2015 NFL Mock Draft: Full Order and 1st-Round Predictions for Top Prospects
Now that the college football season is officially in the books, all eyes will turn toward the NFL Scouting Combine that takes place in February. Teams have been scouting players all year, but the annual sojourn to Indianapolis is the first time they get one-on-one face time with a lot of the top talent.
This year's class doesn't have the same kind of appeal that last year's did because it seemed like all of the talent was at skill positions. This class also doesn't have a potentially generational talent like Jadeveon Clowney at the top.
However, what this class lacks in power, it makes up for with depth. There's also the instantly intriguing storyline of which star quarterback will go first. Official answers won't come until April, but here are predictions for what to expect as things stand right now.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
There's a lot to nitpick about Marcus Mariota's game coming to the NFL, but there's no denying that he has the highest ceiling of any quarterback in this class. No stage will be too big for the 2014 Heisman winner, who was money early and often against Ohio State in the championship game, per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports:
Being able to play out of the pocket more will be Mariota's biggest adjustment in the NFL. He's so skilled, though, that teams can adjust what they do to suit his talents. The Buccaneers need a dynamic quarterback because their offensive line is so miserable, which gives them more incentive to select the Oregon signal-caller.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Jameis Winston may not be a safe bet because of his erratic play in 2014 and long history of off-field indiscretions, but when scouts are reportedly comparing him to Ben Roethlisberger, per Fox Sports, it's hard to ignore the possibilities.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley made his name in Seattle with defense, so it's only fair that he continues to build that unit in Jacksonville. Leonard Williams is the star defensive player in this class, showing the kind of versatility to play inside or outside and still create pressure on the quarterback.
4. Oakland Raiders: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Some cynics don't believe Randy Gregory's skills will translate to immediate success in the NFL. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com went so far as to say Gregory doesn't compare to another well-regarded pass-rusher in this class:
The key phrase there is "physical traits galore," as Gregory is going to dazzle scouts in his workouts and has the upside to be a superstar in due time. When you are picking in the top 10, it's important to bet on ceiling. The Raiders struck gold last year with Khalil Mack. If Gregory turns into what his skills suggest, this defense is going to be good soon.
5. Washington: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Washington has the unfortunate task of playing in a division with Odell Beckham Jr., Victor Cruz, Dez Bryant (assuming he re-signs with Dallas), Terrance Williams and Jeremy Maclin (assuming he re-signs with Philadelphia). You need a good secondary to survive against that kind of talent.
The front office has ignored the defense while trying to figure out the offense, but that should change with the addition of ball-hawking safety Landon Collins. He's a stellar pass defender, showing excellent coverage skills and the ability to read the quarterback's eyes. Tackling is an issue, though that doesn't mean he can't figure it out.
6. New York Jets: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Since the Jets miss out on the top two quarterbacks, their next best move will be to draft the best offensive playmaker available. At 6'1", 210 pounds, Amari Cooper doesn't measure up physically with some of the receivers who came out last year, but he's a special talent because of all the little things he does.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, who got a close look at Cooper in the Sugar Bowl, had this to say about the Alabama star, via Marquavius Burnett of The Anniston Star:
Cooper won't be the No. 1 pick, so he will have to settle for being the most high-profile player taken by the Jets. Welcome to New York!
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The Bears lost any semblance of a pass rush after letting Julius Peppers go following the 2013 season. It was a warranted move but just another subtraction for an already-depleted defense. Shane Ray is the perfect pick for Chicago, as he is a sack artist with the best first step in this class. He's not the most physical player, but his speed off the edge is elite.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Another team in desperate need of a pass-rusher, the Falcons can be a quality team soon if they get anything from the defense. Alvin Dupree isn't getting top-10 buzz yet, though that will change after he goes through predraft workouts.
The biggest problem with Dupree is he offers more skill than polish. He will take time to develop, but it's not like the Falcons are in such a rush that they can't wait.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Even though he's listed as a tackle, Brandon Scherff is generating buzz as a guard in the NFL. Normally that would be enough to knock his stock down, but NFL.com's Mike Mayock likens the Iowa star to Dallas' first-round pick last year Zack Martin.
"I like the nasty," Mayock said of Scherff. "I think he can play inside. He's tough, aggressive, and he finishes."
Martin made a huge difference for Dallas' offense in 2014, so the Giants will be looking to strike gold in that same way to protect their aging quarterback.
10. St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Imagine what the Rams could be if they had just an average offense to support that defense. There will be questions about Sam Bradford, or whoever enters 2015 as the starting quarterback, but life will be easier for that person with a top-flight wide receiver.
DeVante Parker fits that bill and may look better than Cooper to some scouts because he's 6'3". The Louisville standout does have some concentration lapses at times, but he can make defenders miss after the catch and is adept at improvising. He needs to polish up his routes, but the raw talent is tremendous.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Teddy Bridgewater proved to be a viable starting quarterback last year. If he's going to take the next step, Minnesota has to get him help on the outside and an offensive line that can offer better protection. Matt Kalil can't handle left tackle at this level. Cedric Ogbuehi may be better suited for the right side, but his experience on the left side does make him a strong value for the Vikings here.
12. Cleveland Browns: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
It may seem foolish for the Browns to draft a receiver with the off-field issues Dorial Green-Beckham has had considering the headaches they've gone through with Josh Gordon. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller summed up DGB's draft stock beautifully on Twitter:
That first part about talent will have NFL teams salivating. Green-Beckham has something you can't teach, which is a 6'6" frame and speed to go along with it. The Browns will do their due diligence to make sure what's happened is in the past. They may end up getting suckered, but teams always bet on talent.
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
Unless the Saints become enamored with a defensive back who will be available, their best path to improving the defense is finding a true edge-rusher who can get after the quarterback. Dante Fowler is more skill than polish at this point. He succeeds because of his speed and needs to get stronger and more physical.
14. Miami Dolphins: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
A slew of older players carry Miami's defense, starting with Cameron Wake (32). The secondary is a particular problem because Cortland Finnegan (30) and Brent Grimes (31) are showing signs of losing a step in this phase of their careers.
Getting younger and more dynamic at the cornerback spot is essential, which is why Marcus Peters makes the most sense. The former Washington star will have to address a report from Bob McGinn of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel about allegedly trying to choke an assistant coach.
For what it's worth, Adam Jude of The Seattle Times quoted Washington defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski as calling those reports "bull(expletive)."
As far as Peters' ability on the field, NFL.com quoted an NFC East scout as saying the former Huskies star is the "best cover corner prospect I've seen in the last 14 years." If that's not enough incentive for Miami to take him, what is?
15. San Francisco 49ers: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Until the 49ers hire a head coach, it's hard to know what direction they may want to take in the draft. Just looking over the board and what the team needs, Devin Funchess is an ideal fit. He gives Colin Kaepernick a huge target at 6'4" with speed and long limbs.
Michael Crabtree is a free agent. Anquan Boldin is closer to the end of his career, and Vernon Davis crawled into a hole last year that he never emerged from. Funchess is the shot of adrenaline this offense needs to grow in the passing game.
16. Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Being able to depend on J.J. Watt is a good problem that every team would love to have, but the Texans are soft in the secondary. That's a problem in a division with Andrew Luck, though at least the Titans and Jaguars don't have powerful passing offenses at this point.
Trae Waynes fits into the new mold of an NFL cornerback with long limbs in his 6'1" frame. He's not an elite cover corner because speed isn't a huge part of his game, but he can make up for it in recovery because his arms are long.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Chiefs need to get some kind of explosive element in the passing game. Alex Smith is hyper-conservative to a fault, though the weapons he has to play with aren't exactly helping out.
Jaelen Strong isn't a speed receiver, though it's hard to find a better big-play threat in this year's class because he's 6'3", 212 pounds and has a knack for making plays in traffic. He's also strong after the catch because of good elusiveness.
18. San Diego Chargers: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
One reason San Diego broke down at the end of the year is because Philip Rivers was getting knocked around like a pinball in the machine. The Chargers offensive line is dreadful and in immediate need of repair.
A.J. Cann isn't a sexy pick, even as an offensive lineman because he's "just a guard," but his strength and quickness make him effective at blocking for the run or pass. Rivers isn't going to hold up taking a pounding again, so the Chargers have to protect their franchise quarterback in order to make a playoff run.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Vic Beasley is a poor man's Shane Ray. He's undersized at 6'2" and 235 pounds, but get him on the edge where he can just run around offensive lineman with his speed, and the results are going to be shocking.
Rob Rang and Derek Stephens of CBSSports.com also believe that Beasley's stature doesn't take away from the power he packs:
"Has the flexibility to be able to duck their reach and turn the corner, showing excellent speed to close. Beasley complements his speed rush with a balanced and tight spin back to the inside and a surprisingly effective bull rush.
Beasley is certainly smaller than scouts would prefer but he is more powerful than he looks, sporting broad shoulders, long arms and well-developed upper body. He's able to sneak his hands under the tackle's reach and can walk unbalanced pass-blockers into the pocket.
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The Browns need to get more physical up front if they want to find success in the AFC North. Beasley doesn't solve their issues in the middle of the line, but he is an electric talent who can get after the quarterback in a passing league.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Chip Kelly can coach offense—no one denies that. It's starting to become a question of how well his defensive acumen will hold up in the NFL. It's nice to have an offense that moves quickly, but if you're not scoring, that leaves the defense on the field a lot.
Teams know they can spread the Eagles out because the secondary is such a problem area. Collins is a big, physical cornerback at 6'2" and 198 pounds with the ability to play in a receiver's face and the speed to play in off coverage to make plays in the open field.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
The Bengals need to be more physical if they are going to win in the playoffs. Malcom Brown adds an extra dimension to a talented defensive line, though he's more adept against the run than the pass. That's OK because Marvin Lewis' bunch has established pass-rushers like Carlos Dunlap.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon
While the secondary is Pittsburgh's biggest problem, the value isn't there at this spot. Instead, the Steelers can focus on getting younger in the front seven. Arik Armstead is a player who will rise during the evaluation process, if he isn't already.
Albert Breer of NFL.com had one NFL general manager say that Armstead is a physical freak who should be taken in the first round based on talent. "No. 9 (Armstead) is extremely gifted," said one NFL GM. "He has first-round talent, no doubt. The more he shows us in the playoff game, the better chance he has. But he's a 6'8", 290-pound freak."
Even though Armstead didn't have a banner performance in the title game against Ohio State, he has measurables that can't be taught. The Steelers need to rebuild that defense if they want to be title contenders in 2015.
23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
It's easy to figure out what the Lions will be doing this offseason. Defensive tackle will be the key spot because Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are poised to become free agents. Suh is going to get paid a ton of money, while Fairley hasn't emerged as the star he seemed destined to be coming out of Auburn.
Danny Shelton isn't in Suh's class of talent, though few defensive tackles are. The Washington product is a monster in the middle of the line who is impossible to move at 332 pounds and athletic enough to disrupt the quarterback.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
The Cardinals run defense was strong in 2014 until the time it needed to step up the most. Seattle crushed Arizona late in the year by running the ball, and Jonathan Stewart had his way with the defense in the Wild Card Round.
Benardrick McKinney isn't a natural inside linebacker, but he's a freak athlete who can move inside or out depending on the scheme and situation. He's a powerful tackler who needs to use that more instead of relying on his lightning-quick speed to take full advantage of his talents.
25. Carolina Panthers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Kelvin Benjamin did enough in his rookie year to look like the big-play threat Cam Newton needs. Imagine how much this offense can open up with another home run hitter like Kevin White.
The West Virginia star has some of the same negative qualities that Benjamin did coming out last year, like taking unpolished routes and having some concentration lapses. When White is on, though, he stretches the field and isn't afraid to get the ball in traffic to make big plays.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
When the Ravens' season ended, it was clear that the secondary held this team back. In fairness, that unit was banged up in the playoffs and held Tom Brady at bay for as long as possible.
Going with Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who isn't the picture of health after suffering a knee injury while practicing for the Rose Bowl, may be a risky move but one well worth taking this late in the first round.
ESPN.com's Todd McShay (Insider required) raved about Ekpre-Olomu's cover skills in his scouting report, noting the Oregon star can work alone in man coverage or in nickel situations. That versatility is what the Ravens thrive on and makes Ekpre-Olomu the perfect pick to build around.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
Even if the Cowboys expect to get Sean Lee back healthy, drafting an inside linebacker like Denzel Perryman would be smart. It's impossible to predict what Lee will be like after missing last season, and there's always the possibility that free agent Rolando McClain goes elsewhere.
Perryman is a dynamic tackler who makes up for his lack of height (5'11") with tremendous range and instincts. One thing that could help his stock as a smaller linebacker is the performance of Chris Borland in San Francisco last year.
28. Denver Broncos: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
According to ProFootballFocus.com rankings of every offensive line, the Broncos finished 20th in run blocking. There may be other concerns for this franchise to worry about, depending on what happens with Peyton Manning, but finding a physical presence up front is still what this team needs to take the next step.
Andrus Peat isn't a dynamic offensive lineman, lacking the ceiling of other first-round picks, but his floor is as high as there is. He comes from a power scheme in Stanford that will translate nicely to the NFL without much training needed.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
Even though Nate Orchard doesn't have the makings of a first-round pick—he's an undersized edge-rusher at 6'4", 255 pounds—the Utah star seems like the kind of player Indianapolis loves to draft. The Colts typical modus operandi is to get short, quick players who can get after the quarterback and have wrap-up tackle skills.
Here's what Bucky Brooks of NFL.com had to say about Orchard's draft stock:
"He is a monster when positioned in a "wide-9" alignment and freed to attack the quarterback off the edge. Orchard simply displays a knack for getting home that can't be ignored despite his lack of ideal size (6-foot-4, 255 pounds) or extraordinary playing strength. From his ability to turn speed into power to his ability to get past blockers with a handful of finesse moves, he put on an impressive display of pass-rush prowess on the way to notching 18.5 sacks this season.
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Unless the Colts finally decide to work on the offensive line to help protect Andrew Luck, they need to address the defensive line. There are better talents available than Orchard, but few fit what this franchise looks for better than he does.
30. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
It's time for the Packers to get more physical on the defensive line. B.J. Raji is a part-time player at this point in his career, and the team struggled to stop the run all year. Eddie Goldman specializes in stopping the run with his tremendous power. He has to improve at getting off the line quickly, but that's a small price to pay for his ability to plug gaps and stifle runners.
31. New England Patriots: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Bill Belichick will always take a chance on raw natural talent, even if it's going to take a couple of years to see the final product. Shaq Thompson is still adjusting to the outside linebacker/edge-rusher position after spending time in the secondary.
He is still adding bulk to his 224-pound frame, but he has elite explosiveness and has become a much better tackler. Belichick loves the kind of unique versatility that Thompson offers as a former two-way player, so he makes sense for New England in Round 1.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
Danielle Hunter is a more physical version of Bruce Irvin when the Seahawks drafted him three years ago. Hunter is 6'6" and 240 pounds with tremendous length and speed to get by bigger offensive linemen. He's also more physical than his body type would suggest; he can play against NFL competition right away.
The Seahawks aren't afraid to go off the board if they fall in love with a talent. Irvin is a prime example of that, so don't be shocked if Hunter moves his way into the Round 1 mix.
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