It’s Draft Day, which should be a national holiday, and we as NFL fans can’t wait to see who our teams will select.
Before that happens we will try to give you a glimpse into each teams’ thought process and tell you who the newest member of your squad will be.
Here’s our picks for the 1st round of the 2015 NFL Draft:
1. Tampa Bay (2-14) – Jameis Winston, QB, FSU: Winston has the number one spot locked up and the Bucs are obviously comfortable with giving him the keys to the franchise. It’ll be up to Jameis to prove that he’s matured and is capable of being as much of a leader off the field as he is on.
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, Mariota is that guy.The Eagles will eventually give up 3 1st round picks (swap this year & give 2016/17) but Chip will smile because he’ll have HIS guy for the next 10 years. and a 5th in the future.
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 his weed charge and a healthy Fowler intrigues scouts more than the smaller Ray. Fowler has prototypical NFL size and was one of the most disruptive edge rushers in the NCAA, sacks don’t tell the full story. The Jags search for a a DE finally ends.
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 six years.
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 offense, 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 failed a drug test at the combine but his talent is undeniable. Just look at his Sophmore tape to see what type of player he is when he isn’t double teamed.
7. New Orleans (7-9) *Trade w/Chi* – Alvin Dupree, OLB, UK: New Orleans have purged themselves of anyone that had an above average salary cap figure, so they are left with plenty of holes to fill. The place to start is on defense and Dupree is an athlete with an impeccable motor. He could come into the division and be one of the most feared edge rushers in a season or two. That’s if they put him in the right position to succeed.
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. With this pick Ryan Tannehill will have no excuses this coming season.