2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Prospects' Landing Spots with Gil Brandt's Needs
Look no further than the 2015 Super Bowl for proof of how important the NFL draft is for teams looking to win the Lombardi Trophy.
In the 2012 draft alone, the Seattle Seahawks selected quarterback Russell Wilson, linebacker Bruce Irvin, linebacker Bobby Wagner, running back Robert Turbin and guard J.R. Sweezy. Talk about hitting the jackpot.
The question now is which team will stockpile assets for the future in the 2015 draft. It all starts with making the right pick in the first round.
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While there is still plenty of time before the actual draft for teams to iron out their strategies, here is a look at mock selections for every first-round pick.
Draft order and team needs are courtesy of Gil Brandt of NFL.com, while picks and analysis following the team needs are my own.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
Brandt's team needs: offensive lineman, pass-rusher, quarterback
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers need a new face of the franchise, and the best place to find one in this draft is with a venture to the Northwest. Marcus Mariota won the Heisman Trophy, led his Oregon Ducks to the national championship game and demonstrated his ability to make plays with both his arm and his legs.
The Buccaneers can work with that.
2. Tennessee Titans: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
Brandt's team needs: quarterback, pass-rusher, cornerback
Whether the Tennessee Titans select Jameis Winston may depend on how much trust they have in Zach Mettenberger, with Brandt asking: "What do the Titans think of Zach Mettenberger?" While Mettenberger held his own as a sixth-round draft pick, Winston is a unique talent who could change the fortunes of the franchise for years to come. That will be the ultimate difference-maker.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Brandt's team needs: offensive tackle, cornerback, running back
The Jacksonville Jaguars have other position needs outside of defensive end, but Randy Gregory is too talented of a player to pass up with the No. 3 pick.
Peter Schrager of FoxSports.com noted that this is the right pick for the Jags:
"The Jaguars loaded up on offense in last year's draft, getting a franchise quarterback in Blake Bortles and picking up wide receivers Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee in the first two days. This year? I'd expect Jacksonville to use some of its free-agent money on a receiver (Dez Bryant, Jeremy Maclin, Randall Cobb, Demaryius Thomas, Torrey Smith and Michael Crabtree could be available) and get a defensive stud in the draft. Gus Bradley is a defensive coach at heart, and the allure of grabbing Gregory -- a 6-foot-6, 250-pound pass rusher -- may have Jacksonville sprinting to get their card in on draft day. Gregory can get to the quarterback but is also able to play a bit in coverage. This is a gem.
"
Jaguars fans would be thrilled with that scenario.
4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Brandt's team needs: pass-rusher, cornerback, wide receiver
Amari Cooper may not be the fastest wide receiver in the draft, and he may not be the tallest wide receiver in the draft, but he is the best wide receiver in the draft. The Oakland Raiders will jump at the chance to give Derek Carr a No. 1 option who brings premier hands and route running to the table from the outside.
5. Washington: DT Leonard Williams, USC
Brandt's team needs: pass-rusher, defensive back, offensive tackle
Washington will get top-notch value with the No. 5 pick if defensive tackle Leonard Williams is still available. Bryan Fischer of NFL.com noted that former scout Daniel Jeremiah believes Williams is the top prospect in the draft:
Washington needs a better pass rush next year, and the best way to do that is by stuffing the middle with Williams.
6. New York Jets: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
Brandt's team needs: quarterback, cornerback, offensive tackle
The New York Jets won't land their coveted quarterback with the No. 6 pick, so they will look for a way to protect the position instead. Stanford has made a living with powerful offensive linemen in the past few years, and Andrus Peat was the best one in 2014. Look for the Jets to grab him with their first pick.
7. Chicago Bears: S Landon Collins, Alabama
Brandt's team needs: pass-rusher, linebacker, defensive back
The days of the Monsters of the Midway dominating the defensive side of the ball for the Chicago Bears are long over. Look for Chicago to build up the defense on all levels this offseason, starting with safety Landon Collins in the draft. Collins is the rare safety who can stuff the run, punish receivers over the middle and hang with tight ends in coverage.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE/OLB Alvin Dupree, Kentucky
Brandt's team needs: pass-rusher, tight end, defensive back
If Alvin Dupree had played at Alabama, he would be a household name thanks to his 24.5 career sacks and his ability to terrorize opposing backfields. The Atlanta Falcons were a mess on defense last season, and landing Dupree is a great way to start the rebuild.
9. New York Giants: DE Shane Ray, Missouri
Brandt's team needs: pass-rusher, offensive lineman, inside linebacker
Shane Ray isn't just a pass-rushing fiend on the outside; he is also a monster athlete. He brings elite speed to the defensive end position but also has the size to power his way into the backfield. The New York Giants could do a lot worse in an effort to shore up their defensive line.
10. St. Louis Rams: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
Brandt's team needs: quarterback, cornerback, running back
Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com believes T.J. Clemmings is the right pick for the St. Louis Rams: "The Rams addressed the offensive line early in the first round last year, drafting Greg Robinson second overall, but with Joseph Barksdale set for pay day this off-season as a free agent, the Rams might have a need at right tackle. Clemmings is a mauler who continues to develop and get better."
Clemmings is an elite athlete who keeps his quarterback upright with solid footwork. That will translate to the next level.
11. Minnesota Vikings: OT La'el Collins, LSU
Brandt's team needs: offensive tackle, running back, cornerback
The Minnesota Vikings have their quarterback of the future in Teddy Bridgewater, and they will use their first-round pick in an effort to keep him healthy and off the ground. Brandt notes "left tackle has been a disaster all season," and LSU's La'el Collins was one of the bright spots on the Tigers offense this season, and he will have the chance to challenge for a starting spot right away.
12. Cleveland Browns: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
Brandt's team needs: wide receiver, inside linebacker, defensive lineman
The Cleveland Browns challenged for a playoff spot in the first half of the season before falling apart, and another game-breaking wide receiver could help them sustain a winning record for a full 16-game slate. DeVante Parker is an electric wide receiver who brings size and speed to the table and would give the Browns a security blanket if Josh Gordon gets in trouble again off the field.
13. New Orleans Saints: CB Marcus Peters, Washington
Brandt's team needs: cornerback, pass-rusher, quarterback
Marcus Peters ran into trouble off the field when he was at Washington, but his overall skill set will be enough to earn an early pick in the draft. The New Orleans Saints blitz early and often, and they need cornerbacks who can handle receivers in one-on-one coverage. Peters is that type of player.
14. Miami Dolphins: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Brandt's team needs: linebacker, cornerback, offensive tackle
The Miami Dolphins improved their offensive line last season, but they could use more depth. That is where Iowa's Brandon Scherff comes into play, as he's one of the best tackles in the draft.
15. San Francisco 49ers: DE/OLB Dante Fowler Jr., Florida
Brandt's team needs: backup quarterback, offensive lineman, defensive lineman
The San Francisco 49ers have been one of the best defensive teams in the league the past few years, but they fell off during 2014 with a number of injuries and roster attrition. They will bolster their depth with Dante Fowler Jr., a dominant defensive lineman who has the speed to blow past tackles on the edge and the strength and size to stuff the run.
16. Houston Texans: WR Kevin White, West Virginia
Brandt's team needs: quarterback, wide receiver, offensive tackle
DeAndre Hopkins was a breakout player last year, and the Houston Texans will add another game-breaking receiver to play alongside him in Kevin White. The one-two punch of Hopkins and White could destroy secondaries for years to come.
17. San Diego Chargers: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
Brandt's team needs: cornerback, nose tackle, offensive lineman
Trae Waynes is the coveted cornerback who brings physicality, speed and instincts to play the ball in the air to the position. The San Diego Chargers are going to need a long-term replacement for Brandon Flowers, and Waynes is the answer.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Brandt's team needs: wide receiver, offensive tackle, cornerback
Schrager believes Jaelen Strong is the first-round answer for the Kansas City Chiefs:
"You know the statistic. You have heard it a million times. Alex Smith didn't complete a touchdown pass to a receiver in 2014. Part of that was the way the offense operated, but part of it was on the wideouts. So Andy Reid and John Dorsey go out and get themselves one. At 6-3, 220, Strong has the physical build and the hands. I'm told he's still a little raw, but that the potential is limitless.
"
Kansas City's wide receivers did not catch a single touchdown pass this year, and the team has a pressing need for a game-breaker at the position. Strong will be just that.
19. Buffalo Bills (pick owned by Cleveland Browns): LB Shaq Thompson, Washington
Brandt's team needs: quarterback, linebacker, safety
Shaq Thompson played on both sides of the ball in college and is capable of playing linebacker or safety. That should answer any questions about his athletic ability. The Browns already improved the offense in this draft, so they will look to the defensive side of the ball with pick No. 19.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
Brandt's team needs: cornerback, safety, outside linebacker
The Philadelphia Eagles were offensive machines for much of the season and Chip Kelly's tenure, but they need to improve the defense if they hope to win a Super Bowl in the near future. Vic Beasley is an explosive and versatile defensive end/linebacker who will fill in at a number of positions for the Eagles and make an immediate impact.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: CB P.J. Williams, Florida State
Brandt's team needs: cornerback, safety, place-kicker
The Cincinnati Bengals need to find long-term replacements for Leon Hall and Terence Newman at the cornerback position, and Florida State's P.J. Williams is a solid solution. Williams' ability to handle receivers in one-on-one scenarios is huge in today's pass-happy NFL.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Danny Shelton, Washington
Brandt's team needs: safety, defensive lineman, cornerback
The Pittsburgh Steelers have a number of needs on the defensive side of the ball, and they will start up front with Washington's Danny Shelton. A strong defensive line makes the entire defense better because it forces the quarterback to get rid of the ball faster and helps contain the run.
23. Detroit Lions: DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State
Brandt's team needs: cornerback, defensive lineman, place-kicker
Ndamukong Suh is going to command major money in the offseason, and the Detroit Lions could very well move on. Florida State's Eddie Goldman is no Suh, but he would help lessen the blow at the position.
24. Arizona Cardinals: LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
Brandt's team needs: defensive lineman, outside linebacker, middle linebacker
The Arizona Cardinals win with defense, and linebacker Benardrick McKinney will make that unit even more impressive. McKinney can drop back in coverage and stuff the run, and his versatility will help him find a spot in the rotation right away.
25. Carolina Panthers: DL Arik Armstead, Oregon
Brandt's team needs: pass-rusher, offensive tackle, cornerback
Jeff Cavanaugh of 105.3 The Fan was impressed by Oregon's Arik Armstead:
"Arik Armstead, Oregon. Won't be a Cowboy, he's a 3-4 DE. But that's a damn powerful player. Someone's getting a good one.
— Jeff Cavanaugh (@JC1053) January 16, 2015"
Armstead is a physical monster who can swat passes away, funnel outside runs back to the middle and attack quarterbacks with formidable speed. He played his way into the first round this season for the Ducks.
26. Baltimore Ravens: RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Brandt's team needs: pass-rusher, running back, offensive lineman
Justin Forsett had an impressive season for the Baltimore Ravens, but he will be 30 years old next season. That is the magic number for running backs, so the Ravens will grab Melvin Gordon from Wisconsin. All Gordon did this season was dominate almost every defense he faced and turn in one of the best individual seasons in college football history.
27. Dallas Cowboys: TE/WR Devin Funchess, Michigan
Brandt's team needs: cornerback, defensive lineman, tight end
Believe it or not, the ageless Jason Witten won't play football his entire life. The Dallas Cowboys will take a tight end/wide receiver hybrid for the future in Michigan's Devin Funchess as a long-term replacement. Funchess can make plays over the middle like a tight end and on the outside like a wide receiver and will make an immediate impact.
28. Denver Broncos: WR Devin Smith, Ohio State
Brandt's team needs: defensive lineman, linebacker, tight end/wide receiver
Perhaps no player in college football bolstered his draft stock as much as Ohio State's Devin Smith in the final few games. He torched Wisconsin and Alabama in the Big Ten Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl, respectively, and he was a major reason the Buckeyes won the national title.
Smith discussed his skill set, via BJ Kissel of KCChiefs.com: "I think my ability to go get the ball and being able to track the ball in tough situations is a strength of mine. I think that's one skill that I've embraced over the years and I think I could take that to the next level."
Smith may be the best deep threat in the draft, and he will hear his name called by the Denver Broncos in an effort to improve the passing attack.
29. Indianapolis Colts: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami
Brandt's team needs: offensive lineman, inside linebacker, safety
The Indianapolis Colts will go as far as Andrew Luck takes them in the upcoming years, so they will take the proper steps to protect him with a strong offensive line. Ereck Flowers is the best available tackle remaining in the draft at this point, and the Colts will respond accordingly.
30. Green Bay Packers: DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State
Brandt's team needs: inside linebacker, defensive lineman, tight end
The Green Bay Packers need to improve the run defense to take the next step and win the Lombardi Trophy, and Ohio State's Michael Bennett is a physical monster in the middle of the defensive line who can help them do just that.
31. New England Patriots: DL Malcom Brown, Texas
Brandt's team needs: wide receiver, defensive lineman, running back
The New England Patriots need to improve the depth of the defensive line, and they will do that in the draft with Malcom Brown. Brown is a mixture of quickness and physicality on the defensive front and will play his way into the rotation in his first year.
32. Seattle Seahawks: DE Mario Edwards Jr., Florida State
Brandt's team needs: tight end, offensive lineman, defensive lineman
The Seattle Seahawks don't really have any overwhelming needs, but they could use a bit more depth on the defensive line. Mario Edwards Jr. can rush the passer off the edge and stuff the run in the middle and will fit right into the strong defense in the Pacific Northwest.
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