Here it is. Most draft sites are doing mock drafts already, so I'll jump into the fray with my first official mock draft. I'm using current standings to set a draft order, with the Raiders picking 1st overall and the Arizona Cardinals picking last. I'll include a bit of analysis for each team. My draft will be wrong given the fact that everything is going to change between now and Spring (this is a very deep draft class), but let's have some fun!
1. New York Jets (from Oakland). The Raiders have a ton of needs, needs that won't be met with one pick. There are a few teams that desperately need a QB this year (the Buccaneers, the Rams, potentially the Jets). The Raiders aren't one of them after drafting Carr in 2014. I could see the Jets or Rams trading up to this spot, and such a move would make sense for Oakland; trade back and get more picks. The Jets are a team foolish enough to make a big trade for a QB while not filling their other needs. so trade! The Jets send their first and second round picks to the Raiders for Oakland's first round pick. The Jets will likely fire Rex Ryan after this season and will want to start out fresh with the most hyped QB in this draft class. I'd like to mock someone intelligent to the Jets but I....just....can't... Pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jacksonville Jaguars also have a starting QB lined up. The Jags have some good young talent on defense, but need a solid playmaker to go with Telvin Smith. They could also use a WR here (Amari Cooper maybe?), or a RB (Melvin Gordon?), but I'm projecting them with a linebacker. Pick: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson.
3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have the potential to be one of the best offensive units in the NFL. However, they need a QB to take them to that next level. They missed out on Mariota and will continue an early QB run. The Bucs take the 2nd QB off the board with the 3rd pick in the draft. Pick: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State.
4. Oakland ( From NY Jets). Now the Oakland Raiders make their pick. They need help everywhere, especially at WR, but also at offensive line, RB, and cornerback. That being said, they made a huge investment in their offense with Carr in 2014, and this year they continue that investment by giving him someone to throw to. Pick: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama.
5.Tennessee Titans. The Titans have a few needs. QB is a possibility. That being said, the best defensive lineman in the draft is still on the board, and this team NEEDS defensive help. They go defense. Pick: Leonard Williams, DE, USC.
6.Washington Sentinels. First, this offseason, the Redskins will draft a new name. I picked the Washington Sentinels after the Replacements. Hey, it works. Going with the Replacements theme, they need a big mamba jamba on the offensive line. This offense is bad at best, and it starts up front. There are no Sumo Wrestlers in this year's draft, but all the best OL prospects are still available. The pick is in. Yes, Washington has a first round pick! Pick: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa.
7. New York Giants. The Giants need help both on offense and on defense. Odell Beckham has turned out well for them so far, and hopefully they find luck in this year's draft as well. That being said, this defense needs upgrades, and with good choices both on offensive and defensive line available, the Giants will opt to go defense. Pick: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska.
8.Carolina Panthers. The Carolina Panthers do not have an offense. All formations incomplete. This team has Cam Newton....and nobody for him to throw to besides Kelvin Benjamin. That being said, they also have no protection for him, so I'm thinking they go with one of the top two offensive line prospects in the draft. Pick: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
9. Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have a ton of holes on offense. These holes start with the lack of holes opened by the offensive line. That being said, the top two offensive line prospects are already off the board, so the Falcons settle for an elite SS prospect. Pick: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama.
10. Minnesota Vikings. This might be the end of the Adrian Peterson era. The Vikings could go a few ways here, but this is an offense built on the run game. They could use a WR for Bridgewater but this is a deep, deep class, and a replacement for Peterson is more important, since Tate isn't the answer either. They settle for either the second WR on the board or the top RB. I'm going with Running Back. Pick: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin.
11. New Orleans Saints. The Saints always seem to need help on defense. They've still got a solid offensive unit, but they need defensive upgrades. Anyone that can tackle better than the 50 yard line and the invisible green munchkin would help this unit. I'm going with a defensive prospect with lots of upside. Pick: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington.
12. Chicago Bears. The Bears secondary is so bad that Jimmy Clausen could tear it apart. 2014 first round pick Kyle Fuller has looked solid, but they need help. Charles Tillman is probably gone, so the Bears draft another one. Pick: PJ Williams, CB, Florida State.
13. St. Louis Rams. The Rams might need help at QB in the 2015 draft if Bradford isn't ready to play, They need help at OL as well, but Bradford might be done and they don't have a proven answer without him. They address that with this pick. Pick: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA.
14. Houston Texans. Andre Johnson isn't going to last forever, and the Texans need a WR to go with DeAndre Hopkins. They make that move with this pick. Pick: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
15. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo). The Cleveland Browns need one more offensive playmaker in case Gordon gets arrested again or in case Jordan Cameron gets injured. White and Cooper are off the board, so they go with a WR/TE hybrid that can play both positions. Pick: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan.
16. Cleveland Browns. After addressing the WR position at 15, the Browns turn to the defensive side of the ball. Barkevious Mingo is a decent cog for this defensive unit, but the Browns need one or two more playmakers to go with him. They address that with this pick. Pick: Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia.
17. Indianapolis Colts. The Indianapolis Colts could go a few ways here. That being said, I'm projecting something relatively out of the box. Ahmad Bradshaw is injury prone, and Trent Richardson is not the answer at RB. Todd Gurley was a surefire top 10 pick before his injury, and at 17, he's a discount if he comes back healthy. The Colts take a chance here. Pick: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia.
18. Baltimore Ravens. If the Colts don't take Gurley, the Ravens take him here. That being said, Gurley is off the board. Since the top 2 RBs are off the board, the Ravens address their defense. The pick is in. Pick: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State.
19. Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins could go a few ways in the draft. They could go RB, continue to upgrade their offensive line, or grab one more CB to start across from Brent Grimes. I'm going CB here. Pick: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon.
20. San. Diego Chargers. The San Diego Chargers could go a few directions here. RB might be an issue, and they could grab a WR here as well. That being said, their run blocking has been poor so far this season, and an upgrade on the line would help. They make that upgrade here. Pick: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State.
21. San Francisco 49ers. This pick is pretty simple. The 49ers need a WR and I'll be surprised if they do anything else with this pick. They pick the best WR left on the board. Pick: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville.
22. Seattle Seahawks. The Seattle Seahawks are a deep team in general. However, they have no wide receivers! Doug Baldwin is not a #1 WR. Neither is Percy Harvin. They need to address the position this year, and they do it here. Pick: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State University.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers don't have a ton of weaknesses. That being said, potentially their weakest point is at CB. They'll upgrade the position here. Pick: Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State.
24. Cincinnati Bengals. The Cincinnati Bengals need a head coach and a kicker. They won't select either in the first round of the 2015 draft. This team needs help on defense, especially at DT and linebacker. A CB wouldn't hurt either, but they have young talent there. With a solid pick available at DT, the Bengals opt to upgrade former stud Domata Peko, who has slowed down. Pick: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State.
25. Dallas Cowboys. Rumor has it that Jerry Jones wants to draft Johnny Manziel with this pick, but that won't happen. The Cowboys upgrade their defense with this pick. The pick is in. Pick: Kurtis Drummond, FS, Michigan State.
26. Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles were torched by the Packers passing game this year, and need some help at CB. This is a draft deep with defensive talent, and we see ANOTHER cornerback picked in the first round! Pick: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford.
27. Detroit Lions. The Lions will draft a RB this year. That being said, they won't draft one with this pick. The Detroit defense also needs some help, and they could go CB or Defensive Line here. They opt to upgrade their defensive line with this pick. Pick: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
28. Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers offense is scary. So is their defense. That being said, their defense is less scary than their offense is. I think they opt to go with an upgrade at defense here. Denzel Perryman fits a huge need for this defensive unit, and I think the Packers bite here. Pick: Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami.
29. Kansas City Chiefs. The Kansas Chiefs need a Wide Receiver. Say it with me. The Chiefs need a WR. The Chiefs need a WR. They take one with this pick. This kid could have gone far higher if it wasn't for character issues. But thanks to those issues, he falls to the 29th pick. Pick: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
30. Denver Broncos. The Denver Broncos don't have many holes. One hole is at linebacker. This late in the first round, we're throwing darts in ways, especially this far away from the draft, but I'm projecting a LB to Denver. Pick: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri.
31. New England Patriots. While I think the Patriots make a stupid mistake this year like normal in the draft, this pick falls into their lap. The Patriots need a defensive tackle and find themselves facing a solid, solid option at 31. They jump. Pick: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington.
32. Arizona Cardinals. I think the Cardinals could go a few directions here. QB? Maybe, but they just gave Palmer a long-term deal, so unlikely. WR? Definitely a possibility, but its a deep class. Defense? Also a possibility. This is an already dominant defense that can only get better with more pieces. I'll freely admit this pick is a reach but I like Kikaha and want to get him somewhere in the first!!! Pick: Hau'oli Kikaha, DE/OLB, Washington.
This mock draft will be obsolete within 2 weeks, but it's a start. I'll have better mocks as we get closer to the draft and move through Bowl games, workouts, the Combine, pro days, the Shrine Game, and the Senior Bowl, but here's a start!
--Mike B
1. New York Jets (from Oakland). The Raiders have a ton of needs, needs that won't be met with one pick. There are a few teams that desperately need a QB this year (the Buccaneers, the Rams, potentially the Jets). The Raiders aren't one of them after drafting Carr in 2014. I could see the Jets or Rams trading up to this spot, and such a move would make sense for Oakland; trade back and get more picks. The Jets are a team foolish enough to make a big trade for a QB while not filling their other needs. so trade! The Jets send their first and second round picks to the Raiders for Oakland's first round pick. The Jets will likely fire Rex Ryan after this season and will want to start out fresh with the most hyped QB in this draft class. I'd like to mock someone intelligent to the Jets but I....just....can't... Pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jacksonville Jaguars also have a starting QB lined up. The Jags have some good young talent on defense, but need a solid playmaker to go with Telvin Smith. They could also use a WR here (Amari Cooper maybe?), or a RB (Melvin Gordon?), but I'm projecting them with a linebacker. Pick: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson.
3.Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs have the potential to be one of the best offensive units in the NFL. However, they need a QB to take them to that next level. They missed out on Mariota and will continue an early QB run. The Bucs take the 2nd QB off the board with the 3rd pick in the draft. Pick: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State.
4. Oakland ( From NY Jets). Now the Oakland Raiders make their pick. They need help everywhere, especially at WR, but also at offensive line, RB, and cornerback. That being said, they made a huge investment in their offense with Carr in 2014, and this year they continue that investment by giving him someone to throw to. Pick: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama.
5.Tennessee Titans. The Titans have a few needs. QB is a possibility. That being said, the best defensive lineman in the draft is still on the board, and this team NEEDS defensive help. They go defense. Pick: Leonard Williams, DE, USC.
6.Washington Sentinels. First, this offseason, the Redskins will draft a new name. I picked the Washington Sentinels after the Replacements. Hey, it works. Going with the Replacements theme, they need a big mamba jamba on the offensive line. This offense is bad at best, and it starts up front. There are no Sumo Wrestlers in this year's draft, but all the best OL prospects are still available. The pick is in. Yes, Washington has a first round pick! Pick: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa.
7. New York Giants. The Giants need help both on offense and on defense. Odell Beckham has turned out well for them so far, and hopefully they find luck in this year's draft as well. That being said, this defense needs upgrades, and with good choices both on offensive and defensive line available, the Giants will opt to go defense. Pick: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska.
8.Carolina Panthers. The Carolina Panthers do not have an offense. All formations incomplete. This team has Cam Newton....and nobody for him to throw to besides Kelvin Benjamin. That being said, they also have no protection for him, so I'm thinking they go with one of the top two offensive line prospects in the draft. Pick: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
9. Atlanta Falcons. The Falcons have a ton of holes on offense. These holes start with the lack of holes opened by the offensive line. That being said, the top two offensive line prospects are already off the board, so the Falcons settle for an elite SS prospect. Pick: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama.
10. Minnesota Vikings. This might be the end of the Adrian Peterson era. The Vikings could go a few ways here, but this is an offense built on the run game. They could use a WR for Bridgewater but this is a deep, deep class, and a replacement for Peterson is more important, since Tate isn't the answer either. They settle for either the second WR on the board or the top RB. I'm going with Running Back. Pick: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin.
11. New Orleans Saints. The Saints always seem to need help on defense. They've still got a solid offensive unit, but they need defensive upgrades. Anyone that can tackle better than the 50 yard line and the invisible green munchkin would help this unit. I'm going with a defensive prospect with lots of upside. Pick: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington.
12. Chicago Bears. The Bears secondary is so bad that Jimmy Clausen could tear it apart. 2014 first round pick Kyle Fuller has looked solid, but they need help. Charles Tillman is probably gone, so the Bears draft another one. Pick: PJ Williams, CB, Florida State.
13. St. Louis Rams. The Rams might need help at QB in the 2015 draft if Bradford isn't ready to play, They need help at OL as well, but Bradford might be done and they don't have a proven answer without him. They address that with this pick. Pick: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA.
14. Houston Texans. Andre Johnson isn't going to last forever, and the Texans need a WR to go with DeAndre Hopkins. They make that move with this pick. Pick: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
15. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo). The Cleveland Browns need one more offensive playmaker in case Gordon gets arrested again or in case Jordan Cameron gets injured. White and Cooper are off the board, so they go with a WR/TE hybrid that can play both positions. Pick: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan.
16. Cleveland Browns. After addressing the WR position at 15, the Browns turn to the defensive side of the ball. Barkevious Mingo is a decent cog for this defensive unit, but the Browns need one or two more playmakers to go with him. They address that with this pick. Pick: Leonard Floyd, DE/OLB, Georgia.
17. Indianapolis Colts. The Indianapolis Colts could go a few ways here. That being said, I'm projecting something relatively out of the box. Ahmad Bradshaw is injury prone, and Trent Richardson is not the answer at RB. Todd Gurley was a surefire top 10 pick before his injury, and at 17, he's a discount if he comes back healthy. The Colts take a chance here. Pick: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia.
18. Baltimore Ravens. If the Colts don't take Gurley, the Ravens take him here. That being said, Gurley is off the board. Since the top 2 RBs are off the board, the Ravens address their defense. The pick is in. Pick: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State.
19. Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins could go a few ways in the draft. They could go RB, continue to upgrade their offensive line, or grab one more CB to start across from Brent Grimes. I'm going CB here. Pick: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon.
20. San. Diego Chargers. The San Diego Chargers could go a few directions here. RB might be an issue, and they could grab a WR here as well. That being said, their run blocking has been poor so far this season, and an upgrade on the line would help. They make that upgrade here. Pick: Cameron Erving, OT, Florida State.
21. San Francisco 49ers. This pick is pretty simple. The 49ers need a WR and I'll be surprised if they do anything else with this pick. They pick the best WR left on the board. Pick: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville.
22. Seattle Seahawks. The Seattle Seahawks are a deep team in general. However, they have no wide receivers! Doug Baldwin is not a #1 WR. Neither is Percy Harvin. They need to address the position this year, and they do it here. Pick: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State University.
23. Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers don't have a ton of weaknesses. That being said, potentially their weakest point is at CB. They'll upgrade the position here. Pick: Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State.
24. Cincinnati Bengals. The Cincinnati Bengals need a head coach and a kicker. They won't select either in the first round of the 2015 draft. This team needs help on defense, especially at DT and linebacker. A CB wouldn't hurt either, but they have young talent there. With a solid pick available at DT, the Bengals opt to upgrade former stud Domata Peko, who has slowed down. Pick: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State.
25. Dallas Cowboys. Rumor has it that Jerry Jones wants to draft Johnny Manziel with this pick, but that won't happen. The Cowboys upgrade their defense with this pick. The pick is in. Pick: Kurtis Drummond, FS, Michigan State.
26. Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles were torched by the Packers passing game this year, and need some help at CB. This is a draft deep with defensive talent, and we see ANOTHER cornerback picked in the first round! Pick: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford.
27. Detroit Lions. The Lions will draft a RB this year. That being said, they won't draft one with this pick. The Detroit defense also needs some help, and they could go CB or Defensive Line here. They opt to upgrade their defensive line with this pick. Pick: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State
28. Green Bay Packers. The Green Bay Packers offense is scary. So is their defense. That being said, their defense is less scary than their offense is. I think they opt to go with an upgrade at defense here. Denzel Perryman fits a huge need for this defensive unit, and I think the Packers bite here. Pick: Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami.
29. Kansas City Chiefs. The Kansas Chiefs need a Wide Receiver. Say it with me. The Chiefs need a WR. The Chiefs need a WR. They take one with this pick. This kid could have gone far higher if it wasn't for character issues. But thanks to those issues, he falls to the 29th pick. Pick: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
30. Denver Broncos. The Denver Broncos don't have many holes. One hole is at linebacker. This late in the first round, we're throwing darts in ways, especially this far away from the draft, but I'm projecting a LB to Denver. Pick: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri.
31. New England Patriots. While I think the Patriots make a stupid mistake this year like normal in the draft, this pick falls into their lap. The Patriots need a defensive tackle and find themselves facing a solid, solid option at 31. They jump. Pick: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington.
32. Arizona Cardinals. I think the Cardinals could go a few directions here. QB? Maybe, but they just gave Palmer a long-term deal, so unlikely. WR? Definitely a possibility, but its a deep class. Defense? Also a possibility. This is an already dominant defense that can only get better with more pieces. I'll freely admit this pick is a reach but I like Kikaha and want to get him somewhere in the first!!! Pick: Hau'oli Kikaha, DE/OLB, Washington.
This mock draft will be obsolete within 2 weeks, but it's a start. I'll have better mocks as we get closer to the draft and move through Bowl games, workouts, the Combine, pro days, the Shrine Game, and the Senior Bowl, but here's a start!
--Mike B
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