We are less than a week away from the draft. On Thursday evening the speculation will be over. Months of draft rumors, reports and mock drafts will come to an end and the real thing will kick off. The 2015 NFL Draft is hours away, less than 90 hours from now. Let's start the countdown with a top-15 prediction.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
We can pretty much wrap this pick up, put a bow on it and send it to Winston as a keepsake. The Bucs need a quarterback and with the first pick, they take the best quarterback in the draft. Tampa Bay has done its homework on Winston and many are sold. Winston with Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins is an attractive core.
2. Tennessee Titans: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Surprise! Not only do the Titans decide not to trade the pick away for Philip Rivers, they don't even take Marcus Mariota. Instead, the Titans stick with Zach Mettenberger as their quarterback and focus on putting more talent around him. Kendall Wright has shown plenty of potential to take a step forward as a play-maker, but inconsistency at quarterback and lack of help has pulled him down. White would be a physical threat across from him.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, EDGE, Florida
The Jaguars sit in perfect position for Gus Bradley to take whichever defensive player is atop his draft board. The most important position on defense is edge rusher and Fowler can contribute right away. His work ethic with this coaching staff is a match made in football heaven and Bradley can't wait to have another chess piece to use.
4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DL, USC
Oakland is running around its draft room screaming and yelling that Williams fell to them. Not only are the Raiders happy, but Williams is also ecstatic. He has expressed a desire to play for the Raiders, gets his wish and will play for the silver and black. Oakland needs impact players on defense and the thought of Khalil Mack paired with Williams is frightening.
5. Cleveland Browns (via WAS): Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
I'm going to have a little faith in Washington here with new GM Scot McCloughan. While Washington could take Mariota here and send everyone into "WTF" mode, they pick up Cleveland's phone call and make a deal. It's a great move for Washington, while the Browns once again use a first-round pick on a quarterback. Mariota is better than Manziel though, so there is that.
6. New York Jets: Vic Beasley, EDGE, Clemson
New York's draft room was anxiously hoping Mariota would fall to them, but see the Browns slip in at the last minute and snatch him from their grasps. So the Jets do new HC Todd Bowles a favor and give him a new toy on defense. Bowles loves to bring pressure and with Beasley coming off the edge paired with Sheldon Richardson and Muhammad Wilkerson, well that's a scary group for the AFC East.
7. Chicago Bears: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
Things are actually made easier for Chicago with White off the board. It is certainly nice two have two physical, "go up and get it" threats that Alshon Jeffery and White could have been, but a Cooper-Jeffery deal could be even better. Cooper is already polished coming out of Alabama, he is an impressive route runner with a high football IQ and good hands. He will complement Jeffery well and give Jay Cutler two impressive weapons, who Cutler can enjoy before his Chicago farewell tour.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Bud Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky
The Falcons will simply sit there at eight and wait to see which of the big three pass rushers (Fowler, Beasley, Dupree) land in their laps. While some have suggested the Falcons trade into the top-five to land Beasley or Fowler, there really isn't strong incentive to do that. Yes Dupree is more of a "developmental" edge rusher, but Dan Quinn can help turn him into a monster.
9. New York Giants: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
The Giants gladly take the best offensive lineman on the board with the ninth pick, taking Collins, who has the versatility to play inside or at tackle. This is the perfect fit for the G-Men who desperately need to upgrade the offensive line and actually let Eli Manning have time to throw to Odell Beckham Jr.
10. St. Louis Rams: Brandon Scherff, OG, Iowa
St. Louis has a new quarterback, sure it's Nick Foles, but beggars can't be choosers. There remains vacancies on the offensive line and after seeing how successful Zack Martin was last season shifting inside, the Rams take Martin-lite. Scherff should excel inside and start helping this offense take some positive steps forward.
11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
Oh the Vikings have options here, plenty of great options. The thought of putting Marcus Peters in a Mike Zimmer' defense that already has Xavier Rhodes and Harrison Smith is sensational. Instead, Minnesota realizes it needs to help their franchise quarterback and what better way to do that than pairing Teddy Bridgewater up with his college teammate just a year ago.
12. Washington Redskins (via CLE): Randy Gregory, EDGE, Nebraska
After trading down and picking up extra ammo for the draft, McCloughan is excited to still land a top pass rusher. Now there are concerns with Gregory, he failed a marijuana test at the combine and while it certainly isn't the first he failed in college, it's more concerning that he couldn't even pass he knew was coming months ahead. But you have to take chances in the draft and with great coaching and mentorship, Gregory can become an outstanding player.
13. New Orleans Saints: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
No one is 100 percent sure what New Orleans' plan is this offseason. They are showing signs of a youth movement and while there are more immediate impact players, the Saints aren't exactly serious contenders. Armstead stands at 6'8", 290 lbs. and is filled with crazy potential. As in the type of potential where we look back three years from now and ask "How did he not go in the top three?". It will take him some time to develop, but he can be a monster with help from coaching and be friends with Terron Armstead.
14. Miami Dolphins: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
The Dolphins quickly emerged as an offseason darling with the additions of Ndamukong Suh and Jordan Cameron. Miami could go offense here, but can't pass on the opportunity to land a top-five talent. Peters comes with some character questions after issues at Washington, but is far too talented to let slip past 14. Brent Grimes and Peters on the outside with Suh and Cameron Wake getting after Tom Brady, good luck New England.
15. San Francisco 49ers: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
San Francisco could go a number of ways here—trade down with a team who wants to move up and land Todd Gurley or an offensive tackle, take a chance on Dorial Green-Beckham or even address their own offensive line. Instead, San Francisco address a position which took a big hit in free agency after Chris Culliver and Perrish Cox departed. Waynes isn't as NFL-ready as some would like to believe but remains a first-round talent and is the safest corner on the board.
TRADES:
Washington sends the fifth-overall pick and fourth-round pick to Cleveland for the 12th and 19th-overall picks.