FINALLY!! DOWNTOWN HAS COME BACK…TO MOCK DRAFTS!!! It’s been a long time since I got my fingers on a keyboard and I’m sure you missed me. So I figured why not come back in style and do what I do best, mock drafts! So let’s start 2015 with a bang shall we?!
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — QB from Oregon — Marcus Mariota — There is a tough quarterback competition this year. Some believe that Mariota walks away with being the top QB but others believe that Jameis Winston gives him a run for his money. After watching the Rose Bowl and seeing the two quarterbacks face off, Winston did not look good. He threw some passes in tight windows that looked good but then he got into it with Florida State head coach, Jimbo Fisher. He was throwing interceptions and fumbling the ball. Then you switch sides to Mariota who did throw his 3rd interception on the year but also looked crisp and was in his usual mid-season form. Mariota can run, pass and run the no-huddle better than any quarterback in the country. He has his flaws but he’s confident, he’s poised, he’s a Heisman winner with the ability to lead the Buccaneers in a more promising direction than Josh McCown and Mike Glennon. Despite the toss up between Mariota and Winston, I think Mariota has become the clear favorite to be the first overall pick unless Tampa falls in love with an offensive tackle or pass rusher to pair up with Michael Johnson.
2. Tennessee Titans — QB from Florida State — Jameis Winston — I’m not going to buy into the reports that the Titans are sold on Zach Mettenberger for the future. As good or as bad as Mettenberger has been, they need to have another QB behind him and I think the best choice is to have Winston. This way you don’t really need to rush Winston despite being the 2nd pick of the draft. You can allow him to mature, grow within the system and become a better football player.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — DT from USC — Leonard Williams — I believe he’s the best player in the draft and despite the need for offensive line help, I find it hard to believe that the Jags are going to invest another top 5 pick on an offensive lineman like they did with Luke Joeckel two years ago. They need help up front but overall they could get better defensively against the run. Williams would be a huge upgrade for them and would start giving them some credibility defensively.
4. Oakland Raiders — DE from Nebraska — Randy Gregory — If Shawn Oakman from Baylor goes pro, Gregory is going to need to have a really good spring. He’s going to be battling for the top DE spot but as of right now, Gregory is the guy. Despite needing help at receiver and getting Derek Carr a solid target, the Raiders’ defense needs to get better and with Khalil Mack being a stud, Gregory could be a huge asset that gives them the speed off the edge they lack.
5. Washington Redskins — DE from Baylor — Shawn Oakman — Oakman might not be the perfect fit for their system but he’s athletic and has great size and speed. There’s no reason why he can’t thrive in the NFL. He’s going to be competing to be the best DE in the draft, if he goes pro. He stated he’s going to stay but with his size and ability to come off the edge, I find it hard to believe. The Redskins need to start protecting RGIII but they desperately need help on defense with Jason Hatcher getting older and Brian Orakpo always finding new ways to get injured.
6. New York Jets — WR from Alabama — Amari Cooper — Eric Decker isn’t a number one guy. Despite his stat line from week 17 Decker can’t do that from a week to week basis not to mention his struggles trying to stay healthy. Cooper is the best receiver I’ve seen in the first round since Calvin Johnson and is going to thrive in this league despite having Geno Smith at quarterback. They need help up front and on defense but they could use another weapon without question.
7. Chicago Bears — S from Alabama — Landon Collins — Willie Young had a great year with the Bears coming off the edge and despite his age, Jared Allen is Jared Allen. They also took Shea McCellin a few years ago who hasn’t lived up to expectations but they do have LaMarr Houston who will be coming back from injury. The Bears biggest questions defensively is with their secondary and they desperately need to add depth. Landon Collins is a good start being the best safety in the draft despite dropping down in other mock drafts and prospect rankings. I have him still in the top ten because of his ability in zone and man coverage. Additionally Collins is not limited to a certain safety position, he can play free and strong safety for any team in the league.
8. Atlanta Falcons — DE from Missouri — Shane Ray — I prefer Shawn Oakman over Shane Ray but Ray is a very talented hybrid DE who can play with his hand in the dirt or stand up off the edge. I believe Ray’s best fitted for a 3-4 defense and if Rex Ryan goes to Atlanta, he would thrive there and could become the focal point for their defense. What will be really interesting is Ray’s combine and pro day numbers as he will need those to prove why he’s the best defensive end in the draft.
9. New York Giants — OT from Iowa — Brendan Schreff — With Schreff’s ability to play at all offensive line positions, I think he’s emerged as the favorite to be the first offensive lineman taken. The Giants need help on their defensive line as well but they need to start with their offensive line as Will Beatty isn’t their best bet at LT.
10. St. Louis Rams — OT from Texas A&M — Cedric Ogbuehi — Jake Long has had some injury concerns and the only real threat on their offensive front is now Greg Robinson. The Rams could use Ogbuehi who could become a threat at the guard spot rather than at the tackles because of his experience on the line. The Rams have options here such as receiver or some secondary depth but they need a pick with some value and a pick that could be a day one starter. Ogbuehi carries that with his ability.
11. Minnesota Vikings — OT from Stanford — Andrus Peat — Protecting Teddy Bridgewater should be their plan going into the off-season as well as finding some good linebacker play to pair with Anthony Barr. With Peat still on the board, he makes the most sense to plug into their offensive line at either tackle position. Peat is more fit to play the right side but either one should be good for him. If there isn’t an OT available, I expect them to go after one of the OLB’s that are on the board.
12. Cleveland Browns — DT from Texas — Malcolm Brown — The Browns run defense is terrible and Phil Taylor battles injuries on a week-to-week basis. The Browns need Brown to start helping with their run defense and after this, they pick again at 19 and with that pick, they can go ahead and take a wide-out.
13. New Orleans Saints — OLB from Clemson — Vic Beasley — Possibly the best OLB in the draft depending on what you classify Shane Ray as but at the end of the day, the Saints need help off the edge and Beasley would be a huge upgrade over what they currently have at the position.
14. Miami Dolphins — OLB from Florida — Dante Fowler Jr. — I believe Shaq Thompson is the 3rd best OLB where as Fowler is the 2nd best having great size to go with his ability to make plays off the edge and outside in space. Fowler should be able to make plays for a long time in the Dolphins’ defense alongside Dion Jordan.
15. San Francisco 49ers — DT from Washington — Danny Shelton — With Justin Smith near the end of his career and Ray McDonald no longer with the team, The Niners need an upgrade on their defensive line and Shelton has huge upside as he hasn’t reached his true potential. Add him to their defensive line and he’ll have his best years in front of him.
16. Houston Texans — CB from Florida State — PJ Williams — Williams was the MVP in the National Championship as a sophomore and despite only having one interception on the year, he played really good coverage and was a great open field tackler. The Texans could use that ability in their secondary as Jonathan Joseph is getting older and set to hit the market.
17. San Diego Chargers — RB from Wisconsin — Melvin Gordon — The best running back in the draft could very well slip out of the top 10 of the draft. We’ll see how Gordon’s off-season goes but for now, Ryan Mathews is set to hit the market and probably won’t be brought back. I doubt the Chargers believe in just Brandon Oliver, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown. Gordon could carry the load all game long and would allow some of their other backs to become trade bait.
18. Kansas City Chiefs — WR from West Virginia — Kevin White — Frankly I’m surprised that White is still here and I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes to Cleveland at 12 but the Chiefs went the whole year without a wide-out getting a touchdown. I don’t think that’s so much on Alex Smith but more so on Dwayne Bowe and his supporting cast, which isn’t much. I believe White will thrive in this league.
19. Cleveland Browns — WR from Arizona State — Jaelen Strong — With passing on Kevin White and taking Malcolm Brown to help their run defense, the Browns now get Johnny Manziel an option that’s more reliable than Josh Gordon who’s suspended on a week-to-week basis.
20. Philadelphia Eagles — CB from Michigan State — Trae Waynes — After his poor showing against Baylor, Waynes slips down my board but he’s still a first round pick. The Eagles pass defense is pretty weak and could use a player like Waynes who is big and pretty good in man coverage.
21. Cincinnati Bengals — DE from Kentucky — Alvin Dupree — When Michael Johnson left, the Bengals pass rush and run defense got pretty bad. Alvin Dupree has a lot of upside and could slip into the top 15 of the draft but I think he’s best fitted in the mid to late 1st round where a team like the Bengals could really utilize his skill set. At 6’4 and 265, Dupree has the ability to be effective in a 3-4 and 4-3 defense.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers — CB from Washington — Marcus Peters — Peters has top 10 talent and should be on a team that has great coaching and veteran leadership. The Steelers make perfect sense with their poor secondary and an aging Ike Taylor. Peters could come in and become a day one starter and most certainly would be considered a steal this late in the first round.
23. Detroit Lions — DT from Ohio State — Michael Bennett — Even if the Lions re-sign Ndamukong Suh or Nick Fairley, they need help on their interior defensive line. If they bring back Fairley or Suh with another DT, then they probably won’t spend a first round pick on the position. For now, this is where their biggest hole is despite what they have at corner and guard. And by the way, I doubt Suh will be back in the Honolulu blue.
24. Arizona Cardinals — OLB from Washington — Shaq Thompson — John Abraham is 37 years-old and can’t play forever. Basically with a Thompson selection the Cards would be upgrading a position in which they’re relatively weak but can be the strong point of their defense. Thompson has the ability to be a good player but I don’t believe he should be in the top 15 like everyone else is hyping him up to be. Thompson is athletic and has the ability to make plays in open space but he’s not that good in coverage and at times has mental hiccups. I’ll be interested to see his progression in the league.
25. Carolina Panthers — Pittsburgh — T.J. Clemmings — Clemming is best fitted as a LT and has the ability to climb up the draft board to be the best tackle in the draft. For now Clemmings is in the middle of the 1st round and will be a perfect fit to protect the blind side of Cam Newton.
26. Baltimore Ravens — CB from Oregon — Ifo Ekpre-Olomu — The Ravens secondary is pretty bad and no matter who they add, they need depth. Ekpre-Olomu lacks ideal size to be an every down starter but could be a great nickel back for the team. Ekpre-Olomu had a great season two years ago and had somewhat of a poor year this year but still has all the potential in the world.
27. Indianapolis Colts — DT from Florida State — Eddie Goldman — If Reggie Wayne retires, don’t be surprised if the Colts go with a wide-out. With Goldman still on the board and being the best player available, I would think the Colts go with him. Goldman’s got great size and speed plus the ability to slip through the gaps and make big plays. Goldman could become a spark plug for their average defensive line.
28. Dallas Cowboys — WR from Lousiville — Davante Parker — I’m reading about Parker being the 2nd best receiver in the draft but I don’t see him being any better than Kevin White or Jaelen Strong. I see Parker having a poor initial burst and I don’t see great routes from him. Additionally Parker gets cold in games and lacks the ability to come back to the ball at certain times. However, I don’t believe Dez Bryant will be back in Dallas as he’ll find a contract the Cowboys won’t be able to pay.
29. Seattle Seahawks — WR from Michigan — Devin Funchess — Funchess has the ability to be a wide receiver and a tight end. Funchess is a vertical threat and will create mismatches on nickel backs all day long. Funchess lacks great route running and isn’t always sure handed but he would be a great asset for Russell Wilson moving into the future.
30. Denver Broncos — OT/G from LSU — La’el Collins — I think Collins is best suited as a guard but he will be tried as a tackle. Either way Collins is an upgrade for the Broncos and should make an impact in a year or two.
31. Green Bay Packers — ILB from Mississippi State — Benadrick McKinley — I’ll be shocked if McKinley stays at this spot in the draft. I’m almost positive that McKinley will go sooner but until his combine and pro days, I have him as a late first round pick. The Packers are desperate to find an ILB to pair with AJ Hawk and if they can somehow manage to get McKinley then they’re going to have a bright future defensively.
32. New England Patriots — DE from Michigan State — Shilique Calhoun — Calhoun’s got the ability to play anywhere on a defense and if Vince Wilfork was to retire, Calhoun could plug-in as a 3-4 DT or a 4-3 DE. I think he would be an excellent fit in the Patriots’ system and could really help with their poor run defense and average pass rush.
