2015 NFL Mock Draft: Vikings Go Defense With #11 Pick
By Adam Carlson
It’s only 41 days until the 2015 NFL Draft, so that means that it is mock draft season. We’ll see many experts (and not-so-experts) taking their best guesses as to which prospects will end up with which NFL teams.
This will be my second attempt at a mock draft and things have been shaken up in a huge way since my first attempt. We’ve had the combine, some pro days, many free agency signings, retirements, and other things happen that have made major changes to some of the team’s needs. Because of that, there have been major changes to my mock draft and it looks completely different from the top down.
So let’s get this mock started!
January 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) runs the ball against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Florida State. Jameis Winston. 1. player. 48. While Winston isn’t the best available player, it’s hard to pass on one of the top passers in the draft when you have the #1 overall spot and a huge question mark at the position.. Quarterback
2. Tennessee Titans
2. player. 35. The Titans have Mettenberger, Whitehurst, and Tanney as the only quarterbacks on their roster, you have to assume that Tennessee is looking at a passer with their first round pick.. Quarterback. Oregon. Marcus Mariota
3. Jacksonville Jaguars
player. 52. Pass rush has been a problem for the Jaguars, and they’ll address that with their top pick. Fowler has the potential to be an elite player on the NFL level.. Linebacker. Florida. Dante Fowler Jr.. 3
4. Oakland Raiders
West Virginia. Kevin White. 4. player. 28. White has soared to the top of the draft boards after showing amazing talent combined with excellent size. They will look to add more weapons for young Derek Carr.. Wide Receiver
5. Washington Redskins
Nov 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans defensive end Leonard Williams (94) celebrates against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
6. New York Jets
Leonard Williams. 6. player. 30. I see a lot of mocks with the Jets looking at a QB, but the franchise tradition is to win with defense. They may see Williams as the best player in the draft and a steal at #6.. Defensive Tackle. Southern California
7. Chicago Bears
Solidifying the middle of the defensive line should be a priority for the Bears despite losing WR Brandon Marshall in a trade. Shelton is the safe pick for Chicago in this draft.. Defensive Tackle. Washington. Danny Shelton. 7. player. 57
8. Atlanta Falcons
Rushing the passer has been a problem for the Falcons for a long time, who are giving up far too many points defensively for their high powered offense to keep up.. Defensive End. Missouri. Shane Ray. 8. player. 44
9. New York Giants
Brandon Scherff. 9. player. 31. Helping out Eli Manning should be the top priority for the Giants. With Scherff, they get a player that can be a tackle or a guard at the NFL level.. Offensive Tackle. Iowa
10. St. Louis Rams
player. 51. New Rams QB Nick Foles will need some weapons in the passing game and Cooper is a refined talent that can be a major safety blanket for him.. Wide Receiver. Alabama. Amari Cooper. 10
Next: Picks 11-20