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JOSH NORRIS
2015 NFL Mock Draft
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
2015 NFL Mock Draft
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
A number of teams will want to trade back from their original first-round slot. The supply will likely outweigh the demand, or teams could settle for less value in return. There might only be 10-15 consensus first-round talents in the 2015 class, and many many more second-round evaluations (likely even more than usual). It takes two to agree on a trade involving draft picks. If teams stick to their traditional value chart, we could see fewer and fewer deals.
1. Tampa Bay Bucs - QB Jameis Winston, FSU
2. Tennessee Titans - QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
3. Jacksonville Jaguars - EDGE Vic Beasley, Clemson
4. Oakland Raiders - WR Kevin White, WVU
5. Washington Redskins - DL Leonard Williams, USC
6. New York Jets - WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
7. Chicago Bears - DT Danny Shelton, Washington - This is way too early for Danny Shelton, but if the Bears are going to run predominantly odd man fronts, they do not have a player on their roster to consistently man the middle. John Fox has a history of investing in these types of players, namely Kris Jenkins and Ma'ake Kemoeatu. Shelton needs a rotation up front to maintain his effectiveness. His Senior Bowl performance is being overhyped. But again, that does not mean I think he is a bad player.
8. Atlanta Falcons - EDGE Dante Fowler Jr, Florida
9. New York Giants - EDGE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
10. St. Louis Rams - OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa
11. Minnesota Vikings - CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
12. Cleveland Browns - EDGE Shane Ray, Missouri
13. New Orleans Saints - EDGE Alvin Dupree, Kentucky - Buds measurables are outstanding, but of the top rushers I am most wary of his tape. The issue with Dupree is flexibility, as he does not take enough advantage of the step advantage he gains through quickness and explosion.
14. Miami Dolphins - LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA - Jelani Jenkins is a good player even if some teams had medical questions. Kendricks is one of my favorite prospects in this class, because he makes an impact moving forward and back. His comfort in coverage is uncommon. True every down linebackers are difficult to find. The two together would be a nice combination.
15. San Francisco 49ers - DL Arik Armstead, Oregon - Some might consider this a bit early for Armstead. An immediate or future replacement for Justin Smith is necessary. Armstead was off and on at times, but when he combined flashes, like in the College Football Playoff, the results speak for themselves.
16. Houston Texans - WR DeVante Parker, Louisville - The texans still dont have a quarterback, but adding another receiver who can win contested opposite Nuk Hopkins makes a lot of sense. Coaches likely think parker is still developing in his routes, but he can be open without actually being open and offers run after catch ability.
17. San Diego Chargers - RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
18. Kansas City Chiefs - CB Kevin Johnson, Wake Forest - Sean Smith played well but is in the final year of his deal. I was a big fan ofPhillip Gaines last year. This is just a dart throw, but honestly this whole thing is. The disruption up front does mask potential lesser talents in the back end.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Bills) - WR Breshad Perriman, UCF - A surprise name, but if Perriman worked out at the Combine I bet there would be more attention. He loved the deep inside routes at UCF, however, he needs to eliminate mindless drops. if that is possible.
20. Philadelphia Eagles - OL Jake Fisher, Oregon - Fisher has played everywhere during his career: right guard, right tackle and left tackle. Offensive line might be the Eagles top need, and they seem to have a type in terms of athletes at the position. Fisher has the athletic fingerprint which fits, and not just because he went to Oregon. Both NFL teams and colleges have types. Ali Marpet could also be a target in as early as round two.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - T LaEL Collins, LSU
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - CB Jalen Collins, LSU
23. Detroit Lions - S Landon Collins, Alabama
24. Arizona Cardinals - DB Eric Rowe, Utah - Continue adding pieces to that secondary. Rowe can line up in a variety of spots, but I bet most teams see him as a press corner on the outside with length, change of direction, explosion and speed.
25. Carolina Panthers - T Andrus Peat, Stanford
26. Baltimore Ravens - DL Henry Anderson, Stanford - The Ravens just signed Chris Canty. I think Andersons game is very similar to Cantys in terms of winning with length, strength and creating leverage both outside and (more consistently) inside. He also tested like a very good athlete.
27. Dallas Cowboys - CB Ronald Darby, FSU - Darby was not targeted often this year. In fact, CFF charted only one target on every ten passes FSU faced. He has tremendous speed to stick and catch up with receivers, but his footwork and improvisation will allow separation that NFL WRs can take advantage of.
28. Denver Broncos - DT Malcom Brown, Texas
29. Indianapolis Colts - T D.J. Humphries, Florida - Again, I have no idea if Humphries can play on the right side. That is up to coaches in terms of hand use, footwork, etc. But he did arrive at the Combine over 300 lbs and Andrew Luck cant continue to battle pressure in the pocket as often as he does.
30. Green Bay Packers - EDGE Owamagbe Odighizuwa, UCLA - If the medicals check out, teams will absolutely value Owa as a first-round talent. Nick Perrys contract is up (although an extra year option is possible) and the Packers can pick up a bunch of money whenever they cut Julius Peppers. Owa converts speed to power at a ridiculous rate.
31. New Orleans Saints (via Seahawks) - G Cameron Erving, FSU - The Saints traded for Max Unger. That helps, but Erving can line up at a variety of spots. In a healthy lineup, he would fit a guard. Interior offensive linemen are nearly as important as edge protectors.
32. New England Patriots - EDGE/DL Preston Smith, Miss State - Smith is on the Malik Jackson, Justin Tuck spectrum as a rusher who wins on the outside with speed to power and the inside with quickness and space. The Patriots should invest in disruption and rotation up front to cover up their losses at corner.
