2015 NFL Mock Draft: Smart Selections for Every Team

The 2015 NFL draft is still months away, but let’s be realistic: The Oakland Raiders have probably been on the clock since October. Having begun the season losing their first 10 games, it was clear the Raiders were the NFL’s worst team.

The Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans may have something to say about that dubious distinction, but I’m betting the Raiders finish as the league’s worst team. 

Here’s my latest mock draft with the Raiders picking first and tasked with turning their ship around.

1. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Cooper is now a Heisman finalist. We should also be looking at him as a legit threat to be the No. 1 pick overall. Usually when a team is as bad as Oakland, a quarterback is a logical choice.

Rookie Derek Carr has shown enough for the Raiders to hold off on taking a signal-caller in the first round. If they don’t trade down—which is a distinct possibility—getting Carr an elite and dynamic receiver might be the way to go. Cooper is built like Calvin Johnson, but he’s a smooth athlete with great hands and character. Oakland needs all of that and more.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Grabbing a defensive player who is capable of making a difference at the line of scrimmage should be at the top of the Jags’ draft wish list. The team is ranked in the bottom third against the run and pass this season.

There isn’t a better looking prospect in that regard than Williams. He’s the type of freakish athlete who could move inside and outside to create havoc for defenses. 

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

TROY WAYRYNEN/Associated Press

Mariota and the Bucs are a perfect match, but Tampa Bay will probably have some competition for the Heisman favorite. He looks to be the best quarterback in the draft by far, and the Bucs desperately need a signal-caller.

The only thing is, teams such as the Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and St. Louis Rams might also be looking for upgrades at the position. If no team leapfrogs the Bucs, Mariota should be wearing an orange uniform next season.

Stewart Mandel of Fox Sports talks about Mariota’s efficiency:

4. Tennessee Titans: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

No pass rush in today’s NFL equates to a poor team destined for mediocrity—or worse. Worse is what the Titans are right now. Drafting a player with the explosive abilities off the edge that Ray possesses only makes sense.

He swept the defensive player awards, taking home the SEC and Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year award in the conference.

5. New York Jets: Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State

While he might not be the sexiest pick at quarterback, Cook represents a stabilizing force. That’s essentially what Cook can represent for the Jets. It’s been over a decade since the Jets had a franchise quarterback. Cook could be that guy. Current Michigan State Spartans head coach Mike Dantonio praised his quarterback’s intangibles, per Chris Solari of the Lansing State Journal:

6. Washington: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Speed and elusiveness are Parker’s best attributes. A fangless offense like Washington’s could use a player capable of making a play after the catch.

7. New York Giants: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Gregory is a freakish athlete at defensive end. His skill set is ideal for one of the G-Men’s biggest ailments. The team’s inability to sustain a pass rush has been one of the reasons the Giants found themselves out of the playoff hunt before December.

8. Carolina Panthers: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Carolina could use another wide receiver and a versatile running back, but there won’t be one worthy of the No. 8 pick. The next best thing here is to improve Cam Newton’s protection. In 2014, Newton has seemingly been under duress more than he’s been comfortable. With a decreased amount of mobility, that’s been a recipe for a woeful passing game. Scherff looks like the draft’s best offensive tackle, and that’s something the Panthers need.

9. Atlanta Falcons: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

While he might not be the typical pass-rushing outside linebacker, Thompson is simply too good of a prospect to slip out of the top 10. In all honesty, he might just be the best defensive player in the draft. The Falcons have long needed a defensive spark plug and leader. Thompson would be a great get at No. 9.

10. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Through 11 games, the Minnesota Vikings had allowed 31 sacks. If the team plans to keep Teddy Bridgewater healthy, it’ll have to find him better protection. Peat is humongous at 6’7”, 312 pounds. His strength and length make him one of the premier pass protectors in the draft.

11. St. Louis Rams: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

It could be tempting for the Rams to look at Jameis Winston here, but he’s too much of a risk in the first round. Ogbuehi has perhaps the most pride of any offensive tackle in the draft.

This is a safe pick, but a sensible one as Ogbuehi could be a long-term protector of the team’s next franchise quarterback.

12. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

Chicago has a few needs that must be addressed. It’s arguable whether quarterback is one of them. This is another potential spot for Winston, but conventional wisdom says that if the Bears take a QB in the first, the team would more than likely go for the gusto and take a shot moving up to get Mariota. Back on Earth, the Bears are more likely to draft a stud safety like Collins to serve as an upgrade for either Ryan Mundy or Chris Conte.

13. New Orleans Saints: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

There might not be a more explosive athlete on defense in the draft than Beasley. He seems to be a bit undersized, but we’ll have to wait for the NFL combine numbers before we can say that for sure. What we do know is that at Clemson, the guy is a playmaker who finds the quarterback. That skill set would do well in the Saints’ 3-4 scheme.

14. Houston Texans: La’el Collins, OT, LSU

This is yet another spot where Winston could go, but it’s hard to imagine Bill O’Brien not having a nervous breakdown while coaching Winston. For that reason, Collins makes much more sense as the Texans try their hand at free agency to temporarily fill the void at quarterback. Don’t be surprised if the team looks at the latter rounds for its starter under center.

15. Miami Dolphins: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

Ryan Tannehill was sacked only 28 times through 11 games this season. That’s a far cry from 2013, when he was dumped a league-leading 58 times. The Dolphins could look toward the defensive line with this pick, but it would be smarter to turn what was once a weakness of the team into a strength. Sambrailo is one of the rare bright spots for a mediocre Colorado State team. He’d be a solid pick for Miami.

16. Cleveland Browns: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

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Funchess is one of those receivers who is so big and strong, you wonder if he should be playing tight end. Whatever position he plays, his physicality makes him a load to cover. He’s athletic enough to play the receiver, but if the Browns took him here—and made him a tight end—they might have one of the most imposing set of receiving options in the NFL with Josh Gordon, Funchess and Jordan Cameron.

17. Baltimore Ravens: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

Run-stuffing defensive tackles have been at the center of every Super Bowl championship the Baltimore Ravens have ever won. Shelton has the look and strength of a player who could anchor a three-man defensive line.

18. Cleveland Browns: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

Any team would be hard-pressed to find more value than taking the Notre Dame Fighting Irish’s Stanley at No. 18. Because the Browns have two first-round picks, they are position to drastically improve their offense in this draft. 

Don’t look now, but Johnny Manziel could have a nice bit of protection and weapons to support him in 2015.

19. Pittsburgh Steelers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

A local product with a nasty streak is exactly what the Pittsburgh Steelers' shoddy offensive line needs to bring back their aggressive nature on offense. The Steelers have the physical back in Le’Veon Bell, but it needs guys like Clemmings to control the line of scrimmage.

20. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

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This isn’t exactly a draft that is deep at cornerback. It’s arguable as to whether Peters or Michigan State’s Trae Waynes is the best at the position. On talent alone, I’d give the edge to Peters. He does have some character concerns, but he (6’0”, 200 pounds) has a little more bulk than Waynes. That should give him the strength needed to handle some of the bigger, more physical receivers.

21. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

It seems every year there’s a speedy wide receiver from West Virginia. First it was Tavon Austin, then Stedman Bailey, next up is White…not exactly.

White isn’t diminutive or thin-framed. He’s 6’3”, 210 pounds and he’s the type of big receiver who quarterbacks love to loft the ball up to in the red zone. He’s a load to tackle in the open field and that’ll help the Chiefs’ vertically challenged offense.

22. San Diego Chargers: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

The Chargers could go for an inside linebacker, but if they go the route of the best player available, the Bolts will take Florida’s Fowler. He could be one of the best pass-rushers in the draft, and he fits the team’s 3-4 scheme.

23. Indianapolis Colts: Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

Imagine what the Colts offense would look like if they had a do-it-all running back who could be a force as a runner and receiver. Abdullah is that type of back, and he could make the Colts’ attack even better than it already is.

24. Detroit Lions: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

It’s hard to imagine that both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley will return to the Lions next season, as both men are free agents. Because of that, Detroit needs to look at adding depth on its interior defensive line. Bennett is a space eater who won’t get after the quarterback as much as Suh, but he would be a nice backup plan if the Lions lose one or both of their starting defensive tackles.

25. Dallas Cowboys: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

Henry Melton has been a godsend for a Cowboys defense that was putrid against the run—and pass—last season. Melton did suffer a serious knee injury in 2013, so the Cowboys could stand to add more depth at the defensive tackle position. Goldman looked like an elite prospect out of high school, but his college career got off to a slow start.

In 2014, he’s turned it up a bit.

Through the regular season, Goldman was leading the defending national champions in sacks with four. He’d make a great Cowboy.

26. Seattle Seahawks: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

DGB is the most talented wide receiver in college football. The only problem is he was dismissed from the Missouri Tigers in 2013. He later transferred to Oklahoma. He’s had to sit out this season, but he could opt for the NFL draft. Up to now, he appears committed to coming back to Oklahoma next season, but first-round money could lure him.

The Seahawks desperately need a big deep threat like DGB. The 6’6” stud could still have an excellent career if his head is in the right place.

27. Cincinnati Bengals: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

The Bengals’ pass rush used to be the strength of their defense, but that’s not the case anymore. Through 12 games this season, the Bengals had just 15 sacks. Dupree is a pass-rush specialist who could be an instant shot in the arm for Cincinnati.

28. Denver Broncos: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina

Nothing bothers a quarterback more than pressure right up the middle. That’s especially an issue for a pure pocket passer like Peyton Manning. As long as the future Hall of Famer is under center in Denver, the team has to be committed to keeping opposing teams out of the backfield—especially stunting defensive ends and pass-rushing defensive tackles.

By a mile, Cann is the premier interior offensive lineman in this draft. He could help the Broncos protect Manning and pave the way for more inside runs.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

You have to love Waynes’ length. He’s 6’1” with long arms and his frame is reminiscent of Bears great Charles Tillman. The Cardinals could use a corner opposite Patrick Peterson who could make teams pay for throwing away from the three-time Pro Bowler.

30. Philadelphia Eagles: Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville

With 14 interceptions on the season, Holliman has tied the FBS record for most interceptions in a season. That’s the type of playmaker the Eagles need in the secondary.

31. Green Bay Packers: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State

The Packers did well to move Clay Matthews around in an effort to allow him to create havoc on defense. It’s a nice temporary fix, but it could wear down the perennial Pro Bowler. If the Packers had an efficient pass-rusher like Calhoun off the edge, it would take a lot of pressure off Matthews to generate pressure on there opposing quarterback.

32. New England Patriots: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

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Ever since Randy Moss left New England, Patriots fans have longed for the team to have another dangerous deep threat. It seems like all Coates does is catch deep passes. Of Coates' 30 receptions in 2014, 11 of them have gone for completions of 25 yards or more.

He’s averaging 23.90 yards per catch. He has a wide frame and great hands. With all due respect to Nick Marshall, I think Coates would really appreciate catching passes from Tom Brady.