2015 NFL Mock Draft 1

Last season, we did five mock drafts throughout the year leading up to the NFL Draft. Our final mock was actually fairly accurate in many ways. We nailed many of the top picks, and a few of the sleeper picks too. Yes, we even predicted some trades, such as the Bills moving up for Sammy Watkins. We’ll try and get things right again this year, starting with this mock.

We set up the draft order to reflect the draft order as of right now (this will change over the next few weeks, and after the playoffs as well), using strength of schedule as a tiebreaker. This at least gives us a starting point. We also predicted some of the early entries, as many college programs are still playing due to bowl games. Lastly, we let Andrew take the odd-numbered picks, and Greg take the evens. So here’s our first mock of the 2015 first round of the NFL Draft.

The Sports Guys 2015 NFL Mock Draft 1

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers select: Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon)

Tampa Bay has a few studs on both sides of the ball, but they don’t have a leader or someone capable of carrying the team on his back. Enter Mariota, the probable Heisman winner that’s continuously won again and again in college. He’s a mobile quarterback with a great arm, and would have likely went #1 last year too.

2. Tennessee Titans select: Leonard Williams (DE, USC)

Tennessee has a lot of needs, but it seems like they have found a QB that will at least give them a shot in Mettenberger. Williams is a possible #1 pick overall, and their needs are so many that they need to just take the next best player on the board. That’s Williams at this point.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Brandon Scherff (OT, Iowa)

The Jaguars need to protect their young QB Bortles with a better offensive line. They also stink in the run game, so this is a needed choice. Scherff is versatile and could play guard or tackle, similar to Zach Martin who has been a revelation in Dallas as a rookie. Addressing the defensive line has to come later.

4. New York Jets select: Devante Parker (WR, Louisville)

If I were making this pick, it would be Amari Cooper, but I think that Parker will outshine Cooper a little bit in the measurables at the combine, and has a little bit more prototypical NFL receiver size than Cooper (plus, the Jets’ drafting has been horrendous recently). Parker is a good pick and fills a need for them.

5. Oakland Raiders select: Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama)

The Raiders would be thrilled if Cooper were available here, especially if the Jets really take a different WR instead. Cooper is on top of my early Big Board, as he’s likely the best player in college football. The Raiders lack a #1 guy for Carr, but Cooper would fill that void instantly.

6. Washington Redskins select: Cedric Ogbuehi (OT, Texas A&M)

Whoever ends up being the Redskins’ QB needs to be protected. Trent Williams is an elite LT, but Ogbuehi is a very good lineman with good size and is adept at both run blocking and pass protecting. Jay Gruden can plug him in at RT and expect good things.

7. New York Giants select: Shane Ray (DE, Missouri)

The Giants are bad and need help everywhere. Their defensive line in particular is pathetic, especially compared to their Super Bowl winning teams in recent years. Ray could become a great pass rusher off the edge at the next level. Look for him or someone similar to go here.

8. Carolina Panthers select: Randy Gregory (DE, Nebraska)

With Greg Hardy in NFL purgatory because of his domestic violence issues, the Panthers need some help on the defensive line. With Leonard Williams and Shane Ray already off the board, Gregory is a fairly obvious pick here.

9. Chicago Bears select: Jameis Winston (QB, Florida State)

For the record, this won’t happen. Cutler’s new contract makes it nearly impossible for the Bears to move on at this time, unless they can somehow trade him, which is also unlikely. But it should happen, as Cutler continues to hold back this franchise. Despite some off the field problems, I love Winston. The kid is a winner that can do a little bit of everything. I’d also be shocked if he fell this far...

10. New Orleans Saints select: Landon Collins (S, Alabama)

Kenny Vaccaro just got benched by the Saints and may be on his way out of New Orleans, so the Saints may need someone to pick up the slack there. Collins is a solid pass defender, sure tackler, and his Mom initially wanted him to go to LSU, so ending up back in the Bayou state should make her happy and he can buy her a nice house.

11. Minnesota Vikings select: Vic Beasley (DE/OLB, Clemson)

The Vikings really should go with an offensive player here, especially to give Bridgewater some support somehow. But Coach Zimmer loves players like Beasley, even took one similar last year in Barr. That’s worked out well, so I could see them doing it again. Defense wins championships right? Just ask Seattle...

12. St. Louis Rams select: Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin)

The Rams need someone who they can rely on in the run game. Tre Mason has come on nicely, but is more of a complementary back in my opinion than a go-to back. Gordon will be to the Rams what Jamaal Charles is to the Chiefs. WR is a need as well, but I’m not sure Kevin White or Jaelen Strong can be justified with a pick this high in the draft, though you could argue the same about a running back in general.

13. Houston Texans select: Kevin White (WR, West Virginia)

Andre Johnson’s future with the team is up in the air. He said he wanted out, but now he’s wanting to stay. But does the team want him anymore? Hopkins is now the #1, and I believe White could be a great #2. This will help whoever they have at QB.

14. Cleveland Browns select: Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State)

Based on the way this board is falling the Browns need to step up and draft a receiver to compliment Josh Gordon. Andrew Hawkins is a good slot receiver and the Browns need to do everything possible to help Johnny Manziel succeed. Strong gives Manziel a nice big target, similar to Mike Evans (who made Manziel look really good in college), to throw to and should help this offense take a step forward.

15. San Francisco 49ers select: Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State)

Kaepernick may be done with San Francisco, especially since they structured his contract last offseason to give them leeway. The offense has sputtered with him leading it, and with the coaching staff likely to change, they’ll try and bring in a new leader. Cook is the third best QB prospect in the draft, so he’s a great choice if he can slide past Houston at #13.

16. Indianapolis Colts (via trade with Cleveland from Buffalo) select: Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford)

The Colts need to continue to gather help for Andrew Luck on the offensive line. Peat is a strong, athletic offensive lineman who will be able to step in and compete with Gosder Cherilus (who has been a disappointment at RT) and give the Colts a good young option at that position going forward.

17. Miami Dolphins select: Dante Fowler (DE/OLB, Florida)

The Dolphins are solid in most areas, so I think they try and take the best defensive player available. In this mock, I believe that’s Fowler. This makes even more sense considering Jordan hasn’t been great and Wake is getting up there in age.

18. Kansas City Chiefs select: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)

Complacency is the death of competition, and even though Tamba Hali and Justin Houston are two elite pass rushers, they need to continue to be pushed. Floyd can do this. He’s drawn comparisons to Barkevious Mingo as far as edge rush ability, and he can provide immediate impact and depth. WR is another need too.

19. Baltimore Ravens select: Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State)

Baltimore could be tempted by a WR depending on what happens with Torrey Smith in the offseason, but the great Ravens’ team were always based on defense. Their secondary is bad, especially at cornerback. Waynes is the top prospect there, and could be a steal at #19.

20. Dallas Cowboys select: Danny Shelton (DT, Washington)

Shelton can come in and help shore up the interior of the Cowboys’ defensive line. Henry Melton isn’t getting any younger and they could really use a penetrating, run stopping DT. Shelton is that guy.

21. Atlanta Falcons select: Shawn Oakman (DE, Baylor)

Oakman is athletic and will be able to play in both 4-3 and 3-4 defenses. Atlanta needs help up front as their front seven is pretty poor. I’d be shocked if they went in any other direction than defensive line or linebacker.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers select: La’el Collins (OT, LSU)

The Steelers need to continue to upgrade their offensive line. Collins is a mauler. He projects as a guard and can play opposite David DeCastro to solidify the interior of the Steelers line for the next ten years.

23. San Diego Chargers select: Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia)

This would be a risk, as Gurley is coming off an injury and RB’s haven’t typically been taken in the first round recently. But with Mathews potentially leaving in free agency, and Brandon Oliver (and Donald Brown) clearly just a complementary piece, this team needs a new running back. They’ve tried to be a running team the last couple seasons, and Gurley could be the workhorse they need to make it work. Before his injury, I liked him as a top ten pick.

24. Detroit Lions select: T.J. Clemmings (OT, Pittsburgh)

Riley Reiff is an okay tackle, but the Lions have been decimated on the offensive line by injuries this season. They need to continue to add value depth and Clemmings can provide that for them.

25. Cincinnati Bengals select: Alvin Dupree (DE/OLB, Kentucky)

The Bengals need help at linebacker, so if they project Dupree as an OLB, this would be a great pick. I think they lean defense here though no matter what, and worry about the offense a little later.

26. Cleveland Browns (via trade with Indianapolis) select: Shaq Thompson (OLB, Washington)

The Browns upgraded their offense at 14, now they can upgrade their defense by drafting a productive, athletic player from a power-5 conference. Players that fit that mold usually have high ceilings, even if they don’t reach their full potential.

27. Philadelphia Eagles select: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB, Oregon)

Chip Kelly really wants to draft an Oregon player this year… Marcus Mariota to be specific. But barring a massive trade, that won’t happen. But he could draft a Duck in this spot that would fill a large need. Ifo would help Philly immediately, as they have a weak secondary.

28. Seattle Seahawks select: Eddie Goldman (DT, Florida State)

The Seahawks lost Red Bryant last year to Jacksonville. Goldman is a good fit for their style of defense and has played against very good competition over the last few years. He can come in and contribute right away.

29. Green Bay Packers select: Malcolm Brown (DT, Texas)

Green Bay should be targeting Eddie Goldman, but since he went to Seattle above, they are left with Brown. He’s a solid lineman, but may not be a perfect fit for the defense. Nonetheless, the defensive line must improve, particularly against the run. Drafting an interior linebacker is another option.

30. New England Patriots select: Devin Funchess (WR, Michigan)

Since the defense is clicking, I think the biggest need now is a big time wide receiver. Lafell is nice, but he’s more of a #2. And Edelman/Amendola are both smallish players better suited for the slot. That means Funchess, who stands at 6’5, would give them something they don’t have now. He could end up being an Alshon Jeffery type of wideout.

31. Arizona Cardinals select: Shilique Calhoun (DE, Michigan State)

Although the offense is holding the Cardinals back, the defense can’t remain stagnant. They may lose some lineman this offseason and in years to come, so Calhoun could be a nice replacement long-term.

32. Denver Broncos select: Arik Armstead (DL, Oregon)

The Broncos could use an upgrade on the defensive line, and Armstead could play both on the outside and inside. If they fail to re-sign either of the Thomas’s, they may look to a pass catcher here instead.

There you have it, our first mock. Trust me, this will change in many ways over the next few months. But if you are stuck following a bad team, this is what you have to look forward too.

By: The Sports Guys