2015 NFL Mock Draft: Post Conference Championship Games
We’ve reached the pinnacle of the NFL season, with just over a week separating us from Super Bowl XLIX. As the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks prepare for the big game, the rest of the league is solely focused on the top collegiate prospects who are participating in the Senior Bowl.
With one game left, the offseason is staring the NFL in the face. Teams continue to make changes to coaching staffs around the league, which means that rosters will be churning talent to fit the new regimes.
The 2015 NFL draft will be critical for franchises that are looking to rebuild rosters that have been deprived of adequate talent. For teams looking to take the next step toward their Super Bowl aspirations, the draft offers hope and a chance.
Let’s play matchmaker between NFL teams and the best draft prospects. Team needs and potential free agents must be considered, but there are no sure things at this point in time when it comes to the draft.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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The Pick: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
The biggest question for head coach Lovie Smith is whether he will be able to help Jameis Winston mature and fulfill his immense on-field potential. The former Florida State quarterback has proved that he can be a cerebral pocket passer in the mold of Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck, but now he has to show that he’s mentally ready for the burden of being a franchise QB.
If Smith and the Buccaneers are confident that Winston is prepared, he is the no-brainer selection with the top overall pick. Adding him to an offense that already has Mike Evans, Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Charles Sims and possibly Vincent Jackson could help this franchise reverse their recent fortunes quickly.
2. Tennessee Titans
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The Pick: Edge-Rusher Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Having a top-five selection in the draft likely means that a roster is in desperate need for more playmakers, and the Tennessee Titans are no exception. Head coach Ken Wisenhunt saw firsthand in 2014 what happens when a defense lacks an adequate pass rush, and he should take advantage of this opportunity to add a potentially elite edge-rusher in Randy Gregory.
Gregory is one of the top athletes in the 2015 draft class, as he combines rare size (6'6", 240 lbs) and speed together to cause havoc on opposing offenses. His play at Nebraska was sometimes inconsistent, and he needs to add more weight to his frame to develop into a more balanced defender, but that’s not uncommon for many collegiate players who are entering the NFL.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Pick: DL Leonard Williams, USC
The big board couldn’t work out much better in this scenario for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Gus Bradley’s team doesn’t need a franchise quarterback at this time since the team invested in Blake Bortles just one year ago, but it does need great football players.
Sitting with the third pick, the Jaguars are likely to get a player who fits that description. If USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams is available, he has to be the pick.
Williams has the talent to anchor a defense for a decade as a run-stuffing machine and quality pass-rusher. He’s not a supreme penetrator on passing plays, but he’s still potentially the best overall player in this class.
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4. Oakland Raiders
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The Pick: Edge-Rusher Eli Harold, Virginia
After the top three overall players are off the board, the Oakland Raiders will need to take the player with the best chance to become a special talent. That’s where Eli Harold fits in quite well into the Raiders’ rebuilding plans.
Adding another young, dynamic pass-rusher will be crucial to his success to new head coach Jack Del Rio's success. Harold has the potential to play as an off-ball linebacker if he’s asked to or be an excellent pass-rusher with his hand in the dirt or standing up.
Harold needs some polishing with his hand usage, but he has great natural strength and speed. He could be the next Aldon Smith in a year or two.
5. Washington Redskins
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The Pick: Edge-Rusher Vic Beasley, Clemson
As bad as the Washington Redskins secondary was in 2014, improving the pass rush will greatly help that unit as well as the team's woeful sack totals. Factor in the potential loss of outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, and Washington has a clear need for an explosive edge-rusher.
Clemson dynamo Vic Beasley may not have the ideal length that some scouts covet, but he’s an outstanding football player with the speed, intelligence and natural flexibility to become a good pass-rusher or weak-side linebacker. His ability to get around offensive tackles in college caused offenses to go in the opposite direction of where he was lined up before the snap.
6. New York Jets
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The Pick: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
By adding Todd Bowles as their latest head coach, it’s clear that the New York Jets will continue to be an aggressive defensive unit. This approach will help overcome some personnel deficiencies in the secondary, as Bowles is known for his ability to dial up intense heat to force turnovers.
On the offensive side of the ball, Chan Gailey will have control of things. He is an innovator who molds his offense to suit athletic and smart quarterbacks. In this situation, Gailey gets the perfect fit in Marcus Mariota.
Oregon’s Heisman trophy winner put up video game numbers in college, but he has to answer some questions as he leaves the Ducks’ offensive scheme. He’s smart and takes care of the ball, but he hasn’t been asked to make many anticipation throws or fit passes into tight windows often.
Mariota is still highly talented, and pairing him with Gailey should get the most out of his skill set.
7. Chicago Bears
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The Pick: Edge-Rusher Shane Ray, Missouri
One of the quickest players off the edge in a loaded class, Shane Ray would be an excellent fit under new head coach John Fox and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio. Fangio runs an aggressive 3-4 defense, and Ray should be a star when he is allowed to stand up.
He has a high motor and shows the willingness and athleticism to be a standout weak-side rusher. Finding a plug-and-play stud at this point in the first round for this position is a major win for the Chicago Bears.
8. Atlanta Falcons
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The Pick: Edge Rusher Dante Fowler Jr., Florida
The addition of Dan Quinn as head coach could be a terrific move for a franchise that was stuck in neutral for a few seasons. What Quinn needs to succeed is a versatile and dangerous pass-rusher to help augment a defense that has been poor for far too long.
Dante Fowler Jr. contributed to the Florida Gators defense as a middle linebacker, defensive end and rush edge player, and that should make Quinn drool. By moving Fowler around, Quinn could make offenses lose track of him until he hammers the quarterback on a delayed blitz or stunt up the middle.
Atlanta needs to build a championship defense now to help the offense, and Fowler is a good building block for a roster that is thirsty for contributors.
9. New York Giants
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The Pick: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
A strong start to the Senior Bowl had scouts buzzing about the potential of T.J. Clemmings from Pittsburgh. He is a terrific athlete but a raw technician, as he allows defenders to get into his chest and control his movements as opposed to Clemmings grasping the situation.
This is fixable through experience, and Clemmings is similar to 2014 No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson. Like Robinson, Clemmings is far from a finished product, but his ceiling is high.
10. St. Louis Rams
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The Pick: OT La’el Collins, LSU
There is uncertainty about Jake Long’s future with the Rams, which means the team needs to take another measure to protect whichever quarterback is the starter in 2015. Devoting the first-round pick to find the right tackle of the future is a wise one, so long as the Rams get the right guy.
LSU tackle La’el Collins can become one of the better right tackles in the NFL in time. His ability to stay back and balanced throughout his pas protection is a concern, but he is powerful and has the talent to become a bookend player.
11. Minnesota Vikings
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The Pick: WR Kevin White, West Virginia
When Kevin White dropped out of the Senior Bowl to work on his 40-yard dash time, that tipped a hint that he knows his on-field tape is strong. It should be viewed as good enough for him to be the top receiver in the draft class.
White has great size (6'3", 210 lbs) and downfield catching ability while still being a raw route-runner. Despite not having much experience running sharp, diverse routes, he fits the mold of a traditional alpha-male receiver. He’s big, fast and strong.
All of that equals the top receiver ranking. Pairing him with Teddy Bridgewater would be a major coup.
12. Cleveland Browns
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The Pick: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
The Cleveland Browns may want to neglect the receiver position again like 2014, but they won’t have a choice if Alabama star Amari Cooper is available. He is talented enough to start on Day 1 for the Browns, and he likely will produce well there for years.
Cooper is not a traditional No. 1-type receiver when compared to the likes of Dez Bryant, Calvin Johnson...etc., so he could drop a little bit in the springtime. He has great speed and quickness but doesn’t win at the catch point when the ball is at the highest point. He has to get better at dealing with physicality.
13. New Orleans Saints
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The Pick: MLB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
Adding a potential stud inside linebacker like Benardrick McKinney is a must for the New Orleans Saints. Since Jonathan Vilma parted ways with the team, the Saints lack a vocal leader who can make impact plays from the middle of the defense, and they'll fill that gap with McKinney.
He is a big (6'5" 245 lbs), strong and fast player who can develop into one of the best linebackers in the NFL as he continues to get more reps. His nose for the football helps his projection to an inside linebacker position in a 4-3 defense.
14. Miami Dolphins
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The Pick: NT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
The two positions that the Miami Dolphins have to target in this draft are wide receiver and nose tackle. If Jordan Phillips is still on the board, Miami should run to the podium with its selection of the big man.
Phillips is enormous at 6’6”, 334 pounds, but he’s incredibly athletic and powerful. His quickness moving upfield into the pocket is rare for a true nose tackle. He often demands multiple blockers, which is perfect for the Dolphins as they look to improve their woeful run defense.
15. San Francisco 49ers
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The Pick: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
One of the biggest glaring needs for the San Francisco 49ers is a position that has been good for them but lacks a real playmaker. They need outside cornerback help, and Trae Waynes would be a perfect fit.
Waynes has good size at 6'1” and long arms on tape. This helps him play press at the line of scrimmage, but he’s still fluid enough to turn and run with receivers. He fits a variety of schemes well because of his natural ball instincts and closing burst on the ball.
Pairing him with 2014 draft picks Dontae Johnson and Jimmie Ward would give 49ers a good group of defensive backs to develop moving forward.
16. Houston Texans
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The Pick: CB Marcus Peters, Washington
Entering his second season as head coach, Bill O’Brien will be looking to add more talent to his roster. Few players, if any, are more talented than former Washington cornerback Marcus Peters.
Peters, however, was kicked off his collegiate team for allegedly trying to choke his coach on the sideline of a game, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. That’s what makes him drop in this mock.
The Texans could lose stud cornerback Kareem Jackson to free agency, but replacing him with Peters would be wise. Houston offers Peters a strong locker room led by J.J. Watt and O’Brien, which is structure he needs.
If Peters can keep his head straight, he can be one of the few elite cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s that talented.
17. San Diego Chargers
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The Pick: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami (Fla.)
With D.J. Fluker moving from right tackle to guard, the San Diego Chargers again need to bolster their offensive line. Head coach Mike McCoy has shown that he prefers big, nasty linemen who can maul the opposition in the run game.
Enter Ereck Flowers from Miami (Fla.). At 6’5” and 324 pounds, he is highly athletic and aggressive as a run-blocker. He comes from a zone-blocking system, where he starred because of his physical traits.
He’s the ideal right tackle and could play left tackle with more technical refinement to his pass protection.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
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The Pick: SS Landon Collins, Alabama
The Kansas City Chiefs could find themselves in a good position to nab a value pick that happens to fill an immediate hole while star Eric Berry deals with his health concerns. If Berry can fully recover, the team can still move around Landon Collins to form a terrific defensive back combination.
Collins is more of an in-the-box type player than a coverage safety, but he is solid at breaking toward the ball and forcing tough catches. His ability to play as a single-high safety is a valid question, but he’ll find ways to make an early impact.
19. Cleveland Browns
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The Pick: NT Danny Shelton, Washington
With their second first-round pick, the Cleveland Browns need to devote assets to their beaten-up defensive line. Injuries decimated Cleveland’s trench play late in the season, and that cannot happen again.
Washington’s mammoth nose tackle Danny Shelton would fit nicely into Cleveland’s 3-4 defense. He would immediate play the nose, which shifts Phil Taylor to a more natural end position. Shelton does have major weight concerns, as he ballooned up to 360-plus pounds throughout the 2014 season.
20. Philadelphia Eagles
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The Pick: CB Eric Rowe, Utah
Ideally, the Philadelphia Eagles would land a stud quarterback to develop here, but after the top two quarterback prospects, there is no worthy candidate to be take with the 20th overall pick. Thus, the Eagles should opt to address their troublesome defense.
The Eagles secondary has been plagued with poor cornerback play from Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, which makes the cornerback position potentially necessary here. Neither Williams nor Fletcher should be on the roster in 2015 based off his performance all season long.
Utah cornerback Eric Rowe is going to rise throughout the draft process because he’s what people wanted Keith McGill to be. He’s long, fast and smart.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
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The Pick: Edge-Rusher Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA
Few teams can afford to roll the dice on a player with an injury history like the Bengals can. They need a quarterback to help them overcome being so average, but a quality one is not available at this spot.
Owamagbe Odighizuwa of UCLA stole the first day of the Senior Bowl with his blend of length and athleticism. He moves well for his size (6'3", 270 lbs) and is powerful. He does have an injury history that could scare teams off.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Pick: DT Malcom Brown, Texas
The Steelers should continue to rebuild their aging defense after selecting Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt early in 2014. By taking another big ugly, the Steelers can fast-track their return to prominence.
Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown is physically imposing and now has to put all of his skills together. If he does, he can become monstrous and really disruptive. His ability to get on the field on Day 1 and then also grow into a better player should be an appealing factor for Brown.
23. Detroit Lions
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The Pick: OT Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State
The Detroit Lions were paying a lot of attention to offensive linemen at the Senior Bowl, so it seems likely they’ll be searching for a new tackle for 2015. The best pure tackle at this point is Ty Sambrailo of Colorado State.
Detroit is remaking its offensive line by moving Riley Reiff to guard and replacing the dirty Dominic Raiola at center. Picking up a quality right tackle like Sambrailo could really help this offensive line be remade.
24. Arizona Cardinals
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The Pick: C Cameron Erving, Florida State
Before injuries derailed the Arizona Cardinals’ Super Bowl aspirations, they were one of the best teams, if not the best, overall. To replicate and improve upon their 2014 season, they must address the biggest hole on the roster, the center position.
Cameron Erving and the Cardinals are a perfect match. They need an upgrade for Lyle Sendlein, and Erving is an elite athlete with the skills to be one of the best centers in football.
When Erving moved from right tackle to center, he went from a mid-round prospect to a first-round talent. His play for the Florida State Seminoles transformed the offense’s effectiveness. His combination of length and athleticism is unmatched, and he uses it well in the running and passing game.
25. Carolina Panthers
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The Pick: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
The offensive line in Carolina was a liability for the Panthers in 2014, which isn’t shocking considering the turnover that occurred last offseason. Now, it’s time to help out Cam Newton with a legitimate tackle who will benefit the run and passing aspects of the offense.
Brandon Scherff projects best as a run-mauling tackle or guard, which fits the Panthers’ run-first preference. He’s a capable pass-blocker who needs to overcome his lack of arm length to realize his physical upside. Scherff is similar to Zack Martin last year, as he can play either position well.
26. Baltimore Ravens
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The Pick: OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
The puppeteer Ozzie Newsome would love to get his hands on Shaq Thompson. He’s a terrific athlete with immense upside if he can play in a hybrid linebacker and safety role, and don’t think that the Ravens won’t suit him well.
Thompson could fall because he is somewhat small (6'1", 228 lbs) and doesn’t have a ton of experience in a natural position. But, he’s a big impact player when he finds the ball.
27. Dallas Cowboys
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The Pick: ILB Eric Kendricks, UCLA
He’s a bit undersized, but Eric Kendricks fits a huge potential need and is a great player. He is just 5’11”, but he’s quick when covering underneath receivers and willing to fight with tight ends for the ball.
Depending on what happens with Rolando McClain, Kendricks is a high-character player who can step in the first day and play. A 3-4 defense would also be an ideal fit for his ability to diagnose and attack the ball.
28. Denver Broncos
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The Pick: FS Gerod Holliman, Louisville
The NCAA-leading interceptor finds his way into the mock to the Denver Broncos as the team looks to improve upon Rahim Moore. Holliman is a terrific ball hawk in the secondary and would be a tremendous fit next to T.J. Ward at safety.
Holliman has a history of shoulder injuries, and it shows in his tackling efforts. He shies away from contact, which is a major worry. He has to be willing to stick his nose into traffic to make plays.
29. Indianapolis Colts
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The Pick: DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State
The former Ohio State defender should be on the rise after he finished the season well for the Buckeyes. He’s a disruptor against the pass with his insane quickness and hand usage, and he's versatile enough to move to a 3-4 end or 4-3 tackle.
Bennett has to continue improving as a run defender, but his effort has never been an issue, so long as he's consistent and stays active.
30. Green Bay Packers
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The Pick: LB Paul Dawson, TCU
It won’t be surprising this offseason if the Green Bay Packers trim some of the fat off their cap sheet and looked to reload in the draft. Adding a terrific athlete like Paul Dawson to their linebacker group would be a great way to continue their reclamation project on that side of the ball.
Dawson is the perfect weak-side inside linebacker for a 3-4 because he’s able to evade blocks using his quickness and cover tight ends when asked to. His ability to shed blocks is poor, but that’s why a 3-4 works well for his skill set. He won’t be asked to take on lead blockers as much, and he can chase plays down from behind.
31. New England Patriots
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The Pick: OG Laken Tomlinson, Duke
The Patriots don’t need many upgrades, but with how Laken Tomlinson looked on Day 1 of the Senior Bowl, plus how good his film was in 2014, he deserves to be taken here. He has heavy hands and good quickness, so his ability to win in space is impressive.
New England’s run offense would love a nasty blocker like Tomlinson. He’s ruthless and technically sound, easily looking like the best pure guard in the draft.
32. Seattle Seahawks
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The Pick: TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota
The losses of Percy Harvin (to the Jets) and Paul Richardson (to injury), plus the upcoming free agency for Jermaine Kearse, could lead the Seahawks to address the playmaker position at the tail end of the first round. A potential star tight end like Maxx Williams would be a major steal at this pick.
Williams is a terrific receiver, routinely making highlight catches with his blend of balance and body control. He’s not a great blocker yet, but that doesn’t matter as much when he can line up in the slot or inline and be a dominant downfield receiver.
Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting and analyst for eDraft.
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