Quarterback and safety have never been more valued than in today's pass-happy NFL and with the depth at these positions lacking this year, teams needing help at the respective positions could be forced to roll the dice.
The following is my latest first round projection of the 2015 NFL Draft.
*The selection order for this mock draft is based on the current records of teams with point differential breaking all ties. The Cleveland Browns own the rights to the Buffalo Bills' selection due to the Sammy Watkins trade.
1. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: As the only winless franchise in the NFL this season, the Raiders are projected to "earn" the No. 1 overall in 2015. Teams picking at the top will always look to available quarterbacks first, but rookie Derek Carr has been a relative bright spot for Oakland. Second on the priority list for teams in today's NFL are defensive linemen. The 6-5, 290 pound Williams is a physical mismatch too quick for interior linemen and too powerful for offensive tackles.
2. 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.
3. New York Jets - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: Unless the Jets suddenly turn things around, Rex Ryan will be coaching elsewhere in 2015 and that may just be the start of the changes. Current general manager John Idzik is not the kind of risk-taker to gamble on Famous Jameis' propensity for off-field trouble but his potential replacement could be more adventurous. Regardless of what you think about Winston's character, it is hard to deny his talent. In terms of size, arm, mobility and instincts, he's the top quarterback prospect in the country.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: Though reasonably productive since taking over for free agent addition Josh McCown, Mike Glennon remains overly reliant on his arm, showing little ability to escape pressure or poise when the pocket breaks down. These are traits absolutely critical in today's game. Mariota is a work in progress, himself, 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.
5. Tennessee Titans - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: Rookie Zach Mettenberger will be given every opportunity to prove he can be Ken Whisenhunt's starting quarterback. The Titans didn't address their need for outside rushers to fit new defensive coordinator Ray Horton's scheme in the 2014 draft but could see the highly athletic Beasley as the perfect fit. Beasley possesses an explosive first step to create immediate stress on quarterbacks, as well as the acceleration to chase down ball-carriers from behind.
6. Atlanta Falcons - Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: Surrendering a 21-point lead to lose to Detroit is just the latest kick in the gut for Atlanta this season. The Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Powerful and shockingly athletic given his massive (6-foot-8, 275 pounds) frame, Oakman possesses the kind of traits teams are willing to gamble on.
7. Washington Redskins -- Landon Collins, S, Alabama: Washington hasn't boasted a truly fearsome safety since the late Sean Taylor was patrolling the deep middle. At 6-0, 215 pounds, Collins isn't as big as the former phenom, but he shows a similarly exciting blend of explosiveness and ball-skills.
8. St. Louis Rams - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: Despite recent early picks invested at wide receiver, the Rams still lack a true No. 1. Green-Beckham is a top 10 talent who is drawing comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals' star A.J. Green for his size, speed and ball-skills but he comes with significant off-field concerns. Jeff Fisher has been more willing than most to gamble on players with character red-flags and he could see DGB as simply too talented to pass up.
9. Chicago Bears - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: Despite investments in free agency and the draft, the Bears' defense remains alarmingly toothless. Ray, the SEC's leading sack artist, has the explosiveness off the edge to quickly improve Chicago's pass rush.
10. Carolina Panthers - Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M: With the selection of Kelvin Benjamin and free agent addition of sure-handed veteran Jericho Cotchery, the Panthers addressed weapons for Cam Newton but failed to address the offensive line protecting him. They won't make the same mistake this year, especially if a gifted prospect like Ogbuehi were to fall into their lap.
11. New York Giants - Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: The Giants have been gashed by athletic running backs this season, drawing unwanted attention to a slower-than-ideal back seven. The 6-2, 225 pound Thompson doesn't possess great size but his athleticism and instincts have helped him stand out wherever the Huskies have needed him - including at safety, linebacker and most recently at running back. He projects best to the NFL as a hybrid defender who is just as effective in coverage as coming up in run support.
12. Minnesota Vikings -- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: The Vikings are set at tackle with Matt Kalil and Phil Loadholt but with the focus on deep drops and power running in Norv Turner's offense, strong play on the interior is also a priority. Scherff, a collegiate tackle with the strong hands and nasty disposition to project well inside too, would be a solid building block for a franchise looking to reinvent itself around Teddy Bridgewater.
13. Houston Texans - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: With JJ Watt leading the way, the Texans' defense has been impressive even with Jadeveon Clowney struggling with injury and thus far failing to live up to expectations. Peters' combination of length, athleticism, physicality and ball-skills has him in contention to be the first defensive back selected in 2015.
14. San Francisco 49ers - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: The agility and first-step acceleration that helped Cooper star as a true freshman is clearly back and he's dominating again, looking like an easy favorite thus far to be the first Biletnikoff Award winner in Alabama's history. The 49ers would be wise to continue adding to their receiving corps with Anquan Boldin aging and talented (but injury prone) Michael Crabtree entering the final year of his rookie contract.
15. New Orleans Saints - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Despite millions invested in fixing the secondary, the Saints have struggled against the pass this season, surrendering an average of nearly 270 yards per game and twice as many touchdowns (12) as interceptions (six). Some scouts feel that Waynes is a better prospect than his former teammate, Darqueze Dennard, last year's Thorpe Award winner and the Bengals' first round pick.
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