Rob Rang--2015 NFL Mock Draft, 7 Dec

Carp

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Throughout much of this NFL season it appeared that the Oakland Raiders would be selecting No. 1 overall in the 2015 draft and that their cross-town rival San Francisco 49ers would be fighting for the rights to pick No. 32. After a stunning victory over Jim Harbaugh and the 49ers in Week 14, however, the Raiders are now projected to pick fifth overall. San Francisco, on the other hand, has out of the playoff chase and is currently slated to select 15th.

Given that each of these teams at least have young, talented quarterbacks in place, they stand in better position than Tampa Bay and Tennessee, clubs that may be forced to gamble the first two picks on help at the game's most important position.

The following is my latest first round projection of the 2015 NFL Draft.

*The selection order for this mock draft is based on current win/loss records, playoff seedings and using Strength of Schedule as the tie-breaker. The Cleveland Browns own the rights to the Buffalo Bills' selection due to the Sammy Watkins trade.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: To compete in today's NFL, offenses must score points and few clubs are worse than in this department than the Bucs, who have surpassed 17 points in just three of 13 games this season. For the franchise to take the next step, improving at quarterback is critical. Mariota faces legitimate questions about how he'll fare against tighter windows in the NFL but he shows good awareness in the pocket, a live arm and, of course, great mobility. Mariota's speed and the great size of Tampa's pass-catchers would put an awful lot of stress on opposing defenses.

2. Tennessee Titans - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: The Titans have lost seven straight and rookie Zach Mettenberger has thus far been unable to prove that he's the club's long-term fix at quarterback. It is hard to imagine general manager Ruston Webster looking past Winston's off-field issues. From purely a football standpoint, however, Winston projects quite well in Ken Whisenhunt's offense and there is no question that he's top 5 talent.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.

4. New York Jets - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: The Jets clearly need help on the offensive side of the ball, especially at quarterback, but if Mariota and Winston are off the board, GM John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan (or their replacements) may have little option but to look elsewhere. Under Ryan the Jets have developed a fierce front but lack a dominant edge rusher. Ray, the SEC's leading sack artist, possesses the country's most explosive burst off the ball.

5. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: Rookie Derek Carr has shown flashes of being the young signal-caller capable of turning this franchise around. Adding another weapon for him (Alabama's Amari Cooper?) would seem like a logical choice. The game is still won or lost at the line of scrimmage, however. The 6-5, 290 pound Williams is a physical mismatch too quick for interior linemen and too powerful for offensive tackles.

6. Washington Redskins - Landon Collins, S, Alabama: Washington hasn't boasted a truly fearsome safety since the late Sean Taylor was patrolling the deep middle. At 6-0, 215 pounds, Collins isn't as big as the former phenom, but he shows a similarly exciting blend of explosiveness and ball-skills.

7. New York Giants - Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: There is plenty of blame to go around in Gotham as the Giants have struggled in 2014 despite spending an overhaul of the roster in the offseason. GM Jerry Reese has won before gambling on the upside of talented pass rushers. Powerful and shockingly athletic given his massive (6-foot-8, 275 pounds) frame, Oakman's potential screams top 10 pick.

8. Carolina Panthers - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: With the selection of Kelvin Benjamin and free agent addition of sure-handed veteran Jericho Cotchery, the Panthers addressed weapons for Cam Newton but failed to address the offensive line protecting him. They won't make the same mistake this year. Stanley is just a redshirt sophomore in his first season at left tackle but the 6-6, 315 pounder boasts an exciting combination of agility, balance and power.

9. Chicago Bears - Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida: For all of the concerns about Chicago's inconsistent offense, the defense remains alarmingly toothless. Given the quarterbacks in the NFC North, that's a recipe for disaster. Fowler's versatility is his calling card. The 6-3, 260 pounder's unique combination of power, agility and tenacity earns him time at defensive end, linebacker and defensive tackle for the Gators.

10. New Orleans Saints - Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: Despite millions invested in fixing the secondary, the Saints have struggled against the pass this season. Thompson doesn't possess great size but his athleticism and instincts have helped him stand out wherever the Huskies have needed him - including at safety, linebacker and most recently at running back. He projects best to the NFL as a hybrid defender who is just as effective in coverage as coming up in run support.

11. Minnesota Vikings - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: Despite big investments at wide receiver, the Vikings still lack a true No. 1. The agility and first-step acceleration that helped Cooper star as a true freshman is clearly back and he's dominating again, looking like an easy favorite thus far to be the first Biletnikoff Award winner in Alabama's history.

12. St. Louis Rams - Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: Under general manager Les Snead and head coach Jeff Fisher, the Rams have consistently gambled on dynamic athletes. Adding a blue-collar tough guy like Scherff (who is also a good athlete) might add some consistency to an offensive line that has struggled in this regard.

13. Houston Texans - Danny Shelton, NG, Washington: The Texans' investment in Jadeveon Clowney didn't pay off in 2014 but don't be surprised when his critics quiet down once he and JJ Watt get used to playing together. Adding a powerful (and passionate) interior presence like Shelton could help turn Houston's potential into production.

14. Cleveland Browns - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: The Browns' defense and running game have been good enough to make them competitive but the lack of a top-flight receiver limits the team's upside. The club is hopeful, of course, that Josh Gordon will re-emerge as a superstar but can't rely on him. Parker missed the first seven games of the year with a broken fifth toe in his left foot, but the 6-3, 209 pounder has starred since, demonstrating the fluidity and ball-skills to project as a No. 1 target.

15. San Francisco 49ers - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: The suddenly struggling 49ers (7-5) have scored more than 17 points once since mid-October. Green-Beckham is a top 10 talent who is drawing comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals' star A.J. Green for his size, speed and ball-skills but he comes with significant off-field concerns. GM Trent Baalke has been more willing than most to gamble on talented players with character red-flags.

16. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) -- Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: As the only team with two first round picks, the Browns have a lot of flexibility, including potentially making a good offensive line one of the league's elite. A star left tackle for the Cardinal, Peat is blessed with remarkable balance and agility for a man of his 6-7, 315 pound dimensions. He'd provide an upgrade over Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle and could be groomed to eventually take over for All-Pro Joe Thomas.

17. Miami Dolphins -- Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has shown flashes of ascending into one of the league's better young quarterbacks in Bill Lazor's scheme and could take another step with more consistency at running back. The position may not hold the same value in today's pass-happy NFL, but Gordon is a difference-maker with the agility and acceleration to score from anywhere on the field. Just ask Nebraska, who gave up an FBS-record 408 yards to the Heisman contender.

18. Kansas City Chiefs - Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: Despite a receiving corps that hasn't yet caught a touchdown, the Chiefs continue to play well. Providing more weapons on the perimeter would seem to be a priority for Kansas City in the off-season, however, especially given that this year's crop seems very strong yet again. Dwayne Bowe is a reliable route-runner and pass-catcher but he doesn't strike fear into the hearts of defenders. No player has boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209 pound who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.

19. Baltimore Ravens - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Baltimore's depth at cornerback has been exposed this season due to injuries. Like Baltimore's best corner, the injured Jimmy Smith, Waynes possesses terrific length (6-foot-1, 183 pounds), fluidity and ball-skills.

20. Dallas Cowboys - Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky: The Cowboys are hopeful that 2014 rookie Demarcus Lawrence will significantly boost their outside pass rush but that won't keep the team from adding reinforcements. Dupree, the SEC's leading active pass rusher, is long, instinctive and closes in a flash.

21. Atlanta Falcons - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: Despite an ugly 5-7 record, the Falcons lead the NFC South. The Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Adding a dynamic edge rusher like Beasley to complement the greater size Atlanta added to their defense in the offseason could pay immediate dividends.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: The secondary has arguably been the Steelers' biggest weakness all season. Peters offers terrific length, physicality and ball-skills but comes with all kinds of character questions after being dismissed by the Huskies.

23. San Diego Chargers - Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M: Philip Rivers can still be dynamic when protected. San Diego's tackles King Dunlap and DJ Fluker are a lot like their quarterback - big and talented but relatively slow-footed. Ogbuehi has struggled with technique this season, perhaps contributing to his switching back and forth between left and right tackle, but he possesses a remarkable skill-set with length and easy athleticism.

24. Detroit Lions - Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State: With starters Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the final year of their respective contracts, the Lions will be scouting the defensive tackle class as closely as any team in the league and Goldman is generating plenty of buzz. The 6-4, 320 pound junior is a former top recruit who's enjoyed a breakout campaign back inside this season after starting at end last year for the champs. Goldman suffered a right ankle injury in the ACC Championship victory over Georgia Tech but head coach Jimbo Fisher said that he expects his club's best run-stuffer to be back for the Rose Bowl.

25. Cincinnati Bengals - La'el Collins, OL, LSU: Few teams reload along the line of scrimmage as consistently as the frugal Bengals and with starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth entering his ninth season and the clubs' backups (Marshall Newhouse) entering the final year of their contracts, Cincinnati is likely to be on the lookout for potential replacements. Like Whitworth (who also starred at LSU), Collins doesn't necessarily look the part of an NFL left tackle, sporting a square-ish frame. He's surprisingly effective on the edge, however, and is a mauler in the running game.

26. Indianapolis Colts - Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State: The development of Bjoern Werner has lessened Indianapolis' need for outside linebackers but inside remains an issue with former Cleveland Brown D'Qwell Jackson struggling to make an impact. McKinney offers a rare package of length, athleticism and versatility that is likely to earn him a top 25 selection.

27. Philadelphia Eagles - PJ Williams, CB, Florida State: Chip Kelly is famous for his offense but at Oregon, he also boasted playmaking corners. Williams, agile and aggressive, would fit in nicely.

28. Seattle Seahawks - Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan: Improved play at tight end by Tony Moeaki and Cooper Helfet have sparked Seattle's impressive two-game winning streak against Arizona and San Francisco. Neither, however, possesses a unique skill-set like the 6-5, 235 pound Funchess, who could remind GM John Schneider of Jermichael Finley, a formidable seam threat he saw while both worked in Green Bay.

29. Green Bay Packers - T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: Since 2010 first round pick Bryan Bulaga has returned from an early season knee injury, the Packers have seen better play at right tackle. He's in the final year of his rookie contract and 2014 is his third consecutive year of missing time due to injury. Clemmings is a former defensive end who has steadily improved at right tackle the past two years. With impressive length and athleticism, he boasts exciting upside.

30. New England Patriots - Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: When Rob Gronkowski is healthy, the Patriots are a juggernaut. However, other than Gronkowski, the club lacks dynamic pass-catchers. The aptly-named Strong is a 6-4, 205 pound junior with the physicality and body control to win contested passes and further Tom Brady's Hall of Fame career.

31. Arizona Cardinals - Danielle Hunter, OLB, LSU: Everyone expected that an athletic and physical secondary would be the calling card of the NFC West's top team. Few, however, were predicting in the preseason that it would be the secondary based in Arizona. An improved pass rush would make Patrick Peterson, Tyrann Mathieu and Co. that much more effective. Hunter doesn't have great production but the 6-foot-6, 240 pounder has terrific agility and quickness. He's stronger than he looks and uses his length well to deflect passes.

32. Denver Broncos - Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State: For as dominant as the Broncos have appeared for much of this season, there remain areas of concern. Right tackle, for example, has been an ongoing issue for the Broncos this season. Sambrailo is a technically-sound brawler who'd fit in nicely with the aggressive mentality John Elway and Co. are attempting to bring to Denver.
 

Clay_Allison

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There is NO way Winston goes high in the first after the season he's had.
 

Jiggyfly

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I bet Winston still goes top 5 its not like he has had a terrible season and he lost a lot from last years offense, what he does in crunchtime is still amazing.

I just don't see how you take a spread QB number 1. I have issues with QB's that are throwing to wide open people all day that does not happen in the NFL, not saying Mariota will be a bust I just have questions if he translates to the NFL.

And this list loses all credibility if he thinks Cooper is making it to 11, he is a better Julio Jones.
 

boozeman

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I like Dupree. Wonder if he makes it down that far though.
 

Simpleton

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I also very much like Dupree, I'd be happy with him in the 1st. I think there are going to be a good amount of DL prospects available for us in the 18-25 area, both at DE and DT.
 

boozeman

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I also very much like Dupree, I'd be happy with him in the 1st. I think there are going to be a good amount of DL prospects available for us in the 18-25 area, both at DE and DT.
Shelton would be a very nice addition as well.
 

Simpleton

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Shelton would be a very nice addition as well.
Yea, there are several guys who I think could end up being nice picks. Those two, Goldman, Calhoun, Fowler, Malcom Brown, Mario Edwards and Eli Harold. Not all of them will end up in the 1st but there are a bunch of guys who will be in that 1st to 2nd range and several will end up solidifying themselves in the 1st.
 

boozeman

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Yea, there are several guys who I think could end up being nice picks. Those two, Goldman, Calhoun, Fowler, Malcom Brown, Mario Edwards and Eli Harold. Not all of them will end up in the 1st but there are a bunch of guys who will be in that 1st to 2nd range and several will end up solidifying themselves in the 1st.
Don't care for Mario's kid all that much, at least not in the first.
 
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