NFL Mock Draft 2015: Updated Projections Following Divisional-Round Results
With the conclusion of the divisional round, four more teams are officially in offseason mode.
The Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts have all booked spots in their respective conference championships and therefore have somewhat more important aspirations on their minds, but for the other 28 teams, they can begin focusing on rebuilding.
While free agency will certainly be a large part of that, there is no better way to immediately improve the outlook of the franchise than through the draft.
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That said, let's take an early look at the first round of the 2015 draft.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' hire of offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter, per the team's official website, has some key implications here. As Fox Sports' Peter Schrager noted, Koetter has a history with Oregon head coach Mark Helfrich:
That doesn't necessarily mean anything, but it's an interesting connection to at least keep in mind.
Ultimately, though, Mariota's athleticism, elusiveness and ability to make plays with either his arm or legs will be why he hears his name called first. The Bucs need a franchise-changer, and Mariota can be exactly that.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
You aren't going to find many more prospects who are more polarizing than Jameis Winston. Some worry about his maturity, while others are more nervous because of the 28 interceptions he threw in two seasons at Florida State.
But while his lows are certainly concerning, his highs are that of a future franchise quarterback. He has the arm to make every throw at the next level, he keeps his eyes up when escaping the pocket and his anticipation and timing are light-years ahead of most college QBs.
He is worth the risk.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
While all the recent talk has surrounded Mariota and Winston, Leonard Williams is the player capable of crashing the party at the top of the draft. With his freakish size (6'5", 290 lbs) and athleticism, he has the ability to cause havoc anywhere on the defensive line.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah drew a comparison to a seven-time Pro Bowler:
The Jags aren't desperate for defensive line help, but the addition of Williams, who can shed blocks and cause major disruption, would make everyone around him better.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Derek Carr showed glimpses of being a very solid quarterback during his rookie season, but if he is going to continue his progression, the Oakland Raiders need to supply him with more weapons in the passing game.
An extremely deep class of wide receivers makes trading down a real possibility for Oakland, which needs help all over the field. But if Reggie McKenzie picks from this spot, there's no better option than Amari Cooper, who has the quickness and route-running talent to create constant separation.
No one is going to replicate what Odell Beckham Jr. did in 2014, but Cooper brings along many of the same attributes.
5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
There are some questions about how Randy Gregory will fare in the running game, but at this juncture, the Washington Redskins shouldn't worry too much about that. They finished the season 19th in sack percentage, and if it weren't for Ryan Kerrigan, they would have been a lot worse.
They need pass-rushers, and if there's one thing Gregory does, it's get after the quarterback:
While he's not a sure thing as a three-down player, his strengths are exactly what this defense needs.
6. New York Jets: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Consistency is the biggest thing with Andrus Peat. He has the mountainous frame (6'7", 316 lbs), light feet and physicality in the run game to be a franchise left tackle down the road, but there are moments when he hasn't played up to his talent level.
Ultimately, though, the Jets are rebuilding, and there are very few players in this draft with the same kind of ceiling as the Stanford product.
7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
ESPN's David Ching recently put it simply about Landon Collins:
And that's coming from an LSU writer.
Collins still must improve in the passing game, but he's an electrifying athlete who covers a lot of ground and can lay some punishing hits. He's the kind of game-changer the Chicago Bears, who have been an embarrassment on defense for two straight seasons, are lacking.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
In terms of yards per play allowed, the Atlanta Falcons have the lovely distinction of being the worst defensive team in the NFL.
Fixing that starts with the pass rush. With Kroy Biermann and Osi Umenyiora set to free up some cap space, the Falcons are likely to address the problem in free agency. But this isn't just a one-player fix, and they should also look for pass-rushers in the draft.
Vic Beasley, who finished his Clemson career with an extremely productive 32.0 sacks, is an explosive speed threat off the edge who could immediately help in pressuring the quarterback.
9. New York Giants: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The New York Giants have a big decision to make when it comes to Jason Pierre-Paul, who tallied 12.5 sacks this season and is in line for a hefty payday as a free agent.
Franchise tagging him is an option, but that would cost around $15 million for a player who has shown a lot of inconsistency during the last three years.
If the G-Men decide they can't afford JPP, Shane Ray serves as an intriguing replacement. Out of the shadow of Michael Sam and Kony Ealy, the Mizzou star tallied 13.0 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in 2014. Joe Goodberry gave an example of his lightning-fast speed off the snap:
New York would do well to get the three-down player at this spot.
10. St. Louis Rams: Cedric Ogbuehi OT, Texas A&M
Like pretty much all offensive tackles in this draft, Cedric Ogbuehi has had his bouts of inconsistency. But he's an impressive athlete for a player his size (6'5", 305 lbs) and has played very well during his time at right tackle.
Ogbuehi and Greg Robinson could be a potentially lethal tackle combination in the NFC West for a long time.
11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker gets a lot of his attention for his athleticism, ball skills and big-play ability. But as Rotworld's Josh Norris pointed out, he's also quite special after the catch:
Parker is a rare talent who can beat teams over the top or underneath. Not only do the Vikes need a playmaker like this, but pairing him with former college quarterback Teddy Bridgewater would be beneficial for both players' progression.
12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
I've already done quite a bit of drooling over Cooper and Parker, but some are even more infatuated with the skill set of West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White. Count Daniel Jeremiah in that group:
That's undeniably high praise, but White has been making huge plays all season. It's difficult to tell what the Cleveland Browns will do after parting ways with Kyle Shanahan, but the idea of pairing White with Josh Gordon (or replacing Gordon with Whit) is too enticing to pass up.
13. New Orleans Saints: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Brandon Scherff has some unbelievable strength. Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz put it simply, via the Chicago Tribune's Shannon Ryan:
"We've had a lot of outstanding lineman over the last 15 years. And I think Brandon really embodies a lot of the best qualities of all those guys. Certainly he has some physical characteristics that are just highly unusual, quite frankly.
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Whether he plays at tackle or guard, Scherff, a bruising, physical blocker, serves as an immediate upgrade for New Orleans in the trenches.
14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Shaq Thompson can do it all: running back, safety, linebacker, electrician, you name it.
The versatility he showed at Washington may not come in handy nearly as often in the NFL, but it's a testament to his rare athleticism. He has shown an ability to make plays all over the field, and the Dolphins could stand to upgrade the linebacker position.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
Dante Fowler's college numbers (14.5 sacks in three years) look underwhelming on the surface, but his impact goes well beyond the stats. A 6'3", 277-pound monster with downhill speed and a dominant swim move, he created constant penetration and disruption for the Gators.
After watching what he did against East Carolina during his collegiate finale (three sacks, took out a mortgage in the Pirates backfield), it's clear he's a game-changing talent. After a disappointing season, the new-look 'Niners could use an infusion of speed and youth on the outside.
16. Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
He could stand to add some bulk, but with length, speed and a willingness to join in run support, Trae Waynes has all the tools to be a star at the next level. Daniel Jeremiah put it simply:
He's a logical addition for the Texans, who very well could be losing free agent Kareem Jackson in the offseason.
17. San Diego Chargers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Longtime center Nick Hardwick and starting left tackle King Dunlap are both headed for free agency, while D.J. Fluker is a candidate to move from right tackle to right guard. The Chargers, who finished 31st in the NFL with 3.4 yards per carry, are clearly set for a significant makeover on the offensive line.
That should start with the addition of La'el Collins, a physical, powerful run-blocker who has the versatility to play at either tackle or guard.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Devin Funchess makes plenty of sense for the Kansas City Chiefs.
First, as it has been stated many times already, the Chiefs wide receivers had zero touchdowns in 2014. Funchess, at 6'5" with athleticism and a good vertical, is a red-zone threat who would immediately change that.
Second, he has skills after the catch, which is perfect for Alex Smith's game-manager style.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE, Kentucky
If you're looking for a player whose stock will rise at the combine, look no further than Bud Dupree. The Kentucky senior is 6'4" and 264 pounds, but according to Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman, he has speed that has reached 21 mph.
As Daniel Jeremiah noted, he does a good job of converting that speed into power:
Dupree is an explosive, downhill player. He would provide an immediate boost to a defense that struggled to pressure the quarterback for most of the season.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
After a stellar sophomore season that culminated with defensive MVP in the national championship, P.J. Williams continued to serve as one of the best defensive players on a team with a handful of NFL prospects. He finished the year with one interception, 10 pass deflections, 74 total tackles and 6.5 tackles for loss, per cfbstats.com.
Beyond the numbers, though, he showed the blend of physicality, size and speed that suggest he can be a versatile, shutdown player at the next level. Most importantly, he helps the Eagles move far, far away from Bradley Fletcher.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Finding an edge-rusher will be a priority after finishing last in the NFL in sacks. However, the Bengals, who spent high picks on defensive ends the last two drafts, will find it difficult to justify a first-round pick on another one.
Instead, with Clint Boling, Eric Winston and Marshall Newhouse all potential free agents (also, Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith have just one year remaining on their deals), they should focus on the O-line here.
T.J. Clemmings has just two seasons of experience on the offensive line after being recruited as a defensive end, but there's a lot to like here. Most enticing, he is a punishing blocker who has shown the power to pancake defenders along with the quickness and agility to get to the second level and make plays.
Even while fairly raw, he could step in at right tackle immediately. If Andre Smith makes a smooth return from his injury, Clemmings would get some much-needed experience for a year as a backup.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
In terms of pure talent, Marcus Peters would have a very good case to be the top corner off the board. He's big, has impressive play recognition and top-notch ball skills.
"Best cover corner prospect I've seen in the last 14 years," one NFC East scout said about Peters in December, via NFL.com.
The red flags are obvious after he was kicked off Chris Petersen's team in early November. But he's a top-15 talent, and some team is ultimately going to find it too hard to pass up the value. The Steelers are a logical team to take that risk, as Cortez Allen was bad in 2014, while the next three corners on the depth chart (Ike Taylor, Antwon Blake, Brice McCain) are candidates for free agency.
23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Danny Shelton was dominant in every phase of the game in 2014, racking up nine sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 93 total tackles. Those are astounding numbers for a defensive tackle, and as one NFL scout told The Seattle Times, via NFL.com's Chase Goodbread, he has made himself a lot of money:
"He's a massive dude. And he's not just a square, can't-move dude. He can run and he's physical and he can move. It's mind-blowing how easy it looks for him. He was just toying with people at times. ... He went from, 'Oh, we should probably take a look at this guy' in the summer to a first-round lock now.
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The Lions will almost assuredly need defensive tackle help with Ndamukong Suh expected to get "titanic" pitches in free agency, per Yahoo Sports' Charles Robinson, and Nick Fairley also hitting the market.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Cam Erving, C, Florida State
Cameron Erving, a converted defensive tackle, was named a second-team All-American as a left tackle in 2013. Injuries along the Seminoles' offensive line forced him to center for the second half of this season, and he thrived there too.
Boasting a big frame (6'6", 308 lbs) and athleticism, he clearly has the versatility to play anywhere across the offensive line. No matter where he ends up, though, he'll immediately help the Cardinals, who had the worst yards-per-carry average in the NFL this season.
25. Carolina Panthers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Cam Newton is crucial to this franchise. But he has shown a propensity to suffer injuries, and the Panthers need to do a better job of keeping him upright.
Ronnie Stanley is only a redshirt sophomore, but he possesses the length, balance and aggressiveness to give this team the upgrade it needs in the trenches.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Melvin Gordon was transcendent in 2014. Leading the nation in yards from scrimmage (2,740) and touchdowns (32), he showcased the vision to find holes, the acceleration to explode through them and the speed to break away from defenders.
Moreover, as Daniel Jeremiah pointed out, he is a complete player:
Justin Forsett was tremendous in 2014, but he's a free agent. Meanwhile, Bernard Pierce hasn't given Baltimore a reason to keep him around, and Lorenzo Taliaferro is a short-yardage back. Gordon would be a dominant, every-down workhorse in Gary Kubiak's offense.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
Eric Kendricks' career at UCLA: 303 solo tackles (he led the nation his sophomore and senior seasons), 164 assisted tackles, eight sacks, 14.5 tackles for loss and five interceptions. He is the Pac-12's all-time leading tackler, with nearly 100 more than Deone Bucannon.
Kendricks doesn't have elite physical traits, but there's something to be said for that kind of rare production. He would be a savvy choice by the Cowboys, a team that will see Bruce Carter and Justin Durant (14 combined starts in 2014) both hit free agency.
28. Denver Broncos: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Ereck Flowers has the wide base and quickness to pass protect, but he has also displayed the physicality and get-off to suggest he can be very good in the running game as well. He is still a bit raw, but the traits for a future left tackle are there.
Immediately, though, he could simply step in as right tackle, moving Louis Vasquez back in to guard.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Eli Harold, DE, Virginia
Eli Harold, who flew slightly under the radar at Virginia, finished with 15.5 sacks and 29.5 tackles for loss in two years as a starter.
Daniel Jeremiah is a fan:
The Colts were pretty successful at getting to the quarterback in 2014, but Cory Redding is a free agent, and they could use a few more playmakers on defense.
30. Green Bay Packers: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
Benardrick McKinney is an athletic 245-pounder with the speed to cover sideline-to-sideline. He was the best middle linebacker in the SEC this season, and in November an NFL executive told NFL Media's Albert Breer (via NFL.com's Chase Goodbread) he was a "poor man's Brian Urlacher."
If he falls to No. 29, the Packers not only get very good value, but they can move Clay Matthews back to the outside on a permanent basis.
31. New England Patriots: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
At 320 pounds and quick off the ball, Eddie Goldman can create constant disruption. He needs to get better rushing the passer (4.0 sacks in 2014), but he's already a dominant force against the run and still has loads of room for improvement.
The Patriots aren't in desperate need of a defensive tackle, but with Vince Wilfork in his 11th season and Sealver Siliga and Alan Branch both upcoming free agents, it wouldn't hurt to add some youth right now.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Dorial Green-Beckham is one of the most interesting prospects in the draft.
On one hand, he's 6'5" with the power to run over defenders, the speed to run past them and the athleticism to outjump them. As Daniel Jeremiah illustrated, he has the freakish physical gifts to be an impossible cover in certain situations:
On the other hand, his baggage and red flags make him an obvious risk. As such, he could go anywhere inside the first three rounds, and it wouldn't really be surprising.
When it comes down to it, though, the Seahawks need playmakers on the outside, and DGB would add an entirely new dimension to an already efficient offensive attack.
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