Thank you so much to everyone who has read and followed my mock drafts over the course of the past five years. As I am always seeking bigger and better ways to promote my material, I am officially moving my mock draft site to BrooklynBeat.NYC, my new website which will also feature film and music news. To see the most recent mock draft, please click here.
Again, thank you to everyone who takes time out of their week to read my work and especially to those who contact me to discuss the draft. I am excited to see that there are other passionate sports fans like myself out there.
Justin Worsley
More accurate than Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay!
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Matt Geiger Mock Draft (Picks 1-20)
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Marcus Mariota (QB, ORE)
Lovie Smith knows the future quarterback of his team is not on his roster right now. Glennon and McCown will probably not be in a Bucs uniform next season, so Mariota is a no-brainer. He proved he is a better playmaker than Jamies Winston, and made him look like a JV player when they faced head-to-head. Mariota is the clear cut best quarterback coming into the draft, and this is his spot to lose.
2. Tennessee Titans- Leonard Williams (DT, USC)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars- Brandon Sherff (OT, IOWA)
Blake Bortles was among the most sacked quarterbacks in the league this season. Even after drafting a tackle in last years draft, the Jags would be crazy not to upgrade their offensive line. Sherff is a tough player who played just 5 days after getting surgery. He should immediately slide into their starting lineup.
4. Oakland Raiders- Amari Cooper (WR, ALA)
Cooper is head and shoulders above any other receiver in this class. His size speed and route running are second to none this year. The combo of all three makes for a second coming of Julio Jones. Oakland has a lot of good pieces on both sides of the ball, so giving Derek Carr a brand new toy to play with wouldn't be the worst thing they’ve ever done.
5. Washington Redskins- Vic Beasley (OLB, CLEM)
Washington has gaps all over their defense, but a lack of quarterback pressure makes Beasley a priority. Brian Orakpo hasn’t been able to stay healthy for a full season, and Jason Hatcher hasn’t shown his full potential -since he arrived in Washington. Beasley should be able to line up opposite Orakpo and have success.
6. New York Jets- Jameis Winston (QB, FSU)
I am still not sold on the Jets taking a quarterback in the first round, but until we find out who will be handling personnel and coaching duties I think this is an accurate pick. Regardless of who is coaching, they will want to bring in someone to play under center. Winston’s size and athleticism say he’s a prototypical NFL quarterback, but his off the field issues could push him into the end of the first round or later.
7. Chicago Bears- Landon Collins (S, ALA)
Chicago has struggled in the secondary for more than one season. Collins is a great athlete, who can make plays on the ball from any part of the field. He can come into the box and provide run support, and has prototypical size for a safety. If Chris Conte and Ryan Mundy wind up on the field as a duo again next season you will see the secondary struggle again. Collins is a better athlete and could bring youth to a secondary that would feature himself as well as second year corner Kyle Fuller.
8. Atlanta Falcons- Randy Gregory (DE, NEB)
Atlanta can’t seem to get it right when bringing in players to get to the quarterback. Gregory may very well be the best defensive player coming out of this class, and could be a perennial Pro-Bowler. Gregory is very fast off the ball and shows great use of the swim-move, but can also bull rush and shower power while getting to the quarterback. He has tremendous athleticism and may possibly be asked to move to outside linebacker.
9. New York Giants- Cedric Ogbuehi (OT, TAMU)
The Giants could address some of the holes in their defense in the first round, but for the value, Ogbuehi is the right pick here. He is a versatile lineman who can plug in many positions. He may be best suited at RT until he gets his feet under him in the NFL. He has good footwork and is strong, but he is fairly new to the tackle position after making the switch from guard. Minnesota could shuffle him around their line before they find a suitable spot for him.
10. St. Louis Rams- Trae Waynes (CB, MSU)
The only cornerback that can cover on the outside of the field on the Rams’ roster is Janoris Jenkins, and he has been susceptible to jumping routes and blowing his coverage. Waynes would give St. Louis a reliable corner to pair with Jenkins and an improving secondary. Waynes has good speed in and out of breaks, and is usually on his toes. He is great at reading a play and providing run support. At times he can be fooled, and is shaky when he has to turn his hips. He generally flies to the ball and gets his hands in breaking up passes often.
11. Minnesota Vikings- Andrus Peat (OT, STAN)
Minnesota is one of the few non-playoff teams with a roster that is loaded with potential. there may not be any holes, just small cracks that are keeping them from contending. Peat should be a valuable asset for Minnesota, and could play either tackle position. He will probably be asked to put weight on between now and the draft, but has good size. Peat has a nice first step, and is good at initiating contact, and finishing his block, and finding work in the second level.
12. Cleveland Browns- Shane Ray (OLB, MIZZ)
Krueger and Mingo have been disappointing in Cleveland, and the defense is still somewhat successful. As we all know, “You can never have too many pass rushers in the NFL.” Shane Ray was very successful rushing the quarterback against top talent in the SEC, and it should continue in the NFL.
13. New Orleans Saints- Shaq Thompson
New Orleans still needs help on defense. I don’t think there is any standout hole in New Orleans besides at linebacker. This could be a perfect match for both sides.
14. Miami Dolphins- PJ Williams (CB, FSU)
Miami is another team that may not have many holes in their roster. Adding another corner could solidify their secondary. Cortland Finnegan is aging and finding someone to replace him would be smart.
15. San Fransisco 49ers- Jaelen Strong (WR, ASU)
San Fran is looking for a new coach right now, but i cannot imagine them keeping all of the receivers. Strong has size and speed with great hands, and would be paired well with either Boldin or Crabtree. Whoever the new coach in San Francisco could have an anchor to the passing game in Strong, similar to what the Niners thought they would get when they drafted Crabtree.
16. Houston Texans- DeVante Parker (WR, LOUIS)
Houston only has two weapons in their passing game. One is hitting the end of his career, so adding Parker seems sensible. Parker can play in the slot until Johnson’s inevitable retirement, and then compliment Hopkins.
17. San Diego Chargers- Jalen Collins (CB, LSU)
Aside from Brandon Flowers (who is on a one-year deal), the Chargers don’t have any corners worth trusting. Verrett is young and improving, but if Flowers decides to move on, they’ll need a reliable corner in his place. If Flowers returns, Collins could be a solid nickelback that could keep slot receivers in check.
18. Kansas City Chiefs- Kevin White (WR, WVU)
Kansas City is going to wipe their entire receiving corps and start fresh following a season where not a single touchdown was caught by any of them. Kevin White is a versatile receiver with great hands, and building around him would be a great way to refresh the passing game.
19. Cleveland Browns VIA Buffalo- Gerod Holliman (S, LOUIS)
Cleveland could use a safety, although i wouldn’t be surprised if they reached and took a receiver in this position. Holliman would add to a good secondary, and provide over the top support to Gilbert and Haden.
20. Philadelphia Eagles- Marcus Peters (CB, WASH)
Philly will likely not return one of their corners, who have been getting toasted this year. Peters is one of the best corners in the draft, but being dismissed from Washington earlier in the year could drop him out of day one. I will likely monitor this situation and reevaluate this pick in upcoming mocks.
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