2015 Mock Draft: Titans get Cook(ing) in top-10 – CBSSports.com
Michigan State’s Connor Cook could replace Jake Locker in Tennessee. (Getty Images)
When discussing the top quarterback prospects for the 2015 class, Marcus Mariota, Brett Hundley and Jameis Winston are usually the three mentioned as possible top-10 picks. But another underclassman that should be mentioned in that conversation is Michigan State’s Connor Cook, who appears to improve with every snap he takes in East Lansing. A strong-armed and well-built passer, his skill-set could fit what Ken Whisenhunt wants to do in Tennessee.
Below is a look at how the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft could play out:
*The selection order for this mock draft is based on the current records of teams with point differential breaking all ties. The Cleveland Browns own the rights to the Buffalo Bills’ selection due to the Sammy Watkins trade.
1. Jacksonville Jaguars – DT Leonard Williams, USC
Jacksonville’s defense in 2014 has struggled against both the pass and the run, but adding a talent like Williams would help the Jaguars in both areas. Although his name probably isn’t the big splash fans would want No. 1 overall, Williams is the real deal as both an outside and interior threat.
2. Oakland Raiders – OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
Donald Penn was signed in Oakland to replace Jared Veldheer at left tackle and has played better than expected. However, he isn’t the long-term answer at the position and the Raiders need to add young talent in the trenches to help keep Derek Carr healthy and upright.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
The Buccaneers have struggled to consistently push the ball on offense in 2014 and will likely be in the market for a quarterback next spring unless Mike Glennon takes a stranglehold on the starting job. From a physical and mental standpoint, Mariota checks almost every box for NFL scouts and projects as a more refined version of Colin Kaepernick.
4. New York Jets – WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
New York spent top dollar on Eric Decker, but due to injuries it’s Jeremy Kerley who leads the team in receiving so far. Kerley is set to hit free agency after this season, but regardless if he’s back for New York, the Jets need to add more weapons on offense for whoever is at quarterback.
5. Washington Redskins – FS Landon Collins, Alabama
In the 2004 NFL Draft, Washington drafted one of the best safety prospects of the last 20 years fifth overall (Sean Taylor). And they might have a chance to draft a similar ballhawk with Collins, who is as well-rounded as they come with his ability to play both the run and the pass. With this likely being Ryan Clark’s last season with the Redskins, Collins would fit as the starting free safety from day one.
6. St. Louis Rams – QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
Despite a laundry list of immature incidents, Winston is likely still destined to be a top-10 pick because of his immense talent on the field and the Rams have shown in the past they aren’t afraid to draft talent that might come with some baggage. Sam Bradford is under contract for the 2015 season, but with his injury past, it’s time St. Louis addresses the future of the position.
7. Tennessee Titans – QB Connor Cook, Michigan State
Unless Jake Locker takes a big step forward in his development in 2014, there is a chance this season is his final one in Tennessee. And although the Titans drafted Zach Mettenberger a year ago, there were more than few reasons why he was a sixth round pick. An offensive-minded head coach, Ken Whisenhunt likely wants a quarterback who can push the ball downfield and command the huddle and Cook checks those boxes as he continues to improve with every snap at Michigan State.
8. Minnesota Vikings – WR Devin Funchess, Michigan
The Vikings are obviously not giving up on Cordarrelle Patterson, but that doesn’t mean Minnesota shouldn’t target another weapon to help open up the offense for Teddy Bridgewater. Funchess has a very high athletic ceiling for his size and the sky is the limit with improved focus.
9. Atlanta Falcons – DE Shawn Oakman, Baylor
The Falcons address the offensive line in the first round last year and need to get younger on the defensive line in the 2015 first round. Oakman is a physical marvel for his size and is just scratching the surface of what he can do on the football field.
10. New Orleans Saints – DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
The Saints rank in the bottom third of the league in team sacks and need to add more talent to their pass rush arsenal to compliment Junior Galette. Gregory is a lean athlete who is still developing, but the raw ability is ready to blossom.
11. Miami Dolphins – DE Dante Fowler, Florida
With Cameron Wake turning 33 years old in January and Dion Jordan not panning out in the Dolphins’ scheme, Miami will be looking to add pass rush help in the off-season. A Florida native, Fowler plays with a nonstop motor and the active play style that makes it uncomfortable for blockers.
12. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Marcus Peters, Washington
The Chiefs have some question marks in the secondary, especially after parting ways with Brandon Flowers over the offseason. Peters isn’t a household name, but his combination of size, length and athleticism makes him an attractive player to develop at the NFL level.
13. Pittsburgh Steelers – OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
Current starting left tackle Kelvin Beachum is a good player, but his best position likely isn’t at left tackle. Although he hasn’t quite lived up to the high-billing due to inconsistencies, Peat is still considered an early first round pick due to his natural talent and athleticism for his size.
14. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) – OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Starting right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has his ups and downs and Scherff would make sense as his replacement if he struggles in 2014. But regardless of Schwartz’s performance, Scherff offers versatile depth both at tackle and guard.
15. Chicago Bears – OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
The Bears need to get faster and more talented on defense, specifically at the linebacker and defensive backs levels. Thompson is a hybrid linebacker and safety with speed to burn and developing instincts that make his potential very intriguing.
16. Houston Texans – QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
Ryan Fitzpatrick has already exceeded expectations as the Texans’ starting quarterback, but everyone knows he’s just keeping that seat warm until Bill O’Brien finds the passer he wants to groom. Despite drafting Tom Savage in the fourth round last year, Hundley has far more upside, but just needs time to develop a better feel as a pocket passer.
17. Carolina Panthers – DE Shane Ray, Missouri
With the future of Greg Hardy up in the air, the Panthers could be looking to add another pass rush threat with this pick. Ray has an awesome first step with the acceleration to blow up the action in the backfield.
18. San Francisco 49ers – WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
If not for the off-field issues, Green-Beckham would be mentioned as a top-10 draft pick, but the former Missouri Tiger will likely fall on draft boards due to maturity concerns. San Francisco might view him as “worth the risk” at this point in the draft, giving the 49ers a specimen to groom and eventually take over for Anquan Boldin.
19. Cleveland Browns – WR Kevin White, West Virginia
The Browns are lacking dynamic talent on the outside with Josh Gordon suspended and will likely consider a wide receiver in the first round next year. Cleveland is one of several teams that has shown interest in White, who has been immensely impressive so far in 2014.
20. Seattle Seahawks – DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
The rich get richer. Seattle has a formidable defense and a lot of options, including pass rusher. Beasley has some tweener traits, but the Seahawks would know how to use his talent and turn him loose on quarterbacks.
21. New York Giants – DE Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
The strength of the Giants’ Super Bowl runs over the last decade was their talented defensive line, but that’s no longer the case with the current roster in New York. Calhoun hasn’t lit up the stat sheen so far in 2014, but his skill-set offers diverse tools to allow him to play the run or disrupt the pocket.
22. New England Patriots – DT Danny Shelton, Washington
The Patriots need to add depth up front on defense, especially with veterans Vince Wilfolk and Rob Ninkovich on the wrong side of 30 years old. Shelton carries his weight well to play up and down the line of scrimmage and also has the upper body power to bully blockers.
23. Green Bay Packers – CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
The Packers re-signed Sam Shields to a long-term deal last off-season, but will have other decisions to make this upcoming off-season at the cornerback position with Tramon Williams and Davon House both hitting free agency. Waynes fits the skill-set that Green Bay looks for at the position and is an ascending prospect.
24. Detroit Lions – DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State
With Ndamukong Suh expected to hit free agency, the Lions will be in the market for interior defensive line depth next off-season. Goldman has been dinged up, but when he’s on the field, his combination of power and quickness have had a substantial effect on opposing offenses.
25. Indianapolis Colts – DE/OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville
The Colts gave a lot of money to Erik Walden and drafted Bjoern Werner in the first round two years ago, but the team has struggled to consistently rush the passer with Robert Mathis suspended and hurt. Mauldin has played defensive end and linebacker over his time at Louisville, showing the ability to effectively play both positions and be a threat collapsing the pocket and stopping the run.
26. Baltimore Ravens – RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
Although the running back position isn’t the biggest need this off-season, the Ravens might not be able to pass up a talent like Gurley if he’s still available here. The recent indefinite suspension might keep the Georgia back off the field now, but it likely won’t have much effect on his draft status.
27. Cincinnati Bengals – CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon
No way the Bengals go cornerback in the first round again, right? It’s quite possible if a talent like Ekpre-Olomu is still on the board. The futures of Terence Newman, Dre Kirkpatrick and Adam Jones in Cincinnati are up the air so the Oregon corner would be a good fit in nickel situations as a rookie.
28. Arizona Cardinals – DL Arik Armstead, Oregon
With 33-year old Darnell Dockett out for the season with a serious knee injury, the Cardinals could potentially address that position in the draft next season. Armstead is still very learn for the position and looks more like a basketball power forward, but his natural skill-set and potential are off-the-charts.
29. Philadelphia Eagles – CB P.J. Williams, Florida State
The Eagles pass defense has played better than expected, but there are still need areas at cornerback that will likely be addressed this off-season. Williams is starting to come into his own with the awareness, feet and body movements to cover in man and zone schemes.
30. Denver Broncos – ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State
The Broncos have some young talent at linebacker on the depth chart, but are missing a consistent thumper between the tackles. McKinney is just that with the strength and downhill speed to blow up blocks and make plays on the ballcarrier.
31. Dallas Cowboys – DT Michael Bennett, Ohio State
Although the Cowboys’ defense has exceeded expectations thus far in 2014, several positions could use an upgrade, including at defensive tackle. Bennett could give Dallas depth and eventually be a three-technique starter in Rod Marinelli’s defense.
32. San Diego Chargers – OL Lael Collins, LSU
San Diego’s offensive line has been just good enough, but has room for improvements in several areas. Collins is a three-year starting left tackle at LSU and has the skill-set that fits best inside as a mauling run blocker and agile pass protector vs. interior rushers.
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