2015 NFL mock draft: And now Jameis Winston at No. 1


This week's fake draft scenario involves the controversial Florida State quarterback getting taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with the first overall pick.


With the 2015 NFL Draft not starting for another 107 days, we're still working our way through different scenarios with these mock drafts. Last week it was Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston sliding out of the top five picks. The talent is there, though, for Winston to get taken No. 1 overall.


If that does happen, it will obviously have a ripple effect throughout the rest of the draft. The other scenario this week was to completely change things from last week and remain logical. Several coaching staffs and front offices are still unsettled, so pinpointing on a philosophy at this juncture is futile.


Disagree with some of the picks or the whole mock? Hop in the comments with your own mock draft.


1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

The only know about the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is that they need a franchise quarterback. Which one, exactly, will be debated for the next few months. Despite throwing 18 interceptions as a redshirt sophomore, Winston obviously possesses a high level of talent. You can argue he makes more impressive NFL-style throws than Marcus Mariota and is physically more ready for the NFL. We're going to keep going back and forth on where Winston falls, regardless of how people may personally perceive him.


2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

We can look at different scenarios for the Titans, including them passing on a quarterback with the second pick. But look at the quarterbacks for the four teams still in the playoffs. Each has a franchise quarterback. Sure, two weren't first-round picks. But a player with Mariota's potential has the ability to become one.


3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DE/DT, Southern California

Each previous mock on this site has had the Jaguars taking Nebraska pass rusher Randy Gregory. It's Williams, however, who carries the highest grade in this year's draft. He might not be a pass rusher like Gregory, but he's an imposing player with few flaws.


4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

The Raiders need at least one, more likely two, very good wide receivers. Last week's mock assumed Cooper runs slow at the combine. This week, lets assume otherwise and his timing matches his impressive tape at Alabama. If it does, he's worth a top-five pick. Cooper could be the type of player who helps quicken Derek Carr's development.


5. Washington: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Gregory slipping to fifth is the ideal scenario for Washington. He's a big-impact pass rusher who has been successful on his feet and with his hand in the dirt. He would fill a big need and carries the best player available tag at this spot.


6. New York Jets: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

What happens if the Jets ask Percy Harvin to take a pay cut? Is he worth $10.5 million next season? If things go awry with Harvin and he's let go, the Jets will be in position to get a player like Parker.


7. Chicago Bears: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

If the Bears aren't comfortable with any of the pass rushers or Alabama safety Landon Collins with the seventh pick, they can score with the best offensive lineman in the draft. Scherff could supplant Jordan Mills as the team's starting right tackle.


8. Atlanta Falcons: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

Regardless of whoever the Falcons hire as a head coach, they need to improve their pass rush. Fowler is the type of prospect who could thrive in a 4-3 or a 3-4. Fowler is a relentless player who specializes in getting the backfield. He's not one dimensional, though. He showed plenty at Florida that he's capable against the run.


9. New York Giants: La’el Collins, OT, LSU

The Giants have put together a decent offensive line, but could still use one more piece to bolster the overall unit. Collins could be brought in to play any number of positions, other than center.


10. St. Louis Rams: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

The Rams are in a bad spot with the No. 10 pick. They're too far down to get one of the top quarterbacks, there are no cornerbacks or true guards worth a pick this high. In other words, St. Louis should look to move off this pick. If they stay here and Scherff and Collins are gone, Ogbuehi is a fall back. He has experience at guard and both tackle positions.


11. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Even if Cooper and Parker are taken before Minnesota comes up in the first round, the Vikings still have options at wide receiver. White is a big talent who some are starting compare to Julio Jones, in terms of skill set. He would come in and immediately give the Vikings a lead receiver who can stretch the field.


12. Cleveland Browns: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

Following the departure of offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, it's unknown if the Browns will run a zone blocking scheme. Clemmings might not fit that system, but he would help fix the right side of the line and give Cleveland one of the league's best fronts.


13. New Orleans Saints: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri

The Saints need a big-impact pass rusher, especially if the team moves on from linebacker Junior Galette following his domestic violence arrest. Ray is coming off a huge season at Missouri playing defensive end, but his pro future might be at linebacker.


14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington

For Miami, a player like Thompson gives them versatility. He's a player who can play inside or outside and cover tight ends and backs in the pass game. He's not a particularly advanced pass rusher, but he could get better in that area thanks to his extremely high athleticism for the position.


15. San Francisco 49ers: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson

This may not fit a big need for the 49ers, but Beasley would be just too good to pass up with the 15th pick in the draft. No pass rusher in this year's class has his first step and ability to close on the ball carrier. With the top three wide receivers gone – and in an effort to mix up this mock draft a little more – Beasley would give them another weapon to get after the quarterback.


16. Houston Texans: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

It's true that the Texans just used a third-round pick last year to take a nose tackle in Louis Nix. But depth along the defensive line is critical, and that's what Shelton could provide. While he's used to playing nose in a 3-4, and capable of doing so as a pro, he is agile enough to line up at end.


17. San Diego Chargers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

With D.J. Fluker likely being moved inside to guard, that leaves right tackle open for the Chargers. Peat is capable of moving to the right side after starting two seasons at left tackle for Stanford. A right side of Peat and Fluker would give the Chargers and imposing duo for years to come.


18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Hey, have you heard that no Chiefs wide receiver caught a touchdown this season? This pick is done not just because of that odd stat. Look at who the Chiefs have at wide receiver. Junior Hemingway, Frankie Hammond and Albert Wilson are all solid third or fourth receivers. Strong knows how to use his frame to get open and has the speed to take things deep.


19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

If the four best wide receivers are gone before Cleveland's second first-round pick, don't expect them to go after someone like Dorial Green-Beckham of Oklahoma. They already have him in Josh Gordon. Instead, Goldman would be the sort of player who could be brought in to improve a truly awful run defense.


20. Philadelphia Eagles: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

The pick for the Eagles keeps going back and forth in these mock drafts from a cornerback to Alabama safety Landon Collins. Just watch it become UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley, or something. Until some word about that sort of thing leaks out, defensive back remains the target. Waynes is arguably the best cornerback in the draft and can be positioned to start on the outside where he excels in man coverage.


21. Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

The Bengals have a solid pair of safeties in Reggie Nelson and George Iloka. But both are free agents after next season and Nelson will be 32. Collins is unquestionably the draft's best safety and has shown he can be very good coming up and playing in the box. He's not a perfect coverage safety by any means, but he's also not a big liability.


22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

From a character standpoint, Peters to Pittsburgh might be a little bit of a stretch. But when Peters was getting along with coaches at Washington, he projected as a top 10 pick. That sort of talent can't be overlooked.


23. Detroit Lions: A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina

Lets assume that the Lions can re-sign both Nick Fairley and Ndamukong Suh and that defensive tackle doesn't top the team's needs. Cann, the draft's top true guard prospect, could be plugged in immediately at left guard and boost Detroit's run game.


24. Arizona Cardinals: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

Larry Foote may have played more snaps than any front seven player for the Cardinals this season, but he's a free agent and will be 35 at the start of next season. McKinney is an explosive middle linebacker with range and athleticism. He's not perfect in coverage, but he could easily be coached up in that area.


25. Carolina Panthers: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

Whomever is the best left tackle in the draft when Carolina picks should be their selection. Fortunately for them, Flowers is a starting-caliber left tackle. He's light on his feet for a bigger tackle and is just scratching the surface of how good he could be.


26. Baltimore Ravens: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky

Pernell McPhee may have made himself too expensive to bring back following his play down the stretch this season. If that's the case, Baltimore could target a player like Dupree to replace him as a pass rusher. Dupree may not be as versatile as McPhee has been, but he could give Baltimore a nice trio alongside Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs.


27. Dallas Cowboys: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

The Cowboys seemed to have a good, young cornerback in Morris Claiborne, but the coaching staff seems to have soured on the former first-round pick. Williams at the least gives Dallas a good third corner and has the potential to develop into a Pro Bowl player thanks to his length and instincts outside.


28. Denver Broncos: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA

For the purposes of this mock draft, lets go with the assumption that the Broncos can manage to bring back Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas. Heck, lets say Terrence Knighton is re-signed as well. Down the stretch, DeMarcus Ware looked markedly a step slower. Odighizuwa could initially be brought in as a good backup and eventually take over a starting position.


29. Indianapolis Colts: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA

Kendricks is a playmaker at linebacker. At UCLA he always seemed to find himself around the ball and has the range to cover a lot of ground. He's a nice coverage linebacker and is physical enough to take on the run.


30. Green Bay Packers: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

A lot of what happens with this pick will be determined on how Green Bay handles offensive tackle Bryan Bulaga and wide receiver Randall Cobb in free agency. If they return and the top inside linebackers are off the board, Bennett would give Green Bay an excellent depth piece on the defensive line and someone who should be able to get into the backfield while playing end.


31. New England Patriots: Tre Jackson, G, Florida State

The Patriots could be in the market for a guard this offseason and Jackson happens to be the next best one on the board. He's a powerful blocker who can handle strong defensive tackles by himself.


32. Seattle Seahawks: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

Seattle doesn't involve the tight end a lot in its offense. Tight ends Luke Willson and Cooper Helfet combined to receive just 64 targets this season. Adding a player of Williams' caliber could change that somewhat. Besides, playing for run-heavy Minnesota, he's used to making the most out of limited opportunities with an impressive 569 yards on 36 receptions.






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