NFL 2015 Mock Draft
There are some aspects of the 2015 NFL Draft that will be different from those in years past. For starters, a bright, golden NFL shield will replace the typical logo as a part of the NFL’s 50th Super Bowl promotion, a humble, athletic, accurate passer may be the 2nd quarterback off the board, and for once we won’t be subjected to the raucous jeers of disgruntled Jets fans. But many qualities will remain the same. We’ll still wonder, “Who the hell is Mel Kiper is anyway?” We’ll continue to watch despite the lingering cloud of domestic violence which casts a revolting shadow over many of the NFL’s most valuable assets, the players, whether they deserve the horrid association or not. And finally, the first round will be littered with busts and stars who will represent your club in the greatest of America’s pastimes.
I sat down to predict the future, and tell you who’s name your team will call Thursday night. But in the mock process, I came to the realization that who your team drafts is not necessarily who your team should draft. So take a look, and keep tabs on how your team does.
Like any great source of entertainment, the draft provides an escape from reality. Domestic violence, drug abuse, and player safety are important issues the NFL faces now and in the foreseeable future. But tonight, we forget these. Tonight, we draft.
Who They Will Draft
Tampa Bay: Jameis Winston(QB): The most NFL ready quarterback in this class is too irresistible to a qb-needy team
Tennessee: Marcus Mariota(QB): Poised, accurate, athletic. Not ready to start day one, but may be forced to if Zach Mettenburger lays an egg in training camp.
Jacksonville: Dante Fowler Jr.(OLB/DE): Effortless pass rusher may struggle if asked to play as a 4-3 end, but power and burst are there for the Florida prospect.
Oakland: Kevin White(WR): Julio Jones-type receiver is extremely attractive for Oakland regime even in post-Al Davis era. Derek Carr does a back flip.
Washington: Leonard Williams(DT): Somehow the best player in the draft falls to Washington. Any team that passes on him will regret it in five years. His disruptive excellence and versatility is reminiscent of heavy Muhammad Wilkerson.
New York (J): Vic Beasley(OLB): About as close to a Von Miller clone as we’ve come, but lack of weight and strength at point of attack against the run screams bust.
Chicago: Amari Cooper(WR): A dearth of defensive talent provokes the Bears to a viable replacement to Brandon Marshall, not to mention the most complete, pro-ready receiver in the draft. Look for Cooper to shine early.
Atlanta: Todd Gurly(RB): The Georgia native is a runaway train with the ball in his hands, and a viable 3rd down option catching or blocking. He is to talented to pass up, even with the ACL injury.
New York (G)Andrus Peat(T): The Stanford prospect needs to get in better shape, but his pass blocking will help keep Eli Manning upright from the get-go.
St. Louis: Brandon Scherff(OG): Most likely suited to be a guard, but he is about as solid and safe as they come in this year’s offensive line crop. The Ram’s could use that kind of stability.
Minnesota: Trae Waynes(CB): Waynes is a polished cover-man who will be able to stick with athletic receivers on the outside. This team has invested heavily on their secondary, and if Waynes pans out, the Vikings will have a chance to be elite defensively (think Seattle).
Cleveland: Bud Dupree(OLB/DE): The Browns have an early chance to correct the Barkevious Mingo mistake.
New Orleans: Shane Ray(DE): Reports of marijuana use do not deter the Saints, who are glad this tireless end falls to them at 13. Rob Ryan rejoices.
Miami: Devante Parker: If the Louisville product can create separation at the NFL level, he possesses the body control, concentration, and soft hands to be a #1 threat on the outside.
San Fransico: Arik Armstead(DE): Prototypical 3-4 defensive end can learn from Justin Smith and then eventually replace him. Needs to be more explosive at the snap of the point of the ball.
Houston: Randy Gregory(OLB): Many scouts have agreed that Gregory is the most graceful pass rusher in the draft. The Jadaveon Clowney mystery and the departure of Brookes Reed to Atlanta leaves Houston with a question mark on edge pressure.
San Diego: Danny Shelton(NT): Shelton is an immovable object at nose tackle and it would sure up a position they have been trying to fill for a few years. He could start Day 1.
Kansas City: Marcus Peters(CB): Great jump-ball athlete is the first piece the Chiefs need to repair an ugly secondary.
Cleveland: La’el Collins(T/G): If the Browns haven’t traded this pick, Collins is a player who turn Cleveland’s offensive line around. The Browns have taken steps to improve their line, and after the Johnny Manziel Saga, I have a feeling they will be looking for a safer option.
Philidelphia: Landon Collins(SS): The Eagles are in are looking for secondary help, and many view him as the top safety in the class. He is a linebacker trapped in a safety’s body.
Cincinnati: Jake Fisher(OT): The Bengals are supposedly in love with the Oregon product as a long term project to replace Andrew Whitworth. Fisher has quick feet and is a cerebral player, qualities well suited for a tackle.
Pittsburgh: Kevin Johnson(CB): The best corner available fills a hole after the Steelers failed to address Ike Taylor and Troy Polamalu’s retirement in free agency.
Detroit: Malcom Brown(DT) Brown is at his best when he is firing a gap to cause havoc in the backfield. A step in the right direction towards replacing Nick Fairly and Ndamukong Suh.
Arizona: Ereck Flowers(OT): Flowers is the best prospect available but also has the most upside for the Cardinals. I’d be surprised if he fell this far.
Carolina: Dorial Green-Beckham(WR): The most talented/physically gifted wide-out likely won’t fall out of the top-15. Four executives have compared him to Randy Moss.
Baltimore: Melvin Gordon(RB): Gordon is ready to go in a zone-run scheme the Ravens run and he provides Jamaal Charles-esque home run ability.
Dallas: Byron Jones(CB): Maybe a reach at 27, but the Cowboys have been searching for answers at the position for the past five years. Supreme athlete.
Denver: Cameron Erving(OT):Florida St. product can play all three positions on the line, and he is good enough to excel.
Indianapolis: Damarious Randall(FS): Great agility and hitting power despite smallish stature. Think Brian Westbrook.
Green Bay: Bernardrick McKinney(ILB): The hard hitting backer is the only one worthy of a first round pick and would immediately add some nasty to a relatively toothless defense. May struggle on passing downs.
New Orleans: Jalen Strong(WR): Big bodied wide out gives Drew Brees a shiny new toy to play with on a team who’s toy box was left bare post-Jimmy Graham
New England: T.J. Clemmings(OT) It is hard to project the last pick, but Clemmings is too good of a player for the defending champs to pass on. Projects as a RT, don’t be surprised if they trade up to snag a corner before Byron Jones is selected.
Who They Should Pick
1. Marcus Mariota: Typical size, excellent athleticsim and underrated progression passer translates better than expected in today’s NFL.
2. Leonard Williams: He’s the best player in the draft by far and the Titans play in a division with a guy named Andrew Luck.
3. Kevin White: With Williams gone, Kevin White has the gamebreaking ability to complete the improving aerial attack in Jacksonville.
4. Amari Cooper: Gives Derek Carr the somebody to throw too. Think Rodey White.
5. Dante Fowler Jr.: He could schematically step right in and play at a high level from day one.
6. Todd Gurly: If his ACL is cleared and is looking good, he is a player the new regime could build their future around.
7. Dorial Green Beckam Jr.: The question is whether he will become Calvin Johnson or Josh Gordon.
8. Bud Dupree: Workout warrior has the body and speed to chase Cam Newton and attack defenses in a year or two.
9. Erek Flowers: Skill and size trumps Peat’s lack of aggression.
10. Brandon Scherff.
11. Trae Waynes.
12. Devante Parker: Has size and jump ball ability, but no drug problem.
13. Randy Gregory: To much fluidity to pass up on.
14. La’el Collins: Ferocious run blocking and shear upside have Collins in the top 15.
16. Arik Armstead.
17. Jameis Winston: Obivously he won’t last this long, but his immaturity and character are too dangerous for a player who will end up slightly above average at the NFL. If he makes it to year 5 without an arrest he merits a top 5 pick.
18. Andrus Peat: Pass protection would allow D.J Fluker to slide into guard.
19. Marcus Peters.
20. Shane Ray: Non stop motor should has him available here, but he still drops due to the marijuana charges.
21. Bernardrick Randall: Collins doesn’t have the range of Randall, and Randall is more aggressive.
22. D.J Humphries: Huge Product gives them solid protection for Dalton, who is the worst quarterback in the league when faced with pressure, according to Pro Football Focus.
23. Marcus Peters: They need young faces in the secondary, and Peters is talented enough to start.
23. Ameer Abdullah: has a chance to be the best of the bunch after Gurly. Excellent lateral agility and a nose for the endzone.
24: Andrus Peat: I see major bust potential, but long arms and intelligence will be tough to pass up on
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25: T.J. Clemmings: Cam Newton’s blind side should be priority number 1, and Micheal Oher is not the answer.
26. Melvin Gordon.
27. Vic Beasley: Needs to put on weight and strength, but has a chance to excel in a 3-4 scheme.
28. Bernardrick McKinney.
29. Cameron Erving.
30. Cedric Ogbuehi: A pick for the future, but if his knee heals, this could go down as a great steal at 30. It is a big if though.
31. Jalen Strong.
32. Byron Jones: The Pats need help after losing Revis
