A countdown of the top 50 overall players in the 2015 NFL Draft as ranked by NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah.(Note: this list has been updated to reflect Jeremiah's most recent rankings.)
SMU defensive lineman Elie Nabushosi (7) rushes against Texas A&M offensive linesman Cedric Ogbuehi (70) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, in Dallas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
UCLA defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa gestures to teammates while facing Colorado in the first quarter of an NCAA football game in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Miami's Phillip Dorsett (4) runs against North Carolina during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thursday, Oct. 17, 2013. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
UCLA linebacker Eric Kendricks, top, gets ready for the snap as Southern California center Max Tuerk looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Pasadena, Calif. UCLA won 38-20. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Oregon offensive lineman Jake Fisher (75) waits for the snap in the first quarter during an NCAA college football game against Utah Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Oklahoma defensive tackle Jordan Phillips (80) is pictured before an NCAA football game against Tulsa in Tulsa, Okla., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney (50) claps his hands as he prepares for another play at the line of scrimmage in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Southern Mississippi at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014. Mississippi State won the season opener, 49-0. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Nebraska running back Ameer Abdullah breaks away from Southern California defenders on a 20-yard touchdown run during the second half of the Holiday Bowl NCAA college football game Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, in San Diego. Southern California won 45-42. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi)
Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson (9) lines up to cover a Utah State receiver during an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 13, 2014, in Logan, Utah. (AP Photo/Eli Lucero)
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams (88) catches a touchdown pass as Syracuse defensive back Darius Kelly (18) defends during the second half of the Texas Bowl NCAA college football game Friday, Dec. 27, 2013, in Houston. Syracuse won 21-17. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Florida State center Cameron Erving (75) points out an assignment before a snap against Oregon in the Rose Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015 in Pasadena, Calif. Oregon defeated Florida State 59-20 to advance to the first ever NCAA football playoff championship game. (AP Photo/Doug Benc)
Boise State running back Jay Ajayi dives for the touchdown as Arizona cornerback Jarvis McCall Jr. defends during the first half of the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football game, Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2014, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Connecticut cornerback Byron Jones (16) runs a drill before an NCAA college football game against Temple in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
Michigan wide receiver Devin Funchess (1) celebrates a touchdown in the first quarter of an NCAA college football game against Penn State in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014. (AP Photo/Tony Ding)
Mississippi State defensive lineman Preston Smith (91) readies for a tackle against UAB in the second half of an NCAA college football game at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, Miss., Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014. Mississippi State won 47-34. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis)
Florida State defensive back P.J. Williams (26) defends at the line of scrimmage against Oklahoma State 's Jhajuan Seales (81) during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Florida A&M running back Gerald Hearns (30) is tackled by Miami linebacker Denzel Perryman (52) in the first half of an NCAA football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Ohio State wide receiver Devin Smith celebrates after catching a 44-yard touchdown pass during the first half of the Big Ten Conference championship NCAA college football game against Wisconsin Saturday, Dec. 6, 2014, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
USC Trojans wide receiver Nelson Agholor (15) during an NCAA football game against the UCLA Bruins at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif., on November 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
Washington's Marcus Peters (21) snags the ball in the end zone in front of intended receiver Georgia State's Robert Davis in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014, in Seattle. Peters was flagged for pass interference on the play, leading to a Georgia State touchdown on the drive. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Central Florida wide receiver Breshad Perriman (11) breaks a tackle by Connecticut cornerback Jhavon Williams (6) after Perriman's touchdown reception in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in East Hartford, Conn., Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014. Connecticut won 37-29. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)
LSU cornerback Jalen Collins (32) celebrates his interception with safety Rickey Jefferson (29) during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M Thursday, Nov. 27, 2014, in College Station, Texas. LSU won 23-17. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Arizona State wide receiver Jaelen Strong (21) runs away from Arizona cornerback Jonathan McKnight (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 28, 2014, in Tucson, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Kentucky linebacker Bud Dupree poses for a headshot during the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium on Friday, February 20, 2015 in Indianapolis, IN. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
In this photo taken on Oct. 13, 2012, and provided by the University of Virginia , Virginia's freshman defensive end Eli Harold follows the action during an NCAA college football game against Maryland in Charlottesville, Va. Coach Mike London decided to get more young players involved last week after the Cavaliers had lost four straight, and Harold, an undersized defensive end, was among those that made an immediate impact.(AP Photo/University of Virginia)
Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Ereck Flowers (74) lines up on the field in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Cincinnati, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2014, in Miami Gardens, Fla. Miami defeated Cincinnati 55-34. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Missouri wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham (15) celebrates his touchdown against Auburn during the first half of the Southeastern Conference NCAA football championship game, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2013, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
LSU offensive tackle La'el Collins (70) warms up before an NCAA college football game in Baton Rouge, La., Saturday, September 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Jonathan Bachman)
Stanford offensive tackle Andrus Peat (70) during the second half of the Foster Farms Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2014, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Houston defensive end Eric Eiland (21) and Pittsburgh offensive lineman T.J. Clemmings (68) during the second half of the Armed Forces Bowl NCAA college football game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Fort Worth. Texas. Houston won 35-34. (AP Photo/Sharon Ellman)
Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman (90) celebrates after Florida place kicker Austin Hardin (16) missed a field goal attempt during the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. Florida State won 24-19. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
FILE - In this Sept. 20, 2014, file photo, Alabama defensive back Landon Collins celebrates after Alabama sacked Florida's quarterback during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
Iowa offensive lineman Brandon Scherff looks to block during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Wisconsin, Saturday, Nov. 22, 2014, in Iowa City, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
Florida offensive linesman D.J. Humphries (70) prepares to block a Tennessee defender during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Gainesville, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 21, 2013.(AP Photo/John Raoux)
Clemson's Vic Beasley pursues Syracuse running back Prince-Tyson Gulley during the second half an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. (AP Photo/ Richard Shiro)
Texas' Malcom Brown (90) lines up against Baylor during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
Oregon Alex Balducci, left, and Arik Armstead celebrate a defensive stop against Michigan State during the 1st quarter of their college football game in Eugene, Ore. Saturday Sept. 6, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Pietsch)
Wisconsin running back Melvin Gordon (25) stiff arms Auburn defensive back Jermaine Whitehead (35) on a 53-yard touchdown run during the third quarter of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Georgia's Todd Gurley (3) returns a kickoff for a touchdown as Auburn running back Corey Grant (20) defends in the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014, in Athens, Ga. The touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
In this Sept. 27, 2014, file photo, Nebraska defensive end Randy Gregory (4) is stopped by Illinois' Simon Cvijanovic, second from left, and Chris O'Connor, right, as Illinois quarterback Reilly O'Toole (4) throws the ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game in Lincoln, Neb. G(AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes (15) intercepts a pass in the end zone intended for Penn State wide receiver Chris Godwin (12) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in State College, Pa., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton (55) in the first half during the Cactus Bowl NCAA college football game against Oklahoma State, Friday, Jan. 2, 2015, in Tempe, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Senior wide receiver DeVante Parker celebrates after scoring on a 33-yard pass and run play against rival Kentucky in their NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014, in Louisville, Ky. Louisville came from behind to beat Kentucky 44-40. (AP Photo/Garry Jones)
Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota runs as T.J. McDonald and Eric Dungy chase during an NCAA football game against USC at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, Ca,. on Nov. 3, 2012. (AP Photo/Ben Liebenberg)
South Dakota State quarterback Jacob Menage, left, is sacked by Missouri's Shane Ray during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 30, 2014, in Columbia, Mo. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston (5) looks for a receiver as Florida defensive lineman Dante Fowler, Jr. (6) pressures him during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 29, 2014. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson, bottom, is sacked by Florida's Dante Fowler Jr. (6) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, in Gainesville, Fla. Florida defeated South Carolina 44-11. (AP Photo/Phil Sandlin)
Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper (9) celebrates his touchdown against Ohio State in the second half of the Sugar Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal game, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2015, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)
West Virginia's Kevin White (11) catches a pass for a touchdown over Baylor's Xavien Howard (4) in the fourth quarter of an NCAA college football game in Morgantown, W.Va., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2014. (AP Photo/Chris Jackson)
Southern California defensive end Leonard Williams looks on during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
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For much of the 2015 offseason, we here at Buccaneers.com have been bringing you a weekly roundup of prominent mock-draft opinions regarding what Tampa Bay will do with the first overall pick. Here's the most recent in fact: You'll notice a strong consensus of opinion.
After weeks of reviewing the (occasionally-shifting) opinions of the Mel Kipers and Rob Rangs of the world, a thought suddenly occurred to us: "Why are we letting those guys have all the fun?"
Let's face it, what NFL mock drafts lack in, you know, accuracy, they make up in sheer entertainment value. Reading an NFL mock draft is an enjoyably lazy experience, like laying out by the pool. Actually doing the drafting yourself – in mock fashion – is even better and much more active, like diving into the deep end when it gets too hot. So let's go ahead and take a dip in the pool; presenting the Third Annual Buccaneers.com Mock Draft (Part 1).
In each of the last two years, Buccaneers.com Contributor Andrew Norton and I did all the heavy lifting, alternating picks from #1 to #32. Our predictive efforts in 2013 are best left in the archives, but we actually did fairly well last year. No, really. This year, we think we can do even better by doubling the mock draft brainpower. That's why Andrew and I are back but we've also invited two fresh faces, presumably with fresh points of view to match: Team Insider Casey Phillips and Buccaneers.com Contributor Joe Kania.
So, welcome to the show, Casey and Joe. Since four voices don't really fit into our old "Point/Counterpoint" format, we're going to do this roundtable style. I'll go first, with Casey batting second, Joe third and Andrew bringing up the rear, as usual. We'll simply alternate picks in that order throughout the first round, giving our predictions for what the team currently occupying each spot will do. For the purposes of this exercise, we will not be predicting any trades; go ahead and mention the possibility of a deal if you feel strongly about it, but you have to pick for the team you're assigned.
One more important note: Please keep in mind that these are our own opinions. Not only will they occasionally be irrational (Andrew) or laughable (ditto), but they are most definitely not intended to reflect the opinions of Lovie Smith, Jason Licht or anybody who will actually be making non-mock picks on April 30. This is most important to remember when considering the very first pick in this exercise.
Alright, my fellow mockers, any last words before we begin?
Casey Phillips: Good to know even as a newcomer I won't get made fun of as much as Andrew.
Andrew Norton: Hey Scott. Missed you too, buddy. Casey and Joe, we pretty much killed it last year, so don't go messing anything up. I'm just teasing, no pressure, have fun. Seriously though, don't mess this up.
Scott Smith: Thank you. Now, on to Part I, wherein we will cover the first eight picks of the first round. Stay tuned in the days to come for the remainder of our Buccaneers.com Mock Draft.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston, FSU (Scott Smith's pick)
I mentioned this is just my own opinion, right? That's clear? I do not have access to the Buccaneers' war room or its draft boards and this does not reflect any inside knowledge on my part. Rather, this is an example of simply going with the consensus opinion. If you clicked on that Mock Draft Roundup link above, you saw that the draft experts are united in the idea that Winston will go first. There are certainly some very attractive defensive players available, and the Bucs could use a premium pass-rusher, but IN MY OPINION (there it is again), the opportunity to add a potential franchise quarterback is just too good to pass up. Such opportunities do not come along often.
2. Tennessee Titans: DE Leonard Williams USC (Casey Phillips's pick)
For a while, it was conventional wisdom Winston and Mariota had a chance to go 1-2. I thought that made sense until I heard how much support Zach Mettenberger has within the Titans' front office. When you are comparing him to a Tom Brady-level steal, that doesn't seem to suggest you are looking to pick another QB just one year later this high in the draft. I think there's a reasonable possibility this pick gets traded away to someone who does want Mariota, but since trades aren't a part of the mock draft world (that would make them far too realistic), I have the Titans taking DE Leonard Williams. He is a safe pick for a franchise that has struggled to draft successfully at the top in recent years. Plus, he fits well as a versatile, disruptive presence in their 3-4 zone blitz who seems too powerful for tackles and too quick for interior linemen.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Kevin White, West Virginia. (Joe Kania's pick)
The Jaguars picked up Blake Bortles with the third overall pick in last year's draft, but the team's offense struggled during his first season. The unit ranked 31st in total offense and passing offense while finishing with the 29th-rated receiving core. And on top of that, their leading receiver, Cecil Shorts, signed as a free agent with the Texans. With the No. 3 pick on our mock draft, the Jags select Kevin White, the explosive wide receiver out of West Virginia, and continue building around Bortles. White hauled in 109 passes for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, including a 68-yarder, and averaged more than 13 yards per reception. White ran one of the fastest 40-yard dashes at the combine (4.35 seconds) and finished tied for the most reps on the bench press (23).
4. Oakland Raiders: OLB Dante Fowler, Jr., Florida (Andrew Norton's pick)
Let the record state that I had it all written up and ready to go that Kevin White would be in silver and black come April 30th, and then you went swiped him. I see how this is going to be. Amari Cooper is still on the board in this position and could be the Kevin White alternative for a future #1 receiver that Oakland desperately needs, but, the Raiders now have a big opportunity at four to address their pass rush. Oakland had just 22 sacks last year, second fewest in the NFL. Fowler had 8.5 sacks last year, 15 tackles for loss and 17 QB hurries and does fit in as a 4-3 pass rushing defensive end. Bonus points: NFL.com's Pro Comparison for Fowler is Khalil Mack, Oakland's impressive fifth-overall pick last year. I'm sure Raiders fans would be thrilled to have two Mack's zipping around the field in 2015.
5. Washington Redskins: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska (Scott Smith's pick)
Well, since most mock drafts usually come flying off the rails about five picks in, it's probably good that we've already broken from the consensus here in the early going. I think most mock drafters are predicting the pass-rusher in Jacksonville and the receiver in Oakland, not the other way around. The bigger problem for me, as Washington-GM-for-a-day is that either way I don't get Fowler, the pass-rusher I really covet. I'm not buying the idea that Washington is giving up on RGIII and drafting a quarterback here, although I do think that if it falls this way the phone will busy in their draft room. Again, no trades allowed (dumb rule, whoever set this thing up), so I have to sit put and go with pass-rush Plan B, Nebraska's Randy Gregory. I favor him as a pure pass-rusher over Shane Ray and Vic Beasley. With both Marcus Mariota and Amari Cooper still on the board, not to mention those other pass-rushers, I think Casey's really going to have a fun time with the Jets at #6. Whatcha got, newbie?
6. New York Jets: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon (Casey Phillips's pick)
You're right Scott. I bet the Jets would be salivating to have these options come draft day. My first instinct was to pick Amari Cooper, and if that happens, I do think it would be an interesting fit. But having Mariota fall into your lap here seems too good to pass up. For one thing, the Jets already have Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, and Jeremy Kerley and pay them like they are happy with that trio. Secondly, the new regime in New York doesn't have any obligation to Geno Smith. Plus, Mariota fits very nicely into Chan Gailey's scheme, and the idea of Mariota's athletic ability paired with Brandon Marshall as a target is a partnership with a lot of promise. The other likely possibility at this draft spot besides WR and QB would be on the offensive line. But Jets' GM Mike Maccagnan has already said publicly he believes he can shore up that unit later in the draft. Okay Joe, I know you walked by my desk after my first pick and said I stole your guy. Did I manage to ruin your plans twice?
7. Chicago Bears: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State (Joe Kania's pick)
According to Pro Football Focus, the area in which the Bears struggled the most last season was pass coverage. Only four teams, the Falcons, Jaguars, Saints and Redskins, graded out worse against the pass and all 11 of the Bears' defensive backs received a negative grade in pass coverage. Now, there are two ways the Bears could go about addressing this issue. One would be finding a dominant pass-rusher and build from the bottom up. The other is picking up a dominant corner to shut down an opponents' top receiver. The safer bet is taking Trae Waynes, the corner out of Michigan State who many believe is the best defensive back in the draft, instead of the fourth-best pass-rusher, since Williams, Fowler and Gregory are already off the board.
8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray, Missouri (Andrew Norton's pick)
Strictly role-playing as the hypothetical Falcons GM here… "Casey, Joe, thank you, thank you, thank you!" Remember that Oakland stat about them being second-to-last in sacks last year? Well, I wasn't entirely correct. The Raiders' 22 sacks were tied for second-to-last… with the Atlanta Falcons. New head coach Dan Quinn (previously Seattle's DC) is walking into a lot of needs on both O-line and D-line, but I expect his defensive mind to make a big push for pass rush here, especially in the dream scenario of Ray falling to eight (a scenario which occurs in zero of the seven mock drafts currently on NFL.com). Ray piled up 14.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss in his final college season. Under Quinn, he's a front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year as soon as he steps on stage. Atlanta is thrilled if he falls to eight.
(Part 2 of the Third Annual Buccaneers.com Mock Draft will be posted on Tuesday, April 21.)
