NFL Mock Draft 2015: Predictions for Every Team Drafting in 1st Round
With the conclusion of the regular season, we now officially know the order of the first 20 teams to select in the 2015 NFL draft. Of course, we won't know the complete order until after the Super Bowl, but hey, it's a start.
For those gutter-dwelling teams out there, the big narrative during the season's final stretch surrounded which team would acquire the coveted No. 1 overall selection. This year's draft is chock-full of talent at the top of its class, so getting a bevy of options with the first pick is quite a consolation prize for having missed out on the playoffs.
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Well, after giving away a 13-point lead heading into the fourth quarter of their Week 17 contest against the New Orleans Saints, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers officially earned the draft's top pick by finishing the season with a tragic 2-14 record.
Here's a look at which prospect Tampa Bay, and every other team drafting in the first round, is likely to select come draft day.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Buccaneers need an answer at the quarterback position in a hurry. They have two very talented wide receivers and just need a reliable signal-caller to facilitate, take care of the football and provide a boost to the running game at times. This year's Heisman winner sure fits the bill, and Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted the likelihood of many other analysts feeling the same way:
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Tennessee may not have seen an enormous sample size of Zach Mettenberger this season, but it's difficult to warrant the team passing up on Winston's potential just to wait and see what happens with a former sixth-round selection. Winston has to get his act together, but his on-field potential is astounding.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
The Jaguars need to start stockpiling defensive weapons while waiting for their offense to mature. Williams will give the team's defensive line a big boost with his ability to play at tackle or end, using his raw power to force his way into opposing backfields.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Oakland needs a prolific wide receiver for quarterback Derek Carr, and there are none better than Cooper in this year's draft. The Alabama product has the physical tools to produce right out of the gate like an Odell Beckham Jr. or A.J. Green.
5. Washington Redskins: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Washington needs some additional explosiveness on the outside, and Beasley is the remedy. He earned ACC Defensive Player of the Year honors at Clemson for his ability to pressure the quarterback. Quick off the snap with the kind of speed necessary to beat NFL offensive tackles around the outside, Beasley is a game-changer.
6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
New York will be a team in flux over the offseason, but regardless of the new regime, the team is in dire need of another pass-rusher. Gregory has 16.5 sacks in two seasons at Nebraska, and his athleticism will ensure an instant upgrade to the Jets front seven. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah tweeted his thoughts on Gregory:
7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, FS, Alabama
The Bears need serious help on the back end of the defense, and while Collins isn't known for his coverage ability, he's a hard-hitting smart player who has plenty of experience in a very good system. He should be able to contribute quickly in Chicago.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Atlanta wasn't able to produce much of a pass rush at all throughout the season, and fixing the defense starts with getting some speed up front. That's exactly what the Falcons will get in Ray. The SEC Defensive Player of the Year amassed 14 sacks in 2014 due to his quick burst off the line.
9. New York Giants: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
The Giants may not have a glaring need at defensive end; however, if Jason Pierre-Paul leaves via free agency, that will change in a hurry. Oakman is extremely long at 6'9", and while he's a bit raw, his ceiling is very high.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Waynes fits the mold of the tall, athletic cornerbacks NFL defensive coordinators covet. At 6'1", he has the height, length and speed to cover bigger wide receivers on the outside, something the Rams have been missing on their defense.
11. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Wide receiver has to be way up on Cleveland's list following Josh Gordon's continued antics. Even if the veteran receiver gets it together, the Browns have limited options. Parker changes all of that instantly. At 6'3", he's the tall, rangy receiver an inexperienced group of Browns quarterbacks would love to see on the outside.
12. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Teddy Bridgewater needs some help in Minnesota, and if a stud wide receiver isn't available at No. 12, the Vikings will have to give him some support via pass protection. Scherff is a versatile lineman who can play either tackle or guard. He's a mauler in the trenches and won't have trouble contributing as a rookie.
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
If New Orleans is going to climb back into contention in the NFC South, it must get to opposing quarterbacks more frequently. Fowler didn't accumulate many sacks at Florida, but he was a constant disruption and the cause for many lost yards. Here's what Jeremiah had to say about the defensive end:
14. Miami Dolphins: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
This may be the second straight year the Dolphins select an offensive tackle in the first round, but the position remains a need. Branden Albert can't stay healthy, and Miami needs someone to bookend the right side of the line. Peat's athletic 6'7" frame should do nicely.
15. San Francisco 49ers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
We'll see what happens in free agency for the 49ers this year, but they may be hurting for an offensive tackle by the time the draft rolls around. Clemmings has the versatility to play both tackle and guard, and while he's a work in progress, his ceiling is extremely high.
16. Houston Texans: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Houston's quarterbacks couldn't stay healthy in 2014, and one way to keep that trend from continuing is to shore up the right tackle position. Ogbuehi fits naturally on the right side, and his 6'5" frame and agile lower body make him a force blocking for the run and in pass protection.
17. San Diego Chargers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Yes, Peters may come with some baggage, but his prowess on the field makes him a lock for the first round as long as he interviews well. He has great size for a corner at 6'0" and is tremendous in coverage. The Chargers need his talents on the outside.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
How many touchdowns did Kansas City's wide receivers score in 2014? If you know the answer to that question, you know why the team will take White here. He's a reliable route-runner with soft hands, good speed and physicality.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Bills): Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Cleveland needs some playmakers in its front seven, and Thompson fits the bill. He has a huge motor and flies all over the field. A sure tackler and physical player, Thompson can make an immediate impact on the Browns defense. Dane Brugler of CBS Sports tweeted a very intriguing comparison:
If things don't work out, the Browns can always put him at running back (he averaged 7.5 yards per carry on 61 attempts at Washington).
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Bud Dupree, LB, Kentucky
The Eagles need the most help in the secondary, but due to a lack of prospects at this point in the draft, they'll look elsewhere. Adding a talented pass-rusher like Dupree would be a great option, as his extraordinary speed off the edge will ensure opposing quarterbacks have far less time in the pocket.
21. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Carolina needs offensive line help in the worst way. Collins is a versatile addition capable of playing both guard and tackle. He's aggressive in the trenches and uses his great strength to drive defenders back when blocking for the run.
22. Baltimore Ravens: Malcom Brown, DL, Texas
Baltimore has a much greater need in the secondary, but without a corner worthy of a pick in this spot, adding talent to the team's defensive line rotation isn't a bad option. Brown can line up either inside or outside and has a variety of ways to get into the backfield, as he boasts a nice complement of power and speed.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Cincinnati has a great thing going on the ground with Jeremy Hill, but this offense needs to get better through the air. Giving Andy Dalton another reliable weapon would go a long way, and that's exactly what the Bengals are getting here in the 6'3" Strong.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Running backs don't often go in the first round these days, but the Cardinals should make an exception for Gordon here. Arizona doesn't appear to have a reliable option out of the backfield going forward, and that will change quickly when the team drafts the running back who was the quickest to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark in a single season in NCAA history, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Steelers are in need of a big body at the nose tackle position, and Shelton would be a perfect fit in Dick LeBeau's 3-4 scheme. At 6'2" and 339 pounds, he can quickly close up holes in the center of the line and has the upper-body strength to push his way into opposing backfields.
26. Detroit Lions: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Once free agency hits, the Lions will be in desperate need for a playmaking defensive tackle, especially if they intend to keep their No. 1 overall ranking in that department for another season. Bennett isn't the largest defensive tackle out there, but his quickness allows him to knife his way into the backfield to become a big disruption.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
Indianapolis has a decent pass rush, but it could use an upgrade on the edge, and the rangy 6'6" Hunter will provide exactly what the team needs from the defensive end position. His size and physicality make him a perfect fit in the Colts' 3-4 scheme.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
Rolando McClain has been a revelation at middle linebacker in Dallas this season, but the Cowboys could still use some additional help and depth in their linebacker corps. McKinney needs to develop his coverage skills, but he could be moved to outside linebacker based solely on his speed and athleticism.
29. Denver Broncos: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Denver needs to find a reliable right tackle, and while Flowers may not be a plug-and-play solution, he's a logical choice at this point in the draft. He has great size at 6'6", 324 pounds, but he needs to develop the technical aspects of his game before he can become a force on the right side. Still, his upside is very good.
30. Green Bay Packers: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
One of Green Bay's biggest weaknesses this season has been defending against the run, and Calhoun offers a solution to that problem. At 6'5" and 256 pounds, he's big and strong enough to play a 3-4 end; however, while he's improved his play of late, he's still a raw prospect who will need some time to develop.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Seattle needs to provide Russell Wilson with some options. This team has plenty of size on defense, but it lacks it on the offensive side of the ball. Well, the 6'5", 230-pound Funchess will solve that problem instantly. He's been a force on a Michigan team that lacks sufficient complementary weapons, and he'll continue that trend in Seattle.
Adding to the Seahawks' need for instant production, Bleacher Report's Michael Schottey named Funchess as one of the most NFL-ready wide receivers in this year's draft:
32. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Brandon LaFell came on strong in New England this season, but this team needs some youth at the wide receiver position. Green-Beckham has some character flaws, but his 6'5" frame, incredible athleticism and huge upside may make him too good to pass up with the final pick in the first round.
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