2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for All 32 1st-Round Picks
The NFL regular season has exposed many of the weaknesses every team is facing, and one possible solution to the problems is adding talent through the 2015 draft.
While big names like Amari Cooper of Alabama and Marcus Mariota of Oregon will steal the most headlines, teams can find elite players at every position in the first round with the proper scouting and talent evaluation.
Here are the projected selections for all 32 first-round picks.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Josh McCown isn’t the answer. Mike Glennon isn’t the answer either. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers must take the educated risk and select likely Heisman Trophy winner and Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota as the cornerstone of the offensive game plan.
2. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
If the Oakland Raiders believe Derek Carr is the quarterback of the future, the franchise must give him a weapon to utilize moving forward. Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper is the game-changer Oakland has been waiting on for years.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The Jacksonville Jaguars understand that rebuilding a franchise will take several years, and strengthening the offensive and defensive lines is a top priority. If Jacksonville doesn’t take an offensive lineman, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory would be a long-term piece for the defensive puzzle.
4. Tennessee Titans: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
The Tennessee Titans need help in all facets of the game. Tennessee should be looking to take the best player available, and Clemson outside linebacker Vic Beasley could become the game-changer the Titans desperately need.
5. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Just as we see in Tampa Bay, the first- and second-string quarterbacks are not the long-term answer for the New York Jets. With Geno Smith and Michael Vick not worthy of starting anymore, New York should select Florida State’s Jameis Winston as the future of the franchise. There is a risk associated with this pick, but his talent outweighs any minor blemishes he accumulated in college.
6. Washington Redskins: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
The top offseason priority for the Washington Redskins will be how to handle quarterback Robert Griffin III, but the franchise also has issues on the defensive side of the ball. Standout Baylor defensive end Shawn Oakman would be a perfect fit in Washington’s defensive scheme.
7. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Protecting Eli Manning has been a major issue for the New York Giants over the past several seasons, and Manning’s numbers reflect that. Adding an elite offensive tackle like Iowa’s Brandon Scherff would be the smart usage of a top-10 pick.
8. Carolina Panthers: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Rookie wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin has become a star for the Carolina Panthers, but the lack of depth at the position has been a major issue all season. Going back to the rookie receiver well is something Riverboat Ron Rivera should do, and Oklahoma’s Dorial Green-Beckham would be an ideal complement to Benjamin.
9. New Orleans Saints: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington (Dismissed)
The New Orleans Saints have been destroyed in the secondary this season. Injuries are a big part of the issue, but a lack of depth is alarming. Adding an elite cornerback like Marcus Peters will be a risk due to his dismissal from Washington, but the Saints have a strong core of leaders who can help get the most out of the rookie.
10. Chicago Bears: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Jay Cutler was paid a lot of money to be the long-term answer at quarterback for the Chicago Bears, but that hasn’t turned out well thus far. Adding some protection along the offensive line will give Cutler more time, but the team may be regretting the decision to pay him as much as it did.
11. Atlanta Falcons: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The Atlanta Falcons need help in all facets of the game. If one of the elite pass-rushers doesn’t fall to the franchise, adding an elite safety like Alabama’s Landon Collins will help reinforce the secondary.
12. St. Louis Rams: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Sam Bradford’s injury could mean the St. Louis Rams go all-in on a new quarterback, but head coach Jeff Fisher has never been one to panic. Adding depth to the trenches is more likely, and USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams should be a top target.
13. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Minnesota Vikings are another team that must decide if the current starting quarterback (rookie Teddy Bridgewater) is the man for the job moving forward. If Bridgewater gets the nod, adding an offensive lineman like Stanford’s Andrus Peat is a way to help the QB blossom.
14. Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The combination of J.J. Watt and Jadeveon Clowney will create a devastating pass rush when both are healthy, but the Houston Texans need more talent and depth at cornerback. Michigan State’s Trae Waynes is a dangerous weapon Houston desperately needs.
15. Cleveland Browns (from BUF): Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Despite a knee injury, the Cleveland Browns should be looking into Georgia running back Todd Gurley as an option. With an elite mixture of speed and power, Cleveland needs a running back like Gurley.
16. Miami Dolphins: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The Miami Dolphins must continue rebuilding in the trenches where they have struggled at times this season. While adding an offensive lineman is an option, Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman would be a force on the inside for Miami.
17. Cleveland Browns: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
There is no questioning how good Josh Gordon is as the Cleveland Browns' top receiver, but the team needs better than Miles Austin as a No. 2. Cleveland should target Michigan’s Devin Funchess in the first round as a perfect complement.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Kansas City Chiefs hardly throw the ball to the wide receivers. Whether that’s the game plan or Alex Smith not trusting his arm, the Chiefs need a weapon like Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker who can do damage in open space.
19. San Francisco 49ers: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
The San Francisco 49ers need a young and reliable force on the defensive side of the ball. The best player available should be versatile Missouri pass-rushing specialist Shane Ray, and he would be a perfect fit in the team’s hard-hitting scheme.
20. Baltimore Ravens: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
The decision to cut Ray Rice left the Baltimore Ravens with a serious void at running back. Justin Forsett has been a great short-term answer, but Nebraska’s Ameer Abdullah may be the future key the organization has lacked.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
There are many areas of weakness in the Pittsburgh Steelers secondary worth addressing, but the most glaring need is at cornerback. Florida State’s P.J. Williams has the potential to make the jump to the NFL and make an instant impact.
22. San Diego Chargers: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Another team desperate for a pass rush is the San Diego Chargers. One possible option is Washington outside linebacker Shaq Thompson. If the Chargers don’t address the pass rush, expect the team to pick an offensive lineman.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
There are several areas of need that the Cincinnati Bengals must fill in the draft or free agency, and taking the best player available is a smart game plan. If Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney falls this far, the Bengals have their star.
24. Detroit Lions: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Injuries to wide receiver Calvin Johnson have started to add up, and the Detroit Lions must think to the future. Arizona State receiver Jaelen Strong would be a strong No. 3 option and possibly an eventual replacement for Megatron.
25. Seattle Seahawks: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Letting Golden Tate go looks like it was a mistake after the Seattle Seahawks traded Percy Harvin to the New York Jets, but the team can find a viable replacement in the draft. West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White would be a welcome addition to the depleted receiving group.
26. Dallas Cowboys: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
The departure of DeMarcus Ware has been devastating the Dallas Cowboys defensive unit. There are few players who can replace his production, but Florida’s Dante Fowler has the potential to be a star in the NFL.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
The Indianapolis Colts have missed a legitimate pass rush since the departure of Dwight Freeney and the injury/suspension of Robert Mathis. The Colts must add an elite pass-rushing specialist like Kentucky’s Bud Dupree.
28. Philadelphia Eagles: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
The biggest weakness for the Philadelphia Eagles is in the secondary. With the need for a physical cornerback who can be dominant in coverage, Stanford’s Alex Carter could be the bump-and-run player the Eagles need.
29. Green Bay Packers: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
Protecting Aaron Rodgers is the top priority for the Green Bay Packers, and it has been for years. Adding a talented offensive tackle like Ty Sambrailo will be insurance on the franchise’s investment.
30. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Andre Ellington has been a revelation for the Arizona Cardinals, but it’s clear that every team in the NFL needs a viable complement. If Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon falls to Arizona, this is a natural fit.
31. New England Patriots: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
Whether it’s Tom Brady under center or another quarterback in 10 years, the New England Patriots are looking to replace Logan Mankins with a long-term answer. South Carolina guard A.J. Cann is a viable option.
32. Denver Broncos: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Unless the Denver Broncos win the Super Bowl this season, Peyton Manning will be back. The franchise must do a better job protecting the quarterback, and LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins is a top consideration.
*Stats via ESPN.com. Draft order based on current standings.
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