KT's 2015 NFL Mock Draft
By Kevin "KT" Turner | @ktfuntweets
105.3 THE FAN -- Mock drafts are real weird because it's become a trend nationally. Esteemed and some non-esteemed colleagues are forced to spit them out, almost weekly, which is kind of ridiculous, given how fluid the draft process can be.
That being said, I do one every year, a couple of days before the draft. I do have a couple of disclaimers though.
-- On mine, I rule out the possibility of trades. Trades will happen, but they are so hard to predict, that I'd like to keep it as simple as possible.
-- I'm using a combination of ideas here as well. It's not what I would do, but it's a combination of what I would do, what I think will happen, and rumors that have been out in the open. I try to put together the most accurate mock as possible, because I only do one per year.
So here it is, my 2015 NFL Mock Draft:
1. Tampa Bay: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Although I wouldn't be terribly comfortable selecting Winston as my franchise QB, the Bucs are kind of without a choice. There are some really good traits about Winston that lead me to think he'll be able to win in the NFL. There's also a lot of dumb stuff, and I'm not talking about off the field issues. I have Tampa rolling the dice though, and they've definitely done their due diligence.
2. Tennessee: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
It won't be surprising if this pick is involved in a trade, but I truly think Wisenhunt and the Titans organization are big Mariota fans. I have my concerns about his game if he's not in the correct system, but I'm confident that he can expand his game, as long as he isn't asked to do too much.
3. Jacksonville: Dante Fowler, EDGE, Florida
Gus Bradley gets the perfect piece for his defense. Fowler is the best pass rusher in this draft, and still has lots of room for improvement. He's a relentless player, with a projectable upside. This is a no-brainer for the Jaguars.
4. Oakland: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
As much as I love the idea of Derek Carr throwing to Amari Cooper, Williams is the right pick here. I have more faith in Reggie McKenzie than most people, and I feel like having the #1 player on most big boards still there at 4 is just going to be too much to pass up.
5. Washington: Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
The Redskins replace Brian Orakpo immediately by drafting the talented edge rusher from Clemson, Vic Beasley.
6. New York Jets: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
Many people say this is too early for a RB, but when you watch the tape on Todd Gurley, you see something special. The Jets are a difficult team to predict, but I think they select the best talent in this draft.
7. Chicago: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
Switching from a 4-3 to a 3-4 is a whole lot easier when you have a cornerstone 2-gapping nose tackle. Chicago gets to work on that defense in the first round, passing up one of the big name WRs.
8. Atlanta: Bud Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky
The Falcons pass rushing unit gets an immediate boost as Bud Dupree sneaks into the Top 10. A longtime favorite of mine, Dupree is one of the best pass rushers in the draft and has the ability to turn the corner when rushing from the edge.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa
I project him as a guard, but he can play tackle as well. The Giants have long been in need of help on the offensive line, and despite my concerns about him playing tackle, Scherff is pretty much the consensus number 1 offensive lineman in this draft.
10. St. Louis: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Very unlikely that he slides this far, but that's the way things are playing out in my mock draft. St. Louis goes with best player available and adds a spark to the offense.
11. Minnesota: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Cornerback is a position of need here too, but in an effort to make things a little more Teddy Bridgewater friendly, they draft his former teammate.
12. Cleveland: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
A good ole fashioned run on the WRs continues as the Browns add some energy to their offense with this wide receiver from West Virginia.
13. New Orleans: Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
Although he's slipping down a lot of draft boards, this is the perfect pick for Rob Ryan's scheme. This pick makes too much sense to see New Orleans pass it up.
14. Miami: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Miami jumps for joy as they run to the podium, with the best cornerback in the draft still available at 14.
15. San Francisco: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Jim Tomsula gets a new toy on his defensive line with the tall, projectable prospect from Oregon.
16. Houston: Dorial Green-Beckham
Someone is going to take a chance on the troubled WR, and rumors are that Houston is pretty fond of him.
17. San Diego: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
Gurley going in the Top 10, pushes Gordon way up the board.
18. Kansas City: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
Kansas City might consider Florida State center Cameron Erving, but CB is also a position of need and Johnson is darn good.
19. Cleveland: Malcolm Brown, DT, Texas
After going offense at 12, the Browns add some beef to their defensive line.
20. Philadelphia: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
The Eagles badly need a safety, but it's a weak safety draft. Maybe they try to convert Jones to a safety. Either way, a freak athlete going to Philly would be no surprise.
21. Cincinnati: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
Although not one of my favorite offensive lineman in the draft, the Bengals can't resist the big athletic dude from Stanford.
22. Pittsburgh: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Steelers desire a cornerback, so they take the best one left on the board. Despite the off the field issues, Marcus Peters will have the opportunity to thrive immediately in Pittsburgh.
23. Detroit: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
They want to beef up on the defensive line as well, but with Malcolm Brown gone, Clemmings is a nice fit for their offensive line.
24. Arizona: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
If Randy Gregory slides, this could be an ideal situation for him. Arizona wants a running back, but it's a little too early to start reaching into the RB pool, after Gurley is off the board.
25. Carolina: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Although offensive line makes a lot of sense here, rumors are that Carolina is in love with Thompson.
26. Baltimore: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
They'd love to go running back too, but instead go with Perriman -- a talented, but somewhat raw prospect from Central Florida.
27. Dallas: Eric Kendricks, LB, UCLA
With the top cornerbacks off the board, the Cowboys decide to add another piece to their linebacking core, which isn't a bad idea considering how fragile Sean Lee and Rolando McClain can be.
28. Denver: Cameron Erving, C, Florida State
Although Maxx Williams from Minnesota could be an option to take over for Julius Thomas, the Broncos decide to add an offensive lineman, who might be able to play guard if needed.
29. Indianapolis: Demarious Randall, S, Arizona State
Known as Sweet Dick Randall to listeners of the Ben and Skin show, the Colts go with the best safety in the draft, the only one that is actively good in coverage.
30. Green Bay: Denzel Perryman, LB, Miami
Benardrick McKinney could make a lot of sense too, as could Jalen Collins, but reports are that Ted Thompson is in love with Perryman.
31. New Orelans: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
The Saints need help on the offensive line in the last couple years of the Drew Brees era.
32. New England: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
Reports are that the Patriots are infatuated with Agholor, who would make a lot of sense for their offensive system.
Kevin "KT" Turner is the producer of the Ben and Skin Show, and will also be a part of 105.3 The Fan's NFL Draft coverage this Thursday and Saturday.
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