2015 NFL Mock Draft: Projecting 1st-Round Picks for Every Team Ahead of Week 10
The NFL season still hasn't officially finished, but many fans are already looking ahead to the 2015 NFL draft.
Sure, the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots are thinking about the playoffs, but it's not the same for every fanbase. Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers faithful are already salivating over the potential of college football players.
Before the season draws to a close, here's a look at early projections for each team based on where they might finish at the end of the year.
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1. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT/DE, USC
With the cherished first overall pick, the Raiders will pick one of the most versatile linemen in Leonard Williams.
NFL.com analyst Daniel Jeremiah offered a lofty comparison for Williams:
Leonard Williams translates well in the NFL at either line position, but he has excelled for USC all over the place. Derek Carr looks like the future under center, and he has weapons around him, but Williams will be a brute force on Oakland's line.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Just behind Williams in the lineman ranks stands Randy Gregory. The Nebraska big man has lived up to the hype this season and will bring some nastiness to the Jacksonville Jaguars. In need of help at the position, look for the Jaguars to nab Gregory if he's still on the board.
3. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
In terms of quarterbacks in the 2015 draft class, Marcus Mariota has both the skill and intelligence to get the job done. Despite taking a chance on Geno Smith in the second round of the 2013 draft, the New York Jets are already looking for a different direction.
There are several quarterbacks that look NFL-ready, but Mariota is at the top, as Matt Miller of Bleacher Report points out:
Equipped with the ability to change games with his strong arm and elusive speed, Mariota will be a difference-maker in New York. Having weapons like Percy Harvin and Eric Decker around him will make the transition easier for Mariota.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Controversy tends to surround Jameis Winston, but his play on the field continues to amaze. Regardless of the situation, Winston has shown the ability to lead his team down the field under immense pressure.
Neither Josh McCown nor Mike Glennon has looked phenomenal behind center for the Buccaneers. Bringing in Winston would provide him a familiar atmosphere in Tampa Bay and potentially enough talent to lead the franchise in the NFC South.
5. Tennessee Titans: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
In need of outside rushers to fit defensive coordinator Ray Horton's scheme, the Tennessee Titans will go after Vic Beasley early. Already having young weapons on offense like Justin Hunter and Bishop Sankey, adding to the front seven seems like the biggest area of need.
6. Washington Redskins: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Washington's front has stopped nearly every running back this season in their tracks. However, the secondary has struggled to do the same to wide receivers and tight ends.
Landon Collins is an exciting safety who offers explosiveness and can cover the entire field. Washington is in a division where the likes of Dez Bryant and Jeremy Maclin have thrived this season. Picking up Collins early adds a physical player who can make an immediate difference.
7. St. Louis Rams: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
It's finally time for the St. Louis Rams to target another quarterback early in the draft. Brett Hundley hasn't put together the season he was hoping for, but he's still talented enough to thrive at the NFL level with the right options surrounding him.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
There have been several defensive stars coming out of Missouri recently, and Shane Ray appears to be the latest. Thanks to his agility and overall power at the position, Ray might be able to live up to a player similar to Aldon Smith.
Dane Brugler of CBS Sports offered his take on areas where Ray has thrived and how he can improve:
"As he's done so often this season, Ray showed explosive get-off quickness and instant acceleration, launching himself off the line and getting his inside shoulder past the outside shoulder of the tackle. ... Ray is still developing his pass rush sequence and arsenal of moves, but his first step quickness and sustained burst off the edge are special and should have him drafted very early when he decides to enter the NFL Draft.
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The jury is still out on whether or not the Atlanta Falcons offense is still good enough to compete, but it has much better weapons than the defense. Ray brings a gifted defensive player who can explode off the edge for the future.
9. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Possessing some of the best athleticism and overall instincts at the linebacker position in this year's draft, Shaq Thompson is a perfect fit for the New York Giants. The porous defense has been gashed by running backs all season, so Thompson's ability would translate immediately in New York.
10. Minnesota Vikings: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Amari Cooper is explosive. Amari Cooper is reliable. Amari Cooper is the best wide receiver in the country. Despite all of this, he will fall to the very end of the top 10 and land with the Minnesota Vikings.
Any hopes of Cordarrelle Patterson being the premier receiver in Minnesota look premature at this point. Greg Jennings offers a veteran presence, but not the type of production Cooper might potentially offer.
If Teddy Bridgewater is the Vikings' signal-caller for years to come, he and Cooper would make a dynamic duo to watch moving forward.
11. Chicago Bears: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
He might not be as highly coveted as Gregory in terms of pure defensive ends, but Shawn Oakman is one of the best at the position. Still struggling up front, the Chicago Bears have a need for the 6'8", 275-pound end and would immediately implement him into the lineup.
12. Houston Texans: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Despite being dismissed from Washington earlier this year, Marcus Peters is one of the best defensive backs in the country.
Adam Jude of The Seattle Times noted comments from Huskies coach Chris Peterson:
Hoping to bolster the secondary to complement the front seven, Peters would make a perfect addition for the Houston Texans. Falling just outside of the top 10, Peters should still be available and one of the best players on the board.
13. San Francisco 49ers: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Michael Crabtree hasn't quite been as explosive this season. Anquan Boldin is aging rapidly despite still being a productive receiver. The San Francisco 49ers might have depth at wideout for now, but DeVante Parker offers an explosive option for the future.
14. New Orleans Saints: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Priority No. 1 for the New Orleans Saints is protecting Drew Brees so he can open up the offense. If Brandon Scherff is still on the board when the Saints get their chance at the podium, he'll be the perfect pick to improve the offensive line.
15. Cleveland Browns (via BUF): Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
A year after making a trade with the Buffalo Bills that helped the team acquire Sammy Watkins, the Cleveland Browns will get a star receiver of their own. He doesn't have a recognizable name like Cooper or broke out quite as quickly as Parker, but Kevin White is a dynamic weapon for any offense.
The West Virginia receiver is already drawing huge comparisons, as Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks and Charles Davis of NFL.com point out:
"We're hearing a lot of Larry Fitzgerald comparisons for West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White after his hot start to the season. His build at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds is similar to Fitzgerald's. ...
White is establishing himself as one of the top wide receivers in the country, and we think he's an absolute beast. He's playing with a lot of confidence right now, and he should be -- he's a big-body guy who can run and has excellent hands.
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Needless to say, he would be a perfect fit for the Cleveland Browns. White would be a great complement to Josh Gordon and might be the player to step up if Gordon's troubling past returns for the Browns.
16. San Diego Chargers: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Much like the Saints, the San Diego Chargers have a quarterback who can take the top off any defense. Adding more protection in the first round with Cedric Ogbuehi will make Philip Rivers happy and only add to the great offense.
17. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
It's a good thing Cam Newton is a mobile quarterback, because he's been under pressure all season. Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen have the ability to help carry the offense, but Andrus Peat would allow Newton time to find his potent playmakers.
18. Cleveland Browns: Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State
Having a second pick in the first round of the draft will pay off here for the Browns, as they add a nasty defensive lineman. Shilique Calhoun is a strong edge-rusher who can change a game with his speed and fits the Browns perfectly.
19. Miami Dolphins: Todd Gurley, RB, Miami Dolphins
After two years of no running backs being taken in the first round, Todd Gurley will finally buck the trend. Widely considered the best tailback in the country, Gurley has the ability to carry any team on his back.
Even after missing time earlier this season, he's remained the top back in the class, as the NFL's account points out:
The Miami Dolphins already have a dependable rusher in the backfield with Lamar Miller, but Gurley offers a completely different skill set. Both will help Ryan Tannehill, and Gurley will eventually become the lead back.
20. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
Harvin was traded away earlier this season, and while Doug Baldwin has stepped up, the Seattle Seahawks still need help. Devin Funchess has the ability to play either position of need for Seattle, making him a perfect option.
21. Green Bay Packers: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
Sure, Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers have been great this year, but there is still a need at the position for the Green Bay Packers. Given his versatility, Dante Fowler might start his career on the line but finish as an outside linebacker when Peppers eventually calls it a career.
22. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
In nearly every mock draft last season, I had the Kansas City Chiefs taking a wideout in the first round. Maybe it's naivety on my part, but Jaelen Strong would boost the receiving corps for Alex Smith with Dwayne Bowe entering his ninth season next year.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: La'el Collins, OL, LSU
Starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth is entering his ninth season, so the need along the line is coming for the Cincinnati Bengals. La'el Collins is an effective tackle who can provide holes in the running game for either Giovani Bernard or Jeremy Hill.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
One of the most talented defensive backs in the country, P.J. Williams will finally hear his name called by the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams is a physical corner who can help an aging secondary and help Pittsburgh return as one of the elite defenses in the NFL.
25. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
It's no secret that the Baltimore Ravens have a huge void in the backfield that hasn't quite been filled. Justin Forsett is already 29 years old, and Lorenzo Taliaferro hasn't exactly taken the reins from him.
Luckily, Melvin Gordon is a back who can carry the load and offers ridiculous speed and big-play potential. Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports passed along an absurd stat on the Wisconsin back earlier this season:
For a team that already has Torrey Smith, Steve Smith and Marlon Brown in the receiving corps, Gordon coming out of the backfield adds yet another huge weapon for the Ravens.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Vontae Davis has been solid for the Indianapolis Colts, but the secondary still needs help. Adding Trae Waynes, who might be a better prospect than Darqueze Dennard, the Colts would have a prospect that can shut down No. 2 receivers alongside Davis.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
One of the most instinctive players in the draft, Bud Dupree would give the Dallas Cowboys defense yet another playmaker. Dallas has been surprisingly effective on defense this season, and Dupree would offer more depth and a future star in the front seven.
28. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are in the final year of their contracts, so there might be a need on the line coming up for the Detroit Lions. Danny Shelton is a strong tackle that would fill the void and has the chance to become a premier player in the years to come.
29. New England Patriots: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Florida State has talent on both sides of the ball, and Eddie Goldman is even more proof. He might be one of the latest players from the program to come off the board in the first round, but Goldman's breakout season should land him with the New England Patriots—if Bill Belichick doesn't trade back.
30. Arizona Cardinals: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
Even in a division where two of the best defenses play, the Arizona Cardinals have emerged at the top thanks to their group. Adding Benardrick McKinney gives the team an eventual replacement for Larry Foote that can have a future impact.
31. Philadelphia Eagles: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
As much as the offense continues to impress for the Philadelphia Eagles, the defense still needs work. Alex Carter is a physical defensive back who would bolster the Eagles secondary in an NFC East that has some of the best receivers in the league.
32. Denver Broncos: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
The Denver Broncos have no questions about nearly any position on offense, so importance will be put on allowing more time for Peyton Manning. Though he's not in a power-five conference, Ty Sambrailo has emerged as one of the best linemen and might be protecting a legendary quarterback in the future.
Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.
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