NFL Mock Draft 2015: Projecting Each Team's 1st-Round Pick
At this point in the NFL season, teams are either looking to make a deep playoff run or have already bowed out. In the case of the latter franchises, it's time to start looking ahead to the 2015 NFL draft.
This year's class includes a special crop of talent that includes two former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterbacks in Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. The Oregon signal-caller has put together a more impressive season recently, but both project as future stars in the NFL.
Prior to the draft process getting underway, here's a look at the latest mock draft selections.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
It will be debated up until the draft takes place, but Mariota simply looks like the better quarterback at this point. Overtaking Winston this season for the Heisman Trophy, Mariota had just two interceptions all year with Oregon.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have no lock as a franchise player at the quarterback position. Mike Glennon has looked good at times, but Mariota is a more promising prospect. Given the chance at No. 1, the Buccaneers will pull the trigger on the Pac-12 quarterback.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Last year's Heisman winner was slightly underwhelming this season with turnovers being an issue, but Winston is still the second-best signal-caller in the draft. Neither Zach Mettenberger nor Jake Locker thrived this year, so the Tennessee Titans will take a chance on the Florida State quarterback.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, Southern California
There is a wealth of talent on the defensive line, but Leonard Williams is clearly the best. In desperate need of help on the defensive line, look for the Jacksonville Jaguars to pick up the impressive USC prospect.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Do the Oakland Raiders have other needs outside of wide receiver? Yes. Will they allow a dynamic playmaker like Amari Cooper slip past them? Highly unlikely.
Cooper put up massive numbers this season for Alabama, setting a new SEC receptions record with 115 on the season. Matt Miller of Bleacher Report offered his take on the receiver:
After several rookie receivers like Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Evans and Kelvin Benjamin made a massive impact, Cooper will be expected to do the same. Paired up with Derek Carr, the two have a chance to form a dangerous duo in Oakland.
5. Washington Redskins: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Another abysmal season for the Washington Redskins leads the franchise back close to the top of the draft order. There might be uncertainty about who will be under center moving forward, but Andrus Peat fills a bigger hole in pass and run protection for Washington.
6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Randy Gregory has lived up to the hype this season and will bring some nastiness to the New York Jets. The future for the Jets is still up in the air at the top, but Gregory gives the defense a building block for the franchise.
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Missouri has been known to produce talented pass-rushers like Kony Ealy and Aldon Smith in the past. The latest explosive defensive player coming from Mizzou is Shane Ray, who would make a perfect fit for the lackluster Chicago Bears defense.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Speaking of outstanding edge-rushers, Vic Beasley is the most talented linebacker in this year's class. The Clemson product returned for his senior campaign and solidified his spot as a first-round lock.
Last year, the Atlanta Falcons went after a proven offensive lineman in Jake Matthews who helped shore up protection for Matt Ryan. Needing an upgrade in the front seven, Beasley would add a crucial ingredient for Atlanta.
9. New York Giants: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
His numbers this past year might not reflect it, but Dante Fowler was once again a physical force for Florida. The Gators didn't find much success throughout the year, but Fowler has a chance to be a star in the NFL.
Kevin Weidl of ESPN.com points out his thoughts on the versatile defensive player:
An up-and-down year for the New York Giants was not enough to translate into a playoff berth this season. But with a high draft pick in the first round again, they can add talent to the front seven to help the offense moving forward.
10. St. Louis Rams: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
There are quite a few weaknesses on the St. Louis Rams offense, but adding protection up front is one of the biggest. Cedric Ogbuehi can open holes for Tre Mason and whoever ends up being the quarterback for the Rams but offers a great pick to help a struggling line.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
One of the biggest gems of the 2014 draft came with the final selection, as Teddy Bridgewater has taken over for the Minnesota Vikings with authority. Now, Minnesota will look to protect its newest asset with Cedric Ogbuehi, one of the most impressive offensive linemen on the board.
12. Cleveland Browns: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
A strong start to the season was not enough to translate to a playoff berth for the Cleveland Browns. Bringing in an athletic pass-rusher like Shaq Thompson into the front seven, Cleveland would have another game-changer on defense to compete in the AFC North.
13. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Last year in New Orleans, the Saints defense was one of the most impressive in the NFL. That didn't translate over this season as it was shredded on multiple occasions in the passing game. Bringing in Trae Waynes, the Saints would have a solid building block in the secondary.
14. Miami Dolphins: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
He may have fallen short of his Heisman hopes, but Melvin Gordon is still a special talent who can break the curse for running backs in the first round.
The decision to enter the draft has already been made for Gordon, per Jason Galloway of the Wisconsin State Journal.
"I came out here and achieved the things I wanted to do," Gordon said. "I wanted to rush for the most yards. I wanted to showcase that I was the best running back, and I think this year I showed that."
Pairing Gordon with Lamar Miller would give the Miami a great tandem along with Ryan Tannehill. Already equipped with a plethora of weapons in the passing game, Gordon would give the Dolphins an extra gear.
15. San Francisco 49ers: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
In terms of top receivers in this year's crop, DeVante Parker is still a bit of an unknown after his breakout season. While Cooper will likely remain the No. 1 wideout during the process, Parker can prove he's next on the list in the scouting combine and fall to a team that needs playmakers like the San Francisco 49ers.
16. Houston Texans: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
No one is questioning who the biggest star is on the Houston Texans defense, but J.J. Watt still needs more help. Landon Collins brings a physical style and ball-hawking ability that the Texans need to thrive against the likes of Andrew Luck in the AFC South.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
This year's class might not prove to be as outstanding as the 2014 rookie wideouts, but there is still plenty of depth at the position. Kevin White is another athletic receiver out of West Virginia that the Kansas City Chiefs simply won't be able to pass up.
Struggles for the Chiefs receivers have been widely publicized due to their inability to reach the end zone. Strong's ability will help him immediately thrive along with Jamaal Charles out of the backfield.
18. San Diego Chargers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Danny Shelton spent the entire 2014 season simply abusing Pac-12 offensive linemen for a total of 88 tackles with nine sacks. Adding his repertoire to a San Diego Chargers team in need of athleticism on the line would make the Washington player an ideal fit.
19. Cleveland Browns (via BUF): Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Josh Gordon is already a No. 1 receiver when he's on the field, but the Browns need another weapon in the passing game. Equipped with playmakers already on offense with Gordon, Isaiah Crowell and Jordan Cameron, Jaelen Strong might have the brightest future ahead.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
One of the most talented defensive backs in the country, P.J. Williams be the next cornerback off the board to the Philadelphia Eagles. Williams is a physical corner who can help add depth to Chip Kelly's defense.
21. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Filling a need at the wide receiver role with Kelvin Benjamin paid dividends for the Carolina Panthers in 2014. Grabbing La'el Collins, an effective lineman from LSU, the Panthers would have more protection for Cam Newton after a poor season in that category.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State
After falling short of clinching a division title, the Baltimore Ravens will be looking to boost the defense yet again. Shilique Calhoun brings both athleticism and a relentless rushing ability, making him the perfect addition in a loaded AFC North.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
LSU has been known to send talented defensive players to the next level with great regularity. After the likes of Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry thrived this last year, it appears it might just simply be the talent in Baton Rouge that is special.
Jalen Collins is the latest defensive back to come from the Tigers and brings a tough personality to the NFL. The Pittsburgh Steelers are in need of physicality and youth, two things that Collins would immediately bring.
24. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
The 2014 season didn't end the way Mississippi State wanted, but the program still produced a great linebacker in Benardrick McKinney. His range across the entire field and leadership have shined with the Bulldogs, making him one of the best linebackers in the 2015 draft.
After being compared to "Rolando McClain or poor man's Brian Urlacher" by one AFC scout, per Albert Breer of NFL.com, McKinney would boost the Indianapolis Colts front seven next year.
25. Cincinnati Bengals: 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 FSU to come off the board in the first round, but Goldman's breakout season should land him with the Cincinnati Bengals.
26. Detroit Lions: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
During his college tenure with Washington, Marcus Peters was dismissed due to multiple arguments with the coaching staff. Jim Caldwell has already proved he can teach discipline after leading the Detroit Lions to the playoffs, making the Motor City the best location for Peters to land.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
If a man named Bud can't make it in Dallas, there's no hope for the world.
Alvin "Bud" Dupree has been waiting for this moment since before the 2014 season ever started. The Kentucky defensive end spoke about his plans for the scouting combine prior to the 2015 draft back in July, via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.
"I definitely think I will blow the combine up," Dupree said. "... In the 40-yard dash, I probably can run a high 4.4 or a low 4.5. In the vertical jump, I can get a 41 or a 42, and in the broad jump, I know I can get 11 feet. I just have to keep working hard to match those numbers."
Dallas proved it has the offensive weapons to win the division this season but still needs playmakers on the defense to thrive. Adding an edge-rusher like Dupree puts less pressure on the secondary and gives the Cowboys a formidable duo with Demarcus Lawrence.
28. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The Green Bay Packers already have a high-powered offense. Picking up T.J. Clemmings to give more time for Aaron Rodgers to dissect defenses seems unfair, but it might be the best move for the Packers in order to maintain their recent success.
29. Arizona Cardinals: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Stopping Owamagbe Odighizuwa this season has proved to be nearly as difficult as pronouncing his name. The UCLA product has regularly stood up some of the best offensive linemen in the Pac-12 and looks the part of an NFL star.
Already equipped with a wealth of defensive talent, the Arizona Cardinals won't shy away from taking an explosive edge-rusher. In an NFC West division where defense is at a premium, Odighizuwa will be a huge weapon for the Cardinals for the future.
30. Denver Broncos: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
Despite some struggles midway through the season, the Denver Broncos offense has recovered. Though he's not from a Power Five conference, Ty Sambrailo has shown he's one of the best linemen in the class. If he falls to the end of the first round, he might be protecting Peyton Manning to close out his career.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
The Seattle Seahawks need weapons on offense to help Russell Wilson. Devin Funchess, who played both wide receiver and tight end for Michigan, provides size and athleticism for the receiving corps. His versatility will also take pressure off the dual-threat quarterback to open up the offense.
32. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Much like Peters, Dorial Green-Beckham comes into the draft with question marks after being dismissed from Missouri. Though he was forced to sit out for the 2014 season with Oklahoma, if DGB makes the shift to the NFL, Bill Belichick would happily take him under his wing with the New England Patriots.
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