Like when a 96-year-old man gets ready for his fifth heart surgery, it might be time to start preparing for the inevitable. What do these bad NFL teams do after their slow death in 2014?
Every NFL team has played at least half of its games so far this season, so it’s safe to say, we’re officially beyond the halfway point.
So I gathered some information from several different websites as to how they see the 2015 NFL Draft happening next spring in Chicago. And I put together the draft order the way I think it will go down, barring any crazy trades or coin flips, here’s what I came up with.
2015 NFL Draft Preview: Top 6 Picks
I chose to go with the top six picks because there are six teams with two or fewer wins.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The fact the Bucs went back to Josh McCown this week is a pretty good indicator they want more than what Mike Glennon can offer. There could be pressure to take FSU’s Jameis Winston, but he’s already proving to be too immature for a Lovie Smith team.
“In dominating Stanford, Mariota showed off the mesmerizing physical traits that have long fascinated scouts. His performance deserves kudos as Mariota played well under the spotlight but he isn’t the “Can’t Miss” prospect that some have labeled him. Mariota’s speed makes him potentially a special weapon in an era of dual-threat quarterbacks, but he’s a good, not great, passer. Further, Oregon’s speed and scheme complicate Mariota’s projection to the NFL as he won’t see the wide-open passing lanes at the next level.” – Rob Rang, CBSSports.com
2. Oakland Raiders: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
It’s safe to say they’re going to go with Derek Carr for at least one more season, come hell or high water, but their offense is just bad. You have to figure they’ll want to upgrade their offensive line with the best of the bunch.
“The son of a former NFL player, he’s got the perfect frame and shows a natural aptitude for left tackle. While he’s athletic, he still has a powerful lower half. He looks like a future top-10 pick at this point.” – Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN.com
3. N.Y. Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
Can’t you just see Jets fans traveling to Chicago just to boo this pick!?! Winston has proven to be a major talent with NFL skills, but it’s tough to imagine guys like Peyton Manning, Russell Wilson and Andrew Luck screaming “Ffu*k her right in the pu**y!” in public. Ryan Leaf, yes. That I can see.
“There is so much controversy surrounding Winston, from the alleged sexual assault, to the crab legs, to the autographs, to his suspension for shouting a stupid meme in the student union (funny that the old farts running Florida State didn’t know what it meant). However, Winston is too talented not to go high in the first round. Winston is also too good for the Jets to pass up. I’d be worried about him in New York, but the team is in desperate need of a franchise quarterback, as it’s clear that Geno Smith is not the answer.” – WalterFootball.com
4. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DE/DT, USC
He’s the top defensive player and he could be the guy that goes No. 1 overall if a team with a quarterback ends up there.
“The Jaguars’ defensive line was projected to be a strength this year, but Sen’Derrick Marks has been the only consistent pass-rusher. The group isn’t nearly the team’s biggest weakness, but a better pass rush will mask issues in the back seven.” WalterFootball.com
5. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Their offensive line isn’t bad, they have young talent at all skill positions, and they shouldn’t reach for the next-best quarterback here just to get a quarterback. They should have a good chance at a very good signal-caller in the second round.
“Gregory didn’t start off his junior campaign as planned. An “old” knee injury was aggravated in the season-opener against Florida Atlantic and required a scope Aug. 31. Since then, he’s been tough to handle, providing constant pressure off the edge. Gregory is lanky and needs to bulk up to remain at defensive end. From a two- or three-point stance, he’s a natural pass rusher, with an explosive get-off, flexibility, long arms and active hands and the tenacious style of play that will endear him to coaches.” – Rob Rang, CBSSports.com
6. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
No matter what we saw on HBO’s Hard Knocks series, the Falcons are still soft. They’re incredibly unlucky, too, but they are still definitely soft.
“Ray continues to move up our board after recording two more sacks in the Tigers’ win over Kentucky on Saturday (10.5 this season). He has a bit of a tweener frame right now, with below-average height and a lean build, but he has elite speed for the position, and he explodes off the line with his first step, quick feet and hands and an effective spin move. He has initial pop but needs to improve his ability to convert speed to power. He’s an active and disruptive force against the run, making a lot of plays in pursuit, but his lean frame and lack of strength limit his effectiveness against the run overall. Ray has a relentless motor, and has had an excellent start to the season.” – Todd McShay, ESPN.com
It’s tough to imagine Alabama’s Amari Cooper falling out of the top five, but the only team I can see drafting him out of these teams would be the Raiders or maybe even the Titans. Maybe a team moves up to pick the player that Cris Carter said was the most talented wide receiver to come out of college since Randy Moss.