Mayock Which prospects will teams target in 2015 NFL Draft

  • April 19, 2025 11:22 PM PDT

    NFL Media Devin Richardson Jersey analyst Mike Mayock completed a marathon se sion of two hours and 45 minutes on Monday during his annual pre-scouting combine conference call with various media members from around the country. As impre sive as his stamina was, Mayock also dished out quite a bit of information regarding the upcoming 2015 and the players who will go from No. 1 overall to undrafted.Here's a wrap-up of some of the projections Mayock discu sed for the upcoming draft, and what teams various prospects might be a good fit for.Tampa Bay BuccaneersNaturally, there's a ton of interest in whom the team takes No. 1 overall, and Mayock is on board with most prognosticators in seeing Florida State quarterback even if there are a number of red flags surrounding him. "My concern is on the field, he throws too many interceptions. However, I can see everything on the field beyond that," said Mayock. "Can he be the face of the franchise? He was the face of the Florida State franchise, and that didn't stop him from making questionable decisions." At the top of the second round, Mayock sees the team looking at a po sible upgrade at linebacker with players such as , , or being fits.Tenne see TitansThere's an on-going evaluation for being a franchise quarterback, and Mayock doesn't know which way the are leaning. If members of the front office think they can upgrade the position to get a franchise quarterback, then it could be going second overall.Jacksonville JaguarsIdeally, the team with the No. 3 overall pick would trade down with somebody who wants a quarterback, provided either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota are still on the board. If Gus Bradley's squad stays put, though, Mayock sees them going with an edge rusher such as, or .Oakland RaidersIt's pretty simple in Mayock's mind for the : Evaluate all the top options at wide receiver, and draft the one you grade the highest to get some help. That means Oakland will grab one of these three: , and . Mayock says Cooper is the safest pick of the trio and has the highest floor as a Torry Holt-type of receiver.Washington RedskinsMayock didn't mention many specific players the team needs to go after with the fifth overall pick, but he identified offensive line, cornerback and edge rusher among the positions they have to addre s early in the draft. New York JetsThere was some praise regarding from Mayock, but he noted that it might not be enough to keep him as the ' starter, and the opportunity to grab a guy like Mariota could be attractive for a team looking to wipe the slate clean from the previous regime. In short, Mayock suggests that if a signal-caller they love is there at No. 6, they've got to pick him. If there's not one, he said, "You'd better just get yourself a good football player." Corners and might be options, as well as an edge guy such as.Chicago BearsMayock believes the can get a good edge guy to boost their defense at No. 7 in the first round, and the best fit is . He also sees and fitting the bill but notes, Jake Bobo Jersey "Fowler checks all the boxes."Atlanta FalconsThere's a new coaching staff in Atlanta, and Mayock is one of many who believe that will result in the team going defense with its first-round pick. would be the guy if he's still around at No. 8, but Mayock noted , and are all intriguing but that each has his pluses and minuses. A bigger back in the third or fourth round also makes a lot of sense for the franchise.Minnesota VikingsObviously, there's a lot unsettled regarding and whether he'll return to the club, so Mayock believes the might have to look for a full-time running back if, indeed, there is going to be a split with Peterson. Mayock sees the team going after a top corner at No. 11 and then waiting for a tailback in the second round with guys like Boise State's or Indiana's . also could be an option in the first round if the want to boost their offensive line.Cleveland BrownsWhile Mayock said he believes can still come back from his troubles to be the team's quarterback and have a career in the NFL, he also discu sed his draft evaluation of Manziel last year, acknowledging that he overlooked some factors. Because of that, Mayock said he thinks it is risky trying to move up to get a QB like or if they start to drop. (The own a pair of first-round picks -- Nos. 12 and 19.) At No. 19 in the first round, Mayock believes the could get a defensive tackle like Texas' or Oklahoma's or somebody like Oregon's .Miami DolphinsWide receiver is a concern with the team, according to Mayock, depending on how free agency and the salary-cap situation goes. The need a corner and an edge guy; they can get a CB in the first round and then come back around to get the rusher or a wideout.San Francisco 49ersCount Mayock among those who don't see much change in how the team will operate or draft even with a new coaching staff. Offensive line, cornerback and wide receivers are some areas he sees them addre sing early on in the draft.Kansas City ChiefsWhen talking about the , Mayock is like a lot of analysts who see the team going after a wide receiver at No. 18 overall. The question is who might be around for them to Lance Boykin Jersey grab. and are probably gone by then. and could be options for Andy Reid and company in the first round, but Mayock remarked they would "sprint to the podium" if is still on the board. , and might be options along the offensive line, and the could target a linebacker such as, , orin the second round.Philadelphia EaglesWhat will Chip Kelly do? Mayock thinks the team will go defense with either or (at safety) being options for them at No. 20. LSU's is intriguing as a pre s corner who's not afraid to play man, and Mayock believes they'll do their homework on , too. They'll be best getting an ILB in the second or third round, and Mayock even could see reunite with his brother, , in Philly.Detroit LionsMayock fielded a ton of questions about which way the might Brady Russell Jersey go at No. 23 in the first round. He said he thinks one of the eight top-tier defensive tackles will be the way to go for the franchise, with Iowa's being one of many options. As far as addre sing the offensive line in the second round, Mayock gushed about : "Big square, tough guy that is smart as can be. He really helped himself at the ." South Carolina's , from Louisville and out of Florida State are also interior options for the team. If Detroit makes a salary-cap casualty, Mayock said he could see them going with either or in the second round.Carolina PanthersThere are a lot of ways the can go at No. 25, and Mayock believes or could be options if they're around to fill a need at safety. and might be worth a look if the decide to addre s the defensive line. Finally, Mayock sees them grabbing a speedy wideout such as or later, as well.Baltimore RavensMayock lofted some high praise toward the franchise for its ability to evaluate and noted that receiver, cornerback and edge rusher make sense for the in the first round. However, Mayock said they're going to pick the best available player no matter what. Florida State corner/safety might be an option, and Mayock even sees them picking , who could be a steal in the second round or later. Miami (OH)'s or Utah's could be second or third round choices as well. If they opt to find a tailback, and are both first-round backs that might be around at No. 26. If they do want to addre s the tight end position, Minnesota's is the only guy who could be a late first-rounder but is more likely a second-rounder.Dallas CowboysHow 'bout the ' draft? Well, Mayock sees some potential for or being around at No. 27, with Dupree being a particularly interesting option -- he weighs 30 pounds more than most defensive ends and could be a better complement to . As far as potential replacements, Northern Iowa's in the third or fourth round, or even Alabama's late in the second round, could be options. Mayock also brought up Minnesota's as a tough, downhill back that could fit, in addition to Auburn's .Denver BroncosMayock talked about at length when asked about the team and thinks he can still get it done at the quarterback position. Draft-wise, though, the analyst thinks is the best right tackle prospect in the draft but isn't sure he'll be around to perfectly fit the ' needs when they pick at No. 28 overall. That means could be the pick, or they can wait until the second round to get someone like Sean Mannion Jersey Oregon's , Wisconsin's or Penn State's .Indianapolis ColtsAre they looking for a replacement? If the do decide to go that way, Mayock sees the kid from up the road at Indiana, , being an option in the second round. The tailback has speed, toughne s, aggre sivene s and could be the big home-run hitter that makes sense there.Seattle SeahawksMayock had high praise for how Seattle has drafted under GM John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll and thinks the could trade back (again) and still be able to land their guy in the early second round. Tailback could be the replacement (or complement), but he could be gone by the time they pick at No. 31. If they have a guy they like at any position, they might stay where they are and pick him at the end of the first round.Buffalo BillsMayock doesn't see the team opting to get a quarterback with its first pick of the 2015 because the most likely candidates -- or -- might take time to develop, and the team already has a project on the roster in E.J. Manuel, who has as much talent as either of them. , , and could be options at running back if that's the direction Rex Ryan and company opt to go.You can follow Bryan Fischer on Twitter at .