2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions and Analysis for Most Exciting Prospects
Brian Mazique@@UniqueMazique
Correspondent IIIApril 19, 2015
Everyone loves players with game-breaking skills. Whether it's an offensive player who can make things happen with the ball, or a dynamic defensive player that terrorizes offenses, there's no disputing the value of an exciting player.
This mock draft will focus on the most exciting players projected to go in the first round. The featured players' names are highlighted in the table below.
| 2015 NFL Mock Draft | ||
| Pick | Team | Selection |
| 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State |
| 2 | Tennessee Titans | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | Kevin White, WR, West Virginia |
| 5 | Washington | Leonard Williams, DT, USC |
| 6 | New York Jets | Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Vic Beasley, OLB/DE, Clemson |
| 9 | New York Giants | Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa |
| 10 | St. Louis Rams | Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford |
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings | Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State |
| 12 | Cleveland Browns | Danny Shelton, DT, Washington |
| 13 | New Orleans Saints | Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri |
| 14 | Miami Dolphins | Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida |
| 15 | San Francisco 49ers | Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State |
| 16 | Houston Texans | Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska |
| 17 | San Diego Chargers | Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia |
| 18 | Kansas City Chiefs | Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami |
| 19 | Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo) | T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh |
| 20 | Philadelphia Eagles | Landon Collins, S, Alabama |
| 21 | Cincinnati Bengals | Malcom Brown, DT, Texas |
| 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Marcus Peters, CB, Washington |
| 23 | Detroit Lions | Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State |
| 24 | Arizona Cardinals | Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB, Kentucky |
| 25 | Carolina Panthers | D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida |
| 26 | Baltimore Ravens | Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut |
| 27 | Dallas Cowboys | Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin |
| 28 | Denver Broncos | Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon |
| 29 | Indianapolis Colts | La'el Collins, OL, LSU |
| 30 | Green Bay Packers | Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest |
| 31 | New Orleans Saints (via Seattle) | Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State |
| 32 | New England Patriots | Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma |
| Picks per Mazique | ||
Vic Beasley
At 6'3" 246 pounds, Vic Beasley has exceptional speed for a linebacker/defensive end prospect. His 4.53 40-yard-dash time showed off his quickness. In addition to the speed, Beasley notched a 41-inch vertical jump at the NFL combine as well.
There should be no concern about Beasley's strength. He hit an impressive 35 reps in the bench press. How do all these metrics translate to the field? He had 33 sacks over his four-year career with the Clemson Tigers.
There's no questioning Beasley is one of the most dynamic defensive prospects in the draft.
Todd Gurley
There are few running backs in the draft that are as versatile and athletic as the Georgia Bulldogs' Todd Gurley. At 6'1" 222 pounds, Gurley has ideal size for a running back in the NFL. Gurley's recovery from an ACL injury kept him from performing at the NFL combine, but his game action suggests that he is a next-level athlete.
You can see some similarities to the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson in his stride and power.
Gurley averaged 6.4 yards per carry in three seasons at Georgia and even returned a kickoff for a touchdown. The injury is a major concern for Gurley, but NFL.com's Ian Rapoport recently reported that the running back checked out medically.
That could lead to a late rise on draft boards.
Marcus Mariota
Usually the most athletic quarterback in the draft is not near the top of the rankings for his position. That is the case this year as 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota brings elite speed to his overall package as a signal-caller.
Mariota showed off speed at the combine with a 4.52 40-yard-dash. At 6'4" 222 pounds, that's even more impressive. In 2014, Mariota rushed for 15 touchdowns. He also had 11 runs for 20-plus yards.
What he's able to do with his arm will undoubtedly have the most impact on his career, but Mariota's legs should prove to be a dangerous weapon in the NFL as well.