2015 NFL Mock Draft: Latest First Round Predictions With Trades
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs with the ball against the Ohio State Buckeyes during the game at AT&T Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Ducks 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL Mocks staff is at it again, bringing you another 2015 NFL Mock Draft community style. We combined six of the greatest brains in the 2015 NFL Draft community to bring you one very exciting mock draft with twists, turns, shocking selections, and even a couple of trades.
Erik Lambert, Joe Wedra, Chris Dougherty, Charles McDonald, Tyler Morales, and Sayre Bedinger (myself) played roles of GMs around the league to try and predict the first round before free agency even starts. We’ll see if any of these picks turn out come April.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
48. Charles: The Josh McCown experiment was a failure for new coach Lovie Smith and the Buccaneers. They have no choice but to use the first pick in the draft on a quarterback. Jameis Winston has baggage off the field, but his advanced ability as a pocket passer and potential to be a franchise quarterback is too much to pass up here. The Buccaneers need “their guy” in a division that features Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Cam Newton.. Quarterback. Florida State. Jameis Winston. 1. player
2. Tennessee Titans
Southern California. Leonard Williams. 2. player. 35. Chris: Titans could opt to go QB here, but take Williams, the sure-fire threatening defensive lineman, who can come in immediately and be a serious contributor.. Defensive Tackle
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Offensive Tackle. Pittsburgh. T.J. Clemmings. 3. player. 52. Chris: Clemmings is showing himself as one of the best OTs in this class, and much like Joeckel in 13, could immediately come in and start on the right side. Randy Gregory is tempting here, but the help needed for young quarterback Blake Bortles is too necessary to pass up.
4. Oakland Raiders
28. Sayre: Pairing Gregory with Khalil Mack is a great option for a Raiders team that also has a ton of cap space to add to that defense. Jack Del Rio is (hopefully) going to have fun scheming for those two.. Defensive End. Nebraska. Randy Gregory. 4. player
5. Washington Redskins
6. New York Jets
30. Joe: How easy was this one? Mariota is the clear favorite to run away with the “Best QB of the Class” award, and he fell right into the Jets’ hands here. Quarterback of the future: secured!. Quarterback. Oregon. Marcus Mariota. 6. player
7. Chicago Bears
Dante Fowler Jr.. 7. player. 15. Charles: The Saints trade up to the 7th overall selection. Swap the 13th pick, 3rd and 4th round picks in 2015 and a 6th round pick in 2016 with the Bears — Pass rushers are flying off the board so the Saints leap frog the NFC South rival Falcons to grab one of the last elite pass rushers off the board. Fowler brings toughness and versatility to a defense that sorely needed it in 2014 as they regressed horribly under second year defensive coordinator Rob Ryan.. Linebacker. Florida
8. Atlanta Falcons
Charles: The Falcons are desperately in need of a pass rusher, but none of the pass rushers left on the board fit their draft range. They attempted to trade down in the first round, but no teams were interested in their pick. The best player on the board was Amari Cooper, which isn’t a bad consolation prize. Cooper will be able to learn behind Roddy White and Julio Jones until White moves on. Julio and Amari would terrify opposing secondaries for years to come.. Wide Receiver. Alabama. Amari Cooper. 8. player. 44
9. New York Giants
Offensive Tackle. Iowa. Brandon Scherff. 9. player. 31. Tyler: In drafting Scherff New York will allow flexibility on their O-Line. Drafting Scherff would allow Pugh to move to guard and Scherff to play tackle. Scherff is exactly the big body presence the Giants need on their edge.
10. St. Louis Rams
player. 51. Joe: Thompson is a gamer. His skill-set is highly underrated, and he’ll make some team very happy in the first round. The Rams have needs everywhere, so drafting the best player available here made too much sense.. Linebacker. Washington. Shaq Thompson. 10
Next: Picks 11-20