2015 NFL Draft: Mock Draft for Every Selection in Star-Studded 1st Round
With the regular season over, fans—especially those whose teams aren't in the playoffs—can really begin looking toward the draft.
The first 20 picks of the first round are locked in, which helps when trying to forecast how the first 32 picks will unfold. It's always a bit trickier when you don't know for sure when anybody's actually selecting. The most fun is trying to pin down which players will provide tremendous value beyond the more established names.
Below is a brief mock, with the three players underlined offering high upside in the lower half of the round.
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Note: Draft order is courtesy of Fox Sports. Picks 21-32 are dependent on playoff finish and subject to change.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
For now, this pick is a no-brainer. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in dire need of a quarterback. They have plenty of time to determine whether Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston or even Brett Hundley is the guy.
Matt Baker of the Tampa Bay Times did a highly scientific analysis to try and pin down whom the general consensus is backing:
Mariota looks the best option. He's a tremendous quarterback and doesn't carry anywhere near the same off-field baggage that Winston does.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Some Tennessee Titans fans might be happy to see the team stick with Zach Mettenberger and give him a real chance to take the starting job in 2015. However, the Titans will have a chance to draft either Mariota or Winston. Neither is a can't-miss QB like Andrew Luck was, but either would be an upgrade over Mettenberger.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
This year, the Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance for a redo after passing on Khalil Mack. Blake Bortles wasn't a bust by any means, but Mack had a great rookie campaign for the Oakland Raiders.
Leonard Williams can be a defensive cornerstone for years to come. He's so athletic and versatile and will create some major matchup problems after he comes into his own in the NFL.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
In Derek Carr, the Raiders look to have their franchise QB. Now they just need to give him a potential All-Pro wide receiver. Enter Amari Cooper.
Cooper might be the best college offensive player in the country. While not a fantastic athlete, the Crimson Tide star is the most polished wideout in the draft and will make an immediate impact in the NFL.
5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
The Washington Redskins are 23rd in pass defense and 20th in sacks. They need to get better at pressuring the quarterback, and Randy Gregory would be a massive help in that area. There's some question as to whether Gregory will be a bit limited in his usage at the next level:
Still, the talent is too good to pass up for Washington.
6. New York Jets: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The New York Jets' best options—Mariota, Winston and Cooper—are all off the board. They could at least upgrade the offensive line here. Whether it's at tackle or guard, Brandon Scherff possesses all the tools you look for in an NFL offensive lineman.
If the Jets are dead set on drafting a QB, they could look for somebody like Hundley or potentially Dak Prescott in the second round.
7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Landon Collins' coverage skills don't quite match his ability to defend the run. That's the only hangup when looking at his NFL ceiling. With the right coaching, Collins should improve against the pass.
He might be a bit of a reach at seventh, but the Chicago Bears shouldn't be worried about that. They can't go another draft without seriously addressing the safety position.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Most of the Atlanta Falcons' problems against the pass start up front. They amassed just 22 sacks as a team this year, 30th in the league. Vic Beasley is the best pass-rusher on the board here.
He's so quick off the ball that his size (6'3", 235 lbs) shouldn't be a major hindrance. Plus, Beasley can add a bit more bulk when he gets on an NFL strength-and-conditioning regimen.
9. New York Giants: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
The New York Giants aren't a terrible team in terms of getting after the quarterback, but it might be a good idea to find another defensive end to either pair with Jason Pierre-Paul or replace him.
Shane Ray could prove to be the best pass-rusher in the 2015 draft. His first step is so good, and he knows how to use his hands and brush aside offensive linemen.
10. St. Louis Rams: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
After Sam Bradford's injury, the St. Louis Rams might be looking to get a QB this year. If they are, they'll have to wait until at least the second round unless they either want to reach for Hundley or trade down to a later pick and draft him then.
At least by drafting Andrus Peat, the Rams would set themselves up well for the future, with Peat and Greg Robinson book-ending the offensive line.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
This might be a little high for Cedric Ogbuehi, but he has all the physical tools to excel as a tackle at the next level. Ogbuehi's stock will likely rise after showcase events like the scouting combine and Texas A&M's pro day.
He still has some red flags as to his technique, but you wouldn't fault the Minnesota Vikings for gambling on a potential Pro Bowl OT like Ogbuehi.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Cleveland Browns must look to wideout with one of their two first-round picks. They can't have a repeat of last year. It's a pipe dream to expect Cooper to fall to 12, so Cleveland will be looking at DeVante Parker, Jaelen Strong, Kevin White and possibly Dorial Green-Beckham. Parker is a good pass-catcher with enough speed to turn short routes into long touchdowns.
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida
Grantland's Bill Barnwell thoroughly examined how financially handcuffed the New Orleans Saints are in terms of what they can do with the roster. Dante Fowler Jr. is a capable pass-rusher who can take some pressure off Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan, who accounted for 17.5 of the Saints' 34 sacks in 2014.
14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Dannell Ellerbe and Philip Wheeler haven't quite worked out since they arrived in 2013. Drafting Shaq Thompson would give the Miami Dolphins some options in the event they want to cut ties with one of their free-agent flops. Given his broad skill set, Thompson could be used in a variety of ways.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
How long have we been talking about the San Francisco 49ers needing a wide receiver? Colin Kaepernick deserves some criticism for his regression in 2014, but the lack of a game-breaking WR didn't exactly help.
Kevin White's not the fastest wideout in the draft, but he's got enough speed to create separation and offer a deep option for the 49ers' passing game.
16. Houston Texans: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Imagine a defensive line with J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney and Danny Shelton. Watt doesn't need much help, but drafting Shelton would help open up some space for Clowney by absorbing the pressure in the interior of the line. Even if he becomes a one-dimensional run-stopper, that's all Shelton would need to be with the pass rush more than covered.
17. San Diego Chargers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
According to Football Outsiders, the San Diego Chargers have the second-worst offensive line in the NFL. With plenty of good offensive tackles still on the board, the Chargers would be smart to grab a guy like La'el Collins. Collins' strength in terms of run blocking would also address one of San Diego's bigger issues from the past year.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Nothing else needs to be said about the black hole that was the Kansas City Chiefs' receiving corps. The Chiefs have to draft a wideout early in the draft, and the first round gives them a few different avenues.
Perhaps this is hyperbole, but Jaelen Strong could potentially be the Odell Beckham Jr. of the 2015 draft in that he won't be the first WR taken but will turn out to have the biggest impact on his team. Strong isn't the prospect that Beckham was, but he'll also create some highlight-reel catches like the New York Giants rookie.
Strong is so adept at making tough catches look easy. It's almost a guarantee that he'll do something silly in his rookie season. Strong's size will make him a great target in the red zone, giving the Chiefs the TD aerial threat they desperately need.
19. Cleveland Browns: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
If they draft a wideout with their first pick, the Browns should look for a defensive tackle or inside linebacker with their second. Benardrick McKinney is still a work in progress, especially in pass coverage, but he's the best ILB in the draft. His problems aren't incurable, so he'd be worth the risk here.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Philadelphia Eagles really need a cornerback. The only question is whom they should target. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's injury might rule him out as an option right now, and Marcus Peters has issues of his own.
If those two are eliminated, that would leave Trae Waynes. Waynes might be the best corner in the draft anyway, so it's not like the Eagles would be reaching by taking him here.
21. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The Carolina Panthers offensive line has improved in recent weeks, but it remains a bit of a weakness. T.J. Clemmings doesn't have a wealth of experience as an offensive tackle, which can go both ways.
The bad is that he still has a lot to learn and may never learn it all. The good is that he's shown a lot of improvement in a short amount of time, so he's only bound to get better, right?
22. Baltimore Ravens: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Somebody's gonna gamble on Todd Gurley in the first round, right? Without that ACL injury, Gurley would be a lock for the first, and that's no easy feat in an era where running backs are both less integral to an offense and more bountiful in the draft than they were years ago.
Justin Forsett had a great season, but relying on a running back on the verge of hitting 30 is always a bit risky. Gurley could be the long-term successor.
Best of all, the Baltimore Ravens could use Forsett as the feature back in 2015 as Gurley gets back into the swing of things, and then in 2016, he'd be ready to take over as the No. 1 guy. This would be a nice move for all parties involved.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Eric Winston's played well since joining the Cincinnati Bengals, but he's far from a long-term option. Ronnie Stanley offers good value this late in the first round. He's a polished blocker who's athletic enough to handle quicker pass-rushers coming off the edge.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The Pittsburgh Steelers might look to cornerback with their first-rounder with the way their secondary has been exposed this year. However, there's also a big hole on the defensive line at nose tackle.
Eddie Goldman has the size to fit in at the position, and he's athletic enough and versatile enough to handle whatever Dick LeBeau would need him to do.
25. Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Like the Steelers, the Detroit Lions could arguably use another corner, but defensive tackle might be the way to go, especially with Ndamukong Suh's future up in the air. Malcom Brown can't possibly stack up to Suh, and he's a bit one-dimensional. Still, he'd add some much-needed help on the interior of the line.
26. Indianapolis Colts: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
That D'Qwell Jackson signing hasn't exactly worked out well for the Indianapolis Colts. Denzel Perryman is the kind of instinctual leader teams look for in an inside linebacker.
Some will likely make some sort of comparison to Ray Lewis because of the Miami connection. Perryman's not quite that good, but he would be a nice addition to the Colts defense.
27. Arizona Cardinals: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
The Arizona Cardinals might have one of the best defenses in the league, but they're still a bit deficient at getting after the quarterback, ranking 24th in sacks. Adding Shilique Calhoun would help the unit get younger and add an immediate-impact player to shore up one of Arizona's few problems on that side of the ball.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
You could definitely see Jerry Jones gambling on a guy like Peters. On talent alone, the former Washington Husky is a first-rounder. His dismissal from the football team, however, somewhat clouds his value. Off-field issues don't preclude a player from reaching his potential, but they've stopped plenty before.
Morris Claiborne might have been the sixth overall pick in the 2012 draft, but he hasn't played like it. The Dallas Cowboys need to improve at cornerback, so drafting a high-risk, high-reward guy like Peters might be a smart bet.
After dealing with Dez Bryant, though, Dallas could be wary about taking on another guy with these kinds of red flags. Still, Peters has the potential to become a perennial Pro Bowler, and finding that with the 28th overall pick isn't easy to do.
29. Green Bay Packers: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
If the Green Bay Packers are committed to keeping Clay Matthews at inside linebacker, then they should target a pass-rusher like Alvin Dupree who can play on the outside. For now, Dupree is a bit limited in that he won't help much against the run, thus limiting his ceiling in the short term.
30. New England Patriots: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
The New England Patriots need to give Tom Brady another target in the passing game. The player should be ready to play from Day 1, ruling out guys like Green-Beckham and Sammie Coates.
Devin Funchess had some problems with drops this past season, so that might be an issue in the NFL. The potential matchup nightmares he'll create for defenses, though, as a tight end/wide receiver will be too enticing for New England to pass up.
31. Denver Broncos: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
The Denver Broncos would probably like to go with an inside linebacker here, but the best two are off the board. Ty Sambrailo would at least give them the right tackle they sorely need. Plus, he wouldn't have any problem stepping into a starting role on a potential Super Bowl contender.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
The Seattle Seahawks have drafted three different wide receivers over the last two years, but none has the potential that Sammie Coates possesses. At 6'2", Coates has nice size for the position and more than enough speed to burn a secondary over the top.
Ideally, Seattle drafts a wideout who's more of the finished product, but Coates will be a playmaker at the next level and bring something different to the Seahawks offense.
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