2015 NFL Mock Draft: Latest Prospect Predictions Before AFC, NFC Championships
As four teams fight for the Lombardi Trophy, two players fight for the top spot in the 2015 NFL draft.
Marcus Mariota, whom many will tear apart in the coming months for his collegiate system, is one player in contention for the top slot when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, barring a trade, waltz to the podium.
Jameis Winston, who is polarizing in many circles for many reasons and in for a Manziel-esque path to the draft, is the other.
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That is just the beginning, too, as is the month of January. The extensive road to the draft is excruciating and difficult to monitor each step of the way, hence the need for mock drafts to stem the tide of ever-flowing information.
Before the Super Bowl solidifies in stone, the latest info surrounding top prospects is worth a gander.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Mariota announced his intentions recently, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:
The Buccaneers appear to have a top wideout on their hands with Mike Evans and a stable of talented backs.
Next up, obviously, is to secure the future under center with a prospect who has little concerns on or off the field.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
While he's polarizing, the Tennessee Titans are not in a position to pass on Winston.
Winston, so long as he interviews well, will force his way into the top five. There is no doubt he will perform well in practices and workouts, which will boost his stock in tandem with his game film.
Quarterback is too important of a position to pass on when a prospect such as Winston comes around.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The Jacksonville Jaguars have the pick of the litter when it comes to defenders.
With Sen'Derrick Marks (8.5 sacks) on board, the top edge-rusher is the way the front office should swing.
That means Randy Gregory comes off the board at No. 3 overall. His disruptive presence gives even more productivity to one of the league's most underrated rushes.
4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
The Jaguars' selection leaves Oakland with Leonard Williams, who is arguably the best interior defensive lineman prospect to enter the draft since Muhammad Wilkerson and Ndamukong Suh.
The decision is an easy one for the Raiders front office, thanks to the emergence of rookie quarterback Derek Carr.
Williams' all-around ability should mean Oakland's talented linebackers and developing secondary will have it easier than last year.
5. Washington: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Bleacher Report's Matt Miller lists Alabama wideout Amari Cooper in his top five for good reason:
Washington needs help on both sides of the football, but the top two defenders are already off the board.
The team then turns its focus to the offense, where whoever lines up under center needs reliable help on each down. Cooper fits the bill perfectly.
6. New York Jets: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Kevin White is not far behind Cooper in terms of stock now.
A gaudy 109 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns tends to do that for a prospect. On film, White is stronger than in years past and does a better job of getting open—two traits that catapult him to the top 10.
At No. 6, the New York Jets will make the move. The quarterback riddle remains unsolved, but whomever it ends up being will come to love the pick.
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
An organization in flux can go any number of ways in the top 10, but one of the top priorities in Chicago must be on the defensive side of things.
The Bears mustered all of 39 sacks last year and need to move away from relying on veterans such as Jared Allen and Jeremiah Ratliff for production.
With that in mind, Shane Ray makes the most sense as a proven producer in the SEC and the conference's Defensive Player of the Year.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Make that two teams that need help when it comes to pressuring opposing signal-callers.
The Atlanta Falcons were sluggish all season long in this regard, totaling just 22 sacks. A unit in need of a versatile presence obtains one, though, thanks to Kentucky's Alvin Dupree.
Not a household name just yet, Dupree will be impossible to ignore as more and more eyes look at his tape.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Brandon Scherff to the New York Giants makes so much sense that even ESPN's Mel Kiper is on board:
"If you then question a draft slot this high, getting a guy who can be solid at right tackle right away and potentially dominant at guard isn't too shabby. The guy is simply devastating as a run-blocker, and the Giants could draft him knowing he'll play right away and provide dividends.
"
Kiper hits the nail on the head—the New York offense needs balance in order for Eli Manning to stay alive and productive. Scherff helps right away in this regard.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The title of top corner in the class is up for grabs, but for now, Trae Waynes gets the nod.
Physical in coverage and violent against the run, he would fit well in Jeff Fisher's defense, which needs more young talent in the back end.
Waynes does not need to start right away, but a situational-based role will prove fruitful.
11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Mike Zimmer and the Minnesota Vikings cannot be too thrilled that White is off the board, but DeVante Parker is a reliable target with major upside.
The objective in Minnesota is to help Teddy Bridgewater, who now has two talented targets in Parker and Cordarrelle Patterson.
With the future offensive foundation in place, the Vikings will make some noise in the coming years.
12. Cleveland Browns: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Dorial Green-Beckham is even more polarizing than Winston is.
A note by Chad Parsons of Football Guys sums this up well:
This seems like Cleveland enjoys playing with fire—and it does. The upside to DGB is that he can be one of the top wideouts in the NFL if he lives up to his potential.
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
No matter how the board falls, New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Rob Ryan will get his hands on a talented, versatile rusher.
The class is just that deep. Of course, Dante Fowler Jr. is one of the best-case scenarios for Ryan.
Fowler played all over the line at Florida and can stand up to rush too. His fit and role in New Orleans are ideal.
14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Olivier Vernon (6.5 sacks) is the future of the rush in Miami, but that in no way prohibits the Dolphins from adding more talent in a division that includes Tom Brady.
Shaq Thompson is the next best pass-rusher on the board and figures to fit well in a rotational capacity.
As an added caveat, he can even take some snaps on the offensive side of the ball if the staff chooses to be creative.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Marcus Peters is another polarizing name, but as Miller pointed out recently, issues will only drop him so far:
Peters is a special talent, and the interview process and background checks will reveal all.
If everything comes back positive, look for a secondary-needy team such as the San Francisco 49ers to pull the trigger.
16. Houston Texans: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
The Houston Texans ranked in the bottom 20 against the pass this year, something that will not change anytime soon if the team does not make additions.
It sure is not leading the AFC South, where Andrew Luck reigns supreme.
With that in mind, look for Houston to scoop up a talented corner such as Jalen Collins, who can contribute in a multitude of ways.
17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
No Kansas City Chiefs wideouts scored a touchdown last season.
That should be enough to justify a wideout at No. 17 overall, and it helps that Jaelen Strong is still on the board.
He is a, well, strong prospect who can contribute right out of the gates so long as the offense wants to look in his direction.
18. San Diego Chargers: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
The 2015 draft is all about the warhorses up front for the San Diego Chargers.
Last year's line allowed Philip Rivers to be sacked 36 times and ranked 26th in rushing.
A.J. Cann is the top guard in the class and the obvious choice.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Many are hesitant on Clemson's Vic Beasley.
At one point he was a top prospect, but a down year for the Tigers and his 6'3", 235-pound stature have shed some doubt on his pro potential.
Still, Beasley remains an explosive edge-rusher who is quick off the snap. He makes the Cleveland rush more athletic and unpredictable and is therefore a suitable selection with the team's second pick in the first round.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Safety is a weak point of the 2015 class, although to date there is no debate about the top prospect.
That title belongs to Landon Collins, who fits well in Philadelphia as a run-stuffing presence.
With the way the Eagles offense operates, the secondary needs as many fresh, talented legs as it can get in the coming years.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
It is hard to find a negative about Malcom Brown.
Alex Dunlap of Orangebloods puts it best:
The Cincinnati Bengals need more productivity on the interior of the defensive line next to Geno Atkins, so Brown makes sense for a unit that underachieved in 2014.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon
Things continue to change at a rapid pace in Pittsburgh, where more youth on defense is necessary.
With that objective in mind, Arik Armstead is a suitable prospect to help turn around a unit that only recorded 33 sacks this past season.
He joins an increasingly young defense that will keep Pittsburgh relevant in the AFC North.
23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Danny Shelton may continue to skyrocket as the draft approaches.
Just ask NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah:
With Suh and Nick Fairley headed to free agency, Shelton makes perfect sense for Detroit.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
The days of relying on Ryan Lindley and flirting with Logan Thomas need to end in Arizona.
Should Carson Palmer go down with another injury, Brett Hundley would be a suitable candidate to learn on the job.
Even if the Cardinals do not need him next season, Hundley gives the franchise options for the future.
25. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Cam Newton is a mobile quarterback who subjects himself to unnecessary hits, but his 38 sacks in 2014 are unacceptable.
The Carolina front office was finally serious about giving Newton new weapons last year, so now it is time to focus on the line in front of him.
Andrus Peat is the next best thing on the board and a talent who can enter the lineup right away and provide a boost.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Injury can only derail Ifo Ekpre-Olomu's stock so much.
Baltimore still has a reputation as a defensive-minded team, but another year of ranking 23rd against the pass will ruin that perception.
Ekpre-Olomu will not be able to play right away, but once he's ready, he is talented enough to jump into the fray.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
There is no reason for the Dallas Cowboys to waste a first-round pick on the offensive side of the ball, no matter what happens in free agency.
This is especially the case with Benardrick McKinney still on the board.
The Cowboys need a leader in the middle and someone who can stuff the run on a regular basis.
28. Denver Broncos: T. J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The Denver Broncos are a mess at the moment, but an upgrade in the offensive trenches remains a major need.
CBS Sports' Dane Brugler notes that T. J. Clemmings is one to watch in the stock department:
Clemmings can help all over the line, which makes him a smart pick for a team that needs options.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
Adding more talent to join Bjoern Werner and Jonathan Newsome is nothing short of a good thing for Indianapolis.
Nate Orchard is still on the board thanks to what is a deep class, which means the Colts can pull the trigger and become even more formidable on the defensive side.
Running back can wait. Who knows—the front office might roll with Daniel "Boom" Herron, too.
30. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
A defense that ranks 23rd against the rush needs some help in the trenches.
Eddie Goldman is a versatile prospect who can help in any number of ways, so Green Bay would be wise to pull the trigger.
At the very least, the selection continues to build a strong foundation rather than a free-agent patchwork.
31. New England Patriots: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Akin to Jonas Gray's usage, nobody knows what to expect from Bill Belichick on draft day.
A true need seems to come on the offensive side of the ball, where Tom Brady could use a versatile weapon such as Devin Funchess.
He would start right away and become a reliable target in time.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
Bruce Irvin and others form a strong front seven in Seattle, but more depth and productivity from a rotational standpoint are always worthwhile.
Look for the powers in the Seattle front office to grab a prospect such as Danielle Hunter, who can learn from veterans such as Cliff Avril and others while wreaking havoc when occasionally called off the sideline.
Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Jan. 17 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
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