The 2015 NFL draft is primed to be another spectacular event. Here is Campus Sports first 2015 NFL mock draft.
Order based off of current NFL standings.
Leonard Williams DT USC: Gus Bradley has his franchise quarterback in Blake Bortles but now he will get the anchor for his defensive line. Bradley is attempting to use the Seahawks’ blueprint by building a great defense while having a smart mobile QB who can make plays.
2. Oakland Raiders :
Cedric Ogbuehi OT Texas A&M: Derek Carr looks to fit the part in Oakland; if you want him to avoid his brothers fate, you will have to protect him. Ogbuehi could protect Carr’s blindside for years to come. This pick is based off of the current need of the Raiders, but with a new head coach coming in next year, look for him to select his own QB of the future to build his offense around.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
Marcus Mariota QB Oregon: Head coach Lovie Smith is in his first year at Tampa Bay and it looks like he still does not understand that it is an offensive league. Josh McCown did not look the part in the three games he played in and management does not seem to have confidence in Mike Glennon. Smith will have to tie his faith to which ever quarterback he selects in this draft. With Jameis Winston’s character issues, look for Mariota to be in Tampa Bay uniform next year.
4. New York Jets:
Amari Cooper WR Alabama:With new regime looming in New York next year, look for them to take their time on rebuilding the team. With Mariota off the board and Winston’s off the field issues, the Jets may decide to stick with Geno Smith for another year. If that’s the case, the Jets will give him a legitimate weapon in Cooper.
5. Washington Redskins:
Randy Gregory DE Nebraska: With Brian Orakpo becoming an unrestricted free agent and Ryan Kerrigan having an amazing season so far, look for Washington to move on from Orakpo and replace him with Gregory. Gregory will be able to step in right away and play Orakpo’s role for a limited cost.
6. St. Louis Rams:
Connor Cook QB Michigan State: Jameis Winston should be picked here but Jeff Fisher will not want to deal with a QB that has character issue again (Remember Vince Young?). Connor Cook will give the Rams’ offense a QB who can stay on the field. Heading into this season, Cook was projected to be a late first pick or second round pick. However, he’s having a solid season so far and Winston can’t seem to stay out of the headlines, helping Cook move up many general manager’s draft boards.
7. Minnesota Vikings:
Todd Gurley RB UGA: With Adrian Peterson’s career with the Vikings in question, Todd Gurley would be an ideal replacement. This pick is a little high for a running back in the modern NFL, but with Gurley’s low percentage of carries in college, he should have a long and durable career in the NFL and fits the situation that the Vikings are currently in.
8. Tennessee Titans:
Leonard Floyd OLB/DE UGA: The AFC South has two very talented quarterbacks who look to be getting better. The Titans will need a consistent pass rush to slow down these QBs. Floyd will provide a much needed pass rush that Tennessee has been missing. Floyd is currently one of the best defensive players on the Bulldogs’ roster. He is currently a sophomore but he has stated earlier that he would be open to opting for the draft early.
9. Atlanta Falcons:
Vic Beasley DE/OLB Clemson: The Falcons attempted to update the offensive and defensive line over the 2014 offseason. Currently it looks like both lines are the same as last year, if not worse. With a new GM and possible a new coach coming in next year, do not be surprised if they take a defensive player off the board. Vic Beasley would provide the Falcons a versatile pass rusher who could line up at multiple positions on the line of scrimmage. He could come in and takeover Sean Weatherspoon’s position as an outside linebacker or could push out an expensive Osi Umenyiora who has been a disappointment during his tenure as a Falcon.
10. Miami Dolphins:
Brett Hundley QB UCLA: The Dolphins went all in on Ryan Tannehill and unfortunately it looks like it was the wrong pick. With Wilson, Cousins, and Foles all getting drafted after him, Miami fans have become very frustrated with the selection. Look for the Dolphins to find a new signal-caller to lead this team. Hundley has a lot of potential to succeed at the NFL level as a runner and a passer.
11. Kansas City Chiefs
Landon Collins S Alabama: Eric Berry is a free agent in 2016, and the Chiefs may not be ready to open up the pocket books for him. Kansas City may look to draft Collins as Berry’s counterpart at the Safety position or as his replacement. Collins has all the skills needed to play either safety spot but looks to be a better fit at strong safety. He allowed Ha Ha Clinton-Dix to play centerfield last year for the Crimson Tide, while doing most of the dirty work. Berry and Collins could be a dynamic duo for the Chief if they decide to keep Berry.
12. New Orleans Saints:
P.J. Williams CB FSU: New Orleans has to face monsters at wide receiver six times each year between Julio Jones, Vincent Jackson, and Kelvin Benjamin. Look for the Saints to upgrade their secondary to attempt to slow down these receivers and allow Rob Ryan to keep sending his exotic blitzes.
13. Houston Texans:
Andrus Peat OT Stanford: Look for the Texans to upgrade their offensive line and give Ryan Mallet a chance to be their signal-caller. Peat is a smart offensive lineman who will take care of Mallets blindside. *Prediction* Look for head coach Bill O’Brien and the Texans to have another unsuccessful year in 2015, which will set up the Texans to draft O’Brien’s old quarterback, Penn State quarterback Christian Hackenberg.
14. Pittsburgh Steelers:
Marcus Peters CB Washington: The Steelers are going to be looking for Ike Taylor’s replacement in this year’s draft. Peters has been playing great for Washington this year and will provide much needed youth to an old secondary.
15. Cleveland Browns (from Bills):
Brandon Scherff OT/G Iowa: The Browns currently have a very athletic offensive line but Scherff could be an upgrade at the right tackle position and give Hoyer or Johnny Manziel more time to operate.
16. Chicago Bears
Shawn Oakman DE Baylor: The Bears are still trying to improve their defense and a versatile defensive end could work wonders for them. Oakman can line up inside, outside, and at rush outside linebacker.
17. New York Giants
La’El Collins OT LSU: Eli Manning’s offensive line has looked unstable for years. Collins is a player who could help bring stability to a few positions in the trenches. He can line up at either tackle or guard position. Look for Collins to come in as a starting right tackle where ever he gets drafted but with the way the Giants offensive line has been playing lately, he may even be lined up at left tackle.
18. Cleveland Browns
Sammie Coates WR Auburn: Coates is one of the most complete wide receivers in this draft and he may see himself lining up next to Josh Gordon next year. After not drafting a WR in the 2014 NFL draft, Coates could be a great pick for a Browns team that already has a top WR and a top TE.
19. Seattle Seahawks
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu CB Oregon: Ekpre-Olomu is another player who was projected to be a first round pick in last year’s draft but elected to return to school. Ekpre-Olomu would be a great fit as a nickel corner for the Seahawks. He would also be an ideal CB to put against the small wide receivers the Seahawks have to face.
20. Green Bay Packers
Dante Fowler DE Florida: The Packers will need to add to their pass rush this offseason. Fowler is a big defensive end who could play on the defensive line or could line up at linebacker, depending on where the Packers will have a bigger need next year.
21. Carolina Panthers
Shilique Calhoun DE/OLB Michigan State: With the Greg Hardy era looking like it is over in Carolina, they will need to find a defensive end to take over his role. Calhoun is no Greg Hardy, but he may be able to come in right away and contribute.
22. Detroit Lions
Trae Waynes CB Michigan State: The Lions have the best defense in the league through the first six weeks of the season, but they still need help at the corner position. Waynes can come in and make a move for the No. 1 corner spot in Detroit. Waynes would be an ideal fit for Detroit, who have to face the likes of Brandon Marshall, Jordy Nelson, Alshon Jeffery, and Cordarrelle Patterson twice a year.
23. Baltimore Ravens
Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin: Ray Rice was such a huge part of the Ravens offense when he was in his prime. Gordon will be able to provide the Ravens with a new back and a fresh start at the position. He has the ability to catch the ball out of the back field, similarly to Rice, but could be a better runner in between the tackles for Baltimore.
24. New England Patriots
Ty Montgomery WR Stanford: Tom Brady is begging for a wide receiver who can stretch the field. Montgomery is a tall WR who is familiar with a pro offense, and should be able to learn the Patriots’ offense rather quickly. He would be an instant upgrade for the Pats at the WR position.
25. Indianapolis Colts
Eric Kendricks ILB UCLA: Andrew Luck is making the Colts offense look great, but now it is time to draft the quarterback of the defense. Kendricks is a linebacker who can play the middle of the field for the Colts, who also can be great on running downs. He will be a three-down LB in the NFL.
26. San Francisco 49ers
Mario Edwards DT FSU: With Justin Smith a year older and McDonald’s legal situation, San Francisco will look to bring in new blood to the interior of their defensive line. Edwards is currently the defensive anchor on Florida State’s defense. It should be an easy transition for Edwards going from a successful college defense to a great NFL defense.
27. Cincinnati Bengals
Jaelen Strong WR Arizona State: The Bengals may be the most complete team in football right now, but their one weakness is finding someone to compliment star receiver A.J. Green. If chosen by the Bengals, Strong should be able to help Dalton move the chains on Sundays.
28. Arizona Cardinals
Jameis Winston QB FSU: Winston should be a Top-3 pick in this draft with the skill set he can bring to the NFL. But with his off the field issues, many general managers will drop or completely take him off their draft board. The Arizona Cardinals are one of the few teams who can take a risk and draft Winston. With Carson Palmer nearing the end of his career, head coach Bruce Arians might take a chance on Winston. If Arians can keep Winston out of trouble, the Cardinals could be the class of the NFC West.
29. Denver Broncos
Denzel Perryman ILB Miami: Denver upgraded many part of their defense over this past off-season. They now need someone to man the middle of the field on passing downs. Perryman is a versatile linebaker who can play the zone down in the middle and allow the Broncos pass rushers to rush freely.
30. Dallas Cowboys
Michael Bennett DT Ohio State: The Cowboys are playing strong as of now but Rod Marinelli’s defense always requires a pass rush from the 3-technique position. Henry Melton has been playing that spot this year but Bennett could provide more depth and give the Cowboy’s a great rotation at the 3-technique.
31. San Diego Chargers
Rashad Greene WR FSU: Philip Rivers has been doing more with less for so many years and Keenan Allen is the only young weapon he can count on. Rashad Greene will provide Rivers with another solid player at the position.
32. Philadelphia Eagles
Cameron Erving OT/G Florida State: The Eagles offensive line has been in shambles so far this season. With the recent injuries and suspensions, they may consider drafting a versatile player who could fill many roles. Erving is a player who could step in right away at right tackle or right gurard.
*Section Photo credit to Craig Ruttle, Associated Press; Featured Photo (above) credit to Adam Hunger. USA Today Sports.
