Jeff Little’s 2015 First-Round NFL Mock Draft

The 2015 NFL Draft is fast approaching and below is my mock draft. Things can change as teams can move up or back in the draft or other issues with players can and usually do arise days before the draft. However, this is what I think will transpire on April 30th in Chicago.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State – In a decision between the best player in the draft versus the best quarterback, the Buccaneers, after doing their due diligence are comfortable with Winston and choose the former Seminole as their franchise quarterback. Top Needs: QB, OT, DE, FS, MLB

Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon – The Titans can go in several different directions, but this is a quarterback-driven league and the Titans are in need of a franchise quarterback if the team feels that 2014 sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger is not theirs. This is a pivotal position that will greatly impact this draft whether the Titans select Mariota, the former Oregon quarterback or not. Top needs: QB, DE, DT, OLB, RT, CB

Jacksonville Jaguars – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama – The Jaguars need for a running game to help with the development of quarterback Blake Bortles is critical. Wide Receiver Justin Blackman, Jacksonville’s 2012 first-round selection’s future is in question and it appears that the Jaguars have moved on, which brings one of the top rated wide receivers to the forefront as well as the 31st-ranked passing offense in the NFL. In a choice between the top rated player, an edge rusher and a wide receiver, the Jaguars select arguably the 2015 Drafts’ top wide out. Top Needs: WR, DE, RB, OLB, CB, SS

Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DE/DT, USC – The Raiders have the opportunity to land either one of 2015 drafts’ top wide receivers or the top overall player in the draft, Williams. The scheme-versatile defensive lineman will provide the Raiders with another cornerstone player to line up opposite outside linebacker Khalil Mack. Furthermore, Oakland amassed only 22 sacks all of last season, the second lowest output in the league. In a deep wide receiver class the Raiders choose to select one later in the draft. Top Needs: WR, DE, RG, FS, CB

Washington Redskins – Brandon Scherff, LG/LT, Iowa – The Redskins could land one of the drafts’ many top pass rushing talents but their offensive line allowed 58 sacks in 2014. They will address their most glaring need by taking guard Scherff and beat the NFC East division rival New York Giants to the punch. Top Needs: SLG, RG, RT, FS, OLB, ILB

New York Jets – Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida – The Jets need a quarterback, but the two top-rated passers will be off the board by the sixth pick. Instead, they will benefit from the top rated edge rusher falling to their spot and move current Jets linebacker Quinton Coples to defensive end. Head Coach Todd Bowles adds another weapon that makes the Gang Green blitz more lethal. Top needs:       QB, OLB, RB, OT, ILB

Chicago Bears – Danny Shelton, NT, Washington – The Bears need to rebuild a defense that ranked 30th in 2014. A switch to a 3-4 front shifts the focus to landing a stud nose tackle to anchor new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense. Wide out Kevin White, as well as left tackle Andrus Peat will receive consideration, but Shelton at nose tackle, could have the most immediate impact. Top Needs: LG, RT, NT, MLB, WR

Atlanta Falcons – Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska – Atlanta’s pass rushing unit has recorded the fewest sacks in the NFL over the last two seasons and they need pass rushing help. Selecting right outside linebacker/ right defensive end Gregory the Falcons land arguably the most natural pass rusher in the 2015 draft. Top Needs: DE, TE, ILB, RB, DT

New York Giants- Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri – The Giants offensive line did a better job in the pass blocking department in 2014 than previously but struggled blocking for the run. New York could add the former Stanford Cardinal right tackle Andrus Peat to the mix and move current starter Justin Pugh to right guard and improve the entire offensive line. Cornerbacks Trae Waynes and Marcus Peters, Ray; and safeties Damarious Randall and Landon Collins are in consideration. The Giants will take the highest rated player on the board and improve their pass rush with defensive end/ outside linebacker Shane Ray. Top Needs: FS, SS, DT, MLB, LG

St. Louis Rams – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia – The Rams are set at offensive tackle with Joe Barksdale in addition to 2014 first round pick Greg Robinson, although St. Louis needs to improve at right guard. In a choice between wide receiver White, offensive lineman Cameron Erving, the Rams choose one of the draft’s top rated wide receivers. Top Needs: RG, LG , C, WR, CB

Minnesota Vikings – Devante Parker, WR, Louisville – Due to the loss of wide out Greg Jennings and Cordarrelle Patterson’s regression, the Vikings are in need of a wide receiver. Furthermore, offensive lineman Matt Kalil had a very steep decline allowing 12 sacks in 2014. In a choice between linebacker Vic Beasley, Parker and offensive tackle Jake Fisher, the Vikings land Parker, one of the top rated wide receivers in the draft. Top Needs: LT, MLB, LG, DE, RB, DT

Cleveland Browns – Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida – In a quarterback-driven league, the Browns are still in need of a franchise signal caller, despite having Johnny Manziel and Josh McCown on the roster. There is a strong chance Cleveland could trade for Eagles’ veteran quarterback Sam Bradford due to prior interest shown in the former Oklahoma Sooner. The Browns surprise many by going after a wide receiver capable of taking the top off the defense. Top needs: QB, WR, DT, DE, TE

New Orleans Saints – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson – The Saints’ Defensive Coordinator Rob Ryan used a 4-3 front in 2014 which resulted in a defense that ranked last in the NFL in total defense. New Orleans will shift back to a 3-4 front in 2015 and will benefit from one of the top edge rushers falling into their laps. Top Needs: OLB, TE, CB, MLB, WR

Miami Dolphins – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State – The Dolphins added wide outs in free agency, although those additions are more possession receivers than true number one wide receivers. Adding one of those should be their next step. However, Miami’s most glaring need is a cornerback. In a choice between cornerback Trae Waynes, offensive lineman La’el Collins and safety Landon Collins; the Dolphins select the top rated cornerback in the draft. Top Needs: LG, RG, WR, CB, SS, SLB

San Francisco 49ers – Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon – It’s hard to believe that heading into the 2014 season with Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman and Chris Borland on the roster that inside linebacker would be the 49ers’ biggest need in 2015. The good news is that their pass defense rated in the Top Five in 2014. But San Francisco lost both starting corners and, due to age and loss of personnel, need to rebuild their defense. In a choice between Armstead, guard La’el Collins, center Cameron Erving and nose tackle Malcolm Brown, the Niners start to rebuild the defense with Armstead. Top Needs: ILB, CB, DE, NT, RG

Houston Texans – Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State – The Texans have a need at outside linebacker after losing both of theirs; first round pick OLB Jadaveon Clowney to injury and Brooks Reed to free agency. For the first time in a while the Texans are in need of a number one wide receiver after the departure of Andre Johnson and are able to land the former Arizona State wide receiver. Top Needs: WR, CB, ILB, OLB, TE

San Diego Chargers – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia – Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers appears to want out of San Diego and the trade rumors apparently have legs, meaning that the Chargers are in need of a quarterback. Simultaneously, their running back committee (Ryan Matthews, Donald Brown, Branden Oliver et al.) managed to rush for just 3.4 yards per carry in 2014, ranking 31st in the NFL. The Chargers happily land Gurley, arguably the best running back in the 2015 draft. Top Needs: QB, RB, NT, LG, OLB

Kansas City Chiefs – Landon Collins, SS, Alabama – The Chiefs were hit hard by the injury bug in 2014 and their run defense suffered putting them 28th in the NFL. They have no idea if or when strong safety Eric Berry will return. In a choice between strong safety Landon Collins, center Cameron Erving and right tackle D.J. Humphries, the Chiefs land one of the draft’s top rated safeties in Collins. Top Needs: WR, C, OT, ILB, DE,

Cleveland Browns – Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas – After landing a wide receiver earlier in the draft, the Browns turn their focus to defense. Cleveland’s run defense ranked dead last in 2014 and so Cleveland lands Brown, a stout defensive tackle to shut down the running game. Top Needs: QB, WR, DT, DE, TE

Philadelphia Eagles – Marcus Peters, CB, Washington – The Eagles ranked 31st (264.9 yards per game) in the NFL in pass defense on 2014. Moreover, they allowed more passes of 30 or more yards than any other team. Their season ended by going 1-3 in their last four games. In Peters, the Eagles land on the draft’s top rated cornerbacks. Top Needs: WR, RG, FS, CB, OLB

Cincinnati Bengals – Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky – The Bengals struggled to put pressure on quarterbacks in 2014 going from 10th in the NFL with 43 sacks in 2013 to last with 20 in 2014. They address the issue with Dupree. Top Needs: DE, DT, WR, OLB, TE

Pittsburgh Steelers – Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia – The Steelers’ offense was one of the best in the NFL in 2014, ranking second overall but their pass defense showed the need for an infusion of youth. Pittsburgh’s defense was solid against the run, but ranked 27th (253.1 yards per game) in the NFL against the pass. Starting outside linebacker Jason Worilds unexpectedly retired, leaving Pittsburgh with 37-year-old James Harrison and former first round pick Jarvis Jones at the outside linebacker positions. The Steelers land former Virginia outside linebacker Eli Harold to strengthen the position. Top Needs: CB, OLB, SS, DE

Detroit Lions – Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State – The Lions need help at the defensive tackle positions after losing both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in free agency. Detroit signed defensive end Haloti Ngata in free agency which will help but the only other defensive tackle on the roster is 2014 fifth-round pick Caraun Reid. The Lions add Goldman to help stop the run. Top Needs: DT, RB, LG, RT, CB

Arizona Cardinals – Nate Orchard, DE/OLB, Utah – The Cardinals are faced with a tough decision: replace nose tackle Dan Williams or improve the pass rush. Arizona selects defensive end/outside linebacker Orchard. This is a player who finished second in the Football Bowl Subdivision in sacks (18.5), led Utah in tackles for loss (21) and was second in total tackles (84). This earned him First-Team All-America as well as All-Pac-12 honors. Top Needs: OLB, CB, NT, C, QB

Carolina Panthers – Andrus Peat, LT, Stanford – The Panthers have not recovered from the retirement of left tackle Jordan Gross and will be thrilled that the former Stanford Cardinal left tackle is still on the board, filling a huge need. Top Needs: LT, DE, CB, WR, SS

Baltimore Ravens – Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma – Due to age, injuries and free agency; the Ravens need depth at several positions although they have no glaring needs. They swing for the fences and take a chance on wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham with the loss of wide receiver Torrey Smith to free agency. Top Needs: CB, WR, DE, OLB, NT

Dallas Cowboys – Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin – The Cowboys’ defense went from one of the worst in the NFL in 2013 to a respectable one in 2014. Dallas takes a chance on running back Gordon to fill the void left by the departure of running back Demarco Murray. Top Needs: RB, FS, DT, CB, DE, RB

Denver Broncos – La’el Collins, RG/RT, LSU – The Broncos’ offensive line played well in 2014 although there was a revolving door at right tackle. Denver selects guard Collins, arguably the best guard in the draft with extensive experience at tackle as well. Top Needs: RT, TE, OLB, LG, FB

Indianapolis Colts – Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana – The Colts could go in several different directions without any glaring needs. Indianapolis could select a right tackle or swing for the fences. In a surprise move, they address the subpar running game and select Coleman, who ran for 2,000+ yards and 15 touchdowns in 2014. Top Needs: RT, SS, DE, CB, RB

Green Bay Packers – Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA – The Packers address their glaring need at inside linebacker with the departure of A.J. Hawk. Green Bay selects inside linebacker Kendricks. The former Bruin is the 2015 drafts’ most instinctual linebacker. Top Needs: ILB, CB, OLB, DE, NT

New Orleans Saints – Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest – The Saints need to improve a pass defense that ranked 25th in the NFL in 2014. They brought in cornerback Brandon Browner to serve as their number one cornerback, however he is 31. New Orleans continues to solidify the cornerback position with the addition of Johnson. Top Needs: OLB, TE, CB, MLB, WR

New England Patriots – Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma – The defending Super Bowl Champion Patriots can go in several directions. New England selects nose tackle Jordan Phillips to replace longtime Patriots’ nose tackle Vince Wilfork. Top Needs: CB, RG, DT, DE, TE