With less than 2 weeks until the NFL Draft we take our 2nd shot at predicting where the most talented prospects in the 2015 class will land. A lot has changed since Mock Draft 1.0 and with each version we get closer to telling you who your team will get. Mock Draft 2.0 is our first with trades, so enjoy!
Here’s our picks for the 1st round of the 2015 NFL Draft:
1. Tampa Bay (2-14) – Jameis Winston, QB, FSU: Winston and Mariota are battling for this number one spot according to many media members. I believe the Bucs made up their minds months ago and Winston has always been their guy.
2. Philadelphia (10-6) *Trade w/ Tenn* – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon::Chip Kelly has been wheeling and dealing all spring to be in position to get his QB of the future, well the Jedi Mind Tricks pay off. It may take Philly two trades to move this high in the draft but at this point I have them switching 1s with Tenn. this year, giving up 2 more 1s and a 5th in the future. Compared to what the Skins gave up for RG3 this trade is a steal.
3. Jacksonville (3-13) –Dante Fowler, OLB, UF : Jacksonville has been looking for an elite DE since the early Del Rio days and 2015 is no different. We had Shane Ray mocked here previously but a healthy Fowler intrigues scouts more than the smaller Ray. The move from Gainesville should be an easy one for Fowler.
4. Oakland (3-13) – Leonard Williams, DT, USC: The Raiders wouldn’t mind a WR at this spot but the draft is full of talented pass catchers. They opt to get the best interior lineman in the draft and add him to an already stout defensive line. Khalil Mack & Williams will give the Raiders a destructive inside out pass rush for the next decade.
5. Washington (4-12) – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clem: Washington has a lot of holes but pass rush is a glaring one. With Chip Kelly’s fast pace offence, the Giants’ passing game and the Cowboys’ strong O-Line, the Redskins will need Beasley to be what the recently departed Brian Orakpo used to be.
6. New York Jets (4-12) – Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, NEB: The Jets have spent a lot of money in free agency and their defensive lines are one of the best in football. Regis and Cromartie will immediately boost their secondary allowing for the attacking man-to-man defense that Jets fans love. New HC Todd Bowles is one OLB away from having a defense to rival those he had in Arizona the past few years. Gregory is the perfect guy to put on the edge and for the first time in his career he will be guaranteed to get 1-on-1 blocking.
7. Chicago (5-11) – Kevin White, WR, WVU: The Bears traded Marshall and have left Jay Cutler with Alshon Jeffery and _______. They select Marshall’s long-term replacement with this selection. White reminds me a lot of Torry Holt, his body control/speed/hands combination is special. Cutler needs a dependable WR and White can be that immediately.
8. Miami (8-8) *Trade w/ Atl* – Amari Cooper, WR, Bama : The Dolphins have many holes but the trade of Mike Wallace leaves the cupboard extremely bare at WR. They could sit back and take one of the other 1st round graded WRs but with Cooper just sitting here the Dolphins feel they can get a top 5 talent.