2015 NFL Draft: Bold Predictions From The Mocks Crew
By Erik Lambert
Jan 1, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) runs the ball during the first quarter of the 2015 Sugar Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Time is withering away. The 2015 NFL draft is fast approaching. Everybody knows who the big names are and which teams are in play for them. So to spice up the excitement here are some bold predictions on what will happen, courtesy of the Mocks staff!
Charles McDonald
Titans bring anticlimax by taking Marcus Mariota
My bold draft prediction is that the Tennessee Titans will select Marcus Mariota second overall. When you have the opportunity to draft a potential “franchise quarterback” you have to take that chance. Zach Mettenberger is expendable as a sixth round pick. Mariota offers great physical upside and can be a good pocket passer in the NFL. The Titans have a chance to select a potentially elite option at quarterback and they won’t pass up that chance. Mariota will be a Titan by the time the 2015 season starts.
Sayre Bedinger
Somebody jumps up to grab Amari Cooper
I think for this year, my bold prediction is going to be that some team mortgages a future first round pick to move up and get Amari Cooper. If the Raiders take Kevin White, Cooper will fall a little bit and I think some team might cover him. I’ll also say that 2 running backs will go in the first round after none since 2012.
Joe Wedra
Two running backs go in the first round
I’m of the belief that two running backs will be selected in the first round. Many projections have none, but I think the “team need” factor is very prevalent in the first round. Both Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley are legitimate backs, and can be very viable first round selections. Don’t be surprised if one is taken higher than many people think — inside the top-20.
Chris Dougherty
LSU athletic freak defies projections to go in 1st round
Danielle Hunter becomes the Day 1 pick that shocks everyone. He’s got unlimited potential, and with the right coaching he could be an absolute monster at the next level. Some team is going to take him very, very high.
Geoff Zlobinsky
Shaq Thompson falls out of the 1st round
My bold prediction here is that Shaq Thompson will fall to the middle picks in Round Two. Most mock drafts on the web have Thompson as a first round pick, some even having him selected as mid-first round pick. I just don’t see it. He lacks size as a linebacker and experience as a safety, so I can’t see a team spending their first round pick on a guy with those types of question marks.
George Stockburger
Raiders get aggressive to land Eric Kendricks
My draft prediction sticks with the Oakland Raiders, where I think they’ll try to trade back into the first round with Detroit for LB Erik Kendricks at 23. Most of the other teams after Detroit will be looking for an inside linebacker, so jumping here makes sense. Detroit’s needs at this position would be a reach, so an early second round pick would fit them better with a RB or lineman. Kendricks can start on Khalil Mack’s far side and help build an Oakland defense as a WILL.
Erik Lambert
Tampa Bay goes defense with the #1 pick
Everybody is of the same opinion at this point. There is no way the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won’t take Jameis Winston 1st overall. My contention is there is no such thing as a guarantee in the NFL draft. Let’s review.
Winston has a long history of off-the-field and maturity issues.
Lovie Smith is a defensive coach above all and has Leonard Williams at his fingertips.
Mike Glennon is still there in their back pocket.
The Buccaneers didn’t win their only Super Bowl in 2002 with a great quarterback. They won it with a great defense, something Smith knows how to build. Putting Williams next to Gerald McCoy up front would be cheating, which is why I believe that is exactly what the Bucs will do, thus sending the 2015 NFL Draft into a whirlwind of insanity.