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*The selection order for this mock draft is based on current win/loss records, playoff seedings and using Strength of Schedule as the tie-breaker. The Cleveland Browns own the rights to the Buffalo Bills' selection due to the Sammy Watkins trade.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: To compete in today's NFL, offenses must score points and few clubs are worse than in this department than the Bucs, who have surpassed 17 points in just four games this season. For the franchise to take the next step, improving at quarterback is critical. Mariota faces legitimate questions about how he'll fare against tighter windows in the NFL but he shows good awareness in the pocket, a live arm and, of course, great mobility. Mariota's speed and the great size of Tampa's pass-catchers would put an awful lot of stress on opposing defenses. For more of a breakdown on Tampa's choice at No. 1, check this out.


2. Tennessee Titans - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: The Titans have lost eight straight and current quarterbacks Jake Locker, Charlie Whitehurst and Zach Mettenberger has thus far been unable to prove that any are the club's long-term solution at the position. It is hard to imagine general manager Ruston Webster looking past Winston's off-field issues. From purely a football standpoint, however, Winston projects quite well in Ken Whisenhunt's offense and there is no question that he's a top 5 talent.


3. Jacksonville Jaguars - Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.


4. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: Rookie Derek Carr has shown flashes of being the young signal-caller capable of turning this franchise around. Adding another weapon for him would seem like a logical choice. The game is still won or lost at the line of scrimmage, however. The 6-5, 290 pound Williams is a physical mismatch too quick for interior linemen and too powerful for offensive tackles.


5. Washington Redskins -- Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: Jay Gruden's success as the play-caller in Cincinnati came with one of the league's biggest offensive lines. He inherited one of the smallest in Washington and there is no question that upgrading the talent there will be an offseason priority. Not everyone sees Scherff (or any offensive lineman this year) as a top 10 talent but he plays with the grit and physicality Washington is lacking and would be an immediate upgrade at right tackle.


6. New York Jets - Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: The Jets clearly need help on the offensive side of the ball, especially at quarterback, but if Mariota and Winston are off the board, GM John Idzik and head coach Rex Ryan (or their replacements) may have little option but to look elsewhere. Given the dominant rookie season enjoyed by Odell Beckham, Jr for the Giants, it wouldn't be surprising to see the Jets respond aggressively on draft day, despite the financial investments made in Percy Harvin and Eric Decker last year.


7. Chicago Bears - Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky: The For all of the concerns about Chicago's inconsistent offense, the defense remains alarmingly toothless. Given the quarterbacks in the NFC North, that's a recipe for disaster. Like Julius Peppers before him, Jared Allen proved a shadow of his former self after signing with the Bears for big money. Dupree, who led all SEC defensive linemen with 74 tackles this season and is the conference's reigning career sack leader with 24.5 QB takedowns, is long, instinctive and closes in a flash.


8. Atlanta Falcons - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Adding a dynamic edge rusher like Ray to complement the greater size Atlanta added to their defense in the offseason could pay immediate dividends. Playing behind 2014 second round pick Kony Ealy and Co-SEC Defensive Player of the Year Michael Sam, Ealy didn't emerge as a starter for the Tigers until this season but he may possess the most explosive first step in the country. He led the SEC in sacks this season with 14 through the regular season.


9. New York Giants - Landon Collins, S, Alabama: There is plenty of blame to go around in Gotham as the Giants have struggled in 2014 despite spending an overhaul of the roster in the offseason. GM Jerry Reese has won before gambling on the upside of talented pass rushers and given the exciting talent at the position this year he could roll the dice again, especially if free agent Jason Pierre-Paul leaves. Adding an intimidating presence for the secondary, however, should also be a priority.


10. St. Louis Rams - Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: The Rams' issues lie predominately on the offensive side of the ball and it is entirely possible that the club rolls the dice again on a receiver or even a quarterback. Success in the NFC West, however, comes through defense and with Chris Long due nearly $22 million over the next two years, St. Louis may look for a younger, cheaper and more dynamic option. Oakman is raw but he's shockingly explosive given his 6-foot-8, 275 pound frame.


11. Minnesota Vikings - Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame: Current left tackle Matt Kalil struggled in 2014 and the Vikings may elect to draft someone to push him. Stanley is just a redshirt sophomore in his first season at left tackle but the 6-6, 315 pounder boasts an exciting combination of agility, balance and power. Improving at left guard would make sense, as well, especially given the deep drops and power running game offensive coordinator Norv Turner prefers.


12. Cleveland Browns -- Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: As the only team with two first round picks, the Browns have a lot of flexibility, including potentially making a good offensive line one of the league's elite. A star left tackle for the Cardinal, Peat is blessed with remarkable balance and agility for a man of his 6-7, 315 pound dimensions. He'd provide an upgrade over Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle and could be groomed to eventually take over for All-Pro Joe Thomas.


13. New Orleans Saints - Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida: With Junior Galette (nine sacks) and Cameron Jordan (six) recording nearly half of New Orleans' 31 sacks through 15 regular season games, the Saints are among the more predictable defenses in the league. That's counter to defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's philosophies. Fowler's versatility is his calling card. The 6-3, 260 pounder's unique combination of power, agility and tenacity earns him time at defensive end, linebacker and defensive tackle for the Gators.


14. Miami Dolphins -- Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin: Quarterback Ryan Tannehill has shown flashes of ascending into one of the league's better young quarterbacks in Bill Lazor's scheme and could take another step with more consistency at running back. The position may not hold the same value in today's pass-happy NFL, but Gordon is a difference-maker with the agility and acceleration to score from anywhere on the field. Just ask Nebraska, who gave up an FBS-record 408 yards to the Heisman finalist.


15. San Francisco 49ers - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: Blame Colin Kaepernick all you'd like, his job isn't made easier with a lack of playmakers among his receiving corps. Green-Beckham is a top 10 talent who is drawing comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals' star A.J. Green for his size, speed and ball-skills but he comes with significant off-field concerns. GM Trent Baalke has been more willing than most to gamble on talented players with character red-flags.


16. Houston Texans - Danny Shelton, NG, Washington: The Texans' investment in Jadeveon Clowney didn't pay off in 2014 but don't be surprised when his critics quiet down once he and JJ Watt get used to playing together. Adding a powerful (and passionate) interior presence like Shelton could help turn Houston's potential into production.


17. San Diego Chargers - Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M: Philip Rivers can still be dynamic when protected. San Diego's tackles King Dunlap and DJ Fluker are a lot like their quarterback - big and talented but relatively slow-footed. Ogbuehi has struggled with technique this season, perhaps contributing to his switching back and forth between left and right tackle, but he possesses a remarkable skill-set with length and easy athleticism.


18. Kansas City Chiefs - Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: Despite a receiving corps that hasn't yet caught a touchdown, the Chiefs continue to play well. Providing more weapons on the perimeter would seem to be a priority for Kansas City in the off-season, however, especially given that this year's crop seems very strong yet again. Dwayne Bowe is a reliable route-runner and pass-catcher but he doesn't strike fear into the hearts of defenders. No player has boosted his stock more this season than White, a 6-3, 209 pound who climbs the ladder to make contested catches look easy.


19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo) -- DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: The Browns' defense and running game have been good enough to make them competitive but the lack of a top-flight receiver limits the team's upside. The club is hopeful, of course, that Josh Gordon will re-emerge as a superstar but can't rely on him. Parker missed the first seven games of the year with a broken fifth toe in his left foot, but the 6-3, 209 pounder has starred since, demonstrating the fluidity and ball-skills to project as a No. 1 target.


20. Philadelphia Eagles - Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: Chip Kelly is famous for his offense but at Oregon, he also boasted playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Based on his days in Eugene, Kelly might appreciate Thompson's athleticism, instincts and versatility more than most.


21. Carolina Panthers - T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: With the selection of Kelvin Benjamin and free agent addition of sure-handed veteran Jericho Cotchery, the Panthers addressed weapons for Cam Newton but failed to address the offensive line protecting him. They won't make the same mistake this year. Clemmings is a former defensive end who has steadily improved at right tackle the past two years. With impressive length and athleticism, he boasts exciting upside.


22. Baltimore Ravens - Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: At 35, Steve Smith is a short term fix. Torrey Smith's contract is due at the end of the year. The aptly-named Strong has the size, power and body control to win contested passes, traits that project well in offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak's scheme.


23. Cincinnati Bengals - La'el Collins, OL, LSU: Few teams reload along the line of scrimmage as consistently as the frugal Bengals and with starting left tackle Andrew Whitworth entering his ninth season and the clubs' backups (Marshall Newhouse) entering the final year of their contracts, Cincinnati is likely to be on the lookout for potential replacements. Like Whitworth (who also starred at LSU), Collins doesn't necessarily look the part of an NFL left tackle, sporting a square-ish frame. He's surprisingly effective on the edge, however, and is a mauler in the running game.


24. Arizona Cardinals - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: A stout front and aggressive blitzing from defensive coordinator Todd Bowles helped Arizona mask deficiencies among their edge rushers. At just 6-foot-2, 235 pounds, Beasley doesn't possess the length and strength teams prefer on the perimeter but his explosiveness off the corner could make him an immediate impact performer.


25. Pittsburgh Steelers - Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: The secondary has arguably been the Steelers' biggest weakness all season. Waynes possesses terrific length (6-foot-1, 183 pounds), fluidity and ball-skills.


26. Detroit Lions - Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State: With starters Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in the final year of their respective contracts, the Lions will be scouting the defensive tackle class as closely as any team in the league and Goldman is generating plenty of buzz. The 6-4, 320 pound junior is a former top recruit who's enjoyed a breakout campaign back inside this season after starting at end last year for the champs. Goldman suffered a right ankle injury in the ACC Championship victory over Georgia Tech but head coach Jimbo Fisher said that he expects his club's best run-stuffer to be back for the Rose Bowl.


27. Indianapolis Colts - Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State: The development of Bjoern Werner has lessened Indianapolis' need for outside linebackers but inside remains an issue with former Cleveland Brown D'Qwell Jackson struggling to make an impact. McKinney offers a rare package of length, athleticism and versatility that is likely to earn him a top 25 selection.


28. Dallas Cowboys - Danielle Hunter, OLB, LSU: The Cowboys are hopeful that 2014 rookie Demarcus Lawrence will significantly boost their outside pass rush but that won't keep the team from adding reinforcements. Hunter doesn't have great production but the 6-foot-6, 240 pounder has terrific agility and quickness. He's stronger than he looks and uses his length well to deflect passes.


29. Denver Broncos - Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami: For as dominant as the Broncos have appeared for much of this season, there remain areas of concern. Right tackle, for example, has been an ongoing issue for the Broncos this season. Flowers remains a work in progress, relying too much on his brawn and aggression and losing his composure on occasion. At 6-5, 322 pounds, however, Flowers has bloomed this year into one of the country's most intriguing linemen.


30. Green Bay Packers - Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: Given that opponents frequently run the ball in an attempt to keep Aaron Rodgers and the explosive Packers offense on the sideline, perhaps it isn't surprising that no NFC playoff contender ranks worse against the run than the Packers. The 6-foot-4, 320 pound Brown is a stout run defender who add bulk and strength to an otherwise undersized front.


31. Seattle Seahawks - Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan: Improved play at tight end has sparked Seattle's impressive winning streak. That may not keep the Seahawks from appreciating the unique skill-set the 6-5, 235 pound Funchess boasts. Funchess could remind GM John Schneider of Jermichael Finley, a formidable seam threat he saw while both worked in Green Bay.


32. New England Patriots - Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: Revis Island is once again a formidable destination for opposing receivers to venture but with the All-Pro corner only signed to the end of the year, the Patriots will be watching this year's cornerbacks closely. Peters, who was kicked off the team at Washington, comes will all kinds of character red-flags but he's the most talented corner in the draft.
 

cmd34(work)

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28. Dallas Cowboys - Danielle Hunter, OLB, LSU: The Cowboys are hopeful that 2014 rookie Demarcus Lawrence will significantly boost their outside pass rush but that won't keep the team from adding reinforcements. Hunter doesn't have great production but the 6-foot-6, 240 pounder has terrific agility and quickness. He's stronger than he looks and uses his length well to deflect passes.

Not a fan but admit I need to watch him more. I think they play Notre Dame tomorrow.

Would much rather have:
30. Green Bay Packers - Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: Given that opponents frequently run the ball in an attempt to keep Aaron Rodgers and the explosive Packers offense on the sideline, perhaps it isn't surprising that no NFC playoff contender ranks worse against the run than the Packers. The 6-foot-4, 320 pound Brown is a stout run defender who add bulk and strength to an otherwise undersized front.
 

ThoughtExperiment

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Agree, cmd. Not that I know much about either player, but we need DT much, much more than an OLB. And if anything, I thought Brown was a better prospect than 30 anyway.

I'll say one thing, I think the old problem of Texas players being too soft is about to disappear with the way Strong has changed things down there. I don't know if one year is enough to make a difference or if Brown would even suffer from that anyway.
 

Bob Sacamano

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Bennie Logan was inexperienced too and he turned out alright. You should always nab an LSU Dlineman; though not sure this guy is worth a 1st though.
 
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Heard this morning that we're either the 30th, 31st, or 32nd pick. 30th if New England doesn't win the Super Bowl, 31st if they do, and 32nd if we win it.
 
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I thought it was dependent on how you finish in the playoffs?

As in, everyone who went farther than us in the post season would draft behind us, regardless of record.

No?
 

cmd34(work)

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daneal.jpg
 

cmd34

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Yeah, we have coordinators who were pretty bad head coaches already so I don't see them going anywhere.

Kiffin should retire although I'm not sure exactly what he actually does now. Callahan wanted to bolt a year ago and if he does, just make sure you replace him and don't hand his duties back to Garrett.
 

junk

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I think Broaddus was talking about Marinelli to TB to reunite with Lovie.
 
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I thought it was dependent on how you finish in the playoffs?

As in, everyone who went farther than us in the post season would draft behind us, regardless of record.

No?
No, the tiebreakers are based on Strength of Schedule. Teams who have the same record are put in order from lowest SOS to highest. We were one of 5 teams that finished 12-4, and have the 2nd best SOS, behind New England.

Playoff finish only matters for the Super Bowl winner.
 

dbair1967

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As what? Lovie's good friend Leslie Frazier is the DC.

“There’s no doubt [it was hard to leave],” Marinelli told the Star-Telegam. “But my No. 1 relationship is with Lovie Smith. Yeah, he’s probably one of my best friends in life, and I believe in him and I went there because of him and it’s not the right place for me without him.”
 
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