2015 NFL Mock Draft: Best Landing Places for 1st-Round Prospects
The 2014 NFL regular season is over, which is merciful news for some franchises. That means it’s officially time for those teams that missed the playoffs to turn their attention toward improving over the offseason.
The best place to do just that is the draft, which beings April 30 in Chicago.
If teams are already looking ahead to the draft, it means it is also officially mock season. Clearly, these selections will change as the offseason progresses and team needs become more apparent, but there’s nothing wrong with a good discussion starting point.
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Gil Brandt's article from NFL.com was used to determine the order of the picks in this mock.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
There really wasn’t anything Oregon’s superstar quarterback Marcus Mariota didn’t do this season, and he will go No. 1 in the draft because of his efforts.
He led the Ducks to the initial College Football Playoff and won the Heisman Trophy along the way. Now he will try to instill that same type of winning tradition in Tampa Bay with a Buccaneers squad that desperately needs long-term stability at the quarterback position.
2. Tennessee Titans: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
The Tennessee Titans also need a quarterback after an uninspiring year from the likes of Zach Mettenberger and Jake Locker, which means they will turn toward Florida State’s Jameis Winston with the second pick.
Criticize Winston all you want for off-field issues and costly turnovers, but he has never lost a game as a college starter. He makes the plays in the fourth quarter when his team needs it most, and that matters at the NFL level with so much parity across the board.
Almost every game comes down to the fourth quarter.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
The Jacksonville Jaguars have needs across the board, including offensive line, but Randy Gregory is too talented to pass up at No. 3.
Rob Rang of CBS Sports believes the Jaguars should pull the trigger on the Nebraska product:
"The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.
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Jacksonville is a couple of years away from being a competitive squad. Adding an elite defensive talent like Gregory will go a long way toward boosting its chances.
4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Derek Carr is the quarterback of the future for the Oakland Raiders, and he could use some elite and young playmakers around him.
There may be no better playmaker at the college level than Alabama’s Amari Cooper, and the Raiders will snag him at No. 4. He consistently beats man coverage deep, has the ball skills to go up and grab the pass at its highest point and the physicality to go over the middle.
Cooper could win Rookie of the Year next season.
5. Washington: DE Leonard Williams, USC
Washington needs some help across the defensive line, and Leonard Williams will bolster the pass rush thanks to his ability to swallow up blockers from the inside.
The enticing thing about Williams is that he is far too explosive for many interior linemen and too strong for outside tackles. He is nearly impossible to block with just one guy, which will open up the other defensive linemen or linebackers for Washington to make plays.
6. New York Jets: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
The New York Jets need help along the offensive line, especially if they are going to give Geno Smith a chance again next season.
Iowa’s Brandon Scherff is the best offensive lineman in a somewhat underwhelming group this season, which means he will go in the top 10 in all likelihood. Offensive line is always a position of need, and Scherff will be the first to hear his name off the board.
7. Chicago Bears: S Landon Collins, Alabama
Brandt pointed out why the Bears need to upgrade the defense this offseason and in the draft:
"The Bears spent so much money on offense in free agency that their defense was mostly ignored, and now it's showing. They became the first team since 1923 to give up 50-plus points in consecutive games. The problem is, the defensive depth chart is full of good, but not outstanding, players, and that rears its ugly head against talent-rich offensive teams like Green Bay. The free agency swap of Julius Peppers for Jared Allen has been a downgrade, and LB Lance Briggs is nearing retirement.
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Alabama’s Landon Collins is the perfect prototype at safety who could finally solve Chicago’s problems at the position. He can cover tight ends and even some receivers in man situations and brings a physical presence against the run or when doling out hits to a receiver across the middle.
The Bears need plenty of help on defense, and it will start with Collins.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray, Missouri
The Atlanta Falcons defense was downright terrible this season. There is really no other way to put it.
Shane Ray dominated the SEC this season with a combination of speed off the edge and strength against the run, and he will instantly bolster the Falcons pass rush. Putting pressure on the quarterback is the surest way to improve a defense because it helps at all levels, so the Falcons will turn Ray’s way in the draft.
9. New York Giants: LB Vic Beasley, Clemson
The New York Giants also need a pass-rusher, and Reggie Anderson of WLTX-TV pointed out why Clemson’s Vic Beasley would fit the bill perfectly:
You will hear the word freak thrown around far too often before the draft, but it actually applies with Beasley. He should dominate the combine, which will help his draft status, and then use his athleticism and strength combination to earn a starting spot right away for the Giants.
10. St. Louis Rams: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
The St. Louis Rams need help at the quarterback position, but both Mariota and Winston will be off the board at this point. There is nobody else worth taking this early.
That means they will try to bolster the secondary to go along with the already dominant front seven. Michigan State’s Trae Waynes will be the first cornerback off the board. Waynes brings the ball skills, speed and physicality that teams are looking for in a first-round cornerback, and the Rams will be glad to add him to the defensive backfield next season.
11. Minnesota Vikings: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
The Minnesota Vikings are Teddy Bridgewater’s team, and he is going to need protection moving forward.
Texas A&M’s Cedric Ogbuehi is the next-best guy on the board along the offensive line, and the Vikings will respond accordingly. Fans may get bored with linemen picks in the first round, but the Vikings need to build a wall around their prized asset at quarterback.
12. Cleveland Browns: WR Kevin White, West Virginia
Fair or not, the Cleveland Browns really can’t trust Josh Gordon moving forward anymore at this point.
That means they will look toward wide receivers in the draft, and Kevin White is the best option behind Cooper. If White played at Alabama like Cooper, he would get the recognition and accolades as well because of his ability to simply outmuscle cornerbacks for the ball across the middle or in jump-ball situations.
He is a game-breaker, and the Browns could certainly use more of those.
13. New Orleans Saints: DE Dante Fowler, Florida
The New Orleans Saints need to improve their defense—and fast. One of the best ways to do that is by stocking up along the defensive line.
Dante Fowler was one of the few bright spots for the Florida Gators this season, and he brings a speed element to the outside rush that could help him start right away. The Saints need to bring the pass rush back, and Fowler is a good place to start.
14. Miami Dolphins: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
The Miami Dolphins offensive line was much better in 2014 than 2013, but they still need depth up front.
Next up on the offensive linemen roulette wheel is Stanford’s Andrus Peat, who helped establish the Cardinal’s preferred style of ground-and-pound football for the past few years. Peat is a monster of a man at 6’7” and 315 pounds, and he will compete for a starting spot right away in Miami.
15. San Francisco 49ers: DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State
The San Francisco 49ers were decimated by personnel loss on defense this season and will look to add some extra depth in the draft.
They will turn toward Florida State’s Eddie Goldman, who will have a chance to prove himself against the high-octane attack of Oregon in the Rose Bowl. The best part about Goldman is his versatility, which has allowed him to play on the outside and inside throughout his college career.
16. Houston Texans: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Andre Johnson may very well be done as a Houston Texan, which means the team needs some help alongside the emerging DeAndre Hopkins. Pac-12 Networks would likely recommend Arizona State’s Jaelen Strong:
Strong brings size, speed and impressive hands to the table at wide receiver and would make a formidable one-two punch with Hopkins.
17t. Kansas City Chiefs: CB P.J. Williams, Florida State
The Kansas City Chiefs need help in the secondary next year if they hope to make the playoffs, and cornerback P.J. Williams fits the bill.
Williams uses his speed and overall aggressiveness to bat away balls in the Florida State secondary, which will be critical against the passing attack of the Denver Broncos in the AFC West.
17t. San Diego Chargers: OT La’el Collins, LSU
CSN Washington also slotted an offensive tackle at the No. 17/18 pick to the San Diego Chargers: “King Dunlap, Philip Rivers' blindside protector, is an unrestricted free agent this summer. For now that trumps corner and nose tackle as San Diego's top priority.”
The importance of the offensive line has already been discussed, and protecting Philip Rivers’ blind side is certainly a need in San Diego. Collins will be able to do just that.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): LB Shaq Thompson, Washington
ESPN.com noted just how incredible Washington’s Shaq Thompson has been this season:
"Thompson played both offense and defense this season and excelled both ways, scoring six touchdowns -- three by fumble return, two rushing and one interception return. He rushed for 456 yards and also had 71 tackles, four fumble recoveries and three forced fumbles.
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It’s almost unfair what Thompson can do on the field at the college level. He will primarily be seen as a linebacker prospect in the draft, but his versatility and ability to make plays all over the field is certainly a boost to his draft stock.
That is especially the case after J.J. Watt dominated for the Houston Texans this season in a number of different ways.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Marcus Peters, Washington
The Philadelphia Eagles would have likely made the playoffs this season if the defense was better. That means improvements are in order for the draft and offseason.
They will look toward Thompson’s teammate in Washington in the form of cornerback Marcus Peters. Granted, Peters was kicked off the team at Washington, but his talent and overall ball-hawking abilities will outweigh any potential character red flags late in the first round.
21. Carolina Panthers: DE/DT Shawn Oakman, Baylor
The Carolina Panthers defense was one of the best in the league in 2013 but fell off a bit this season because the pass rush wasn’t quite the same. They will look to address that in the draft with Baylor’s Shawn Oakman.
Oakman is aptly named considering his massive 6’9” frame, but his overall athleticism also makes him scary coming off the edge in obvious passing situations. His versatility also means he could shoot up the draft board before the actual draft rolls around.
22. Baltimore Ravens: RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
The Baltimore Ravens lost Ray Rice this season and could use some depth in the backfield. Enter Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon, who gashed defenses for 2,336 rushing yards and 26 touchdowns on the ground this season.
Gordon is one of the more dominant runners to come out of college in a number of years, and a team will actually take a chance on him in the first round. That team with be the Ravens.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
Rey Maualuga does not exactly inspire fear in the hearts of many opponents at the NFL level, so the Cincinnati Bengals will look to add another linebacker to the mix this offseason.
Mississippi State’s Benardrick McKinney is an explosive athlete from the linebacker position who can rush the passer, drop back in coverage or stop the run up the middle. He is also fast enough to make plays in space and strong enough to get involved at the line, which will be critical for the Bengals in the physically bruising AFC North.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Danny Shelton, Washington
The Pittsburgh Steelers need some help and depth in the secondary, but they will address that in the later rounds. Instead, they will indirectly help the pass defenders by adding someone who will help rush the quarterback in Danny Shelton.
Shelton may not rack up a ton of sacks at the NFL level, but he swallows up blockers on the inside and is a beast against the interior run. That is all you can ask for from a defensive tackle at the professional level.
25. Detroit Lions: DE Danielle Hunter, LSU
The Detroit Lions understand that Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are both in the final year of their respective contracts and will look to add depth along the defensive line. While Danielle Hunter isn’t the defensive tackle that those two are, he will use his speed and length to bother opposing passers.
26. Indianapolis Colts: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
Protect Andrew Luck, protect Andrew Luck, protect Andrew Luck.
It is fairly straightforward what the Indianapolis Colts have to do to ensure the long-term viability of the franchise, and they will select Pittsburgh’s T.J. Clemmings in the first round.
Clemmings actually used to be a defensive end before switching to offense, which is a testament to his athleticism and versatility, and will bring a physical toughness to the Indianapolis front. That will also be critical in the Colts’ seemingly never-ending quest to establish some type of run game alongside Luck.
27. Arizona Cardinals: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
The Arizona Cardinals have one of the best defenses in the league, so they will look to boost the offense this offseason.
Wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham will do just that with a combination of speed, size and impressive hands and ball skills that will likely draw premature Calvin Johnson or A.J. Green comparisons before the draft. Skill-wise, Green-Beckham could be a top-10 pick, so the Cardinals would be getting some value with this selection.
28. Dallas Cowboys: WR/TE Devin Funchess, Michigan
Believe it or not, there will come a time when Jason Witten retires.
The Dallas Cowboys will respond to that notion by selecting their tight end/wide receiver of the future in Michigan’s Devin Funchess. That will give Tony Romo yet another target. Funchess’ versatility and unique skill set that allows him to play either wide receiver or tight end will help him see the field right away at the NFL level.
29. Green Bay Packers: DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State
The Green Bay Packers realized how much they need more depth up front along the defensive line when B.J. Raji went down with an injury. They will keep that in mind during the draft and select Ohio State’s Michael Bennett.
Bennett has turned it on during the second half of the season for the Buckeyes and is playing his way up draft boards. He discussed as much, via Austin Ward of ESPN.com:
"I don’t really know what caused the change. I think it was Michigan State week, that was probably when it was the biggest difference. I think I played good football up until Michigan State week, but I think once they moved me to just straight three-technique and said, 'Go do what we know you can do,' I think that made me a lot more comfortable, a lot more confident than playing a new position.
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I don’t know, I was able to feed off my teammates and we just started gelling and things started working out.
He will have a new set of teammates to feed off of in Green Bay next season.
30. New England Patriots: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
If there is a team positioned to take a risk with a late pick in the first round on an injured but intriguing running back prospect, it is the New England Patriots.
Georgia’s Todd Gurley could have been the top running back prospect in this year’s draft if he played a full season for the Bulldogs, but he will still hear his name called early because of his game-breaking speed and ability to run through tackles from even the strongest defenders.
He could be a steal this late in the first round.
31. Denver Broncos: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
It may seem like the last thing Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos attack needs is another wide receiver, but Wes Welker is in the twilight of his career and Eric Decker is busy catching passes for the New York Jets.
Enter Louisville’s DeVante Parker, who has the speed to make plays downfield for Manning like a Demaryius Thomas or the ability to go across the middle like a Welker. He would be an ideal fit in the high-octane passing attack the Broncos bring to the table.
32. Seattle Seahawks: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
The Seattle Seahawks rely on Marshawn Lynch and Russell Wilson to make plays on the offensive side of the ball, and the only way to do that is with a strong offensive line.
Grabbing Ronnie Stanley this late in the first round is a value pick considering he has top-15 type of talent. His experience at left tackle this season makes him all the more valuable at the NFL level.
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