Now that the Senior Bowl and scouting combine are complete, it's time to get serious about the 2015 NFL draft. Teams now have game tape, measurements, medicals and in-person interviews to help adjust their draft boards.
NFL free agency begins on March 10 and that can alter draft boards heading into the last week of April. This mock draft is largely based on what I feel each teams' needs are pre-free agency. This mock doesn't include trades, but I expect a lot of movement come draft night.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Needs: OL, pass rusher, QB
The pick: Jameis Winston (QB, Florida State) – The Bucs don't need to over-think this pick. They have a glaring need at QB and Winston is the top one available. He's the best football player in this draft.
Needs: OL, pass rusher, QB
The pick: Jameis Winston (QB, Florida State) – The Bucs don't need to over-think this pick. They have a glaring need at QB and Winston is the top one available. He's the best football player in this draft.
2. Tennessee Titans
Needs: Pass rusher, CB, RB
The pick: Leonard Williams (DT, USC) – The Titans appear to believe they can win with Zach Mettenberger at QB. So the selection here is Williams, the safest pick in this draft. He can play multiple positions along the defensive line, is scheme versatile, plays with a tremendous motor and still has room to get better.
Needs: Pass rusher, CB, RB
The pick: Leonard Williams (DT, USC) – The Titans appear to believe they can win with Zach Mettenberger at QB. So the selection here is Williams, the safest pick in this draft. He can play multiple positions along the defensive line, is scheme versatile, plays with a tremendous motor and still has room to get better.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
Needs: CB, OT, RB
The pick: Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford) – It won't be a surpise to see the Jaguars move out of this spot as third is a little high for Peat, but Jacksonville finished first in the NFL in most sacks allowed in 2014 with 71. That's 13 more than Washington, the next worst team. To give Blake Bortles a chance to succeed, the Jags have to protect him. Pairing Peat with Luke Joeckel gives them two young tackles to build around.
Needs: CB, OT, RB
The pick: Andrus Peat (OT, Stanford) – It won't be a surpise to see the Jaguars move out of this spot as third is a little high for Peat, but Jacksonville finished first in the NFL in most sacks allowed in 2014 with 71. That's 13 more than Washington, the next worst team. To give Blake Bortles a chance to succeed, the Jags have to protect him. Pairing Peat with Luke Joeckel gives them two young tackles to build around.
4. Oakland Raiders
Needs: CB, pass rusher, WR
The pick: Dante Fowler Jr. (DE, Florida) – Oakland had only 22 sacks last season, tied for second to last in the league. Fowler is the best among the defensive linemen after Williams. He can play multiple positions and plays in a violent manner. This is a deep wide receiver class, so the Raiders can add one in the later rounds who can help Derek Carr in his second season.
Needs: CB, pass rusher, WR
The pick: Dante Fowler Jr. (DE, Florida) – Oakland had only 22 sacks last season, tied for second to last in the league. Fowler is the best among the defensive linemen after Williams. He can play multiple positions and plays in a violent manner. This is a deep wide receiver class, so the Raiders can add one in the later rounds who can help Derek Carr in his second season.
5. Washington Redskins
Needs: DB, OT, pass rusher
The pick: Brandon Scherff (OT, Iowa) – This is another team I can see moving down from this spot. If the Redskins stay put, they'll be a lot like Jacksonville in needing to protect their young QB in order to fairly evaluate him. Scherff won't be a flashy pick but he is tough, strong and nasty. They can play him at either guard spot or opposite Trent Williams at right tackle. The Redskins gave up 58 sacks last season, second worst in the league last season.
Needs: DB, OT, pass rusher
The pick: Brandon Scherff (OT, Iowa) – This is another team I can see moving down from this spot. If the Redskins stay put, they'll be a lot like Jacksonville in needing to protect their young QB in order to fairly evaluate him. Scherff won't be a flashy pick but he is tough, strong and nasty. They can play him at either guard spot or opposite Trent Williams at right tackle. The Redskins gave up 58 sacks last season, second worst in the league last season.
6. New York Jets
Needs: CB, OT, WR
The pick: Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama) – Geno Smith has been inconsistent by all measures, but he has shown in spurts the tools needed to be a top-level NFL QB. Chan Gailey is a much better fit for Smith than Marty Mornhinweg as offensive coordinator. Here, the Jets finally get their QB an elite option at WR.
Needs: CB, OT, WR
The pick: Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama) – Geno Smith has been inconsistent by all measures, but he has shown in spurts the tools needed to be a top-level NFL QB. Chan Gailey is a much better fit for Smith than Marty Mornhinweg as offensive coordinator. Here, the Jets finally get their QB an elite option at WR.
7. Chicago Bears
Needs: DB, LB, pass rusher
The pick: Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon) – Head coach John Fox wants to run the football and play great defense. Jay Cutler just doesn't fit that type of environment (or any other to be frank). The Bears have outstanding offensive skill-position personnel which will make Mariota's transition easier. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains get to mold Mariota into the Bears' franchise QB. (Sidenote: If Mariota falls to No. 7, expect Chip Kelly and the Eagles to be doing everything possible to move up and select him.)
Needs: DB, LB, pass rusher
The pick: Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon) – Head coach John Fox wants to run the football and play great defense. Jay Cutler just doesn't fit that type of environment (or any other to be frank). The Bears have outstanding offensive skill-position personnel which will make Mariota's transition easier. Offensive coordinator Adam Gase and quarterbacks coach Dowell Loggains get to mold Mariota into the Bears' franchise QB. (Sidenote: If Mariota falls to No. 7, expect Chip Kelly and the Eagles to be doing everything possible to move up and select him.)
8. Atlanta Falcons
Needs: DB, pass rusher, TE
The pick: Randy Gregory (OLB, Nebraska) – I wish Gregory was more consistently dominant at Nebraska, but he is too talented for a Falcons team in dire need of a pass rusher to pass up at this spot.
Needs: DB, pass rusher, TE
The pick: Randy Gregory (OLB, Nebraska) – I wish Gregory was more consistently dominant at Nebraska, but he is too talented for a Falcons team in dire need of a pass rusher to pass up at this spot.
9. New York Giants
Needs: ILB, OL, pass rusher
The pick: Kevin White (WR, WVU) – Not a need for the G-men but White gives them protection in case Victor Cruz doesn't return to his old self after a knee injury. If Cruz is completely healed, White gives New York the most talented group of skill players in the NFC. Eli Manning is all smiles.
Needs: ILB, OL, pass rusher
The pick: Kevin White (WR, WVU) – Not a need for the G-men but White gives them protection in case Victor Cruz doesn't return to his old self after a knee injury. If Cruz is completely healed, White gives New York the most talented group of skill players in the NFC. Eli Manning is all smiles.
10. St. Louis Rams
Needs: CB, QB, OL
The pick: T.J. Clemmings (OT, Clemson) – Rams GM Les Snead showed that he believes in building from the inside out and doesn't mind drafting guys with high ceilings. Clemmings fits the bill, although some will consider this too high for him. He has the most upside of any o-lineman in the draft (he has played on the line for only two years). Think two years from now when Clemmings and Greg Robinson are fully matured …
Needs: CB, QB, OL
The pick: T.J. Clemmings (OT, Clemson) – Rams GM Les Snead showed that he believes in building from the inside out and doesn't mind drafting guys with high ceilings. Clemmings fits the bill, although some will consider this too high for him. He has the most upside of any o-lineman in the draft (he has played on the line for only two years). Think two years from now when Clemmings and Greg Robinson are fully matured …
11. Minnesota Vikings
Needs: CB, OT, WR
The pick: Devante Parker (WR, Louisville) – I said last year that Teddy Bridgewater was hands-down the best QB in the 2014 draft. He proved me right (skinny ankles and all). The Vikings add a dynamic weapon to a Bridgewater-led offense in Parker.
Needs: CB, OT, WR
The pick: Devante Parker (WR, Louisville) – I said last year that Teddy Bridgewater was hands-down the best QB in the 2014 draft. He proved me right (skinny ankles and all). The Vikings add a dynamic weapon to a Bridgewater-led offense in Parker.
12. Cleveland Browns
Needs: DL, ILB, WR
The pick: Danny Shelton (DT, Washington) – Shelton is the best player available and he fills a need. After the major logo change (insert joke here) the Browns finally generate some good news.
Needs: DL, ILB, WR
The pick: Danny Shelton (DT, Washington) – Shelton is the best player available and he fills a need. After the major logo change (insert joke here) the Browns finally generate some good news.
13. New Orleans Saints
Needs: CB, Pass rusher, OL
The pick: Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson) – His pass rushing production has always been there, but people wondered if he could duplicate it at 220-225 pounds. Beasley showed up at the combine at 245 and still tested off the charts. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan gets another toy to try and fix the Saints' defense.
Needs: CB, Pass rusher, OL
The pick: Vic Beasley (OLB, Clemson) – His pass rushing production has always been there, but people wondered if he could duplicate it at 220-225 pounds. Beasley showed up at the combine at 245 and still tested off the charts. Defensive coordinator Rob Ryan gets another toy to try and fix the Saints' defense.
14. Miami Dolphins
Needs: DB, LB, OT
The pick: Landon Collins (S, Alabama) – Excellent value here for the Dolphins as Collins projects as a top-10 caliber player. Miami could also take an offensive lineman here but Collins offers more immediate impact.
Needs: DB, LB, OT
The pick: Landon Collins (S, Alabama) – Excellent value here for the Dolphins as Collins projects as a top-10 caliber player. Miami could also take an offensive lineman here but Collins offers more immediate impact.
15. San Fransico 49ers
Needs: DL, OL and WR
The pick: Breshad Perriman (WR, UCF) – He is not as well known as the top-three wide receivers in this draft but Perriman is just as talented. Niners could lose Michael Crabtree and possibly Stevie Johnson so this position becomes a need.
Needs: DL, OL and WR
The pick: Breshad Perriman (WR, UCF) – He is not as well known as the top-three wide receivers in this draft but Perriman is just as talented. Niners could lose Michael Crabtree and possibly Stevie Johnson so this position becomes a need.
16. Houston Texans
Needs: OT, QB, WR
The pick: La'el Collins (OT, LSU) – Excellent run blocker can play right tackle if Derek Newton leaves via free agency or move inside to guard if the Texans keep Newton.
Needs: OT, QB, WR
The pick: La'el Collins (OT, LSU) – Excellent run blocker can play right tackle if Derek Newton leaves via free agency or move inside to guard if the Texans keep Newton.
17. San Diego Chargers
Needs: CB, NT, OL
The pick: Malcom Brown (DT, Texas) – Brown is an all-around good interior lineman who is physical at the point of attack and can win one-on-one situations as a pass rusher. Brown can play multiple positions along the defensive front which will allow him to make an immediate impact.
Needs: CB, NT, OL
The pick: Malcom Brown (DT, Texas) – Brown is an all-around good interior lineman who is physical at the point of attack and can win one-on-one situations as a pass rusher. Brown can play multiple positions along the defensive front which will allow him to make an immediate impact.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
Needs: CB, OT, WR
The pick: Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State) – It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know the Chiefs need help at wideout. Do they go for the upside of Dorial Green-Beckham or the safer choice in Strong? They can't afford to miss with this pick because Alex Smith needs immediate help so they'll keep it safe with Strong.
Needs: CB, OT, WR
The pick: Jaelen Strong (WR, Arizona State) – It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know the Chiefs need help at wideout. Do they go for the upside of Dorial Green-Beckham or the safer choice in Strong? They can't afford to miss with this pick because Alex Smith needs immediate help so they'll keep it safe with Strong.
19. Cleveland Browns
Needs: DL, ILB, WR
The pick: Maxx Williams (TE, Minnesota) – I fully expect Jordan Cameron to leave in free agency, so TE becomes a major need for the Browns. Williams has rare open field quickness for a guy his size. Williams gives them a better chance to be successful, no matter who starts at QB in Week 1.
Needs: DL, ILB, WR
The pick: Maxx Williams (TE, Minnesota) – I fully expect Jordan Cameron to leave in free agency, so TE becomes a major need for the Browns. Williams has rare open field quickness for a guy his size. Williams gives them a better chance to be successful, no matter who starts at QB in Week 1.
20. Philadelphia Eagles
Needs: CB, OLB, S
The pick: Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State) – Bradley Fletcher was a major liability last season in the Eagles' secondary. Waynes is an immediate upgrade. Although he isnt as physical as I would like, he is an excellent cover corner.
Needs: CB, OLB, S
The pick: Trae Waynes (CB, Michigan State) – Bradley Fletcher was a major liability last season in the Eagles' secondary. Waynes is an immediate upgrade. Although he isnt as physical as I would like, he is an excellent cover corner.
21. Cincinnati Bengals
Needs: CB, S, WR
The pick: Arik Armstead (DE, Oregon) – Armstead played the 5 technique the majority of his time at Oregon, but I think he can play end in a 4-3 in the NFL. Marvin Lewis gets another large, physically gifted but raw prospect to develop along the defensive line with Margus Hunt.
Needs: CB, S, WR
The pick: Arik Armstead (DE, Oregon) – Armstead played the 5 technique the majority of his time at Oregon, but I think he can play end in a 4-3 in the NFL. Marvin Lewis gets another large, physically gifted but raw prospect to develop along the defensive line with Margus Hunt.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers
Needs: CB, DL, S
The pick: Marcus Peters (CB, Washington) – He is the best all-around cornerback in this class. If not for serious character concerns he would be a top-10 pick. Peters has all the natural ability in the world. The structure and environment in Pittsburgh allows head coach Mike Tomlin to make this selection.
Needs: CB, DL, S
The pick: Marcus Peters (CB, Washington) – He is the best all-around cornerback in this class. If not for serious character concerns he would be a top-10 pick. Peters has all the natural ability in the world. The structure and environment in Pittsburgh allows head coach Mike Tomlin to make this selection.
23. Detroit Lions
Needs: CB, DL, WR
The pick: Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri/Oklahoma) – Every year Calvin Johnson misses a few more games with injuries. Could he be breaking down? I expect Detroit to find a way to keep Ndamukong Suh from leaving in free agency so wide receiver becomes the pick here. DGB is super talented but, a lot like Marcus Peters, he has serious character concerns. Head coach Jim Caldwell not only led the Lions to the playoffs last season but he created a different environment in the Motor City that allows them to take the chance on DGB.
Needs: CB, DL, WR
The pick: Dorial Green-Beckham (WR, Missouri/Oklahoma) – Every year Calvin Johnson misses a few more games with injuries. Could he be breaking down? I expect Detroit to find a way to keep Ndamukong Suh from leaving in free agency so wide receiver becomes the pick here. DGB is super talented but, a lot like Marcus Peters, he has serious character concerns. Head coach Jim Caldwell not only led the Lions to the playoffs last season but he created a different environment in the Motor City that allows them to take the chance on DGB.
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