2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post Week 17 Breakdown
The first 20 picks of the 2015 NFL draft are officially set, but it's still anyone's guess as to how everything will unfold come April 30.
Although anything can happen in the long four-plus months between the college football season and the draft, some can't-miss players have emerged at the most important positions on the field. There may not be a ton of depth in the draft's later rounds, but every team selecting in Round 1 has a chance to lock down a player with star potential.
Now that the season is finally over for some of the league's worst teams, head coaches and personnel can start looking forward to top draft prospects whom front-office executives have been eyeing for some time.
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For the first time all season, we have a mock draft in which at least the first 20 picks are concrete. Let's take a look below at how it should shake out.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
It's such common knowledge that the Bucs are in need of a quarterback in the 2015 draft that the following theory from ESPN's Bill Simmons didn't seem all that far-fetched:
Alas, the Saints came back to beat Tampa Bay and secured the lowly franchise's spot atop the draft. Oregon's Marcus Mariota will bring the combination of dynamic playmaking ability and big arm that so many young quarterbacks have thrived upon, helping to jump-start an offense that finished with the second-fewest total yards in 2014.
2. Tennessee Titans: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Whether it's because they like what they see in Zach Mettenberger or are simply in too much need of skill on the defensive side, the Titans will pass on Jameis Winston and lock down the purest pass-rusher in the class. Nebraska's Randy Gregory will be a perfect fit for Tennessee's 3-4 system, as it builds around him and mammoth tackle Jurrell Casey.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Leonard Williams, USC
For all of Jacksonville's struggles in 2014, it fielded a daunting pass rush—only four teams finished ahead of the Jaguars' 42 team sacks on the year. Leonard Williams would take it to another level, as the athletic tackle out of USC will work magnificently alongside Sen'Derrick Marks and make for a dynamic pass-rushing and run-stuffing duo.
4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Quarterback Derek Carr showed signs of formidability in his rookie season, but a lack of talent around him was exposed time and time again. That won't happen much longer if the Raiders grab Amari Cooper, Alabama's speedy wideout who will emerge as one of the most sure-fire targets in football.
5. Washington Redskins: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
It's anyone's guess as to who will be under center in 2015, but whoever it is will need better protection. Iowa's Brandon Scherff is looking more and more like the best offensive lineman in the draft and will bring immediate reinforcements up front for Washington.
6. New York Jets: QB Jameis Winston, FSU
What's likely to be a new coaching staff and front office in New York will want its franchise quarterback, and Winston will be the answer. Florida State's quarterback has outshone his off-the-field noise with stellar leadership and play on the field, showcasing a big arm and innate instincts that will serve him well as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
7. Chicago Bears: SS Landon Collins, Alabama
The Bears secondary is among the worst in football, in case you've been living under a rock lately. Alabama safety Landon Collins would come in and immediately be the most formidable safety—a position that has led to so many Chicago troubles this season.
As DraftSeason.com's Matt Falk noted, his services should be coveted come April:
Collins might not change the culture single-handedly, but if there's any secondary player in the draft who can, it's the hard-hitting safety.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray, Missouri
Only one team finished with fewer sacks in 2014 than Atlanta, which sacked the quarterback all of 21 times—barely over once per game. The Falcons' struggling pass rush will receive a huge boost with the arrival of Shane Ray, the most daunting pass-rusher in the SEC and one of the most feared edge-rushers in college football.
9. New York Giants: DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
Rushing the passer has been a strength for the G-Men in 2014, with 43 team sacks. But Vic Beasley will bring that effort to a whole new level. Clemson's pass-rusher can line up with his hand in the turf or as a linebacker, acting as a formidable edge-rusher opposite Jason Pierre-Paul.
10. St. Louis Rams: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
The Rams quarterbacks were sacked 43 times on the year, and a defensive rebuilding up front via the draft has left holes in the offensive line. St. Louis will be quick to address that in 2015, nabbing Stanford tackle Andrus Peat as an athletic, sizable tackle to lock down the blind side.
If the Rams want to bring back Sam Bradford for another go in 2015, protecting the passer will prove to be even more important.
11. Minnesota Vikings: OT La'el Collins, LSU
It was much more than the absence of Adrian Peterson that stalemated the Vikings' run game, with an ineffective offensive line looming large. It won't be as much of a weakness moving forward if Minnesota selects La'el Collins. LSU's massive offensive lineman is climbing up boards after a dominant end to 2014.
12. Cleveland Browns: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
The Browns are one big piece away from having a sound offensive line, and Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings could be that piece. He's athletic for his size (6'5", 305 lbs), using his strength to fend off strong pass-rushers, and boasts next-level technique.
13. New Orleans Saints: OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
The Saints got to the quarterback just 31 times in 2014, well below the average for a defense that has prided itself on attacking quarterbacks. Shaq Thompson will bring back the physicality to the New Orleans defense, flying around the edge and acting as the team's most impacting pass-rusher.
14. Miami Dolphins: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Although they let up just 3,167 passing yards (fourth in the NFL) last season, the Dolphins have little long-term security at cornerback. Trae Waynes will help to lock down an island in Miami, as the physical Michigan State cornerback has done throughout his collegiate career.
15. San Francisco 49ers: DT Danny Shelton, Washington
The 49ers are thin all across the defense but nowhere more than on the defensive line. That will leave San Francisco intent on nabbing a game-changing lineman up front, which Danny Shelton will undoubtedly become after showing his potential with the Washington Huskies.
16. Houston Texans: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
With a couple of impact offensive linemen, the Texans' run game behind Arian Foster will go from good to great, and whoever lines up under center will be much better protected. Cedric Ogbuehi has some developing to do and isn't the can't-miss prospect he was entering the 2014 season, but that will just allow Houston to get him in the middle of Round 1 and showcase his potential quickly.
17. San Diego Chargers: LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
No team in the NFL needs more help in the middle of the defense than San Diego, who will enter the draft hoping to shore up that key weakness. The Chargers could do no better than grabbing Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney, who has game-changing instincts, speed and physicality to make an instant impact.
He's yet to make a draft decision, per The Clarion-Ledger's Michael Bonner, but even his coach is tipping his star linebacker's hand, per ESPN's Alex Scarborough:
18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
The Chiefs almost made the playoffs without a wide receiver catching a single touchdown pass all season, so just imagine what Kansas City would be with a big-time wideout. That's exactly what Jaelen Strong can be, as the Arizona State receiver has big-play ability and the athleticism to make drive-sustaining grabs in traffic.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo): WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
Whether Josh Gordon is back in Cleveland or not, the Browns need a speedy receiver capable of playing alongside a burly wideout such as Gordon. DeVante Parker would be a perfect fit, using his speed to create separation amid a number of tree-sized Browns pass-catchers like Gordon, Miles Austin and tight end Jordan Cameron.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu won't be playing in the College Football Playoff after injuring his knee in practice, but the Oregon cornerback's prowess as a top-flight defensive back was proven long before then. Eagles head coach Chip Kelly will strike up his relationship from Oregon and see the best in Ekpre-Olomu to shore up a struggling Philadelphia secondary.
21. Carolina Panthers: OT Tyler Sambrailo, Colorado State
The Panthers pulled off the miraculous feat of making the playoffs at 7-8-1 but still need considerable help up front to keep Cam Newton protected. Tyler Sambrailo may not be a day-one starter, but he'll have no trouble being thrust into a big role on a Carolina offense that needs him to impose his will.
22. Baltimore Ravens: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Despite making the playoffs, the Ravens will come into the offseason with a plethora of needs—most notably on the offensive line. Baltimore will add some big-time depth up front by grabbing Notre Dame's Ronnie Stanley, an imposing lineman who will carve open running lanes for the Ravens backs.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Dante Fowler, Florida
The Bengals are among the worst pass-rushing teams in the league, entering Week 17 with a league-low 20 sacks on the year. Dante Fowler won't change that all by himself, but the Florida youngster has made a name for himself bringing down quarterbacks and will bring that same ferocity to Cincinnati's defense.
24. Detroit Lions: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
The Lions are in desperate need of a game-changing rusher to work alongside Matthew Stafford and the Detroit passing game, and Todd Gurley would be the perfect fit.
As 247Sports' Gentry Estes reported, the junior's decision is already made:
Backs like Joique Bell and Reggie Bush can allow for the Georgia rusher to take his time coming back to the field, and he'll be a workhorse when he does.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: FS Gerod Holliman, Louisville
Although it hasn't spurned their postseason hopes, the Steelers are in big need of some reinforcements in the secondary—where they allowed 3,828 passing yards entering Week 17. Free safety Gerod Holliman would bring a physical punch to the defensive backs, and his ball-hawking style would lock down the passing game much more effectively.
26. Indianapolis Colts: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
Andrew Luck has become one of the NFL's best passers despite a paltry offensive line, and the Colts will be forced to address the weakness in 2015. Miami's Ereck Flowers would be a great fit, as he can make a big impact both sitting back in protection of Luck and barreling forward to blow open run lanes.
27. Arizona Cardinals: DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
Although it's already a strength, the Cardinals would be wise to re-address their pass rush considering how crucial it is to their team's success. Arizona will only go up in that regard with Alvin "Bud" Dupree, a Kentucky defensive end who can be utilized as a pass-rush specialist early in his career.
28. Dallas Cowboys: CB Alex Carter, Stanford
The Cowboys defense showed up its critics in 2014, but the unit still saw troubles in the secondary that forced midseason changes. That will leave the cornerback position as a big need in the draft, and Stanford cornerback Alex Carter would be able to make a quick impact and give the front office flexibility in dealing with other players.
29. Green Bay Packers: DT Eddie Goldman, FSU
Without dominating the line of scrimmage, the Packers defense goes from formidable to easily exposable. That will leave Green Bay intent on adding more firepower up front, which Florida State's Eddie Goldman would undoubtedly bring after wreaking havoc for the Seminoles.
30. Denver Broncos: G A.J. Cann, South Carolina
Protecting Peyton Manning will be priority No. 1 as long as he is around in Denver, and some midseason offensive line re-shuffling left the Broncos in need of more options. South Carolina A.J. Cann won't be an early starter if Denver has its way, but he'll serve as the first interior lineman off the sideline and won't take long to ascend into a starting role.
31. Seattle Seahawks: DT/DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
The rich get richer, as a Seattle defense already wreaking havoc on opposing backfields will add Oregon's Arik Armstead. The defensive lineman is far from a polished product and still doesn't know exactly where he's supposed to line up, but the Seahawks will allow him the time to figure that out.
32. New England Patriots: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
Like the Broncos, the Pats should be doing everything they can to help out their all-time great quarterback in his twilight years. Unlike Manning, though, Tom Brady desperately needs weapons and there would be no get with a higher ceiling than Dorial Green-Beckham—a former top recruit nationally who showed his potential in droves while at Missouri.
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