2015 NFL Mock Draft

 

1. Tampa Bay – Jameis Winston/QB/Florida State

Even after all the rumors that have flown around, I don’t really believe the Bucs have any other option but to draft Winston. They need a QB and Winston is the closest to being ready to play immediately.

2. Tennessee – Marcus Mariota/QB/Oregon

Possible trade talks for the #2 spot with San Diego could continue to heat up but if Tennessee stays put I think they have to Take Mariota. Mettenberger has some upside but not enough to bank the future of the franchise on. It’s a lot easier to do that with the second overall pick.

3. Jacksonville – Dante Fowler/DE/Florida

I originally had Leonard Williams here but I think Jacksonville needs a guy that can cause more disruption in the backfield. Fowler has always been a considered a top ten pick but has really gained more acclaim of late.

4. Oakland – Kevin White/WR/West Virginia

Given the Raiders history, this is exactly the type of athlete they look for. It also happens to be need at this point in time. No question, it’s either White or Cooper here.

5. Washington – Leonard Williams/DT/DE/USC

With Fowler off the board, the Redskins will be forced to take the best defensive lineman available. That looks to be Leonard Williams. Williams is versatile enough to play him all over the interior of the D-Line.

6. New York Jets – Vic Beasley/DE/OLB/Clemson

Todd Bowles has shown great interest in Beasley and if he is available I think this a no-brainer. Beasley is arguably the best pass rusher in the 2015 draft. That works great with Bowles attacking style defense.

7. Chicago – Amari Cooper/WR/Alabama

This one is easy. No more Marshall opposite Jeffery and if they grab Cooper they can move newly acquired Cutler favorite Eddie Royal inside to the slot.

8. Atlanta – Shane Ray/DE/OLB/Missouri

The Falcons desperately need to revitalize their defense and a great place to start is a pass rusher with a motor. Ray could be exactly what Atlanta needs to get after guys like Brees, Newton, and possibly Jameis Winston.

9. New York Giants – Danny Shelton/DT/Washington

The Giants have lost their championship identity which was always headed by their dominant defensive lines. In a division that has quality running games in Washington, Philadelphia and Dallas, the Giants have to repair their defensive front seven. No better place to start than will arguably the best power pig in the 2015 draft.

10. St. Louis – Andrus Peat/OT/Stanford

The Rams could easily have the best defense in football next season accompanied by a consistent veteran QB in Nick Foles. The only way the Rams can survive the NFC West and make a run at the playoffs is to keep Foles upright. The best way to do that is acquire the best OT in the draft. That’s exactly what you get with Andrus Peat.

11. Minnesota – Trae Waynes/CB/Michigan State

The rumor is that the Vikings want a 1st round pick and a young DB in return for the services of Adrian Peterson. If they can make that move than obviously this pick will change. However, until that time, the Vikings need to find a way to slow down the pass happy Rodgers, Stafford and Cutler.

12. Cleveland – Devante Parker/WR/Louisville

Unfortunately the Browns can no longer rely on Josh Gordon who can’t seem to stay on the field. His off the field transgressions will force the Browns to draft the next play maker in Cleveland. Parker is a perfect replacement for Gordon because he possesses top end speed and has the size to go with it.

13. New Orleans – Alvin ”Bud” Dupree/DE/OLB/Kentucky

The Saints desperately need some pass rush help. But with Fowler, Beasley, and Ray off the board, Dupree is the best they will be able to do at this spot in the 1st round.

14. Miami – Breshard Perriman/WR/UCF

Perriman is touted as the next Josh Gordon. Hopefully he doesn’t follow in Gordon’s footsteps off the field. At 6’2” 212lbs., running a 4.24 40, while benching 225 18 times, Perriman is one of those freaky athletes that always goes higher than they probably should. I think Miami pulls the trigger after losing Wallace and Hartline in free agency. Another freakish weapon for Tannehill will only help his progression.

15. San Francisco – Brandon Scherff/G/T/Iowa

Nobody can say Scherff will be the replacement for Iupati, but he sure is a step in the right direction. A versatile O-lineman who can play both G and T might be exactly what the 49ers need to get that running game back in order.

16. Houston – Jalen Strong/WR/Arizona State

A replacement for Andre Johnson and a counterpart for Hopkins needs to be addressed for whoever ends up being the QB in Houston. Strong scared a couple teams recently when the news broke that he needed to have wrist surgery. When healthy, a 4.4 40 at 6’5” is an inviting target for any passer.

17. San Diego – Melvin Gordon/RB/Wisconsin

The Chargers have been looking for the next best thing at running back since LaDainian Tomlinson left for the Jets. They may just find the answer at RB in Melvin Gordon. With Ryan Matthews out of the picture, that spot would definitely be up for grabs.

18. Kansas City – La’el Collins/OT/LSU

Collins can be the other book end for Andy Reid that he tends to covet. Drafting the young OT out of LSU means Fisher can finally move to RT. Collins could be part of an O-line that only needs to create a small crack in the defensive front seven to allow Jamal Charles to squeeze through to the second level.

19. Cleveland (Via Buffalo) – TJ Clemmings/OT/Pittsburgh

Protection issues have been a problem in Cleveland of late. No matter who the QB is, life is a lot easier without defenders in your face within 3 seconds. If McCown, Manziel, or Shaw can get an extra two seconds, it will make a world of difference for that offense.

20. Philadelphia – Kevin Johnson/CB/Wake Forest

I’m not sure if you Maxwell will be able to fill the shoes of Cary Williams which still leaves the Eagles vulnerable in their secondary. Johnson could be insurance or could immediately be your nickelback.

21. Cincinnati – DJ Humphries/OT/Florida

This move would allow an aging Andrew Whitworth to move back inside where he really excelled. Also, this creates added insurance with Andre Smith being a free agent after the 2015 season.

22. Pittsburgh – Randy Gregory/OLB/Nebraska

Randy Gregory was a top ten talent before a failed drug test and less than par interviews caused his draft stock to plummet. Pittsburgh is the type of franchise stable enough to take a supreme talent with off the field issues and get the most out of them. Gregory would be a great replacement for Jason Worilds who recently retired unexpectedly.

23. Detroit – Jalen Collins/CB/LSU

The Lions are not known for an inability to score points, they are known for not being able to stop teams from scoring. Especially in the NFC north which is flooded with QB’s who love to throw the football. Mathis and Slay are not going to get it done. This is why getting Collins at #23 is a steal that can help solidify the back end of their defense.

24. Arizona – Arik Armstead/DT/Oregon

Armstead gives you two of the most intimidating 5 techniques in the NFL along with Calais Campbell. Almost a carbon copy of Campbell, Armstead is an athletic talent with a high ceiling who is also 6’7” 292lbs.

25. Carolina – Ereck Flowers/OT/Miami

Cam needs help keeping defenders off of him long enough to comfortably sit in the pocket and show off his arm talent. A mobile QB who has to rely on being mobile more often than not usually has a shortened career. Flowers can bring some nasty to an offensive line that desperately needs it.

26. Baltimore – Jordan Phillips/DT/Oklahoma

With the departure of Haloti Ngata, the Ravens need to get some beef back in the interior of the defensive line. At 6’5” 329lbs., Phillips can be the next space eater in a long lineage of massive D-linemen in Baltimore.

27. Dallas – Todd Gurley/RB/Georgia

There is still a possibility of Jerry Jones pulling off the trade for Adrian Peterson, but, you still don’t get your back of the future. Peterson provides a back for the very near future. Gurley has the skill set to be a very productive back in this league and provide some well needed rest for an aging Darren McFadden.

28. Denver – Eddie Goldman/DT/Florida State

I believe the Broncos may have to miss out on some talented players that they covet if they stay with the 28th pick. Denver needs to address the offensive line, but with all the top tackles gone, they may be relegated to address the DT void instead. Goldman has the build, hands, and temperament to handle the nose for the new Wade Philips 3-4 defense.

29. Indianapolis – Landon Collins/S/Alabama

The Colts have been looking for a leader on the back end of their defense since Bob Sanders left. Mike Adams is nice but they need a play maker in the secondary and you get that instantly with Collins inserted into the starting lineup.

30. Green Bay – Eric Kendricks/ILB/UCLA

Only one special teams blunder away from the Super Bowl, the Packers don’t have a plethora of glaring holes. However, having to move Matthews inside was a move that left both the middle and edges of the front seven vulnerable at times. Drafting Kendricks gives you the most recent Butkus award winner inside and moves your pass rush extraordinaire back off the edge where he belongs.

31. New Orleans (Via Seattle) – Dorial Green-Beckham/WR/Missouri

With the Colston on his last legs, the departures Stills and Graham, the Saints desperately need another play maker. Ben Watson is a decent stop gap at TE, but I could easily see TE Maxx Williams of Minnesota in this spot as well. Green-Beckham has all the physical tools to be a monster on the outside opposite Colston with Cooks manning the slot.

32. New England – Marcus Peters/CB/Washington

The Patriots are the kings of finding talent that people shy away from and turning them into pro bowlers. Peters has all the tools to be the next Belichick project that comes to fruition. New England needs to replace Revis and Browner and Peters would be a great step in the right direction.

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