2015 NFL Mock Draft: Marcus Mariota Falls Out Of Top Five
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks off the field after losing to the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
As we get set for the Super Bowl and Senior Bowl, it’s a great time to be a football fan because the excitement of the 2015 NFL Draft is steadily climbing. We have some big changes at the top of this mock draft, including a bit of a slide for Marcus Mariota, but as always, things will change dramatically between now and even this week. Here’s our latest crack at the 2015 NFL Draft and the first round.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jameis Winston. 1. player. 48. The Buccaneers have a hard decision to make between Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston for the top pick, and it might not even be as simple as that, but in this case I think the tide has shifted more to Winston. I’m not saying I would take him over Mariota, but perhaps the thinking is right now that Winston has more long term potential in the NFL. If he has his head screwed on straight, I think he’s the best prospect in this draft.. Quarterback. Florida State
2. Tennessee Titans
The Titans claim to be all in on Zach Mettenberger, so until we see some evidence to suggest they are not, this pick could be the top defensive player in the draft in Leonard Williams. Williams is a disruptive player on the defensive front who would give the Titans an excellent pair in he and Jurrell Casey.. Defensive Tackle. Southern California. Leonard Williams. 2. player. 35
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Andrus Peat. 3. player. 52. The Jaguars could go for a pass rusher here but the offensive line has serious issues and so they reach a bit here for Peat. Peat could come in and play either tackle position as a rookie with Luke Joeckel already on board.. Offensive Tackle. Stanford
4. Oakland Raiders
Defensive End. Nebraska. Randy Gregory. 4. player. 28. The Raiders snag another pass rusher here to pair with Khalil Mack, but its Gregory’s effectiveness against the run as well as his great size and pass rush capabilities that he’s so highly rated. Pairing these two will give the Raiders some great options for Jack Del Rio in year one as their new head coach.
5. Washington Redskins
6. New York Jets
6. player. 30. The Jets and new head coach Todd Bowles capitalize on the opportunity to get a new franchise quarterback with the fall of Marcus Mariota here, and even with the way Geno Smith played at the end of the season, I think this would be a player they couldn’t pass up on. Mariota has all the physical tools you look for in a QB, he just needs a system that will suit his skills for the long term.. Quarterback. Oregon. Marcus Mariota
7. Chicago Bears
57. The Bears basically need to start from scratch defensively, and getting one of the SECs best pass rushers is not a bad place to do so. Even with the additions made of LaMarr Houston and Jared Allen, the Bears struggled on the defensive front to generate consistent pressure.. Defensive End. Missouri. Shane Ray. 7. player
8. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have the same problem as a lot of teams picking in the top 10 — they can’t rush the passer. Enter Fowler, who is one of the quickest players off the snap that I scouted this year. He would be a phenomenal addition to what is expected to be Dan Quinn’s new staff in Atlanta.. Linebacker. Florida. Dante Fowler Jr.. 8. player. 44
9. New York Giants
player. 31. Thompson is the type of athletic defensive playmaker that the Giants love, and at 9th overall, I think he’s a great fit. He would add a ton to a Giants defense that desperately needs it.. Linebacker. Washington. Shaq Thompson. 9
10. St. Louis Rams
Offensive Tackle. Miami (Fla.). Ereck Flowers. 10. player. 51. Flowers is a rising prospect at offensive tackle who could take over for the Rams if Jake Long is let go due to injury/salary concerns. Protecting whoever the quarterback is has to be the focus with this top pick, in my opinion.
Next: Picks 11-20