NFL Mock Draft 2015: Early Outlook and Predictions for Entire 1st Round
Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston are going to dominate the football conversation for several months following the Super Bowl. The battle for the top overall spot in the 2015 draft should be intense and could reshape the entire top 10.
As a result, there are still more questions than answers. Mariota is the safer choice while Winston has more upside, but also more risk. If the Oregon star goes first, it creates an interesting scenario that brings a lot of different possibilities into play, including a trade or a slide for the Florida State sensation.
The forecast should become more clear by the time draft day arrives. Let's check out how things are shaping up right now with a complete mock draft of the first round with a deeper dive into some picks that seem like great fits.
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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
It's clear the Buccaneers have a major decision on their hands. One that will likely be discussed for years to come, especially if it turns out they made the wrong choice. Mariota should be considered the favorite unless Winston dazzles during the predraft process.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Titans are likely to receive some trade offers for this pick given the high number of teams around the league that need a quarterback. They are on that list too, though. So unless they have major concerns about Winston's maturity after interviewing him, he should be the pick.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Blake Bortles needs more stability up front before it's fair to make any judgments about his future. He was sacked 55 times as a rookie despite only playing 14 games. Scherff is an extremely solid prospect ready to fill an immediate void.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Raiders are slowly moving in the right direction. They finally have some young building blocks in place with Derek Carr and Khalil Mack both providing a spark as rookies. Now they have to start putting more pieces in place around them.
Cooper would represent a significant upgrade on the outside. He's not the most explosive receiver in the class, but he does just about everything very well. The question is whether he's the clear choice as the top wideout in the class. Sigmund Bloom of Footballguys.com isn't so sure:
It's a debate that will be settled in the months ahead. For now, the Alabama sensation seems like the most well-rounded receiver available, somebody who can step right in and have an immediate impact for the Raiders.
5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Williams may finish atop many draft boards. He's shown the versatility to move around the defensive line and make plays. He was a constant presence in opposing backfields at the collegiate level. Very few flaws in his game.
6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
The Jets would probably love for one of the top quarterbacks to slide down to them. It's possible, but the likelihood won't be known for awhile. Gregory would represent a nice consolation price as a defender with the ability to cause havoc off the edge.
7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Collins is an interesting case. He makes a ton of sense for the Bears, who need to bolster the secondary after a down year defensively. But if they decide to go another direction, he could be in for a slide that lasts a handful of picks.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Beasley is one prospect who probably won't have a consensus ranking in the end. There's a wide range of opinions about the Clemson star, which makes him one of the turning-point selections. His pass-rushing potential may be too good for Atlanta to pass up.
9. New York Giants: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The Giants need to focus on the defensive line after getting burned on the ground in 2014. Ray would be a nice fit. Not only has the Missouri star shown he can set the edge against the run, but he's also a solid rusher with room to grow with improved technique.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
St. Louis doesn't have the margin for error afforded to many teams. Of course, that's because they play in the league's toughest division. Being able to contend means building a defense that can keep up with everybody else in the NFC West. Waynes would help.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Since the Vikings should be encouraged by the early production of Teddy Bridgewater, it's time to build around him. While that could result in them grabbing a wide receiver here, it would be hard to pass up the line stability Peat would bring.
12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Browns were in good position before going on a five-game losing streak to end the season. Many factors played a role, but the inability to make big plays offensively was key. Adding a top playmaker like White is essential during the offseason.
13. New Orleans Saints: Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
It was more of the same from the Saints. Their high-powered offense led the league in yards per game, but the defense wasn't able to make enough key plays to lead a playoff charge. That side of the ball should definitely be the Round 1 focus, with Dupree as the best fit at this spot.
He's not going to fix all of New Orleans' defensive issues by himself. He's still a bit raw and certainly needs to add more moves to his arsenal, but his upside is sky-high. Lance Zierlein of NFL.com talked about that in his review:
"Dupree is an explosive, powerful athlete with a background in basketball. While he's been productive at Kentucky, his tape doesn't always do his potential justice. He must continue to improve as a pass rusher, but his traits are undeniable. Difference between being good and great might be his coordinator.
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The Saints will have to work Dupree in certain packages at first and let him get some situations where he should excel while he works to round out his game. With the right coaching, he should be a crucial piece within a few years.
14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
Miami needs to improve its front seven after giving up more than 120 yards per game game on the ground in 2014. Thompson will need to add some power to his frame to find consistent success at the next level. The skill set is intriguing, though.
15. San Francisco 49ers: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The 49ers ranked 30th in passing yards this past season. Though some of that is due to Colin Kaepernick's struggles, they could also use more targets around him. Parker can help move the chains by working the underneath game.
16. Houston Texans: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
Should the Texans fall in love with a second-tier quarterback, they may just take him at this spot to avoid somebody trading up to steal them before their next pick. Otherwise, they are best off going with a lineman who can protect whoever gets the starting QB gig.
17. San Diego Chargers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Chargers are likely to upgrade one of their lines with this selection. It all comes down to value and Shelton, who possesses a top-10 skill set, is the best bet at this spot. They ranked 26th in rushing yards allowed this past season.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Strong going to Kansas City shouldn't come as much of a surprise. This represents the right range for him, and the Chiefs' need for more talent on the outside is obvious. They just have to hope an early run at the position doesn't leave them without a top option.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills): Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Goldman is a prospect who will be best served playing a rotational role at the outset. He's still very much in the development stage, but the potential is there for him to become a major force and that's what the Browns will bank on.
20: Philadelphia Eagles: Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida
The Eagles defense is almost always under pressure because of the pace their offense plays. In turn, they must build the unit up with as many playmakers as possible. Fowler fits the mold as a player capable of filling numerous roles on the edge.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Cincinnati gave up at least 26 points in four of its final five games, including its playoff loss. The team's offense isn't built to win those type of games consistently with Andy Dalton at the helm. That's why upgrading the secondary makes the most sense here.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
The Steelers could go several different directions here. A lot will depend on what areas of the defense are able to be upgraded through free agency. Brown's stock is trending in a positive direction heading into the bulk of the draft process.
23. Detroit Lions: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
As Detroit finished the season with back-to-back road losses to the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys, it became clear the secondary still needed work. It made strides, but not quite enough. Enter Williams, who comes from a winning program at Florida State.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
Normally, a team coming off an 11-5 campaign has a select group of needs. That's not the case for Arizona. The Cardinals could go in any number of different directions here. But based on their main needs, Orchard presents the most value.
25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The Panthers would probably be ecstatic if Clemmings was still on the board this late. Cam Newton rarely had a clean pocket to work from, which led to a drop in his numbers. The Pittsburgh product can help lead a resurgence next fall.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Justin Forsett stepped into a tough situation and provided the Ravens with unexpected stability at running back. There are still questions about how the team plans to handle the position moving forward, though. That could open the door for Gordon to step into a large role right away.
He's a reliable runner with the speed to get outside but also the power to have success between the tackles. Gordon was productive in college without being overworked. He talked about reaching all of his personal goals with the Badgers, as noted by Jeff Potrykus of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
"It is a good feeling to know that I came out here and I achieved and did the things I wanted to do. I wanted to rush for the most yards. I wanted to showcase that I was the best running back. And I think this year I showed that."
The one thing Gordon must work on is coming out of the backfield as a receiver. Without more consistency in that area he'll be relegated to early-down work. But it's not a serious enough concern to prevent him from going in the first round.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
Dallas could be in the market for secondary help, but none of the available options jump out. Instead, they turn to a lineman in Hunter that's capable of winning battles at the point of attack. That should be a point of focus for the Cowboys.
28. Denver Broncos: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
If Julius Thomas returns to Denver on a long-term deal, the Broncos will go a different direction. They will be forced to make some key personnel decisions, however. That could result in Thomas going elsewhere and Williams doing his best to replace him.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
The Colts could use a destroyer in the middle of the field who can significantly disrupt opponents' rushing attacks. It may take a season or two for McKinney to fully grow into that key role, but he represents their best bet to fill the linebacker void.
30. Green Bay Packers: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Run defense was the only major area where the Packers had consistent concerns. Bennett and Jordan Phillips are both options at this point. The Ohio State star is more polished, which could make the difference with Green Bay looking to contend right now.
31. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Green-Beckham will be among the most scrutinized prospects throughout the process. If he's able to answer all of the questions teams have about his off-field issues, he could rise significantly. Otherwise the Patriots are a team that may be willing to take a chance.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
Unlike most teams, the aerial attack is a secondary thought for the Seahawks. They have obviously won plenty of big games without needing to throw for 500 yards, but adding more talent like Funchess to that area of the game simply makes them tougher to beat.
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