With the Senior Bowl wrapped up, another big part of the draft process has been added to NFL teams’ notes. And while the NFL Combine, pro days and individual workouts will still help dictate what teams will do on draft day, where players fit has become clearer.
Marcus Mariota remains on top, while receivers and pass-rushers should dominate the top of the first-round for the 2015 NFL Draft.
1. Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
While he’s no longer the consensus top quarterback in the 2015 NFL Draft, Mariota will still be the top pick. There's every indication so far that he's atop the Bucs' board. He’s a safe character pick, with remarkable upside as he adjusts to an NFL-level offense.
2. Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
The Titans believe in Zach Mettenberger enough to have the option of not reaching for a quarterback with the second overall pick. They’re in desperate need for pass rushing help. Randy Gregory is our top rated pass-rusher, and could quickly become a 10-sack-a-year player in Ray Horton’s defense.
3. Jaguars: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
While he doesn’t merit this high of a grade based on our evaluation, there are repeated rumblings that Ray is firmly in the top 10 mix, with the top five being possible. The Jaguars could use help on the edge, and Ray’s quickness and motor should be a plus for Gus Bradley’s defense.
4. Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
While receiver is likely their biggest need before free agency starts, adding another front-seven force like Williams could begin to solidify this defense moving forward. His versatility, NFL-readiness as an interior rusher and room to add bulk while keeping that explosiveness has him in contention for the No. 1 pick.
5. Redskins: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The first Florida State player off the board in this mock, Goldman gives the Redskins a powerful interior presence who can both finish as a pass-rusher and eat space at the line to bolster both aspects of the defense. A pass-rusher could be an option here, as well.
6. Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
As of now, don’t be overly confident by speculation that Winston is high on the Jets draft board. However, with most of the teams in the 10-to-16-range quiet on if they’re seriously interested in Winston, the Jets seem like the most likely destination for him in the top 20 picks. Between serious worries about his past at Florida State and his sharp desire to play baseball, don’t be surprised if teams begin to remove him from consideration.
7. Bears: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Highly viewed by many west coast scouts across the league, Peat’s need for more development may give teams pause for taking him in the top 10, as he’s not a finished product as a left tackle. But he has a great upside, and the Bears should be anxious to bolster their offensive line.
8. Falcons: Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
Finding help at defensive end is priority number one for the Falcons this offseason, and they’d be wise to attack that need with the eighth pick in the draft. While he needs refinement, Dupree has the explosiveness and bend to develop into a top-flight edge rusher.
9. Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
A bit high for a linebacker without a clearly defined position, but Thompson’s dynamic quickness, rushing ability from a 4-3 linebacker spot and upside to become a Lavar Arrington-like linebacker in the NFL merits top 10 consideration.
10. Rams: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Despite having Tavon Austin and Brian Quick as recent high draft picks at the position, the Rams still need a feature weapon to give Sam Bradford a chance to thrive. Cooper reminds of Roddy White, and could make a similar immediate impact in the NFL.
11. Vikings: La’el Collins, OT, LSU
La’el Collins had his share of struggles against speed rushers at the Senior Bowl, but that doesn’t completely diminish his value as a tackle prospect. Collins will enter the league as one of the best run blocking offensive tackles, and he’s just good enough laterally to hold his own at left or right tackle to aid in Teddy Bridgewater’s development.
12. Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Even before Josh Gordon was set to be suspended for the entire season, the Browns had receiver circeled as their most important need to addres. With Gordon gone, the team could double up early in the 2015 draft. Parker can replace Gordon’s vertical ability immediately.
13. Saints: Eli Harold, DE/OLB, Virginia
The Saints defense has not lived up to Rob Ryan’s expectations, and with Junior Gallette facing off-field concerns, their need for edge players has never been greater. Harold has experience in a 3-4 scheme, and could step in as a starter immediately.
14. Dolphins: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
With Cortland Finnegan potentially retiring this offseason and Brent Grimes getting up there in age, the Dolphins should look to develop a new number one corner. Will Davis and Jamar Taylor haven’t shown enough to merit starter consideration, and Waynes has top-flight upside.
15. 49ers: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Not being nearly discussed enough in the media, Strong could end up having a Mike Evans-like rookie year, with less of the off-field concerns Evans brought. Adding a vertical, big-bodied threat like Strong can give Colin Kaepernick a featured target he can count on.
16. Texans: Devin Funchess, TE, Michigan
Andre Johnson is on the downslope of his career, and while DeAndre Hopkins has emerged as a legit starter, the Texans’ weapons aren’t enough to develop Ryan Mallett. Funchess has value as a receiver or tight end early in his career.
17. Chargers: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
With DJ Fluker likely being moved inside to guard, the Chargers have a big need at tackle. While he’s not touted as a top tackle in this class, Fisher has plus-athleticism laterally, the down-field balance to be a great second-level run blocker and could develop into a top-end tackle in time.
18. Chiefs: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
After finishing the year without a receiving touchdown for any of the team’s receivers, it’s clear where the Chiefs need to upgrade. White doesn’t have the same upside as the receivers drafted before him, but he’s developed in the nuances of the position and can start immediately for Kansas City.
19. Browns (via Bills): Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
As the Browns look to finish bolstering their defense, they’ll need to add another front-three player to shore-up there run defense. Shelton showcased his lower body strength and gap-eating ability at the Senior Bowl and he’ll have plenty of value for teams looking for an instant defensive line starter.
20. Eagles: PJ Williams, CB, Florida State
Chip Kelly loves corners who are physical initially and down the field, and Williams certainly fits that bill. With Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher needing to be upgraded, PJ Williams could quickly become the team’s feature cornerback.
21. Bengals: Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
While he’s viewed highly by some as a potential top five pick, Fowler’s upside is a bit limited, and he likely best fits as a strong side linebacker in 4-3 defense and situationally as an edge rusher on passing downs. He’s a perfect fit for the Bengals defensive scheme.
22 Steelers: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Recent struggles by Alabama defensive backs (Dee Milliner, Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron) should give teams pause about taking a Crimson Tide safety in the top 15 picks. Collins could be the perfect safety to finally take the reins away from Troy Polamalu as the team’s defensive back leader.
23. Lions: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
All assumptions are that Ndamukong Suh will be elsewhere next season, and shouldn’t last long on the free agent market. With Nick Fairley’s inconsistencies and injury, the team needs to add talent to their interior defensive line. Phillips is a first-round talent with the potential to grow into a plus-starter.
24. Cardinals: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Running backs in the first round has become taboo for NFL teams, but if Todd Gurley’s knee checks out at the Combine, he’s worth a first-round pick, as he could have an Adrian Peterson-esque value to NFL teams.
25. Panthers: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
After choosing to add to their receiving unit and defensive line early in last year’s draft, the Panthers can afford to not address their offensive line this off-season. Scherff has some limitations laterally and in pass protection, but he’s an instant starter for the Panthers.
26. Ravens: Quentin Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio)
The former basketball player has merited plenty of buzz this year, as his fluidity and tremendous athletic upside was impressive to watch in his only college season playing football, and he didn’t disappoint at the Senior Bowl. The Ravens are known for coveting plus-athletes at defensive back and Rollins could add value at both cornerback and safety.
27. Cowboys: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
With great length, explosiveness off the edge and tremendous burst through contact, Odighizuwa would be a great fit opposite Demarcus Lawrence for the Cowboys to build their defensive line.
28. Broncos: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Fla.)
Chris Clark has been a good find at right tackle, but he’s likely not suited to be the long-term starter for this team, especially with Peyton Manning either finished or in the last year of his NFL career. Flowers has ideal size and the upside to potentially emerge as the class’ best tackle.
29. Colts: Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
Outside of Jack Mewhort and Anthony Castonzo, the Colts need ample help on their offensive line. Tomlinson finished a great senior season at Duke with impressive play at the Senior Bowl, and has grown into the consensus top interior lineman in the class.
30. Packers: Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
The Packers don’t want to keep Clay Matthews at inside linebacker long-term (he doesn’t want to be there either), and finding an NFL ready and active interior linebacker has to be high on the Packers needs. Kendricks passed on the Senior Bowl, and he’ll have to keep his draft value high at the Combine.
31. Patriots: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
With Vince Wilfork finishing his 10th year in the NFL after this Super Bowl, the Patriots need to start thinking about his future replacement. Bennett could fill that role as a big, interior run stopper for the future.
32. Seahawks: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
Even with the emergence of Luke Willson, the Seahawks shouldn’t be content with their current tight end group. Williams is a complete tight end, blocking well and separating effectively from an inline spot, but adding seam and slot value as well.