WE ARE NOW just two weeks from the NFL Draft. With the NFL Combine over and free agency nearing its end, many experts have weighed in with fresh mock drafts.
We surveyed a number of them who have updated their mock drafts recently to get a consensus prediction for the most likely selections for the first five picks.
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
School: Florida State
Other possibilities: None
Key expert quote: Kiper: “It makes sense for Tampa Bay to take a hard look at all options, I just think this is where the Bucs will settle. He’s the most NFL-ready QB in the draft. He’s big, durable, strong-armed and has both a high football IQ and an ability to read, anticipate and process at a very high level what defenses are trying to do. I think he gives the Bucs the best chance to improve in 2015 over any other option on the board.”
Key expert quote: Rang: “Oregon QB Marcus Mariota is in play here but unless the Titans feel certain that he can be a franchise quarterback, it is easy to envision GM Ruston Webster opting for the relative safety of Williams, the clear-cut top non-quarterback in the 2015 draft and a perfect fit at end in Ray Horton’s defense.”
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dante Fowler Jr., LB
Wade Payne
Wade Payne
School: Florida
Other possibilities: Leonard Williams (DE, USC), Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama), Vic Beasley (LB, Clemson)
Key expert quote: Schrager: “[Jacksonville] still needs an ace pass rusher for Gus Bradley’s defence, though. Fowler is that guy. At 260 pounds, he can play any linebacker spot (he did at Florida) and is the perfect personality to match the positive energy that oozes through that Jacksonville facility.”
Other possibilities: Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama), Leonard Williams (DE, USC)
Key expert quote: Banks: “The Raiders have their pick between the draft’s top two receivers, and they probably can’t go wrong choosing between White and Alabama’s Amari Cooper. White’s track record isn’t as proven, but his skill set fits today’s NFL perfectly.”
5. Washington — Vic Beasley, LB
AP / Press Association Images
AP / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
School: Clemson
Other possibilities: Dante Fowler Jr. (LB, Florida), Randy Gregory (LB, Nebraska), Leonard Williams (DE, USC), Shane Ray (DE, Missouri), Brandon Scherff (OG, Iowa)
Key expert quote: WalterFootball.com: “Beasley doesn’t really fill a glaring need, as Washington have Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy as edge rushers. However, Brian Orakpo left for Tennessee, so depth is needed. Beasley would join the two to form a very strong rotation of pass-rushers.”
Our very own NFL expert Steve O’Rourke disagrees with the above — and you can read more of that soon — but who would you like to see your team draft this year?
Here's who the experts think will be the NFL's next big stars
WE ARE NOW just two weeks from the NFL Draft. With the NFL Combine over and free agency nearing its end, many experts have weighed in with fresh mock drafts.
We surveyed a number of them who have updated their mock drafts recently to get a consensus prediction for the most likely selections for the first five picks.
The experts: ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., SI.com’s Don Banks, CBSSports.com’s Rob Rang, Fox Sports.com’s Pete Schrager and WalterFootball.com
Here’s what they think will happen on 30 April:
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Jameis Winston, QB
School: Florida State
Other possibilities: None
Key expert quote: Kiper: “It makes sense for Tampa Bay to take a hard look at all options, I just think this is where the Bucs will settle. He’s the most NFL-ready QB in the draft. He’s big, durable, strong-armed and has both a high football IQ and an ability to read, anticipate and process at a very high level what defenses are trying to do. I think he gives the Bucs the best chance to improve in 2015 over any other option on the board.”
2. Tennessee Titans — Leonard Williams, DE
School: Southern California
Other possibilities: Marcus Mariota (QB, Oregon)
Key expert quote: Rang: “Oregon QB Marcus Mariota is in play here but unless the Titans feel certain that he can be a franchise quarterback, it is easy to envision GM Ruston Webster opting for the relative safety of Williams, the clear-cut top non-quarterback in the 2015 draft and a perfect fit at end in Ray Horton’s defense.”
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — Dante Fowler Jr., LB
School: Florida
Other possibilities: Leonard Williams (DE, USC), Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama), Vic Beasley (LB, Clemson)
Key expert quote: Schrager: “[Jacksonville] still needs an ace pass rusher for Gus Bradley’s defence, though. Fowler is that guy. At 260 pounds, he can play any linebacker spot (he did at Florida) and is the perfect personality to match the positive energy that oozes through that Jacksonville facility.”
4. Oakland Raiders — Kevin White, WR
School: West Virginia
Other possibilities: Amari Cooper (WR, Alabama), Leonard Williams (DE, USC)
Key expert quote: Banks: “The Raiders have their pick between the draft’s top two receivers, and they probably can’t go wrong choosing between White and Alabama’s Amari Cooper. White’s track record isn’t as proven, but his skill set fits today’s NFL perfectly.”
5. Washington — Vic Beasley, LB
School: Clemson
Other possibilities: Dante Fowler Jr. (LB, Florida), Randy Gregory (LB, Nebraska), Leonard Williams (DE, USC), Shane Ray (DE, Missouri), Brandon Scherff (OG, Iowa)
Key expert quote: WalterFootball.com: “Beasley doesn’t really fill a glaring need, as Washington have Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy as edge rushers. However, Brian Orakpo left for Tennessee, so depth is needed. Beasley would join the two to form a very strong rotation of pass-rushers.”
Our very own NFL expert Steve O’Rourke disagrees with the above — and you can read more of that soon — but who would you like to see your team draft this year?
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