The college football season isn't quite over yet, with conference championships, bowl games and the inaugural College Football Playoff remaining. But for NFL evaluators, the time is now to start planning for all-star games, the NFL Combine, and which juniors are expected to declare early.
With this latest mock draft, how teams value the 2015 quarterback class becomes more focused. The lack of top-end talent is more prevalent, and the quality of offensive lineman is more relied upon for first-round picks.
1. Oakland Raiders — Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Derek Carr has earned another year as the team’s starting quarterback, or at least for the team to shy away from top passers in this year’s class. Leonard Williams can offer some versatility for an old front four and can be a key building block on defense with Khalil Mack.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Bucs' offensive line woes have stifled rushing potential and forced them to shuffle the quarterback position. Peat hasn’t blossomed the way some expected, but his talent level is the highest among recent Stanford offensive linemen. Marcus Mariota could be the pick here, as well.
3. Tennessee Titans — Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
For the Titans' pass rush to really be effective with Ray Horton as defensive coordinator, they need talent on the perimeter. Gregory is the draft’s top edge rusher, and his length and athleticism merits top 10 selection.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars — Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor
He’s been lackluster this year, but Oakman is a unique talent that may be the Jags' make-up pick after not securing Ziggy Ansah in the 2013 draft. They don’t have any glaring needs that can be filled in the top-10 (outside of Randy Gregory), so Oakman presents the highest upside at the spot.
5. New York Jets — Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
As of now, Mariota is the only top-10 quarterback in this class, and even he has some concerns (college offense, deep ball placement) that might limit which team invests this high a pick. The Jets, however are desperate to find the right quarterback. Mariota can cure that desperation, at least for another year.
6. Washington Redskins — Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Redskins will be in the market for a new starting quarterback next year, and Jameis Winston could be on their radar. But adding Cooper to combine with DeSean Jackson and Pierre Garcon will give Jay Gruden the weapons to make any quarterback, including Colt McCoy, the resources to hang offensively with the Cowboys and Eagles.
7. New York Giants — Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
One of the unique talents in this class, the super-athletic linebacker who’s gotten snaps at running back this year will be highly coveted by NFL teams. The Giants have long had a need at linebacker, and Thompson can provide top-tier talent.
8. Carolina Panthers — La'El Collins, OT, LSU
The Panthers refused to address line concerns last year, and it’s limited the offense this year. Collins is currently at left tackle but has the anchor and strength to be a dominant guard if tackle doesn’t work out in the NFL.
9. Minnesota Vikings — DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Teddy Bridgewater is the team’s franchise quarterback, and Mike Zimmer has the defense in a good spot. But Minnesota is still depleted of offensive firepower after Cordarelle Patterson hasn’t flourished, and with Adrian Peterson off the team. Parker gives Bridgewater his former No. 1 receiver and a chance to further his growth.
10. New Orleans Saints — Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
It’s no secret the Saints need edge help on defense, and with a likely top 12 pick (unless they win their division), they’ll have a few options. Ray has had a breakout season, and in this class has merited a top half of the first round grade.
11. Chicago Bears — Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
The Bears defense has struggled this year, and McKinney can be an active-yet-consistent presence on the inside. He’s a reach here, but this class doesn’t offer many great options for mid-first round teams.
12. St. Louis Rams — Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
There’s a real chance Winston slides more than this. But don’t fall into the trap that, because he’s discussed as a top-10 quarterback now, he actually ends up there. The Rams need a new quarterback, and after this spot, I don’t see a clear team that would take the chance on him.
13. Houston Texans — Devin Funchess, TE, Michigan
Andre Johnson has proven to still be an adequate No. 1 receiver, but the offense needs more help moving forward. Adding Funchess as a tight end/receiver hybrid can give Bill O’Brien the tools to mold this unit into a top 10 NFL offense.
14. Cleveland Browns — Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Browns' offensive line has developed this year and seems set at center, left guard and left tackle. However, adding Scherff to replace Mitchell Schwartz and moving him inside to battle with John Greco for the other guard spot may vault this unit from great to elite.
15. Pittsburgh Steelers — Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Troy Polumalu doesn’t have many good years left, and it’s time the Steelers groom his replacement. Collins can fill that void and give the Steelers another high-upside defender to continue a defensive rebuild.
16. Baltimore Ravens — Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
There’s still a chance Ogbuehi ends up in the top 10, but based on his recent performances, he’s no longer a shoe-in to be the first offensive lineman taken. Still, the talent is there, and he could finally give the Ravens a plus at right tackle.
17. Miami Dolphins — PJ Williams, CB, Florida State
Dolphins corners have been surprisingly impressive this year, led by Brent Grimes. But he’s 31, fellow cornerback Cortland Finnegan will be 31 next year and Jamar Taylor is still a developing starter. Williams gives Miami youth and help in the slot.
18. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills) — Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Browns passed on a receiver in last year’s draft despite knowing Josh Gordon was going to miss most of the season. Strong’s game will remind many of Mike Evans, the former teammate of the Browns' quarterback of the future.
19. San Francisco 49ers — Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
San Francisco would like to add to its offense, but there aren’t any top 20-worthy offensive skill players. Adding to the defensive backfield makes the most sense, as the 49ers likely have the first crack at cornerbacks in this class.
20. Dallas Cowboys — Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
Dallas’ defense has been surprisingly effective this year compared to the last two seasons, but it still needs help on the edge. DeMarcus Lawrence and Beasley can be a formative duo.
21. Atlanta Falcons — Ty Sembrailo, OT, Colorado State
Jake Matthews hasn’t been the difference-maker the Falcons hoped for, and the unit still needs help for the future. Sambrailo can offer a plus at right tackle or guard.
22. Kansas City Chiefs — Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon
Andy Reid drafted Brandon Boykin in his final season with the Eagles, valuing nickel cornerbacks highly and coveting corners with that skill set. Ekpre-Olomu hasn’t had a great year, but he’s proven able to handle bigger receivers and play in multiple spots.
23. Indianapolis Colts — Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
Dupree could go much higher depending on how teams value his athleticism. His elite first step and 3-4 linebacker or 4-3 end upside could push him higher than Shawn Oakman for some teams, and his testing at the Combine may do just that. The Colts need more edge-rush help for the future.
24. Detroit Lions — Cody Prewitt, S, Ole Miss
A bit of a reach here, but the Lions could use support at safety. Their cornerbacks finally seem to have developed, and adding Prewitt can give this defense plus starters at every position.
25. San Diego Chargers — Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
In need of nose tackle help moving forward, the Chargers may have a chance at the draft’s best option in Bennett. One of the few in this class that can fill that void at the NFL level, Bennett may end up a top-20 option.
26. Seattle Seahawks — Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
The Seahawks could be prime contenders to draft a running back at this spot, especially considering rumors that Marshawn Lynch could be on his way out. If they opt to stay away from running back, Carl Davis could give the team the front-three depth it needs for the future.
27. Cincinnati Bengals — T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
With Andre Smith out for the rest of year with a torn tricep and Marshall Newhouse is nothing special at right tackle, the Bengals may look at this position with Smith heading into his contract year. Regardless, Clemmings likely will be a first rounder.
28. Philadelphia Eagles — Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Bennie Logan hasn’t been great for the Eagles at nose tackle this year, and Shelton could solidify this front three. It’s not a glaring need, but the Eagles don’t have many needs to fill this early in the draft.
29. Denver Broncos — Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
Denver had some great defensive line play from starters but must continue to bolster talent in that spot, especially with Demarcus Ware on the backside of his career. Fowler could go much higher and was the first confirmed underclassman to declare for the 2015 draft.
30. Green Bay Packers — Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford
The Packers don’t need receiver help at this point, but with Randall Cobb set to be a free agent next year, they may not have the resources to afford him. Montgomery can slide in and fill his slot receiver/returner role in the offense.
31. Arizona Cardinals — Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
I’d expect either Gordon, Todd Gurley or Duke Johnson to be a first rounder, and at this point, I’ll go with Gordon. The Cardinals' rushing attack has been very lackluster in recent weeks, and adding a running threat to this offense can keep the vertical passing offense successful.
32. New England Patriots — Rashad Greene, WR, Florida State
Tom Brady has to be over this make-shift receiver approach by now, even if the Pats are winning games. Outside of a surprising Brandon LaFell emergence and Julian Edelman in the slot, Patriots receivers can’t get separation thanks to poor route running. Greene certainly doesn’t have that problem.