In the months leading up to the NFL’s biggest stage beside the gridiron, analysts and fans alike bustle to pinpoint exactly which players franchises will select and when. In this mock draft instead of trying my hand at clairvoyance, I look at each pick from the team’s perspective and select a player that would most help the team.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.
I hope the local crab shack in Tampa Bay is ready to sign Jameis Winston to an advertising deal. Winston is a star. He’s the best quarterback in the draft and a can’t miss prospect. Winston’s advantage his that he played in a pro-style offense at Florida State, this will benefit him in his transition to the NFL. He’s capable of making the reads and creating opportunities outside of the pocket. Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith will have his hands on an incredible young talent and it will become official on Thursday night.
2. Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
While I considered a trade here, it just wasn’t feasible. Following the Robert Griffin III debacle, nobody wants to trade away their entire inventory for someone that isn’t a sure thing. While Marcus Mariota is a capable quarterback, he is far from a sure thing. The Titans will stay put without any teams trading up to take Mariota. Despite the presence of Leonard Williams, Mariota is too good to pass up on.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Williams, DE, USC
Leonard Williams is quite possibly the best overall football player in this draft. While Fowler would probably make a lot of sense here, Williams is a can’t miss talent. If Gus Bradley, who is a defensive mastermind, gets his hands on him, he could wreak havoc and transform the Jaguars’ defense.
4. Oakland Raiders – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Oakland Raiders are a mess of a franchise but Amari Cooper can turn into a solid number one option for Derek Carr. He is no doubt the number one wide receiver in this year’s draft.
5. Washington Redskins – Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
With the departure of Brian Orakpo, the Redskins have a gap in their front seven. 2014 second round pick Trent Murphy showed flashes of strength last year but his ceiling doesn’t compare to Fowler’s. The Redskins can place Fowler on the strong side, where he can hopefully thrive like Kerrigan has, and move Kerrigan to the weak side where he played defensive end in college.
6. New York Jets – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
While offensive line isn’t the Jets’ premier need, Scherff could fit well into the Jets zone-blocking scheme. D’Brickashaw Ferguson isn’t getting any younger and the rest of the Jets line isn’t the strongest. Scherff could spend time at right tackle, honing his skills for a few years before assuming the blind side position.
7. Chicago Bears – Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Recently hired by the Bears’ and formerly with the 49ers, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio runs a 3-4 two-gap defense. Shelton, who thrived as a defensive tackle in a similar system at Washington, would fit right into Fangio’s system. He has the potential to wreak havoc on quarterbacks as a part of Chicago’s pass rush.
TRADE NO. 1: Browns trade 12th overall pick and third rounder for 8th overall pick
The Falcons don’t want to reach on Vic Beasley at the eighth spot so they trade down and get something while they can. The Browns want to grab Kevin White before someone else trades up and makes the steal of the draft.
8. Cleveland Browns (from Atlanta) – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Browns are quite possibly one of the biggest mysteries in this year’s draft, with the Johnny Manziel situation and the plethora of team needs, this team could go in many different directions. With two first round picks, they have the luxury of trading up and not losing too much in the process. Kevin White is a can’t miss prospect, a top five overall player and a definite top tier receiver in this draft. With Josh Gordon’s career in a shaky state, White could be a luxury for whoever is under center for the Browns in 2015.
9. New York Giants – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan St.
The Giants really would have liked Brandon Scherff at 9 overall but he’s off the board, they shop the pick , with no takers they pick the best player on the board in Trae Waynes, speedy corner with a high ceiling. He can instantly improve the Giants’ 18 ranked pass defense from last season.
10. St. Louis Rams – Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
The Rams brought in Nick Foles who is a capable quarterback and has the potential to elevate them from mediocrity. But it will difficult for him to do this with a spotty receiving core. At 6’2 Perriman has the size to overpower cornerbacks, while a solid 4.24 40-yard dash time at the combine gives him the speed to outrun them. He makes a lot of sense for Foles and the Rams.
11. Minnesota Vikings – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The Vikings liked Trae Waynes here but with him gone, Teddy Bridgewater’s college teammate Devante Parker is the next best thing. With questions surrounding Cordarrelle Patterson’s future with the team and the emergency of Charles Johnson, Parker can become a reliable option in Norv Turner’s offense.
12. Atlanta Falcons (from Cleveland) – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Vic Beasley could prove to be the missing piece in the Falcons’ defensive front seven. Dan Quinn’s defense emulates that of Pete Carroll’s which thrives through the “leo” position, a hybrid defensive end and weak side outside linebacker. Beasley, who has drawn comparisons to Bruce Irvin (who played this role with the Seahawks), could fit in the Falcons’ defense as their leo.
13. New Orleans Saints – Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Randy Gregory’s off-the-field drug issues have overshadowed his talent on the field. He has an incredibly high ceiling and the toughness to make an impact on the Saints’ rush defense and pass rush. While his discipline is a concern, the NFL’s policy on marijuana seems to be becoming much lighter as time goes on. His talent should outweigh the concerns.
TRADE NO. 2: Lions trade their 1st and 2nd round picks to the Dolphins for the 14th overall selection
On the clock Miami doesn’t see a need amongst the best players available so they trade down. The Lions respond the best offer so they earn the chance to shoot up the board and acquire the best running back in the draft.
14. Detroit Lions (from Miami) – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Joique Bell and Theo Riddick are currently slated to be the top two running backs for the Lions next year, not the greatest sign for a Detroit rushing attack that ranked in the bottom five last season. Trading up to take Gurley could help the matter. His injuries could derail his career but if he stays healthy he could reach elite level status.
15. San Francisco 49ers – Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Value-wise Arik Armstead is the best pick in this position for the 49ers. Losing a slew of defensive players, the 49ers will need to rebuild their once great defense. Armstead is a raw talent that can come in and play a lot of different roles for them.
16. Houston Texans – Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
The Texans are another trade down candidate, but I’ll give them Bud Dupree here. He’s shot up the draft boards of late and deservingly so. He still has a lot to learn but if he’s placed in to the right system on the right team he can become a perennial pro bowler. Adding him to a defensive front that already has J.J. Watt, Vince Wilfork and Brian Cushing could be frightening.
17. San Diego Chargers – La’El Collins, OT, LSU
With Melvin Gordon still on the board, I was tempted to give him to the Chargers. But because the offensive line is also a glaring hole and this is a draft which is deep in the market of running backs, San Diego will go for a big man up front. Ideally they can take La’El Collins, plug him in at right tackle and move D.J. Fluker inside. This will give Philip Rivers more protection and help their running game.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Chiefs need to fill the glaring holes on their offensive line. They addressed wide receiver concerns with the addition of Jeremy Maclin in free agency and can deepen their receiving corps later in the draft. Peat is a massive 6’7 and 300-plus pound lineman who is ready to immediately contribute out of college. The Chiefs can plug him in right away.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) – Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
I nearly had the Browns take Bryce Petty in this spot. With Manziel’s future in question, they’re searching for a quarterback to lead them into the sunset. It’s clear that Josh McCown is not that quarterback and Petty could have himself a bright future in the NFL. In the end I decided to pass on Petty here because he simply doesn’t merit first round status. However, Malcolm Brown does. Drafting Brown will allow the Browns (no pun intended) to place Phil Taylor back at defensive end. And while Ishmaa’ily Kitchen may quite possibly have the best name in the NFL, I don’t think he is capable of becoming an every-down nose guard.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Landon Collins, S, Alabama
There are a lot of things easier to do then put yourself in the mind of Chip Kelly. Two of those things would probably be solving world peace and figuring out whether the dress is white and gold, or blue and black. With that said the player that makes the most sense here is Landon Collins. Collins comes from a serious environment run by Nick Saban at Alabama and could fit well into Chip Kelly’s culture. He can play both safety positions, but he is probably more suited at strong safety which is conveniently one of the Eagles’ primary needs.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
There are really two paths the Bengals could take here. Either address the offensive line and find an eventual successor for Andre Whitworth or add a pass rusher. Opting to not take the risk on Shane Ray, Humphries seemed like a no-brainer here. Drawing comparisons to D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Humphries has the potential to become an elite left tackle. For now he can contribute elsewhere for the Bengals, but he could turn out to be an incredible long term investment for Marvin Lewis and company.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
Much like the 49ers, the Steelers are a team whose defense is undergoing a transition. They lost a lot of guys from last season and are in need of a spark on defense. Injuries, poor reviews from scouts and drug issues off the field dropped Shane Ray from a possible top five pick to a borderline first round prospect. While I think on draft day Ray will drop past the first 32 picks, it would be foolish for the Steelers to pass on such a tremendous talent. Currently dealing with Le’Veon Bell’s suspension, Mike Tomlin will probably have a good idea how to do deal with the situation if it comes up with Ray. Ray can come in and immediately contribute to a Steelers defense in need of a rejuvenation.
23. Miami Dolphins (from Detroit) – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Depth at the cornerback position is the biggest need for the Dolphins. Marcus Peters is the best corner available at this position in the draft. Peters has character concerns, but there is absolutely no doubting his talent. He’ll do a solid job starting opposite Brent Grimes.
TRADE NO. 3: Vikings trade Adrian Peterson and their sixth round selection to the Cardinals for the 24th overall pick
It’s clear that Adrian Peterson wants out of Minnesota and it’s time the Vikings realize that. While Andre Ellington is an incredibly talented running back, he isn’t the most durable. Peterson can be the piece that elevates the Cardinals into the playoffs again this year.
24. Minnesota Vikings (from Arizona) – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
There’s no doubt that Melvin Gordon is one of the top two running backs in this year’s draft. Gordon isn’t quite Adrian Peterson but he has great ball carrier vision and can create opportunities for himself without much running room. He will be a solid addition for the Vikings.
25. Carolina Panthers – Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
Ereck Flowers is a possibility here but he projects more as a guard than a tackle and the Panthers are in need of a tackle. The Panthers have Josh Norman and Charles Tillman at cornerback so Kevin Johnson would fit in well and improve the group. Johnson is a little guy, weighing only 188 pounds, but he can play a strong game in pass coverage. He can also contribute to special teams.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami (FL)
Wide receiver should be at the top of the list for the Ravens. Picking late in the first round, they’ll have a bundle to choose from. Dorsett is a little guy with a lot of speed and a ton of potential. He reminds me a lot of Emmanuel Sanders and I believe he could eventually develop a game like Steve Smith Jr. The Ravens could bring him in and have Smith mentor him for the time being while he can also contribute to the offense.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
The last time the Cowboys drafted a cornerback from LSU it didn’t end too well (Morris Claiborne). This time around things may turn out a bit better. Collins can impact the rush and pass defense as he brings size and speed to the table. He can help turn around a lower tier pass defense from last year.
28. Denver Broncos – Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (FL)
Ereck Flowers brings the size and talent to fit into Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme. He can also be plugged in at tackler or on the interior of the line. Flowers could play an instrumental role in protecting Peyton Manning as the quarterback concludes his career. Flowers has the potential to develop into a strong run blocker.
29. Indianapolis Colts – Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida St.
Indianapolis’ defensive front could use a spark. Insert Eddie Goldman. While Goldman may not be the most crafted pass rusher he could provide a strong presence for the Colts upfront.
30. Green Bay Packers – Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
Clay Matthews is one of the best inside linebackers in the game of football but he can’t do it alone. Adding Eric Kendricks would instantly improve the Packers defense. He is a little undersized but he would be fine on the weak side.
31. New Orleans Saints (from Seattle) – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona St.
Losing Kenny Stills and Jimmy Graham through trades won’t help Drew Brees but drafting Jaelen Strong will. Character issues for Dorial Green-Beckham put him out of the picture here, while Nelson Agholor’s game is too similar to Brandin Cooks’. Strong would bring the x-factor as another weapon for Drew Brees in the Saints’ offense. He can fill in the gaps that Marques Colston and Cooks don’t exploit in the offensive game plan.
32. New England Patriots – Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
The Patriots receiving corps could use someone to stand out and make big plays. Agholor could provide that. He was third-team All-American last season and made the first team in the Pac-12. Agholor could be a reliable receiver in the slot for Tom Brady and the Patriots.
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