Neon Tommy 2015 NFL Mock Draft
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Barring a trade, Marcus Mariota looks like a lock for the No. 2 pick. (Twitter/SINow)
Jeremy Bergman: This pick was easier than plucking crab legs from a Publix. A Florida native and a North Florida favorite staying in his state to save a rebuilding franchise: that’s the American Floridian Dream Experience. Cue the music!
2) Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
Paolo Uggetti: Barring a trade, this pick makes all the sense in the world for the Titans. It doesn’t matter how much they believe in or love Zach Mettenberger, he’s not going to improve the team substantially, and why not draft the foundational piece now and worry about building around him later?
Mariota might not be a transcendent superstar, but there is no sure thing in this draft anyways, at least not on the surface. Worst-case scenario, the Hawaii native out of Oregon will become a game-manager that does enough to get a team on the winning track.
3) Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
Marshall Cherrington: Dante Fowler Jr. is pretty confident that the Jaguars will draft him with the third pick in the draft, but if Leonard Williams is still on the board, the former Trojan will be heading to Jacksonville. There's really no doubt about that. The Big Cat will get to live up to his name.
READ MORE: Projecting Leonard Williams In The NFL
4) Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Jackson Safon: Cooper is the perfect pick for the Oakland Raiders because he is NFL-ready and fills their biggest need. Young quarterback Derek Carr showed some promise in his rookie season, but without an alpha-dog receiver, there simply weren’t enough open guys. Cooper’s route running ability is the best in this class, and he will be a great guy to pair with Carr for years to come.
5) Washington Redskins: Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida
Jacob Freedman: The Redskins are probably going to take offers on this pick, but Fowler Jr. is the type of versatile pass-rusher that instantly adds a new dimension to any defense. He can be a down lineman or move around in coverage in the Redskins' 3-4 scheme. The Redskins need help wherever they can get it with their roster makeup, and Fowler Jr. is the type of player that can improve the unit around him instantly.
6) New York Jets: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
Bergman: Mariota's off the board and Todd Gurley's not nearly healthy enough to be drafted this high. Enter Beasley, who was a pass-rushing force at Clemson and could offer the Jets a sack-hungry speedster that they haven't seen since the days of John Abraham. Lucky for general manager Mike Maccagnan: Even if
Amari Cooper and Kevin White are two of three Top 10 wideouts. (Twitter/SportsFaceoffs)
7) Chicago Bears: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Carly Fasciglione: With Brandon Marshall now donning green, the Bears have a gaping hole in their wide receiver core that needs filling. The Bears' quarterback situation is a real issue too, but after Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota are off the board, there’s no other candidate worthy of the No. 7 pick. With White’s speed and superb athletic ability opposite an improving Alshon Jeffery, the Bears can set Jay Cutler up with some pretty impressive targets. It’s a safe pick, but it’s the right one.
8) Atlanta Falcons: Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
Josh Cohen: The Falcons improved their front seven this offseason, but it still makes sense for Atlanta to draft an edge rusher with tremendous upside in the first round. Dupree can set the edge and would be able to play in a 4-3 or a 3-4 scheme for defensive coordinator Richard Smith. He is relentless in pursuit and is capable of delivering some punishing hits. Dupree looks like the type of physical specimen Dan Quinn and company could mold into an absolute beast.
9) New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
Hailey Tucker: Scherff is a tenacious tank. He has been called the most NFL-ready offensive lineman in the draft, and the Giants are in desperate need of some power up front. Scherff will be able to provide improved pass protection as well as fend off defensive linemen in an attempt to help Rashad Jennings and the Giants run game.
10) St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Safon: The Rams simply don’t have an above-average NFL receiver on their roster. Their best guys are Kenny Britt, Stedman Bailey and Tavon Austin. Adding Parker, a receiver with some of the best measurables in years, would give a big boost to the receiving corps to pair with the recently acquired Nick Foles.
11) Minnesota Vikings: Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon
Andrew McKagan: In the 6-foot-7 Armstead, the Vikings could get essentially Calais Campbell, a guy who can play any position in their 4-3 defense. Armstead doesn’t have the quickest jump off the ball, but he still has good athleticism, uses his length to shed blocks well, and already plays with good pad level.
As shown with Anthony Barr last year, Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer knows
Danny Shelton makes it four Pac-12 picks in the Top 12. (Twitter/WindyCGridiron)
12) Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Cherrington: With the three elite wide receivers off the board at this point, Cleveland goes with the safe pick of Shelton. The former Husky eats up space in the middle and will be a force against the run. Don't count him out when it comes to rushing the passer either, as he recorded nine sacks at Washington last year.
13) New Orleans Saints: La'El Collins, OT, LSU
McKagan: The Saints have something named Senio Kelemete penciled in as their starting left guard right now, and need to rebuild their offensive line anyway, with the once-elite (but now lumbering) Jahri Evans turning 32 before next season.
In Collins, New Orleans gets a nasty player who has experience playing both guard and tackle. With the promising Terron Armstead starting at left tackle, there isn’t immediate pressure for Collins to protect Brees’ blind side. He can therefore ease his way into the league while being groomed to take over at one of the tackle spots in the future.
READ MORE: Is Nelson Agholor First-Round Worthy?
14) Miami Dolphins: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Fasciglione: The Dolphins spent a ton of money this offseason, but they still have some serious needs that need to be addressed. Miami is severely lacking in their secondary, and Peters is simply the best cornerback in the draft (yes, better than Trae Waynes). His off-field issues could seem troubling, but with a cornerback with this much natural ball coverage skill, size, and confidence on the field, he is too talented to pass on.
15) San Francisco 49ers: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Jodee Sullivan: Waynes’ aggressiveness, tenacity at the line, nimble footwork, and speed (4.31 40-yard dash) will do a lot to improve San Francisco’s defense. At 6’ and 186 lbs, he can move really well and should be able to keep up with some of the bigger, stronger wide receivers of the NFL. With 46 tackles, eight pass breakups, and three interceptions, Waynes earned first-team all-Big Ten honors. His ability to maintain leverage on receivers and force quarterbacks to throw into tight windows will help him adjust quickly to playing in the NFL and fit into San Francisco’s defense.
16) Houston Texans: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Safon: The Texans already have J.J. Watt, and drafted Jadeveon Clowney last year, but every team in the NFL could use a boost for their pass rush. Gregory’s lack of quickness off the line is an issue, but he has shown the ability to unhinge from blockers to both get to the quarterback as well as knock down passes.
A running back makes his way into the first round, and his name is Todd Gurley. (Twitter/SicEmDawgscom)
Tucker: The Chargers need a running back since they do not have one. Gurley was a highlight reel on a weekly basis at Georgia, until a torn ACL ended his season. He's a running back that combines power and speed. Question marks have surrounded Gurley’s durability, but in true Chargers form, they will draft an RB with health issues.
18) Kansas City Chiefs: Cam Erving, C, Florida State
Freedman: Do the Chiefs need a wide receiver? Yes. Do they really, really need a center to replace the departed Rodney Hudson? Very much so. Erving will be able to slide in Day 1 and be an anchor on a growing unit. Andy Reid isn't known for making sexy draft picks, but this would be another srong move.
19) Cleveland Browns (From Buffalo): Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
Cherrington: Many scouts worry about Perriman's hands, but you can't ignore his measurables. He ran a 4.25 forty at UCF's pro day, and although he won't play that fast on the field, it's still an eye-popping number. With Josh Gordon done for the year, the Browns have to add a target for whoever their mediocre quarterback will be in 2015.
20) Philadelphia Eagles: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
Bergman: My peers think this is a reach, but they clearly don't understand the mindset of Chip Kelly, the Fool of Philly. Kelly likes his own guys and he doesn't care that you don't. The Eagles could use a wide receiver like Jaelen Strong or Nelson Agholor, but Fisher would help sure up Kelly's O-line with his size and speed as Philly transitions into the DeMarco Murray era.
21) Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
Cohen: Cincinnati could draft a defensive back here, but Malcom Brown would give the Bengals a solid interior lineman to complement Geno Atkins. Brown is a 320-pound load who diagnoses plays early and figures to draw double teams even at the next level. Brown is a handful in the trenches and would be able to play alongside Atkins for several years.
22) Pittsburgh Steelers: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
Cohen: The Steelers need to revamp their defense following the retirements of Troy Polamalu and Jason Worilds. Collins could see game action right away at strong safety, much like Florida product Matt Elam did for the Ravens as a rookie in 2013. He's physical against the run and could become an integral member of this unit assuming his coverage skills continue to improve.
23) Detroit Lions: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Tucker: Lacking a left guard, the Lions need to draft offensive linemen. Peat has been ranked as high as No. 10, and if he is still around at No. 23, the Lions will take the prospect who has been called the most natural left tackle in the draft.
24) Arizona Cardinals: Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
McKagan: Can Arizona really count on Daryl Washington, who was suspended all of the 2014 season, or Sean Weatherspoon, who has only played seven games combined over the last two seasons?
Athletic linebackers who excel in coverage are becoming more and more valuable in today’s NFL, and can make an entire defense succeed—just ask the Seattle Seahawks or the Carolina Panthers. Arizona is still thin at edge rusher and cornerback, but having guys like Kendricks, Washington, (hopefully) Weatherspoon, and Deone Bucannon who can all cover the middle of the field allows Arizona to blitz freely and can make the corners’ jobs easier too. Kendricks is a phenomenal football player who will make a lot of plays for whichever team chooses him.
After Robert Woods and Marqise Lee went in the second, Nelson Agholor finds his way into the first round. (Benjamin Dunn/Neon Tommy)
Uggetti: A glaring need to provide Cam Newton with weapons looms large, and Agholor would be the perfect compliment to Kelvin Benjamin.
While Benjamin has shown flashes of being the athletic deep threat who can go up and get it, Agholor can become the speedster in the flat who can provide both a safety valve for Newton in short yardage as well as the ability to beat corners deep with speed and stellar route-running. The Panthers can draft offensive line help in later rounds; getting Agholor in the first round would be a perfect fit.
READ MORE: 2015 NFL Draft Profile: Nelson Agholor
26) Baltimore Ravens: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
Cherrington: Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb are both formidable starters in the NFL, but after these two, there's little depth at the cornerback position on the Ravens' roster. Wide receiver is a position the Ravens could look at, but Byron Jones gives the Ravens exactly what they need in terms of depth at the cornerback position. He's 6-foot-1 and recorded an insane vertical and broad jump at the combine, so there's a lot to like when it comes to the former Connecticut corner.
27) Dallas Cowboys: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Freedman: Cowboys fans will be screaming for Melvin Gordon here, but the Cowboys' defensive line is green like Kermit. At 6-foot-4 and 320 pounds, Goldman will be the anchor for the Cowboys on defense and help ease the unit ease the absence of Greg Hardy, who is currently suspended for 2015's first 10 games.
28) Denver Broncos: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
Fasciglione: The Broncos need to find players to protect Peyton Manning, plain and simple. Clemmings has great size, quickness and athleticism and would be a perfect fit for Gary Kubiak’s zone blocking scheme. His prototypical left tackle frame and raw talent have many scouts picking him as one of the draft's highest upside prospects, despite only playing on the offensive side of the line for a little over two years. It may take a year or two to further develop his technique, but Clemmings has the potential worthy of a first-round pick.
29) Indianapolis Colts: Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma
Sullivan: With strength and power up front, Phillips could fill a hole in the Colts defense. At 6-foot-5 and 329 pounds, Phillips uses his size and athleticism to breakup plays and put pressure on the quarterback. Even when not involved directly, his presence can influence both his teammates and the opposing offense. His one flaw is that he is a bit inconsistent, but that is something that can be fixed if drafted and developed by the right team—the Colts.
30) Green Bay Packers: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Sullivan: At 6’1” and 203lbs, Collins fits the need that the Packers have at cornerback. He may have only had ten starts in three seasons at LSU, in his senior season he recorded 38 tackles and a team-best nine pass breakups. At the end of the day, the team needs a cornerback and Collins can step into the role and fill the spot on Green Bay’s defense.
31) New Orleans Saints (From Seattle): Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
McKagan: If there was any situation in which the troubled Green-Beckham would succeed, wouldn’t it be with the Saints, where he would have Drew Brees, Sean Payton and Marques Colston at mentors? The Saints are surprisingly thin at offensive skill positions, and would find a ton of different mouth-watering ways to use DGB. Brees would have a field day with DGB’s enormous catch radius.
32) New England Patriots: Shane Ray, DE/LB, Missouri
Uggetti: With the recent marijuana possession charges that have surfaced, it is not completely out of the question that Ray slips this far. If he does plummet, it is hard to see the Patriots passing on him as well. In typical Belichick-ian fashion, the Patriots would take upon the off-field risks knowing they are getting an athletic defensive lineman who can create pass rush you can never have too much of. Ray may not be NFL-ready off the field, but he is certainly NFL-ready on the gridiron.
