NFL DRAFT NEWS

Mock Draft: Carr-to-Cooper connection in Oakland?

The Sports Xchange

February 15, 2015 at 12:25 pm.

Amari Cooper (9) will likely be the first receiver off the board in the 2015 NFL Draft. (Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports)

By Dane Brugler, The Sports Xchange

Despite only three victories in 2014, there are reasons for optimism in Oakland, notably Derek Carr at the quarterback position.

But he needs more downfield weapons and James Jones and Andre Holmes aren’t quite enough at wide receiver. With the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, there is a strong chance that the Raiders will have their pick of the top wideout in the class, Alabama’s Amari Cooper, West Virginia’s Kevin White or Louisville’s DeVante Parker.

Cooper gets the edge in this mock draft because of his savviness at the position to create separation, secure the catch and create as a ball carrier. He might not have the ceiling of a Julio Jones or A.J. Green, but Cooper should be able to contribute from day one and stand out as an upgrade for Oakland.

NFL FIRST ROUND MOCK DRAFT
1. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (2-14): Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: The last time Tampa had the rights to the No. 1 overall pick, the franchise drafted a quarterback (Vinny Testaverde in 1987) and it seems likely that the Bucs will go a similar direction with the top pick this spring. Winston has off-field red flags, but on the field he has the physical and mental makeup to be the best player in this draft class.

2. TENNESSEE TITANS (2-14): Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska: Despite quarterback looking like a glaring need on the roster, the Titans seem willing to give 2014 rookie Zach Mettenberger a full season to be the starter. If Tennessee passes on a passer and goes best player available, that might lead the team to Gregory, who could take over for Derrick Morgan as a stand-up rush end in Ray Horton’s 3-4 defense.

3. JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (3-13): Leonard Williams, DT, Southern California: Jacksonville has drafted offense in the top-five (OT Luke Joeckel, QB Blake Bortles) in the first two years of the David Caldwell era so the Jaguars’ focus turns to defense this year. Williams has terrific movement skills and natural power to be a disruptive force, inside or outside, in Gus Bradley’s scheme.

4. OAKLAND RAIDERS (3-13): Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama: Last year’s second-round pick Derek Carr has done more than enough as a rookie to earn another year as the Raiders’ starter, but he needs help, especially at receiver. Cooper doesn’t have the size or speed of pass-catchers usually found in the top five, but he knows how to do the two most important things at the position: get open and finish catches.

5. WASHINGTON REDSKINS (4-12): Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida: With Brian Orakpo set to hit free agency, pass rusher will be high on the Redskins’ wish list. Fowler projects best to the NFL as a stand-up edge rusher, using his relentless energy to be effective disrupting the pocket.

6. NY JETS (4-12): Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon: The Jets will have a fresh look in 2015 with a new general manager (Mike Maccagnan) and head coach (Todd Bowles). And if Mariota is still on the board at No. 6, the Jets will have a chance to add a promising young passer as well.

7. CHICAGO BEARS (5-11): Danny Shelton, DT, Washington: With new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio expected to implement a 3-4 scheme, the Bears are in the market for a dominating nose tackle presence like Shelton. The Washington lineman would be a great building block to start with for Chicago’s renovations on defense.

8. ATLANTA FALCONS (6-10): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson: With Dan Quinn trading his defensive coordinator role in Seattle for the head job with the Falcons, look for Atlanta to overhaul the defensive personnel this offseason to fit his scheme. Beasley would give the Falcons a hybrid pass rusher that fits what Quinn wants to do in the front seven.

9. NY GIANTS (6-10): Shane Ray, DE, Missouri: Consistent pass rush was the bread and butter of the Giants’ Super Bowl-winning clubs and Ray, who has the best first step in this draft class, would be a much needed boost to the current roster.

10. ST. LOUIS RAMS (6-10): Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford: The Rams addressed the offensive line with left tackle Greg Robinson selected second overall last year, but with Joseph Barksdale set for pay day this offseason as a free agent, the Rams might have a need at right tackle.

11. MINNESOTA VIKINGS (7-9): DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville: So far the Cordarrelle Patterson experiment in Minnesota has been a disappointment. And while the Vikings shouldn’t (and won’t) give up on him just yet, there is still a need for a potential No. 1 receiver for Bridgewater. And Parker, Bridgewater’s former teammate at Louisville), fills that need.

12. CLEVELAND BROWNS (7-9): Kevin White, WR, West Virginia: Despite reports that Cleveland will not draft a wide receiver in the first round, the Browns won’t rule out the position at this spot if the “right” receiver is on the board. And White might fit that criteria with his talent to contribute immediately.

13. NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (7-9): Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa: While the Saints don’t normally use first-round picks on offensive linemen, the franchise needs to keep Drew Brees healthy as his career winds down. Scherff could step in from day one if either Ben Grubbs or Jahri Evans doesn’t return to New Orleans next season and also kick out and help at tackle if needed.

14. MIAMI DOLPHINS (8-8): La’el Collins, OT, LSU: The Dolphins went offensive tackle in the first round last year and could address the position again this spring, especially with Branden Albert’s injury history. It doesn’t always look pretty, but Collins gets the job done with experience at both tackle and guard.

15. SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (8-8): Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon: The 49ers need to get younger on the defensive line and new head coach Jim Tomsula will fall in love with a player like Armstead, who has impressive movement skills, length and potential.

16. HOUSTON TEXANS (9-7): Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State: Cornerback will be high on the Texans’ wish list this offseason and in this scenario, they have a chance to draft the top eligible prospect at the position. Waynes isn’t a polished product, but he has the size/speed blend that will attract the attention of NFL teams.

17. SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (9-7): T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh: With D.J. Fluker moving to guard and King Dunlap’s future in San Diego up in the air, the Chargers will be in the market for offensive tackle help and Clemmings fits what they need.

18. KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (9-7): Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State: The Chiefs’ inefficient use of the receiver position has been well documented, but adding a physical outside presence like Strong could change that.

19. CLEVELAND BROWNS (FROM BUFFALO) (7-9): Malcom Brown, DT, Texas: Cleveland had trouble stopping the run in 2014 and desperately needs to address the defensive line. Brown has a great mix of quickness, power and versatility to be an instant contributor for coach Mike Pettine’s defense.

20. PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (10-6): Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio): After a four-year career on the basketball court, Rollins returned to football in 2014 and was the MAC Defensive Player of the Year, showing first-round traits as a cornerback that could fill a need for Philadelphia.

21. CINCINNATI BENGALS (10-5-1): Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington: The Bengals’ linebackers were not a strength in 2014 and with often-injured Rey Maualuga set for free agency, Cincinnati could find linebacker help with this pick. Thompson is an intriguing athlete with a knack for creating turnovers.

22. PITTSBURGH STEELERS (11-5): Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky: With Jason Worilds set to hit free agency and Jarvis Jones not living up to his first round draft slot, Dupree adds a much needed pass rush threat to the Steelers’ new-look defense.

23. DETROIT LIONS (11-5): Carl Davis, DT, Iowa: With Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley expected to hit free agency, the Lions will be in the market for interior defensive line depth. Davis has worked himself into the first round conversation after his impressive week at the Senior Bowl.

24. ARIZONA CARDINALS (11-5): Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia: Although the ACL injury could push him out of the first round, Gurley is a top 10 talent and should be healthy for the NFL season opener in September if his rehab stays on track.

25. CAROLINA PANTHERS (7-8-1): Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Fla.): The Panthers need offensive line help in the worst way and unless they address the position in free agency, tackle is the favorite to be the pick here. Although his development is still a work in progress, Flowers has intriguing potential with his frame and movement skills.

26. BALTIMORE RAVENS (10-6): Marcus Peters, CB, Washington: A top 10 talent if not for the coachability and maturity concerns, Peters is a high risk/reward prospect, but the Ravens might have the right situation to take the chance.

27. DALLAS COWBOYS (12-4): Preston Smith, DE, Mississippi State: A running back is possible here, but the bigger need is a defensive standout who can help immediately, and Smith would fight for the Cowboys’ starting left end spot as a rookie.

28. DENVER BRONCOS (12-4): Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota: The top three tight ends on the Broncos’ depth chart are all free agents, including Julius Thomas, who the Broncos might not be able to retain. If that is the case, Denver could look to the draft for his replacement and Williams has the talent to warrant a first-round selection.

29. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (11-5): Landon Collins, SS, Alabama: Veteran safety Mike Adams had a better than expected 2014 season, but he is a 34-year-old free agent and might not be in the Colts’ future plans. Collins has his limitations in coverage, but he plays with range and a downhill demeanor that fits the NFL.

30. GREEN BAY PACKERS (12-4): Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State: The linebacker crew in Green Bay has been an inconsistent group for much of this season, making the position a possibility in the first round next year. While I have McKinney graded outside of the draft’s top 50 picks, some NFL scouts disagree and believe he will be drafted this high.

31. SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (12-4): Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma: The Seahawks addressed the wide receiver position twice with their top four draft picks last year, but it would be a mistake to rule out the position with this selection if a talent like Green-Beckham is available. His red flags are well-documented, but the talent is worth the gamble here.

32. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (12-4): A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina: The Patriots added another Lombardi Trophy to the trophy case, but have several need areas to address this offseason, including at guard. Cann was the bright spot for an otherwise inconsistent South Carolina offense in 2014 and is worthy of late first-round consideration.

Dane Brugler is an analyst for www.NFLDraftScout.com, a property of The Sports Xchange distributed in partnership with CBSSports.com.