2015 NFL Mock Draft: Projections for Fast-Rising Prospects Ahead of Super Bowl
The real stock market would blush at the 2015 NFL draft scene.
There, stock changes for each prospect with the direction of the wind right now. Even Marcus Mariota, one of the most dominant Heisman winners in history, sees his stock fluctuate after choosing not to participate in the Senior Bowl.
This is how things work, though. The NFL season is still yet to conclude as the New England Patriots get set to take on the Seattle Seahawks in the Super Bowl.
TOP NEWS
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Colts Release Kenny Moore
Projecting Every NFL Team's Starting Lineup 🔮
Rookie WRs Who Will Outplay Their Draft Value 📈
As scouts and teams continue to sift through film and other material, it is only natural that rapid stock changes litter the scene.
The highest risers before the Super Bowl rest below in italics.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
These things tend to sort themselves out.
Mariota was destined for a rocky ride to the draft one way or another. It is just how quarterbacks travel to the draft, especially now that his status for the combine is in doubt:
Tampa Bay will not hesitate, though. Mariota has all of the tools to form a franchise quarterback, including ideal off-field traits.
2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Shocker—Jameis Winston is going through the ringer on the way to the draft.
Winston's off-field things aside, his pro ceiling is remarkable. A prototypical pocket quarterback, he touts everything a franchise wants now and into the future.
The allure for Tennessee to look elsewhere with Zach Mettenberger on board is obvious. Bad franchises who enjoy quarterback purgatory stick with uninspiring signal callers.
Tennessee will not.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Randy Gregory will never need a stock boost at this point.
One of the collegiate game's most disruptive players is a surefire rotational edge-rusher at the next level with the potential for more in time.
Gregory fits well in Jacksonville on a unit that needs more of a presence on the edge to improve a strong rush.
4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
Leonard Williams does not need much help, either.
Williams is one of the most dominant interior linemen to enter the draft since perhaps Ndamukong Suh in 2010 thanks to his ability to clog run gaps and apply consistent pressure on passers.
Atop Oakland's laundry list of needs is such a presence on the interior of the defense who can free up talented linebackers.
5. Washington Redskins: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Despite his status as one of three Heisman finalists, Amari Cooper may be on a "falling" list soon as more eyes watch his film.
Sentiments from Bleacher Report's Matt Miller explain why:
Cooper is a great wideout who can make a pro impact right away and in the long run, though, so an offensive mind such as Jay Gruden will not mind the investment.
6. New York Jets: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Speaking of schematic concerns, there appear to be none right now surrounding Kevin White.
The owner of 109 catches for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, the West Virginia product might be the No. 1 overall wideout by draft day.
White continues to rise as scouts unearth his speedy ways and crisp routes, something the New York Jets will not be able to ignore with all viable quarterbacks off the board.
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
While a tad predictable, the Chicago Bears need to grab one of the few pure 4-3 defensive ends in the draft.
The staff cannot afford to roll with patchwork fixes any longer, meaning a reliance on Jared Allen and others needs to end.
Shane Ray is cheaper and perhaps more productive right out of the gate after a dominant career in the SEC.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
The Atlanta Falcons finished near the bottom of the barrel in sacks last season as the unit continues its transition.
A good way to aid in the development of the unit is to grab one of the best pure pass-rushers in the class.
While not from a major SEC program, Alvin Dupree fits the description quite well. So long as he enters in a rotational capacity to aid his adaption to the pros, he will prove a force right away.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The title of top offensive tackle in the class is open for the taking, especially after Iowa's Brandon Scherff did not attend the Senior Bowl, per Rotoworld's Josh Norris:
Scherff should be able to survive the onslaught of breakdowns and hold the spot, though. This in turn means that a team with everything riding on the composure and health of its quarterback, such as the New York Giants, will make him the pick.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Top cornerback is also up in the air, although it is hard to ignore one of the leaders of the elite Michigan State defense, corner Trae Waynes.
Waynes fits in a locale such as St. Louis. The unit features plenty of talent up front, but would not mind more help on the back end and a bit of insurance for the future.
The Spartans leader accomplishes both.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
It is almost impossible to know what happens with Dorial Green-Beckham.
Polarizing because of off-field issues, there is no arguing the point that DGB is one of the most physically gifted wideouts to enter the draft since Calvin Johnson in 2007.
Look for a team such as Minnesota to take the risk. Head coach Mike Zimmer is a disciplinarian and could use receiver help to bring along a young quarterback.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Drama surrounds the Cleveland Browns:
The team needs another wideout, clearly. DeVante Parker is an explosive option in a deep class who catches about anything thrown his way and runs reliable routes.
Even better, he will not draw a ton of attention off the field.
13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
The more eyes that watch Dante Fowler Jr., the more he will rise.
ESPN's Mel Kiper (subscription required) explains the Florida product best while mocking him No. 8 overall in his latest offering:
"A known commodity since he arrived on campus, Fowler actually frustrated me some coming into the year because the talent looked better than the production. But he really put it together this season and made more plays, finishing with 15 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. He offers the strength to set the edge as a 4-3 defensive end and becomes quick for the position in that role. While he lacks what I consider elite explosiveness, he has great strength and can both set the edge and occasionally drive a blocker backward.
"
Fowler is versatile enough to fit defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's scheme in New Orleans, making for quite the dangerous combo.
14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
It is impossible to know how an NFL team will line up Shaq Thompson.
The freak athlete plays safety, linebacker and running back.
With the Miami Dolphins, there is a chance the Washington product dabbles in a little bit of everything while the team figures out where to place him for good.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Keep on rolling with those Huskies.
Next up is Marcus Peters, dismissed from the team this year but with undeniable talent.
The San Francisco 49ers will pull the trigger. A strong locker room will help mold perhaps the best overall corner in the class, were it not for that off-field flag.
16. Houston Texans: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Mark down Jalen Collins as a prospect who will continue to rise as the process continues.
A surprise entrant, ESPN's Kevin Weidl expands on a few traits that makes Collins a great pro prospect:
Houston needs to do whatever it takes to keep pace with Indianapolis, so the former LSU star will be the pick.
17. San Diego Chargers: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
A.J. Cann is not a name the casual fans will know until draft day.
While unfortunate, that is just how it goes for interior offensive linemen.
San Diego Chargers fans will know him quite well right away, though, as interior linemen should be the top need on the staff's list in order to protect Philip Rivers.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Weapons such as Sammie Coates do not come around often.
Norris explains what Coates does best:
The Kansas City Chiefs need a player who can stretch defenses and open things up for others. They also need a wideout who can actually find the end zone with some semblance of consistency.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Vic Beasley continues to make "falling" lists thanks to his size at 6'3" and 235 pounds.
Cleveland will see past this perceived negative, though, and scoop up an explosive prospect who wins with his speed and anticipation.
Beasley is another strong pass-rushing element the Browns need in order to keep pace with other teams in the AFC North.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
The Philadelphia Eagles need more able bodies in the secondary after ranking 31st against the pass in 2014.
Landon Collins is an in-the-box thumper who best stops the run, but that will help to free up others to drop back and focus more on the passing game.
For a defense always under fire thanks to its offense, Collins is a welcome sight.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Malcom Brown makes Miller's list for good reason:
Not a household name just yet, Brown will be in time. He demands multiple blockers on most occasions and collapses the pocket from the interior with consistency.
For Cincinnati, the team's biggest need evaporates in a big way. Pun intended.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon
If observers cannot tell, there is a defensive arms race going down in the AFC North.
The Pittsburgh Steelers need to keep pace, especially after the loss of coordinator Dick LeBeau.
The main objective is to become more athletic and unpredictable up front, so Oregon's Arik Armstead fits well. There are other areas of need, but there is no such thing as too strong of a relentless attack put on by top-tier prospects.
23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Detroit Lions likely sweat bullets when Pittsburgh waltzed to the podium.
Danny Shelton is still on the board, though, which is great news for a team with Suh and Nick Fairley heading to free agency.
Shelton fills at least one of those voids with immediate impact.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, OLB, UCLA
It is understandable if fans do not know the name Owamagbe Odighizuwa.
A newcomer to the first-round scene, the UCLA product can thank his Senior Bowl for that, as Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net notes:
Odighizuwa is a versatile rusher who will make a pro career for a long time by terrorizing quarterbacks. Sign Arizona up.
25. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Carolina Panthers surrendered 38 sacks of Cam Newton in 2014.
That's an unacceptable number for a team that relies on Newton's health and future commitment for success.
One year removed from hitting the jackpot with Kelvin Benjamin, look for the front office to roll the dice on some protection in the form of Andrus Peat.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Again, back to that AFC North.
Baltimore shocked the globe thanks to a 23rd-ranked pass defense in 2014, something that will not cut it in a division that continues to lean more toward the pass each year.
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is a long-term investment thanks to a knee injury, but one a once-proud defense will be willing to take.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
The Dallas Cowboys need both an identity and a way to counteract the continued rash of injuries suffered by the defense each year.
Benardrick McKinney is a strong way to take care of both needs.
McKinney is a sideline-to-sideline enforcer who adds depth to a unit in need, which in turn helps the rest of the defense in an offensive-minded division.
28. Denver Broncos: La'el Collins, OL, LSU
The future in Denver is cloudy with so many players such as Julius Thomas on the road to free agency.
For the front office, though, the draft focus needs to be in the trenches.
The Broncos need to win physical confrontations and better protect the quarterback, so La'el Collins, a tackle with a mean streak, makes the most sense.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
To be fair, 41 sacks is not a horrible number.
It is just not good enough, especially when six come from Erik Walden and only four from Bjoern Werner.
Nate Orchard will be around when Indianapolis hits the podium. His motor and versatility make him an ideal fit for a unit in need.
30. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Much of the Green Bay Packers' problems come on the defensive side of the ball.
Look at the NFC Championship Game against the Seattle Seahawks, when the unit surrendered 157 yards and a score to Marshawn Lynch.
With that in mind, look for the Packers to grab Eddie Goldman, the unheralded leader of Florida State's defense.
31. New England Patriots: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Maxx Williams is easily the top tight end in the class.
He also continues to pile up favorable comparisons, such as one by Marcus R. Fuller of the Pioneer Press:
New England could use a tight end to complement Rob Gronkowski. Tom Brady, of course, does not mind the selection.
32. Seattle Seahawks: Carl Davis, DL, Iowa
Slowly but surely, Carl Davis continues to drum up a hype train.
The Seahawks are sure to have a close eye on the situation. Davis is a disruptive presence who fits well with the Seahawks, especially considering the team will need to continue to swap out veterans for younger players in order to save cap space.
Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Jan. 28 at 9 a.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
