Updated August 17
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1. Oakland Raiders – Brett Hundley – QB – UCLA – Scouting Report
Derek Carr will definitely be given a shot at some point this season, but nothing is guaranteed for 2nd round picks and the Raiders would have to strongly consider a quarterback at the top of the 2015 draft. I have Hundley rated slightly above Mariota entering the season, but a lot can change in the next eight months. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
2. Houston Texans – Marcus Mariota – QB – Oregon – Scouting Report
The Texans took the safe approach by going with Clowney this past season, but they can’t afford to pass on another top-rated quarterback if they’re near the top next May. Mariota may not be the perfect fit for Bill O’Brien, but there doesn’t appear to be a traditional pocket passer in the mix for a top-10 pick this year. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Andrus Peat – OT – Stanford
Luke Joeckel is holding down the left tackle position, but the Jaguars should still consider improving the protection around Blake Bortles. There are plenty of options for teams interested in adding to their offensive line this year, and Peat probably has the highest ceiling of the group. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
4. Cleveland Browns – Leonard Williams – DE/DT – USC
The Browns could easily end up with two top-10 picks, which will make them a tough team to predict this year due to the multitude of plausible combinations. Williams enters the season as the consensus top defensive player in the draft, and while he doesn’t fill a glaring hole in Cleveland, the value may be tough to pass up. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
5. Minnesota Vikings – Shilique Calhoun – DE – Michigan State
The Vikings are hoping Everson Griffen takes the next step as Jared Allen’s replacement, but Calhoun should still be in the mix even if he steps up. The Vikings are currently lacking the elite defensive line depth that made them dominant in this area in recent years. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
6. Cleveland Browns – Jaelen Strong – WR – Arizona State – Scouting Report
[From Bills] The race to be the top receiver off the board is wide open entering the season, but I have Strong as the top guy on my board right now. He needs to show continued development, but he has the talent to step in as Johnny Football’s No. 1 receiver. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
7. New York Giants – Jameis Winston – QB – Florida State – Scouting Report
The Giants would rather not draft a quarterback just yet, but another disappointing year from Manning will make this a necessary discussion. If a player like Winston is on the board, they’ll have to consider drafting a replacement for Manning, who tuns 34 at the end of this season. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
8. Tennessee Titans – Noah Spence – DE/LB – Ohio State
Spence is a versatile defender and may be one of the best pure pass rushers in this year’s draft class. The Titans veteran front seven could use a youth movement, and Spence would be a great fit to fill Kamerion Wimbley’s role. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
9. Tampa Bay Bucs – Brandon Scherff – OT – Iowa
The Bucs have a lot of fun toys to play with on offense, but they lack the glue to hold it all together. Until the offensive line comes together, they may have a hard time taking that next step. Scherff looks like a 1st round lock entering the season. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
10. Pittsburgh Steelers – Ifo Ekpre-Olomu – CB – Oregon
The Steelers can’t ignore their aging secondary forever, especially as the passing games within their division continue to improve. Ekpre-Olomu enters the year as easily the top prospect at his position and has a chance to land in the top 10. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
11. Washington Redskins – Michael Bennett – DT – Ohio State
This pick almost has to be about the defense, which is likely to hold the Redskins back in 2014. While the pass-rush is solid, the Redskins need a reliable run stopper up the middle and Bennett could fill that void. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
12. Miami Dolphins – Randy Gregory – DE – Nebraska
Gregory has received a lot of hype this offseason, but his lack of consistency knocks him out of the top 10 at this point. The talent is there, but he’ll need to prove he can dominate on a week to week basis to elevate his stock this season. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
13. Detroit Lions – Landon Collins – S – Alabama
The Lions secondary remains a concern and it could hold them back at times this season, especially considering the talent in their division. An elite cornerback would be nice, but Collins has the most talent of the available defensive backs in this scenario and could probably start for them right now.[divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
14. Carolina Panthers – Amari Cooper – WR – Alabama – Scouting Report
I’m not as high on Cooper as some, but he has legitimate first round potential. Despite adding Kelvin Benjamin last season, the Panthers need to consider adding another weapon for Cam Newton early in the 2015 draft. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
15. Kansas City Chiefs – Trae Waynes – CB – Michigan State
The Chiefs are lacking elite talent and also depth in the secondary, and it could really hurt them against teams like the Broncos and Chargers this season. Waynes has the tools to start for the Chiefs right now, and should be a top-20 pick in 2015. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
16. St. Louis Rams – Vic Beasley – LB – Clemson
The Rams need an upgrade at linebacker and Bealsey could be an ideal fit on the strong side. He has the ability to be a dangerous pass-rush threat, but also has the athleticism to be a well-rounded linebacker in the Rams 4-3 scheme.[divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
17. San Diego Chargers – Cedric Ogbuehi – OT – Texas A&M
The Chargers need to continue overhauling the offensive line to keep Philip Rivers on his feet as he gets older. Ogbuehi isn’t quite at the elite level as some of the other Texas A&M linemen to enter the draft in recent years, but is still a worthy first-round prospect. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
18. Dallas Cowboys – Shawn Oakman – DE – Baylor
Oakman is a wildcard in this draft because he has yet to prove much on the field. Much like Aaron Lynch last year, it’s all about potential. But the first-round talent is obvious and he should be in a good position to develop at Baylor this season. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
19. Atlanta Falcons – T.J. Yeldon – RB – Alabama – Scouting Report
Considering the depth at the running back position this year, someone is bound to sneak into the first round. The Falcons probably can’t rely on Steven Jackson for more than another year and should be in the market for a younger option this offseason. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
20. Arizona Cardinals – Chuckie Keeton – QB – Utah State – Scouting Report
I’m fully on board the Chuckie Keeton bandwagon. As long as he can regain his pre-injury form, he as the potential to develop into a special prospect. He reminds me of Russell Wilson in many ways, and may be even more athletic. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
21. New York Jets – Mario Edwards – DE/LB – Florida State
Edwards is still developing, but has the raw talent to break out this season and climb into the first round conversation. The Jets have been lacking an dominant pass-rush threat in recent years and could use the addition of a difference maker in the front seven. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
22. Baltimore Ravens – DeVante Parker – WR – Louisville
Steve Smith should help in the short term, but the Ravens need to find a more permanent solution at wide receiver. Parker has the size to develop into more of a possession receiver in Baltimore, filling the void left by Anquan Boldin’s departure, and allowing Torrey Smith to excel as the downfield threat. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
23. Chicago Bears – Dante Fowler Jr. – DE – Florida
Jared Allen will help for now, but the Bears need some more youth on the defensive line. Fowler is an explosive pass-rusher and could develop along with Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson as the next generation of the Bears line. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
24. New Orleans Saints – Melvin Gordon – RB – Wisconsin
The Saints have pieced together a backfield this year, but they’re going to miss Darren Sproles. Gordon isn’t on Sproles level as a pass-catcher, but he has the tools to be a quality well-rounded back who could take over the bulk of the workload in 2015. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
25. New England Patriots – P.J. Williams – CB – Florida State
The Patriots secondary could be among the best in the game if Revis and Browner are healthy and effective, but the Patriots are likely to be looking for a younger, cheaper option for the long haul next offseason. Williams is one of a number of quality junior cornerbacks who could declare early if they live up to expectations. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
26. Philadelphia Eagles – Devin Funchess – TE – Michigan – Scouting Report
Maybe Zach Ertz will take the next step and this pick will be unnecessary, but Funchess has the athleticism and size to be a perfect fit at tight end in Chip Kelly’s offensive scheme. He’s essentially an oversized receiver, and would be capable of making an immediate impact. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
27. Cincinnati Bengals – Ty Montgomery – WR – Stanford – Scouting Report
The Bengals need to add a new dimension to their offense in order to take the next step. Montgomery would essentially fill the Andrew Hawkins role, albeit at a much higher level. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
28. San Francisco 49ers – Carl Davis – DT – Iowa
Justin Smith turns 35 this season and the 49ers really don’t have a backup plan in place. He’s too valuable to their defense to ignore his age any longer. Davis has the ideal tools to play end in the 3-4 scheme and could be groomed as Smith’s replacement. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
29. Indianapolis Colts – Marcus Peters – CB – Washington
One of the most surprising non-moves of the 2014 offseason was the Colts lack of attention to the secondary. That could come back to haunt them, and be a theme for their 2015 offseason strategy. Peters is another one of the talent junior cornerbacks this year. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
30. Seattle Seahawks – Donovan Smith – OT – Penn State
The Seahawks love oversized lineman and Smith fits the mold. He’s played well as Penn State’s left tackle, but will probably shift to the right side or guard in the NFL. He could be an immediate starter at guard in Seattle. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
31. Green Bay Packers – Cameron Erving – OT – Florida State
It seems like every year the Packers are trying to sort out a talent but inconsistent and injury-prone offensive line. Unless some guys like Derek Sherrod take a significant step forward, it will probably be an area that gets addressnz again next offseason. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
32. Denver Broncos – Denzel Perryman – LB – Miami FL
Nate Irving gets the first shot at inside linebacker this year, but it’s shaping up to be an area of weakness for the Broncos. Perryman is a talent athlete, but needs to prove he can perform at a consistent level to warrant a first-round grade. [divider top=”0″ style=”solid”]
