With the 2015 Draft fast approaching on Thursday night in Chicago, I am going to run through my first round mock draft over the next three days in the lead up to the Draft.
I am not an expert by any means but my mock draft is based on the tape I have seen from the top college talent in the 2015 draft process.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Pick: Jameis Winston
Most of the talk over the last few months is over the two best Quarterbacks in this draft. Due to the system he played in at Florida State, I think Jameis is the best pick for Tampa Bay. After watching some of the tape on Winston as I have linked below, most of his best work came when he had a big bodied receiver like Kelvin Benjamin to work with on the outside. This is where Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson & Austin Seferian-Jenkins come into play, All 3 are big receivers and will help Winston succeed in his rookie season with the Buccaneers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhAVl3teTYI
2. Tennessee Titans
The Pick: Marcus Mariota
The 2nd best QB in this years draft class is a mysterious prospect in the eyes of so many. There are a lot of the questions surrounding whether Marcus can fit in to a pro style offence. I watched a lot of Marcus at Oregon and I think that he is very good at the position with excellent decision making and a great arm. However, I think if Titans want to give Mariota the tools to succeed they will need to fit elements of his previous scheme into the playbook (Bubble Screens, Designed Runs etc). I don't think Titans will necessarily keep this pick but they might think about trading down with another team if they like what they currently have in Zach Mettenberger.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku9bP5ZAkWY
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Pick: Dante Fowler Jr
Dante Fowler is one of the two best edge rushers in this draft. I think the Jaguars need to address their edge rusher depth in this years draft. They have done well to add some key pieces into their roster but picking up a key player on the defence will only help them improve and any help they can get will help this franchise moving forward. Fowler Jr is an athletic monster off the edge and although his stats from last season don't look great, don't be fooled as Florida had him drop into coverage a lot but look to him in his rookie season to show opposition quarterbacks and running backs that he not someone to mess with at the line of scrimmage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDOSnDhx7e0
4. Oakland Raiders
The Pick: Leonard Williams
In my opinion Leonard Williams is the best player in the draft by far but the needs of the teams above are at different positions. This works in Oakland's favour, as they could do with adding a piece like Williams to their defensive line. After drafting Khalil Mack last year, his raw talent could help the Raiders toughen up their defence with two of the best young defensive talents in the NFL.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOEQS_ucHpg
5. Washington Redskins
The Pick: Vic Beasley
Labelled as one of the most explosive players in the draft, I think Beasley ends up in D.C for the upcoming season. Washington have upgraded their secondary this offseason and their defensive line. Also, this week it seems like they will be picking up RGIII's 5th year option and with the top two QB's gone already in this mock draft, it makes the Redskins' decision a lot easier. This will give them a dynamic duo in Beasley and Kerrigan coming off the edge and with a strong defensive line in place, it gives offences more to worry about with such a talented rusher on the opposite side of the ball.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zFMVMMNh9w
6. New York Jets
The Pick: Amari Cooper
I think the Jets have decided to go with Geno Smith as their quarterback for the upcoming campaign and give him every possible chance to succeed. The way they are going to do this is keep adding weapons onto the offence to help him as best they can. This offseason they have added some nice pieces to that offensive puzzle and Amari Cooper would be a perfect addition as a slot receiver to compliment Marshall & Decker. Cooper is a polished route runner with great hands and excels at making plays after the catch.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3X3h8p-_Xo
7. Chicago Bears
The Pick: Danny Shelton
The Bears lost Brandon Marshall this offseason and they have plenty of options to replace him later on in this deep draft class. The main priority with the 7th pick is one of the biggest men in the draft. Danny Shelton is an animal at Nose Tackle and will help Chicago build a formidable defensive front. Shelton is a bully and if players let him, he will run over them and create pressure all game against the offensive line. This isn't an attractive pick but would be beneficial to a team that was poor against the run last season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjSO21zK5EQ
8. Atlanta Falcons
The Pick: Randy Gregory
Head Coach Dan Quinn is a defence first coach from his days as a defensive co-ordinator with the dangerous Seahawks D. They already have the talent on the offensive side of the ball but they struggled to perform on the other side of the ball last season. I think the Falcons go with one of the best edge rushers in this class and that is Randy Gregory. However, Quinn will need to watch out for the character concerns that come with picking Gregory due to his failed drug test at the combine. Gregory could add more to his long frame and shows explosiveness against the run, he could be a perfect fit for the Falcons new look defence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6BREHTXuUA
9. New York Giants
The Pick: Brandon Scherff
This may not be the "sexiest" pick in the draft but Scherff can slot straight in the Giants' offensive line. He has all the traits to play as a starting tackle in the league but would be better suited at guard for his rookie season at least. He is a superb run blocker with severe power who could lift a house, he would help Eli Manning's offensive line with that extra strength in the upcoming season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS9Hq4bdFY0
10. St.Louis Rams
The Pick: Jalen Collins
I was unsure who the Rams would pick with the 10th pick as they seem to have their new QB with Nick Foles. I think they may strengthen up their secondary with Collins. Jalen Collins has the highest ceiling of all the cornerbacks in the draft. He has the instincts and athleticism to make plays on short and deep balls. However, he is a work in progress but if he continues to learn the position then this could be a valuable pick up for the already superb Rams defence.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yy_UA8O1HP0
Draft day is fast approaching and anything can happen during the first round. Tomorrow I will bring you picks 11 through to 21
following on from the picks above.
The Rookie Season