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2015 NFL Mock Draft: Eagles soar with Brett Hundley?
By Rob Rang | The Sports Xchange/CBSSports.com
January 4, 2015 9:31 pm ET
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/...nfl-mock-draft-eagles-soar-with-brett-hundley
The post-season dreams in Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Detroit and Arizona have been dashed and each club now is forced to turn its attention to improving for next year. Three of the four clubs are projected to go defense with the Steelers addressing a leaky secondary with Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes. The pick by the "other" team in Pennsylvania a few selections earlier, however, could be the surprise of the first round.
With the first round of the NFL playoffs concluded, the first 24 picks are set. Much will change between now and April 30. For now, here's how I see the first round of the 2015 draft shaking out.
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 - 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 surpassed 17 points in just four 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 dropped their final 10 games of the 2014 season and need a long-term solution at the QB position. It is hard to imagine GM Ruston Webster looking past Winston's off-field issues but from purely a football standpoint, however, Winston projects quite well in coach Ken Whisenhunt's offense. The greater question now is whether Winston elects to leave Florida State following the loss to Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Despite two more years of eligibility remaining, it has widely assumed that Winston would leave. In post-game interviews following the only loss of his collegiate career, however, Winston claimed that he wasn't thinking about the 2015 draft and instead may play baseball for the Seminoles this spring.
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. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: Derek Carr showed flashes as a rookie of being the young signal-caller capable of turning this franchise around. Adding another weapon for him 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.
5. Washington Redskins -- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: Jay Gruden's success as the play-caller in Cincinnati came with one of the league's biggest offensive lines. He inherited one of the smallest in Washington and there is no question that upgrading the talent there will be an offseason priority. Not everyone sees Scherff (or any offensive lineman this year) as a top 10 talent, but he plays with the grit and physicality Washington is lacking and would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle.
6. New York Jets - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: The Jets clearly need help on the offensive side of the ball, especially at quarterback, but if Mariota and Winston are off the board the new front office may have little option but to look elsewhere. Given the dominant rookie season enjoyed by Odell Beckham, Jr. for the Giants, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Jets respond aggressively on draft day.
7. Chicago Bears - Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky: 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. Like Julius Peppers before him, Jared Allen proved a shadow of his former self after signing with the Bears for big money. Dupree, who led all SEC defensive linemen with 74 tackles in 2014 and is the conference's reigning career sack leader with 24.5 QB takedowns, is long, instinctive and closes in a flash.
8. Atlanta Falcons - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: The Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete, but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Adding a dynamic edge rusher like Ray to complement the greater size Atlanta added to its defense in the offseason could pay immediate dividends. Playing behind 2014 second-round pick Kony Ealy and Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam, Ealy did not emerge as a starter for the Tigers until the 2014 season, but he may possess the most explosive first step in the country. He led the SEC with 14.5 sacks this season.
9. New York Giants - Landon Collins, S, Alabama: There is plenty of blame to go around in Gotham as the Giants struggled in 2014 despite an overhaul of the roster last offseason. GM Jerry Reese has won before gambling on the upside of talented pass rushers and given the exciting talent at the position this year he could roll the dice again, especially if free agent Jason Pierre-Paul leaves. Adding an intimidating presence for the secondary, however, should also be a priority.
10. St. Louis Rams - La'el Collins, OL, LSU: The Rams boast one of the league's fastest defenses, but one-dimensional teams won't be successful in the highly competitive NFC West. With a steep drop-off at quarterback following Mariota and Winston, the Rams might be best served again rolling the dice with Sam Bradford and Shaun Hill in 2015. Massive LT Greg Robinson showed flashes of why the Rams invested the No. 2 overall selection in him in 2014 and the Rams will have veteran Jake Long returning from injury in 2015. The interior, however, was a mess for St. Louis. Collins starred at left tackle for LSU but projects best to guard. His brute strength and tenacity make him one of the draft's elite run blockers.
11. Minnesota Vikings - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: Current LT Matt Kalil struggled in 2014 and the Vikings may elect to draft someone to push him. 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. Improving at left guard would make sense, as well, especially given the deep drops and power running game offensive coordinator Norv Turner prefers.
12. Cleveland Browns -- 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 would provide an upgrade over Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle and could be groomed to eventually take over for perennial Pro Bowler Joe Thomas.
13. New Orleans Saints - Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida: With Junior Galette (10 sacks) and Cameron Jordan (7.5) recording more than half of the team's 34 sacks in 2014, the Saints are among the more predictable defenses in the league. That's counter to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's philosophies. 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.
14. Miami Dolphins -- Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: The Dolphins allowed an average of 121.1 yards per game on the ground in 2014. None of the teams that finished worse than Miami in this category qualified for the playoffs. Thompson starred at safety, linebacker and running back for the Huskies but projects best as a hybrid defender in the NFL. He's instinctive, athletic and a reliable open-field tackler whose game is well-suited to today's wide-open NFL.
15. San Francisco 49ers - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: Blame Colin Kaepernick all you would like for the 49ers' offensive struggles, but his job isn't made easier with a lack of playmakers among his receiving corps. Green-Beckham is a top 10 talent who is drawing comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals star A.J. Green for his size, speed and ballskills, 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. Houston Texans - Danny Shelton, NG, Washington: The Texans' investment in Jadeveon Clowney did not pay off in 2014, but don't be surprised when his critics quiet down once he and JJ Watt get an opportunity to play together next season. Adding a powerful - and passionate - interior presence like Shelton could help turn Houston's potential into production.
17. 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 and there has been talk that Fluker will be moved inside to guard in 2015. Ogbuehi struggled with technique as a senior, perhaps contributing to his switching back and forth between left and right tackle, but he possesses a remarkable skillset with length and easy athleticism.
18. Kansas City Chiefs - DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: Despite a receiving corps that did not catch a touchdown in 2014, the Chiefs were competitive weekly. Providing more weapons on the perimeter would seem to be a priority for Kansas City in the offseason, 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 lacks breakaway ability. Parker is a remarkably fluid athlete who, at 6-3, 209 pounds, reportedly has been clocked in the 4.4s.
19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) -- Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: 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 and Josh Gordon's future with the franchise is very much in doubt. 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.
20. Philadelphia Eagles - Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA: Incumbent starter Nick Foles did a fine job when healthy and Mark Sanchez provided evidence that others could come in and be successful with this scheme. Neither, however, possesses the mobility at quarterback that made Chip Kelly's offense so formidable at Oregon. Given full power over personnel as part of the Eagles' recent re-structuring of the front office, Kelly is in position to make a splash on draft day.
21. Cincinnati Bengals - Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: Few teams reload along the line of scrimmage as consistently as the frugal Bengals and with starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth in his ninth season and the club's primary backup (Marshall Newhouse) entering the final year of his deal, Cincinnati is likely to be on the lookout for potential replacements. Flowers remains a work in progress, relying too much on his brawn and aggression and losing his composure on occasion. At 6-5, 322 pounds, however, Flowers has bloomed into one of the country's most intriguing o-line prospects.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: The secondary has arguably been the Steelers' biggest weakness all season. Waynes possesses terrific length (6-1, 183 pounds), fluidity and ball-skills.
23. Detroit Lions - Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State: The Lions led the NFL in run defense but with starting defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley set to hit free agency, Detroit will be scouting the defensive tackle class as closely as any team in the league. The 6-4, 320-pound Goldman is powerful and surprisingly quick, making him a good fit and potentially much cheaper option in Detroit.
24. Arizona Cardinals - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: A stout front and aggressive blitzing from defensive coordinator Todd Bowles helped Arizona mask deficiencies among its edge rushers. At just 6-2, 235 pounds, Beasley doesn't possess the length and strength teams prefer on the perimeter but his explosiveness off the corner could make him an immediate impact performer.
25. Carolina Panthers - T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: With the selection of Kelvin Benjamin and free agent addition of sure-handed veteran Jericho Cotchery last offseason, the Panthers addressed weapons for Cam Newton but failed to improve the offensive line protecting him. They won't make the same mistake this year. 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.
26. Baltimore Ravens - Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: At 35, Steve Smith is a short-term fix, and Torrey Smith's contract is due at the end of the year. The aptly-named Strong has the size, power and body control to win contested passes, traits that project well in offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's scheme.
27. Indianapolis Colts - Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: The trade for Trent Richardson didn't pay off and while the Colts have since received solid play from Dan Herron (among others), the opportunity to add a special runner like Gordon would have to be intriguing. The Heisman finalist, who rushed for a staggering 2,587 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2014, is an electric runner with breakaway speed.
28. Dallas Cowboys - Danielle Hunter, OLB, LSU: Rookie Demarcus Lawrence boosted Dallas' outside pass rush, but that won't keep the team from adding reinforcements in the next draft too. 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.
29. Green Bay Packers - Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: Given that opponents frequently run the ball in an attempt to keep Aaron Rodgers and the explosive Packers offense on the sideline, perhaps it isn't surprising that no NFC playoff contender ranks worse against the run than the Packers. The 6-4, 320-pound Brown is a stout run defender who add bulk and strength to an otherwise undersized front.
30. Denver Broncos - Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State: For as dominant as the Broncos have appeared for much of this season, areas of concern certainly exist - including right tackle. Sambrailo is a technically-sound brawler who would fit in nicely with the aggressive mentality John Elway and Co. are attempting to bring to Denver.
31. Seattle Seahawks - Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan: Improved play at tight end by Tony Moeaki and Cooper Helfet has sparked Seattle's impressive winning streak. 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.
32. New England Patriots - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: Revis Island is once again a formidable destination for opposing receivers to venture but with the All-Pro corner only signed to the end of the year, the Patriots will be watching this year's cornerbacks closely. Peters, who was kicked off the team at Washington, comes will all kinds of character red-flags but he's also the most talented corner in the draft.
