Doing a mock draft with two rounds may seem like a fruitless endeavor, especially when no trades are involved. A bunch of the picks will be wrong, just a handful will be correct. So what's the point? Going two rounds in a mock draft shows the true strengths of the 2015 NFL Draft and just how fast the deeper positions dry up.
Update: Check out our NFL Draft 2015 preview.
Wide receivers, cornerbacks and offensive tackles went fast in this mock. After pick No. 50, it was hard to find good value at any of those positions, which is something that may play out in the actual draft as well. Going two rounds also illustrated how teams might reach for quarterbacks in the second round.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Who is the best quarterback in Buccaneers history? Doug Williams? He played there five seasons. Vinny Testaverde? He once threw 35 interceptions in a season. Trent Dilfer? Brad Johnson? Suffice to say, the Buccaneers have never truly had a franchise quarterback. Tampa Bay hasn’t used a first-round pick on a quarterback since 2009, so it’s time to strike again in search of that franchise signal caller.
2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
It’s starting to feel like Mariota is going to be the second pick in the draft. What’s uncertain, however, is if Tennessee will be making the pick or someone will trade up for it. Cleveland and St. Louis make sense. Tennessee shouldn’t be faulted if it chooses Mariota, however. It would require head coach Ken Whisenhunt to adjust his system, but Mariota’s talent is worth it.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
We may find out a bit more about the choice this week. Jacksonville is hosting Fowler for a visit on Tuesday, and who knows what information might leak. Fowler has said he’ll be stunned if he’s not the choice by the Jaguars, and he has reason. Fowler is a nice fit as Jacksonville’s Leo because of his versatility as a pass rusher. It’s hard to find many big flaws in Fowler’s game.
4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Williams might get knocked by some for his pass rushing, but those same people are quick to forget that Williams played last season on a high ankle sprain. They also question his ability to beat offensive tackles to the edge. It’s a pretty ridiculous critique for a 300-pound defensive lineman. Williams, next to free agent signing Dan Williams, would boost Oakland’s run defense in a hurry.
5. Washington: Vic Beasley, OLB/DE, Clemson
Washington has one established pass rusher in Ryan Kerrigan, but there’s not much on the roster after him. Trent Murphy is a solid player, but not someone who you use as a reason to pass on Beasley. The Clemson pass rusher is an out-of-the-box edge threat and one of the best athletes in this year’s draft.
6. New York Jets: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
This is a tough draw for the Jets with the top two pass rushers and quarterbacks already off the board. That should turn their attention to either wide receiver or offensive line. The Jets need to boost the right side of their offensive line, but that could happen in the second round. Cooper is the draft’s best wide receiver and could be the long-term answer for New York.
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7. Chicago Bears: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
The Bears have smartly added players like linebackers Pernell McPhee and Mason Foster, as well as safety Antrel Rolle. Their defense still needs a big plugger up front, and that could be Shelton. He can play three downs and would make it so Chicago doesn’t have to play youngsters like Ego Ferguson or Will Sutton out of position.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bud Dupree, OLB/DE, Kentucky
What happens if Atlanta decides that Randy Gregory’s drug issues are too much? They can easily pass on him if Dupree is still on the board. The Falcons may have signed Brooks Reed, but Dupree is better suited to play Leo if the Falcons do utilize the hybrid position like head coach Dan Quinn did in Seattle.
9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
New York has a lot of good pieces on offense, but how good will they be with a suspect offensive line? The crazy thing is, though, the Giants need just one more puzzle piece to solidify the entire line. That could be Scherff, who could play guard or tackle and be dominant.
10. St. Louis Rams: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
The Rams have really kicked the tires on the draft’s best quarterbacks, and that could be a direction indicator. Since I’m not doing trades in this mock, the attention turns to wide receiver. They’ve brought White in for a private visit, and they didn’t do it to ask about his cool dreads. White has the potential to be a high-impact wideout, assuming someone like Nick Foles can get him the ball.
11. Minnesota Vikings: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
This pick is down to a coin flip between a cornerback and wide receiver. It’s hard to see the Vikings going in another direction in the first round. Xavier Rhodes is obviously a high-level player, and Captain Munnerlyn is a solid slot cornerback, but after them the Vikings are light at the position. Waynes would fit perfectly in Mike Zimmer’s defense. Against pass-heavy division rivals like Detroit and Green Bay, having two good outside corners is a necessity.
12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Up until the draft, look for the Browns to be associated with a trade up for Mariota. If they sit back and keep picks 12 and 19, their needs are obvious: wide receiver, defensive line and pass rusher. With Parker still available, he is the best and safest choice.
13. New Orleans Saints: Randy Gregory, OLB/DE, Nebraska
Gregory may slide in the draft, but not far. Although the Saints need to fix up their offensive line and replace Kenny Stills, they don’t have a pass rushing threat at linebacker. Gregory could be that player.
14. Miami Dolphins: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
The Dolphins really need to add one more outside threat at wide receiver to go along with Kenny Stills. Jarvis Landry is good, but mostly just a slot receiver. Strong can beat man coverage, get up the field and open things up underneath. Adding Strong, Stills and tight end Jordan Cameron in one offseason would completely revamp Miami’s passing offense.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
The 49ers have obvious needs at cornerback, defensive end and inside linebacker. More so than the other two positions, an end can make the other two better. A player like Goldman, who is well-suited to play 3-4 end, could pressure quarterbacks into forcing throws or occupy blockers to free up a linebacker.
16. Houston Texans: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
I still view a player like inside linebacker Eric Kendricks being a better choice for Houston, but wanted to switch things up a bit. Ray is a pass rush specialist, so it’s reasonable that he would pair well with Whitney Mercilus, a good run defender. Drafting another pass rusher would be a little excessive after taking Jadeveon Clowney last year, but his knee injury should be a concern.
17. San Diego Chargers: La’el Collins, OT, LSU
The Chargers have poked around on offensive tackle prospects this offseason, and could upgrade on the right side. A player like Collins would be an interesting choice because he can play guard or tackle. That could let the Chargers figure out where he fits best next to D.J. Fluker.
18. Kansas City Chiefs: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
The Chiefs have some big holes to fill at center and wide receiver, but it’s hard to keep rolling with Donald Stephenson at right tackle. Peat is a high-upside blocker who could even push Eric Fisher for the starting left tackle job.
19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
The Browns need to fix their run defense, and will have some options in the first round. Brown is someone who has the power to line up over the nose but the athleticism to play end. Fixing the run defense should be a higher priority than adding another first-round pass rusher.
20. Philadelphia Eagles: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
This is a little bit early for Jones, but he’s a perfect fit with Philadelphia. He’s a high character individual and has the required size and length to fit Philadelphia’s defense.
21. Cincinnati Bengals: Landon Collins, S, Alabama
The Bengals have starting safeties in George Iloka and Reggie Nelson, but is either actually better than Collins? He could be the long-term solution at the position while Iloka and Nelson enter the final years of their contracts.
22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
Outside linebacker may grade out as a bigger need for the Steelers, but the best ones are gone and this would be early for someone like Eli Harold. The Steelers, who seem to be open with who they’re interested in, have had a visit with Peters and interviewed him at the combine. If they feel comfortable with his character, he’d be a smart choice at No. 22.
23. Detroit Lions: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
If the Lions don’t like the defensive linemen available here, they could look at the offensive line. Clemmings could come in and take the starting right tackle job from LaAdrian Waddle, who is recovering from a torn ACL.
24. Arizona Cardinals: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
Arizona will have a lot of options at No. 24, choosing between a pass rusher, running back or cornerback. The Cardinals have had success with LSU defensive backs, and Collins could be the next one. He’s still a little raw, but his tools are off the charts. Working with Patrick Peterson could hasten his development into a shutdown man corner.
25. Carolina Panthers: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
Can we just award Flowers to the Panthers at this point? They’ve interviewed him at the combine, had a private visit and a private workout. Get a room already. Lock this one up. If Flowers is available, he’s the pick.
26. Baltimore Ravens: Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
I am the last person on Earth to include Perriman in the first round of a mock draft. At this point, it seems apparent that he’ll get overdrafted. The Ravens need to add a wide receiver high in the draft this year because of the departure of Torrey Smith and veteran Steve Smith's age.
27. Dallas Cowboys: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
The Cowboys need a lead running back, so why not take the best one in the draft in the past three years? Gurley is a true workhorse back when healthy. He runs with power and speed and is good enough in the passing game.
28. Denver Broncos: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
Humphries may not be the typical fit for the Broncos because he’s not a powerhouse, mauling offensive tackle. But getting him at No. 28 would be a good value and provide Denver with a player who could eventually take over for Ryan Clady at left tackle.
29. Indianapolis Colts: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
Armstead might not be the nose tackle the Colts need, but he’s an incredible athlete for a defensive lineman and has enormous developmental potential. He would be a nice replacement for players like Arthur Jones and Kendall Langford up front.
30. Green Bay Packers: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
The Packers obviously have a big need at inside linebacker. Kendricks has been gone in past mock drafts, but he’s on the board here and the best inside linebacker in the draft, so it's an obvious choice.
31. New Orleans Saints (via Seattle): Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri
There is a great level of risk for the Saints if they take players like Gregory and Green-Beckham in the first round of the draft. But if they pay off, the upside is incredible. Green-Beckham will have to be used correctly to succeed, but on a team with a high-level quarterback like Drew Brees, that could happen.
32. New England Patriots: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
This pick has often been South Carolina guard A.J. Cann, but Gordon has typically been long gone. Although that may be New England’s biggest need, Gordon would make a bigger impact.
Second round
33. Tennessee Titans: Carl Davis, DT, Iowa
Passing on Leonard Williams in the first round leaves Tennessee to go after a run stopper in the second round.
34. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jake Fisher, OT, Oregon
The Buccaneers need to draft offensive linemen, and general manager Jason Licht said they’ll target them in the draft. Fisher and Cedric Ogbuehi are my highest-rated tackles left, and Fisher doesn’t have Ogbuehi’s lingering injury issues.
35. Oakland Raiders: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC
If the Raiders don’t get their wide receiver in the first round, they need to in the second. Agholor may not be a big receiver or dynamic playmaker, but he’s steady and reliable.
36. Jacksonville Jaguars: Jay Ajayi, RB, Boise State
The Jaguars need to add talent at running back and Ajayi is the top one available. He’s a good all-around back, though the comparisons to Marshawn Lynch are off the mark. He’s more of a Matt Forte.
37. New York Jets: A.J. Cann, G, South Carolina
The Jets need to get better at both right guard and right tackle. Cann is the draft’s top guard and would step into a starting job immediately.
38. Washington: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
Ogbuehi is the last really good offensive tackle available, so a team like Washington would have to pounce. Ogbuehi has some added value because he’s played guard, if Washington happens to want to stick with Morgan Moses at right tackle.
39. Chicago Bears: Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
After the departure of Brandon Marshall, the Bears need a new starting wideout opposite Alshon Jeffery. Smith is a speed receiver who can go deep and open up the rest of the field.
40. New York Giants: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA
Odighizuwa is a good fit at end for the Giants. He’s strong enough to hold the edge, can be moved around and is fast enough to beat tackles to the edge.
41. St. Louis Rams: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
Head coach Jeff Fisher said the Rams intend on taking a quarterback in the draft, so why not the best one available? Hundley needs developing, but he has the tools.
42. Atlanta Falcons: Tevin Coleman, RB, Indiana
Devonta Freeman is a decent player, but maybe not a lead back. Someone like Coleman would be a good fit in offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan’s system.
43. Cleveland Browns: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia
Finding a pass rusher like Harold in the second round makes this a good haul for the Browns. Harold is an athlete who needs to add strength. If he does, watch out.
44. New Orleans Saints: Laken Tomlinson, G, Duke
Tomlinson could come in and take over the left guard job that was opened with the trading of Ben Grubbs.
45. Minnesota Vikings: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
There are some flaws in Funchess’ game, but he’s dangerous when going up for the ball and after the catch.
46. San Francisco 49ers: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami
It’s no secret that the 49ers need wide receiver help. Dorsett is the best one available and really established himself during the offseason process.
47. Miami Dolphins: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
The Dolphins have one good cornerback in Brent Grimes, but question marks otherwise. Johnson would have the starting job opposite Grimes and give Miami a player who can match up with bigger receivers.
48. San Diego Chargers: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
The Chargers need to add a big body next to Corey Liuget and could get find one in the 329-pound Phillips. He’s a natural nose with a lot of talent, when he wants to show it.
49. Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Erving, C, Florida State
Doubling up on offensive linemen in the first two rounds might be questionable until you consider the Chiefs are a run-heavy team and need a starting center.
50. Buffalo Bills: Bryce Petty, QB, Baylor
Buffalo has had two years to figure out if EJ Manuel is the guy at quarterback. It’s hard to be confident in things suddenly clicking for him. Because of that, a quarterback could be the choice here. Petty has a strong arm, but needs to continue getting more accurate.
51. Houston Texans: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
Thompson is a good coverage linebacker with an unreal level of athleticism for the position. He could be a hybrid linebacker/safety for the Texans.
52. Philadelphia Eagles: Eric Rowe, S, Utah
The Eagles have shown a fair amount of interest in Rowe, which makes sense because they need to replace starter Nate Allen.
53. Cincinnati Bengals: Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State
Although Cincinnati brought Michael Johnson back, it’s no sure thing that he bounces back. Smith is a safe pick as a power end who can still get to the edge.
54. Detroit Lions: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
The Lions replaced Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley with Haloti Ngata and Tyrunn Walker. They’re decent replacements, but Bennett would add another player up front who can disrupt the pocket.
55. Arizona Cardinals: Lorenzo Mauldin, DE/OLB, Louisville
This is a bad draw for the Cardinals with the top running backs and pass rushers gone. This is a little early for Mauldin, but he’s the top edge guy left.
56. Pittsburgh Steelers: Damarious Randall, S, Arizona State
After getting a cornerback in the first round, the Steelers could continue revamping their defensive backfield with Randall. He’s a good coverage safety, which is what the Steelers need.
57. Carolina Panthers: Jamison Crowder, WR, Duke
After offensive tackle, the Panthers have a need at wide receiver. Crowder would be a good foil for Kelvin Benjamin. He’s sure-handed and will pick apart the short area while Benjamin is used in the deep passing game.
58. Baltimore Ravens: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
At this point, Williams is far too good of a player to pass on at No. 58. Dennis Pitta's health has become a real issue and Crockett Gillmore doesn’t have Williams’ skill as a pass catcher.
59. Denver Broncos: Ellis McCarthy, DT, UCLA
I’m much higher on McCarthy than most, but he’s a good fit for the Broncos. He has the size to replace Terrance Knighton but needs to continue working on his conditioning and effort.
60. Dallas Cowboys: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
The Cowboys don’t get much from Brandon Carr or Morris Claiborne, so they could seek an upgrade high in the draft. Williams has some character issues, but he’s a player with first-round talent.
61. Indianapolis Colts: Daryl Williams, OT, Oklahoma
The Colts need to find an upgrade over Gosder Cherilus. Williams is a natural right tackle and plays with a lot of power and aggression.
62. Green Bay Packers: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
I have some corners rated higher than Carter, but he fits the size the Packers like at the position better than players like Quinten Rollins and Ronald Darby.
63. Seattle Seahawks: Ali Marpet, G, Hobart
Marpet has been a hot prospect throughout the offseason process and could find himself going in the second round. Twelve wide receivers are already off the board, and none of the corners fit Seattle’s mold. Turning to the offensive line, Marpet has the highest grade of any player remaining.
64. New England Patriots: Ronald Darby, CB, Florida State
The Patriots lost Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner and need to find a starter at cornerback. Darby is a special athlete who just needs to learn to play with a little more toughness.