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CBS Sports Mock Draft

nctarheel0619

By nctarheel0619,
in Carolina Panthers

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nctarheel0619 Newbie

nctarheel0619

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The strengths of the 2015 NFL draft appear to be at defensive end, wide receiver and running back but the fundamental concept of supply and demand could push quarterbacks Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, as well as safety Landon Collins into the top 10.

Quarterback and safety have never been more valued than in today's pass-happy NFL and with the depth at these positions lacking this year, teams needing help at the respective positions could be forced to roll the dice.

The following is my latest first round projection of the 2015 NFL Draft.

*The selection order for this mock draft is based on the current records of teams with point differential breaking all ties. The Cleveland Browns own the rights to the Buffalo Bills' selection due to the Sammy Watkins trade.

1. Oakland Raiders - Leonard Williams, DT, Southern Cal: As the only winless franchise in the NFL this season, the Raiders are projected to "earn" the No. 1 overall in 2015. Teams picking at the top will always look to available quarterbacks first, but rookie Derek Carr has been a relative bright spot for Oakland. Second on the priority list for teams in today's NFL are defensive linemen. The 6-5, 290 pound Williams is a physical mismatch too quick for interior linemen and too powerful for offensive tackles.

2. Jacksonville Jaguars - Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.

3. New York Jets - Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: Unless the Jets suddenly turn things around, Rex Ryan will be coaching elsewhere in 2015 and that may just be the start of the changes. Current general manager John Idzik is not the kind of risk-taker to gamble on Famous Jameis' propensity for off-field trouble but his potential replacement could be more adventurous. Regardless of what you think about Winston's character, it is hard to deny his talent. In terms of size, arm, mobility and instincts, he's the top quarterback prospect in the country.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: Though reasonably productive since taking over for free agent addition Josh McCown, Mike Glennon remains overly reliant on his arm, showing little ability to escape pressure or poise when the pocket breaks down. These are traits absolutely critical in today's game. Mariota is a work in progress, himself, but he shows good awareness in the pocket, a live arm and, of course, great mobility. Mariota's speed and the great size of Tampa's pass-catchers would put an awful lot of stress on opposing defenses.

5. Tennessee Titans - Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: Rookie Zach Mettenberger will be given every opportunity to prove he can be Ken Whisenhunt's starting quarterback. The Titans didn't address their need for outside rushers to fit new defensive coordinator Ray Horton's scheme in the 2014 draft but could see the highly athletic Beasley as the perfect fit. Beasley possesses an explosive first step to create immediate stress on quarterbacks, as well as the acceleration to chase down ball-carriers from behind.

6. Atlanta Falcons - Shawn Oakman, DE, Baylor: Surrendering a 21-point lead to lose to Detroit is just the latest kick in the gut for Atlanta this season. The Falcons have the firepower on offense to compete but lack difference-makers on the defensive front. Powerful and shockingly athletic given his massive (6-foot-8, 275 pounds) frame, Oakman possesses the kind of traits teams are willing to gamble on.

7. Washington Redskins -- Landon Collins, S, Alabama: Washington hasn't boasted a truly fearsome safety since the late Sean Taylor was patrolling the deep middle. At 6-0, 215 pounds, Collins isn't as big as the former phenom, but he shows a similarly exciting blend of explosiveness and ball-skills.

8. St. Louis Rams - Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: Despite recent early picks invested at wide receiver, the Rams still lack a true No. 1. Green-Beckham is a top 10 talent who is drawing comparisons to Cincinnati Bengals' star A.J. Green for his size, speed and ball-skills but he comes with significant off-field concerns. Jeff Fisher has been more willing than most to gamble on players with character red-flags and he could see DGB as simply too talented to pass up.

9. Chicago Bears - Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri: Despite investments in free agency and the draft, the Bears' defense remains alarmingly toothless. Ray, the SEC's leading sack artist, has the explosiveness off the edge to quickly improve Chicago's pass rush.

10. Carolina Panthers - Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M: With the selection of Kelvin Benjamin and free agent addition of sure-handed veteran Jericho Cotchery, the Panthers addressed weapons for Cam Newton but failed to address the offensive line protecting him. They won't make the same mistake this year, especially if a gifted prospect like Ogbuehi were to fall into their lap.

 

The rest at: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/nfl-draft-scout/24781232/nfl-mock-draft-jameis-winston-to-jets-marcus-mariota-to-bucs

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BigBoss Newbie

BigBoss

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We addressed weapons for Cam Newton? My god. I knew poo was bad when Steve Young said he didn't even know who Lafell was. Pretty obvious nobody in the national media watches our games just looks at stats.

 

If I wasn't a panther fan, I wouldn't watch our games. I'm a panthers fan and I don't WANT to watch our games.

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JawnyBlaze Grand Master

JawnyBlaze

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We addressed weapons for Cam Newton? My god. I knew poo was bad when Steve Young said he didn't even know who Lafell was. Pretty obvious nobody in the national media watches our games just looks at stats.

 

To be fair, compared to our OL our recieving corps is the Broncos'.

 

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t96 Grand Master

t96

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If I wasn't a panther fan, I wouldn't watch our games. I'm a panthers fan and I don't WANT to watch our games.

 

I watch any games on when the Panthers aren't playing, even those shitty Raiders, Jags, Rams, Bucs games. And that's just me as a fan. If I was a "professional" NFL analyst I would watch every single game replay. It's clear these so called "professionals" don't do so, thinking Cam has adequate weapons. KB is certainly showing progress but isn't a #1 WR quite yet (doesn't have the consistency), and we don't have anybody else who is a #2. Olsen is definitely a top 5 TE weapon for Cam, but Cam doesn't get to utilize that weapon because Olsen's always in blocking.

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