Friday, January 9, 2015

The Sports Guys 2015 NFL Mock Draft 2

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, as this is already our second mock.


The current draft order is accurate at this point, although it won’t be finalized until after the playoffs. Most of the big early entry decisions have been made, although we are predicting on a couple of them. Lastly, we let Greg take the odd-numbered picks this time, and Andrew take the evens. So here’s our second mock of the 2015 first round of the NFL Draft.


The Sports Guys 2015 NFL Mock Draft 2


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


Mariota has not done anything to drop his draft stock since we did our initial mock draft.  He may not seem like the type to enjoy being the #1 overall pick in the draft, but I think that’s one of the reasons I would take him here. He’s humble, he doesn’t turn the football over (Oregon leads the nation with only 10 turnovers this year), and he’s someone who can learn from someone like veteran QB Josh McCown. Expectations are low, but Mariota’s decision making is the best reason for picking him here in my opinion.


2. Tennessee Titans select: Leonard Williams (DE, USC)
1st Mock: Leonard Williams (DE, USC)


So far, no changes at the start of this mock. Fans of the Titans may be wanting a QB here, but Coach Whisenhunt will likely not want that. There are plenty of solid defensive options here, but Williams seems to be the top one at this point.


3. Jacksonville Jaguars select: Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama)
1st Mock: Brandon Scherff (OT, Iowa)


The Jaguars need more weapons for Blake Bortles, and Cooper will be an extremely productive WR. He runs routes well and creates separation and has excellent hands. In a “down game” against Ohio State in the national semifinals, he had two touchdown catches. Adding him to the Jaguars passing game will instantly help Blake Bortles get better.


4. Oakland Raiders select: Randy Gregory (DE/OLB, Nebraska)
1st Mock (by the Jets): DeVante Parker (WR, Louisville)


I think the Raiders will likely be targeting Amari Cooper here, but with Jacksonville stealing him away, they have to resist the urge to reach for another WR at #4. That means they continue to get younger and more talented at defense with Gregory. He is a versatile beast that could team up with Mack to form a dynamic combo.


5. Washington Redskins select: Brandon Scherff (OT, Iowa)
1st Mock (by the Raiders): Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama)


A lot about this pick depends on what the Redskins decide to do at QB. Trent Williams is getting a little bit older and Scherff projects at RT, but can be used inside as well to help to improve the offensive line and Washington’s run game. His floor will be something like what Riley Reiff is for Detroit.


6. New York Jets select: Jameis Winston (QB, Florida State)
1st Mock (by the Redskins): Cedric Ogbuehi (OT, Texas A&M)


The Jets are getting a new GM and Head Coach, and will likely try and find a new franchise QB. That makes Winston an easy selection here. I personally like Winston better than Mariotta as a pro prospect, so I think the Jets are getting a steal.


7. Chicago Bears select: Landon Collins (S, Alabama)
1st Mock (by the Giants): Shane Ray (DE/OLB, Missouri)


This pick also depends on a lot of scenarios. New Bears GM Ryan Pace doesn’t have a draft track record, so no one really knows what he will do. Is Jay Cutler still the Bears’ QB? Will Brandon Marshall be traded or released? I think Collins is the safest pick. He’s got a little bit of injury history with his shoulder, but for an area of need and overall value this pick makes the most sense to me.


8. Atlanta Falcons select: Shane Ray (DE/OLB, Missouri)
1st Mock (by the Panthers): Randy Gregory (DE, Nebraska)


Since we don’t know who will be coaching the Falcons next season, it’s a bit tough to project if they will play a 4-3 or 3-4 defense. But Ray is talented and can play on the defensive line or as a linebacker. He’ll be a great pass rusher for them, and I think can make them better in year one.


9. New York Giants select: Danny Shelton (DT, Washington)
1st Mock (by the Bears): Jameis Winston (QB, Florida State)


The Giants were so bad on defense last year that they fired defensive coordinator Perry Fewell immediately following the season. They need help up the middle against the run, and Shelton will take up blocks for a developing Giants LB corps.


10. St. Louis Rams select: DeVante Parker (WR, Louisville)
1st Mock (by the Saints): Landon Collins (S, Alabama)


St. Louis has to go offense in the first round as they are already solid on defense. There isn’t a quarterback to take here, so that means they must decide on a playmaker or offensive lineman. Since they drafted Greg Robinson a year ago, my bet is they’ll take a wide receiver this year. Parker is the second best wideout in the draft, and he could quickly become to top option in St. Louis. They still need a QB to throw him the ball, but Parker will help anyone they put there.


11. Minnesota Vikings select: Eddie Goldman (DT, Florida State)
1st Mock: Vic Beasley (DE/OLB, Clemson)


The Vikings still need help on the defensive line even though Georgia LB Leonard Floyd would be tempting here. Anthony Barr was their pick last season and I think Goldman grades out even with Floyd and also fits a need for the Vikings as a pass rushing interior lineman.


12. Cleveland Browns select: Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford)
1st Mock (by the Rams): Melvin Gordon (RB, Wisconsin)


I know the Browns need more weapons for Manziel (or whoever they decide on at quarterback), but there is a lot of talent at that position in this round and they possess another pick as well. Protecting their QB and paving the way for West and Crowell is just as important. Peat is a talented guy that I’ve seen projected in the Top Ten. He makes sense here.


13. New Orleans Saints select: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)
1st Mock (by the Texans): Kevin White (WR, West Virginia)


Floyd will be a monster in DC Rob Ryan’s defense. He is an explosive edge rusher and can be inserted immediately with impact in this defense. Any slight improvement may be the difference in this division.


14. Miami Dolphins select: Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State)
1st Mock (by the Browns): Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State)


The Dolphins have one solid CB, but they need a second one. Waynes is seemingly the top CB option, and he comes from a solid program in Michigan State. He would be a great player opposite Grimes.


15. San Francisco 49ers select: Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State)
1st Mock: Connor Cook (QB, Michigan State)


Again, this depends on the HC hire for the 49ers, but they definitely need help at the WR position. Strong is a big physical receiver with excellent range and great hands. He can be a good compliment to Michael Crabtree in their offense.


16. Houston Texans select: Cedric Ogbuehi (OT, Texas A&M)
1st Mock (by the Colts via trade): Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford)


Tough to project this pick, but I think the Texans could improve on the offensive line. Ogbuehi has a ton of upside, and the Texans normally help their lineman improve well. If the Texans lose Andre Johnson in free agency, this pick could become a WR.


17. San Diego Chargers select:  Melvin Gordon III (RB, Wisconsin)
1st Mock (by the Dolphins): Dante Fowler (DE/OLB, Florida)


San Diego has struggled at this position for a few years with the health issues of Ryan Mathews. They have upgraded on the offensive line and Gordon is in the mold of Jamaal Charles, with slightly less speed. He can catch the ball and can also block and will take pressure off of Philip Rivers in the passing game.


18. Kansas City Chiefs select: Kevin White (WR, West Virginia)
1st Mock: Leonard Floyd (OLB, Georgia)


If the Chiefs ignore WR again, they don’t deserve to play in the league anymore. They have no talent there (seeing as Bowe is now way too old), and they simply need some playmakers at the position. White could go much higher come draft night, so I like the value. I think the team and their fans would be happy with this pick.


19. Dallas Cowboys (via trade with Cleveland from Buffalo) select: Dante Fowler (DE/OLB, Florida)
1st Mock (by the Ravens): Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State)


Jerry Jones is due for another big move, and his defense is the side of the ball that could improve the most. With Ware gone, Dallas didn’t have a big-time individual pass rusher. Fowler could be that. Vic Beasley is another option here too.


20. Philadelphia Eagles select: Marcus Peters (CB, Washington)
1st Mock (by the Cowboys): Danny Shelton (DT, Washington)


Chip Kelly loves drafting Pac-12 players, and Peters is very talented despite some character concerns. He fills a need at cornerback, and could be a steal due to his big upside. The pre-draft process will be important though as they must determine if the off-the-field issues are enough of a red flag.


21. Cincinnati Bengals select: Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson)
1st Mock (by the Falcons): Shawn Oakman (DE, Baylor)


Beasley can come in as an OLB and be a contributing factor to improving this defense right away. He’s not really elite at anything, which is why he will fall in the first round but he’s very solid it everything. He will be solid, contributing member of an NFL defense for a long time.


22. Pittsburgh Steelers select: Kevin Johnson (CB, Wake Forest)
1st Mock: La’el Collins (OT, LSU)


The Steelers’ offense passed up the defense in 2014, so any defensive player would work here. Johnson fits their scheme well and plays a position of need. There are a lot of intriguing options here though, so I think it will be based on their big board.


23. Detroit Lions select: La’el Collins (OT, LSU)
1st Mock (by the Chargers): Todd Gurley (RB, Georgia)


Detroit needs help on the offensive line and with running the ball. Collins is a solid NFL guard who can really maul in the run game, but will struggle in pass protection 1 on 1. He’s a good fit for the Lions as his mean streak will fit in nicely next to Dominic Raiola.


24. Arizona Cardinals select: Bud Dupree (OLB, Kentucky)
1st Mock (by the Lions): T.J. Clemmings (OT, Pittsburgh)


The Cardinals have built their team on defense, so Dupree continues that mindset. He’s great off the edge, which is actually an area the Cardinals could improve upon. He’s got upside, but the Cardinals possess the coaches to help him reach that potential. Unless they lose Bowles to Chicago, which could change this.


25. Carolina Panthers select: Devin Funchess (WR, Michigan)
1st Mock (by the Bengals): Alvin Dupree (DE/OLB, Kentucky)


My co-writer likes Sammy Coates here, but Coates is much more of a deep threat and doesn’t really profile as a first round pick. He’s more of a 2-3 round pick for me. Funchess can work the middle of the field well and will almost be a second TE for the Panthers similar to the Gronk/Hernandez combo in New England a few years ago. He also excelled in an offense where he was the only weapon, where Coates had a lot of talent around him and made most of his catches simply by running by people in college.


26. Baltimore Ravens select: Shaq Thompson (OLB, Washington)
1st Mock (by the Browns via trade): Shaq Thompson (OLB, Washington)


The Ravens have remained relevant in the NFL for a while now based on how they draft. And they draft following the best available philosophy. So despite drafting a linebacker in the first round a year ago (Mosley), they may do it again. Thompson is a potential star that could end up going much higher. I really like his versatility (can play linebacker or safety, and even played some running back) and athleticism. A sleeper here is Todd Gurley, depending on if they like Forsett enough as a long-term starter or if they consider him a complimentary player.


27. Indianapolis Colts select: Cameron Irving (C, Florida State)
1st Mock (by the Eagles): Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB, Oregon)


The Colts need running the football. If you have watched any of Florida State’s games you’ll notice how little Jameis Winston gets hit and how much running room their RB’s have.  Irving is a big center (6’6” 308 lbs) which is exactly what the Colts need to help to jumpstart their running game.  Another RB in the first round (Trent Richardson trade debacle) is possible but not probably.


28. Cleveland Browns (via trade with Dallas) select: Benardrick McKinney (ILB, Mississippi State)
1st Mock (by the Seahawks): Eddie Goldman (DT, Florida State)


McKinney is a strong, fast, productive football player who can step in and help the Browns either outside or inside against the run and the pass. He has great speed for the position which should help them to improve the front seven of their defense immediately.


29. Green Bay Packers select: Shilique Calhoun (DE, Michigan State)
1st Mock: Malcolm Brown (DT, Texas)


Yet another first round defensive lineman for the Packers. Calhoun is more of a 4-3 DE, but has the frame and size to easily transition to a 3-4 OLB or DE in that scheme under Dom Capers.  If you watch a Michigan State game, he pops off of the screen consistently by making plays or being in the backfield.


30. Denver Broncos select: Ronnie Stanley (OT, Notre Dame)
1st Mock (by the Patriots): Devin Funchess (WR, Michigan)


Protecting Manning is a still a priority for a couple more seasons, and with the Broncos running more and more, adding to the offensive line makes sense for multiple reasons. Zach Martin (Cowboys) was the best offensive lineman that got drafted last year, and Stanley is from the same school. Maybe he can have a similar impact.


31. New England Patriots select: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu (CB, Oregon)
1st Mock (by the Cardinals): Shilique Calhoun (DE, Michigan State)


I wouldn’t be shocked to see New England trade out of this spot based on how the board has fallen at this point. But Ekpre-Olomu can come in and contribute immediately in a nickel corner role and learn behind two of the best CB’s in the league in Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner. Or the Patriots can let Revis go and save money by replacing him with a younger, less expensive but less capable, rookie.


32. Seattle Seahawks select: Sammy Coates (WR, Auburn)
1st Mock (by the Broncos): Arik Armstead (DL, Oregon)


I personally will be shocked if Sammy goes this low, especially after he lights up the combine. But if available, Seattle should jump at the opportunity. They have nobody good that Wilson can throw the ball to, so Coates would instantly become the #1 receiver in the offense.


There you have it, our second mock. Trust me, this will change in many ways over the next few months. But if you are stuck following a bad team, start dreaming now.

By: The Sports Guys