2015 NFL Mock Draft: Ideal Landing Spots for Top College Stars

The concept of an offseason once existed in the NFL, but those days have long passed.

There's the NFL season. The postseason. The two-week Super Bowl season. The free-agency season. The NFL Scouting Combine, pro day and NFL draft season. The minicamp season. Training camp season. The preseason. And, finally, once again, the regular season returns.

So yes, I'm doing an NFL mock draft already because, c'mon, NFL draft season is right around the corner. Let's take a look at where some of the top prospects will ideally land in this year's draft.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Ducks

The Bucs have a huge decision to make here, obviously.

First they need to decide if they want to go the quarterback route. If they do, they need to then decide if Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston grades higher. And if Winston grades higher on the field, are they willing to overlook some potential off-field concerns? 

If they don't like either quarterback, what to do then? Trade the pick? Select a defensive player? Questions, so many questions.

I think they'll ultimately settle on Mariota, who I really think could be a very similar player to Russell Wilson in the NFL with a bit more size. People are going to question whether Mariota has the pure passing chops to cut it in the league, or whether a scrambler can hold up in the NFL, but it's Mariota's ability to extend plays that makes him special, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller noted on Twitter:

Colin Kaepernick is the popular comparison for Mariota, but I really see more Wilson in his game. I see him using his athleticism at the next level to extend the play, not to take off and run at the first sign of trouble. I see a player who will continue to evolve and work at his craft, as he did at Oregon.

I see the safest pick on the board for the Bucs.

2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska

We'll get to Gregory in a second. First, we have to address why the Titans won't select Winston with this pick. Peter Schrager of Fox Sports sums it up nicely:

And Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean, a man plugged into the team, offered his take:

The tricky part of this pick for the Titans is that the next team on the board that likely will want to select a quarterback sits at No. 6, the New York Jets, so teams looking to trade up for Winston (or perhaps Mariota) would likely be calling Washington or Oakland first, not Tennessee. And that means Tennessee is likely to hold onto this pick and make a selection (at least based on this incredibly early analysis on the top of the board).

So Gregory is the guy for Tennessee.

Despite persistent injury woes he had to play through, Gregory still accumulated 56 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, seven sacks, one forced fumble, three passes broken up and one interception in 2014 for Nebraska. He would instantly give Tennessee a dynamic player on the edge, a Von Miller-esque presence, something the team needs. 

If the Titans don't nab Winston, that is.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri 

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

And now begins a stretch of picks that don't require a conversation about quarterbacks. While Jacksonville's defensive line isn't one of the team's major weaknesses, the team does need an elite edge-rusher, and the board offers the Jags options to scratch that itch at No. 3.

Though a bit undersized, Ray led the SEC in sacks with 14.5 this past season and is athletic enough to be a scheme-versatile player who could be utilized in a number of systems. Gus Bradley would find a way to best unleash him on opposing defenses. This is a nice fit for the Jags. 

4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC 

If the board falls this way, this could end up being a real swing pick. Teams might want to trade with Oakland if they suspect Washington would entertain the notion of drafting Winston and moving on from Robert Griffin III. Or a team that falls in love with Leonard Williams might want to make this pick.

Ah, but it's hard to see the Raiders passing on Williams if he's available, even if I think Amari Cooper might be the better option given the instant weapon he would provide Derek Carr. After all, Williams seems all about joining the Raiders, if the following Instagram post is to be believed:

The caption read, "#raidernation 🙌 best fans."

Hey, if a top player actively wants to go to Oakland, the Raiders should do everything in their power to land him. It helps that Williams is the top player on the board at this point and would fill a need.

5. Washington: Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson

Washington will take a long, hard look at Winston, mostly because he's a better fit for Jay Gruden's system than Robert Griffin III. But to even consider selecting Winston, the team would need to have a contingency trade in place for RG3 and would need to be convinced the mercurial superstar was unable to turn things around.

I don't think Washington has reached that point.

So it will look to bolster its pass rush on the edge, with Brian Orakpo possibly (OK, likely) on his way out of town. Vic Beasley is a beast coming off the edge and would make an instant impact for Washington.

6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State 

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

Truthfully, the ideal landing spot for Winston probably would be Washington, where there are offensive weapons in place already. I don't see that happening, however, and I just can't imagine Winston sliding past the Jets. Even if the character concerns that are talked about are very, very real in the minds of scouts and NFL front office executives.

But you don't have to take my word for it. Instead, listen to Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report and Greg A. Bedard of theMMQB.com:

It's fun to talk about Winston entering the media fray that is New York, but the truth is, if Winston can keep his act together he has the chance to be an absolute star. The Jets pretty much have to roll the dice on him, even if it might be a little better for Winston off the field if he went to a smaller market.

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama 

The Chicago Bears can pretty much pick and choose which defensive position they want to address here, but I think safety should be a priority. With the top tier of pass-rushers off the board, I think the Bears will jump at the chance to add Landon Collins to the fray. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

The Falcons desperately need a pass rush. Desperately. They might be reaching slightly here to bring aboard Dante Fowler, but reaching a few picks to fill a major need is understandable in this case.

9. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

The Giants really should focus on addressing the defense with this pick, and Shaq Thompson is an appealing option for them. Yes, Thompson would fill a need at linebacker, but he's such a versatile athlete that they could also play him as an in-the-box safety, a running back and pretty much everywhere on special teams. If the Giants are willing to get creative with Thompson, they could land a player who helps them on a number of fronts.

10. St. Louis Rams: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama  

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press/Associated Press

This is the dream scenario for the Rams and, frankly, I don't think there's a chance in hell Amari Cooper will actually drop to No. 10. A team will trade into the top 10 to draft him, or a team like the Raiders will prioritize drafting him and won't let him slip far. 

But in this mock (where I'm not projecting trades because, you know, it's way too early for that), Cooper drops down the board. A big part of that is the teams in the top 10 generally not having a huge need for a wideout. The Jets might select Cooper at No. 6, but not if Winston is on the board.

But man, would Sam Bradford love this pick. Finally, he'd have a true No. 1 receiver with elite potential. Add in a solid complementary option in Brian Quick, Stedman Bailey making plays from the slot and Tavon Austin moving all over the place, and suddenly St. Louis' passing attack might be a strength. 

11. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Matt Kalil hasn't lived up to his draft billing, so the Vikings are likely going to look to bolster their offensive line in this draft. Brandon Scherff can line up on the right, at guard or even at left tackle in a pinch if Kalil continues to disappoint. His mauling style plus his versatility make him a great fit. 

12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville 

Despite being injured for a big chunk of the season, DeVante Parker finished with 43 receptions for 855 yards and five touchdowns in six games. Just imagine him paired with Josh Gordon in Cleveland's passing game. Scary, right?

13. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

The Saints need help all over the defense, but upgrading at cornerback should definitely be a priority. Trae Waynes is the best player on the board at this point too, so this is a no-brainer for the Saints.

14. Miami Dolphins: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington 

Miami could use a bit of muscle in the trenches, and Danny Shelton would not only give it that, but also provide an excellent interior rush, as he accumulated nine sacks this season for the Huskies. This is a great selection for the Dolphins.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia  

Stacy Revere/Getty Images

San Francisco 49ers fans may be bummed that the two top wide receivers on the board will be gone by the time their team selects at No. 15. Or will they be?

According to Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com, it's Kevin White who resides atop the wideout rankings:

The 49ers will certainly hope that Julio Jones comparison comes true.

16. Houston Texans: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M 

Unless the Texans want to really reach to select a quarterback, they should address other needs here. Solidifying the offensive line should be a priority, and Cedric Ogbuehi has really exciting upside.

17. San Diego Chargers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU 

The Chargers desperately need to upgrade the offensive line, and La'el Collins would help them do just that. Philip Rivers will run this selection to the board. 

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

You could make a strong argument that the Kansas City Chiefs wide receivers were the weakest group of players at any given position in the NFL this year. Yes, it was that bad. Welcome to Kansas City, Devin Funchess, where you are the No. 1 receiver by default.

19: Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State 

Cleveland has options here, but nabbing a player like Eddie Goldman to strengthen the defensive line would make a lot of sense. Cleveland may consider packaging its first two picks to move up in the draft and nab a player in the top 10, but I think the Browns would be wise to stay put and take what the board gives them.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

ELI LUCERO/Associated Press

I can't see the Eagles drafting Marcus Peters here, if only because it's hard for me to imagine Chip Kelly trusting a player who was booted off of his college team for clashing with coaches. If he didn't like the attitude of DeSean Jackson, a proven star in the NFL, and showed him the ropes, do you really think he'll take a chance on Peters?

I don't.

I do think the Eagles need to address the corner position, however, and Kevin Johnson has the combination of length and athleticism that Kelly seems to crave at the position. Eagles fans will be pleased with the pick simply because it might mean they don't need to see Bradley Fletcher in the starting lineup next year. 

I wouldn't be shocked to see the Eagles go after a quarterback here, either. UCLA's Brett Hundley might be a very nice fit for Kelly's offense. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

I'm not sure corner is the top need for the Bengals, but I'm not sure they'll let the most talented player on the board pass them by, either. The team has made it work with players who have character issues in the past, namely with Vontaze Burfict, so I could see it rolling the dice on Peters. 

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville 

The Steelers need to rebuild their entire secondary before the start of next season. Drafting safety Gerod Holliman would be a solid start.

23. Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas 

Re-signing Ndamukong Suh should be the top priority this offseason for the Lions, but it's very possible a team will make him an offer he can't refuse. Should that happen, solidifying the defensive line with a player like Malcom Brown would help soften the blow of losing Suh somewhat. 

24. Arizona Cardinals: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

I could see the Cardinals going after a quarterback here potentially, though I'm not convinced Hundley is a great fit for Arians' vertical passing attack. Besides, I think the Cardinals are in a win-now mentality with Carson Palmer's timer running out of sand, so I'd expect them to fill immediate needs in this draft, at least early on. Bud Dupree is a big-upside player who has showed continual improvement and would help improve this team's rush off of the edge.   

25. Carolina Panthers: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Adding the explosive Sammie Coates to Carolina's passing attack next to Kelvin Benjamin and Greg Olsen? Cam Newton would run to the podium to make this selection. 

26. Baltimore Ravens: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia 

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

This pick might surprise some folks, but Baltimore could really use a grinder between the tackles to pair with Justin Forsett, who is still best utilized as a passing-down back despite his solid season. Had Todd Gurley not been suspended or hurt for much of the year, few folks would be questioning his inclusion in the first round. He'll give Baltimore's offense a new dimension next season.

27. Dallas Cowboys: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

Morris Claiborne has been a bust and was injured for most of this season—and lost his starting spot before that happened anyway—so addressing the corner position is a huge need. There are a number of players who might make sense here, but I think Florida State's P.J. Williams will ultimately be the guy. 

28. Denver Broncos: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

The Broncos have a chance to add more depth to the offensive line with this pick while potentially finding a steadier option at right tackle, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the team go this route. After all, keeping Peyton Manning upright for however long he remains in the league should be Denver's top priority.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, MLB, Mississippi State  

The Colts need to improve up the gut of the defense, and Benardrick McKinney will help them do that. At times, he's downright dominant from his middle linebacker position. This is a nice fit.

30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, MLB, Miami 

Fear not, Green Bay fans, Clay Matthews III will never have to slide over to the middle in certain packages again. Denzel Perryman will be the reason why, solidifying a position of major need for Green Bay's defense.

31. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Rob Gronkowski is the main man in the passing game, Julian Edelman is holding down the slot and Brandon LaFell had a solid year, but the Pats could still really use another strong option on the outside. Enter Jaelen Strong.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

It's hard to find a weakness on this Seattle team, but improving the offensive line should be a priority in this draft. This could also potentially be a running back if Marshawn Lynch departs Seattle this year, though with Robert Turbin and Christine Michael waiting in the wings, it shouldn't be the team's top priority.