2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for 1st Round Entering Divisional Playoffs
With the NFL playoffs in full swing, more and more teams are transitioning to offseason mode each week and the onus is already shifting to April 30 and the start of the 2015 draft.
The unpredictability is there each year when it comes to draft prospects and where they should fall, but it's even higher than usual with this class. There promises to be impact players sprinkled all across the first round, but knowing which potential superstars will flourish and which will fall is an art form that not all front offices have mastered.
With four more teams joining the offseason—Arizona, Detroit, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh—over Wild Card Weekend, let's take a look at how the latest mock draft shakes out.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Tampa Bay's front office was on pins and needles waiting to see the Rose Bowl, and what unfolded was a marquee case for Marcus Mariota as the No. 1 overall pick. The Oregon quarterback has the arm strength and vision to be a potent pocket passer, but also possesses the wheels to extend plays and find teammates that will be welcomed in Tampa Bay.
2. Tennessee Titans: DT Leonard Williams, USC
The Titans need help all across the board and won't be able to deny adding the most dominant defensive player in the draft. USC's Leonard Williams uses his versatility and power to be able to play in the middle or off the edge, which Tennessee will utilize next to Jurrell Casey in its 3-4 scheme.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
With a steadfastly improving defense and young playmakers on offense, the struggles are still there in the running game for Jacksonville. Iowa's Brandon Scherff is perhaps the only offensive lineman who it wouldn't be a reach to nab at No. 3, as he can plug in and play at either guard or tackle position right away.
4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
It's safe to say the Raiders won't fully know what they have in Derek Carr until they surround him with a go-to playmaker. Amari Cooper would be just that. Alabama's star wideout is an offensive guru's dream, as he can be plugged in and utilized in a number of ways.
5. Washington Redskins: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Washington has needs across the board but is in the sort of position where it wouldn't hurt to grab the most talented overall player. If Randy Gregory happens to fall to the Redskins at No. 5, they won't be able to pass him up. It's unclear whether Gregory will be thriving as a defensive end or linebacker, but he'll be making an instant impact either way.
6. New York Jets: QB Jameis Winston, FSU
A new coaching staff and front office may not want to roll the dice on Jameis Winston, but there might not end up being another choice. The Jets offense is in dire need of leadership and playmaking ability at the quarterback position, and Florida State's former Heisman Trophy winner has showcased all of the above.
7. Chicago Bears: SS Landon Collins, Alabama
It's no secret that the Bears' biggest question marks entering 2015 are on defense and in the secondary, where Chicago finished 30th in passing defense this season. Much of that was due to ineptitude at safety, with teams going over the top for big plays and high-scoring victories.
No player may be able to single-handedly change that, but if one could, it's Landon Collins.
The Alabama safety is the top defensive back in the class, mostly due to his complete package effect. He can run with receivers and swat down the long ball. He can slice into the backfield and blow up plays before they begin. He can play bump-and-run coverage and force interceptions.
And as ESPN's Louis Riddick noted, he can even get it done on special teams:
A complete player like Collins is the prime example of what's been missing on the Bears defense over the last several seasons, and Chicago cannot afford to let him slip here.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray, Missouri
The Falcons went from a potential playoff spot to the eighth pick in the draft in one game, in part due to just 21 team sacks on the season—the second-fewest in football. With a heap of elite pass-rushers in the class, Atlanta will be able to get top-five talent at No. 8 with Missouri's Shane Ray—an immensely powerful 4-3 edge-rusher seemingly built for the NFL grind.
9. New York Giants: OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
The Giants are already somewhat formidable at rushing the passer with down linemen, but they are in desperate need of an impact edge-rusher like Shaq Thompson. The 20-year-old is small but has otherworldly speed at 6'1" and 230 pounds, and he'll develop into a pass-rushing linebacker who can also drop back into coverage magnificently.
10. St. Louis Rams: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
It's anyone's guess as to whether Sam Bradford or someone else will be the starting quarterback, but protecting him will be a priority. After building a scary defensive line via the draft, St. Louis will nab Stanford's Andrus Peat to secure a second franchise tackle atop the draft in two years.
11. Minnesota Vikings: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Head coach Mike Zimmer's arrival brought a 180-degree change in the defense, but the secondary struggled to hold up when the guys in the trenches weren't getting home. The defensive specialist won't be able to pass up on the best cover corner in college football, as lanky, physical corner Trae Waynes will step in and start on Day 1.
12. Cleveland Browns: OT La'el Collins, LSU
Running the ball with ferocity and protecting the quarterback helped Cleveland turn heads early in 2014, but losing those same strengths led to the Browns' demise. An offensive line retooling still isn't complete, but selecting a prospect like La'el Collins would be one of the final pieces to the puzzle.
13. New Orleans Saints: DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
The offense has its fair share of blame, but the regression of the Saints defense has ESPN.com's Mike Triplett reporting defensive coordinator Rob Ryan may be heading out. Whether he's retained or not, the need for an impact edge-rusher is undeniable, and there are few in college football more feared than Clemson's hybrid end Vic Beasley.
14. Miami Dolphins: ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
The Dolphins have dominant players in the defensive trenches to wreak havoc on opposing offenses, but they have no true signal-caller in the middle. Benardrick McKinney would be the perfect fit, as the Mississippi State linebacker is smart and cerebral but also possesses the innate instincts needed to step in right away.
15. San Francisco 49ers: DT Danny Shelton, Washington
A lack of depth in the defensive trenches didn't keep the 49ers from remaining stout against the run, but their usual dominance there is gone. Danny Shelton would almost single-handedly bring that back, as the Washington defensive tackle commands double-teams and frees up space for teammates.
16. Houston Texans: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Add the Texans to the long list of teams that don't quite know their quarterback situation yet desperately need protection for whoever it is. Bill O'Brien knows that will be a top priority next season, so look for Houston to nab Notre Dame's versatile lineman Ronnie Stanley to fill whatever hole needs to be filled.
17. San Diego Chargers: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
The Chargers need McKinney so bad they might want to trade up, but they won't blink at grabbing a potential star at offensive tackle—another big need. The Texas A&M tackle hasn't fully grasped his potential in college, which makes you wonder what he'll be capable of if and when he reaches that point.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Kevin White, West Virginia
It would be nothing short of cruel if the Chiefs again refused to give Alex Smith help in the vertical passing game, and Kevin White would be a welcomed commodity. West Virginia's star wideout has been dominating as the go-to guy all season long, and he can do the same in Kansas City.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
The Browns don't have much of a vertical passing threat either other than Josh Gordon, who struggled in limited duty in 2014, to say the least. A threat like DeVante Parker could take Cleveland's offense to the next level, as the Louisville wideout can offer a speedy dynamic alongside Gordon.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Ineffective play from the secondary helped doom the Eagles to a playoff-less 2014 season, and Chip Kelly won't hesitate to draw up his Oregon connection with one of the top corners in the class. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will be able to return to full health after a knee injury took him out of the College Football Playoff.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
The Bengals need more impact from their edge-rushers if they want to end their one-and-done postseason struggles over the last several seasons, and Alvin "Bud" Dupree would be a steal. The Kentucky edge-rusher emerged as one of the best in the SEC, which is saying something given the talent that comes out of the conference every year.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: FS Gerod Holliman, Louisville
The Steelers' wild-card exit from the playoffs ended their season—and also perhaps the career of safety Troy Polamalu, as Aditi Kinkhabwala of NFL Network reported:
Whether Polamalu's last game has been played or not, a long-term replacement is needed and Gerod Holliman could fill the void. Louisville's hard-hitting safety can bring some of the same dynamics to the defense that Polamalu has while developing into a franchise player.
23. Detroit Lions: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
The Lions' one-sidedness in their offense was never on more striking display than in their Wild Card Round loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Holding the lead for almost all of the game, Detroit couldn't pound the rock to put it away.
That won't be much of a problem if the Lions target Todd Gurley in Round 1.
Georgia's running back was almost certainly the best rusher in college football (and one of the best players, period) before a knee injury ended his season prematurely. It hasn't stopped him from declaring for the draft, as 247Sports' Gentry Estes reported:
Gurley has been a workhorse in college, but his best days are ahead of him with plenty of tread left on the tires. He'll be able to carry it 20-30 times a game, giving Matthew Stafford the balance he desperately needs on offense.
24. Arizona Cardinals: DE Dante Fowler, Florida
To say the Cardinals were ravaged by injury in 2014 would be a disservice to the word ravaged. Arizona's usually stout defense fell apart without some important players, but a first-round pick toward the unit's biggest strength when healthy—the defensive line—will help the Cardinals stay dominant despite inevitable injuries.
25. Carolina Panthers: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
Carolina's defensive improvement over the course of 2014 will help the Panthers to address other needs in the draft, most pressing of which is the offensive line. To help keep Cam Newton protected, the Panthers will grab Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings—who will lock down one of the edges for Newton.
26. Dallas Cowboys: CB Alex Carter, Stanford
The Cowboys defense isn't the laughingstock that many expected it to be in 2014, but help is still needed in the secondary. Dallas will add an immediate impact player in Stanford's Alex Carter to quickly emerge as a starter for the defense.
27. Indianapolis Colts: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
Andrew Luck has emerged as one of the league's best passers despite playing in front of a paltry offensive line, and the Colts won't shy away from getting him some protection in Round 1. Miami's Ereck Flowers is the type of prospect who will develop into a game-changing tackle, but he can be plugged in as a guard early on if needed.
28. Baltimore Ravens: OT Tyler Sambrailo, Colorado State
With some of the league's top teams adding reinforcements on the offensive line via the draft, few need that improvement more than Baltimore. To help Joe Flacco and a surprisingly potent run game, the Ravens will grab Tyler Sambrailo out of Colorado State.
29. Seattle Seahawks: DT/DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
Stopping the defensive line is already a tough proposition for Seattle's opponents, but it will only get harder with the selection of Arik Armstead. Oregon's defensive dynamo will most likely make his impact as a pass-rushing specialist early on, but can take on a larger role if the Seahawks want to let go of some talent in free agency.
30. Denver Broncos: OL Cameron Erving, FSU
As long as Peyton Manning is still around and playing at a high level, the Broncos should be doing everything they can to keep him protected. That was easier said than done early in 2014 when Denver's offensive line needed reshuffling, so expect the Broncos to grab Florida State's Cameron Erving—who can line up wherever he's needed.
31. Green Bay Packers: DT Eddie Goldman, FSU
The Packers haven't lost that much of their strength up front on defense, but they were a different unit when B.J. Raji was in his prime. Florida State's Eddie Goldman may not have that type of ceiling, but he can have a similar impact of plugging up the trenches to open up space for pass-rushers.
32. New England Patriots: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Just like Manning in Denver, the Patriots need to do everything in their power to help out Tom Brady in his final few seasons. Unlike Manning, Brady's biggest need is an impact receiver on the outside, which Arizona State's big-bodied wideout Jaelen Strong would bring almost immediately.
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