Def Pen’s 2015 NFL MOCK DRAFT
The NFL Scouting Combine has come and gone. A number of players have either fallen or risen up and down team’s draft boards. A mock draft represents where the player may get selected, not how I actually think he will produce in the pros. Here is my mock draft projections as it stands today.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston QB (Florida State)
This picks a lock baring any future legal issues. Winston will be able to remain in the State of Florida, where he won a national championship just one year ago. Lovie Smith will finally have his franchise quarterback after years of dealing with Rex Grossman, Kyle Orton, Jay Cutler, and Josh McCown.
2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams DE (USC)
Before the hiring of defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau I would have mocked Marcus Mariota to the Titans. Now I believe the old defensive wizard will convince the Titans brass to make the smart pick. Williams is the safest and best player in this years draft.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler Jr OLB (Florida)
Having already invested a first round pick in Blake Bortles just one year ago, the pick of Mariota makes little sense. Therefore I project the Jags to make the pick their franchise normally does. Back in 2008 head coach Jack Del Rio needed a pass rusher. He got his wish trading up to select Florida defensive end Derrick Harvey. Harvey then turned into a complete failure, and is already out of the league. Fast forward 7 years later, head coach Gus Bradley needs a pass rusher. It just so happens anther Florida Gator with numerous red flags is just staring them in the face. Uh Oh!
4. Oakland Raiders: Trade to Cleveland Browns: Marcus Mariota QB (Oregon)
This is a bit of a surprise but no one realizes this is a serious possibility. Mariota has been working with Browns coach Kevin O’Connell this offseason. As much as people rave about his skill set, Mariota likely belongs in round 2 or 3.
NFL Media’s Albert Breer noted Tuesday that Browns general manager Ray Farmer has “shown a liking” for Oregon prospect Marcus Mariota.
This move just makes to much sense for the most dysfunctional franchise in professional sports. Johnny Manziel has no future, and they just gave a 35 year old career backup Josh McCown a hefty 3 year deal. The Browns add Mariota for picks number 12 and 19 in this years draft. This will then break the heart of Eagles coach Chip Kelly making him panic in the near future. Don’t forget this is a projection. Don’t set your hair on fire yet Cleveland fans. Then again my 7 year old brother would turn this team around faster than Ray Farmer.
5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory OLB (Nebraska)
With impending free agent Brian Orakpo set to go else where, Gregory makes sense. New General Manager Scot McCloughan will look to find the next Aldon Smith. My guess is Gregory turns into Dion Jordan but there is always hope. Ryan Kerrigan deserves a productive side kick.
6. New York Jets: Trae Waynes CB (Michigan State)
New head coach Todd Bowles will look to sure up his secondary. Waynes will be a likely landing spot for a team desperate to fix the secondary. The Darrell Revis pipe dream isn’t happening; Waynes becomes the pick.
7. Chicago Bears: Vic Beasley OLB (Clemson)
The Bears will be transforming into a 3-4 team this season. Chicago needs pass rushers and will need to rely on Jared Allen on standing up (that should be fun to watch). The Bears wisely go with the freak from Clemson Vic Beasley, who is my number one rated linebacker.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray OLB (Missouri)
If the Falcons don’t get a pass rusher the city will riot. Atlanta could not get after the quarterback last season if the offensive line consistent of a bunch of senior citizens. The Falcons take the last one available with the 8th pick.
9. New York Giants: D.J. Humphries OT (Florida)
The Giants have to focus on keeping Eli Manning up right for the team to have any chance of returning to prominence. Humphries reminds me of a former Giant Kareem McKenzie, a man who has been sorely missed. Let’s give Eli some protection.
10. St. Louis Rams: Kevin White WR (West Virginia)
The Rams finally get a productive receiver outside of Stedman Bailey. That’s right I said Stedman Bailey. Who knows what possessed the Rams to take a 170 pound Tavon Austin number 8 overall when his college teammate Bailey was better and got picked 4 rounds later? White will end up being the 3rd West Virginia receiver being Bailey and Austin the others. Why not go for a Mountaineer free for all, makes to much sense.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Melvin Gordon HB (Wisconsin)
Adrian Peterson who? The Vikings don’t care about the first round runningback trend. They decide to go with the top back Melvin Gordon. The hope has to be an offense with Teddy Bridgewater, Gordon, Kyle Rudolph, Cordarelle Paterson, and Charles Johnson has a chance to be successful. Norv Turner will make sure of it.
12. Cleveland Browns Trade with Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper WR (Alabama)
The Raiders receive the pick because of the projected Mariota trade. GM Reggie McKenzie brilliantly trades down and still gets the number one rated wide out. A tag team duo of Cooper and Randall Cobb could be dangerous. Cobb is an impending free agent this offseason.
13. New Orleans Saints: Ereck Flowers OT (Miami)
Let’s give Drew Brees some protection. The Saints are in serious cap trouble this offseason and may wind up releasing guards Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans. Flowers all the sudden becomes a nice fit.
14. Miami Dolphins: Andrus Peat OT (Stanford)
Jonathan Martin has forever cursed the Dolphins offensive line. The Dolphins decide it is a good idea to add another Stanford offensive lineman like when they drafted Martin. The Dolphins are so desperate to fix the offensive line they picked Juwaun James last year 2 rounds to high.
15. San Francisco 49ners: Devante Parker WR (Louisville)
Mr. known it all Trent Balkee has to be thinking offensive. After all if the 9ner offense struggles this year he will look like a complete fool for letting Jim Harbaugh go. Devante Parker from Louisville gives them the best chance to replace Michael Crabtree who is unlikely to return.
16. Houston Texans: Danny Shelton DT (Washington)
The NFL needs this. A 339 nose tackle next to J.J. Watt……..YES Please! A healthy Jadeveon Clowney makes this pick extra scary. Ryan Mallet should also return making Houston a bit of a sleeper team.
17. San Diego Chargers: Brandon Scherff OG (Iowa)
After giving journeyman King Dunlap a 20 million dollar deal it’s easy to see the obvious need for offensive lineman. Scherff has the build of the tough San Diego lineman they need just like Nick Hardwick was for so many years.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong WR (Arizona State)
If the Chiefs don’t get a receiver in some capcity this season someone needs to be fired. The Chiefs have not completed a touchdown pass to a receiver in over a year. That’s embarrassing to say the least. Enter Jaelen Strong, a big physical target who will be a nice redzone threat.
19. Cleveland Browns Trade with Oakland Raiders: Landon Collins SS (Alabama)
The trade strikes again giving the Raiders its second Crimson Tide Player. Reggie McKenzie gets an A in this mock draft. Collins will make for the perfect understudy to hall of famer Charles Woodson.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters CB (Washington)
Chip Kelly loves Pac 12 guys. Chip Kelly also needs corners. Bradley Fletcher for safety reasons should avoid the center city of Philly after repeatedly getting burnt last year. There was a point in time Fletcher literally looked like a burnt piece of toast. Then there is Cary Williams who will be released any day now. Peters and maybe free agent Byron Maxwell looks a lot better.
21. Cincinatti Bengals: T.J. Clemmings OT/G (Pittsburgh)
For all intensive purposes the Bengals are the NFL’s most irrelevant team as long as the red headed devil Andy Dalton remains the quarterback. Since I have no control of the quarterback position and can’t fix their win less playoff streak, Cincinatti likely gives Dalton more help. Clemmings is a raw tackle who can be kicked inside to guard to start his career.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Eli Harold OLB (Virginia)
The Steelers are a smart organization. They stay away from the red flagged Bud Dupree and take Harold. Harold fits the mold of Jason Worlids who is expected to leave. The secondary is a huge need here by the depth of the position can likely wait until round 2.
23. Detroit Lions: Jalen Collins CB (LSU)
With the uncertainty of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairly, im going to stay away from the defensive line for now. The Lions need secondary depth regardless. Collins is the best corner available.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Arik Armstead DE (Oregon)
Calias Campbell gets his twin. Another 6’7″ defensive end joins the Cardinal line. With the departure of Darnell Dockett, Armstead makes sense.
25. Carolina Panthers: Breshad Perriman WR (Central Florida)
Perriman is a big riser. Kelvin Benjamen needs a compliment so why no Perriman. I don’t think Carolina is foolish enough to take Devin Smith so they go Perriman who has some NFL pedigree. His father played in the league.
26. Baltimore Ravens Trade with Philadelphia Eagles: Brett Hundley QB (UCLA)
After failing to move up for Mariota the Eagles panic and select Brett Hundley, another Pac 12 guy. The Eagles will likely try to trade down in this circumstance. The Foles/Kelly era just has a weird feeling to it for some reason. Kinda like Kelly resents the man for not being able to run. Hundley is a player who had a great sophomore season then played like an undraftable player at points last year. By moving up the Eagles are able to make his rookie contract a 5 year deal.
As for the Ravens, Ozzie Newsom is as good as it gets. Any chance to collect more picks he will do so. The Ravens are smart enough to know this is one of those draft you trade down every opportunity you can. Any conversation that starts with a future first round pick prompts the trade immediately.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Eric Kendricks MLB (UCLA)
Dallas despreatly wanted Ryan Shazier last year. Now they finally get a linebacker. There is a ton of questions with the Dallas line backing core. Sean Lee may or may not be healthy, Rolando McClain may or may not be back, Bruce Carter may or may not be good, and Anthony Hitchens should have definitely been flagged during the Lions playoff game. Something has to give. All I know is Kendricks is a heck of a football player.
28. Denver Broncos: Jordan Phillips DT (Oklahoma)
Pot roast Terrence Knighten will be a Raider in no time and Wade Phillips needs a new nose tackle. Phillips can be the nose that Von Miller and Demarcus Ware need.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Jake Fisher OT (Oregon)
If Andrew Luck got some protection last season there would be no doubt who the best quarterback in the league is. Fisher is an extremely athletic tackle that Mr. Luck desperately needs. Also don’t forget Mr. Grigson you need a runningback, Boom Herron isn’t cutting it. I won’t even bring up you know who (cough Trent Richardson).
30. Green Bay Packers: Maxx Williams TE (Minnesota)
Maxx Williams is regarded as the lone first round tight end in this years draft. Although I prefer Miami’s Clive Walford, Tedd Thompson may be thinking he needs to take Maxx before all the tight ends get picked before he’s up again. A tight end target would be a nice luxury for Mr. Discount Double Check.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Dorial Green-Beckham WR (Oklahoma)
The team that should have won the Superbowl rolls the dice a bit here. Green-Beckham is extremely talented but has no clue what he is doing on and off the field. Get this man in a good organization so he can develop into the talent he can be.
32. New England Patriots: Todd Gurley HB (Georgia)
The Pats go best available here. Gurley was arguably the best player in college football before the knee injury. A top ten talent falls to New England, go figure.
