2015 NFL Mock Draft: Updated Prospect Predictions Heading into Divisional Round
In the months leading up to the 2015 NFL draft, we should expect plenty of movement on draft boards around the league. With events like the Senior Bowl, scouting combine, interviews and pro days forthcoming, there will be plenty of chances for prospects' draft stocks to soar or plummet.
At this point in the year, the playoffs have a big effect on this process as well. Following Wild Card Weekend, four teams were eliminated from Super Bowl contention, locking in the selection order for the top-24 picks. Now, as we head into the divisional round, another four teams will soon be joining the rapidly growing list of franchises that have officially begun their offseasons.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Before another round of the playoffs kicks off and the draft order shifts once again, let's take one more look at how the first round could shake out if it were to happen before the weekend's action.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
There isn't much reason for the Buccaneers to select anyone but Mariota here. This team lost 14 games in 2014 primarily because of terrible quarterback play. With a talented wide receiver corps already in place, Tampa Bay simply needs a reliable signal-caller to distribute the ball. Mariota's dual-threat ability certainly doesn't hurt, either.
2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Tennessee could use an upgrade on the edge, and nabbing a pass-rusher who compares to Aldon Smith is a great place to start. At 6'6" and 245 pounds, Gregory has an excellent combination of length and explosiveness to circumvent blockers and get around the outside to cause huge disruptions in the backfield.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Jacksonville loaded up on offensive talent in the 2014 draft, but Blake Bortles and Co. won't get much of anywhere if there isn't adequate protection along the offensive line. At 6'5" and 320 pounds with tremendous upper-body strength and good balance, Scherff has all the attributes desired in an NFL tackle.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Raiders are one of the few teams that don't have a true No. 1 wide receiver. Obtaining one during the offseason should be a priority if the team expects quarterback Derek Carr to continue to develop. Cooper is the draft's best prospect at the position. He has reliable hands and is a great route-runner, perfect qualities for a pass-catcher who will be working with a young quarterback.
5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Washington's defense was terrible for the most part in 2014, and it all starts up front in the trenches. This team needs a disruptive presence along the defensive line, and Williams fits the bill perfectly. A great blend of size, strength and athleticism make Williams a monster against both the run and pass. A smart player, he should be able to learn quickly and contribute right away.
6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Jets could go a number of ways here, but considering the team's poor quality at quarterback, Winston will be the pick. Yes, the Florida State product does need to mature off the field, but on it, he has a great skill set, including NFL-caliber size, a big arm and the ability to progress through his reads.
7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Chicago continues to get torched in a pass-happy NFC North, so adding some talent to the defensive secondary is a must. Collins has plenty of experience on a good Alabama defense. He comes with good leadership qualities, an improved awareness in coverage and a hard-hitting attitude when up in run support.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Ray is one of the most talented pass-rushers in this year's draft, so the Falcons won't hesitate if he drops to No. 8 overall. Atlanta has struggled pressuring opposing quarterbacks, and it could use Ray's services. The Missouri product combines a quick first step with excellent speed to beat even the most talented offensive tackles around the outside.
When Ray officially declared for the draft, SEC Network tweeted a quick summation of his impressive 2014 campaign:
9. New York Giants: Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Adding Dupree here will help stop the Giants' revolving door at the linebacker position. At 6'4" and 267 pounds, Dupree's length and burst allowed him to be very productive off the edge. He has the agility to circumvent blockers and the speed to chase down ball-carriers from behind.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The NFL loves big cornerbacks, and the Rams are lacking one. Enter the 6'1" Waynes. With great length and technique, he gets inside leverage in coverage, taking away vertical routes and winning contested jump balls. A physical player, he doesn't shy away from contact and routinely helps in run support.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Teddy Bridgewater showed plenty of promise during his rookie season; however, he was tormented behind the line of scrimmage on a constant basis. Adding a productive tackle like Peat will help in that department. The Stanford product is a monster in the trenches at 6'7" and 312 pounds. He is difficult to move for smaller pass-rushers but agile enough to prevent quicker defensive ends from beating him around the outside.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Browns are a mess on the offensive side of the ball, having question marks at quarterback, wide receiver and tight end. This team must bring in a reliable weapon, and Parker would be a great choice. He may not be a burner, but at 6'3" and 209 pounds, he has the frame, length and leaping ability to win contested jump balls. Nice shiftiness and vision in the open field allow him to create yards after the catch as well.
13. New Orleans Saints: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
The New Orleans defense took a major step backward in 2014, but adding another pass-rusher will help the team get back on track. Beasley has a very impressive first step that gets him across the line of scrimmage before an offensive tackle has a chance to get balanced. Quick on his feet, Beasley can chase down ball-carriers from behind and has a knack for creating turnovers by stripping the ball.
14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Miami's secondary played very well in 2014, and adding the right linebacker will help the entire defense succeed. Thompson is one of the most athletic linebackers in the draft. He's a hard-hitter but is quick as well, spending time at running back with the Huskies in a pinch. He has potential to not only be disruptive in the backfield, but to help in coverage as well.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Depending on what happens in free agency, the 49ers could be in the market for an offensive tackle. If that's the case, grabbing Ogbuehi here would be optimal. He has the perfect stature of an NFL tackle, and his combination of strength, length, speed and athleticism make him a force in pass protection and blocking for the run.
16. Houston Texans: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
We'll see if Andre Johnson will be sticking around in Houston for another year, but regardless, the Texans will need a complement to DeAndre Hopkins sooner rather than later. White would fit the role perfectly. At 6'3" and 210 pounds, he isn't a burner, but he is quick off the line to gain separation and use his big frame to box out defenders and win jump balls.
17. San Diego Chargers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
San Diego's secondary was beat up in 2014, and the lack of depth really became apparent. This team needs another outside corner, and the 6'0" Peters would be a nice option. His length and athleticism allow him to succeed in coverage against bigger and faster receivers. He has great ball instincts, coming away with a pass defensed or a pick regularly.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
It's difficult to deny the fact that the Chiefs are the most wide receiver-needy team in the NFL. Kansas City desperately needs a No. 1 option for quarterback Alex Smith, and selecting the 6'3", 215-pound Strong would do the trick. A powerful receiver, Strong is tough to bring down for smaller defensive backs. His length and leaping ability give him a huge catch radius, and his acceleration makes him a constant vertical threat.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Bills): Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
The Browns need a do-it-all playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, and Fowler has the skill set to be exactly that. He combines a good amount of power with athleticism and speed to be extremely versatile. That was the case in Florida, as he played every position along the defensive line and spent time at outside linebacker.
According to Rotoworld NFL Draft, Fowler has a great work ethic—something the Browns surely covet at this point:
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Philadelphia boasted one of the worst secondaries in the league in 2014, but that will begin to change for the better with Ekpre-Olomu in the fold. At 5'9", he isn't a large cornerback, but his speed, intelligence, coverage ability and great ball skills make him a formidable opponent for any wide receiver. Due to the thirst for speed in today's NFL, Ekpre-Olomu will be a coveted defender.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Cincinnati needs to make something happen along the defensive line. The Bengals finished dead last in sacks in 2014, and that must change for this team to reach the postseason again and finally win a playoff game. Goldman is a beast at 6'3" and 320 pounds. He's a gap-stuffer who can also be disruptive against the pass with a powerful bull rush. He's the kind of player who demands double-teams.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
The Steelers are getting a bit old in the defensive secondary, and that may be a bit of an understatement. Grabbing a cornerback in this year's draft looks like the way to go for this team, and it could do far worse than Williams here. At 6'0" and 196 pounds, he has the speed and instincts to cover better wide receivers, and Pittsburgh will love him for his physicality and willingness to help in run support.
23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
If the Lions lose Ndamukong Suh in free agency, they'll be looking for a replacement defensive tackle capable of maintaining the league's best run defense. The 6'2", 332-pound Shelton is extremely difficult to move and is fantastic against the run. His bull rush is known to push interior linemen back into the pocket, creating problems against the pass as well.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah had a very flattering comparison for Shelton:
24. Arizona Cardinals: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
Arizona's defense was fantastic for most of the 2014 season; however, the team's lack of depth was exposed at certain positions after suffering numerous injuries. One position that must be addressed is at inside linebacker. McKinney is powerful enough to take on blockers in the interior, but he's fast enough to blitz around the edge and succeed in coverage.
25. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton had a bit of a roller-coaster season in terms of passing success. In an effort to help him gain consistency, adding a left tackle should be a priority here. Collins has quick feet that allow him to stifle the attempts of faster edge-rushers, and he's powerful enough to push defenders around when blocking for the run.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
The Ravens have one of the strongest front sevens in the NFL, and adding youth to that unit will help ensure long-term success. Orchard is quick for his 6'4", 255-pound frame, originally signing with the Utes as a wide receiver. He's shown a versatile skill set, spending time at defensive end and linebacker and contributing on special teams.
Rob Rang of CBS Sports tweeted his take on what Orchard brings to the table:
27. Indianapolis Colts: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Adding protection for quarterback Andrew Luck is never a bad idea, and Stanley will prove to be an enormous upgrade in Indianapolis. A versatile player, Stanley is experienced at both ends of the offensive line. At 6'6" and 318 pounds, he is extremely powerful but is also deceptively quick on his feet. He has the length to play left tackle, but he's strong enough to play on the other side.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Bennett isn't the most powerful defensive tackle at 6'2" and 288 pounds, but he'll fit in Dallas' 3-4 base defense as an end really well. He has a very high motor and continues fighting his way through blocks until the whistle sounds. Once in the backfield, he uses his quickness and vision to locate the ball-carrier and bring him down for a loss.
29. Denver Broncos: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Keeping Peyton Manning upright is the most important thing the Broncos can do during the twilight of the quarterback's NFL career. Clemmings will add some versatility and depth to Denver's offensive line for a long time. More of a finesse blocker, he may be suited better for the left side of the line; however, Clemmings does have the quickness to get to the second level when blocking for the run.
30. Green Bay Packers: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Brown has tremendous size at defensive tackle, standing at 6'4" and weighing 320 pounds. Despite his large frame, he's extremely quick off the ball and moves with a good amount of speed. He has a high motor and fights through blocks to reach the backfield, where he routinely makes plays against both the run and the pass.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Marshawn Lynch appears to be on his way out of Seattle, and while this team has a nice crop of backup running backs, it may be difficult to pass on Gordon here. A great mixture of size and speed, Gordon was the fastest FBS running back to eclipse 2,000 yards in a single season. Adding him to the Seahawks offense will help keep the league's No. 1 running game intact.
32. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
The Patriots have some nice weapons on the offensive side of the ball; however, none of them are true No. 1 wide receivers. Green-Beckham is a force at 6'5" and 225 pounds. He has the speed of a wide receiver and the body of a tight end. With great athleticism, he had experience running routes on the outside and inside in Missouri's spread offense before transferring to Oklahoma.
All mocked underclassmen have either declared for the draft or are undecided as of January 8, according to NFL.com.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
