Seattle Times NFL reporters Bob Condotta and Jayson Jenks took their shots at predicting the first round of the 2015 draft. Condotta and Jenks traded selections. They did not factor in possible trades.
Seattle Times NFL reporters Bob Condotta and Jayson Jenks took their shots at predicting the first round of the 2015 draft. Condotta and Jenks traded selections. They did not factor in possible trades.
1.) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Bob’s pick: Jameis Winston, QB Florida State.
“The Bucs will make the obvious pick, taking a much-needed quarterback who could make, or break, the Tampa Bay franchise.”
2.) Tennessee Titans
Jayson’s pick: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
“With questions about Marcus Mariota, Williams is the closest thing to a safe pick in this draft.”
3.) Jacksonville Jaguars
Bob’s pick: Randy Gregory, DE/LB, Nebraska.
“There have been some questions about Gregory. But former Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley won’t be able to resist Gregory’s pass-rushing potential.”
4.) Oakland Raiders
Jayson’s pick: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia.
“White has the size, speed and big-play ability that QB Derek Carr and the Raiders need.”
5.) Washington
Bob’s pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon.
“Who can ever know what this franchise will do? But three years into the RGIII disappointment, Washington might start over at quarterback.”
6.) New York Jets
Jayson’s pick: Dante Fowler OLB, Florida.
“The Jets need a pass rusher, and Fowler is the best remaining one in the draft.”
7.) Chicago Bears
Bob’s pick: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington.
“The Bears need help in the middle and will take a shot at getting it from the first of four Huskies defenders who could go in the first two rounds.”
8.) Atlanta Falcons
Jayson’s pick: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson.
“The Falcons’ pass rush has struggled the past few years. Beasley gives first-year Atlanta coach Dan Quinn, the former Seattle defensive coordinator, a new toy.”
9.) New York Giants
Bob’s pick: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri.
“The Giants also need lots of defensive help, and Ray could provide it immediately from what looks like a strong class of defensive ends. It’s unclear if teams might pass on Ray after his marijuana-related arrest this week.”
10.) St. Louis Rams
Jayson’s pick: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa.
“Rams coach Jeff Fisher knows games are won in the trenches and will add to what looks like an improving offensive line.”
11.) Minnesota Vikings
Bob’s pick: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama.
“The Vikings will want to give some help to budding star QB Teddy Bridgewater, and it’s hard to beat the productivity of Cooper.”
12.) Cleveland Browns
Jayson’s pick: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State.
“Strong gives the Browns the big-body receiver they lost in Josh Gordon.”
13.) New Orleans Saints
Bob’s pick: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State.
“The Saints trying to become a more well-rounded team, and in Waynes they could add the top-rated cornerback in the draft.”
14.) Miami Dolphins
Jayson’s pick: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville.
“Some of the best hands in the draft, Parker gives the Dolphins a well-rounded receiving corps.”
15.) San Francisco 49ers
Bob’s pick: Bud Dupree, LB, Kentucky.
“New 49ers coach Jim Tomsula earned his stripes on the defensive side of the ball and will look to replenish some of the personnel losses San Francisco has suffered in the past year.”
16.) Houston Texans
Jayson’s pick: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington.
“Peters is too talented despite his red flags to fall far in the draft.”
17.) San Diego Chargers
Bob’s pick: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford.
“Chargers are in the market for offensive-line help, and if Peat were to fall this far, it’s hard to imagine San Diego wouldn’t snatch him up.”
18.) Kansas City Chiefs
Jayson’s pick: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama.
“As good as their pass rush was last year, the Chiefs need help in the secondary.”
19.) Cleveland Browns
Bob’s pick: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas.
“The Browns were hideous against the run last year and likely will take the best available lineman in this spot.”
20.) Philadelphia Eagles
Jayson’s pick: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon.
“Armstead is solid. But with Chip Kelly involved, when in doubt go with the best available Duck.”
21.) Cincinnati Bengals
Bob’s pick: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State.
‘The Bengals need reinforcements at linebacker, and McKinney could help immediately, especially against the run.’
22.) Pittsburgh Steelers
Jayson’s pick: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU.
“The Steelers’ pass defense was a glaring concern last year.”
23.) Detroit Lions
Bob’s pick: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State.
“After losing Ndamukong Suh, the Lions will look to add interior defensive help, and the 6-foot-4, 336-pound Goldman fits the bill.”
24.) Arizona Cardinals
Jayson’s pick: Todd Gurley, RB Georgia.
“The Cardinals need a running back, and Gurley, despite his injury concerns, is the best in the draft.”
25.) Carolina Panthers
Bob’s pick: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
“The Panthers have the defense and a decent enough running game, so they can gamble on a receiver.”
26.) Baltimore Ravens
Jayson’s pick: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
“Someone will roll the dice early on Perriman after he ran a sub-4.3 40 at his pro day.”
27.) Dallas Cowboys
Bob’s pick: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
“The Cowboys lost DeMarco Murray, and in Gordon they will hope to have found a younger and cheaper replacement.”
28.) Denver Broncos
Jayson’s pick: La’el Collins, OT, LSU
“The Broncos have a pretty glaring need at offensive tackle.”
29.) Indianapolis Colts
Bob’s pick: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
“QB Andrew Luck needs all the protection he can get.”
30.) Green Bay Packers
Jayson’s pick: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
“Jones is raw but his measurables are off the charts.”
31.) New Orleans Saints
Bob’s pick: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
“With the pick the Saints got from the Seahawks for Jimmy Graham, they’ll get another big target in the 6-4, 232-pound Funchess.”
32.) New England Patriots
Jayson’s pick: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
“With Darrelle Revis and Brandon Browner signing elsewhere, it makes sense for the Patriots to draft a cornerback.”