2015 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 – 1st Round
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
With the draft just a few hours away, it’s time for my final mock draft. There are trades every year, but it’s impossible to know which deals will develop as the draft goes on, so I left trades out of my final version. If I think the pick is going to be moved, I’ll mention it in my reasoning for the selection. Last year I got 15 of my 32 picks right, which doesn’t sound great but predicting the exact draft order is harder than it looks. Regardless I am hoping for a better outcome this season.
If you want to check out previous versions, here are mocks 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, & 4.0. As usual, if you have any complaints or advice about my picks let me know on Twitter or in the comment section.
2015 NFL Mock Draft 5.0 – 1st Round
1.) Tampa Bay Bucs – QB Jameis Winston, Florida St
The Bucs already have the weapons in place for an explosiveness offense with Vincent Jackson, Mike Evans, and young TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins but they need a QB. Winston is the most NFL ready QB in the draft and should be the Bucs week 1 starter. There are obviously off-field concerns, but Winston is a potential franchise QB.
2.) Tennessee Titans – QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
It’s a tough choice for the Titans with serious needs on the defensive side of the ball and a young QB in Zach Mettenberger who showed flashes of talent but isn’t much closer to being an NFL ready starter than Mariota is. Teams need a good QB to win consistently and I don’t think the Titans will pass up a chance to select a potential franchise guy. The Titans added defensive help with OLBs Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo in free agency, which makes the choice to go with a QB a little easier. Best case both Mettenberger and Mariota develop into solid QBs and the Titans have a valuable trade asset. Odds are though that just one (or neither) of them develop, but drafting Mariota at least increases the chances that the Titans find a QB to build around. I wouldn’t be shocked if they traded the pick either as their are rumors that the Eagles, Chargers, and Browns are interested in the chance to draft Mariota. If they want to win now, restocking with a bunch of picks in exchange for the #2 pick may be the best route.
3.) Jacksonville Jaguars – DE/OLB Dante Fowler, Florida
The Jags have a tough choice here between Fowler, Leonard Williams, and Amari Cooper, but Fowler is just too good of a fit for Gus Bradley’s scheme as their LEO backer to pass up. He has the size and versatility to move all over the field and get to the QB with his hand on the ground or as a roving LB. The Jags need to improve their pass rush and Fowler will have the biggest immediate impact with the potential to be a long-term Pro Bowl player.
4.) Oakland Raiders – WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
The Raiders have a tough choice between Cooper, Kevin White, and Leonard Williams and can’t go wrong with any of the three. The Raiders have some impressive young players already on defense (Mack, Moore) but have very little help for young QB Derek Carr. They need to give Carr someone to throw to and Cooper is the most polished route runner in the draft who should be able to step in an contribute right away. It wouldn’t surprise me if Cooper caught 75 passes as a rookie and that number should just go up as Carr and Cooper develop rapport.
5.) Washington Redskins – DT/DE Leonard Williams, USC
The Skins added two new starters on their D-line (Paea, Knighton) and they could add a another here with Williams. He has the versatility to play both the nose and 5-tech positions in the Skins scheme. When healthy and motivated, Williams is unblockable and uses his long arms well to disengage. Some surprisingly smart (for the Skins) D-line additions and the addition of Williams could make Washington’s defensive line into a force to be reckoned with. They also have many needs, so it wouldn’t surprise me if the Skins traded back for additional picks to a team targeting Williams (do it Bears!). Williams is my #1 rated defensive player and is a steal at 5.
6.) New York Jets – OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
My first surprise pick of the draft, but I don’t think it’s much of a reach at all. Peat is the #1 LT on my board, is the most NFL ready pass blocker on the edge, and fills a long-term need for the Jets who have two aging tackles nearing the end of their contracts. Short-term Peat can be an upgrade over Breno Giacomini on the right side and then take over for D’Brickashaw Ferguson at LT in 2017. I think the Jets will try to move down a couple of spots and take Peat a few picks later, but if not they still pull the trigger on Peat at #6.