The NFL Combine is complete, leaving scouts, general managers and coaches with more information of most of the top prospects in the 2015 NFL Draft. In two months, teams will use film study with interviews, combine results and pro day findings to making their selections.
Despite plenty still left to unfold in the process, here is a mock draft with picks 1-16. Picks 17-32 can be found here.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston , QB, Florida State
Winston has some off-field questions, but he will go to Tampa Bay. Winston is simply too talented to be passed up by a team with quarterback needs.
2. Tennessee Titans – Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Williams is the best defensive prospect in the draft. In Tennessee’s 4-3 scheme, Williams will be a great compliment to Jurrell Casey.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars – Randy Gregory – Nebraska
Gregory is a freak of nature athletically. Few players can bend the edge like Gregory, who will provide ample pass rush immediately. Think of Von Miller here.
4. Oakland Raiders – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Oakland needs a playmaker on the outside for Derek Carr, and Cooper more than fits the bill. Expect Cooper to be in silver and black in 2015.
5. Washington Redskins – Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida
Fowler is similar to Gregory in that he can bend and explode past blockers. With Brian Orakpo leaving via free agency, the Redskins have an immediate need for Fowler.
6. New York Jets – Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri
Everyone sees Marcus Mariota going here, but the slide will be on after this pick. Todd Bowles is going to want a pass-rusher in his 3-4 defense, and Ray might be the best pure pass-rusher in this class.
7. Chicago Bears – Danny Shelton, NT, Washington
Shelton is a monster of a man at 340 pounds, and will give Chicago that anchor up front. The Bears have been pathetic against the run over the last few years, and Shelton will go a long way toward addressing that.
8. Atlanta Falcons – Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
Armstead is a boom-or-bust type. However, he has the frame at 6’8 and 290 pounds to be an elite defensive tackle. The Oregon star is the type of player who can knife into the pocket consistently.
9. New York Giants – Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
The Giants need to beef up in the trenches. The offensive line could see attention here, but Brown is a great run-stuffing fit for the 4-3 scheme.
10. St. Louis Rams – Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Rams will look hard at Mariota but pass, believing in Sam Bradford for better or worse. Scherff projects as a right tackle of terrific guard, giving St. Louis much-needed help along the line.
11. Minnesota Vikings – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
White is the second-best receiver in this class behind Cooper. Teddy Bridgewater is going to be a good one, but needs better weapons than Cordarrelle Patterson and an almost-washed up Greg Jennings.
12. Cleveland Browns – DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
With Josh Gordon’s days in Cleveland over, Parker would give Mike Pettine’s group a top-end receiver. Parker has great size and could help the Browns lighten the box for the running game.
13. New Orleans Saints – Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Waynes is the top corner in the draft, and the Saints are in desperate need of help in the secondary. Waynes is a physical corner who can play aggressively, making him perfect for Rob Ryan.
14. Miami Dolphins – Jalen Collins , CB, LSU
Collins would immediately slot in across from Brent Grimes. The Dolphins need to add another starter to the secondary and get a quality player here in Collins.
15. San Francisco 49ers – Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
This man is the wild-card of the draft. Green-Beckham is 6’6 and 237 pounds with scary talent, giving Colin Kaepernick a potentially lethal target.
16. Houston Texans – La’el Collins, OT, LSU
Houston needs help up front, and Collins is a beast. Collins is a great fit at right tackle and should project as a starter here as a rookie.
