The Viking Age
FanSided

Jackson McIntire’s 2015 2 Round Mock Draft 1.0

By Jackson McIntire

facebooktwitterreddit

With the 2015 NFL Draft roughly 2 months (And an uproar of fans booing the commissioner) away and the 2015 NFL Combine in the rearview, it’s time for me to release my first 2 round mock draft of the year. I will not be projecting trades in this mock, although they are bound to happen. Next to each player’s name is a number between 1 and 10. This number is a player grade indicative of my analysis of the prospect based on film, the combine, the senior bowl, and overall character. An asterisk(*) next to a player grade indicates that the player is a personal favorite of mine. With that said, here is my first 2015 NFL Mock Draft.

More from Vikings Mock Drafts

NOTE: Some grades may be different from the grades I gave in my last big board post. This is because the combine changes a lot, and my general opinion can change the more I study certain players.

Round 1

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State. 9.0

Jameis Winston possesses roughly 70% of the off-field problems that Manziel had last year, but none of the on-field concerns that Manziel possessed. His ceiling is that of a cathedral, while his floor is 2014-15 Jay Cutler.

2. Tennessee Titans- Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon. 8.9

Although reports have surfaced as of late that the Titans will pass on a QB, I don’t see it happening. The Titans have had QB problems for years, and are finally in position to get a franchise signal caller with a ton of upside. I doubt they pass up the opportunity, unless Philadelphia gives them an offer they can’t resist.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Randy Gregory, OLB/DE, Nebraska. 8.9*

Randy Gregory is a fantastic prospect that defensive-minded Gus Bradley will not want to pass on. Although OL is a big need and Leonard Williams is still on the board, I think the need for a stud edge-rusher will lead to Gregory being the pick here.

4. Oakland Raiders- Leonard Williams, DT, USC. 9.1

Yes, Derek Carr needs weapons. But if Williams falls to Oakland, he would be hard to pass on. Williams has expressed interest in playing for Oakland, and they need another playmaker along the defensive line.

Oct 25, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) makes a tackle against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the second quarter at Husky Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

5. Washington Redskins- Danny Shelton, DT, Washington. 9.0*

With Barry Cofield gone, there is a massive hole in the middle of the Redskins’ defense. Shelton would be a huge upgrade over Cofield and make a huge impact in year one.

6. New York Jets- Kevin White, WR, West Virginia. 9.0* 

After a huge combine, Kevin White did to Cooper and Parker what he did all season to NCAA corners- left them in the dust. With the Jets likely to cut Harvin after he predictable balked at a pay cut, they need a receiver opposite Decker.

7. Chicago Bears- Landon Collins, S, Alabama. 8.6

Chicago is a mess on defense right now. Collins would instantly help both the secondary and run defense.

8. Atlanta Falcons- Dante Fowler, DE, Florida. 8.8*

One of the most refined prospects in this draft, Fowler will finally provide Atlanta with the edge-rusher it has sorely lacked since John Abraham’s departure.

9. New York Giants- Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington. 8.5

The Giants take a chance on the super athletic product out of Washington. He can play linebacker or safety, which both happen to be needs.

10. St. Louis Rams- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa. 8.7*

The Rams need a tackle and a guard. Scherff can play either, and will bring a mean streak to an otherwise lackluster OL.

Dec 28, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; Louisville Cardinals wide receiver DeVante Parker (9) catches a pass while defended by Miami Hurricanes defensive back Artie Burns (1) during the second half of the Russell Athletic Bowl at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Foldy-USA TODAY Sports

11. Minnesota Vikings- DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville. 8.8*

Parker over Cooper? WHAT? It’s simple. The Vikings need a tall receiver who can win 50/50 balls and be a red-zone threat. Parker would provide both, as well as good speed, after-catch ability, and good smooth route-running.. While Cooper is a great receiver prospect as well, he doesn’t fit the need as well as Parker does, as he is more of a finesse/”Get Open” receiver who lacks elite ball skills, height, and vertical jumping ability.

12. Cleveland Browns- Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama. 8.7

With Josh Gordon suspended another year and a myriad of other problems, the Browns get the crafty Alabama receiver to help out whoever ends up being the starting quarterback.

13. New Orleans Saints- Shane Ray, OLB/DE, Missouri. 8.7

The Saints desperately need to add another edge-rusher opposite Cameron Jordan, as the Big Easy witnessed a big drop-off on the defensive side of the ball from 2013 to 2014. Ray has a high motor and will give 110% on every snap.

14. Miami Dolphins- Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State. 8.6*

Waynes could be brought in and fill an immediate hole, while also being groomed to eventually take over for the aging Brent Grimes. The Dolphins cut Cortland Finnegan, which makes Peters both a value and need pick.

15. San Francisco 49ers- La’el Collins, OT, LSU. 8.5*

Collins is another prospect who can play either guard or tackle. Some analysts think he doesn’t have the athleticism to be an NFL tackle, but I believe his good footwork makes up for any lack of athleticism. The 49ers fill a need here with the mauling lineman from LSU.

16. Houston Texans- Vic Beasley, OLB/DE, Clemson. 8.5*

Vic Beasley is coming off a statement combine performance in which he put his elite athleticism on display while also showing that he can add bulk to his previously thin frame. Imagine a D-Line consisting of J.J. Watt, Jadeveon Clowney, and Vic Beasley…. An absolute nightmare.

17. San Diego Chargers- Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin. 8.4

The Chargers love to run the ball. But running the ball is hard to do when your running back is always hurt and your back-ups are Donald Brown and an inconsistent second year player who looks eye-to-eye with Kevin Hart. Gordon is able to be a bell-cow back and will bring a much needed upgrade at the running back position to San Diego.

18. Kansas City Chiefs- Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri. 8.5*

Let me start off by saying I do not like this pick. Green-Beckham ideally would prefer a big-armed quarterback who can throw a great deep ball, but because the Chiefs are so desperate for a wide-receiver, he gets the popgun-armed Alex Smith.

19. Cleveland Browns- D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida. 8.4

Cleveland is rumored to be looking for an upgrade over right tackle Mitchell Schwartz. They could get their upgrade in Florida’s D.J. Humphries, who would help protect Cleveland’s nonexistent franchise quarterback.

20. Philadelphia Eagles- Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA. 7.4

Almost every year there is a shock that somehow involves a quarterback in the first round of the draft. A couple years ago it was E.J. Manuel going in the top 20 picks and last year it was Bortles going 3rd overall. This year, if Chip Kelly misses out on Marcus Mariota, I can easily see him targeting UCLA’s Brett Hundley. Despite having elite physical gifts, Hundley often struggled with accuracy while at UCLA, but Chip Kelly’s system doesn’t always require pin-point accuracy. If Hundley is going to succeed anywhere, it would be Philadelphia.

21. Cincinnati Bengals- T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh. 7.5

One of my least favorite prospects of the prospects expected to go in the first round, Clemmings was beat early and often at the senior bowl and is very raw. However, he does have upside. This would push Andrew Whitworth inside, which would fill the hole Clint Boling leaves when he most likely departs via free agency.

Oct 18, 2014; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; LSU Tigers tight end Travis Dickson (41) carries the ball beside Kentucky Wildcats defensive end Alvin Dupree (2) at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Crystal LoGiudice-USA TODAY Sports

22. Pittsburgh Steelers- Bud Dupree, OLB/DE, Kentucky. 8.3

Typical Steelers “Best Player Available” approach. However, this time their famous BPA approach also fills a need, as Jason Worilds is all but gone. Dupree is a very athletic, explosive, and high motor player with a high ceiling.

23. Detroit Lions- Malcom Brown, DT, Texas. 8.0

One of the safest picks in the draft, the well-rounded defensive tackle out of Texas will fill a hole along the Lions defensive line as there is no way both Suh and Fairley are re-signed.

24. Arizona Cardinals- Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State. 8.0

The Cardinals fill a need here in the middle of their defense with the speedy and athletic linebacker Benardrick McKinney. This move will bolster an already strong defense, and add another young player to an already youthful bunch consisting of Tyrann Mathieu, Patrick Peterson, Deone Bucannon and Calais Campbell.

25. Carolina Panthers- Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford. 8.0

The Panthers are in desperate need of tackle help. Luckily for them, there are quite a few tackles in this draft, and at least one mid-first round value is bound to fall to them. In this case, they get the athletic but inconsistent product out of Stanford.

26. Baltimore Ravens- Marcus Peters, CB, Washington. 8.5

Baltimore’s defense was elite on all levels but the secondary in 2014. Once Will Hill came in, the secondary improved a lot, but they could still use an upgrade over the declining Ladarius Webb. Although Peters has some character concerns, he provides very good value at this point in the draft. With Jimmy Smith and Marcus Peters on the outside roughing up receivers with their physical style of play, Baltimore would have a serious chance at boasting a top 3 defense.

27. Dallas Cowboys- Eli Harold, DE/OLB, Virginia. 7.7

The Cowboys need to put more pressure on the quarterback. Plain and simple. Especially with Henry Melton set to hit free-agency. Harold would provide decent value at the back-end of round 1, and break the Cowboys’ streak of drafting offensive linemen with their first pick.

28. Denver Broncos- Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota. 7.6

With Julius Thomas likely gone, Peyton Manning will need a big reliable receiver in the middle. Maxx Williams showed good route-running ability and possesses good size, which makes up for his average speed. There were reports that teams thought he was a bit arrogant, but I would rather have an extremely confident player than a player who lacks confidence.

29. Indianapolis Colts- Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA. 8.2*

The Colts’ defense has a long way to go, but drafting a stud linebacker like Eric Kendricks would be a giant step in the right direction. Kendricks’ instincts, speed, and tackling ability would be a huge addition to an otherwise lackluster group of linebackers.

30. Green Bay Packers– Paul Dawson, ILB, TCU. 7.9

With the recent releases of inside linebackers A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones, the Packers will be in the market for a new middle linebacker. Paul Dawson didn’t run very well at the combine, but he boasts terrific instincts and very good tape.

31. Seattle Seahawks- Jaelen Strong, WR, ASU. 7.8

If Russell Wilson was throwing to a talented wide receiver on the last play of the game, maybe the Seahawks would have won two straight Super Bowl’s. But since Wilson was throwing to Ricardo Lockett, the Patriots are now defending champs. The Seahawks have a receiver problem, and Jaelen Strong showed at the combine that he doesn’t just have size and production, he also has speed.

Nov 8, 2014; Bloomington, IN, USA; Indiana Hoosiers running back Tevin Coleman (6) runs between Penn State Nittany Lions safety Marcus Allen (2) and defensive tackle Anthony Zettel (98) in the game at Memorial Stadium. Penn State won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

32. New England Patriots- Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana. 7.9*

With Vereen and Ridley on the outs, New England will be looking for more help at the running back position. Blount is a solid back, but he isn’t special. While Todd Gurley is also an option here, the uncertainty of his injury mixed with plenty of other extremely talented backs could cause Gurley to fall. In this case, the Patriots decide to go with the game-breaking ability of Tevin Coleman, who rushed for over 2,000 yards last season at Indiana.

Round 2

33. Tennessee Titans- Jalen Collens, CB, LSU. 7.7

34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Arik Armstead, DT/DE, Oregon. 7.4

35. Oakland Raiders- Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State. 7.5

36. Jacksonville Jaguars- Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami. 7.8

37. New York Jets- Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami. 7.2

38. Washington Redskins- Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami(Ohio). 7.6*

39. Chicago Bears- Carl Davis, DT, Iowa. 7.0

40. New York Giants- Nate Orchard, OLB/DE, Utah. 7.5

41. St. Louis Rams- Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF. 7.5

42. Atlanta Falcons- Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State. 7.8*

43. Cleveland Browns- Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest. 7.7

44. New Orleans Saints- P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State. 6.9

Oct 4, 2014; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley (3) runs against Vanderbilt Commodores defensive back Torren McGaster (5) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Vanderbilt 44-17. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

45. Minnesota Vikings- Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia. 8.4*

46. San Francisco 49ers- Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State. 7.5

47. Miami Dolphins- David Cobb, RB, Minnesota. 7.5*

48. San Diego Chargers- Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn. 7.3

49. Kansas City Chiefs- Tre Jackson, G, Florida State. 6.9

50. Buffalo Bills- Duke Johnson, RB, Miami. 6.8

51. Houston Texans- Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M. 7.7

52. Philadelphia Eagles- Alex Carter, CB, Stanford. 7.3

53. Cincinnati Bengals- Hau’oli Kikaha, DE, Washington. 7.0

54. Detroit Lions- Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska. 7.5

55. Arizona Cardinals- T.J. Yeldon, RB, Alabama. 6.6

56. Pittsburgh Steelers- Steven Nelson, CB, Oregon State. 7.1*

57. Carolina Panthers- Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami. 7.0

58. Baltimore Ravens- Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan. 7.3

59. Denver Broncos- Laken Tomlinson, G/OT, Duke. 7.0

60. Dallas Cowboys- Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville. 7.4

61. Indianapolis Colts- Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State. 7.3

62. Green Bay Packers– Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State. 7.3

63. Seattle Seahawks- Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State. 6.8

64. New England Patriots- Nelson Agholar, WR, USC. 7.0

Here are some explanations for some questions you may be wondering:

1. Why does Todd Gurley fall all the way to 45? 

Due to a mix of an extremely talented running back class and a very good group of free agent running backs, the uncertainty surrounding Gurley’s knee injury could cause him to fall to the middle of the second round. There are a number of first round worthy backs, and teams may not want to risk a pick on a player with a major knee injury when they can draft an extremely talented player that plays the same position without the same concerns.

2. Why do the Packers have a line through their team name?

Because they are the Green Bay Packers.

3. Why does Devin Funchess get drafted so late?

Devin Funchess came into the combine with a big question mark. This question mark was simple: Is he a wide receiver or a tight end? After the combine, Devin Funchess has a big question mark. The question mark is simple: Is he a wide receiver or a tight end?

If you have further questions or comments, leave a comment below, and be sure to follow me on twitter @jackmack28. Thanks for reading!

More from The Viking Age

Home/Minnesota Vikings Mock Drafts