It’s everyone’s favorite time of the year -- mock draft season -- and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. released his first mock draft of 2015 on Thursday. Let’s dive into the top 10 picks:
Jameis Winston tops Mel Kiper’s first NFL mock draft
Kiper has Mariota going at No. 2 to the Titans, followed by DE Leonard Williams to the Jaguars with the third pick.
1. Jameis Winston, QB - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Update: Read our 2015 NFL Draft rankings by position.
Kiper has Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston going No. 1 to the Buccaneers, who are desperate for an upgrade at the QB position after finishing 28th in passer rating this season. Although there are concerns about Winston’s maturity and his off-field decision making, Kiper believes he’ll go first overall because he is simply the “most advanced on-field quarterback in the draft.”
2. Marcus Mariota, QB - Tennessee Titans
With the second pick, Kiper has the Titans taking Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. The Titans took a quarterback in last year's draft, Zach Mettenberger, who showed promise in his six starts this year, but he doesn't appear to have the elite skills necessary to develop into a top-tier quarterback in the NFL. Mariota's strengths are his strong arm, pinpoint accuracy and athleticism, while Kiper adds that the biggest question is whether Mariota can perform in a pro-style offense.
3. Leonard Williams, DE - Jacksonville Jaguars
At No. 3, Kiper has the Jaguars selecting USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams, arguably the best and most versatile defensive player available in this year’s draft. Williams is outstanding as both a run-stopper and pass-rusher and, as Kiper notes, “he’s a good fit in Jacksonville’s scheme.” The Jaguars ranked 26th in the league in both points allowed and yards allowed this season.
4. Amari Cooper, WR - Oakland Raiders
Kiper has the Raiders taking the top wide receiver in the draft, Alabama's Amari Cooper, with the fourth pick. Cooper finished second in FBS in receiving yards (1,727) and touchdowns (16), and he would be a nice pairing in the Raiders offense with future franchise quarterback Derek Carr. Oakland's leading receiver, James Jones, averaged just 9.1 yards per catch, the second-worst mark among qualified wide receivers this season.
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5. Randy Gregory, DE - Washington
With the fifth selection, Kiper has Washington taking Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory, who excelled as a pass rusher at the collegiate level. Kiper put this pick in the “take a great football player” category since Washington needs help on both sides of the ball after a miserable 4-12 campaign in 2014.
6. Shane Ray, DE - New York Jets
The Jets could obviously use a quarterback, but if Mariota or Winston aren’t available at No. 6, Kiper thinks that New York will look to add to its defensive line with an excellent pass rusher in Missouri’s Shane Ray.
7. Landon Collins, S - Chicago Bears
Kiper has the Bears shoring up one of the league’s worst defenses by taking the best defensive back in the draft, Alabama’s standout safety Landon Collins. Chicago allowed the third-most passing yards and the second-most yards per attempt in the NFL this season.
8. Dante Fowler Jr., DE - Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons need a ton of help on the defensive side of the ball, so it is no surprise that Kiper has them choosing one of the best available defensive ends, Florida’s Dante Fowler, with the eighth pick.
9. Brandon Scherff, OT - New York Giants
Kiper has the first offensive lineman taken at No. 9, with the New York Giants selecting Iowa tackle Brandon Scherff. The Giants could certainly use help in the trenches to improve a running game that ranked 30th in the league in yards per rush.
10. T.J. Clemmings, OT - St. Louis Rams
Although the Rams took tackle Greg Robinson with the second overall pick last year, Kiper still believes they need more talent on the offensive line and has them selecting another tackle, Pittsburgh's T.J. Clemmings, with the 10th pick.
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SB Nation's Dan Kader published his most recent mock draft on Monday, and while he has the exact same top five guys as Kiper, the two analysts differ in their later picks. Kader has the Jets taking Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker at No. 6, and the Bears going for help on the offensive line by selecting Scherff with the seventh pick. Both Kiper and Kader believe the Falcons will take Fowler at No. 8, but Kader has the Giants (LSU OT La'el Collins) and Rams (Texas A&M OT Cedric Ogbueh) taking different offensive lineman with the ninth and 10th picks.
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