run to the podium with Mariota on the board at No. 3 overall, or trade up to get him if it comes to that. Mariota's presence will create a trickle-down effect that will make the rest of the team far better.
4. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The off-field issues are concerning, but Winston just wins games, improving to 21-0 as a starter by rallying the Seminoles back from a 21-0 deficit on the road against Louisville. New York needs to figure out its QB situation, as neither Geno Smith nor Michael Vick are the long-term solution.
5. Tennessee Titans: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
The pure playmaking ability Thompson brings to a linebacker corps is special, and he should keep shooting up draft boards as a result. Tennessee will still see what it has in Zach Mettenberger at QB, so Thompson makes sense to fortify a run defense that was 28th entering Sunday's Week 9 games.
6. St. Louis Rams: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Another torn ACL for Jake Long necessitates a considerable investment in the offensive line. With a plethora of skill players in place and a talented defense, St. Louis can invest in the best tackle in Ogbuehi to hopefully provide more stability up front.
7. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
With the versatility to play both tackle and guard, Scherff improves the Falcons in a key area and is ready to start right away. The defense is broken, and free agency will do a better job at addressing the myriad of needs on that side of the ball.
8. Minnesota Vikings: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Protection could be better for rookie QB Teddy Bridgewater, but the run of tackles stops here in this scenario with Gregory coming off the board. Defensive-minded Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer will implore the front office to snag Gregory and create an even better, rising front four.
9. Washington Redskins: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Washington lands Collins to spark the secondary, upgrading its pass coverage while also landing a prospect who isn't afraid to step up in run support and get physical. Collins is the ideal replacement for free-agent-to-be Brandon Meriweather.
10. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The talented Tigers pass-rusher is a prime candidate to make the biggest impact among all the rookies in his class. Chicago lacks depth at this position, and with a season-ending knee injury hampering Lamarr Houston, Ray is a logical fit.
11. Carolina Panthers: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The top-tier tackle prospects are off the board, so Carolina opts to supply QB Cam Newton with another, intriguing young weapon in Cooper to fill in opposite Kelvin Benjamin. If the Panthers can get the ground game going in 2015 and add Cooper to the fold, their offense will be balanced and dangerous.
12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Just six catches in the past two games makes White a bit of an uncertain commodity, but there is no denying his explosiveness. Pairing him up with All-Pro Josh Gordon in a passing game that also features Andrew Hawkins and Jordan Cameron will please Browns fans and whoever is quarterbacking next season.
13. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Texans coach Bill O'Brien is lauded for his ability to develop quarterbacks. This will be a bit of a project, because Hundley, though talented as a thrower and runner, is a bit hesitant in his reads and needs some fine-tuning with his mechanics.
Eventually, though, Hundley can be the difference that boosts Houston to the playoffs, as Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't seem like the type of player to deliver the Texans to the NFL's promised land.
14. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
A pass-rushing outside linebacker doesn't seem like a pressing need in Cleveland. However, Jabaal Sheard is slated to be a free agent, and Barkevious Mingo has been better against the run than pressuring the opposing QB. That opens up a role for Beasley to fill and to provide an instant spark.
15. New York Giants: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
The recent reemergence of Jason Pierre-Paul is an encouraging sign. Still, the G-men don't have such a vaunted defensive line these days, so adding Fowler to the mix is a great move to enhance the front seven, absent of any outside linebackers worth choosing this high.
16. Miami Dolphins: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Yet another standout defensive end in Calhoun takes his talents to South Beach. This pick offers depth and insurance to a Dolphins rotation that is still awaiting a return on the organization's considerable investment in 2013 No. 3 overall pick Dion Jordan.
17. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Picking up the top cornerback prospect in the 2015 class would be fortuitous for a Steelers defensive backfield that lacks depth and high-end personnel on the outside.
Peters has the skills to start in Week 1, upping defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's confidence to send blitzes that leave Pittsburgh vulnerable on the back end.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
The Chiefs offense has been fine with ultimate game manager Alex Smith directing things and a great one-two RB combo in Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis. What Smith needs is a capable receiver other than Dwayne Bowe, which is where Funchess would offer a big boost.
19. Baltimore Ravens: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Cornerback isn't a big need, but selecting Waynes would offer Lardarius Webb the chance to focus more exclusively on the nickel role, where he belongs. Waynes is exceptional in man-to-man coverage and has the aptitude to pick up the Ravens defense and contribute from the beginning.
20. Cincinnati Bengals: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
This Bengals roster doesn't have a lot of weaknesses. It wouldn't hurt to fortify the offensive trenches with Collins. His experience in Cam Cameron's offense at LSU makes him marketable as a first-rounder, as does the fact that he can play guard or tackle.
21. San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Indeed, Gurley's NCAA-imposed hiatus from the gridiron is a blessing in disguise to a degree. It's less wear and tear and the opportunity to see how he bounces back from adversity.
As a result of the circumstances and Gurley's talent, he becomes the first running back drafted in Round 1 since 2012.
22. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Ndamukong Suh may want to stay put in light of Detroit's hot start to this year, contrary to a late September report that he's keen to flee elsewhere in the offseason. Whatever happens, the Lions can load up with the massive Shelton in a win-win scenario with this pick.
23. New Orleans Saints: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Rob Ryan's Saints defense is finally turning the corner in recent weeks, but adding a pass-rusher like Dupree to the linebacker spot is a sage move. Playing in the SEC will help Dupree make the transition to NFL competition and be a great value late in the first round.
24. Philadelphia Eagles: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
Speaking of SEC stars, McKinney is the leader of the Bulldogs defense. DeMeco Ryans has just one year left on his contract and was carted off in Week 9 with an ominous injury, per Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk:
That makes McKinney an even better selection at this stage of Round 1, offering stability and athleticism in the heart of a Philadelphia defense that struggles against both dimensions.
25. Indianapolis Colts: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Another running back is off the board to Indianapolis. Necessary help arrives for franchise QB Andrew Luck in the backfield. Ahmad Bradshaw's injury past and Trent Richardson's bust label trigger Gordon's arrival as a Colt, where he's positioned to thrive in play-caller Pep Hamilton's run-preference offense.
26. Arizona Cardinals: Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon
Week 9's win in Dallas came playing against a backup opposing QB in Brandon Weeden. That masked the Cardinals' last-ranked pass defense and its inability to get pressure. Armstead is a worthwhile, late-first due to his tremendous upside, quick burst and incredible size-speed combination.
27. Dallas Cowboys: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
It appears Morris Claiborne will never pan out for America's Team, so the Cowboys should move on and look to upgrade the cornerback position, especially with Claiborne injured for the rest of 2014.
Dallas could do worse than bring in Williams, whose press-coverage prowess is an ideal complement to an underrated defensive line.
28. San Francisco 49ers: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Joining 2014 first-round pick Jimmie Ward as the second defensive back chosen in as many first rounds by San Francisco, Ekpre-Olomu walks into a place where he can compete for a starting job immediately. The 49ers need a cornerback like the Ducks stud, who's a fully capable tackler, too.
29. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Yet another defensive pick for Green Bay. This is an affordable luxury, because Aaron Rodgers masks a lot of the protection issues the Packers have had. Goldman commands double-teams and would be a powerful asset for the NFL's last-ranked defense versus the run.
30. New England Patriots: Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
Tom Brady always seems to have a dearth of receivers to throw to. Adding Montgomery at No. 30 is a relatively safe pick in that he is sure-handed, is a threat after the catch and has the football IQ to pick up the Pats' complex playbook thanks to his tutelage in Stanford's system.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
An underrated problem the defending Super Bowl champions are having is generating sacks, having just 10 on the year entering Week 9. Acquiring a player like Bennett to push the pocket from the inside in certain situations has to be near the top of Seattle's draft priorities.
32. Denver Broncos: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
The finesse offense conducted with grace by legendary QB Peyton Manning lacks physicality when it needs it most. Throwing Cann into the mix is smart, because Orlando Franklin isn't quite holding up in his transition from right tackle to left guard.
Regardless of what happened in Sunday's trip to Foxboro, the modern NFL rules that favor offenses and Manning's brilliance, not to mention defensive improvements, have the Broncos as a worthy Super Bowl favorite. Whether they can stay there and keep airing it out down the stretch of the regular season and into the playoffs remains to be seen.
As Manning continues to progress toward the end of his career, the more he can rely on the rushing attack in inclement weather, the better off Denver will be, especially traveling.
The good news is that the Broncos have a trip to Oakland, the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis and a home matchup against Miami to look forward to on the upcoming schedule. That should see Manning continue another epic season.
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