NFL 2015 - Road to Radio City (No, Road to Chicago)

Remove this Banner Ad

Status
Not open for further replies.
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/mock-draft/expert/dane-brugler


Round 1

1. Tennessee Titans

(2-13) Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: The Titans are a team with problems all over the roster, but that's especially true at quarterback. Tennessee fans will likely be weary of another top 10 pick on a passer given the results of Vince Young (2006) and Jake Locker (2011), but Winston is worth the gamble and would give Tennessee a cornerstone to build around on offense.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(2-13) Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: A Lovie Smith-coached team has never drafted a quarterback in the first round, but the Bucs will have a chance to draft either Mariota or Winston and it will be tough to pass on either given Tampa's current situation at the position. There are some unknowns with his transition to a pro-style offense, but Mariota has the traits, both physically and mentally, that NFL scouts and coaches seek at quarterback.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars
(3-12) Leonard Williams, DT, Southern California: Jacksonville has drafted offense in the top five (OT Luke Joeckel, QB Blake Bortles) in the first two years of the David Caldwell era, so the Jaguars' focus turns to defense this year. Williams has terrific movement skills and natural power to be a disruptive interior force in Gus Bradley's scheme.

4. NY Jets
(3-12) Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: Change is coming to the Jets - how much change? We'll soon find out. But regardless of the head coach or general manager, New York needs to add athleticism in its front seven. Gregory has shown terrific development since arriving at Nebraska as a JUCO transfer and his NFL ceiling projects him highly in this class.

5. Oakland Raiders
(3-12) Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: Last year's second-round pick Derek Carr has done more than enough as a rookie to earn another year as the starter, but he needs help, especially at receiver. Cooper doesn't have the size or speed of pass-catchers usually found in the top five, but he knows how to do the two most important things at the position: get open and finish catches.

6. Washington Redskins
(4-11) Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: The quarterback situation is a mess in Washington, but the Redskins need to build a solid foundation around whoever is taking snaps from under center. Peat has had his inconsistencies as a college player, but he's still highly thought of due to his natural traits and upside.

7. Chicago Bears
(5-10) Landon Collins, SS, Alabama: If you want to get a Bears' fan heated, just ask about the talent of Chicago's safeties. Collins wears several hats for the Crimson Tide defense, lining up at strong safety, free safety and outside linebacker, showing off his versatility in pass coverage and attacking downhill in run support.

8. Atlanta Falcons
(6-9) Shane Ray, DE, Missouri: Time will tell if the Falcons make changes on the coaching staff but regardless of scheme and philosophies, Atlanta needs help at pass rusher. Ray has a terrific first step that will give NFL offensive tackles trouble from day one.

9. Minnesota Vikings
(6-9) DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: The Vikings' receiving group hasn't been a weakness in 2014, but it hasn't been a strength, either, and Greg Jennings won't be worth his contract very soon. And reuniting Parker with Teddy Bridgewater instantly improves Minnesota's offense.

10. NY Giants
(6-9) Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: The bread and butter of the Giants' Super Bowl winning teams was a consistent pass rush, something the current team lacks. Oakman is far from a finished product, but the measureables and upside are why a team might take a chance on him in the top 15.

11. New Orleans Saints
(6-9) Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: The Saints locked up Junior Galette to a long-term deal, but need another athletic pass rusher who can give opposing offenses trouble. Beasley is a dynamic pass rusher who can bend the edge with speed and continues to improve against the run.

12. St. Louis Rams
(6-9) Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: The Rams addressed the offensive line early in the first round last year, drafting Greg Robinson second overall, but with Joseph Barksdale set for pay day this off-season as a free agent, the Rams might have a need at right tackle. Scherff has the skill-set of a guard, but several teams will look to keep him at tackle.

13. Carolina Panthers
(6-8-1) Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M: The Panthers need offensive line help in the worst way and unless they address the position in free agency, tackle is the favorite to be the pick here. Ogbuehi lacks ideal polish for a top-10 pick, but his lower body ability and size will help teams stomach his raw upper body technique.

14. Cleveland Browns
(7-8) Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida: The Browns have invested early-round picks in pass rushers in recent years, but haven't been able to consistently put pressure on the opposing backfield. With Jabaal Sheard set to hit free agency and Barkevious Mingo struggling to establish himself as a reliable rush threat, the need is there for Cleveland to address the position again and Fowler is a great fit with his relentless energy off the edge.

15. San Francisco 49ers
(7-8) Kevin White, CB, TCU: Regardless of whether or not Michael Crabtree is back in San Francisco in 2015, the 49ers need to add more weapons to help the quarterback. White is a terrific route runner and doesn't allow defenders to get the best of him.

16. Houston Texans
(8-7) Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: In two years at Penn State, Bill O'Brien never faced Michigan State, but you can bet he will be well familiar with the Spartans' talented cornerback by next spring. While he does get in trouble freelancing at times, Waynes has the height, length and athleticism that NFL teams value at the position to best match up with the tall trees at wide receiver at the pro level.

17. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo)
(7-8) Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: The Cleveland run defense has been a glaring weakness all season, and a big reason for that is the lack of depth in the trenches. Brown is a versatile player who wins with quickness and power and can line up anywhere on Cleveland's three-man front.

18. Kansas City Chiefs
(8-7) Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: The Chiefs are set on the edges at linebacker, but have some questions in the middle where Derrick Johnson is rehabbing from major injury at 32 years old. Thompson moved between linebacker and running back this season, but shows first-round tools with his athleticism and physical nature.

19. Miami Dolphins
(8-7) T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: The Dolphins went offensive tackle in the first round last year and could address the position again next spring, especially with Branden Albert's injury history. Clemmings has the skill-set to line up at tackle or guard and still has a long way to go before hitting his football ceiling.

20. Baltimore Ravens
(9-6) Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky: Cornerback is by far the bigger need, but there might not be a fit here for Baltimore to go in that direction. Pass rusher isn't a glaring need, but Dupree might be too good for the front office to pass up in this situation.

21. Philadelphia Eagles
(9-6) Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: Would Chip Kelly really draft a player who was dismissed from school due to coachability issues? I think he would, if he believes the player won't be a problem moving forward. Who knows if Peters will be able to keep his head on straight, but his talent is top-10 worthy, potentially giving the Eagles a steal with him this late.

22. San Diego Chargers
(9-6) La'el Collins, OT, LSU: The Chargers rank near the bottom of the NFL in rushing and while injuries are mostly to blame, the offensive line hasn't done enough to create running room for the running backs. Collins projects as either a tackle or guard in the NFL and has the drive blocking strength to dominate in the run game.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers
(10-5) Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: Without a stout player at the nose tackle position, Dick Lebeau's defense just isn't the same, making Shelton an intriguing option here. He has impressive quickness for his size, but also the upper body strength to bully blockers and handle double-teams.

24. Indianapolis Colts
(10-5) Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: Never thought I'd put a wide receiver here, but if Reggie Wayne retires, wideout is a legitimate option here, depending on what the Colts do in free agency. Hakeem Nicks is doubtful to return and while Donte Moncrief and T.Y. Hilton offer a solid 1-2 punch, Strong would give Luck even more options, especially in the red zone.

25. Cincinnati Bengals
(9-4-1) Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State: Some will argue that Domata Peko hasn't played up to his recent contract extension, but regardless, the Bengals could use interior depth. Goldman has the combination of power and quickness that makes him tough to block and will be attractive to NFL teams.

26. Detroit Lions
(11-4) Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State: With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley expected to hit free agency, the Lions will be in the market for interior defensive line depth next offseason. Bennett had a slow start to the season, but was the MVP of the Buckeyes' defense down the stretch, using his quickness live in the backfield.

27. Dallas Cowboys
(11-4) Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State: The Cowboys need depth on the defensive line, both inside and outside, and Calhoun has steadily improved against both the pass and the run the last two seasons. He is still learning, but the consistent progression is encouraging.

28. Green Bay Packers
(11-4) Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State: The linebacker crew in Green Bay has been an inconsistent group for much of this season, making the position a possibility in the first round next year. McKinney has some issues in pass coverage, but he moves well for his size and has the thumping strength to make an impact between the tackles.

29. Arizona Cardinals
(11-4) Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: If I were a betting man, my guess is no running back is drafted in the first round, but this is a spot that could make some sense. Arizona has struggled to find a consistent option, something Gordon could potentially give the Cardinals' offense.

30. Denver Broncos
(11-3) Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Fla.): The Broncos have struggled to find a consistent answer at right tackle and could be searching for the long-term option there this offseason. Flowers could use another year at Miami to iron out his technical issues, but with his size and ability, teams will consider him in the late first round.

31. Seattle Seahawks
(11-4) Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: The Seahawks addressed the wide receiver position twice with their top four draft picks last year, but could look to add another wideout in the first round next year if an impact prospect is available. Green-Beckham might return to Norman after sitting out this season, but if he declares, teams will be intrigued with his natural ability.

32. New England Patriots
(12-3) Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan: The Patriots' window with Tom Brady is shrinking by the snap and the organization shouldn't hesitate to add more weapons around him. Funchess needs to be more consistent at the catch point, but his size/length/athleticism combination will draw comparisons to Alshon Jeffery.
 

Log in to remove this ad.

Another correct call by Merril Hoge, tho many of us also did think Clowney was the next Jamarcus Russell anyway....

This the same Hoge that said the Colts should have drafted RGIII instead of Luck and after the Packers drafted QB Brian Brohm, Hoge said "I do like Brohm more than Aaron Rodgers".....that can only lead to......

tumblr_lx9jb1SPMr1qdrpdr.gif
 
This the same Hoge that said the Colts should have drafted RGIII instead of Luck and after the Packers drafted QB Brian Brohm, Hoge said "I do like Brohm more than Aaron Rodgers".....that can only lead to......

tumblr_lx9jb1SPMr1qdrpdr.gif

Hoge is sharpening his scouting abilities more and more. He started off poorly, but has gotten much better.
 
Hoge is sharpening his scouting abilities more and more. He started off poorly, but has gotten much better.
It's not hard to get better from rock bottom...
 
lol again at Browns


ESPN's Adam Schefter is reporting that Hoyer is expected to leave Cleveland in free agency. The veteran quarterback wants the chance to compete as a starter and the Browns will simply not offer him that chance. So now all eyes turn towards Manziel and his potential to be a franchise star.
"He's a player on our roster," head coach Mike Pettine said, via ESPN.com. "He'll get a chance to compete."

The thing for Cleveland is the two first-round draft picks they own. The team will have two mid-first round draft picks to work with. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Browns are interested in selling both picks for the No. 1 overall pick in order to grab Marcus Mariota out of Oregon.
 

(Log in to remove this ad.)

Jim Wyatt of the Nashville Tennessean believes the Titans would pass on both Florida State QB Jameis Winston and Oregon QB Marcus Mariota with the No. 2 overall pick in May's draft.

It sounds like the Titans are seriously considering going all-in on Zach Mettenberger as their 2015 starter. Wyatt -- one of the most trusted beat reporters in the business -- is essentially echoing a report from ESPN's Chris Mortensen, who stated Sunday the Titans were "content" with Mettenberger under center. Wyatt "can't see" the Titans using the No. 2 pick on a quarterback.
 
Leonard Williams is the best player in the draft

If he goes to the raiders I would vomit

I do think that Titans are a fair chance to give Mettenberger a shot and draft Williams. I think this would be a sound move.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Remove this Banner Ad

Back
Top