2015 Mock Draft: Despite distractions, Winston still top-five

The natural skill says Jameis Winston is a top pick, but the character suggests he belongs outside the first round. However, talent almost always wins in these situations and a team will roll the dice on Winston’s immense skill, likely in the draft’s top-10 picks. Not every team will feel comfortable drafting the Florida State passer, but all it takes is one team – and in this mock draft it’s the St. Louis Rams.

*The selection order for this mock draft is based on the projected outcome of the 2014 NFL season by the NFLDraftScout.com staff. The Cleveland Browns own the rights to the Buffalo Bills' selection due to the Sammy Watkins trade.

1. Oakland Raiders – DL Leonard Williams, USC
The Raiders have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL and desperately need an injection of young talent onnull the defensive line that is currently filled with veteran cast-offs acquired via free agency. Williams, who might be the best player in the 2015 NFL Draft class, would giive the Raiders a building block to pair with Khalil Mack in the front-seven.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
The Buccaneers have struggled to consistently push the ball on offense in 2014 and will likely be in the market for a quarterback next spring. From a physical and mental standpoint, Mariota checks almost every box for NFL scouts and projects as a more refined version of Colin Kaepernick.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars – OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M
Jacksonville drafted Luke Joeckel out of Texas A&M No. 2 overall two years ago, but the Jaguars still have issues on the offensive line, evidence by the 10 sacks they gave up against the Redskins in week two. Ogbuehi was a young freshman in College Station when Joeckel stared for the Aggies, but now he’s the starting left tackle for Texas A&M and could follow in his footsteps as a high first round pick.

4. St. Louis Rams – QB Jameis Winston, Florida State
Despite a laundry list of immature incidents, Winston is likely still destined to be a top-10 pick because of his immense talent on the field and the Rams have shown in the past they aren’t afraid to draft talent that might come with some baggage. Sam Bradford is under contract for the 2015 season, but with his injury past, it’s time St. Louis addresses the future of the position.

5. Cleveland Browns – OT Andrus Peat, Stanford
The Browns strongly considered an offensive tackle with their top-10 pick in the 2014 NFL Draft and will probably again in 2015 if Mitchell Schwartz doesn’t secure his grasp on the starting right tackle spot. Although he still needs to iron out several inconsistencies, Peat has been blessed with outstanding natural tools and his high ceiling will see him come off the board early.

6. Washington Redskins – FS Landon Collins, Alabama
In the 2004 NFL Draft, Washington drafted one of the best safety prospects of the last 20 years fifth overall (Sean Taylor). And they might have a chance to draft a similar ballhawk with Collins, who is as well-rounded as they come with his ability to play both the run and the pass. With this likely being Ryan Clark’s last season with the Redskins, Collins would fit as the starting free safety from day one.

7. Houston Texans – QB Brett Hundley, UCLA
Houston opted for the supremely gifted pass rusher instead of the potential franchise quarterback at No. 1 overall in the 2014 NFL Draft. But with another high pick likely next spring, the Texans will have a chance to draft a passer who can be the long-term option in Houston. Hundley has his flaws which will create doubt about his NFL transition, but his immense natural talent is clear.

8. New York Giants – DE Shawn Oakman, Baylor
The strength of the Giants’ Super Bowl runs over the last decade was their talented defensive line, but that’s no longer the case with the current roster in New York. Although they come in different packages, Oakman has some similarities to Jason Pierre-Paul, who the Giants drafted in the first round a few years ago – both have uncanny athleticism, natural power and loads of untapped potential.

9. Kansas City Chiefs – CB Marcus Peters, Washington
The Chiefs have some question marks in the secondary, especially after parting ways with Brandon Flowers over the offseason. Peters isn’t a household name, but his combination of size, length and athleticism makes him an attractive player to develop at the NFL level.

10. Dallas Cowboys – DE Dante Fowler, Florida
While Rod Marinelli’s unit has played better than expected, the Cowboys still need personnel upgrades on defense, including up front in the trenches. Fowler has room to add some weight and would fit as a left defensive end in the Cowboys scheme, giving Dallas bookend pass rushers with Demarcus Lawrence on the right side.

11. Cleveland Browns (from BUF) – WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Regardless of who is at quarterback, the Browns have to get stronger at the wide receiver position, especially on the outside where Josh Gordon’s absence has left a glaring hole. Cooper isn’t an elite size/speed prospect, but he plays fast with the natural receiving characteristics needed to dangerous threat in the NFL. Cooper at the X, Andrew Hawkins at the Y and Gordon at the Z would give Cleveland an impressive trio next season.

12. Tennessee Titans – QB Connor Cook, Michigan State
Unless Jake Locker takes a big step forward in his development in 2014, there is a chance this season is his final one in Tennessee. And although the Titans drafted Zach Mettenberger a year ago, there were more than few reasons why he was a sixth round pick. An offensive-minded head coach, Ken Whisenhunt likely wants a quarterback who can push the ball downfield and command the huddle and Cook checks those boxes as he continues to improve with every snap at Michigan State.

13. New York Jets – RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
The Jets have some talent in their backfield with Chris Johnson, Chris Ivory and Bilal Powell, but potentially adding a talent like Gurley immediately upgrades the position for New York. Although the NFL Draft hasn’t produced a first round running back since 2012, there is a strong chance that streak ends next spring with a player of Gurley’s talents.

14. Miami Dolphins – WR/TE Devin Funchess, Michigan
Whether he fits best at wide receiver or tight end in the NFL, Funchess will be able to help Miami in either area, possibly playing a hybrid version of both. The Dolphins need to continue and surround Tannehill with weapons and a big, athletic target like Funchess adds another dimension to Miami’s offense.

15. Minnesota Vikings – WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
The Vikings found their explosive deep threat in Cordarrelle Patterson and Strong could potentially be the powerful possession target opposite him, giving Teddy Bridgewater an impressive 1-2 punch long-term at the receiver position. With Greg Jennings on the wrong side of 30 years old and due to make $9 million in 2015, 2016 and 2017, there is a good chance he doesn’t see the end of his contract.

16. New Orleans Saints – OL Brandon Scherff, Iowa
Ben Grubbs and Jahri Evans have multiple Pro Bowls on their resumes, but both are on the wrong side of 30 and have some lingering health issues, making interior offensive line depth a need area for New Orleans. Scherff can probably stay at tackle if needed, but he would be a mauling guard from day one.

17. Pittsburgh Steelers – DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska
Pittsburgh needs to continue and get younger and faster on defense and need to add another pass rusher, especially if a long-term deal isn’t worked out with Jason Worilds. Gregory is still very raw, but the size, speed and natural talent are there for him to develop into a dangerous pass rusher.

18. Detroit Lions – CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu
It seems that the cornerback position has been a question mark for Detroit for a long time now and while improved, there is still room for improvement. Although his size will turn some teams off, Ekpre-Olomu has cover instincts, transitional quickness and sound tackling technique to be a reliable player on the inside or outside.

19. Chicago Bears – OLB Shaq Thompson, Washington
The Bears need to get faster and more talented on defense, specifically at the linebacker and defensive backs levels. Thompson is a hybrid linebacker and safety with speed to burn and developing instincts that make his potential very intriguing.

20. Atlanta Falcons – DE Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
It’s not easy to be optimistic about the Falcons pass rush situation right now with question marks on the roster at defensive end. Calhoun needs to add a power element to his game and continue to develop, but is a young up-and-comer who displays some first round traits.

21. Baltimore Ravens – CB P.J. Williams, Florida State
The Ravens situation at cornerback is interesting because Jimmy Smith is due for an extension soon and Lardarius Webb, who already received his long-term contract, has struggled with several nagging injuries. At the very least, Baltimore needs to add cornerback depth through the draft and Williams has the skill-set to play the nickel and on the outside.

22. Green Bay Packers – CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State
The Packers re-signed Sam Shields to a long-term deal last off-season, but will have other decisions to make this upcoming off-season at the cornerback position with Tramon Williams and Davon House both hitting free agency. Waynes fits the skill-set that Green Bay looks for at the position and is an ascending prospect.

23. Arizona Cardinals – DL Arik Armstead, Oregon
With 33-year old Darnell Dockett out for the season with a serious knee injury, the Cardinals could potentially address that position in the draft next season. Armstead is still very learn for the position and looks more like a basketball power forward, but his natural skill-set and potential are off-the-charts.

24. Indianapolis Colts – OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson
The Colts gave a lot of money to Erik Walden and drafted Bjoern Werner in the first round two years ago, but the team has struggled to consistently rush the passer with Robert Mathis suspended and hurt. Beasley is still new to the defensive side of the ball, but the natural athleticism will draw some Bruce Irvin comparisons and likely land him somewhere in round one.

25. San Francisco 49ers – WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
If not for the off-field issues, Green-Beckham would be mentioned as a top-10 draft pick, but the former Missouri Tiger will likely fall on draft boards due to maturity concerns. San Francisco might view him as “worth the risk” at this point in the draft, giving the 49ers a specimen to groom and eventually take over for Anquan Boldin.

26. New England Patriots – DT Danny Shelton, Washington
Due to injuries and age, Vince Wilfork’s days in New England are numbered and Shelton would give Patriots added beef up front while also serving as a long-term plan for the future of the nose tackle position. He has the natural size and girth to occupy multiple blocks while also showing the range to make plays all over the field.

27. Philadelphia Eagles – Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
The Eagles pass rush hasn’t been the strength of the team so far in 2014 and it wouldn’t be a shock if they address the position in the first round in back-to-back drafts. Ray has the first step burst and quickness to be a regular in the opponent’s backfield.

28. San Diego Chargers – OL Lael Collins, LSU
San Diego’s offensive line has been just good enough, but has room for improvements in several areas. Collins is a three-year starting left tackle at LSU and has the skill-set that fits best inside as a mauling run blocker and agile pass protector vs. interior rushers.

29. Carolina Panthers – OT Ty Sambrailo, Colorado State
With Jordan Gross retiring after the 2013 season, the Panthers have entered this season with Byron Bell as the team’s starting left tackle. Time will tell if he settles in and secures the job long-term, but the early feedback is the Panthers could be looking for a new option there next off-season and Sambrailo is an intriguing option.

30. Cincinnati Bengals – WR Kevin White, West Virginia
Is either Marvin Jones or Mohamed Sanu a legitimate No. 2 option opposite A.J. Green? Cases could be made for both, but White would give the Bengals and Andy Dalton a boost at the position and help elevate the offense.

31. Denver Broncos – DE Hau’oli Kikaha, Washington
Denver has drafted a defensive player with their top draft pick each of the last four years and odds say it will be five next spring. Kikaha is a hybrid pass rusher who can bend the edge and has the motor that doesn’t quit.

32. Seattle Seahawks – DE/OLB Lorenzo Mauldin, Louisville
The rich get richer. Seattle has a formidable defense and a lot of options, including pass rusher. Mauldin has played defensive end and linebacker over his time at Louisville, showing the ability to effectively play both positions and be a threat collapsing the pocket and stopping the run.