The 2015 Draft will be another big draft. It will feature a bevy of quarterbacks and defensive players who skipped out on 2014 to polish their game for another year. This is extremely early, but let's project some picks anyways. Who will draft Jameis Winston? Where will Marcus Mariota go?
Find out below.
(Note: these picks are fluid, I will update on MockDraftHQ.com)
1. Raiders: Marcus Mariota QB Oregon If the Raiders pick top 5 two years in a row, its Derek Carr's fault. It would be time to bring in a franchise QB. Mariota is billed as a prototypical NFL "new age" type of running/passing threat at QB.
2. Jaguars: Leonard Williams DE USC The Jags would like to draft an offensive threat here to help the youth movement, but stay true to the board as usual.
3. Giants: Andrus Peat OT Stanford The Giants look horrible. The new quick passing offense isn't working because Eli Manning has no time to throw.
4. Buccaneers: Connor Cook QB Michigan State 56-0. Do I need to say more? The Buccaneers couldn't get a point on the board this past Thursday in Atlana under Josh McCown.
5. Chiefs: Amari Cooper WR Alabama The Chiefs are still looking to build out a formidable WR group. Dwayne Bowe is still one of the best at what he does, but alongside him have been young inexperienced players who haven't grown to potential.
6. Steelers: Cameron Erving OT Florida State This group at tackle doesn't have a player with franchise potential. Irving would be an attractive candidate at this point.
7. Titans: Landon Collins S Alabama Youth is needed behind veteran Bernard Pollard.
8. Cowboys: Randy Gregory DE Nebraska The Cowboys are so desperate to find help upfront on defense, they signed that one guy.... but yeah. Randy Gregory plays that same position and is a MUCH better prospect than the practice player that shall not be named.
9. Redskins: PJ Williams CB Florida State The Skins have spent the big money on offense... when will it trickle down building some quality youth in the defensive backfield?
10. Jets: Ronald Darby CB Florida State We'll see if "the other best corner in the game" Dee Milliner (his words) lives up to that hype.
11. Dolphins: Shilique Calhoun DE Michigan State I initially had the Dolphins going tackle, but they need help on defense in a major way right now. Quarterback is also in play.
12. Browns: Stefon Diggs WR Maryland Diggs is a speedy WR who can help alleviate the loss of Josh Gordon, whether that is temporary or long term.
13. Browns: Cedric Ogbuehi OT Texas A&M After grabbing a young threat at WR to pair with Gordon, the Browns build out the offense with a guy that Johnny Football may recognize. Gotta keep him upright and in the pocket for this team to go places.
14. Bears: Brandon Scherff OT Iowa The Bears build depth around Kyle Long and crew with a top offensive tackle.
15. Texans: Dante Fowler DE Florida After drafting the beast Jadeveon Clowney and locking up JJ Watt, the Texans continue to fuel the line with more youth.
16. Rams: Shawn Oakman DE Baylor Shawn Oakman is a freak athlete who would add a terrorising element to an already near elite defense. Chris Long can't play forever. In a perfect world Oakman and Robert Quinn continue the dominance of this defense for another half decade or so.
17. Vikings: Leonard Floyd DE Georgia The Vikings are relying on a bevy of young players up front on D. If no one emerges they must continue to look.
18. Falcons: Todd Gurley RB Georgia Atlanta will likely look for a long term replacement for Steven Jackson. This is a very good class at this position.
19. Lions: Trae Waynes CB Michigan State I'm still trying to figure out why this team felt the need to draft Eric Ebron. Oh well....
20. Panthers: Vic Beasley OLB Clemson Greg Hardy is getting paid $13 million to stay at home, and Thomas Davis is literally on his last legs. Carolina's patchwork WR corps is actually getting the job done, so they can devote this pick to replacing Davis or Hardy.
21. Ravens: La'el Collins OT LSU Outside of of Eugene Monroe, the Ravens need to upgrade their tackles.
22. Colts: TJ Yeldon RB Alabama Trent Richardson is still showing a lack of elite vision, and that is leaving the Colts struggling to run consistently.
23. Eagles: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB Oregon The Eagles have made it no secret they covet fast, athletic players on defense.
24. Cardinals: Markus Golden DE Missouri Right now the Cardinals are suffering from the loss of Darnell Dockett. Consider that a preview of the future when he retires.
25. Bengals: Alex Carter CB Stanford The Bengals still rely on old-timers at corner, and the youth movement isn't picking up as quite planned.
26. Chargers: Melvin Gordon III RB Wisconsin Ryan Matthews cannot figure out how to stay on the field. Even if he continues to develop into a reliable starter the Chargers could always use a young dynamic threat alongside. Danny Woodhead will turn 30 this season.
27. Packers: Eric Kendricks ILB UCLA A team in need of a push in the middle of that defense.
28. Saints: Jalen Collins CB LSU This team was so desperate, they auditioned Champ Bailey during the preseason. The Saints need another corner, and have made it no secret.
29. Patriots: Devin Funchess TE Michigan Do we need to say why? Their star end is one injury away from hanging is up and the other... umm.... I'm not going to comment on the other tight end that played here.
30. 49ers: Jaelen Strong WR Arizona State The Niners are working on kicking down that championship door. Will Michael Crabtree stay healthy long enough to get it done? Will this coaching staff finally craft an offense to suit Colin Kaepernick's unique abilities while getting multiple receivers involved? We'll see.
31. Seahawks: Marcus Peters CB Washington The "best corner in da game" and his buddies need depth after losing Brandon Browner.
32. Broncos: Denzel Perryman ILB Miami (Fla.) This is a pick I routinely mocked in 2013. The Broncos still need a reliable ILB a year later. Did you forget Paris Lenon started the Super Bowl for this team?
