2015 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Predictions Before Sunday's Divisional Games
The Baltimore Ravens and Carolina Panthers made their exits from the playoffs Saturday, joining the other 24 NFL teams already in the infancy of the offseason. With the draft's order now set through pick No. 26, the outlook has shifted once again.
This will be a continuing trend throughout the postseason due to a number of events and workouts that come with draft stock-altering consequences. However, as teams are eliminated from the postseason, this process is expedited, as the shifting of the selection order and corresponding team needs combine to quickly change the draft's landscape.
Before another two teams' seasons are officially ended Sunday, let's take an updated look at how the 2015 NFL draft's first round would look if it were to happen in the midst of the divisional round of the playoffs.
.png?w=256)
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Buccaneers have a couple of very talented 6'5" wide receivers in the fold. The only problem is they don't have a reliable quarterback capable of efficiently distributing the football. This year's Heisman winner should do the trick, as Mariota's combination of accuracy, mobility and intelligence will give this offense an enormous boost.
2. Tennessee Titans: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
It's difficult to know if the Titans saw enough of Zach Mettenberger to name him the starter going forward; however, no matter who is under center for this team in 2015, additional protection is needed to avoid more sack celebrations from J.J. Watt. Scherff is a prototypical tackle at 6'5"and 320 pounds. His length and technique will allow him to become an instant contributor across from Taylor Lewan.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Jacksonville went heavy on the offensive side of the ball in the 2014 draft, so a switch to defense makes sense here. This team needs a big presence on the interior of its defensive line, and adding the 6'5", 298-pound Williams is the answer. His athleticism, size, length and speed combine to make him an all-around playmaker and the cornerstone of this defense for years to come.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Raiders saw some improved play from their rookies down the final stretch of the regular season. However, if they expect quarterback Derek Carr and Co. to continue improving, a reliable weapon is needed on the outside. Cooper was the nation's most exciting prospect at wide receiver in 2014, and his soft hands and reliable route running will make him an instant favorite with the team's young signal-caller.
5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
Washington was lacking a pass-rushing presence opposite Ryan Kerrigan during the regular season, and with Brian Orakpo's future in question, addressing this need in the first round will serve this team well. Gregory may be the draft's most talented pass-rusher. His explosiveness off the snap, long arms and speed make him a challenge to contain for any offensive tackle.
6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Jets need a change on the offensive side of the ball, so why not swing for the fences and nab Winston here? Sure, he has some off-the-field concerns, but his size, arm strength, awareness and ability to progress through reads make him an NFL-ready prospect on the field. This may be a boom-or-bust move, but New York needs to make something happen.
7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Chicago has been horrid on defense over the last several seasons. The team's secondary can't seem to keep wide receivers from going over the top, and its front seven allows spacious gaps for ball-carriers. Luckily, selecting Collins here helps in both of those departments. A highly experienced player coming from a good defense, Collins has improved cover skills, nice speed and plays with physicality to help in run support.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The Falcons struggled to pressure opposing quarterbacks for the majority of the 2014 season, so adding All-American pass-rushing specialist Shane Ray seems like the right move. Ray combines an explosive first step with blazing speed around the edge to circumvent would-be blockers. Equipped with a high motor, he routinely chases down ball-carriers from behind, racking up tackles in the backfield.
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller explained what makes Ray a coveted first-round option in this year's draft:
9. New York Giants: Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
New York must find some stability at the linebacker position, and Dupree is the answer. He was extremely productive in college due to his long 6'4", 267-pound frame, good burst, solid speed and sound technique. Highly athletic, he is a do-it-all player who will contribute as a pass-rusher, run-stuffer and in coverage.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Every NFL team wants big 6'1" cornerbacks with good speed capable of covering better receivers on an island. Well, that's exactly what the Rams are getting here in Waynes. He has great instincts in coverage, allowing him to anticipate routes and make an early break on the ball. When covering deeper routes, he uses his length to his advantage, gaining leverage and winning jump balls.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Vikings began to get something going on the offensive side of the ball in the second half of the regular season. Teddy Bridgewater began to improve, but protection became a problem. To avoid a bevy of sacks going forward, selecting Peat here is the right move. A monster in the trenches, the 6'7", 312-pound tackle is not only strong, but he's surprisingly athletic and agile as well.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Cleveland's offense may be one of the league's biggest mysteries heading into the 2015 season. This team has a quarterback dilemma, and its top receiver continues to raise concerns from off-field antics. Stability is needed, so adding Parker here is the right move. At 6'3" and 209 pounds, Parker is a big, friendly target who is a good route-runner with reliable hands. He'll make a difference immediately.
Here's a look at what Parker can do with underneath routes, courtesy of Rotoworld's Josh Norris:
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
New Orleans took a giant step backward on the defensive side of the ball in 2014. Adding a pass-rusher will help get this team back on track, so Fowler is the choice at No. 13 overall. The Florida product is highly versatile, having played across the defensive line and at outside linebacker. He's extremely athletic, fast and powerful, making him a valuable defensive weapon.
14. Miami Dolphins: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Miami began to see more progress from quarterback Ryan Tannehill during the regular season. However, to keep that trend alive, an upgrade at offensive tackle across from Ja'Wuan James is needed. Ogbuehi has great size at 6'5" and 300 pounds. He's very athletic for his build, but he's also very powerful, making him dangerous in pass protection and while blocking for the run.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Michael Crabtree is set to be a free agent in 2015, and due to the 49ers' already thin wide receiver corps, adding more talent is necessary. White has a solid 6'3", 210-pound frame and uses it to bully smaller defensive backs. He has good acceleration, allowing him to get downfield quickly, and his vision plays a crucial role in creating many yards after the catch on shorter routes.
16. Houston Texans: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The future of Andre Johnson is still uncertain, and even if he does remain with the team, it may not be for much longer. That said, the Texans need to bring in a long-term option to pair with DeAndre Hopkins. Strong makes perfect sense, as his powerful 6'3", 215-pound frame combines with great length, speed and leaping ability to form an enormous catch radius and vertical threat.
17. San Diego Chargers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
San Diego's secondary was decimated by injuries in 2014, but it still needs another cornerback on the outside. Peters has NFL size at 6'0" and 198 pounds. He's athletic enough to stick with faster wide receivers, tall enough to cover taller targets and strong enough to make tackles in the open field and help in run support.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Yes, the Chiefs would love a wide receiver here, but the chips just didn't fall their way. Instead, the team will address another offensive need in the trenches. Collins' 6'5", 321-pound frame could allow him to play guard, but he's also long enough to play tackle. He's extremely powerful when blocking for the run, pushing defenders back on their heels, but he's also agile and light on his feet in pass protection.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Bills): Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Cleveland needs a pass-rusher in the worst way, and it may be getting an enormous steal here. Beasley is incredibly quick off the line with the flexibility and speed necessary to circumvent those strong AFC North offensive tackles. He's also fast in the open field, allowing him to chase down ball-carriers from behind.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The Eagles need a cornerback in the worst way, and it just so happens an Oregon product is the best one remaining on the board at No. 20 overall. Ekpre-Olomu isn't a big corner at 5'9", but he has very good instincts in coverage, the necessary speed to cover faster receivers, great ball skills and a powerful 195-pound frame that holds up nicely in run support.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Cincinnati quickly went from having one of the NFL's most feared pass rushes to finishing dead last in sacks in 2014. The team also displayed its lack of depth at linebacker after dealing with a couple injuries. Adding the athletic, versatile Thompson gives this team a speedy pass-rushing option off the edge and depth at outside linebacker.
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah tweeted Thompson's strengths and weaknesses:
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
The Steelers are going to have to make some big changes in the secondary over the offseason. Not only are they old in the defensive backfield, but they lack depth. Williams gives this team the right combination of youth and talent. He boasts a solid 6'0", 196-pound frame, good leaping ability, solid coverage skills and the willingness to play a physical game—a trait Pittsburgh will love.
23. Detroit Lions: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Assuming Ndamukong Suh departs in free agency, the Lions will need a replacement at defensive tackle to maintain their dangerous front seven. Goldman is a mauler in the trenches at 6'3" and 320 pounds. He combines an explosive first step with good length and impressive upper-body strength to bull rush his way into the backfield.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Arizona's defense played extremely well in 2014; however, it could use an upgrade on the interior of the line. Shelton is an NFL-ready prospect who is a tremendous gap-stuffer at 6'2" and 332 pounds. His bull rush has a tendency to knock centers into the backfield, but he's also agile enough to move laterally in pursuit of a ball-carrier.
25. Carolina Panthers: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton showed a bit of regression as a passer in 2014, and that could be a result of poor protection. Bringing in the 6'6", 318-pound Stanley would be a massive help for the quarterback's blind side. The tackle's length and agility allow him to match up nicely against speed-rushers, but he has the toughness to play a big role when blocking for the run as well.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
One of Baltimore's biggest strengths on the defensive side of the ball is at outside linebacker, and adding the athletic Orchard ensures the longevity of that unit. With great pass-rushing instincts, a quick burst and tremendous speed, Orchard will be able to contribute on passing downs immediately, adding more versatility to Baltimore's rotation.
Rob Rang of CBSSports.com tweeted the skill set Orchard would bring to Baltimore:
27. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
The Colts may need some help at inside linebacker, and while that's McKinney's specialty, his versatility is his biggest attraction here. At 6'4" and 249 pounds, the former Bulldog lined up on the inside and at outside linebacker due to his great speed and athleticism. He has the ability to become a valuable chess piece within the front seven.
28. Dallas Cowboys: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Dallas could use some help against the pass, and adding an interior pass-rusher would certainly do the trick. Bennett plays a crucial role for the Buckeyes. At 6'2" and 288 pounds, he isn't huge for a defensive tackle, but his great initial burst, leg drive and ability to gain leverage on interior linemen make him a constant threat in the middle of the defensive line.
29. Denver Broncos: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
If the Broncos can continue to protect Peyton Manning, the future Hall of Famer may be able to stick around for a couple of more years. Adding Clemmings, a great prospect in pass protection, would be wise here. The Pittsburgh product has great quickness and athleticism, allowing him to get into position against faster pass-rushers.
30. Green Bay Packers: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Green Bay could get plenty of use out of Brown immediately. He has great size at 6'4" and 320 pounds, and that wide frame serves him well as a gap-stuffer against the run. He does have quickness off the snap, and combined with his high motor and tendency to fight through blocks, Brown can be effective against the pass, making him an every-down player in the NFL.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The future of Marshawn Lynch in Seattle is murky right now, and while the team has some nice backup options at running back, it may be difficult to pass on Gordon here. Seattle's offense is built around the run, and grabbing the fastest running back to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark in a season in FBS history would ensure the team's ground game remains dangerous.
32. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
New England has some nice weapons on the offensive side of the ball, but none of them are viable No. 1 wide receivers. Adding another big target for Tom Brady would be wise, and the 6'5", 225-pound Green-Beckham fits the bill. The receiver's incredible athleticism and acceleration make him a constant vertical threat, and his strength makes him difficult to take down for smaller defensive backs.
All mocked underclassmen have either declared for the draft or are undecided as of January 10, according to NFL.com.
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
