2015 NFL Mock Draft: Latest 1st-Round Projections for Top College Prospects
It's officially the offseason for all but four of the NFL's 32 organizations, which means it's all systems go for April's draft.
Along with the ending of the postseason's divisional round that saw four contending teams bounced from the playoffs, this week also coincides with the end of the college football season. After Ohio State's emphatic College Football Playoff championship victory over Oregon on Monday night, it's officially time for college's top prospects to begin immense preparation for the upcoming draft.
A lot of the teams picking early on in Round 1 of the draft have had their sights set on this very thing for quite some time. But so much can change regarding the draft stock of top prospects in just a couple of months, and exhaustive work stands between now and the eventual draft selection.
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With that said, favorable fits are starting to jump off the page for teams with first-round selections. Let's take a look at what those are below.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Let's get one big thing out of the way early here—Monday night's distasteful loss to Ohio State will do nothing to stunt Marcus Mariota's draft stock.
He and his Ducks didn't come through as championship favorites in the CFP title game, but Mariota still resembles the best option for teams zeroing in on a franchise quarterback. He has NFL size, a prototypical arm that can make all the throws, intelligence to protect the ball and athleticism to extend plays with his feet.
But wait, could the loss motivate him to come back?
"I'm sure it will weigh in a little bit, but there's a lot of other things that have to play into that decision," Mariota told ESPN.com news services. "There's starting grad school, coming back for another year to improve, there's a lot of other things that could bring me back. It's just not specifically this loss."
You wouldn't expect him to say anything less after such a tough defeat, but Mariota's immense stock and potential will lead the Bucs to crown him as the franchise savior after he inevitably declares.
2. Tennessee Titans: DT Leonard Williams, USC
The Titans need so much with this pick that they would do well to pull a St. Louis Rams and turn it into three or four good picks, but they won't hesitate to get the best player available. That just so happens to be USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams, who is an easy fit for Tennessee's 3-4 scheme, as he can line up alongside Jurrell Casey and wreak havoc.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Jacksonville impressed in 2014 by fielding one of the NFL's best pass rushes, but it was all but negated by an ineffective offensive line. Iowa's Brandon Scherff isn't at the level of some top-three linemen of years past, but he still looks to be a can't-miss franchise tackle who will make an early impact.
4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
How can the Raiders expect young quarterback Derek Carr to thrive without any seriously dangerous offensive weapons? To remedy that issue, Oakland will jump at the chance of grabbing Alabama's Amari Cooper. With an NFL-type body frame, elite speed and an incredible catching radius, he will be one of Carr's best friends from the get-go.
5. Washington Redskins: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
The only thing worse than Washington's quarterback play throughout 2014 was the consistent ineffectiveness of the pass rush, which boasts no single player for offenses to circle on the scouting report. That will change in an instant with the selection of Randy Gregory, a beast of a pass-rusher who can make his impact either at linebacker or with his paw in the ground.
6. New York Jets: QB Jameis Winston, FSU
No matter who the Jets tab as their new head coach, he'll likely come in wanting to revamp the offense—particularly the quarterback position. Jameis Winston may not be available at No. 6, but if he is, New York will not hesitate to select him and give him the keys to the offense from Day 1.
7. Chicago Bears: SS Landon Collins, Alabama
No team needs secondary help more than the Chicago Bears, specifically at the safety spot. And there certainly isn't a more promising defensive back in the class than Alabama's Landon Collins. A hard-hitting ball-hawker with the body of a small linebacker and the speed of a wideout, Collins is built for a long, productive NFL career.
He seems to be ready for it, per Tuscaloosa News' Cecil Hurt:
Don't expect Collins to single-handedly morph Chicago's defense from opening day, but he'll quickly help to improve the unit in the near future.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray, Missouri
The Falcons had just 21 team sacks in 16 games—no, that's not good. Fortunately for Atlanta, this draft is so loaded with stout pass-rushers that it can nab a top-five-caliber pick at No. 8 in Shane Ray. Unlike many of his fellow draftees who are more of stand-up rushers, Missouri's physical pass-rusher has the size and strength to carve out a role at defensive end.
9. New York Giants: OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
We go from a hand-in-the-ground pass-rusher to one just as effective, only at the size of a safety. Washington's Shaq Thompson is small for a linebacker at 6'1" and 230 pounds but gravitates toward the ball as an incredible all-around defender. That's just what the Giants need, as they struggled to make big plays on defense outside of their cornerbacks all season long.
And as Brandon Howard of Pro Player Insiders noted, he can be incredibly versatile in where he lines up:
10. St. Louis Rams: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
Nobody truly knows who the Rams will be starting at quarterback in 2015, but there's no doubting whomever it is will need to be protected better. St. Louis rebuilt its defensive line via the draft over the last few seasons, and now it's time to do the same on offense as the Rams select the second-best offensive lineman in the class in Stanford's Andrus Peat.
11. Minnesota Vikings: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Mike Zimmer's sheer arrival (and some heady front-office moves) has helped the Vikings defense to re-find its poise in 2014, but he needs more impact players to finish the transformation. He can lock down one island for the near future by selecting the draft's top cornerback. Michigan State's Trae Waynes has the long and athletic skill set that has helped corners like Richard Sherman turn into superstars in today's NFL.
12. Cleveland Browns: OT La'el Collins, LSU
If the Browns don't go with Johnny Manziel in 2015, the quarterback will need better protection. If they do go with Johnny Football, protection will become even more important, which will lead to Cleveland grabbing a plug-and-play lineman out of LSU in La'el Collins—who is shooting up draft boards after a dominating 2014 season.
13. New Orleans Saints: DE Vic Beasley, Clemson
It's no secret that the Saints are seriously lacking in the pass rush, and seeing some of the top pass-rushers come off the board won't keep Sean Payton and Co. from going down that path. Of course, that has a lot to do with the fact that Clemson's Vic Beasley is still available.
With all of the athletic tools you would look for in a pass-rusher and a track record of getting it done, Beasley will be an easy choice for any team outside the top 10.
14. Miami Dolphins: ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
There's only one middle linebacker worthy of a Round 1 selection, and the Dolphins won't hesitate to perhaps pick him a little early. Mississippi State's Benardrick McKinney jumps off the page as a first-round draft pick—he's huge in the middle of the field but fast and instinctive, capable of tracking down rushers or swatting down pass attempts.
15. San Francisco 49ers: DT Danny Shelton, Washington
The 49ers defensive line isn't porous by any means, but it's not the strength that it needs to be for San Francisco to stay afloat in the NFC West. After the selection of Danny Shelton, that won't be a problem. Washington's stout defensive tackle will command a lot of attention and space at his worst and rip through double-teams at his best.
16. Houston Texans: FS Gerod Holliman, Louisville
Houston is headed in the right direction but could use a couple of reinforcements to take that next step. One key area of need is at the safety spot, where D.J. Swearinger just isn't playing at a high enough level. If the Texans draft Louisville's hard-hitting safety, Gerod Holliman, that should no longer be a problem.
17. San Diego Chargers: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
The Chargers will be ecstatic if McKinney falls into their laps, but at No. 17, San Diego should be ready for a couple of backup plans. In a draft sprinkled with promising offensive linemen, the Chargers will do well to address a key need there.
Texas A&M's Cedric Ogbuehi was perhaps the top lineman in the draft before a shaky 2014 season, but the best is ahead for this young, still-developing athletic specimen. A torn ACL could hold him back at first, as Yahoo Sports' Rand Getlin noted, but he should be ready for the start of 2015:
Once he reaches his full potential, few pass-rushers will be able to beat Ogbuehi.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Kevin White, West Virginia
I can't even imagine how cruel it would be to Alex Smith if the Chiefs again refuse to find him a dangerous threat in the passing game outside of running backs and tight ends. West Virginia's Kevin White seems to be the ideal fit, with the complete package of speed, size and catching ability that will allow Smith to lean on him.
Last year's incredibly deep receiving class may motivate Kansas City to wait until later, but last year isn't this year. If the Chiefs want to really help Smith, they will get the first wideout off the board.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
Speaking of teams that need wideouts, the Browns have every need to add dangerous receivers—especially after Josh Gordon's shaky play late in 2014. DeVante Parker would be the ideal speedy wideout to play alongside Gordon but also can be the featured guy if Gordon doesn't work out.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
Outside of Tampa Bay picking a quarterback, there may not be a surer thing in this draft than Philadelphia selecting a cornerback. It just so happens that Chip Kelly can strike up his Oregon connection with Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, the Ducks cornerback who was injured in bowl preparation but should make a quick impact in the NFL once he returns to health.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
The Bengals showed in their one-and-done playoff exit that they need linebacking help more than anything, but that was due to injury and an offseason will allow Cincinnati to get healthy. With that said, that weakness was only amplified by a lack of heat coming off the edge. With Kentucky's Alvin "Bud" Dupree—a guy who could end up going even earlier in Round 1—that will turn into less and less of a problem.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: DE Dante Fowler, Florida
Pittsburgh lucked out when it was able to lure in former great James Harrison when injuries piled up in 2014, but that may not be an option in the future. Expect the Steelers to beef up in the front seven with Dante Fowler, especially since the Florida defensive end will have fallen a few spots thanks to stout pass-rushers ahead of him.
23. Detroit Lions: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
The Lions are becoming more and more reliant on the pass in the Matthew Stafford era, largely because they've never had a truly dependable workhorse. Todd Gurley may be the best case of that to come out in years, which will spur Detroit to make the risky move of selecting a running back in Round 1—something that didn't happen for any team in last year's draft.
24. Arizona Cardinals: DE Nate Orchard, Utah
Few teams in the NFL boast a more dangerous pass rush than the Cardinals, but nobody can overcome the slew of injuries that hit Arizona this season. To make sure their biggest strength remains a strength, the Cardinals will fortify the pass rush by adding specialist Nate Orchard.
25. Carolina Panthers: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
If the Panthers are going to hang with the likes of Seattle in the playoffs (or even finish above .500), they will need a more impacting offensive line. Carolina's line has the downhill running taken care of but struggles in pass protection, which is precisely where Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings gets it done.
26. Baltimore Ravens: OT Ronnie Stanley, Notre Dame
Where the Baltimore Ravens need youthful talent the most is up front offensively, and they'll be fortunate to have Ronnie Stanley fall into their laps. Notre Dame's offensive tackle is a menace to get past off the edge, and he should keep Joe Flacco relatively well-protected in 2015 and beyond.
27. Dallas Cowboys: CB Marcus Peters, Washington
The Cowboys defense made some convincing improvements in 2014 to show it's no longer a punching bag, but it could still use more talent in the secondary. That will spur the Cowboys to go Marcus Peters' way, as the embattled former Washington cornerback will showcase his elite athleticism to overshadow off-field issues.
28. Denver Broncos: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
Time is fragile, as is the health of veteran quarterback Peyton Manning. Whether he even returns for another NFL season is still up in the air, but assuming he gives the organization the thumbs up, it will do everything it can to keep him better protected in the pocket. The selection of Ereck Flowers out of Miami will give the Broncos offensive line extra reinforcements and more flexibility.
29. Indianapolis Colts: OT Tyler Sambrailo, Colorado State
Not that the Colts are struggling by any means because of it, but Indianapolis' offensive line isn't the most stable of units. With a young, budding legend in Andrew Luck, the Colts will be forced to give him better protection and nab Colorado State's Tyler Sambrailo as someone who can line up wherever needed on the line early in his career.
30. Green Bay Packers: DT Eddie Goldman, FSU
The latest running back to gash Green Bay's front was DeMarco Murray, and the Packers' absence of an impact nose tackle has never been on better display. Florida State's Eddie Goldman is the best bet in this year's class to fill that void immediately, as the sizable Seminoles defensive tackle will swallow up linemen similar to B.J. Raji.
31. Seattle Seahawks: DT/DE Arik Armstead, Oregon
What truly takes the Seahawks defense to the next level is when it's getting home in the pass rush, and a stacked roster will allow Seattle to address that in the draft. Arik Armstead will stay close to Oregon and join a fast Seahawks defense where he'll be inserted as a pass-rushing specialist early on.
32. New England Patriots: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Tom Brady gets it done anyway, but there's no denying he doesn't have one of the NFL's best receiving corps. Brandon LaFell has been a solid option on the outside, but Jaelen Strong's athleticism and size will take it to the next level. His presence will open up things even more for Rob Gronkowski.
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