2015 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions for Top Prospects
College Football's national championship game is just over one week away, and most players entering the 2015 NFL draft have officially taken their last snaps at the collegiate level.
Of course, they will still have plenty of chances to impress scouts and improve their draft stock going forward, as the Senior Bowl, combine, interviews and pro days will all take place before the draft commences. Despite the expected movement of prospects up and down draft boards from now until April 30, it's never too early to begin speculating.
Since the conclusion of the NFL regular season, we've known the order of the first 20 selections—the remaining 12 will be determined by playoff results. With that in mind, let's take a look at how the first round of the impending draft is likely to shake out.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
After watching Mariota in the Rose Bowl, it's difficult to imagine a scenario in which he won't go No. 1 overall. He completed 26 of his 36 passing attempts for 338 yards, two touchdowns and one pick while rushing for an additional 62 yards and a score. He looks the part of an NFL quarterback, and the Buccaneers need one desperately.
2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Tennessee may have missed out on Mariota, but it's in a great position to improve greatly along the defensive line. At 6'6", Gregory uses his length to circumvent blockers, as his long arms and great burst off the line combine to help him avoid engaging with linemen. This allows him to get in the backfield in a hurry and get after the ball-carrier.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Jaguars have plenty of young offensive weapons, but they need to improve along the offensive line to give Blake Bortles and Co. a better chance of developing. Selecting the best offensive tackle in the draft is a good place to start. With great upper-body strength and good quickness for his size, Scherff is a force in the running game and steady in pass protection.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Amari Cooper flashed his reliability and crisp route running in the Sugar Bowl, catching nine passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns. The Raiders need a playmaker with a similar skill set to help quarterback Derek Carr continue to develop and bring some stability to a shaky wide receiver corps.
5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
The Redskins and defensive coordinator Jim Haslett parted ways after a poor effort on the defensive side of the ball in 2014. Adding a talent like Williams will help this team get back on track. A versatile player, he can line up all across the defensive line and wreak havoc with a great combination of size, power and athleticism.
6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Jets need to alter an offensive identity that's been stagnant for the past few seasons. Adding Winston would do just that. He still needs to prove he's past his previous off-field antics, but his ability to progress through his reads, maintain a strong pocket presence and utilize his big arm are all very appealing.
7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
A highly experienced player and leader of a very strong Alabama defense, Collins will bring those qualities to a Bears secondary that is lacking such a player. A sure tackler with great athleticism and the ability to sit back in coverage or move up in run support, he's a do-it-all player at the safety position.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The Falcons need some kind of presence along the defensive line, and adding Ray will instantly solve that problem. One of the nation's most feared pass-rushers, Ray's quick burst off the line, explosive speed, variety of pass-rushing moves and ability to pursue ball-carriers effectively make him a force at defensive end. Ray spoke of his motivation, via Tod Palmer of The Kansas City Star:
9. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
New York has a revolving door at the linebacker position, and adding Thompson in this year's draft will provide some long-term stability. An excellent athlete, he played running back as well as linebacker while at Washington. At 6'2", 231 pounds, he isn't the biggest player, but he plays with tons of energy and is one of the biggest hitters in the draft.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Rams need an outside cornerback, so selecting the draft's best prospect at that position seems like a smart move here. At 6'1" and 183 pounds, Waynes has great size and uses his body and toughness to jam receivers and win contested jump balls. He isn't afraid of contact and routinely makes plays in run support.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Adding Beasley gives head coach Mike Zimmer another great weapon on the defensive side of the ball. Anthony Barr has been great in Minnesota, and Beasley will be an excellent pass-rushing complement up front due to his explosion off the snap and great power, which translates into a devastating bull rush.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Browns have plenty of uncertainty at wide receiver, so adding the 6'3" frame of Parker makes plenty of sense. With an enormous catch radius, great leaping ability and fantastic quickness, Parker creates separation with ease, which will make things easier for whoever happens to be under center for the Browns in 2015. Bleacher Report's Adam Lefkoe summed Parker up perfectly:
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
New Orleans took a big step backward on the defensive side of the ball in 2014, and this team needs to regain its identity. Adding a player like Fowler will go a long way. He's extremely versatile, having played all along the defensive line and at outside linebacker at Florida. He can be used as a chess piece to create mismatches for the Saints defense.
14. Miami Dolphins: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Miami still needs help along the offensive line, and it would do nicely to address that issue here. Peat is a monster in the trenches at 6'7" and 312 pounds. His quickness off the snap and ability to maintain his balance while blocking make him valuable in pass protection and when blocking for the run, as he's fast enough to get to the second level in a hurry.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
White is exactly what the 49ers need in the passing game. At 6'3" with great length, leaping ability, soft hands, good acceleration and agility, he can create separation quickly on shorter routes or go vertical and win contested jump balls. A good blocker as well, he'll be a factor in San Francisco's running game.
16. Houston Texans: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Ogbuehi has the physical tools to be a solid 10-year starter in the NFL. At 6'5" and 300 pounds, he has great length and balance, which allows him to keep pass-rushers at bay. Powerful in the trenches, he's excellent when blocking for the run as well. He will solve Houston's offensive line woes in a hurry.
17. San Diego Chargers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
San Diego should elect to go with Peters to solve its issues at cornerback due to the prospect's 6'0" frame. He's perfectly suited to play on the outside in the NFL due to a great blend of physicality and athleticism. Pairing him with 2014 first-round selection Jason Verrett will make the Chargers secondary a strength.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
This is the pick the Chiefs have been waiting for. Strong is a big, physical receiver at 6'3" and 215 pounds, but he also possesses great acceleration, making him a legitimate vertical threat. With the ball in his hands, he can be tough to take down, as he uses his strength to fight through would-be tacklers and create additional yards after the catch.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Bills): Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
The Browns have needs at a variety of positions, chief among them being wide receiver. While Smith is a bit of a reach this early, he's the best wideout left on the board. He's not the biggest wideout in the draft at 6'0 and 199 pounds, but he's got good hands and strong athleticism. With Josh Gordon's future with the team very much in doubt, Smith could fill at least part of the void left if their star wideout winds up departing.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Philadelphia needs a cornerback in the worst way, so why not give Chip Kelly another Oregon product? Ekpre-Olomu was the defensive leader for the Ducks before suffering a season-ending injury. He's not the biggest corner at 5'9", but he has great instincts, good ball skills, a great motor and is versatile enough to play in man and zone coverage.
The corner's leadership was still on display at the Rose Bowl, via Chris Pietsch of The Register-Guard:
21. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Collins may wind up playing either tackle or guard in the NFL, but that's just fine for the Panthers, as they need upgrades all along the offensive line. At 6'5", Collins has great strength that serves him well blocking for the run. He's also quick enough to be reliable in pass protection on the outside.
22. Baltimore Ravens: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The Ravens need some help at offensive tackle, and while Clemmings is still a bit raw, he possesses great natural ability and has tremendous upside. He's quick for a 6'5", 305-pound big man, and that should translate well to playing tackle in the NFL against faster edge-rushers. He appears to be a quick learner, as his technique improved at a rapid pace despite his limited experience.
23. Cincinnati Bengals: Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Cincinnati could use help at both pass-rusher and linebacker. This team's linebacker corps was decimated in 2014, and the Bengals really need a threat at defensive end opposite Carlos Dunlap. Dupree's athleticism would allow him to fill either of these roles, as he is a great speed-rusher but also uses his quickness to track down ball-carriers and play well in space.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Running backs don't often go in the first round these days, but an exception must be made for Gordon. He ended a stellar college career on a high note, rushing 34 times for 251 yards and three touchdowns in the Outback Bowl—a new record. A running back-needy Cardinals team would do well by adding college football's second-leading rusher of all time.
25. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
At 6'3", 320 pounds, Goldman has the size and power to hold up in the middle of Pittsburgh's defensive line against the giant offensive linemen of the AFC North. A great gap-stuffer and powerful enough to push his way into the backfield, he can be a force against both the run and the pass.
26. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
If the Lions lose Ndamukong Suh in free agency, they'll be looking to a defensive tackle at this point in the draft to keep a very solid defense intact. Shelton has an enormous frame and is difficult to move out of his gap. Containing a powerful bull rush, he can also push offensive linemen backward and get after the quarterback.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
The Colts could use some versatility in their front seven, and that's what McKinney brings to the table. He lined up all over the Bulldogs defense, spending time at inside linebacker and as an edge-rusher due to his athleticism and speed. He's quick enough to be disruptive in the backfield and strong enough to make solid tackles. McKinney hasn't declared yet, but according to Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports, he's a lock to do so:
28. Dallas Cowboys: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
At 6'6" and 240 pounds, Hunter is long and lean for a defensive end; however, he has plenty of room to pack some weight into his enormous frame. Dallas could use help on the edge, and Hunter's combination of length, speed and agility make him a force against both the run and the pass.
29. Denver Broncos: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Stanley has very long arms, and combined with his 6'6", 318-pound frame, he's able to protect the edge against faster pass-rushers. Adding him to the end of Denver's offensive line would help keep Peyton Manning upright and prolong the career of the future Hall of Famer.
30. Green Bay Packers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
At 6'0" and 196 pounds, Williams has the size to guard the NFL's larger receivers. He has impressive speed as well, allowing him to remain on the hip of faster pass-catchers. Adding in his physicality, Williams is a sure tackler and well-rounded player who should be able to contribute immediately in Green Bay's secondary.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
The Seahawks have plenty of size on defense, but they lack big weapons on the offensive side of the ball. Well, that will change in a big way after adding the 6'5", 230-pound Funchess here. Not only is he a big target with great leaping ability, but after playing tight end, he also has the versatility to line up all over the field, making him a valuable weapon in the NFL.
32. New England Patriots: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
New England has some playmakers on the offensive side of the ball, but it doesn't have a true No. 1 receiver. Adding the 6'2", 201-pound Coates changes that. Not only does he have NFL-caliber size, but he's exceptionally fast, making him an instant vertical threat for Tom Brady. However, he's not limited to the deep ball, as his strength allows him to muscle his way through traffic in the middle of the field as well.
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