NFL Draft 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft Following Super Bowl Media Day
Leading up to the biggest sporting event of the year, just two teams still have an actual game plan to worry about. The other 30 franchises are already looking ahead to their offseason plans, including the 2015 NFL draft.
In order to catch up with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, getting a great haul in the draft will be crucial. That makes the first round even more important for struggling teams.
Before the big game on Sunday, here's a look at the latest first-round mock draft.
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 📈
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
What's the bigger risk? Taking a chance on a player with an injury or one who has off-the-field issues. That will be the question the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will have to answer when pondering the first overall pick.
Matt Miller of Bleacher Report offered his take on the quarterback position:
Marcus Mariota is dealing with a shoulder injury and might not throw at the NFL Scouting Combine. While Jameis Winston has plenty of question marks coming into the draft, his skill set translates better, and he is at full health for the Bucs.
2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
For a team in desperate need of a game-changing defensive player, the Tennessee Titans will go after a versatile player in Randy Gregory. He may not be as talented as Leonard Williams, but his athleticism makes him a key player for a struggling Titans defensive corps.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
The best defensive player in this year's class will wind up with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Williams paired up with Sen'Derrick Marks would make for a dangerous tandem in the AFC South. Needing a formidable front to take on Andrew Luck, expect the Jaguars to take a defensive wrecking ball like Williams.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
In 2014, the Oakland Raiders got their quarterback of the future in Derek Carr. This time around, they'll give him a No. 1 wide receiver in Amari Cooper.
However, early indications are that Cooper will have to prove himself during the draft process to retain the top spot at receiver. Luke Easterling of Draft Breakdown notes the gap between the top players:
Oakland has been known to make surprising picks in the past, but Reggie McKenzie got nearly every selection right last year. If he believes Cooper is the best wideout by the end of the process, Carr to Cooper might be what propels the Raiders in the AFC West.
5. Washington Redskins: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
There are a lot of holes the Washington Redskins need to address, but adding protection up front is crucial. If Brandon Scherff is still available with the fifth pick, Washington will lock him up to help out whomever the future quarterback is.
6. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
He may not be the No. 1 quarterback in the class, but no one is overtaking Mariota as the second-best signal-caller. Even with the injury, Mariota will still be the top option for the New York Jets, who are looking to start a new era with a new player under center.
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Looking to improve at several positions defensively, the Chicago Bears will grab one of the most promising edge-rushers in the class. Shane Ray finished the year with 14 sacks and will immediately help Kyle Fuller and the rest of the secondary.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
Just behind Ray in terms of talent, Vic Beasley is another versatile player similar to Gregory. After staying for his final season with Clemson, he will be a top-10 pick by the Atlanta Falcons, who need a great player up front.
9. New York Giants: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
One player who helped his stock at the Senior Bowl was La'el Collins. Though some reviews were mixed, the former LSU tackle held off some of the most talented edge-rushers in the country at the showcase.
Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated noted how impressive Collins looked:
If he can maintain that momentum throughout the draft process, he has a chance to be a top-10 selection in the draft. With the New York Giants near the top of the board, they will add more protection with Collins for Eli Manning.
10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
It's arguably becoming one of the most important positions in the pass-happy NFL, and Trae Waynes is the most consistent in the draft. The cornerback would add to an already potent St. Louis Rams defense, helping the front seven in a difficult NFC West division.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Similar to the Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings also got their franchise quarterback in last year's draft. To help keep Teddy Bridgewater upright, the Vikes will take Andrus Peat to solidify the offensive tackle position.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
DeVante Parker might very well go at No. 11 to Minnesota, but the Cleveland Browns have to hope he falls. The No. 12 pick is a great spot, and the Browns can add a reliable receiver with Josh Gordon facing a one-year ban after failing another drug test.
13. New Orleans Saints: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
No one is doubting that the New Orleans Saints' offense is one that can compete in January. It's the defense that took a huge step back last season. Luckily, they can grab Shaq Thompson to shore up the middle of the field for years to come.
14. Miami Dolphins: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
The Miami Dolphins offensive line looked much better during the 2014 season. Even with the improvement that Ja'Wuan James provided, they still need another trustworthy tackle. Ereck Flowers won't have to travel far to do just that for the Dolphins.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Depth at wide receiver is not an issue for the San Francisco 49ers, but a lack of a true leader at the position is. Bringing in Kevin White, who Easterling noted was close in talent level to Cooper and Parker, the 49ers would have a dynamic receiver for the future.
16. Houston Texans: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Over the last several years, Alabama has been a factory for great players in the secondary. The latest is Landon Collins, a safety who one AFC scout believes is the best of the crop, per Albert Breer of NFL.com:
"He's better than (Mark) Barron, he's better than Ha Ha (Clinton-Dix). If you look at him, he plays special teams, he plays defense and he's all-out. He's just a football player. Good range, good hands, explosive tackler, always around the ball. ... Barron was a good player, but more of a thumper. Ha Ha was more rangy. This guy is a mixture of both.
"
For a team like the Houston Texans that needs another special defensive back to help the front seven, Collins is a perfect fit. Alongside D.J. Swearinger, Collins would bring even more physicality to the secondary.
17. San Diego Chargers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
One of the nastiest defensive players in the class, Danny Shelton might be a player on the rise when the draft approaches. If he still remains around the middle of the first round, Shelton would make a perfect addition for a San Diego Chargers team that needs a physical run-stopper up front.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
In all seriousness, it doesn't really matter which wide receivers are left on the board at this point. Jaelen Strong might not end up being of the same caliber as Cooper, White or Parker, but he fills a huge need for the Kansas City Chiefs.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
A strong start to the season was not enough to translate to a playoff berth for the Browns. Bringing in an athletic pass-rusher such as Dante Fowler into the front seven, Cleveland would have another game-changer on defense to compete in the AFC North.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
During his college tenure with Washington, Marcus Peters was dismissed due to multiple arguments with the coaching staff. For a team like the Philadelphia Eagles who need another cornerback after Bradley Fletcher struggled mightily, Peters has the talent to fill that role.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Florida State has talent on both sides of the ball, and Eddie Goldman is even more proof. He might be one of the latest players from FSU to come off the board in the first round, but Goldman's breakout season should land him with the Cincinnati Bengals.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
One of the most talented defensive backs in the country, P.J. Williams be the next cornerback off the board to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Williams is a physical corner who can help add depth to Mike Tomlin's defense.
23. Detroit Lions: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Stopping Owamagbe Odighizuwa this season has proved to be nearly as difficult as pronouncing his name. The UCLA product regularly stood up some of the best offensive linemen in the Pac-12 and looks the part of an NFL star.
After a phenomenal tenure with the Bruins, Odighizuwa shined at the Senior Bowl, per Miller:
Already equipped with a wealth of defensive talent, the Detroit Lions won't shy away from taking an explosive edge-rusher. With the defensive line potentially needing to be rebuilt, Odighizuwa will be an ideal fit.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
The 2014 season didn't end the way Mississippi State wanted, but the program still produced a great linebacker in Benardrick McKinney. His range across the entire field and leadership have shined with the Bulldogs, making him an ideal fit for the Arizona Cardinals.
25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Filling a need at the wide receiver role with Kelvin Benjamin paid dividends for the Carolina Panthers in 2014. Grabbing T.J. Clemmings, a standout lineman from Pittsburgh, the Panthers would have more protection for Cam Newton after a poor season in that category.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
It will take a special tailback for an NFL team to take him in the first round. Melvin Gordon is talented enough to break the two-year lull for the position on the first night of the draft.
One NFL scout compared the Wisconsin running back to one of the best offensive weapons in the NFL.
"Tough to come up with a clean comparison. I see some similarities to an oversized Jamaal Charles," the scout said, via Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com. "But I also see a little bit of Darren McFadden. I love his home run ability, but I'm not crazy about his vision and instincts. I guess I'd say he's closer to Charles than anyone else."
Justin Forsett filled the role as a veteran, but he can't be asked to carry the load for the Baltimore Ravens much longer. Bringing Gordon in to eventually take over the role on a full-time basis will be ideal for the Ravens.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE, Kentucky
Dallas proved it has the offensive weapons to win the division this season but still needs playmakers on the defense to thrive. Adding an edge-rusher like Bud Dupree puts less pressure on the secondary and gives the Cowboys a formidable duo with Demarcus Lawrence.
28. Denver Broncos: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Currently ranked as the fourth-best defensive tackle by CBS Sports, Malcom Brown still has a chance to rise up draft boards. At this point, however, he'll make a great addition to the Denver Broncos' defensive line late in the first round.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
The Indianapolis Colts' offense carried them late into the playoffs. Though he's not from a Power Five conference, Ty Sambrailo has shown he's one of the best linemen in the class. If he falls to the end of the first round, he might find himself protecting Luck and giving the Colts an even more effective offense.
30. Green Bay Packers: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
After coming up just short of making it back to the Super Bowl, Aaron Rodgers just needs one more target across the middle. Maxx Williams is the best tight end in the class by a considerable margin and would immediately help the Green Bay Packers.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
The Seattle Seahawks need weapons on offense to help Russell Wilson. Devin Funchess, who played both wide receiver and tight end for Michigan, provides size and athleticism for the receiving corps. His versatility will also take pressure off the dual-threat quarterback to open up the offense.
32. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Much like Peters, Dorial Green-Beckham comes into the draft with question marks after being dismissed from Missouri. Though he was forced to sit out for the 2014 season with Oklahoma, if DGB makes the shift to the NFL, Bill Belichick would happily take him under his wing with the New England Patriots.
All stats courtesy of cfbstats.com unless otherwise stated.
Follow @RCorySmith on Twitter.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
