Kevin Roberts picks for all 32 teams in his 2015 NFL mock draft.
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The funny thing about mock drafts is that everyone has one. Many people have, say, 20 of them. Constant updating due to stock fluctuation, injuries and team needs arguably makes a monthly mock necessary and a weekly mock at least somewhat understandable. The biggest thing to remember about mock drafts (whether fantasy or not) is that they’re just barrels of fun.
Trade speculation makes a mock draft even more interesting, but for the sake of my own sanity we won’t dive into that rabbit hole. Instead, we’ll conduct this early mock of the 2015 NFL Draft under the assumption that each team is either going to go get a player they desperately need, or at least grab someone that can’t be passed up. Without further haste, here’s my latest look at mocking April’s draft:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Teams picking #1 overall usually don’t have a quarterback. Houston didn’t last year, but last year there wasn’t a Jameis Winston. Winston has some clear character issues but he’s got a pro-ready game, is calm in the pocket and can make all the throws. Year one should be tough for everyone in Tampa, but this is the right pick.
2. Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
I’m not dead set on the Titans taking Mariota, but I do think Mariota goes #2 overall at this point. Whether that means ditching Zach Mettenberger (who didn’t look half bad) or someone else trading up into this spot, Mariota probably won’t wait long to hear his name called. He’s quite reserved and it’s arguable that he’s a system quarterback, but he also has a terrific combination of size, athleticism and natural throwing ability. He probably is best served sitting out his first season, but there’s a ton of upside here.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
The Jaguars improved greatly at getting after the quarterback in 2014, but they did it with a bunch of aging veterans. They need to get younger on their rising defense and Gregory is a great way to do that. The offense is mostly figured out and just needs to develop. Now it’s time for Gus Bradley to get a real game-changer and the athletic Gregory just might be it.
4. Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DE/DT, USC
Amari Cooper or Kevin White would be the sexy pick and they make sense with the Raiders lacking an elite passing weapon. Of course, you win in the trenches and Oakland is starting to get pretty nasty on defense. The versatile, powerful and athletic Williams could put an improving defense over the top.
5. Washington Redskins – Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
Robert Griffin III might not be the answer, but the Redskins are going to have to settle with him for at least one more year. Mariota is gone by this point and the rest of their offense is spoken for, so it’s time to beef up a struggling defense. They already added some terrific pieces in free agency, so the next step will be to add an impact safety or edge rusher. With Brian Orakpo gone, a nice crop of elite pass rushing prospects will be too difficult to pass on. Rank them how you’d like, but Fowler is easily among the best.
6. New York Jets – Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
New York now has arguably the best secondary in football and could be a quarterback away from contending. Mariota is gone, though, so they’ll keep adding to a very stout defense. Beasley is a terrifying edge rusher who should fit perfectly in their 3-4 scheme.
7. Chicago Bears – Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
The Bears are at least for now sticking with Jay Cutler, so their entire draft should focus largely on improving a ghastly defense. They’re switching to a 3-4 system and don’t really have the parts for it either, so landing a legit 3-4 defender is key here. Ray is built for the outside of a 3-4.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Collins could easily go a little earlier, but this feels about right due to Atlanta’s pressing need for safety help. Atlanta is pretty much set on offense and while they could entertain the thought of plunging for a running back (or just trading down), defensive-minded Dan Quinn will probably just fill a big need with this pick.
9. New York Giants – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
With the top pass rushers gone, the G-Men will refrain from reaching for Alvin Dupree or Eli Harold, and instead beef up an offensive line that has struggled at times. Scherff is the best tackle in the draft, and while he’s not necessarily elite, he’s a solid value at the ninth pick.
10. St. Louis Rams – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Tavon Austin is a bust, Brian Quick is coming off shoulder surgery and depending on Kenny Britt is a mistake. The Rams are absolutely stacked on defense and may be a competent quarterback and game-changing receiver away from moving on up. With Nick Foles in tow, landing the explosive Kevin White makes perfect sense.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Minnesota could panic and grab the first running back of the draft should they move on from Adrian Peterson, but that’s not Mike Zimmer’s style. A better idea would be to continue to add to an improving defense, where corner is a need on the outside, across from Xavier Rhodes. Waynes is the top corner prospect in the draft, so naturally he’s a fit.
12. Cleveland Browns – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
I may be one of the few people that hasn’t given up on Johnny Manziel just yet. Regardless of whether or not you believe in him, whoever is throwing passes in Cleveland needs play-makers and Brian Hartline and Dwayne Bowe just won’t cut it. The Browns do what they refused to do last year and grab a stud receiver, potentially making the clown shoe that is Josh Gordon expendable.
13. New Orleans Saints – La’el Collins, OL, LSU
New Orleans is trading everyone for old packs of baseball cards these days, so it’s anyone’s guess what they’ll do next. One thing we can see, though, is they’re trying to rebuild on the fly and they’re planning on running the ball more than ever. They traded away one of their best guards in Ben Grubbs, though, so they’ll need to replace him. Collins might even end up being an upgrade.
14. Miami Dolphins – Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Miami somehow ran the ball really well last year despite atrocious offensive line play. They need help across the board, so grabbing any offensive lineman would be a good idea. Peat is the top remaining overall o-line prospect, so he makes enough sense here.
15. San Francisco 49ers – Malcom Brown, DL, Texas
The Niners have lost a ton of talent on defense and they need to remain nasty up front, so bringing in a stud like Malcom Brown could be a huge move. They obviously also have a massive need at linebacker (all spots, really), but it’s best to start in the trenches and work your way back, while reaching for an inside linebacker here wouldn’t be suggested.
16. Houston Texans – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Andre Johnson is gone and we’re supposed to believe Cecil Shorts is his replacement? Perhaps he’ll do for now, but Houston will have to think about the long-term here and Parker is too talented to ignore.
17. San Diego Chargers – Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State
San Diego has a good amount of needs, but the most pressing is their shaky offensive line. They kept King Dunlap, but they still need help elsewhere. Erving might be the perfect o-line prospect to grab considering his elite versatility.
18. Kansas City Chiefs – Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Kansas City is another team that has been getting by with shaky o-line play. Eric Fisher might be a bust too, so it’s time to add more talent to the offensive line. Flowers has the size and athleticism to kick outside, but is the type of mauler teams crave at right guard. His versatility will serve the Chiefs well.
19. Cleveland Browns – Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Cleveland has a very solid defense, but they lost some key pieces across the board. They’ll want to re-work their defensive line a bit to get better against the run and Shelton can definitely help make that happen.
20. Philadelphia Eagles – Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
A lot of people will want to see a wide receiver or quarterback here, but if the Eagles don’t trade up I don’t see them reaching here either. Philly added two veteran corners during free agency, but they could still use depth and a high level talent as a long-term answer. Collins could easily go a lot higher and is an arguable steal.
21. Cincinnati Bengals – Arik Armstead, DL, Oregon
The Bengals are at their weakest on the defensive line, so they’ll want to patch that up. Armstead is a great body to bring in, as he offers nice athleticism and positional versatility.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers – Alvin Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
Jason Worilds retired, Jarvis Jones has been a bust and James Harrison is 100. It’s time for the Steelers to bring in more youth and athleticism on the edge of their 3-4.
23. Detroit Lions – Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
Haloti Ngata is a short-term fix after losing stud DT Ndamukong Suh, but the Lions need more. Phillips is a brute that can play in any scheme, so he’s a nice find that, when paired with Ngata, could make the loss of Suh easier to stomach.
24. Arizona Cardinals – Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
The Cardinals had an elite defense a year ago and it got completely ravaged by free agency. They need a new cornerback, outside linebackers and help on the defensive line. They did bring in Lamarr Woodley, but he wasn’t productive or healthy in 2014, so I like them to target someone like Eli Harold in the first round as insurance. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to have more talent in the pass rush department anyway.
25. Carolina Panthers – D.J. Humphries, OL, Florida
Carolina could make a splash here for the second year in a row and add a wide receiver (Dorial Green-Beckham, anyone?), but if they’re smart they’ll add to a struggling offensive line. Their pass protection and run-blocking were both shoddy, and Humphries is much needed depth/competition that can help correct that.
26. Baltimore Ravens – Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The Ravens traded Haloti Ngata away, so they definitely need some help on the inside of their defensive line. Goldman isn’t Ngata, but he’s a step in the right direction and fills a need. Wide receiver is obviously also a huge need with Torrey Smith gone and Steve Smith being ancient, but Baltimore will have to wait until at least round two for that.
27. Dallas Cowboys – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Dallas let DeMarco Murray go and Darren McFadden is his replacement? Ha! Obviously the Cowboys’ plan is to add a running back with their first pick in this year’s draft. Gurley might not be ready for the season, but he’s the top rushing talent and the best long-term play in this draft class.
28. Denver Broncos – T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Denver doesn’t have many huge needs, but shoring up a sometimes shaky offensive line definitely could be one of them. Clemmings is a bit raw and may not make an immediate impact, but he has loads of upside. I also can see the Broncos trading out of the first round.
29. Indianapolis Colts – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The Colts aren’t seriously banking solely on thousand-year old running back Frank Gore, are they? Perhaps initially, but after Trent Richardson failed them, they’ll want to do all they can to get right at the running back position. Gordon may not be the ideal fit for their scheme, but he’s explosive and has great vision. If he can bulk up he could be their long-term starter, and he’d undoubtedly help as a change of pace option as a rook.
30. Green Bay Packers – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Tramon Williams and Davon House are gone, so it’s time for the Packers to go cornerback hunting. GM Ted Thompson will probably draft a corner from a school that doesn’t even exist, but he should at least take one. Peters is probably the best corner available, though, so perhaps Thompson agrees. Inside linebacker is also a huge need, but that will have to wait.
31. New Orleans Saints – Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Some fans will gripe over this and suggest “there’s no way” the Saints are taking an offensive player. However, with two first rounders the Saints have the luxury to do so. Sticking with just Josh Hill seems a bit too laxed, so Williams could be Jimmy Graham’s replacement.
32. New England Patriots – T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama
Stevan Ridley is coming off of a shredded knee, Shane Vereen signed with the Giants and LeGarrette Blount can’t be counted on for forever. If the Patriots don’t suddenly jump into the Adrian Peterson sweepstakes, perhaps they get a long-term bruiser in the somewhat underrated Yeldon. New England also has major needs at cornerback and on the defensive line, but Yeldon is the better value by far when compared to the top remaining players at those positions.
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Kevin Roberts offers fantasy football insight year round over at BreakingFootball.com. Hit him up and follow him on Twitter @BreakingKevin for extra advice.
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