The college football season is finally here. For most that means investing in a new TV, cancelling usual Saturday plans and doing homework on why your favorite program could reach the inaugural College Football Playoff.
For the NFL, it means the scouting season has officially kicked off, with the focus being on which players are standing out, where they need to improve, and what their 2014 college play could mean for their pro potential.
Based on players' 2013 performances and projections as to how they should perform in 2014, here’s our first mock draft for 2015.
Note: Draft order is based on SportsBook.ag’s rankings of projected 2014 finishes based on their over/under win odds.
1. Raiders: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford. I don’t see the Raiders finishing 2014 with the worst record in the league, but Vegas sure does. They could use help across their defense, but getting a top-tier offensive tackle to push Donald Penn inside for the future can give this team a tremendous strength on the offensive line to build around Derek Carr.
2. Jaguars: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M. Just two years removed from drafting a Texas A&M tackle, the Jags may go back to the well in hopes to strike gold twice. Jacksonville could use help at right tackle for the future, and Ogbuehi could compete with Luke Joeckel early on.
3. Vikings: Leonard Williams, DT, USC. The third straight team that would consider quarterback had they not drafted one in 2014, the Vikings should look to bolster their impressive defensive line. Williams could battle for the top overall pick throughout the season, and with coach Mike Zimmer’s forte being maximization of his front-seven’s ability, Williams could keep this unit a strength.
4. Browns: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama. Despite knowing Josh Gordon was going to be suspended for a long time, the Browns opted to pass on a receiver in the 2014 draft. With two Top-5 picks (projected) in 2015, they’ll certainly target one. Cooper is currently the top draft-eligible receiver.
5. Browns (via Bills): Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State. With their second of two projected Top-10 picks in a row, the Browns should look to progress defensively in 2015. It’s tough to peg exactly what they’ll need, but adding a powerful pass-rusher like Calhoun who could potentially play in multiple spots seems like a safe bet based on his 2013 play.
6. Buccaneers: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA. Time to replace Mike Glennon already? It could be, especially if he can’t beat out Josh McCown and the Bucs finish in the bottom 10 of the league. If that’s the case, they’ll target the top quarterback in college football. Hundley has strong arm, running ability and flashes of tremendous upside. He’s one of two first-round caliber QBs in this class.
7. Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska. Despite playing on an inconsistent Nebraska team, Gregory stood out last year, particularly in his performance against now-pro Taylor Lewan. He still has work to do, but Gregory's edge rushing capabilities are enough to already be considered for a Top-10 pick. Put him on a defense with Ray Horton running the show, and he could quickly emerge as a force at outside linebacker.
8. Jets: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon. In today’s NFL, cornerbacks 5-10 or shorter don’t find themselves in the Top-10 discussion. But a mix of team need, a lackluster draft class and tremendous talent could lead Ekpre-Olomu into the early part of Round 1. He’ll have a tough task in 2014 against a loaded Pac-12 full of capable passing offenses.
9. Cowboys: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa. The Cowboys had long delayed addressing their offensive line issues before adding guard Zach Martin in 2014. However, their defensive line remains a gaping need. Davis has a strong upper body but is a smooth mover who can navigate the interior against one or even two blockers.
10. Dolphins: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State. With Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline entering make-or-break years and the rest of the receivers (outside of recent draft pick Jarvis Landry) not emerging, the Dolphins are in need of a receiver. Strong will remind many of Mike Evans.
11. Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU. The Panthers had several glaring needs going into 2014's draft and only could address a few in early rounds. One they passed on was offensive line, where free agency and retirement left Carolina grasping for straws going into this year. Collins is the best lineman available at this point.
12. Redskins: Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor. Oakman isn’t worth a top-20 pick based on his play in 2013, but combining how weak this class is and his remarkable upside, we could see him rise similar to Ezekiel Ansah in 2013. He’s a long athletic freak with All-Pro potential if he can develop technically and football IQ-wise this year.
13. Rams: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon. The Rams have stocked up on defensive talent, but now it’s time to address the offense. I’m not Mariota’s biggest supporter, but his athleticism, confidence and placement in the 15-20 yard range makes him a standout in this class.
14. Cardinals: Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson. Arizona focused on offense after their first-round pick in the 2014 draft, grabbing a quarterback to build around (Logan Thomas) and two offensive pieces that should become key parts of the offense (John Brown and Troy Niklas). They need to further their front-seven and keep it youthful, and the speed-rush capabilities of Beasley can certainly provide that.
15. Texans: Devin Funchess, TE, Michigan. Bill O’Brien’s offense will be fun to watch. I’d expect him to pass on a quarterback again this draft and instead opt for different offensive firepower. Funchess is a high-upside, physical tight end who can control the middle of the field as well as do receiver-like things on the interior.
16. Giants: Todd Gurley, RB. Georgia. Taking a running back early in the draft has become taboo, but with Gurley’s potential to be an Adrian Peterson-level talent and the Giants' need for support at RB (I’m not a strong advocate of Rashad Jennings), it could be a perfect match. Gurley has an ideal NFL build (6-1, 220+), and outside of an ankle injury in 2013 that kept him out of three games, he’s been healthy.
17. Chiefs: Landon Collins, S, Alabama. The Chiefs are lacking at safety, both in starter talent and depth after Eric Berry. Finding one in the 2015 class appears to be essential. While Collins’ style can be a bit repetitive with Berry in the mix, they need to draft talent first and figure out the dynamics later.
18. Falcons: Mario Edwards, DE, Florida State. The Falcons' current defensive ends (Kroy Biermann and Osi Umenyiora) are not long-term answers, and they chose to neglect that the position in last year’s draft. Finding a high-upside pass rusher will be a must, and Edwards flashed his potential late last year with the Seminoles.
19. Steelers: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State. Even after Marcus Gilbert’s contract extension (which isn’t as lucrative long-term as many seem to think), the Steelers need to continue to bolster their offensive line. I’m not a huge Erving fan, as he’s a bit stiff in the hips and doesn’t wow enough athletically. But he can slide into an NFL offensive line as a tackle thanks to his length and strong hands when positioned correctly.
20. Lions: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn. Another receiver for the Lions? It seems ridiculous, but the team really lacks depth after Golden Tate. Adding another dynamic receiver to pair with Eric Ebron on the interior could give this passing game a similar set of pass-catchers to their division rival Packers, whose offense the Lions should continue to copy if they hope to win the division.
21. Ravens: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa. As of now, the Ravens are projected to be starting Ricky Wagner at right tackle who, based on college film, doesn’t have the required skill set to be a capable long-term answer. Finding a right tackle who can run Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme and finish as an edge protector should be a top priority.
22. Bears: Jordan Jenkins, OLB, Georgia. The Bears needed defensive help in last year’s draft and addressed the defensive line and secondary. They ignored the linebacker group and, while they have capable starters for now (though I’m no Shea McClellin fan), they need to find better answers for the future. Jenkins has tremendous flashes, and with talent around him, he should have plenty of opportunity to shine again in 2014.
23. Chargers: Stefon Diggs, WR, Maryland. I’m a staunch supporter of the Chargers this year lead by Phillip Rivers, who I think can emerge as a legitimate MVP candidate. However, I can’t pick out who will be the number two receiving option in the offense, and they’ll need a more stable unit for the future. Diggs, despite being stuck on a lackluster Maryland team and dealing with a season-ending injury last year, has shown enough upside to potentially explode onto the national scene in 2014.
24. Bengals: Kurtis Drummond, S, Michigan State. The Bengals must continue to bolster their secondary even after drafting Darqueze Dennard. The cornerback position seems fine starter-wise for now, but the safety group is limited. Drummond was a key centerfielder and versatile positional player for the Spartans' impressive 2013 defense.
25. Eagles: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida. The Eagles drafted Marcus Smith in the first round last year, a pick I thought was right in line and a smart selection. However, the outside linebacker need doesn’t fade away quite yet, especially since the Eagles would like to continue to put a premium on it. Fowler had a very impressive sophomore campaign to put him on the first-round map, and another big season could keep him there. The Eagles may need replacements for Trent Cole and Brandon Graham by next season.
26. Colts: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin. Finding an offensive lineman here would be ideal for the Colts, but the draft is short on tackles at this point in round one. Just a year removed from trading a first-round pick for Trent Richardson, they may still be in the running back market by next May. Gordon looks like a more talented version of Montee Ball, and giving Andrew Luck as much stability around him as possible should be the Colts' primary focus.
27. 49ers: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC. The 49ers have found some stop-gaps and situational receivers in recent years but don’t have a steady No. 2 option after Michael Crabtree, who’s coming off injury this year. Agholor can provide a complementary option to Crabtree and can find success in the short-yardage area for Colin Kaepernick.
28. Packers: Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky. The Packers have some talent and capable starters on their defensive line, but none have the potential to control the line of scrimmage the way top five-techniques do. The high upside of Dupree could intrigue a team like Green Bay that doesn’t have many gaping holes on either side of the ball.
29. Saints: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State. At first glance, cornerback may not be a need for the Saints, especially after they drafted Stanley Jean-Baptiste in 2014. However, with Champ Bailey at 36 years old and Patrick Robinson or Corey White not being anything worth investing in long-term, keeping the secondary stocked with talent is essential to stay competitive in the NFC South.
30. Patriots: Lorenzo Mauldin, DE, Louisville. The Patriots have worked in each of the last three drafts to add talent to their defensive line. It has led to adequate depth but few flashes outside the occasional awesome performance of Chandler Jones. Mauldin will look to follow Marcus Smith’s footsteps as a surprise Louisville first-rounder, and he has the active hands, persistence as a rusher and upside as a strong-side or weakside defensive end to be an eventual NFL starter.
31. Seahawks: Hroniss Grasu, C, Oregon. Finding a first-round-worthy need for the Seahawks is almost a laughable task. So with Max Unger’s contract no longer having guaranteed money tied to it, right guard J.R. Sweezy being nothing special and Caylin Hauptmann being slated as the team’s left guard, adding an interior lineman of Grasu’s quality seems like a logical fit.
32. Broncos: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State. After stocking up on defense in free agency, the Broncos don’t have any glaring needs to fill. But with the injury to Danny Trevathan and Nate Irving being potentially replaceable at inside linebacker, Denver could look to add the super athletic, rangy and (sometimes overly) aggressive linebacker.
Eric Galko is the owner and director of scouting at Optimum Scouting and OptimumScouting.com, as well as a Sporting News contributor. Follow him on Twitter: @OptimumScouting