Zoneblitz Team Blogger Mock 2015

It’s that time of year again. After a couple months of dormancy, NFL fans perk up for a few weeks toward the end of April for the annual NFL draft.

There’s a lot of activity in the blogosphere regarding the draft right now too, so we decided to join the fray. This is the fourth consecutive year we’ve done this – thanks to those who have participated from the start and those who are joining anew this season.

With that, here is our fourth annual Zoneblitz Team Blogger Mock Draft.

1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB – Florida State

Pick made by Nick Houllis, a Bucs historian and editor of BucStop.com (Twitter: @Bucstopcom)

Explanation: There are a lot of reasons to this pick. He will put people in seats. Although the Glazers would like that, they are always willing to take the long road if it’s the successful one. There are reasons the Bucs should NOT take him. He throws a lot of interceptions, but the Bucs know from experience some of the great ones also threw a lot of picks. Brett Favre had many games in which he threw as many picks as touchdowns, but he won a lot of games too. The biggest reason for taking Winston is simple- He is dynamic- his personality is captivating, and he is a leader because of that. You take a born leader, and give him incredible talent too. You cannot miss with that pick. There is no telling if Marcus Mariota will become a star in the NFL – he probably will one day. But Winston will make the Bucs more exciting week 1, and the last time a QB the Bucs drafted that high could be said about, was 1978 when the Bucs took Doug Williams.

2) Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB – Oregon

Pick made by Jimmy Morris, editor in chief of Music City Miracles (Twitter: @TitansMCM)

Explanation: The Titans have been looking for their next quarterback since Steve McNair left almost a decade ago. They have the 2nd pick in the draft and are staring at a guy that has a good chance of developing into a franchise quarterback. They cannot afford to pass on him.

3) Jacksonville Jaguars: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB – Clemson

Pick made by Luke Sims, editor of Black & Teal (Twitter: @BlackandTeal)

Explanation: Vic Beasley is an explosive athlete with proven college production, amassing over 33 sacks in his final three years at Clemson. He has ridiculous athletic ability as well, projecting strong development once he reaches the NFL. The Jaguars need a reliable pass rusher going forward (despite finishing among the best in sacks as a team in 2014) who can be a threat each and every down. Beasley is that player for the Jaguars. He offers flexibility along the defensive line, enabling the Jags to take advantage of more defensive packages. While the Jaguars really can’t go wrong with any pass rusher in this year’s class, expect them to pick the most versatile athlete with the best collegiate production for their team.

4) Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT – USC

Pick made by Levi Damien, editor of Silver and Black Pride (Twitter: @SilverBlakPride)

Explanation: I can’t recall a mock draft where I was so torn between two players as I am here. Amari Cooper is a tantalizing prospect for the Raiders who would instantly become the team’s number one receiver, something they desperately need. But ultimately you have to think in terms of the best player on the board and how much harder it would be to find another player in this draft with his potential. For that reason you go with Williams, who is as dominant as they come at defensive tackle — where the Raiders recently cut 33-year-old Antonio Smith. They went after Ndamukong Suh in free agency and lost out to Miami. They also had interest in Jared Odrick, who went to Jacksonville, which is why Williams is even available at this pick. Williams would make up for those losses, as he compares favorably to Suh. And on a rookie deal, he is a lot cheaper than Suh. In addition to his on-field talents, he went to USC, which is Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio’s alma mater, and where defensive coordinator Ken Norton Jr. coached. Williams is also a huge Raiders fan, and has made no secret of that. This is the perfect marriage of need, talent and desire. He can line up at several different positions on the defensive line. He could be the 3-tech DT or as a DE in the Raiders’ base 4-3 and he could also shift to defensive end in a 3-4 alignment with Khalil Mack as the pass rushing outside linebacker.

5) Washington Redskins: Dante Fowler, Jr., LB/DE – Florida

Pick made by Mike Harar, editor of Hogs Haven (Twitter: @HogsHaven)

Explanation: For years, the Redskins have been seeking a consistent threat to rush the quarterback opposite Ryan Kerrigan. With Fowler they have found their man. He has the speed, strength and quickness to get to the quarterback as well as the instincts to fall back in coverage when needed. He also is considered the strongest of the elite pass rushers in the 2015 draft at holding the edge in the rushing game. At 6-3 and 261pounds, he is an athletic freak whom many draft experts believe has not come close to reaching his full potential. The addition of Fowler, teamed with the return of stud OLB Kerrigan and 2014 second round pick Trent Murphy, should give Washington the improved pass rushing prowess they have needed for quite some time.

6) New York Jets: Kevin White, WR – West Virginia

Pick made by David Wyatt, a managing editor with Gang Green Nation (Twitter: @GangGreenNation)

Explanation: Wide receiver isn’t a massive need for the Jets, considering they signed Eric Decker last off-season and traded for Brandon Marshall this off-season. We also signed Jeremy Kerley to an extension. However you have to take the BPA here and in my mind, White has the opportunity and skill set to become one of the elite talents in the NFL. I would have been interested in Beasley and Fowler, but with both of them off the board, I’m taking the guy with the most upside here at 6. He would instantly improve our passing game and we can nab a pass rusher in the 2nd round.

7) Chicago Bears: Amari Cooper, WR – Alabama

Pick made by Jake Perper, founder and head writer for Bears Backer (Twitter: @BearsBacker)

Explanation: With White gone, Cooper is a fine substitute as he would slide into the No. 2 receiver spot opposite Alshon Jeffery in Chicago. The Bears need a threat with Brandon Marshall now in New York. Cooper was the most successful receiver over the past couple of seasons in the college ranks and is a player who is a highly gifted route runner. The Bears could opt to choose nose tackle Danny Shelton with this selection or trade back and collect more picks, but drafting Cooper makes the most sense for the long term. A pairing of Cooper and Jeffery, both SEC guys would make for an impressive one.

8) Atlanta Falcons: Alvin Dupree, DE – Kentucky

Pick made by Freddie Boston, editor of Blogging Dirty (Twitter: @BloggingDirty)

Explanation: With two premier pass rushers off the board, the Atlanta Falcons turn to the next best available in Kentucky’s Alvin Dupree. The 6’4″, 269-pounder is an incredible athlete who has the potential to become an elite pass rusher, especially in Dan Quinn’s defense. For a defense that ranked 32nd overall in 2014 and in serious need of a jolt to the pass rush, Dupree would be a perfect fit for the Dirty Birds if Fowler and Beasley are off the board.

9) New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, T/G – Iowa

Pick made by Ed Valentine, editor in chief of the Big Blue View (Twitter: @BigBlueView)

Explanation: I know there is debate over his future position, but no one has yet convinced me that there is a better offensive lineman in this draft class. If you want a pure tackle, the pick could be Andrus Peat of Stanford. If you want to swing for a home run with a play-making offensive weapon, maybe it’s WR Devante Parker or even RB Todd Gurley. Want the best defensive player available? Maybe you take Shane Ray or Danny Shelton. I will stick with Scherff, and probably end up being proven wrong when the Giants pick someone else.

10) St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB – Michigan State

Pick made by Blaine Grisak, editor of Ramblin’ Fan (Twitter: @RamblinFan)

Explanation: This would be a worst case scenario for the Rams come draft day. Scherff is off the board as are the top two receivers. If this were the case I could see a trade back in the works. However, if they do stay at 10, I believe they would take Waynes. The Rams have solid cornerbacks, but they don’t have that shut down cornerback that teams have to game plan around. Waynes is a mentally tough, bump-and-run cornerback that can hold his own playing on an island. The Rams front seven is one of the best in the NFL, with Waynes they get some much needed support in the secondary.

11) Minnesota Vikings: Marcus Peters, CB – Washington

Pick made by Jon Merckle, staff writer for The Viking Age (Twitter: @TheVikingAge)

Explanation: It’s extremely tempting to just go ahead and take Louisville WR DeVante Parker here reuniting him with Teddy Bridgewater, but Zimmer has the tendency to invest heavily in CBs. Peters is easily the most talented corner in this draft having plenty of athleticism, ball skills and size. He does have a checkered history of disputes with coaches, however both Spielman and Zimmer haven’t been afraid to roll the dice on giving guys a second chance especially considering Peters was invited to Washington’s pro day. It’s very possible the team takes one of Waynes (already gone), Kevin Johnson or Byron Jones, given it’s a certainty they’re doing their diligence at this position. In the end though, grabbing a stud CB to pair with Xavier Rhodes is a safe bet to combat the stellar QB play of the NFC North.

12) Cleveland Browns: Randy Gregory, DE – Nebraska

Pick made by Jared Mueller, writer for the Orange and Brown Report at Scout.com (Twitter: @TheOBR)

Explanation: This is a difficult decision. There are a few players that both fill needs and have high level of talent. Having the 19th pick, just 7 picks later, opens up a lot of possibilities for the team as well. The Browns will be deciding between these three players at 12: Randy Gregory – The Browns have shown that they want to upgrade the pass rush position in their hybrid 3-4 defense. They tried to fill the role with Trent Cole but he decided to go with the veteran-adding Colts instead. Gregory’s marijuana issues, after dealing with Josh Gordon and Johnny Manziel, could take him off the team’s board. Danny Shelton – While many see the needs on the Browns’ offense, their defense was 32nd against the run. Shelton, along a healthy Phil Taylor, would quickly change that. DeVante Parker – Parker is the last of the big three receiver group and he has a ton of talent. The Browns added Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline as veterans to fill in for a couple years but Parker could be a stud number one for years to come. Ultimately, Shelton would be the pick if the Browns are not comfortable with the Nebraska pass rusher. As is, the Browns have some good options at NT and WR later in the first and second rounds. No other pass rusher is anywhere near Gregory so the Browns take the risk. Browns fans are not going to love the pick but the risk/reward is okay here.

13) New Orleans Saints: Danny Shelton, NT – Washington

Pick made by Andrew Schuster, co-editor of Who Dat Dish (Twitter: @whodatdish)

Explanation: At 6-foot-2, 339 pounds, Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton is built like a refrigerator. The New Orleans Saints could use a body like his to plug up the middle of their defensive line. He possesses the strength, burst, awareness and domination at the point of attack to excel as both a pass rusher and run stopper at the next level. The best part about him – his mean streak. He brings a toughness and energy that the Saints noticeably lacked in 2014, and he could be a difference maker from day one. Another thing to add to the resume is his durability. In three years, Shelton never missed a game and has no injury history. He broke out of his cage in 2014, but found his better performances to be against the less challenging opponents on the Huskies’ schedule. He must work to better himself against the bigger, stronger centers in order to develop a consistency. His weight must also be monitored, but a good training staff will make that job easy. With undeniable talents, Shelton would without question be a smart move for New Orleans at pick No. 13. A nose tackle (big need for Saints) of his caliber is going to be tough to pass on.

14) Miami Dolphins: DeVante Parker, WR – Louisville

Pick made by Brian Miller, editor of PhinPhanatic (Twitter: @PhinPhanatic)

Explanation: This is a tough call at 14. The consensus is the Dolphins will indeed take Parker if he is there are good line prospects still on the board as well and the Dolphins may look to fortify their offensive line with this pick and go WR in round two. Parker however gives the Dolphins a big receiver option on the outside to pair with Kenny Stills and slot receiver Jarvis Landry. It’s a safe pick and a need pick so it makes sense.

15) San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead, DL – Oregon

Pick made by Al Sacco, who covers the 49ers for 49erswebzone.com, Ninerfans.com and Sportsoutwest.com (Twitter: AlSacco49)

Explanation: With White, Cooper and Parker off the board, I think the 49ers will wait on a wide receiver, possibly even trading up in the second round or back into the first to get one. There are wide outs the team could take a chance on at 15, but after missing on A.J. Jenkins in a few years back, general manager Trent Baalke can’t afford to take a big risk. Instead, the 49ers make a safe pick here and take Armstead. Whether Justin Smith comes back for one more year or not, San Francisco still needs a long-term answer on the defensive line. Tank Carradine and Quinton Dian haven’t shown they can be an every down players yet, and Darnell Dockett is 34 years old. At 6’7 and close to 300 pounds, Armstead has elite size and power. He can be a dominant run stopper almost immediately and has the ability to develop into more of a pass rusher than what he showed in college.

16) Houston Texans: Shane Ray, DE – Missouri

Pick made by Patrick Starr, owner and editor of State of the Texans (Twitter: @SOTTexans)

Explanation: The Houston Texans need extra pass rush off the edge and the Texans need help especially with Jadeveon Clowney’s status in the air. Ray will take time to become a full time starter, but getting enough pass rushing snaps in nickel and dime packages is where the Texans will need him the most. Ray will fill a need and a spot that will be up for key snaps during the season.

17) San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB – Georgia

Pick made by: Cindi Spears-Cahill, official fan reporter for the San Diego Chargers at NFLFemale.com (Twitter: @chargergrlcindi)

Explanation: The San Diego Chargers have not had the best of luck at RB for the last few seasons (since LaDainian Tomlinson left, really). With the departure of Ryan Mathews and the lack of size in the remaining lineup, the Chargers need to beef up this position. Gurley comes in at 6’1″ and 222 pounds. Gurley also has the explosive power and speed you want in a RB combined with the skills to get out of a tackle. Philip Rivers would love this guy.

18) Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Erving, OL – Florida State

Pick made by Matt Verderame, editor in chief of Arrowhead Addict (Twitter: @ArrowheadAddict)

Explanation: After losing Rodney Hudson, the Kansas City Chiefs desperately need help at center, and Erving is the best available. The Florida State product has the size and agility needed in Andy Reid’s system, which stresses screens and trapping. Erving would be a great fit and at the same time, solidifies the offensive line.

19) Cleveland Browns: Eddie Goldman, DT – Florida State

Pick made by Jared Mueller, writer for the Orange and Brown Report at Scout.com (Twitter: @TheOBR)

Explanation: The Browns need to fortify the nose tackle position for their worst placed run defense. Adding Gregory to attack the QB will be far more beneficial when the team is able to stop the run. With this pick, the Browns address their two biggest needs on the defense and will likely add a WR in the 2nd round. Besides QB, these three positions are the biggest areas of need. Add Devin Smith or Nelson Agholor to Gregory and Goldman and the Browns will have a great draft.

20) Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Jones, CB – Connecticut

Pick made by Brandon Gowton, manager and editor-in-chief at Bleeding Green Nation (Twitter: Bleeding Green)

Explanation: The Eagles have shown a ton of interest in Jones. Chip Kelly, Bill Davis, and two high-ranking player personnel executives all attended his pro day instead of the FSU one. The Eagles have a future need at the cornerback spot and Jones is an athlete freak who fits their mold. As an added bonus, he was a team captain and a high character prospect. Easy fit.

21) Cincinnati Bengals: Andrus Peat, T – Stanford

Pick made by Jason Marcum, assistant editor and social media manager for Cincy Jungle (Twitter: @CincyJungle)

Explanation: This is as difficult of a pick as the Bengals could probably have all the way down at No. 21. You’ve got easily the best safety prospect in Alabama’s Landon Collins, but Peat may end up being the best offensive tackle to come out of this draft. Ultimately, offensive line is more valuable than safety, so I’m going with Peat here. The Bengals could be losing both starting tackles in 2016, as Andrew Whitworth and Andre Smith both will have their contracts expire, and Cincinnati wants to draft a tackle high this year to develop into a starter for next year. Whitworth will be 34 when he’s a free agent, and it sadly may be time to move on from the long-time stalwart on the blind side. However, the chance to replace him with a prospect like Peat is a luxury most teams don’t often get when replacing a franchise tackle. Peat isn’t like the traditional finesse Stanford lineman we’ve seen. He’s a mauler with a mean streak in the run game that the Bengals would love having with their newfound commitment to running the ball. He’s also a good enough pass-blocker to play left tackle in the NFL and protect Andy Dalton’s blindside. This is a home-run pick for Cincinnati.

22) Pittsburgh Steelers: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE – UCLA

Pick made by Neal Coolong, editor in chief at Steelers Wire (Twitter: @TheSteelersWire)

Explanation: The thing that helps pass coverage better than adding defensive backs is adding front seven players. In this defense, adequate cornerbacks can succeed. This defense cannot succeed without dominant edge players. The Steelers are below average in terms of sacks over the last four seasons, and that’s due to a lack of power and explosion. Odighizuwa can give them both. He’s already an above-average run defender, and while he will need a bit to develop a better pass rush, he’s an excellent athlete and plays with great awareness. He plays with power and excellent technique, and his arrow is pointed straight up. We’re happy to have him.

23) Detroit Lions: La’el Collins, T – LSU

Pick made by Alex Reno, writer for Pride of Detroit (Twitter: @PrideOfDetroit)

Explanation: If I’m Detroit Lions General Manager Martin Mayhew, and Collins is still on the board at No. 23 overall, then I’m sprinting to the podium with the card in my hand. The Lions’ offensive line struggled all of last year to get any push in the run game. The right tackle spot was a revolving door for them and they also struggled at left guard. Collins would make an immediate impact and upgrade either spot from Day one. He’s a nasty road grader that can punish you in the run game and shows a ton of tenacity by playing through the whistle. The Lions need to add young and talented bodies to their O-line, and drafting Collins would be a huge step in the right direction.

24) Arizona Cardinals: Melvin Gordon, RB – Wisconsin

Pick made by Scott Allen, editor of Raising Zona (Twitter: @Raising Zona)

Explanation: The Cardinals running game was ranked 31st in 2014. They have yet to make a move to improve the running game. Since Gurley is already off the board, Gordon makes the most sense for the Cardinals at 24 and make an immediate impact to the Cardinals rushing attack.

25) Carolina Panthers: Breshad Perriman, WR – Central Florida

Pick made by Ken Dye, head writer for Carolina Cat Chronicles (Twitter: @Cat_Chronicles)

Explanation: While this selection may be a bit of a surprise to some, Carolina Panthers GM Dave Gettleman has shown he is a “best available player” type of guy, and with the off-season signing of OT Michael “The Blind Side” Oher, it means the team isn’t so desperate for an immediate starter at left tackle as most fans seem to think. I think D.J. Humphries’ knee issues may put the team off enough not to draft him and Oregon tackle Jake Fisher doesn’t have the upside to salivate over. Perriman, who posts 4.3 speed with a solid 6-2 215 lb frame and NFL pedigree without Dorial Green-Beckham’s baggage, is just what the doctor ordered – a speed threat on the outside to complement the hulking possession-style young WR Kelvin Benjamin. Oher reunites with his line coach from his first two seasons in Baltimore when he played his best, Mike Remmers played unexpectedly well at RT last season and young slot WR Philly Brown has blazing speed. With Cam Newton’s contract being up this offseason and with Pro Bowl TE Greg Olsen, Perriman could be the final piece of the puzzle while the Panthers look to solve their issues at safety, RB depth and offensive tackle in the second round and beyond.

26) Baltimore Ravens: Maxx Williams, TE – Minnesota

Pick made by Kyle Casey, writer at Russell Street Report (Twitter: @RussellStReport)

Explanation: With both the overwhelming need for a tight end and the fact that Williams is a bonafide first round prospect, this was an easy decision to make. Williams is a young, well-rounded player who can be a long-term cornerstone for the offense. With Dennis Pitta’s future in doubt, the team turns to a young, promising duo of Williams and Crockett Gillmore.

27) Dallas Cowboys: Malcom Brown, DT – Texas

Pick made by Steven Mullenax, editor of The Landry Hat (Twitter: @LandryHat)

Explanation: This was a difficult choice for the Cowboys. Although Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson certainly fulfills a need in the Cowboys secondary, Brown’s value here is too great. And the fact that the corner position is deeper in this draft than the defensive tackles are is also a big reason Dallas goes with Brown over Johnson. But make no mistake, the Cowboys can use the young defensive lineman to help anchor their defense that ranked 19th in 2014, and was dead last in 2013. The 6-2, 319 pound prospect is a three-down defender who will play a ton of snaps for Dallas. And he has the added bonus of versatility, being able to play any technique across the line. Bottom line: Brown is simply too talented to pass up here.

28) Denver Broncos: Ereck Flowers, OL – Miami

Pick made by Sayre Bedinger, editor at Predominantly Orange (Twitter: @PredomOrange)

Explanation: Flowers is a big mauler on the offensive line that won’t be able to step in and play RT for the Broncos right away, but could get a great start to his NFL career by moving to left guard. The Broncos need help on the offensive front, and they would have a player that offers flexibility to play either tackle or guard in Flowers. He needs a lot of work with his technique, but in Denver he’ll be getting some of the best coaching in the league. He’d be a solid pick here considering there’s talk he could land in the top 10.

29) Indianapolis Colts: Landon Collins, S – Alabama

Pick made by Kyle Rodriguez, managing editor of Colts Authority (Twitter: @ColtsAuthority)

The Colts’ biggest need coincides with the best safety on the board here. The Colts need defensive playmakers, and Collins offers that, with a very high floor to fall back on. Even if Collins didn’t develop into an elite safety, he projects to be a solid starter at the very least, and that’s something the Colts haven’t had as a long-term option since Antoine Bethea surprised coaches in the 2006 offseason. Defense has to be the play here after getting blown out by the Patriots in the AFC championship game, and Collins offers the opportunity to pick up a piece to build around.

30) Green Bay Packers: Kevin Johnson, CB – Wake Forest

Pick made by Ray Rivard, editor of Lombardi Ave (Twitter: @LombardiAve)

The Green Bay Packers’ greatest need in this draft is at inside linebacker. With the Packers cutting both A.J. Hawk and Brad Jones just after the season ended and with the loss of Jamari Lattimore in free agency, the franchise indicated they weren’t happy with the majority of players they had at the position and indicated they were ready to start over. So, why go with a cornerback? Because they also lost Davon House and Tramon Williams in free agency and GM Ted Thompson most always goes with the best player available and the most value. That player in this instance is Johnson. He will bring new talent to a position where you can’t have enough good players. Not only that, but the Packers will be able to fill that need at inside linebacker adequately in later rounds.

31) New Orleans Saints: Eric Kendricks, LB – UCLA

Pick made by Andrew Schuster, co-editor of Who Dat Dish (Twitter: @whodatdish)

Explanation: Kendricks offers great football instincts, explosiveness and an aggressive motor. He’s been one of the most proficient tacklers in the NCAA for the last three years while also displaying excellent man-to-man coverage skills and good zone awareness – all are elements New Orleans has been lacking. UCLA’s all-time leading tackler is a bit undersized and lacks the ideal length coaches look for in linebackers. He has problems getting into the backfield, but that’s really not what the Saints need out of their interior linebackers. Kendricks plays the run well, after line penetration, covers the field sideline to sideline and shows excellent man-to-man coverage abilities with high upside in zone awareness. At pick No. 31, Kendricks is the best available player on the board and could help the growth of the New Orleans Saints’ front-seven immediately as an impact player.

32) New England Patriots: Nelson Agholor, WR – USC

Pick made by Rich Hill, managing editor at Pats Pulpit (Twitter: @PatsPulpit)

Explanation: The Patriots have a couple distinct needs: offensive line, defensive line, and cornerback. Offensive linemen will be available in third round so there’s no real rush, especially with La’el Collins and Cam Erving off the board. Malcom Brown is the only first round defensive target that would fit the Patriots, and he’s been selected. At cornerback, there are no prospects left with first round grades. So instead, we’ll take the best player available in Agholor. He can line up inside and out, he can attack every level of the field. He’s a high character player who can back-up every receiver spot, play special teams, and can contribute on day one. Danny Amendola might not be long in New England and Agholor could provide the Emmanuel Sanders skill set that Bill Belichick desired.