Artys Arryn Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) Full First Round: http://firstroundgrade.com/2015/04/28/2015-nfl-mock-draft-final-edition/For the last 12 months, I’ve enjoyed my reign as champion of the Huddle Report’s annual Mock Draft competition. But like all good things, this too must come to an end.For now.Like any quality champion, I won’t give up my title without a fight. This Mock Draft is my official, title-defense submission, and while it’s hard to have an extreme level of confidence in a project that is inherently based on guessing, I feel pretty good about this one. Remember a key and critical rule when reading this Mock: This is what I think WILL happen, not what I think SHOULD happen. They are two very different things. My more thorough and personal analysis of this year’s class, including 150 evaluations, player rankings and a top-100 Big Board, can be found here.As always, feel free to tear up this Mock Draft. Let me know your thoughts on Twitter (@FirstRoundGrade). Better yet, if you think you have a better first-round projection, sign up as a registered member and post your Mock Draft for free!Let’s get it on! 1) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida St.The obvious pick here. No need to dive too deep into it. All I’ll say is, “Buyer Beware!” I’m not sold that Winston has enough god-given talent to overcome the character issues that have popped up over the last year or so. He’s a good quarterback and there’s no denying that. I’d just pump the brakes on calling him special; He’s not the kind of player that has “ignore the red flags” talent.2) Tennessee Titans – Marcus Mariota, QB, OregonWhile the Titans may not be doing cartwheels with this pick, I’d certainly be ecstatic if I was a fan of the team. Mariota has a chance to be the kind of quarterback for Tennessee that Steve McNair was from a foundational-player standpoint. He has enough of an arm, special athleticism, and the kind of character that you want your fan base to cheer for. It’s no sure thing that the Titans keep the pick, or Mariota, if they take him. Stay tuned.3) Jacksonville Jaguars – Leonard Williams, DL, USCThe Jaguars sit at the No. 3 pick in this Mock and end up with the best all-around player in the class. Williams is an instant upgrade for 95% of the teams in the NFL, including Jacksonville. He instantly becomes the franchise piece on defense a year after they chose their franchise guy on offense in Blake Bortles.4) Oakland Raiders – Amari Cooper, WR, AlabamaNo better way of insuring that your young quarterback has a legitimate chance at succeeding than by addressing either the offensive line or wide receiver positions. Cooper is considered by many to be an elite pass-catching talent who is capable of coming into the NFL and producing like the rookies from the class of 2014. He’ll instantly become the go-to-guy in Oakland’s developing offense.5) Washington Redskins – Alvin “Bud” Dupree, EDGE, KentuckyIt’s taken a while, but the buzz around Dupree is finally to starting to penetrate the main-PIRATED VIDEO IS ILLEGAL media. I’ve been a fan of Dupree’s since studying his game film, and his 2015 NFL Combine numbers only solidified his elite-talent status for me. He has taken a back seat to names like Vic Beasley (Clemson), Randy Gregory (Nebraska) and Shane Ray (Missouri) throughout the entire Draft process…until now. Dupree has a chance to be one of the truly dominant EDGE players on the next level who will terrorize opponents’ backfields for a long, long time.6) New York Jets – Dante Fowler, EDGE, FloridaThe Jets have made some very solid additions on offense this off-season, and while they’re probably hoping that one of the quarterbacks tumbles to them here, the reality is that they won’t (or they SHOULDN’T!). Dante Fowler is another extremely talented EDGE defender who will bring some pass rushing excitement to New York.7) Chicago Bears – Kevin White, WR, WVUYes, the Bears need a lot of help on defense. They added some solid veterans who project well to the new 3-4 scheme, but they don’t have a foundational player that they can build around. Danny Shelton will get a long, hard look here, but at the end of the day, the best “talent” on the Board is Kevin White. The Bears do need help at wide receiver, and White has a chance to evolve into a cross between Larry Fitzgerald and Brandon Marshall (ironically).8) Atlanta Falcons – Vic Beasley, EDGE, ClemsonThe Falcons need a pass rusher, and Vic Beasley might be the best in the entire class in terms of pinning his ears back and getting after the quarterback. He’s a pure speed rusher and a dynamic athlete who proved at the Scouting Combine that he can bulk up while maintaining his speed and get-off. He’s a candidate to go in the top-5, so landing him at No. 8 will make the Falcons’ fans very happy indeed. Edited April 29, 2015 by Artys Arryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrimsonFalcon Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Dupree before Fowler and Beasley? Lost me there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artys Arryn Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 Dupree before Fowler and Beasley? Lost me there.I personally like Dupree better than Fowler so that doesn't seem to far fetched to me. I rate Beasley a good bit ahead of Dupree but Dupree arguably has more upside so a team could fall in love with that. It's a little different but the guy has proven to be a good "mocker focker" with his accuracy last year.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1969 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Dupree before Fowler and Beasley? Lost me there.JA98 went before Willis and Revis. It happens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I find it hard to believe we wouldn't trade up for Fowler if he lasted that long, honestly. Not sure why the Jets would pick him in this scenario either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Monolith2001 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Pretty good (especially that 8 pick) though I agree that I see Fowler going before Dupree. Personally I think someone like Cleveland or Miami will be trading up and maybe making a mess of things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toadfishtom Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Nice fantasyI hope it comes true Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FalconFanSince1969 Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Pretty good (especially that 8 pick) though I agree that I see Fowler going before Dupree. Personally I think someone like Cleveland or Miami will be trading up and maybe making a mess of things.Don't rule the Saints out.If they want to steal Beasley away from us they can. He might even fit their defense better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artys Arryn Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 I find it hard to believe we wouldn't trade up for Fowler if he lasted that long, honestly. Not sure why the Jets would pick him in this scenario either.Jets have been mocked a pass rusher all off season. I'm sure they would be happy to take him if he fell to them. Who do you think they would take over him in this scenario? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Jets have been mocked a pass rusher all off season. I'm sure they would be happy to take him if he fell to them. Who do you think they would take over him in this scenario?Jets have been stacked on defense for years and it's done nothing for them. I wouldn't be surprised to see an O-Lineman or WR this year. Something to help their QB's not be so horrible, assuming they lose out on the top 2 QB's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artys Arryn Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 (edited) Jets have been stacked on defense for years and it's done nothing for them. I wouldn't be surprised to see an O-Lineman or WR this year. Something to help their QB's not be so horrible, assuming they lose out on the top 2 QB's.I could see an OL pick. Don't know that they go WR with Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Jeremy Kerley. Not to mention Jace Amaro at TE. Meanwhile at OLB they got Quinton Couples (37 tackles 6.5 sacks) and Calvin Pace (40 tackles 5 sacks). That's with Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson in front. IDK I think Fowler is very realistic for them if he's on the board. Edited April 29, 2015 by Artys Arryn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcons Rage Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Saints re going to package both there first rounders to move up and take pass rusher ahead of us. I have a feeling Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lornoth Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I could see an OL pick. Don't know that they go WR with Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Jeremy Kerley. Not to mention Jace Amaro at TE. Meanwhile at OLB they got Quinton Couples (37 tackles 6.5 sacks) and Calvin Pace (40 tackles 5 sacks). That's with Mo Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson in front. IDK I think Fowler is very realistic for them if he's on the board.I had forgotten about Marshall, actually, I take back the WR. Fowler could very well be the pick, I'm just thinking it makes too much sense for them to trade down with us in that scenario. They have a lot of holes, and such a good front 7. But what do i know *shrugs* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sponge Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 Dupree before Fowler and Beasley? Lost me there.Agreed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ryanadonis Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 lol at Bud Dupree. When did Dupree become the next coming of Demarcus Ware? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Artys Arryn Posted April 29, 2015 Author Share Posted April 29, 2015 lol at Bud Dupree. When did Dupree become the next coming of Demarcus Ware?For future reference: I'M NOT SAYING DUPREE IS THE NEXT WAREDemarcus Ware Combine Stats: 6'4" 251lbs 4.65 40yrd 1.7 10yrd 38.5" Vert 10'2"Broad 6.83 3ConeBud Dupree Combine Stats: 6'4" 269lbs 4.56 40yrd 1.6 10yrd 42" Vert 11'6"Broad NA 3Cone (7.52 at Pro Day)Fairly Similar numbers. Again I'm not saying Dupree is going to be as good as Ware but Dupree is a fantastic athlete. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jesus Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I find it hard to believe that an offensive linemen won't go in the top 10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blizzard_falcon Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 My favorite part of this was "It’s taken a while, but the buzz around Dupree is finally to starting to penetrate the main-PIRATED VIDEO IS ILLEGAL media"Thanks, AFMB filter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight of God Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 I don't care if we trade up, stay put, or trade down...if Beasley is the pick I am more than satisfied. I will be electrified. My 7 year old wants Gurley...he's a UGA fan, but will have to settle for a Beasley jersey. Never wanted a player drafted as bad as I want Beasley drafted...that's for sure. So I hope you are mock champion again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capologist Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 lol at Bud Dupree. When did Dupree become the next coming of Demarcus Ware?When did you become the next Bill Bellichek? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MSalmon Posted April 29, 2015 Share Posted April 29, 2015 For future reference: I'M NOT SAYING DUPREE IS THE NEXT WAREDemarcus Ware Combine Stats: 6'4" 251lbs 4.65 40yrd 1.7 10yrd 38.5" Vert 10'2"Broad 6.83 3ConeBud Dupree Combine Stats: 6'4" 269lbs 4.56 40yrd 1.6 10yrd 42" Vert 11'6"Broad NA 3Cone (7.52 at Pro Day)Fairly Similar numbers. Again I'm not saying Dupree is going to be as good as Ware but Dupree is a fantastic athlete.This guy had a great combine as well http://www.nfl.com/combine/profiles/vernon-gholston?id=756Not saying Dupree will be him, but the guy in the link was a fantastic athlete as wellThe guy in the Ink had a 1.53 10 yd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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