A week of free agency has completely upended the 2015 NFL Draft. Sort of. This week's mock draft features a lot of the same names in the first 11 picks.
Update: Check out our NFL Draft 2015 preview.
Jameis Winston is still the top pick, there's still a frenzy of pass rushers in the top 10 and the most logical slot for Marcus Mariota is still the New York Jets.
After those ordinary selections, things heat up in the middle and back half of the first round. This change comes especially thanks to the Jimmy Graham trade. The New Orleans Saints now have two first-round picks, giving them more options. That could lead to a domino effect of changes. As free agency progresses this week, the changes will continue.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
As they should, the Buccaneers are doing their due diligence with the No. 1 pick. Mariota is visiting Tampa Monday and is scheduled for an April private workout. That comes after Winston spent three days in Tampa. He’s still the pick for now because he should be able to make a positive impact quicker than Mariota.
2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Tennessee has added a few starters via free agency, but still need a lineman like Williams to help elevate the defense to another level. Williams, the draft’s top player, is a dominating force up front. He’s relentless against the run and would help the pass rush. He’s not J.J. Watt -- nobody is -- but he can do many of the same things for a team.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
The Jaguars have added a lot of high-end pieces in free agency, but not a big-impact pass rusher. They have their choice of several good players with the third overall pick. Compared to the other top edge players this year, Fowler is the most complete. He may not have the first step explosion like Randy Gregory or Vic Beasley, but he’s the better all-around player.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Here we are with yet another pick that remains unchanged. Cooper is the draft’s top wide receiver and the Raiders need a No. 1 weapon for quarterback Derek Carr.
5. Washington: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
Washington has checked off needing defensive linemen after signing Terrance Knighton, Ricky Jean-Francois and Stephen Paea in free agency. They also grabbed a starting cornerback in Chris Culliver. That leaves pass rush and safety as Washington’s top needs. Some are down on Gregory leading up to the draft, but he’s a scary combination of size and athleticism at linebacker.
6. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The talk about Ryan Fitzpatrick starting over Geno Smith should tell you everything you need to know about the Jets and quarterbacks. Mariota is a superior talent than both players in just about every area. While the offense will have to be catered to what Mariota does well, having a new head coach in New York is the perfect time to do it. If the pick of Mariota is a hit, it will change the franchise.
7. Chicago Bears: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
It’s easy to go back and forth on this pick, between Shelton and a pass rusher like Vic Beasley or Bud Dupree. The signing of Pernell McPhee eases the pass rush need some. If the Bears go into the draft with similar grades on Shelton and the pass rushers, Shelton should be the choice. He would become the team’s starting nose tackle straight away instead of trying to force someone like Will Sutton or Jeremiah Ratliff into that position. Shelton obviously possesses the girth to handle the nose, but don’t underestimate his ability to push the pocket and get after the quarterback.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
This is a run to the podium selection. The Falcons may have signed linebackers Brooks Reed and O’Brien Schofield and defensive end Adrian Clayborn, but none of them possess Beasley’s level of talent. Beasley has an incredible first step and plays with enough power to get past blockers. He’d go a long way in giving the Falcons a formidable front seven in Dan Quinn's 4-3.
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9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The signing of offensive tackle Marshall Newhouse shouldn’t stop the Giants from targeting Scherff, the best offensive lineman in this year’s draft. Scherff is an imposing physical presence who could take over the starting right tackle position and pair with Justin Pugh for years to come.
10. St. Louis Rams: La’el Collins, OT, Clemson
An offensive lineman has been the consistent choice for the Rams at No. 10, and what they’ve done in free agency doesn’t change that notion. Starting right tackle Joe Barksdale is still out there. The Rams want him back, but is he a better player than Collins? Not really. Collins has the advantage because he’s a stronger blocker with just as good footwork.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Vikings have made some moves at wide receiver, trading for Mike Wallace and releasing Greg Jennings. They shouldn’t stop there. Even though the Vikings need a cornerback, a player like White is too good to pass up with the No. 11 pick. He’s considered by some as the draft’s top wide receiver thanks to his speed and size.
12. Cleveland Browns: Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
As expected, the Browns lost Jabaal Sheard in free agency. Unless Cleveland really thinks Barkevious Mingo can take the next step as a pass rusher, they need more talent to get after the quarterback. Dupree is coming off an impressive combine performance and could give Cleveland an imposing presence on the outside.
13. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
There are two clear tiers of pass rushers in the draft this year. The first features Fowler, Gregory, Beasley and Dupree. The second tier is players like Owamagbe Odighizuwa of UCLA, Preston Smith of Mississippi State, Shane Ray of Missouri and Eli Harold of Virginia. By acquiring the No. 31 pick, the Saints won’t have to overdraft a second-tier edge player at No. 13. That opens them up to take Waynes, arguably the top cornerback in the draft. Waynes is a big cornerback with speed to cover receivers deep. He’s ahead of most college corners in technique and is a solid tackler. Along with Brandon Browner and Keenan Lewis, the Saints would have three good cornerbacks, practically a necessity in today’s NFL.
14. Miami Dolphins: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
The trade for Kenny Stills was a decent one, but he doesn't project out to be a top-line No. 1 wide receiver like Parker does. Parker is the type of wide receiver you just try to get the ball and let him get yards after the catch. He has solid speed and breaks tackles better than just about any wideout in this year’s draft. Add in a good pair of hands and size and it’s easy to see why Parker should be a top-15 pick.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
The 49ers may have signed Darnell Dockett, but he can’t be considered a long-term fixture at end in San Francisco. Armstead can be that player. Armstead is a perfect scheme fit, coming out of Oregon’s 3-4 defense. When he stays low, he has the power to knock offensive linemen around with ease. He’s quick in short areas and would be a big asset in the run game. Just don’t overlook cornerback here after the 49ers lost Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox.
16. Houston Texans: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
In free agency, the Texans smartly brought back cornerback Kareem Jackson and signed safety Rahim Moore. That should keep inside linebacker high on the team’s list of needs. Kendricks is a good coverage linebacker who flies to the ball. He can be an intimidating tackler and rarely misses.
17. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
The Chargers managed to turn undrafted running back Branden Oliver into a solid player last season, but neither he nor Danny Woodhead is close to the talent of Gordon. Reports have said that the Chargers have spent a lot of time with Gordon, who would presumably give them the best running back they’ve had since LaDainian Tomlinson.
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18. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
A player like Peat obviously isn’t going to fill the hole left by the departure of center Rodney Hudson, but he would be an upgrade at right tackle for the Chiefs. Peat could push for the job on the left side if Eric Fisher falters.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
The Browns have been fairly quiet in free agency, and need to bolster the defensive line with talent. Brown has the foot speed to win at the snap and is highly athletic for his size. On a team like Cleveland, he should be able to play nose tackle or end. While he’s much better playing one gap, he’s strong enough to occupy multiple blockers.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
After losing Jeremy Maclin to the Chiefs, the top wide receiver in Philadelphia is second-year player Jordan Matthews. He’s solid, but the Eagles need to add talent at the position. Strong is a big, physical receiver who can get vertical and make plays in the red zone. He works over the middle nicely and is hard to bring down after the catch.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
Even though the Bengals brought back Michael Johnson, that shouldn’t stop them from adding another pass rusher in the draft. Ray could provide some versatility as a player who can line up at end and occasionally at linebacker. If not a pass rusher here, a defensive or offensive tackle could be in play, and the Bengals will have options.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
How much longer can the Steelers go before adding a high-level, young talent at cornerback? Peters may have some attitude questions, but he’s too great of a talent to overlook with the No. 22 pick. Peters is not only an impressive athlete, but he plays with good instincts and is quick to read passes.
23. Detroit Lions: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
Although the Lions were able to trade for Haloti Ngata, they need to replace two starters at defensive tackle. That’s especially important if an extension with Ngata isn’t done to keep him in Detroit for more than a season. A player like Goldman is a disruptive force when he’s playing hard -- in other words, he’s the Nick Fairley replacement.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE/OLB, UCLA
The Cardinals have sliced through their big needs in free agency, namely by adding guard Mike Iupati and linebacker Sean Weatherspoon. That opens Arizona up to going after either a pass rusher or cornerback in the first round. Although there are some good corners out there, Odighizuwa is an intriguing choice. He’s athletic enough to rush from the edge and could play end in nickel.
25. Carolina Panthers: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
As the offseason has progressed, Humphries has seen his draft stock skyrocket from unlikely draft entrant to likely first-round pick. He's a talented and athletic pass protector at left tackle who could help improve Carolina's offensive line. It's just an added coincidental bonus that Humphries is from Charlotte.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
If there is a run on wide receivers that takes Strong off the board, Baltimore could target a player like Smith. He was used mostly as a vertical threat at Ohio State but showed during Senior Bowl practices that he’s capable of much more.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
Running back is often a position associated with the Cowboys at No. 27, and it should be with DeMarco Murray gone. But if the Cowboys choose to target the position later in the draft, pass rusher rises to the top of the team’s need list. Smith gets compared to Michael Bennett of the Seattle Seahawks because he’s capable rushing the passer despite being a power end and can work inside in certain situations.
28. Denver Broncos: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
The Broncos may have lost Terrance Knighton and Julius Thomas, but neither of them keep Peyton Manning upright. A player like Clemmings could be brought in and start as a rookie as the team’s right tackle. That would push Louis Vasquez back to his natural position of guard and give the Broncos one of the NFL’s best lines.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The Colts have been busy in free agency, but there is still a dearth of talent at safety. If Collins happens to slip to No. 29, Indianapolis should pounce. He can play up in the box against the run and is good enough in coverage.
30. Green Bay Packers: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
As of this writing, Packers cornerback Tramon Williams is still an available free agent. If he’s lost, Green Bay will have to find a new starter at the position. Collins is big cornerback possessing an aggressive and confident streak and nice set of overall tools.
31. New Orleans Saints (via Seattle Seahawks): Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
For the Saints, No. 31 is a much better spot to find a pass rusher. Harold is an explosive pass rusher with a good first step. His issue is getting off blocks, but playing in space on a 3-4 team like New Orleans is a good fit for him.
32. New England Patriots: A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
The Patriots lost starting cornerbacks Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner, so that could open them up to looking for a defensive back here. Players like P.J. Williams of Florida State or Byron Jones of Connecticut make sense, but do you take the fourth-best cornerback or the draft’s top pure guard?