Let me start this off by putting out a disclaimer – the order of this mock was determined by the post-draft Super Bowl odds and in no way reflects my personal feelings on how teams will finish the 2014 season. Now that that’s out of the way, we present the first 2015 NFL Mock Draft for our avid draft nuts. Enjoy, not a single pick will be right come next April/May…whenever they decide to have the draft.
1. Oakland Raiders – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Derek Carr was taken in the second but new regimes = new quarterbacks. If the Raiders finish with the first pick it will assuredly spell doom for Reggie McKenzie and this coaching staff. Mariota gives the Raiders a cornerstone piece at the quarterback position.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars – Vic Beasley, Edge Rusher, Clemson
The Jags got their building block quarterback in Blake Bortles, now they look for a face of the defense. Vic Beasley dominated opponents for much of the 2013 season. If he continues his early 2013 pace, he’ll slide into the top five and appears a perfect fit for Gus Bradley’s LEO role.
3. Tennessee Titans – Connor Cook, QB, Michigan State
I jinxed Devin Gardner last year after hyping him hard post-Spring practice. Gardner didn’t pan out, so I hope I’m not doing the same with Cook. Watching him during two spring practices, he appears to be the real deal. Jake Locker’s days in Tennessee will be numbered if they finish this low.
4. Cleveland Browns (f/BUF) – Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Ogbuehi has played guard, right tackle, and will transition to left tackle this season. Ray Farmer proved this draft season he will stick to his board and Ogbuehi will be one of the top five prospects in this draft. Joe Thomas is a fixture at LT but will be 30-years old and the Browns don’t appear sold on Mitchell Schwartz on the right side.
5. New York Jets – Randy Gregory, Edge Rusher, Nebraska
Quinton Coples had a very solid 2013 season but Calvin Pace is on his last legs. Gregory gives the Jets incredible athleticism off the edge to pair with Coples for a long time.
6. Washington Redskins – Leonard Williams, DE, USC
The Redskins need an impact DL and Williams fits that bill. Jason Hatcher was brought in this season to add some punch but he’s not a long-term solution. Opposite Hatcher will be Jarvis Jenkins, who has struggled with injuries, a suspension, and general inconsistencies.
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Bucs didn’t deal Mike Glennon on draft weekend but I’m still not convinced they are sold on him as a long-term fix at the QB position. If they are not, Winston would be an intriguing option in the first round.
8. Minnesota Vikings – Landon Collins, S, Alabama
This pick could come down to the secondary. With what looks to be needs at corner and safety, expect the Vikings to pull the trigger on the better of the two prospects. Collins emerged last season as one of the top safety prospects in the country.
9. St. Louis Rams – Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Petty checks a lot of boxes but how much will the Baylor offense scare away teams? He’s 6-foot-3, 230 pounds with above-average athleticism and arm. It’s going to be tough to keep him out of the mix of top QB’s in this draft.
10. Miami Dolphins – Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
Jared Odrick will be a free agent and Randy Starks isn’t getting any younger. Starks contract is set to expire in 2016, so DT should be a priority in this draft. Bennett is a special athlete that should have another spectacular season in Columbus.
11. Detroit Lions – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
The Lions shocked many by not taking a corner until the fourth round. Chris Houston’s status is way up in the air and this season will be a make or break for Darius Slay and Bill Bentley. Olomu possesses everything but elite size, which could be the reason he’ll make it down to 11.
12. Cleveland Browns – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Amari Cooper had a down season last year compared to his spectacular freshman season. I’m not sold on him this high but we’ll see how this season plays out before passing judgment.
13. San Diego Chargers – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
D.J. Fluker was a pleasant surprise in year one and King Dunlap didn’t play bad. That said, Scherff is an upgrade over Dunlap at LT and the Chargers would be ecstatic if he made it down to 13.
14. New York Giants – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Peat could be a dream scenario for the Giants. In all honesty, if he declares this season, he’ll probably be a top 10 pick and never make it down this far. He’s huge with the feet to be a franchise LT in the league for a long while. At the end of the day, he may challenge Ogbuehi for the rights to the top tackle spot in the draft.
15. Houston Texans – Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
If the Texans finish at No. 15, it means they got pretty good QB from someone on their roster. Hundley has all the physical tools to be a good one but his inconsistencies in terms of accuracy and decision-making make him a stretch for the first round.
16. Dallas Cowboys – Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
Dallas took Demarcus Lawrence in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft but still needs another DE to pair with him. Calhoun had a breakout season in 2013 and should continue that surge into the 2014 campaign.
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