2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions and Analysis for Most Intriguing Prospects
The NFL draft is months away, but it will pretty much be the only thing football nuts think about once the Super Bowl is decided. Well, unless the Deflategate saga stays in the news, I suppose.
So no, it's never too early to venture some guesses as to where the top players in the draft will end up. Let's take a look at some of this year's most intriguing prospects and project their future homes.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Ducks
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I just don't see the Bucs taking the risk with Jameis Winston. Yes, Winston is the more NFL-ready quarterback if you are measuring him and Marcus Mariota by a traditional quarterback skill set. But that's not the only way you can look at these two players.
For a team willing to build a system around Marcus Mariota's talent—something the Seattle Seahawks have done around Russell Wilson, for instance—he's the logical pick. He brings no off-field questions, he's a hard worker, a quiet leader and a player will thrive if put in the right offense.
The Bucs aren't exactly brimming with amazing offensive players who are set in their ways, so building a new offensive scheme shouldn't rock the boat too much. Mariota is the pick.
2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
This one is a tough call for me, but not because I think the Titans will select Winston. I don't see that happening. Instead, they'll have to make the tough call between Leonard Williams in the interior of their line and Randy Gregory on the edge. I think they'll go with the player who has the ability to dominate a game from his defensive tackle position. If Williams can keep his motor running consistently, he's going to be one heck of a player.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
This is the dream scenario for the Jags, a team that desperately needs to get better on the edge and would love if the draft's most dynamic edge-rusher was available to them. The Jags would run their pick to the podium if Gregory makes it to No. 3.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Derek Carr and Amari Cooper are going to be one heck of a pair in Oakland for years to come. At least, that will be the plan if the team drafts him. A young quarterback's life is made a lot easier if he has a top receiver to target. Cooper will fill that need.
5. Washington: Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
Should the draft fall this way, Washington will become the most popular team in the NFL, fielding calls from organizations hoping to select Winston. But if they stay put, I think they'll nab a pass-rusher to help improve their terrible pass defense from the 2014 season. Vic Beasley is a beast and will make Washington fans quickly forget about Brian Orakpo should the veteran linebacker depart this offseason.
6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
While we don't know if Todd Bowles will be high on Geno Smith as his starting quarterback, let's be honest with ourselves—Smith isn't very good. He's not the long-term answer for the Jets, but Winston could be. The risk with Winston is huge, of course, but from a talent perspective he could be this draft's top player. That will ultimately be up to his dedication and work ethic.
I think the Jets have to take that risk, however. The alternative isn't any better.
7. Chicago Bears: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
The Bears need a lot of help on defense, but they mostly need help defending the pass. It's probably too high to chase a player in the secondary here, but upgrading the pass rush is a viable goal. Dante Fowler would bring them a versatile terror off the edge who could pressure the quarterback and take some pressure off of Chicago's porous secondary.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Atlanta desperately needs to upgrade at defensive end, and Shane Ray would be an excellent fit in Dan Quinn's defense (come on, even Quinn's own players know he's going to be the next coach of the Falcons). You can bet Quinn will want to focus on the defensive side of the ball in his first draft.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
When the Giants have had success, it's largely been because they are solid in the trenches. That's a pretty strong formula for most teams, quite frankly. So it won't come as much of as surprise if the team targets an upgrade on the offensive line in this draft. Brandon Scherff is the top offensive lineman in this year's draft and has the right blend of physicality and snarl to have success in the NFC East.
10. St. Louis Rams: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Quarterback and offensive tackle seem to always be in flux for the Rams, and this year is no different. Part of the reason quarterback is always in flux is because Sam Bradford can't stay healthy. Drafting a tackle like Cedric Ogbuehi might help to keep him upright. Emphasis on "might."
11. Minnesota Vikings: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
And so the run on offensive tackles continues. La'el Collins might ultimately be a guard in the NFL, which would likely suit the Vikings just fine, as they need help at that position as well. This is a pretty great fit for Minnesota.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Browns simply can't ignore wide receiver in the draft again this year. Not with Josh Gordon potentially facing a one-year suspension. Some folks probably have DeVante Parker as the top wideout in this draft, so landing him at No. 12 would be a heck of a steal. And with Gordon's inability to keep himself out of trouble, wide receiver is an absolute necessity.
13. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
The Saints were one of the NFL's biggest disappointments in 2014, and you don't have to look past the defense to see why. Namely, the team had a hard time stopping anyone's passing game, so upgrading at corner is a huge need. Trae Waynes would be an instant starter and is a logical target for the squad.
14. Miami Dolphins: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Danny Shelton is the rare defensive tackle that can really rush the passer and collapse the pocket. It certainly didn't hurt his draft stock that he was one of the stars of the Senior Bowl, and for a team like Miami that needs to upgrade at defensive tackle, his selection is a pretty easy one to project. The only reason the Dolphins would go in another direction would likely be due to the fact that Shelton was already off the board.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Colin Kaepernick needs more weapons in the passing game, and Kevin White would certainly provide him with one. The team has missed on wide receiver prospects in the past, but White looks like a pretty safe bet to be a productive player at the next level.
16. Houston Texans: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
The Texans could surprise us all and select Brett Hundley here, but that truly would be a reach and I just don't see him as a natural fit for Bill O'Brien's offense. The Texans would be wise to upgrade on the offensive line instead with Ereck Flowers, in anticipation of nabbing that future quarterback somewhere down the line.
17. San Diego Chargers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
T.J. Clemmings divides opinion. His talent is unquestioned, but some folks see weaknesses in his game, namely in pass protection. But his physical gifts make him an enticing option, and the Chargers really need to upgrade their offensive line. Clemmings is a nice fit for the Chargers.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Ask a Chiefs fan what position the team needs to fill, and I'm betting they would unanimously say wide receiver. The team's options at the position were dreadful this past year, so Devin Funchess would be an instant improvement.
19: Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
What a draft this would be for the Browns. The team's biggest needs are arguably at wide receiver and defensive tackle, and they would be getting two studs in Parker and Eddie Goldman, who will instantly be an impact starter for Cleveland.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
I think the Eagles would be thrilled if the board fell this way. Landon Collins and Malcom Jenkins would be pretty interchangeable at safety, though Collins would have to improve in coverage. Still, he would be a hard-hitting safety in a roaming role and would upgrade a position the Birds have needed to upgrade pretty much since Brian Dawkins left town. Corner is arguably the bigger need, but Collins is too good to pass on here.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
The Bengals didn't generate much of a pass rush this year, so improving in that regard is vital for the team. Bud Dupree is a major riser and an absolute stud, and he'll be given the chance to start from day one in Cincy.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville
The Steelers are really aging on defense, nowhere more than at the safety position. Gerod Holliman would give them a center fielder with range to add some much-needed youth and athleticism to the position.
23. Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
There's a pretty good chance the Lions will need to add another defensive tackle this offseason, and Malcom Brown would give them a big run-stuffer in the interior of their line. The Lions will be a tough team to run against with Brown in the middle.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Eli Harold, DE, Virginia
The Cardinals need more players coming off of the edge, and Harold is an impressive athlete that absolutely flashes at times. If he can produce with a bit more consistency, he could really be a star.
25. Carolina Panthers: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Sammie Coates wants to be more than a one-trick pony. Even if the Panthers would probably be pretty pleased with that trick.
“My goal is to be a complete wide receiver,” Coates told Jeremy Fowler of ESPN during Senior Bowl week. “I don’t want to be looked at as only a deep guy.”
The Panthers would be fine with him stretching the field, however. Paired with Kelvin Benjamin on the outside and with Greg Olsen roaming the middle, Coates would have time to develop as a more complete receiver while filling a need for the Panthers as the team's deep threat.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Baltimore needs depth at corner, there's no doubt about that, and they have the locker room in place to absorb a potential character concern in Marcus Peters, who was booted off the football team at Washington this past year. He's the most talented corner on the board, however, making him a viable risk at this point in the draft for the Ravens.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
Morris Claiborne has yet to prove he isn't a bust, and the Cowboys will almost certainly address corner in this draft. Kevin Johnson is a long, athletic player on the outside who would push Claiborne for a starting gig immediately.
28. Denver Broncos: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Broncos need to upgrade their offensive lines, one of the true positions of need they have. Well, unless Peyton Manning retires, that is (I don't think he will, but that's for another article). Andrus Peat seems to divide opinion, but he'd be a nice get for the Broncos at No. 28.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Shaq Thompson's greatest trait, his versatility, could also end up dropping him down the board. Thompson is an amazing athlete, but it's hard to know which position he would be better suited for in the NFL, linebacker or running back. Luckily for the Colts, they could use a player at either position. I'd imagine Thompson will be looked at as a linebacker initially in Indy, but if that doesn't work out they'll find a role for him on the offense. It's a win-win.
30. Green Bay Packers: Benardrick McKinney, MLB, Mississippi State
The Packers desperately need to upgrade at middle linebacker, and Benardrick McKinney is arguably the most dynamic player in the draft at the position. This will be a pretty easy pick for the Packers to make.
31. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Patriots will probably just trade this pick anyway in their never-ending quest to stockpile draft selections, but if they stay here, adding another wideout wouldn't be a bad idea. Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and, of course, Rob Gronkowski give Tom Brady weapons, but he could use one more option split out wide. Jaelen Strong would be a great fit.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
Devin Smith's ability to stretch the field and make plays on the ball in the air make him the perfect fit for Seattle, a team that really needs a player who can take the top off of a defense. Adding him to this loaded roster almost doesn't seem fair.
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