NFL Draft 2015: Projecting Best Fits for Each Team in 1st-Round Mock Draft
Since there's no such thing as a perfect draft, in which every team gets the player it really wants, the next best thing is finding the best fits for each franchise. This year's class has depth to satisfy all 32 teams as long as the talent and work ethic line up.
The 2015 NFL draft has star power, especially at the top of the first round, but it also looks shaky. Every player who is coming into the league out of college has at least one significant question that needs to be answered.
That's part of what makes this type of event so fascinating. Everyone puts all of their energy into this one weekend in the spring, knowing that most of the names picked are going to be busts. The hope of finding one shining star who will carry a team to a Super Bowl is enough to make it all worth it.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
In the quarterback debate around this year's draft, Marcus Mariota will get the benefit of the doubt because of his ceiling. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller summed up the battle between Mariota and Jameis Winston on Twitter:
If you are picking No. 1 overall, you bet on the better long-term star. Mariota has more development ahead of him, especially in the pocket and playing in a system that doesn't call for plays every 12 seconds, but the arm strength, mobility, accuracy and instincts make the 2014 Heisman winner a potential superstar.
Plus, Mariota walks into a situation with Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. Those are two good players to help a young quarterback develop.
2. Tennessee Titans: QB Jameis Winston, FSU
Meanwhile, Winston will have to settle for being the No. 2 pick. That's not entirely bad, as he goes to a Tennessee franchise that has some weapons on the outside with Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter.
Winston's draft stock will ultimately come down to his interviews. Everyone knows about his off-field exploits, so any team interested in taking him in the top 10 needs to know what kind of person it is getting.
On the field, his ability to help receivers is among his best attributes, according to Miller:
There will be headaches that come along with drafting Winston, but a strong offensive mind like Ken Whisenhunt will have no problems working with him.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: DT Leonard Williams, USC
The Jaguars could opt to go for Amari Cooper in this spot, but they spent heavily on wide receivers last year and still need help all over the field. Instead, they should just go with the best player on the board.
Leonard Williams is a stud defensive lineman who is capable of playing inside in a 4-3 or moving around in a 3-4 set. Gus Bradley likes to use both defenses, so he needs and demands versatility from his players. That's Williams' greatest strength, as well as boasting tremendous power to disrupt the run or pass.
4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Derek Carr is Oakland's quarterback of the future, so the franchise needs to get him a true playmaker on the outside. Cooper isn't an imposing physical specimen like Calvin Johnson and lacks the explosive measurables of A.J. Green, but no one in this class is better at making something out of nothing or possesses better hands.
5. Washington: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
If you take away the 10-sack performance against Jacksonville, Washington's defense had 26 sacks in the 15 other games it played. Brian Orakpo, who is a free agent this year, has been the team's only consistent pass-rusher recently, and he missed nine games.
Looking ahead to 2015, upgrading the defensive line has to be a priority. What better way to do that than with Randy Gregory? The Nebraska star is the best pure pass-rusher in the class, showing incredible speed and anticipation, though he's not a finished product.
Lance Zierlein of Rotoworld.com, who was critical of Gregory overall, did offer this on the defensive end's raw talent, via Mike Huguenin of NFL.com:
"The length, the explosive hips and the ability to close quickly are all great traits that will get him drafted early, but I was surprised how raw he was as a pass rusher on tape. I have a couple of NFL scouts who are arguing with me about Gregory right now, but they also admit that they are betting on the raw talent and traits, with coaching filling in the holes.
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Gregory looks the part at 6'6" and 245 pounds. He's more talent than polish at this point, but you want to bet on the ceiling at this point in the draft.
6. New York Jets: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
The Jets need to make a play for some kind of quarterback, but that's hardly the only issue on this offense. The line is a mess, save for Nick Mangold, and whoever is taking snaps will need protection. Brandon Scherff is a monster at 6'4", 320 pounds and uses every bit of that power to overwhelm defenders against the run.
Pass protection is his weakest attribute, though he's hardly out of his element in that regard. The one thing that could cause problems is speed off the edge, as the Iowa star isn't quick off the snap, but his size allows him to disrupt anyone trying to run around him.
7. Chicago Bears: SS Landon Collins, Alabama
There may not be a better marriage of team and talent in this class than the Bears and Landon Collins. Chicago's defense is a mess overall, with the secondary lacking any kind of identity, although Kyle Fuller looks like a keeper.
Collins is the ball-hawking enforcer the Bears need deep over the middle, especially in a division with Calvin Johnson and Jordy Nelson. He's also strong against the run, displaying solid tackling skills and anticipation skills.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray, Missouri
Atlanta will be doing cartwheels if Shane Ray makes it this far, which seems plausible given the needs of the other teams in the draft. The Falcons have been seeking an impact edge-rusher for years and will luck into one of the best in this class.
In October, Thayer Evans and Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated wrote that Ray may end up being the highest-rising prospect from where his stock was before the college season began: "The 6-3, 245-pound redshirt junior has gone from a second-day pick to a possible Top 10 selection, according to multiple NFL scouts. 'He’s pretty damn good,' one NFL scout told The Inside Read. 'He’s real sudden and not real long, but he makes a ton of plays for them.'”
There's a reason for Ray's rise, as he has more quickness off the edge than anyone in this class. He's a pure speed-rusher who is limited against the run due to his current lack of weight, but in a passing league, teams need to prioritize getting after the quarterback.
9. New York Giants: DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
When the Giants were at their best, the defensive line was among the most feared units in the NFL. That's no longer the case, as those players have gotten older and/or retired. Jason Pierre-Paul's impending free agency further complicates matters.
Vic Beasley is among the most valuable pass-rushers in this class because he uses more than speed to succeed. He's surprisingly strong despite being 220 pounds and will only get better with more muscle in the NFL.
10. St. Louis Rams: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
The Rams may be able to simply play the board because their biggest need—quarterback—isn't an option here. Wide receiver or cornerback could be other options, but the best value is Stanford's big tackle Andrus Peat.
Even though his ceiling doesn't shoot through the roof, Peat is as steady and reliable as anyone in this class. He's ready to become a starting left tackle from Day 1 but could move into a different spot if Jeff Fisher needs him to.
If the Rams can figure out their passing game, this team is going to be lethal in 2015.
11. Minnesota Vikings: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
If he had been able to stick at left tackle last season, Cedric Ogbuehi would likely be a lock for the top five. Instead, the Texas A&M star will have to settle for being a top-15 pick.
The problems for Ogbuehi, highlighted by Rob Rang and Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com, include too much finesse in his style:
"Some passivity to his game, preferring to "catch" rather than control opponents. By over-setting on his initial kick-slide, he leaves his chest plate open to power rushes and will occasionally lean into defenders rather than keeping his feet shuffling.
Has a tendency to get too high off the snap when drive blocking, which leaves him vulnerable to swim moves over the top.
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Those aren't enough to outweigh the good things he does, like getting into position quickly and displaying some of the best footwork of any offensive lineman in the class.
12. Cleveland Browns: DT Danny Shelton, Washington
Cleveland's play on the interior defensive line was abysmal last year. The front office has spent money to add edge-rushers like Paul Kruger and Karlos Dansby in recent years yet has forgotten to take care of the hole in the middle.
Danny Shelton can single-handedly change the way teams attack the Browns. He's a bit small at 6'1", but he makes up for it with a wide frame and tremendous power in his arms and chest. Teams will need two offensive linemen to cover him, which will free up the linebackers to stop the run.
13. New Orleans Saints: DE Dante Fowler, Florida
One reason the Saints struggle so much on defense is they have to send extra blitzers to create pressure. Getting more production from the front four will go a long way to helping the group, especially with the team having limited cap space to spend on free agents.
Unlike Gregory or Ray, Dante Fowler doesn't need to add bulk to fit in with an NFL defense. He's already 271 pounds and carries it well, utilizing tremendous speed to make up for average snap reactions. The Florida star will succeed in a 4-3 or 3-4 scheme.
14. Miami Dolphins: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
The first cornerback comes off the board at No. 14 to the Dolphins, who are desperate for help in the secondary. Trae Waynes is a taller defensive back at 6'1", though he's slight at 182 pounds. His size also benefits him thanks to long arms that allow him to recover more quickly than an average player.
15. San Francisco 49ers: WR Devin Funchess, Michigan
If the 49ers are going to get better next season, they need to fix the offense. More consistency from Colin Kaepernick and the offensive line, as well as speed on the outside, are the biggest areas of need.
Devin Funchess solves the latter problem, as he showed more speed than anticipated as a wide receiver in 2014.
In October, one NFL personnel executive told NFL.com that Funchess compares favorably to a former All-Pro tight end: "Devin Funchess is one of the best players I've seen this fall. He could play wideout at the next level, but I prefer him at tight end. He can do a lot of the things that make Jimmy Graham special."
Even though Funchess looks like a wide receiver, the 49ers could use him at tight end on occasion. Vernon Davis' dismal season has left his future up in the air, so any weapons this team can find for 2015 will be a huge help.
16. Houston Texans: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
The Texans may not have their quarterback of the future in place, but the next best thing they can do is start building the foundation. Offensive line is a problem for Bill O'Brien's team, which makes Ronnie Stanley a perfect fit because of his ability in pass protection.
17. San Diego Chargers: CB Marcus Peters, Washington
Marcus Peters will be a tremendous value for the Chargers. He has to answer for why he was kicked off Washington's football team last season, but the star cornerback is a solid athlete with great instincts. His pure coverage ability needs work, particularly the footwork, but his eyes are as good as anyone's in the class.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Kevin White, West Virginia
There are legitimate criticisms of Kevin White moving to the NFL. He's not a polished route-runner and doesn't tend to create separation against defenders, but his ability to make big plays and his strong hands are weapons in his favor.
Bob McGinn of the Journal Sentinel actually had a scout compare White to Larry Fitzgerald because of what he does in traffic: "He's more of a (Larry) Fitzgerald type receiver in that he doesn't have great speed. I never see him beat people deep. But (if) he is even with them, he's going to get the ball. Very good player."
Given what Kansas City has been using at wide receiver—Dwayne Bowe, Donnie Avery, A.J. Jenkins, Junior Hemingway—White will immediately be the team's best option in the passing game.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
Questions about the quarterback are real, but Cleveland also has a major issue developing at wide receiver. Josh Gordon remains a headache with no signs that change is coming, and the rest of the crew isn't inspiring unless you love Andrew Hawkins.
DeVante Parker isn't an elite runner, but he has tremendous acceleration. The Louisville star has polished route-running skills and a knack for creating big plays with his legs.
The Browns need to think about their future at wide receiver. Parker may not possess Gordon's raw talent but is more reliable in every other aspect.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
The Eagles fell apart down the stretch because the defense couldn't get a stop. Blame Mark Sanchez all you want, but everyone knew what they were getting when he took over. Someone has to step up to help the backup quarterback.
Chip Kelly will go back to the Oregon well to upgrade his secondary. Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's knee injury makes him an enigma at this point, but when healthy he has quick reactions and a physical style to intimidate opponents in man-to-man coverage.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
The Bengals defense continues to get exposed in the playoffs. There's a lot of quality talent on the roster, but no one whom opponents really have to game-plan around. Alvin Dupree has tweener skills with size (6'4", 264 lbs) to play defensive end and speed to play outside linebacker.
Dupree's best trait is speed, which makes him a valuable asset at linebacker. It also helps him get around defenders to attack the quarterback, though he can use more polish as a head-on tackler. He can be the force Marvin Lewis needs to take his defense from good to great.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: FS Gerod Holliman, Louisville
Gerod Holliman is a fascinating draft prospect. His track record isn't long, since he's only been a full-time starter for just one year, but he made it count with 14 interceptions.
The people who love Holliman really love him. B/R's Miller falls into that group, as you can tell from the video above in which Miller compares the Louisville star to future Hall of Famer Ed Reed when he came out of Miami.
With Troy Polamalu getting older and less effective, not to mention the overall ineptitude of the secondary last year, the Steelers need to make changes if they want to make a deep playoff run next season.
23. Detroit Lions: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
The Lions haven't finished higher than 17th in rushing yards in more than 12 years. The offensive line should take some of the blame, but a good running back can work wonders even with a mediocre bunch.
Todd Gurley may be met with some skepticism because of his torn ACL, but it happened long enough in the past that he should be able to do some workouts in the predraft process. At the very least, teams can look at his medical records to chart his progress.
When healthy, Gurley is a monster waiting to be unleashed. His size (6'1", 226 lbs), speed and power are unmatched by any running back in this class. He will make an instant impact and give the Lions more diversity on offense so they don't always have to rely on Megatron.
24. Arizona Cardinals: RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
The running back barrage continues with the Arizona Cardinals, who were a mess running the ball all season. Melvin Gordon certainly has the stats to support his candidacy as a first-round pick, though the way he was used will work against him.
How many more carries are in those legs after 343 attempts in 2014?
The 2014 Heisman runner-up doesn't have the same top speed as Gurley, but his field vision and ability to let blocks develop before exploding through the hole are as good as any running back's in the country. He should have no problem fitting in Bruce Arians' system.
25. Carolina Panthers: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
T.J. Clemmings is a slow riser in the 2015 draft, though he shouldn't be forgotten. The Pittsburgh star's game is built more on power than finesse, which can get him in trouble against the pass, but his wide frame makes it hard for opponents to get around easily.
The Panthers need to find help up front to make sure Cam Newton survives, because he took a beating last year with a patchwork offensive line. Clemmings is still learning the fundamentals of his new job after spending time as a defensive tackle.
26. Dallas Cowboys: ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
Secondary help would be nice for the Cowboys, but they can also add more depth at linebacker. Sean Lee's injury, as well as the volatility that will always follow Rolando McClain, makes it a position of need heading into 2015.
In his first mock draft, ESPN.com's Todd McShay (Insider access required) had McKinney going No. 28 overall, saying he "has very good speed and closing burst for his size."
The Cowboys lack an intensity on defense, which isn't helped by the lack of overall talent, so McKinney's ability to close and get after the quarterback gives him plenty of value at this spot.
27. Indianapolis Colts: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
The Colts need to upgrade their run blocking to see if Ahmad Bradshaw and Daniel Herron can make this offense more dynamic. Ereck Flowers specializes in this area as an agile 6'6", 324-pound tackle, though he's lacking in pass protection at the moment.
While that would be a problem for most teams, the Colts have Andrew Luck. His ability to escape from sticky situations will allow Indianapolis to develop Flowers' tools as a pass-blocker as a rookie before unleashing him as a starter in 2016.
28. Baltimore Ravens: OT Tyler Sambrailo, Colorado State
The Ravens found a successful offensive formula under Gary Kubiak, but the offensive line is still an area of concern. They have talent, like Eugene Monroe, but depth is a problem. Tyler Sambrailo is an underrated player from an obscure school, but look for him to rise in the workouts.
Sambrailo will fit in nicely with Kubiak's zone-blocking schemes because of his agility and athleticism. He does need to play more physical at the point of attack to reach his full ceiling, though that's not a large enough issue to push him out of the first round.
29. Seattle Seahawks: OT La'el Collins, LSU
One reason Russell Wilson has to scramble so often is because Seattle's offensive line is so inconsistent in pass protection. The run blocking is terrific, which only helps when you have a running back like Marshawn Lynch.
La'el Collins' technique is erratic with some awkward footwork and balance, which NFL Draft Bites noted on Twitter could lead to a position switch:
The Seahawks can afford to let Collins develop on the inside before letting him move back outside once he gains experience, because of Wilson's ability running the ball.
30. Denver Broncos: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
As long as Peyton Manning is Denver's quarterback, stockpiling skill players is essential. That could get tricky with Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas set for free agency after this season, as both will command huge contracts.
Jaelen Strong would have no problems excelling in the Broncos offense. He has a huge catch radius thanks to long arms and excellent field vision. His routes are still a work-in-progress, but the Arizona State star is physical and aggressive after the snap. He's big enough to overpower most NFL cornerbacks, creating space to make big plays.
31. Green Bay Packers: LB Shaq Thompson, Washington
Even though inside linebacker is a more pressing need, Shaq Thompson's raw ability will fit in quite nicely with Green Bay's 3-4 defense. He's a speed demon off the edge who is able to play the run or pass, and he shows solid wrap-up tackling skills.
Offensive linemen will cause Thompson problems due to his lack of size at 224 pounds, but the speed element of his game makes it hard for those players to catch him. Raw athleticism is something a team like the Packers should take advantage of at this point.
32. New England Patriots: OL Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma
The Patriots like their offensive lineman to be big and athletic. Tyrus Thompson didn't dominate this season like most wanted to see, though he did shine in one of his biggest tests of the year against Baylor, as noted by Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com:
"(Shawn) Oakman has what some scouts call a 'beach body.' His disproportionately narrow base contrasts sharply with the massive Thompson, who possesses a thick lower half, including tree trunks for thighs. As a result, the 6-5, 336-pound Thompson was able to anchor better against Oakman's bull-rushes than most collegiate tackles, helping to limit Baylor's talented defender to only 3.5 unofficial tackles. Each of Oakman's primary stops came yards downfield in pursuit after Thompson effectively had blocked him.
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Going against a player with Oakman's size and strength is difficult for anyone, but Thompson had little problems containing the Bears' star. Being able to harness that performance into each game is essential for the Oklahoma star to succeed at the next level, but if anyone can get it out of him, Bill Belichick can.
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