2015 NFL Mock Draft: Projections, Top Prospects for Every 1st-Round Selection
The NFL may be entering the second round of the playoffs, but several teams are already looking ahead to one of the biggest events of the offseason.
Last year provided a monster class for teams with Teddy Bridgewater, Odell Beckham Jr., Mike Evans and myriad others improving their teams. Late steals like Tre Mason were also found, but much of the explosive talent is commonly found in the first round.
Prior to the NFL season ultimately winding down, here's a look at the complete first-round projections for the 2015 NFL draft.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Fans of the NFL better get used to hearing this young man's name. Marcus Mariota is supremely talented and can do it all for any offense at the next level. For those who didn't see that talent, he more than proved it on the Rose Bowl stage.
In an offense like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers that is deprived of a true playmaker at the position, Mariota is the ideal choice with this pick. Having two weapons like Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson to find downfield, Mariota can thrive right away for the Bucs.
2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
If the Tennessee Titans decide to look away from a quarterback, the next crucial need is a pass-rusher who can make a difference. Randy Gregory has proved himself as the best defensive end to this point, making him a perfect fit with the Titans.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Projected as the No. 1 overall pick multiple times before the Buccaneers moved into that slot, Leonard Williams is a difference-maker. He won't be the only need for the porous Jacksonville Jaguars defense, but Williams' presence up the middle will be a significant upgrade.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Mariota may have a lot of pressure, but any wide receiver in this class has a high bar set for him. The 2014 crop of receivers was a fireball for the NFL with the likes of Beckham, Evans, Kelvin Benjamin and Sammy Watkins all blowing up.
Already serving as the biggest weapon for Alabama this season, Amari Cooper is at the top of this year's class. John Buccigross of ESPN points out just how significant Cooper was for the Crimson Tide:
Not every receiver will live up to the hype after the precedent set last year, but Cooper will emerge as the best rookie next season.
5. Washington Redskins: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Throughout the college season, the discussion over the top offensive lineman has been debated with Andrus Peat, Cedric Ogbuehi and others topping the list. At this point, Brandon Scherff proved he's the best on the board with his consistent play all season.
6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Despite his struggles in the Rose Bowl, Jameis Winston is still the No. 2 quarterback in the class. With the New York Jets having a massive need at the position, the franchise will gladly grab him to help lead the offense in the future.
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Anyone who watched the Chicago Bears this season knows there is more than one weakness for the team. The quarterback position is questionable at best, but there is a lot of money tied up in Jay Cutler. However, Shane Ray offers a powerful edge-rusher to help turn the defense around.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Picking a pass-rusher really seems like the only option for the Atlanta Falcons at this point. Luckily, Vic Beasley will likely fall to them at the No. 8 pick. For more on Beasley, Todd McShay of ESPN (subscription required) provided analysis prior to the Russell Athletic Bowl:
"He's a difference-maker as a pass-rusher whose first-step quickness and closing speed are near elite. He'll be giving up three inches and roughly 100 pounds to each of the aforementioned OU tackles, but that's nothing new for Beasley -- he shakes offensive tackles with double moves and has good hands and lateral quickness when redirected inside.
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In an NFC South that already features defensive stars like Luke Kuechly and Lavonte David at a similar position, Beasley can give the Falcons that identity.
9. New York Giants: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Commonly seen as a "safe pick," taking an offensive tackle in the first round is always a great way to upgrade any offense. Having Eli Manning under center with Beckham and Victor Cruz to provide the flair, Andrus Peat will give Manning and the offense more time to thrive.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Late in the season, the St. Louis Rams rounded back into form as one of the best defenses in the NFL. Already equipped with a special front seven, Trae Waynes helps the secondary catch up and takes pressure off the defensive line.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Last season, the Minnesota Vikings moved back into the first round late to pick up Bridgewater. The quarterback completely changed the face of the offense and will only improve in the future. Pairing him up with Ogbuehi, the offense has a chance to blossom into one of the best in the NFC North.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Similar to the last draft, the top two wideouts are truly neck and neck heading into the NFL Scouting Combine. If DeVante Parker does fall to the No. 12 pick, the Cleveland Browns will happily take him to provide another spark for the offense around Johnny Manziel.
13. New Orleans Saints: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
The word "athleticism" is often thrown around for defensive players to describe how dynamic they can be. No player lives up to that description more than Shaq Thompson.
A running back and linebacker with Washington, Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com notes he might play either position at the next level:
There may not be a need for a running back for the New Orleans Saints, but a versatile linebacker would be a perfect fit.
14. Miami Dolphins: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Coming out of Miami, Ereck Flowers will be up and down draft boards all offseason with the wealth of players at the position. At this point, Flowers has shown he deserves to be a top-15 pick and would pair up perfectly with Ja'Wuan James to give Ryan Tannehill time to pick apart the AFC East with the Miami Dolphins.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Remember all the talk about how this year's class matches up with last year's in terms of wide receivers? Well, Kevin White is yet another playmaker who would change the face of the San Francisco 49ers. White showed off his talents during the Liberty Bowl and will give Colin Kaepernick another key wideout.
16. Houston Texans: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
If every team ahead of the Houston Texans drafts for one of its glaring needs, Houston will have a chance to pick up the best safety in the draft. Landon Collins is a thumper and can span the entire field.
For an already solid defense, getting back Jadeveon Clowney and adding Collins would make the Texans a contender in the AFC South for years to come.
17. San Diego Chargers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Washington defense had a lot of talent on the defensive side this past year, and Danny Shelton was one of the best. After missing out on the playoffs this year, adding a powerful defensive tackle like Shelton would immediately help the San Diego Chargers.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
There is no team in the NFL more in need of a dynamic wide receiver than the Kansas City Chiefs. Not a single touchdown pass went to a wideout this season, but the Chiefs were still competitive in the AFC West. Adding another weapon gives the offense a level playing field with the Denver Broncos and Chargers.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Bills): Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
In terms of versatile pass-rushers, Dante Fowler has a chance to be the best in the class. With a lot of depth at the position, Fowler might fall down the board to a team like the Browns that have a need for him immediately.
Following Florida's bowl win over ECU, interim coach D.J. Durkin spoke about Fowler's presence on the field, via Jordan McPherson of the Orlando Sentinel:
"Dante was disruptive in the backfield all day long. ...
For a guy in this situation to go out and do what he did and play how he played, I can't say more about this guy's character. It's pretty amazing. If you talk about a great teammate, great person and great football player — that's No. 6.
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Having Fowler fall to the No. 19 pick would be a dream come true for the Browns. A year after being gifted this pick by the Buffalo Bills, Cleveland can cash in with one of the most relentless defensive players in the country.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
He might come into the draft with controversy surrounding him, but Marcus Peters' talent is undeniable. Hooking up with a coach who's familiar with the Pac-12 style of play, Chip Kelly can groom the former Huskies player into a star alongside Cary Williams.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
It wasn't the end Eddie Goldman likely wanted to his college career, but he still has a lot to look forward to in the NFL. Following a huge season for the Seminoles, Goldman would be a perfect fit for a Cincinnati Bengals franchise in need of a run-stopper up the middle with the ability to live in the opponent's backfield.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
The Rose Bowl ended with a thud for P.J. Williams and the Florida State defense, with a 59-20 loss to Oregon. However, Williams still has a bright future ahead and would be an ideal fit for a Pittsburgh Steelers team that needs to invigorate its defense with youth.
23. Detroit Lions: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Stopping Owamagbe Odighizuwa is nearly as hard as spelling his name. The UCLA product is truly one of the most underrated prospects in the class but will emerge during the combine.
Dan Hope of Bleacher Report and Bills Draft provides his thoughts on the defensive end:
If the Detroit Lions can't lock up Ndamukong Suh, replacing him with Odighizuwa gives the franchise another explosive pass-rusher—along with another tongue twister for fans.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Over the last two years, the Michigan State program has produced some of the best defensive players in the country. Shilique Calhoun is no exception. The forceful defensive end would be a difference-maker for an already potent Arizona Cardinals corps.
25. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Advancing in the playoffs makes it all worth the late-season surge for the Carolina Panthers. Unfortunately, it also means they will get a late selection in the draft. With a need on the offensive line, expect Carolina to take the best player available in La'el Collins at No. 25.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The Baltimore Ravens may have made the playoffs without the services of Ray Rice, but Justin Forsett is not the future at running back. Melvin Gordon provides a huge weapon for the offense and would take pressure off Joe Flacco and the passing game with his explosiveness.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
Depending on how the combine goes, Bud Dupree might wind up going much higher than the end of the draft. However, the Dallas Cowboys would be ecstatic to pair him up with DeMarcus Lawrence to form a powerful young pass-rushing tandem.
28. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
Coming into the season, Benardrick McKinney was viewed as one of the best linebackers in the country. On the heels of yet another great season, Matt Miller of Bleacher Report still views him as just that:
Much like Dupree, McKinney might be another player who shoots up draft boards. For now, he'll make a perfect fit for an Indianapolis Colts defense that truly needs improvement in the front seven.
29. Denver Broncos: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Yet another underclassman who has not announced his intentions to this point, Ronnie Stanley is a blocking machine for Notre Dame. After playing for an illustrious program in college, he'll have a chance to block for one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.
30. Green Bay Packers: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
The biggest reason why the Green Bay Packers earned a first-round bye this season is due to great play from Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy. Grabbing a proven offensive lineman like Ty Sambrailo to protect both prized commodities is the perfect selection for Green Bay.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
The Seahawks have been a physical running team this year, but the passing attack hasn't been as potent. Seattle needs a huge target for Russell Wilson, so drafting a former tight end seems like a perfect fit. Funchess presents a massive threat for the Seahawks and would help the passing game down the field.
32. New England Patriots: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Sammie Coates is a fringe first-rounder, much like the New England Patriots. If Bill Belichick stays true to form, the Pats might not even keep this pick. New England might still be able to land the Auburn wideout and upgrade the already great offense.
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