NFL Mock Draft 2015: Pre-Divisional-Round Projections for First-Round Prospects
Time to get comfy with Jameis Winston and the 2015 NFL draft class.
Akin to the brutal death of the SEC at the hands of the Big Ten, fans have no choice but to digest the fact that mock-draft season is underway. Thank the arrival of the playoffs and dismissal of most of the league for that.
Mocks are bountiful between now and the draft itself, but the scenarios and flurry of ever-developing information make them a valuable resource. In fact, mocks might just be the top all-encompassing way to monitor each team in the NFL, as well as the top first-round prospects.
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Keep in mind that the teams still in the playoffs do not have an official slot in the 2015 draft just yet. The first 24 picks are set in stone.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The debate for and against Marcus Mariota or Winston will rage right up until the Tampa Bay Buccaneers waltz to the podium, should they keep the top pick.
It really comes down to preference. Winston is more of a pro-style passer, while Mariota needs an offense to tune its scheme toward his skill set.
For Tampa Bay, the quieter of the two off the field makes the most sense. A team cannot afford to take too many risks with the top overall pick.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
That leaves the Tennessee Titans with Winston, who is the favorite in some circles. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller ranks him No. 1 overall right now:
Tennessee cannot wait around on Zach Mettenberger, promising upside or not. This is the NFL, where an elite quarterback makes all of the difference. Winston can do just that, so long as he matures.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Time for a neat trivia question that will surely stump friends—the Jacksonville Jaguars generated 45 sacks in 2014.
The foundation for a strong defense is apparent, so further upgrades on the edge are a must.
Randy Gregory is the best edge-rusher in the class and gives the Jaguars a major boost, as well as compensating for a secondary that continues to develop.
4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
As the reviews continue to roll in, many continue to verify what most already believe: Leonard Williams is the top defender in the class.
NFL Network's Bucky Brooks concurs:
Unlike Jacksonville, the Oakland Raiders need a new face in the middle of the defensive line. Williams clogs lanes on his own and frees up talents such as Khalil Mack behind him.
5. Washington: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
A top-five pick is normally used elsewhere, but Washington needs a safety in the worst way.
Over at Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Brandon Meriweather ranked No. 60 in the league this year, while Ryan Clark ranked No. 88—on a list that ranked 88 players.
Alabama's Landon Collins gives Jay Gruden's team a major upgrade against the rush, which is a start for one of the league's biggest defensive rebuilds.
6. New York Jets: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
A gaudy 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 scores speaks for itself.
More important than numbers, though, is Amari Cooper's surefire smooth transition to the pros to help the New York Jets out right away.
While quarterback is an unknown, Cooper has the talent now and into the future to make a difference for an organization in flux.
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The SEC Defensive Player of the Year is a lock to come off the board quite high.
Miller helps to point out why he projects better than a former teammate:
The Chicago Bears need to get younger in the trenches, so adding the second-best edge rusher in the class is a good way to uphold the foundation.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
While the 2015 class is one of the best for rushers in quite some time, that will not encourage teams to wait until later—the same will unfold for wideouts soon, too.
The Atlanta Falcons are up next, and a pathetic 22 sacks in 2014 means the front office will grab the top rusher available.
That would be Kentucky's Alvin Dupree, a scheme-versatile force whose presence creates some unpredictable scenarios for opposing offenses and more sacks for the Falcons.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The health of 34-year-old Eli Manning is key in the Big Apple.
With that focus in mind, the New York Giants can continue the offensive-minded ways of last offseason with Brandon Scherff, who is easily the top tackle in the class.
While not a sexy pick that will sell tons of jerseys, extending Manning's career and effectiveness is what a smart organization would do.
10. St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The debate between DeVante Parker and Kevin White is similar to the Mariota-Winston saga.
It is all about preference.
As NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah points out, Parker compares well to current top stars:
Look for the Rams to pull the trigger on the hopes that Parker's sure hands also free up Tavon Austin.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The strategy is much of the same for the Minnesota Vikings.
Mike Zimmer must do whatever it takes to help Teddy Bridgewater's development. This means bringing a weapon such as White on board, which in theory will also free up Cordarrelle Patterson more often.
12. Cleveland Browns: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
The floodgates are open.
Dorial Green-Beckham might just be the top overall wideout in the class, but off-field issues raise red flags that can sometimes override immense talent.
It takes a team such as the Cleveland Browns to roll the dice. While the front office has other erratic personalities such as Johnny Manziel on its hands, two first-round picks makes DGB a gamble worth a look.
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
A blossoming New Orleans Saints defense came crashing back down to Earth as this past season progressed.
Rob Ryan's amoeba look needs more players who can make a difference on each snap. This calls for a versatile talent such as Dante Fowler Jr., who lined up at all spots along the line and even stood up at Florida.
A unit that recorded 34 sacks in 2014 will only improve.
14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Washington's Shaq Thompson is an official entrant in the 2015 draft, as ESPN CollegeFootball illustrates:
A team such as the Miami Dolphins, which needs to get younger in the defensive trenches, surely likes the news.
As an added bonus, Thompson has experience at running back, another problem area in Miami.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Marcus Peters comes with baggage, but at some point, talent overrides issues.
So long as the former Washington star checks out, Peters is a great addition behind players such as Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox
What the San Francisco 49ers really need is good fortune in the health department, but a top-tier addition in the secondary sure does not hurt.
16. Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Now corner takes a bit of precedence with the first one off the board.
Michigan State's Trae Waynes is up next thanks to a stellar collegiate career as a leader of a top defense.
Johnathan Joseph is 30 years old and Houston's pass defense ranked 21st, so the area of need and fit are obvious.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Jaelen Strong is a talent who can and likely will boost his stock in offseason workouts as scouts and NFL teams look closer at what he brings to the table.
For now, Strong is one many—including Miller—see as a fit for Andy Reid's Kansas City Chiefs:
"Devin Funchess, Jaelen Strong RT @AU_SeanWald: Realistic WR option for #Chiefs at 18?
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) December 29, 2014"
Strong will change the narrative that wideouts are an afterthought in Reid's scheme quickly.
18. San Diego Chargers: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
Hop back over to PFF for a minute to check out where San Diego's guards rank.
On a list of 78 guards, Chad Rinehart comes in at No. 73. Johnnie Troutman is No. 77.
If Philip Rivers is to extend his career and the run game is to improve, the front office in San Diego needs to take A.J. Cann, the draft's top interior lineman.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Now the Browns can roll with a safe pick.
Look for the front office to think defense this time around, especially after the unit wound up dead last against the rush by season's end.
Waynes' teammate Shilique Calhoun is athletic and explosive enough to help turn things around in Cleveland, as his scheme-versatile traits make him an ideal fit in the scheme.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
A 31st rank against the pass is somewhat to be expected for the Philadelphia Eagles.
Chip Kelly's quick-twitch attack means opposing offenses prefer the aerial avenue to keep pace, which in turn puts more stress on the secondary.
To help turn things around, the Eagles can add a top-tier corner such as Jalen Collins, the latest in a long line of productive LSU corners.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
The Cincinnati Bengals need help along the defensive line with Geno Atkins somewhat ineffective after a knee injury a year ago and Domata Peko regressing.
Malcom Brown is an explosive answer to the hole on the line next to Atkins, as Alex Dunlap of Orangebloods explains:
This, of course, will create a strong ripple effect on the rest of the unit and take some pressure off struggling linebackers.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
If the Pittsburgh Steelers are serious about the youthful renaissance on the defensive side of things, they will find a way to grab another talented pass-rusher in the first round.
Vic Beasley is the top name on the board. His ability to line up all over the field and bring the heat fits well in Pittsburgh's scheme.
No more bringing back older veterans such as James Harrison for help.
23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Detroit Lions cannot be happy to see Brown come off the board, but Danny Shelton is a great consolation prize.
With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley likely headed to free agency, the front office has little choice but to grab a young talent at the position.
With Shelton on board, the defense can somewhat persevere if one or both starters leave for greener pastures.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
A weak quarterback class pushes Brett Hundley to the first round despite his project status.
Bruce Arians knows quarterback talent when he sees it, so expect the Arizona Cardinals to pull the trigger. Hundley needs work from a mechanical standpoint, as well as his vision downfield, but his dual-threat capabilities are hard to find.
As an added bonus, Hundley learns behind Carson Palmer before assuming the helm.
25. Carolina Panthers: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
A porous offensive line allowed 38 sacks of Cam Newton.
In other words, the rush to surround him with more talent continues. Kelvin Benjamin continues to prove he was a great pick, so the front office in Carolina can only hope to replicate that success with Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi, who at one point looked like the top tackle in the class.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
A serious knee injury to Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will only knock him so far down the board.
This is especially the case when the Oregon standout plans on such a quick return to form, per Pac-12 Networks:
Arguably the top corner in the class before his injury, a struggling Baltimore Ravens secondary needs the relief.
27. Indianapolis Colts: Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon
Jonathan Newsome (6.5 sacks) is a great surprise in Indianapolis, but the Colts cannot afford to rest easy thanks to 41 sacks overall this season.
With that in mind, the front office can get younger and ever more versatile with the addition of Oregon's Arik Armstead.
Even in a deep class, Armstead stands out as a special talent with a nose for quarterbacks.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
Every-down interior linebackers continue to be increasingly difficult to find, so Benardrick McKinney is a great add for whichever team decides to pull the trigger in the first round.
Said team needs to be the Dallas Cowboys. Things are better in Jerry World this year—the run defense ranks eighth, after all—but that is no excuse for the staff to sit on its hands.
McKinney is a big addition for the Cowboys who can move around in the linebacking corps and help out once the seemingly inevitable injury bug hits.
29. Denver Broncos: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Also a highly regarded tackle prospect, Andrus Peat makes a lot of sense in Denver.
Four of the team's tackles have ranks by PFF this year, but none—including big name Ryan Clady—rank better than No. 41.
Peat may not start right away, but it is clear that the depth in Denver needs an upgrade, as does the future outlook.
30. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The Green Bay Packers dipped their toes into free agency for a re-up with B.J. Raji to mediocre results, so a precedence on fixing the defensive trenches is the focal point.
Eddie Goldman is known for his well-rounded skill set that allows him to generate pressure and clog gaps, a pair of traits that will also help a 10th-ranked pass defense.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
The Seattle Seahawks, a team with four players who have a minimum of five sacks, could use even more in the pass-rush department with no other apparent major needs.
Nate Orchard comes to mind near the end of the first round.
The 6'4", 255-pound force can line up at multiple spots and terrorize quarterbacks, even as a rookie.
32. New England Patriots: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
For an aging Tom Brady, there is no such thing as too many weapons.
Devin Funchess is one of the more polarizing names in the class thanks to his lack of a defined position between tight end and wideout.
Regardless, if there is one team that will flip that perceived negative and turn it into an advantage, it would be a Brady-led offense.
Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Jan. 10 at 9 a.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
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