ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper has a new mock draft out, the NFL offseason equivalent to the new phone books arriving. The listings in this version of Kiper’s projection look similar to the last one, but this time around there are a few surprises, some twists and turns and even a head scratcher of a pick.
2015 NFL mock draft: Mel Kiper hints at potential trades in his latest projection
The latest mock draft from Mel Kiper has the distinct scent of intrigue (which would be an awesome name for a cologne from America’s best-dressed draft analyst).
Update: Check out our NFL Draft 2015 preview.
The picks are all Kiper. He doesn't project trades either (sorry, Eagles fans still holding out hope for Marcus Mariota). These are the guys on his board landing where he thinks they should land ... for the most part. Kiper does include a bit of informed speculation this time around, which means little in April when obfuscation is the norm. Let's dive in a look at a few highlights from the well-coiffed one's projections for the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft.
Quarterbacks still on top
Is there even a remote chance the Buccaneers draft anyone but Jameis Winston? Kiper doesn't think so, and he stands by the pick he's had in his mock drafts since he started making them for the 2015 version.
Where it gets interesting is in what he says about Mariota. Kiper buys into the widespread belief that the Oregon signal caller will be the second pick in the draft, and like most people, he’s not sure that it will necessarily be the Titans that select Mariota.
Yes, it could be Tennessee, but it could be a handful of other teams if a deal gets done. (San Diego, the Jets, Chicago, St. Louis ... many have been named as possible fits).
San Diego, eh? That should put some more wind behind those Philip Rivers trade rumors churning on the rumor mill.
The No. 1 goes No. 3
USC defensive tackle Leonard Williams is the top player on Kiper's board. It's hard to argue with that; Williams is really good. Just listen to what to Stephen White had to say about him on this week's NFL podcast.
There’s a twist here. Jacksonville could end up taking Florida defensive end Dante Fowler if the Titans select Williams at No. 2, a possibility Kiper leaves open in his latest mock draft.
Raider trade?
Kiper matches the Raiders with Amari Cooper, the Alabama wide receiver. It's a smart match that would give the Raiders a talented young offensive nucleus around quarterback Derek Carr. Could the Raiders trade down instead? Kiper suggests they might, as the fourth spot could be a nice asset to dangle in front of the other teams.
Speaking of Cooper, he’s consistently been the first receiver off the board in Kiper’s mocks. However, there’s enough disagreement out there to cloud the exact order the receivers will get drafted. Some think West Virginia’s Kevin White has the most upside of any receiver available this year.
Kiper’s WTF pick
What, you didn't foresee Central Florida receiver Breshad Perriman going in the top 10 picks this year? You're not alone! Kiper has Perriman as the 10th pick, to the St. Louis Rams, which is like being born under a bad sign.
Here’s what Kiper said about him:
No player has risen more on my board over the past month than Perriman, a player who I always thought looked explosive on tape, then lived up to that by running sub-4.3 two separate times at his pro day ... At one time I had him as a likely second-round pick, but now I see him as a close call in terms of overall ability next to the top few wide receivers in this class.
Randy Gregory’s fall
Failing a marijuana test at the Combine doesn’t exactly do good things for your draft spot. Then again, it’s just weed, and the Saints get a steal of a deal in this mock draft by grabbing Gregory with the 13th pick.
Two running backs
This could finally be the year we see a running back get picked in the first round again, maybe even two. Kiper has the Browns taking Georgia’s Todd Gurley with the 19th pick, the second of Cleveland’s two first-rounders. Gurley’s due for a medical recheck in Indianapolis soon. That could solidify his status as a first-round pick. It might even be enough to push him up higher in the first round.
Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon is the other running back most are projecting to get picked in the first round. Kiper has him going 24th overall, to the Arizona Cardinals. It’s an obvious fit, but that could also depend on what shakes out between Adrian Peterson and the Vikings. Arizona is said to be one of the teams most interested in Peterson.
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