With the Senior Bowl in the rear-view mirror, it’s time for another mock draft. This time, I’ll go quite a bit deeper with a four-round projection. Obviously, plenty will change over the next few months regarding player value and team needs, but here’s my take on how things could look if the 2015 NFL Draft took place today.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – Many are drawing connections between the Bucs’ recent hires on the offensive staff, but it’s just circumstantial evidence to me at this point. Similar connections were made between Jeff Tedford and Derek Carr leading up to last year’s draft, so Bucs fans should keep that in mind. Winston is the more pro-ready quarterback, but this will obviously hinge on their comfort level regarding his character.
2. Tennessee Titans – Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska – It seems like the Titans are more sold on Zach Mettenberger than any of the QBs in this class, so it wouldn’t be a shock for them to look for a pass-rusher with this pick instead. It’s a deep class at the position, but Gregory is still the pick of the litter at this point in the process.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Williams, DL, USC – The Jags have invested premium picks in their offense the past two years, but now it’s time for Gus Bradley to go shopping for some top-level toys on the other side of the ball. While it doesn’t fill their biggest need to take an interior defensive lineman, Jacksonville shouldn’t pass up the chance to grab arguably the top overall player in this draft with the third overall pick.
4. Oakland Raiders – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama – The fact that Cooper could be a top-five pick is more indicative of a weak overall class than Cooper’s talent level, in my opinion. Still, building around Derek Carr is the prime objective in Oakland, and grabbing him a play-maker like Cooper definitely couldn’t hurt.
5. Washington ******** – Shane Ray, EDGE, Missouri – Offensive line is a bigger need, but the value just isn’t there at the moment. I’m not as high on Ray as some, but I fully expect him to be a top-10 pick come April, with the chance to sneak into the top five. Washington could use an edge-rusher with his lightning quick first step and knack for camping out in the opposing backfield.
6. New York Jets – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – His reserved personality might not be the best fit for the Big Apple, but Mariota is the electrifying play-maker the Jets crave under center. He’ll likely take more time to develop than Winston, but he’s got a higher ceiling and doesn’t come with character concerns.
7. Chicago Bears – Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington – John Fox will have plenty of work to do rebuilding the Bears’ once feared defense, and he should start by taking the best available player on that side of the ball. Thompson reminds me of Anthony Barr in that he’s still very raw, but his elite athleticism and versatility could quickly turn him into a star.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Bud Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky – Incoming head coach Dan Quinn knows that success on defense starts with an effective pass rush, something the Falcons had very little of last season. Dupree was badly misused at Kentucky, but should flourish as an edge rusher under Quinn.
9. New York Giants – La’el Collins, OT, LSU – It’s all about protecting Eli Manning for the Giants, and in this scenario, they’ll get their pick of the offensive lineman in this year’s class. Collins is powerful and versatile, with the ability to play either tackle spot or even slide inside to guard.
10. St. Louis Rams – Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa – Another versatile blocker who can play either guard or tackle, Scherff arguably has the highest floor of any prospect in this class. Greg Robinson had his rookie struggles last year for the Rams, but adding Scherff and returning a healthy Rodger Saffold will give them a solid young core to protect whoever is under center in 2015 and beyond.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford – It might be time for the Vikings to give up on the Matt Kalil experiment and look for his replacement at left tackle. Peat still needs some refining, but his ceiling is worthy of this pick.
12. Cleveland Browns – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia – Another looming suspension for Josh Gordon has made Cleveland’s need for a top young receiver painfully evident, and tight end Jordan Cameron possibly hitting free agency doesn’t help, either. White has the size/speed/hands combo teams are looking for in a No. 1 receiver, and he’d be a no-brainer at this pick.
13. New Orleans Saints – Dante Fowler, Jr., EDGE, Florida – The Saints need plenty of help on defense, but it all starts with the pass rush. Both Cam Jordan and Junior Galette regressed in 2014, opening the door for New Orleans to dip into this year’s deep class of edge rushers to grab one of my favorites in Fowler.
14. Miami Dolphins – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville – They have an explosive deep threat in Mike Wallace but the ‘Phins need to big, physical target to pair with him. Parker overcame an early injury to finish with a strong 2014 campaign, and is worth a top-15 pick.
15. San Francisco 49ers – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington – The decision to re-sign Chris Culliver and/or Perrish Cox will play into the need here, but there’s no arguing Peters’ talent. His off-field issues are a bit concerning, but he’s one of the better cover corners to come along in the last few years.
16. Houston Texans – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State – DeAndre Hopkins is slowly taking the torch from Andre Johnson as the team’s No. 1 receiver, but finding a replacement for Johnson is still a big need. Strong as the same big frame and physical style as Johnson, and would be the perfect complement to “Nuk”.
17. San Diego Chargers – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State – Brandon Flowers was on a one-year deal and last year’s first-round pick, Jason Verrett, is coming off another shoulder injury. This puts corner near the top of the Bolts’ need list yet again this year, and Waynes has the size and fluidity to be an impact starter from Day 1.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh – Many have a receiver pegged here, but I just don’t see Andy Reid going that direction in the first round. Instead, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them admit failure on the Eric Fisher experiment and go with Clemmings. Many were unimpressed with his week of practice at the Senior Bowl, but he basically showed what he is: a raw prospect with great power and length who still needs plenty of work.
19. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) – Danny Shelton, DT, Washington – With the need at receiver taken care of earlier in the round, the Browns should shift their focus to the defensive line. Shelton backed up his film with a strong week at the Senior Bowl, and would be a massive centerpiece to an already stout defense.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Landon Collins, S, Alabama – The Eagles have needs at every level on defense, which should allow them to just take the best available player on that side of the ball. Collins is a top-10 athlete, but not a top-10 player to me. That said, he’s got a high ceiling if he can be refined, and he’s worth the pick at this point in the round.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State – Geno Atkins had a disappointing season, and he needs a running mate, anyway. Goldman established himself as one of the best defenders on an impressive Florida State squad last year, and would be the perfect addition next to Atkins.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Quentin Rollins, CB, Miami (OH) – Pittsburgh needs help at both safety and corner, and I think they’ve got their eye on Rollins. He’s still extremely raw and doesn’t have much football experience, but the Steelers value athleticism and natural ability at the position, and Rollins has that in truckloads.
23. Detroit Lions – Malcom Brown, DT, Texas – Ndamukong Suh is expected to leave in free agency, leaving a gaping hole in the middle of the defensive line. Brown might not be Suh 2.0, but he’s got the frame and skill set to be a good fit and a solid young replacement.
24. Arizona Cardinals – Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson – A strong defense helped the Cards mount 11 wins, but they still need a young, dynamic edge rusher. Beasley’s stock has fallen a bit from his preseason top-10 levels, but he’s still a bonafide first-rounder who will immediately improve Arizona’s ability to get after the quarterback.
25. Carolina Panthers – Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (FL) – Cam Newton got his play-making receiver in the first round last year, and now it’s time to find him a new blind-side protector. Flowers is the next-best true left tackle on my board in this scenario, and would be an instant improvement.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Owamagbe Odighizuwa, EDGE, UCLA – It’s time for the Ravens to start grooming an eventual replacement for Terrell Suggs, and this year’s deep class of edge rushers should allow them to come away with a great value here. “Diggy” is still a little rough around the edges, but he just strikes me as a “Ravens”-type player.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Paul Dawson, OLB, TCU – Free agency could have a big impact on the Cowboy’s starting linebacker group, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see them grab one with this pick. Dawson reminds me a bit of Tampa Bay’s Lavonte David, and would wreak havoc in Rod Marinelli’s defense.
28. Denver Broncos – Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State – The Broncos don’t have too many glaring needs, but middle linebacker tops the list. McKinney is a versatile player who can line up at any of the 4-3 LB spots, but he’d fit best and be an instant upgrade in the middle.
29. Indianapolis Colts – Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma – The Colts need help on the offensive line, but they also need an anchor in the middle of the defensive line, and the value is better there in this scenario. Phillips is a young, raw prospect with a massive frame and a limitless ceiling.
30. Green Bay Packers – Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA – Green Bay’s biggest need meets great value with this pick. Kendricks is a perfect fit on the inside in a 3-4, and would allow Clay Matthews to stay on the outside, where he’s best suited.
31. New England Patriots – Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan – It’s all about keeping Tom Brady happy in Foxborough, and that means finding him another big target to pair with Rob Gronkowski. Funchess is a WR/TE ‘tweener who would create more mismatch problems for opposing defenses.
32. Seattle Seahawks – Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota – The biggest thing missing from the defending champs’ roster? A big-bodied, go-to target for Russell Wilson to rely on when things break down. Williams is easily the best pass-catching tight end prospect in this class, and would be a dangerous addition to Seattle’s offense.
SECOND ROUND
33. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Cam Erving, OL, Florida State
34. Tennessee Titans – Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
35. Jacksonville Jaguars – Hau’oli Kikaha, EDGE, Washington
36. Oakland Raiders – P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
37. Washington ******** – Chris Hackett, S, TCU
38. New York Jets – Eli Harold, EDGE, Virginia
39. Chicago Bears – Eric Rowe, DB, Utah
40. Atlanta Falcons – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
41. New York Giants – Nate Orchard, EDGE, Utah
42. St. Louis Rams – Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami (FL)
43. Minnesota Vikings – Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
44. Cleveland Browns – Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State
45. New Orleans Saints – A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
46. Miami Dolphins – Senquez Golson, CB, Mississippi
47. San Francisco 49ers – Michael Bennett, DL, Ohio State
48. Houston Texans – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
49. San Diego Chargers – Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
50. Kansas City Chiefs – Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
51. Buffalo Bills – Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
52. Philadelphia Eagles – Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
53. Cincinnati Bengals – Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
54. Pittsburgh Steelers – Markus Golden, EDGE, Missouri
55. Detroit Lions – Arie Kouandjio, G, Alabama
56. Arizona Cardinals – Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
57. Carolina Panthers – Danielle Hunter, EDGE, LSU
58. Baltimore Ravens – Mario Edwards, Jr., DE, Florida State
59. Dallas Cowboys – Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville
60. Denver Broncos – Rob Havenstein, OT, Wisconsin
61. Indianapolis Colts – D’Joun Smith, CB, Florida Atlantic
62. Green Bay Packers – Carl Davis, DL, Iowa
63. New England Patriots – Tre’ Jackson, G, Florida State
64. Seattle Seahawks – T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama
THIRD ROUND
65. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
66. Tennessee Titans – David Cobb, RB, Minnesota
67. Jacksonville Jaguars – Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
68. Oakland Raiders – Lorenzo Mauldin, EDGE, Louisville
69. Washington ******** – Josue Matias, G, Florida State
70. New York Jets – Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
71. Chicago Bears – Trey Flowers, DE, Arkansas
72. Atlanta Falcons – Clive Walford, TE, Miami (FL)
73. New York Giants – Hayes Pullard, LB, USC
74. St. Louis Rams – Josh Harper, WR, Fresno State
75. Minnesota Vikings – Kevin Johnson, CB, Vanderbilt
76. Cleveland Browns – Tyler Lockett, WR, Kansas State
77. New Orleans Saints – Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State
78. Miami Dolphins – Duke Johnson, RB, Miami (FL)
79. San Francisco 49ers – Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
80. Houston Texans – Cody Prewitt, S, Mississippi
81. San Diego Chargers – Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA
82. Kansas City Chiefs – Stephone Anthony, ILB, Clemson
83. Buffalo Bills – Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
84. Philadelphia Eagles – Josh Shaw, CB, USC
85. Cincinnati Bengals – Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (FL)
86. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State
87. Detroit Lions – Doran Grant, CB, Ohio State
88. Arizona Cardinals – Ali Marpet, G, Hobart
89. Carolina Panthers – Kevin White, CB, TCU
90. Baltimore Ravens – Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
91. Dallas Cowboys – Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
92. Denver Broncos – Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State
93. Indianapolis Colts – Cameron Artis-Payne, RB, Auburn
94. Green Bay Packers – Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke
95. New England Patriots – Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska
96. Seattle Seahawks – Za’Darius Smith, DE, Kentucky
FOURTH ROUND
97. New England Patriots (from TB) - Lynden Trail, OLB/TE, Norfolk State
98. Tennessee Titans – Derron Smith, S, Fresno State
99. Jacksonville Jaguars – Anthony Harris, S, Virginia
100. Oakland Raiders – Jeremiah Poutasi, OT, Utah
101. Washington ******** – Ladarius Gunter, CB, Miami (FL)
102. New York Jets – Mike Davis, RB, South Carolina
103. Chicago Bears – Tony Lippett, WR, Michigan State
104. Atlanta Falcons – Martrell Spaight, OLB, Arkansas
105. New York Giants – Grady Jarrett, DT, Clemson
106. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (from STL)* – Jamil Douglas, OL, Arizona State
107. Minnesota Vikings – Jordan Hicks, LB, Texas
108. Cleveland Browns – Xavier Cooper, DL, Washington State
109. New Orleans Saints – Reese Dismukes, C, Auburn
110. Miami Dolphins – Shaq Mason, G, Georgia Tech
111. Philadelphia Eagles (from SF) – Zach Hodges, EDGE, Harvard
112. Houston Texans – Xzavier Dickson, OLB, Alabama
113. San Diego Chargers – Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon
114. Kansas City Chiefs – Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
115. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) – Max Valles, EDGE, Virginia
116. Philadelphia Eagles – Justin Hardy, WR, East Carolina
117. Cincinnati Bengals – Cedric Reed, DE, Texas
118. Pittsburgh Steelers – Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma
119. Detroit Lions – Donovan Smith, OT, Penn State
120. Arizona Cardinals – Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State
121. Carolina Panthers – Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
122. Baltimore Ravens – Dezmin Lewis, WR, Central Arkansas
123. Dallas Cowboys – David Johnson, RB, Northern Iowa
124. San Francisco 49ers – Deion Barnes, EDGE, Penn State
125. Indianapolis Colts – John Miller, G, Louisville
126. Green Bay Packers – Lorenzo Doss, CB, Tulane
127. New England Patriots – Henry Anderson, DE, Stanford
128. Seattle Seahawks – Gabe Wright, DT, Auburn
