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The first of many mock drafts that will be covered in the next 86 days leading up to the NFL Draft in Chicago.
The first of my many mock drafts that will be published over the next 86 days leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft in Chicago. For this particular mock it will only be the first round. First up will be the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The Buccaneers are in desperate need of a franchise quarterback. Mike Glennon and Josh McCown won't be able to take this offense where it needs to go. With Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson out wide, this team needs a star quarterback that can get them out of the cellar of the NFC South.
2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, Southern California
Williams is the number one overall player on many draft boards and with a top pick it would be smart to take the best player available. While it will be tempting to take a quarterback in this spot, defense also needs to be improved. Especially with how this team performed down the stretch. Williams can move all around that defensive front and play to his strengths and create penetration for this team.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Last year the Jaguars spent their first-round pick on quarterback Blake Bortles so using another pick on a quarterback is out of the question. Gregory fits a need on the defensive side of the ball and he also bring youth and athleticism to this pass rush.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
The Raiders are in need of an explosive playmaker on the offensive side of the ball. With Derek Carr's electric arm talent he could stretch the field with Cooper. This would be a step in the right direction under new head coach Jack Del Rio.
5. Washington Commanders: La'el Collins, OT, Louisiana State
If head coach Jay Gruden wants to move forward with Robert Griffin III as his signal caller he will need to provide him some protection. Collins can fit right in at the right offensive tackle spot to couple with Trent Williams. This would provide a good young tandem moving forward.
6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Rex Ryan is out and Todd Bowles is in as head coach and Bowles will most likely want to make a change at quarterback. Mike Vick and Geno Smith didn't show they could take the reigns of this franchise. Winston is an immediate upgrade for this team despite his decision making last season.
7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Veteran pass rusher addition didn't bode well for the Bears in 2014 with Jared Allen. Ray would be an upgrade for his speed, athleticism and explosive first step. Couple Ray with Willie Young and this Bears defense has something to get excited about in 2015.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dante Fowler Jr, DE, Florida
Fowler is a force on the defensive line and just what the doctor ordered for the Falcons. They aren't getting any younger up front so infusing the defensive line with some youth will go a long way with this team if they hope to return to the top of the division.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
GM Jerry Reese has a knack for taking best player available despite their team needs. Scherff fits both a team need and best player available based on their pick. Scherff will help protect Eli Manning and the run game. Scherff is an immediate upgrade at the position that seemed to be a revolving door in 2014.
10. St Louis Rams: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
The Rams are in need of a quarterback with the seemingly yearly injuries to Sam Bradford and the veteran journeyman Shaun Hill, however this year's class is lacking at quarterback. Thompson makes this front seven even more lethal and one of the best front sevens in football.
11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The reigning rookie of the year Teddy Bridgewater is in need of more weapons and who better to couple him with than his college teammate. They would have an immediate chemistry and help take this team out of the NFC North basement. Parker can stretch a defense and provide the spark they thought they were getting from Cordarrelle Patterson.
12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
With the loss of Josh Gordon for the 2015 and the fact that the Browns have two first-round selections they can afford to address this need. White is one of the top wide receivers in the class and falls right into the lap of the Browns. White can create separation and I like the way he attacks the ball in the air.
13. New Orleans Saints: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
The future of Junior Gallette is up in the air at this point and Beasley would make sense for this Rob Ryan led defense. He isn't the big run stopper at linebacker but he makes up for it in his pass rush. His ability to bend will make him an instant impact player for this defense.
14. Miami Dolphins: Eric Kendricks, OLB, UCLA
Kendricks projects best as a will linebacker and the Dolphins struggled against the run in 2014. Kendricks is a good linebacker that can go sideline to sideline. There is a lot to love about Kendricks especially since he is always around the ball.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
With the potential loss of Perrish Cox and/or Chris Culliver the 49ers will be in need of a cornerback. Waynes is the top cornerback on my board and plays well in bump and run coverage. The transition will be a little bumpy as he will get plenty of illegal contact calls early on but he is the right guy for this defense.
16. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
The Texans finally spend a first-round pick on a quarterback. The most often over-drafted position but Hundley fits a need with this team. The Texans nearly made the playoffs with no true franchise quarterback and despite his flaws Hundley could do the trick for this team down the road.
17. San Diego Chargers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The Chargers need to put protection around Phillip Rivers and Clemmings is another addition. King Dunlap and D.J. Fluker are currently the starting tackles but with Clemmings the Chargers can move Fluker inside and take advantage of his power. Which will also help in the run game for this offense.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchness, WR, Michigan
The Chiefs didn't have a single receiver catch a passing touchdown in 2014. Adding Funchness brings a presence to this wide receiver group. He stands 6'5" and weighing 230 lbs, Funchess can bring a physical presence to a team that is in need of playmaking at the position. Moving Donnie Avery to the slot can also be a help to Alex Smith.
19. Cleveland Browns (From Buffalo): Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Fla).
With their second selection the Browns go with an offensive tackle that can be an upgrade over Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle. Flowers is a load of a man that provides power and can make this offensive line rival the one in Dallas for best group in the league.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Eagles were gashed time and time again in the secondary throughout the 2014 season. Chip Kelly played Bradley Fletcher over Brandon Boykin which left many fans scratching their heads. If they want to keep Boykin in the nickel role then Peters makes sense. His question marks could allow a team like the Eagles to take him in the middle of this draft when he should go higher.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
Despite the Bengals having two relatively young strong safeties they can't pass up a talent like Collins. He is the prototypical box safety who will bring a physical presence to stopping the run and the short passing game. Collins isn't a player you want to see in coverage.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
The Steelers have a need in the secondary and Williams is the best corner available with Peters and Waynes off the board. Williams is no slouch himself. He can be over-aggressive at times with his play but he is a proven tackler and doesn't mind coming up to make a play.
23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
With the possible losses of both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, Shelton fits a need. The Lions also need a cornerback but with the top gone and Shelton still on board he's the pick. Shelton is a force but he needs to work on shedding blockers, if the lineman can anchor then Shelton has no impact on the play.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
The Cardinals could use another pass rusher from the outside. Dupree fits that role well and he is very instinctive and can lay the wood on the ball carrier. Using combinations of blitzing will allow the Cardinals to get an instant impact from the rookie.
25. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Panthers left tackle Byron Bell struggled this past season so it makes sense to upgrade that spot. Peat looks like an offensive tackle when he gets off the bus. Scouts love his frame. His biggest knock is not using his power to drive defenders but many believe that a team can coach him up.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
Strong would instantly become a favorite target of Joe Flacco's. He has the size and plays with body control which will allow the Ravens to keep the chains moving. With the pending free agency of Torrey Smith and the age of Steve Smith, the Ravens will need to find more playmakers outside.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Most are anticipating that DeMarco Murray will likely be playing elsewhere in 2015 so running back will be a top need. Joseph Randle and Ryan Williams would be next in line but a player with Gordon's intangibles can't be overlooked. Behind this offensive line one could expect Gordon to put up some gaudy numbers.
28. Denver Broncos: Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
With expectations that Terrance Knighton will cash in during free agency leaving a hole in the middle of this defense, Brown is the type of player you can plug in and get an immediate impact. His massive size is perfect for playing the nose tackle position.
29. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
Cann is the best guard of the class and an immediate upgrade over Jake Mewhort who slide inside from his natural tackle position. With the top running back gone before the Colts reach the podium, Cann is a solid plan B. This is a solid selection with the 29th pick.
30. Green Bay Packers: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
McKinney makes too much sense for the Packers. Clay Matthews plays best outside and drafting McKinney will put him back in his natural position. He is great sideline to sideline and I believe he will blossom under Dom Capers' teaching.
31. Seattle Seahawks: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
Watching the Super Bowl it was clear that both teams were in desperate need of a star receiver. If the Seahawks want to get back to the big game for a third year they will need a go-to target. It was evident that this team missed Golden Tate during this game. Russell Wilson likes to throw the ball down the field so bringing in a speedster like Coates is a perfect fit.
32. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckam, WR, Oklahoma
Much like the Seahawks, the Patriots don't have that big play weapon at receiver. Green-Beckam is a very Bill Belichick move. He gives Super Bowl MVP Tom Brady more weapons and possibly a return to the Super Bowl in 2015. If you can get by his character concerns DGB will be huge for the Patriots.
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