1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Marcus Mariota, QB
One thing is painfully clear in Tampa Bay: Mike Glennon nor Josh McCown are going to be long term solutions at quarterback. Luckily for the Bucs, Heisman winning quarterback Marcus Mariota can fall into their lap and completely turn around the fate of the franchise. While not as big or strong as fellow QB Jameis Winston, Mariota's accurate arm and ability to make plays with his legs gives Tampa another offensive building block with rapidly improving receiver Mike Evans.
2. Tennessee Titans Jameis Winston, QB
When you have an offense that averages just 16 points a game, you need major changes. While the Titans did draft Zach Mettenberger last year, the Titans whole organization needs a gigantic spark. While his off-the-field antics might become a distraction, there is no denying Winston's potential for stardom, something Tennessee can't ignore if Mariota is already off the board.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars Leonard Williams, DT
The Jaguars' offense showed a lot of improvement throughout 2014, but the defense, especially the front seven needs some work. Williams, perhaps the best overall player in the draft when healthy, has the chance to grow into a dominant pass rusher in Gus Bradley's defense and form a great inside combination with Sen'Derrick Marks, who put together a strong 2014.
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Amari Cooper |
4. Oakland Raiders Amari Cooper, WR
The Jack Del Rio era has begun in Oakland and the new head coach has been gifted with something most don't usually have entering their jobs in Oakland: a serviceable quarterback. Derek Carr showed flashes of stardom in his rookie year, and that was without a clear proven target to throw too. Amari Cooper will add a proven target in the passing game for Carr, and give the Raiders the playmaker on offense they have lacked for so long.
5. Washington Redskins Brandon Scherff, OT
No matter who starts at quarterback next year for Washington, they will need some help from their offensive line, which was absolutely dreadful a year ago. While he doesn't have the potential of most linemen in this draft, Scherff is a hard-worker with grit and toughness who can add some much needed versatility to this unit.
6. New York Jets Randy Gregory, DE
While the desperate need for a quarterback may force New York to either trade down or reach on Brett Hundley, they should play it smart here and hope someone is available in the second round. Randy Gregory would be the best available here if he slips and he has the potential to grow into a perennial sack machine in new head coach Todd Bowles' scheme.
7. Chicago Bears Landon Collins, S
Chicago's defense as a whole was terrible this past season, and major changes will be needed. While a young pass rusher would certainly help, there is no denying how terrible the Bears' safety position is right now. Collins is a hard-hitting safety from Alabama, who can help in coverage or run support because of his impressive range.
8. Atlanta Falcons Shane Ray, DE/LB
The Falcons have need a pass rusher for years, and that was extremely evident throughout this season. The good news is that the 2015 Draft is stocked with elite defensive linemen prospects, including Shane Ray, who could be a steal here at eight. Ray is gifted with an incredibly quick first step and NFL level power and could be the solution to the Falcons long need for a pass rusher.
9. New York Giants Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE
A defense that was far from strong a year ago could be an even worse shape this offseason if Jason Pierre-Paul (12.5 sacks in 2014) decides to leave. Dupree is a tremendous athlete who showed signs of dominance throughout his time at Kentucky. If Pierre-Paul does indeed leave, the Giants could fill his void with the talented Dupree.
10. St. Louis Rams La'El Collins, OT
The Rams first round selection a season ago, Greg Robinson, struggled mightily in his rookie campaign, which should force the Rams to continue to search for solutions on their offensive line. Collins is a massive brick wall of a tackle with decent athleticism and could add some insurance to a unit that has been dreadful the past decade.
11. Minnesota Vikings Andrus Peat, OT
Matt Kalil has gone from a Pro Bowler and possible building block to a real problem in his short time with Minnesota and while it is too early to completely get rid of him, the Vikings should add some insurance. Peat is a project but slowly working him into the rotation would give Minnesota a pass blocker for the future that can protect Teddy Bridgewater.
12. Cleveland Browns DeVante Parker, WR
Josh Gordon has been one of the best receivers in the NFL when actually on the field the past couple seasons but his off-the-field issues have overshadowed his immense talent. If those continue, Cleveland will have to consider looking elsewhere at the position, and Parker is a pretty good solution. The Louisville product has tremendous size and speed and could grow into a dangerous deep threat for Johnny Football.
13. New Orleans Saints Dante Fowler, DE/LB
Other than Junior Galette and Cameron Jordan, the Saints lack any significant pass rushers. If Fowler is still on the board here, it will be incredibly tough to resist the versatile talent out of Florida. Fowler is still a young guy and he will only grow in Rob Ryan's aggressive defensive scheme.
14. Miami Dolphins Shaq Thompson, LB
The Dolphins were absolutely terrible in defending the run a year ago, letting up over 120 yards a game. Enter Thompson, a hybrid defender who could fill a number of different defensive roles for Miami and he a major help in run support. At Washington, Thompson spent time at safety, where he was originally recruited, linebacker and even at running back.
15. San Francisco 49ers Dorial Green-Beckham, WR
Few players in this draft have the potential of Green-Beckham, who was formerly the nation's top high school recruit. But, off-the-field problems got him kicked out of Missouri and he sat out this past season at Oklahoma. He is gifted with incredible size for a receiver and fabulous hands but he could be a risk this high. Though, San Francisco really needs another weapon for Colin Kaepernick and Green-Beckham could really grow into a dangerous weapon.
16. Houston Texans Danny Shelton, DL
Imagine a defensive line with a healthy Jadeveon Clowney, J.J. Watt and a dominant interior linemen that has the speed to get to the quarterback... That is what Houston could have if they pick up Shelton. Shelton, from Washington, is incredibly quick for his size but also is a strong run defender and has the athleticism to bat down balls. If Clowney does get healthy and Shelton continues to grow, the Texans' front seven will be downright scary.
17. San Diego Chargers Trae Waynes, CB
Michigan State's secondary in 2014-2015 wasn't quite the dominant force it was a year prior, but Waynes was still extremely productive at cornerback for the Spartans. Although somewhat undersized, Waynes would bring immediate insurance to a weakness on the Chargers' defense.
18. Kansas City Chiefs Kevin White, WR
The Chiefs' receivers managed to accomplish something this year that is pretty hard to believe: not one of them caught a touchdown pass the whole year. No matter who is on the board, Kansas City needs some help at the position. They would be extremely pleased if White, who had a monster senior season at West Virgnia, slipped here.
19. Cleveland Browns Benardrick McKinney, LB
Even with the addition of veteran Karlos Dansby, the Browns still were the worst defense against the rush, something that clearly has to improve this season if Cleveland is to take any steps up inside the AFC North. McKinney is a strong, aggressive linebacker out of Mississippi State, who could be a long term answer at inside 'backer.
20. Philadelphia Eagles P.J. Williams, CB
Neither Mark Sanchez nor Nick Foles fits Chip Kelly's offensive system very well at quarterback, and that seems to be a problem. But, the Eagles should go with the smarter pick here if they can't trade up and select Williams out of Florida State, who would immediately upgrade their inconsistent secondary.
21. Cincinnati Bengals Jaelen Strong, WR
While A.J. Green is among the best receivers in the NFL, the receiver position in Cincinnati is still a problem. Mohamed Sanu should not be a No. 2 option on most NFL teams, and the position must be upgraded. Strong has a good mix of speed and size and would give defenses enough issues that they won't completely focus on Green, as they have done in the past.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers Gerod Holliman, S
The Steelers' secondary was a concern last year, and Troy Polamulu's inevitable retirement is on the near horizon. While Holliman is overly aggressive on jumping routes and still learning, there is no denying his potential and ball skills, which he showcased with his 14 interceptions this past year at Louisville.
23. Detroit Lions Malcolm Brown, DT
No defensive line in the league was more dominant than the Lions last year but both Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley hit the open market as free agents this offseason and could both leave. Brown is a gritty tackle out of Texas who has the potential to rise up into the late first round. He isn't the pass rusher of Suh, clearly, but he is a major help in run support.
24. Arizona Cardinals Brett Hundley, QB
It is easy to blame the Cardinals complete late season collapse on the fact third-stringer Ryan Lindley was thrust into the role, but the fact of the matter is, Carson Palmer isn't getting any younger. Hundley could well be a steal here in the late first and he could learn under Palmer in his first few years in the league.
25. Carolina Panthers Ereck Flowers, OT
The Panthers have given Cam Newton a dangerous long term threat in the passing game in Kelvin Benjamin, and should give help some protection with this selection. Flowers is a massive tackle with the physical gifts to be a dominant tackle, although he struggled throughout his time in Coral Gables. It would be a risk here, but it worked last year for Carolina when they selected Benjamin.
26. Baltimore Ravens Devin Smith, WR
Steve Smith was tremendous in his first season in Baltimore but he doesn't appear to have much time left in the league, as he is now 35. Torrey Smith's contract expires at the end of this year, and his future is uncertain. With that in mind, the Ravens should pick up another "Smith" in Devin from Ohio State, a scary deep threat who has the athleticism to reel in anything Joe Flacco throws in his direction.
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Danielle Hunter |
27. Dallas Cowboys Danielle Hunter, DE/LB
While the Cowboys' defense has been solid this season, it still needs some work on getting to the quarterback, which is where Hunter comes in. Although his production wasn't great at LSU, he has the quickness and agility to constantly be disrupting backfields.
28. Denver Broncos Cedric Ogbuehi, OT
Denver needs a lot of help on their line, especially on the right side of the unit. Although Ogbuehi continues to struggle at left tackle, he has emerged as a real force on the right, and could grow into a dominant exterior linemen for years to come in Denver.
29. Indianapolis Colts Todd Gurley, RB
Trent Richardson has been completely terrible since arriving from Cleveland and Dan Herron is far from an every-down back. Picking up Gurley down here at 29 would be an absolute steal for Indy, no matter what injury concerns still linger. With a dominant back like Gurley, offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton could finally add some versatility to his scheme.
30. Seattle Seahawks Devin Funchess, WR/TE
Although Seattle has prided themselves on being a power-run team the past couple years with Marshawn Lynch, they need an upgrade in their receiving corps. Funchess can play either tight end or receiver and has the speed and great hands to be scary at either spot. He could become the vertical tight end with speed that are becoming extremely common throughout the league.
31. Green Bay Packers Eddie Goldman, DT
The Packers' defense is certainly not devoid of problems, especially against the run. Eddie Goldman has shown signs of becoming a dominant defensive tackle but has yet to put it all together. If he can, he could become a dominant bruiser in the heart of Green Bay's defensive line.
32. New England Patriots Rashad Greene, WR
Give him a ton of credit: no quarterback does as much damage as Tom Brady does, despite not having the dangerous receivers other quarterbacks enjoy. Rashad Greene isn't the biggest receiver prospect but he is a reliable veteran who can move the chains and add another weapon to the Patriots' passing game.