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Owen Elle mocks the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft and analyzes the needs of each NFL team. See where we project Winston, Mariota and Leonard being drafted!
Rotoballer's covering all the action leading up to the 2015 NFL draft, including playing the ultimate guessing game of mock drafts. Our resident draft expert Owen Elle has all potential draft possibilities covered.
2015 NFL Mock Draft Round 1
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
Tampa Bay needs a franchise quarterback and with the first pick Winston gives the Buccaneers the best chance at getting one. Although the number of interceptions during his senior season at Florida State are alarming, he possesses a good combination of accuracy, arm strength and instinct needed to succeed at the next level. Winston is a smart, quick-thinking quarterback and when paired with tall, big-bodied receivers like Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins, should show more than most rookie quarterbacks show in their first year.
2. Tennessee Titans - DT Leonard Williams, Southern California
Williams has been described by many NFL scouts as the best talent in this year’s class, making it hard for Tennessee to pass up on such an impact player at second overall. The Titans have been reported to be comfortable with entering the 2015 season with Zach Mettenberger as their starting quarterback, likely meaning that Williams will be Tennessee’s selection.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - OLB Dante Fowler, Florida
The only big issue with Fowler entering the NFL combine was that he was an undersized outside linebacker. He silenced that concern by showing up to the combine at a healthy 261 pounds, giving teams a lot to like about his game now that his weight is up to par for an NFL linebacker. Jacksonville could use this pick for one of the many positions they need to fix, so taking the best talent available in one of need is a no-brainer.
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4. Oakland Raiders - WR Kevin White, West Virginia
While people might look at White as being a typical Al Davis' Raiders draft pick because of his 4.35 40-yard dash, he is so much more than just a speedy wide receiver. White shot up the draft boards late in the season, showing that he can be a legitimate red-zone threat while catching over 1,400 yards his senior season. The former JUCO transfer would give Derek Carr a true number one weapon in his sophomore campaign in Oakland.
5. Washington Redskins - OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Despite rumors that Washington will draft Marcus Mariota with the fifth overall pick, the Redskins desperately need help on the offensive line. Scherff, who comes out of the University of Iowa, which is an offensive line factory, has the flexibility to play guard or tackle at the next level and play it well. He is the best offensive lineman in the draft and spent five years in college, meaning Scherff is well polished and will be more than ready to play right away in the NFL.
6. New York Jets - QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
The Jets need to move on from the Geno Smith and FA acquisition Ryan Fitzpatrick isn't the long term answer. They need a quarterback like Mariota, who has a high NFL ceiling, with potential to produce from day one and can be consistent on the field. Mariota will have to prove that he wasn't a product of the Oregon system and can stay healthy while being an athletic signal-caller in the NFL. The Jets have a strong defense that is ready to win now, adding to the urgency of finding a capable quarterback.
7. Chicago Bears - OLB Randy Gregory, Nebraska
The Bears need help at nearly every position on the defensive side of the ball, which means that they will take the best available defensive player on the board at seventh overall. Gregory is a tough, lanky edge rusher that with some added weight could play as a defensive end. He is a raw product that is worth the risk because of his dominant potential.
8. Atlanta Falcons - OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
With the eight overall pick, Atlanta is essentially picking whoever is the best edge rusher available. Beasley gives the Falcons an explosive outside linebacker who has the ability to drop into coverage and hang with whatever the offense throws at him. While he could stand to put on a few pounds, he has been described by many as an ideal 3-4 outside linebacker.
9. New York Giants - DE Shane Ray, Missouri
Ray is one of the best pure pass rushers in the draft, showcasing that in his three years at Missouri. Not being able to compete in the combine hurt Ray’s stock, but he still has all of the traits any team would look for in a defensive end with the exception of weight.
10. St. Louis Rams - WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
The Rams have a top defense that has been performing at a high level for a couple of years, especially in the front seven. Now that St. Louis has traded for Nick Foles, he needs a weapon. Cooper, like a lot of first round wide receivers over the past two years, will provide Foles an immediate target with significant talent. Despite playing in the toughest division in the NFL, the Rams stand a better shot at making the playoffs with Cooper in 2015.
11. Minnesota Vikings - CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
The Vikings could go with Parker at eleventh overall and give Teddy Bridgewater another weapon, but grabbing the number one corner prospect available instead of the third best wide receiver is much more beneficial to the future of the franchise. Waynes is a fast, fairly tall corner that would pair nicely with Xavier Rhodes.
12. Cleveland Browns - WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
Regardless of who the quarterback is for the Browns in 2015, they're going to need a wide receiver to throw to. Parker is a speedy receiver with strong hands and has been compared favorably to Josh Gordon, a player the Browns are decently familiar with. While he isn’t the strongest, he would give Cleveland a dynamic target on offense.
13. New Orleans Saints - DT Danny Shelton, Washington
The Saints would love to take a cornerback at pick thirteen, however it would be a reach for them to select Marcus Peters or Quinten Rollins. Shelton would help New Orleans revamp their defensive line, replacing Broderick Bunkley at nose tackle. Shelton is a massive lineman who would help the Saints run defense significantly.
14. Miami Dolphins - OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
Last year the Dolphins took offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James in the first round, this year they take another. Peat, standing at 6’7 ft tall, is a gigantic tackle that would help provide protection for emerging franchise quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
15. San Francisco 49ers - OT La'el Collins, Louisiana State
In the midst of a crazy offseason, San Francisco would be wise to take a safe, offensive tackle to help the 49ers quasi-rebuild in 2015. Collins would be an upgrade at right tackle over previous starter Jonathan Martin and would help Kaepernick rebound from a disappointing season.
16. Houston Texans - WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri/Oklahoma
DGB is hands down the best wide receiver in the entire draft, however he comes with more baggage than Josh Gordon. He has had multiple run-ins with the law and was kicked off of Missouri’s football team for drug related offenses. Despite his off-field concerns, on the field he is a true number one receiver with the capability to take over games. If he can stay out of trouble, he will develop into one of the best receivers in the league. Standing at 6’5 ft, Green-Beckham is a big target for either Ryan Mallett, Brian Hoyer or Tom Savage down in Houston.
17. San Diego Chargers - DL Arik Armstead, Oregon
A defensive tackle that projects to be a bigger Calais Campbell, Armstead towers over the offensive line at 6’7 ft and is an explosive, quick-twitch lineman with massive arms and powerful hands. He is better at run defense than he is at pass rushing and might be required to put on more weight but Armstead is a solid pick for San Diego's struggling defensive line regardless.
18. Kansas City Chiefs - WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
Nearly regardless of who was available, the Chiefs need to take a wide receiver, given they didn’t have a wide receiver touchdown all of the 2014 season. Even with the massive contract they gave to Jeremy Maclin, a second wide receiver is needed. Strong had a great showing at the combine, pushing his way into the conversation in the bottom of the first round. A red-zone weapon in Strong is what Alex Smith needs to take Kansas City back to the playoffs.
19. Cleveland Browns - DT Malcom Brown, Texas
Cleveland got their wide receiver earlier in the first round, now it’s time for the Browns to spend a pick on the defensive side of the ball. Brown might not have the best size to play at the next level but he has shown flashes of power and the ability to demand a double team from the offensive line. It’s not vital that Cleveland upgrades their defensive line, although it wouldn’t hurt to start fixing it up in this draft.
20. Philadelphia Eagles - S Landon Collins, Alabama
While there has been rumors that the Eagles trade up to draft Marcus Mariota in the draft, it is extremely unlikely they do so given they are paying Sam Bradford and Mark Sanchez well north of $20M combined in 2015. Also, given the fact that the Eagles would have to give up a crazy amount of draft picks that they can’t afford to lose, the Eagles won’t take Mariota unless he falls to pick 20. Collins gives the Eagles an immediate upgrade in their secondary and is a ball-hawk on the field. He is explosive and physical safety that would be the wise, safe pick for Philadelphia.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - CB Marcus Peters, Washington
Peters has more than the requisite height and weight to be a shutdown corner in this league. The Bengals took Darqueze Dennard in the first round last year, so Peters would make up the other half of the secondary's future with Dennard in Cincinnati. While Peters comes with character concerns, that has never stopped the Bengals from taking a player (i.e. Pacman Jones, Rey Maualuga). Peters is a real, first-round talent with the potential to be the best corner from this class.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma
Phillips is a monster-sized defensive tackle with alarming athleticism for a player his size. He consistently requires double teams and plays and looks a lot like Terrance Knighton. A great fit for the Steelers defensive line.
23. Detroit Lions - DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State
While Goldman might not be a first-round talent, the sheer need for help on the defensive line is enough for the Lions to reach for Goldman. Haloti Ngata isn’t going to make up for the losses of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley on his own, so developing Goldman into a replacement is a worthwhile endeavor for Detroit.
24. Arizona Cardinals - OLB/S Shaq Thompson, Washington
In a draft that is full of elite talent in the front seven, it’s easy to forget about Thompson. Despite being lost in the folds, he was one of the best linebackers in college football last season, despite being undersized. He has the potential to play outside linebacker or safety in the NFL and could be excellent in pass coverage from either position. Thompson falls to Arizona at 24 and the Cardinals never look back.
25. Carolina Panthers- DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky
After losing Greg Hardy, the Panthers need to find a replacement on the defensive line. Dupree is a powerful pass-rushing defensive end with freaky athleticism who is very fast getting around offensive tackles. NFL scouts give Dupree a massive ceiling and Dupree gives Carolina the opportunity to replace Hardy long-term.
26. Baltimore Ravens - RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
Now that the Ravens resigned Justin Forsett to be the starter in 2015, they can draft Gurley and groom him back from his ACL injury and into the starter in 2016. Baltimore gets the best running back in the draft at 26th overall. Gurley is a big-bodied back with a great combination of power, speed and instinct that could make him one of the best running backs in the league.
27. Dallas Cowboys - TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota
Jason Witten isn’t getting any younger, so drafting a young redshirt sophomore like Williams would be a step in finding his replacement. He is a great pass catching tight end that needs work blocking on the offensive line, but ultimately has the highest ceiling of all the tight ends in the draft. Williams immediately adds another weapon to Tony Romo’s arsenal and gives the Cowboys the flexibility to use more two tight end sets.
28. Denver Broncos - ILB Eric Kendricks, California-Los Angeles
Kendricks is one of the most intelligent players on the defensive side of the ball, showing a downhill style of attacking the offensive line, good for stopping the run. He isn’t a physical freak by any standards but Kendricks does have the know-how and the quickness to contribute to the Broncos future success.
29. Indianapolis Colts - OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh
Although sub-par on defense, the Colts also need help on the offensive line. Clemmings is a redshirt senior who has the maturity and seasoning required to step in and start right away, protecting Andrew Luck. He needs to fine-tune some aspects of his game, especially his run blocking, but he would fill a position of need for Indy.
30. Green Bay Packers - ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
The departure of Brad Jones and A.J. Hawk further intensify Green Bays need for a linebacker in the draft. McKinney is a tall, powerful, athletic inside linebacker who was unknown before the 2014 college football season began. Now he is in the conversation for being taken in the first round and would be a good fit for the Packers defense.
31. New Orleans Saints - CB Quinten Rollins, Miami (Oh.)
The Saints took Danny Shelton earlier in the draft but they still need a cornerback, making the incredibly raw but extremely promising Rollins the pick at 31. He has very little experience playing football but has the physical tools to be a great NFL corner. He has been credited with great foot quickness and hip fluidity. While he is the ultimate high-risk high-reward project who likely won’t be able to start at corner immediately, Rollins is the future for the Saints secondary.
32. New England Patriots - RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
Regardless of the success of Jonas Gray and LeGarrette Blount, the Patriots need a running back in the draft. Gordon gives New England a fast, physical back that has improved as a pass catcher in the latter portion of his collegiate career. The NFL has seen running backs come in and from day one have success (i.e. Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Alfred Morris) and Gordon should be no different providing an immediate impact for the Patriots.
