The NFL draft for 2015 is getting closer and mock picks are already starting to come out for teams not in the playoffs and names like Jameis Winston, Marcus Mariota, Brett Hundley, Amari Cooper and Vic Beasley could be potential options in the top 10, as teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, New York Jets and Jacksonville Jaguars could be targeting those players.
The Buccaneers locked in the number one pick with a loss in the final week of the season and now they are on the clock for the number one selection. The team of course could trade the pick, but most around the NFL expect Tampa Bay to select a quarterback. The team has Winston and Mariota as the top options and many scouts see Winston as the better pro prospect. Winston has the size and the capability to play in the NFL and while Mariota also is very good, some don't see him translating as easily.
The final performance for Mariota will not help with his draft stock, but most teams do not hold players to single game performance standards. Mariota had a brilliant college career and if the Bucs don't take him, the Titans may pick him or trade the pick to another team. The Browns, Jets, Eagles and Bills have all been mentioned as teams that could trade up, with the Jets possible being the most motivated of the group. The team was not satisfied with Geno Smith and they would be thrilled if they could select Winston or Mariota in the first round.
The Raiders and the Jaguars are unlikely to pick QBs, as they like the young players they have from last year, while the Redskins and Jets could also be in the mix. One of those teams could look at trading up, with the Jets a likely possibility of one of the QBs starts to slip. The Cleveland Browns could be a team that tries to trade up, as they have two first round picks and reportedly will be interested in Mariota or Winston. Either way, the first round should see those two quarterbacks go in the first few picks.
The Raiders are likely to pass up a QB, as they have Derek Carr and like what he did last season on a bad team. Most mock drafts have Amari Cooper as the target for the Raiders, as they are bereft of playmakers and need some help for Carr in the offense. Cooper had a fantastic season and if he slips past the Jaguars, who took Marqise Lee last year, he should be the pick. Cooper had over 100 catches and was the top offensive player for the Crimson Tide and now he should make a good transition to the NFL like Julio Jones did.
Winston comes in after winning the Heisman Trophy and taking his team to back to back national championships in college and many think he is ready for the pros. Winston has a ton of baggage off the field, but no one is questioning what he can do on the field. Winston had 3,907 yards, 25 touchdowns and 18 picks this season after putting up amazing numbers in 2013 and he could now be the first overall pick.