2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post-Week 11 Breakdown
As many NFL teams gear up for a late push for the postseason, others already have their front offices and scouting teams with one eye looking forward to the 2015 draft.
And that's with good reason. Every year, the unofficial farm system that is college football breeds worthy athletes capable of making a quick impact at the highest level of gridiron competition.
This draft figures to be more of the same but with different positions of emphasis at the top. Offensive linemen have controlled the top picks in recent drafts, but this year a couple of quarterbacks will sneak in while pass-rushers dominate the first round.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Let's break down a fresh mock draft following Week 11.
Note: Underclassmen are included despite draft status to be determined. Draft order based on post-Week 11 standings.
1. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
The easy pick would be to chase Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, but Derek Carr's rookie emergence and the glaring need for talent all across the roster will have Oakland addressing the defensive trenches at No. 1 overall.
The Raiders will get a future star in doing so. Leonard Williams does it all up front for USC, from tackles for losses to forced fumbles to even snarling an interception in 2014. But what he'll do best in the NFL is this to opposing quarterbacks often, as Fox Sports West's Kevin Carden shows:
Oakland's defense—ever so slowly—is evolving from a hapless unit to one that has glimpses of star potential at linebacker and in the secondary. What's missing is a dominant lineman, and Williams will fill the void.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The Jaguars have reached at players early in Round 1 to fit positional needs as of late, but Jacksonville will buck that trend at the perfect time by grabbing Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory.
Surprisingly enough, Jacksonville's pass rush has been solid in 2014 with 28 sacks through 10 games. But somehow, the Jags still rank dead last in pass defense, and a consistent threat off the edge would change that quickly.
The junior still may return to college for one more year—in fact, head coach Bo Pelini publicly said he believes he'll return. But there's no way Gregory is going to pass up a surefire top-five selection.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Bucs got a great game from Josh McCown in Sunday's 27-7 win over Washington, but it was quite honestly his first solid outing all year.
Tampa Bay needs a new quarterback like nobody's business, and Marcus Mariota has shown in his maturity at Oregon that he can perfectly fit that popular mold of a mobile QB with a rocket arm (see: Colin Kaepernick).
4. Tennessee Titans: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Tennessee's starting quarterback won't be named Jake Locker, Zach Mettenberger or Charlie Whitehurst in 2015. But head coach Ken Whisenhunt is more likely to use his connections around the league to address that via free agency, as Adam Schefter of ESPN's report linking Tennessee to Brian Hoyer would suggest.
The Titans' top draft pick since the selection of Vince Young, though, has to be used wisely. There's no bigger need than the necessity for an impact pass-rusher off the edge to line up in that versatile 3-4 spot, and Vic Beasley fits the mold.
The Clemson pass-rusher can put his hand in the dirt and shed tackles to get to the blindside, or line up in coverage and track down a playmaker in open space. As Clemson Football shows, he can do it all in one play:
Tennessee will go defense and cross its fingers that Jameis Winston doesn't make it regret that decision.
5. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
As long as Rex Ryan doesn't win enough games down the stretch to ruin it for the next Jets head coach, the Jets will be in position to get a new franchise quarterback come April.
Winston fits most of the needs New York has—the need for a leader, for explosive plays and for the innate ability to dissect a defense that Geno Smith has significantly lacked.
6. Washington Redskins: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Robert Griffin III's career in Washington has been quite salty ever since a promising rookie year, but the glimpses of greatness—and the ridiculous stock the team has put in him—will have the Redskins front office doing everything it can to give him help in 2015.
Amari Cooper's incredible ability to create separation and burn elite defenders will make him a reliable target for RG3 that Pierre Garcon just hasn't been. Cooper already looks like a complete package, and all of his weaknesses (drops, consistency) are easily fixable.
7. New York Giants: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Jason Pierre-Paul can't do it alone, and the defensive edge is one of the positions the Giants could use depth the most in. But Shane Ray won't just serve as some added depth—he's capable of coming in right away and impacting the defense either on the defensive line or at the linebacker spot.
8. Carolina Panthers: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
No defense has fallen from grace as quickly as Carolina's unit from 2013 to 2014, but the Panthers will strike gold by adding another defensive standout in Round 1. Like Luke Kuechly, Landon Collins is ready to not only start right away, but play at a high level that will garner Rookie of the Year talk.
9. Minnesota Vikings: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
The Vikings are one of the best teams in the NFL at sacking the quarterback but also one of the worst at protecting their own. After 30 sacks in its first nine games, Minnesota is set on grabbing a valuable tackle to protect new franchise quarterback Teddy Bridgewater.
Cedric Ogbuehi could be a top-three value for the Vikes at No. 9 overall. The Texas A&M tackle has a 6'5", 300-pound frame that he moves incredibly well due to an athletic build and great footwork. Bridgewater is worried for his life in the backfield right now, but that will change with Ogbuehi's arrival.
10. Chicago Bears: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Chicago could use Landon Collins so bad it might trade up, but there's a similar need in the Windy City for an impact linebacker. Shaq Thompson could come in and immediately produce more than the Bears' current starters.
He doesn't have the size (6'1", 228 lbs) but more than makes up for that with innate ball skills and the ability to attack gaps or tackle in space.
11. Atlanta Falcons: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Falcons will do whatever they can in the draft to address a ghastly secondary, and they'll do well to lock down the best corner in the draft. Trae Waynes has that new coveted type of build for a cornerback at 6'1" and 185 pounds, and he has incredible ball skills to go along with it.
12. St. Louis Rams: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Predicting whom the Rams' starting quarterback will be in 2015 is akin to blindfolding yourself before playing darts, but whomever it is will need to be protected better.
The Rams have been sacked 30 times in their first nine games. Brandon Scherff will be an immediate boost to help fortify an offensive line that needs all the help it can get.
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
The Saints don't get to the quarterback (21 sacks in nine games) as much as defensive coordinator Rob Ryan would like, and it's a glaring absence in many of the tight games New Orleans has been in. Dante Fowler has been wreaking havoc off the edge in the SEC, and that will allow for a quick transition to the big league.
14. Houston Texans: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
The Texans certainly have some candidates for franchise quarterback, but they're burning through them awfully quickly as the 2014 season rolls along. If nothing changes, Houston will be in the running for a quarterback. Bill O'Brien will like what he sees in Connor Cook—an obvious leader who has a strong arm and impressive pocket presence.
15. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo): DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
A couple of game-changing wideouts would undoubtedly take Cleveland to the next level. One—Josh Gordon—should return in 2015, but the Browns desperately need a playmaker like DeVante Parker.
Parker hasn't been healthy all season, but he has lit it up when he's played, as ESPN.com's David Hale noted:
The Louisville receiver can burn opponents in one-on-one, and his speed in the middle of the field will complement Gordon nicely.
16. San Diego Chargers: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
Benardrick McKinney might not be a top-20 selection, but no position is of more dire need for the Chargers than the inside linebacker slot. McKinney has been the bright spot of a mediocre Mississippi State defense, and San Diego certainly needs his quick impact.
17. Cleveland Browns: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Cleveland's offensive line retooling effort is nearly complete, but not before locking down another decent tackle to threaten a long-term starting spot. La'el Collins has all of the physical tools and has gone up against the best of the best in the SEC.
18. Baltimore Ravens: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The protection of Joe Flacco has often determined Baltimore's success in 2014—when he's protected, the Ravens usually win, and when he's not, well, you know. Stanford's Andrus Peat is an overpowering tackle who will keep the edge secure for Flacco.
19. Miami Dolphins: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Pass-rushers Cameron Wake and Dion Jordan are wreaking havoc, but they need a rock in the middle to lean on. Michael Bennett won't be that sort of reliable off the bat at 286 pounds, but he possesses deceptive quickness that will bode well in his many one-on-one matchups.
20. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Before being kicked off Washington's team due to an argument with coaches, per Adam Jude of The Seattle Times, Marcus Peters was arguably the best corner in college football. His skill far outweighs the gamble, especially when any team will be extensively addressing that situation with him in the months leading up.
The 49ers' injury troubles will have them wanting to field at least three corners worthy of starting, and grabbing Peters will do just that. San Francisco still hangs its hat on dominant defense, and dominant corners are the first ingredient.
21. Seattle Seahawks: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
It's amazing, really—the amount of success Russell Wilson has had in his young career with little to no help in the passing game. Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse won't get it done forever, and the Seahawks will grab West Virginia playmaker Kevin White to stretch the field and add another dimension to Wilson's game.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
Pittsburgh's defense doesn't scream for help in Round 1 for the first time in a little while, so expect the Steelers to fortify the offensive trenches. Ty Sambrailo will be taken with low expectations at first, but the Colorado State tackle will waste little time evolving into an impact starter.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
The Bengals defense has taken a considerable step back in 2014, much to the blame of a disappearing pass rush. Alvin "Bud" Dupree could begin to change that pretty quick and also act as a cushion for when Vontaze Burfict inevitably misses more time.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
No team needs offensive line help more than Indianapolis, which is pretty spectacular considering its place as one of the NFL's best teams. Ronnie Stanley will serve as an answer to Andrew Luck's prayers, as the Notre Dame offensive tackle comes in to fill the void.
25. Green Bay Packers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Packers secondary is making considerable strides due to a focus in the draft, and next up is fortifying the defensive trenches. Danny Shelton may not become the next B.J. Raji, but he'll be able to plug up holes and allow for players like Nick Perry and Clay Matthews to sniff out trouble.
26. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Alex Smith might blow a gasket if the Chiefs refuse to draft him a promising pass-catcher early in April's draft. Devin Funchess may not be the answer, but he'll be a reliable target across the middle who will up his value by doubling at tight end.
27. Denver Broncos: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
With a resurgent defense in 2014, the focus will be all about oiling up Peyton Manning's offense in his closing years. Montee Ball has been unreliable, and the rushing options are fleeting, but Todd Gurley would fit the mold of a speedy yet powerful, versatile, hard-nosed back that the Broncos need.
Gurley just tore his ACL in his return from a four-game suspension, but NFL circles have raved about his ability for years. Athletes are coming back better than ever after these types of injuries, and Gurley will return to make an impact as a rookie.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Now that the Cowboys have built their offensive line via the draft, it's time to do the same on defense. Shilique Calhoun would be a menacing pass-rusher off the edge. He doesn't have elite speed, but he can overpower offensive linemen and push his way to the quarterback.
29. Detroit Lions: Eddie Goldman, DT, FSU
Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are both free agents after the 2014 season—scary, right? The Lions will likely enter the draft not completely knowing if either will return, so Detroit will target Eddie Goldman—a player who could develop slowly under those stars or take on a larger role off the bat.
30. Philadelphia Eagles: Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville
The Eagles need playmaking secondary contributors like nobody's business. Their successful season might have them picking too far back to get an immediate playmaker, but Gerod Holliman of Louisville certainly has the best chance to make that jump among the players still left.
31. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Much like the Broncos, the Patriots should be doing everything they can to make life as easy as possible for the end of their legendary quarterback's career.
Tom Brady has had a lack of explosive weapons on the outside, and Dorial Green-Beckham—should his off-the-field issues not remain a problem—could be the most talented wide receiver in New England since Randy Moss.
32. Arizona Cardinals: Markus Golden, DE, Missouri
When you do something as well as the Cardinals blitz, you do everything you can to keep that strength. Arizona has seen how much injuries can ravage a unit in 2014, and that will spur the Cardinals to snag Markus Golden—an impact pass-rusher from Missouri—late in Round 1.
Team stats courtesy of Pro-Football-Reference.com unless otherwise noted.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
