Tilting Ground 2015 NFL Mock Draft

The NFL Draft is only a day away. All of Greg’s predraft team previews have been posted, so we thought it would be fun to do a mock draft of our own here at Tilting Ground. Greg and I will alternate picks, and for the sake of this exercise we will assume there are no trades. Let’s go. Greg is up first.

(Editor’s Note: This mock draft took place before Shane Ray’s alleged marijuana possession and Dion Jordan’s suspension.)

Greg

1.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB FSU

He’s the best quarterback available and the Bucs had the worst offense by DVOA last season. I’m not privy to all the character background checks available to the teams, so I’m going by on field ability. By many accounts his football IQ is off the charts and he played in a prostyle offense in college. I see him starting day 1 in Tampa.

Michael

2.) Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota QB Oregon

Since there are no trades in this mock draft, if I’m the Titans I take the best QB available, Mariota. Lucky for me he is also the best QB in the draft. Jameis played in too many close games against too many bad teams for my liking last year. Also Mariota has zero off filed concerns, and what I mean by that is he hasn’t been accused of raping anyone, which is a plus in my book. All that other stuff aside, you need a QB to win in the NFL and Zach Mettenberger isn’t cutting it; I’ll roll the dice with Mariota.

Greg

3.) Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Williams DT USC

Again, no trades, so the Jags take the best overall player in the draft. The Jags need help in multiple areas since they don’t have a very talented roster; plenty of teams will be calling looking to draft Williams, a trade down for more picks would make sense. Florida outside linebacker Dante Fowler has been quoted as saying he’d be surprised if the Jags didn’t take him at #3. Well, be ready to be surprised my friend, if it remains the Jags pick, it should be Williams. He dominated the Pac-12 for two years, he tested great, and the huge contract DT N’damokung Suh just got from the Dolphins should indicate how the league feels about elite defensive tackles.

Michael

4.) Oakland Raiders – Brandon Scherff OL Iowa

I was really hoping to get Leonard Williams here. Oh well. I don’t really like any of the outside linebacker/defensive end prospects, and the Raiders have a pretty solid linebacking core to begin with taking those players off my draft board. If your name isn’t Calvin Johnson I’m not taking a receiver this high, so I went safe and selected an offensive lineman. It was between Scherff and La’el Collins here and Scherff was the safe pick. I already know if he doesn’t work out at tackle he can slide down to guard and still contribute to the offensive line. He was described as being physical and having a mean streak, which fits the Raiders personality perfectly. Look out AFC West there is a new Scherff in town. Sorry, had to do it.

Greg

5.) Washington Redskins- Randy Gregory OLB Nebraska

Washington lost their best pass rusher, Brian Orakpo, to free agency and among the top rushers in the draft, I think Gregory is the best. Apologies to Dante Fowler, who has a lot of potential and physical skills, but I get nervous when pass rushers don’t have a lot of production in college. In three years at Florida, Fowler sacked the quarterback only 14 times, compared to Gregory’s 17.5 sacks, in only two seasons. Gregory is used to playing in space as an OLB, which he will play with the Redskins, and he is enormous at 6’6 240. Yes, he failed a drug test for marijuana during the week of the combine, but so did Warren Sapp, and that worked out nicely for everyone involved.

Michael

6.) New York Jets- Dante Fowler Jr. OLB Florida

The Jets’ new coach Todd Bowles is a defensive guru, so let’s get him a shiny new toy to play with. The Jets’ defensive is pretty solid and they only thing they are missing is an edge rusher. Fowler is a project, but there are so many other talented players on this defensive that Fowler would not be under any extra pressure to succeed. With the mindset of just getting after the QB and nothing else Fowler should be a hit.

Greg

7.) Chicago Bears- Amari Cooper WR Alabama

If this were a real draft, I’d have sprinted up to the podium with my card for the Alabama wide receiver. In my opinion, by far the best receiver in the draft and a perfect complement to receiver Alshon Jeffrey. Cooper had a monster season in 2014: 124 catches for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns in the tough SEC West. He comes from a prostyle offense at Bama, therefore he has been running pro style routes the last three seasons; this should allow him to make a smooth transition from the college to pro game and he’ll start opposite of Jeffrey his first day on the practice field.

Michael

8.) Atlanta Falcons – Bud Dupree OLB Kentucky

Atlanta is another team that needs pass rush help, and needs it badly. Dupree is super athletic and can get after the QB from the edge. I’m not really a Vic Beasley guy and it’s too early for Shane Ray, so Dupree is the pick.

Greg

9.) New York Giants- La’el Collins OT LSU

The Giants really wanted Scherff in this spot, but they will be happy to draft Collins. He also projects as a guard in the NFL, like Scherff, and he looks to be a starter day one. He excels as a run blocker; he has some difficulty with speed in the pass rush, which will be mediated from the guard position. He plays with a mean streak and is known as a mauler at the point of attack, and that always sounds nice from a lineman.

Michael

10) St. Louis Rams – Trae Waynes CB Michigan State

I hate not picking one of the best players available and just drafting for need, but the two best offensive linemen are gone, the Rams don’t need a defensive lineman or edge rusher and if I’m the Rams, I just can’t take another wide receiver from West Virginia, Trae Waynes it is. Waynes should really sure up the defense and become the starting corner opposite Janoris Jenkins. Waynes is supposed to be a great man to man defender which will make Coach Jeff Fisher happy.

Greg

11.) Minnesota Vikings- Kevin White WR West Virginia

Yes, the Vikings have a decent set of receivers, and yes, they need offensive line help. Doesn’t matter to me, when you draft at 11 and there is a guy on the board who draftniks thought could go top 5, you take him, and figure out the rest later. Of all their receiving options, none of them is a #1 type receiver, as Cordarrelle Patterson proved last season. White is 6’3, runs a 4.35 40, was incredibly productive—109 catches, 1,443 yards and 10 TD’s—and as Daniel Jeremiah said on his podcast this week “he plays mean, a la Dez Bryant”. Teddy Bridgewater now has elite talent to distribute the ball to and tons of speed in White (4.35), Patterson (4.42) and Mike Wallace (4.33).

Michael

12.) Cleveland Browns – Danny Shelton DT Washington

To continue with the theme of taking the best player available, the Browns will take Danny Shelton. It never hurts to have a solid defensive line and Shelton will insure of that. Shelton will also help since the Browns have to go up against Le’Veon Bell, Justin Forsett and Gionvani Bernard twice a season.

Greg

13.) New Orleans Saints- Shane Ray DE Missouri

The Saints were 26th in rushing the passer last year, Ray is a pass rush specialist who got to the QB a school record 14.5 times. Another very good value at #13, he could have gone #5 to the Redskins. Ray has elite speed at the position, the only knock on him is his size and the lack of refined pass rushing moves, but you can’t argue with his production. He played in a 4-3 scheme as the right defensive end in college and fits perfectly with what the Saints are trying to do on defense.

Michael

14.) Miami Dolphins – Arik Armstead DL Oregon

The Dolphins just spent all the money on N’damukong Suh and currently employee pass rush specialist Cameron Wake, so this seems like a luxury, but hear me out. Armstead projects as a 3-4 defense end, but he probably could shift inside in a 4-3 set because Suh will demand a double team on every snap. This gives the Dolphins the option of lining up in multiple fronts at any time, confusing offenses and allowing Wake to impose his will on opposing quarterbacks. Also you can never have too many good defensive linemen.

Greg

15.) San Francisco 49ers- Malcom Brown DT Texas

Ideally, the Niners trade out of this pick to acquire more picks, and there are a couple of guys they could take at this spot, but if they do stay put, Brown is the guy. Seattle and Marshawn Lynch still rule their division, and they have to stop the run. Right now Ian Williams is slated as a starting defensive tackle and he has been a replacement level player since he came into the NFL. Brown is a guy who plays with toughness and has a great motor; he played defensive end in Texas’ 3-4, and he played defensive tackle very well in their man under fronts. He led Texas in both tackles for loss and sacks with 13 and 6.5 respectively; good production from an inside player.

Michael

16.) Houston Texans – Vic Beasley OLB Clemson

Let’s roll the dice. The thinking here is the same as with Dolphins pick, the Texans have a good defensive line let’s make it better. Also, this is a little insurance policy in case Jadeveon Clowney is never the player he was projected to be.

Greg

17.) San Diego Chargers- Devante Parker WR Louisville

The Chargers’ war room sat in stunned silence as Beasley was picked one spot ahead of them. The card was made, they were ready to dial his number and welcome him to the team, and then the bombshell dropped as the Texans made their pick. They rebound nicely with this selection of Devante Parker, who some compare to the receiver they have now, Keenan Allen—if Allen had run a 4.45 as Parker did instead of 4.71. If the Chargers don’t deal quarterback Philip Rivers to the Titans they’ve given him an elite receiver who has less buzz than Cooper and White due to missing 7 games as a senior. In the 7 games he played he amassed 43 catches for 885 yards and 5 TD’s. Double that production and you’ve got an 86 catch 1,700 yard receiver at #17.

Michael

18.) Kansas City Chiefs – Andrus Peat OL Stanford

Andy Reid smiled at me when the Chargers selected Devante Parker. I had just convinced him the team needs a receiver here, but he wanted a lineman, like he always does. With no quality receiver available I took a page from the Dallas Cowboys book and went with improving the offensive line. Peat will be a day one starter and help create running lanes for Jamaal Charles while keeping Alex Smith upright.

Greg

19.) Cleveland Browns- Nelson Agholor WR USC

The Browns can’t whiff on wide receiver with two picks in the first round, two years in a row, they just can’t. They so wanted to take Missouri/Oklahoma practice star Dorial Green-Beckham at this spot, but they already had a supremely talented receiver who had issues with marijuana, and that’s not going so great. Nelson Agholor is a nice compliment to new receiver Dwayne Bowe; Agholor can stretch the field vertically while Bowe works underneath. Also a gifted route runner, he returned 4 punts for touchdowns while at USC, something that is not mentioned enough. Not sure whether he will return punts in the NFL, but it shows his abilities in the open field. Of course, he has no one to throw him the ball, but you have to grab these guys while you can, a la the Bucs and Bills with Mike Evans and Sammy Watkins last season.

Michael

20.) Philadelphia Eagles – Eric Rowe S/CB Utah

The Eagles need a safety, and can use another cornerback, why not a player that can do both. Rowe excelled at both positions while at Utah and projects more as a safety in the NFL, but his man coverage skills can definitely be put to use in Philadelphia. Rowe is also a Pac-12 guy, and this makes Chip Kelly happy.

Greg

21.) Cincinnati Bengals- Eddie Goldman DT FSU

The Bengals were poor along the defensive line last season, 27th against the run, 31st rushing the passer. Eddie Goldman will provide help next to fellow defensive tackle Geno Atkins, as well as some push up the middle to collapse the pocket for new defensive end Michael Johnson. Goldman has shown some flashes getting after the quarterback; he’s got a nice slap and swim move, that once refined will be weapons at the next level.

Michael

22.) Pittsburgh Steelers – Marcus Peters CB Washington

The Steelers need a ton help on defense and Peters should provide that help. He is a lockdown corner, who some feel is the best in the entire draft. The NFL is a passing a league, and you need good comers, Marcus Peters is that.

Greg

23.) Detroit Lions – Jordan Phillips NT Oklahoma

Gone are N’damukong Suh and Nick Fairley; in are Holoti Ngata and Jordan Phillips. The Lions’ defense needs two run stuffers to work, and not only can Philips stop the run he has also shown flashes of ability at rushing the passer. The Lions really wanted Malcom Brown in this spot, but they like the upside potential of Philips. He’s a really good athlete for his size; he played tight end in high school catching 17 passes for 400 yards and 4 TD’s. Next to Ngata he can be dominant.

Michael

24.) Jalen Collins – CB LSU

All of the good DE/OLB prospects are gone, and it’s too early to take a quarterback like Bryce Petty or Brett Hundley, so Collins it is. Collins will replace the departed Antonio Cromartie, but will most likely start in the slot as the nickel DB, then eventually take over the starting corner job next to Patrick Peterson. Another plus for Collins is he is from LSU, and defensive backs from LSU have fared well for the Cardinals in the past.

Greg

25.) Carolina Panthers – D.J. Humphries OT Florida

The Panthers needed an offensive tackle in the worst way in this draft, and Humphries could be a starter at left tackle for them on day 1. A former 5 star recruit, Humphries gets to go home to North Carolina where he starred in high school. Described as having the best feet in the draft, he plays with a nasty streak that never turns off. It was hard to pass on receiver Jaelen Strong here, but there is no point in having receivers if Cam Newton is always running for his life.

Michael

26.) Baltimore Ravens – Jalen Strong WR Arizona State

Baltimore has pressing needs in a few places. However, there are no quality nose tackles available, and since the team is paying Joe Flacco truckloads of money, might as well give him someone to throw to. Strong is big, fast and well strong. He can catch, he can run, maybe he could even play nose tackle. Now a Raven, Strong and Steve Smith Sr. can discuss what LA junior college is better, Santa Monica or Pierce.

Greg

27.) Dallas Cowboys- Melvin Gordon RB Wisconsin

The Cowboys replace DeMarco Murray with the top runner in college football last season. Gordon toted the ball 631 times in his college career and averaged 7.8 yards a carry. That’s incredible production, especially on a team without a viable throwing threat. He will have the benefit of running behind one of the best offensive lines in football, and the threat of Tony Romo to Dez Bryant on any given play. Take note Chip Kelly, you could have had this guy at pick 20 for millions less than DeMarco Murray.

Michael

28.) Denver Broncos – Ereck Flowers OT Miami

Peyton Manning is back for another year, and when you have an aging quarterback, keeping him upright is most important. Last year Manning was injured late in the season and fell apart; Flowers should provide needed added protection for Manning. He is a big, athletic player who plays with a mean streak. (Side note in doing this exercise I think every offensive line has been described by each of the different scouting services as having a mean streak, they all can’t have a mean streak.) Flowers starts from day one, and should make an instant impact on the Broncos offense and Peyton Manning’s future health.

Greg

29.) Indianapolis Colts- Todd Gurley RB Georgia

I Gave a long look at safety Landon Collins in this spot, but couldn’t pass up the value of Gurley, who some have going #6 to the Jets. The Colts signed free agent running back Frank Gore from the 49ers in the offseason, which will help Gurley ease into the role as every down back for the Colts while he regains his strength from a torn ACL he incurred in 2014 at Georgia. After a year sharing carries with Gore, Gurley will be ready to be the full time guy, and the Colts will have Andrew Luck and Todd Gurley in the backfield for the next decade. Sign me up for that.

Michael

30.) Green Bay Packers – Kevin Johnson CB Wake Forest

The war room was split on what to do here. The Packers don’t have a lot of needs, so there was real talk about selecting the best player available, Cameron Erving even though he wouldn’t start, but since the Vikings and Bears selected receivers and the lions have Calvin Johnson and Golden Tate another cornerback is the right choice. Johnson is fast, tall and lanky. He can make plays, and cover all the receivers in the NFC North.

Greg

31.) New Orleans Saints- Breshad Perriman WR UCF

The Saints can stand to infuse some offensive firepower with Jimmy Graham jettisoned to the Seahawks. Perriman averaged 21 yards a reception last year at UCF on 50 catches, but he’s no small guy at 6’3 210. The Saints helped out their defense at #13, now they help out Drew Brees with this burner on the outside to compliment speedy Brandin Cooks in the slot.

Michael

32.) New England Patriots – Cameron Erving OL Florida State

The last pick in the first round goes to the champs. The Patriots’ offensive line was a little shaky last season, so Erving should be able to help that. Dan Connolly and Ryan Wendell are getting older, and besides another Florida State alum, Bryan Stork, last year’s O-Line draft class hasn’t looked that hot. Erving was a standout at Florida State playing all across the line, and winning awards at different positions. He should be a real asset for the champs.

Hope you enjoyed this mock draft. Please leave comments below on who you think fell to0 far, players you thought should have been drafted and which one of us did a better job.