I released my first IFFDA Mock Draft back in November and, at the time, it was just a general estimation of team needs & projected talent of the prospects. It is now the beginning of March and a lot of question marks have been cleared up as the combine has already taken place. Team rosters are taking shape, and holes need to be filled. There will still be one more mock that projects to be more accurate than this one, and that will happen once NFL free agency and rookie draft have taken place. Potential landing spots for these prospects will play a huge role in where they are drafted in the IFFDA Rookie Draft. 1. Cleveland Browns - RB Todd Gurley, Georgia
Almost every analyst across the land will tell you, had Gurley not torn his ACL last season, he would easily be the top prospect in this draft class among skill position players, and he still may be. It appears he will be good to go for the '15 season, and the fans in Cleveland would love to have him.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WR Amari Cooper, Alabama
Ultimately I think Tampa Bay trades this pick and adds depth to their roster, but as it stands Cooper makes the most sense. Adding Cooper to a group with Evans and Hopkins could make noise for years to come. Yes, they have Torrey Smith & Keenan Allen too. Allen vastly underperformed last year, and Cooper is a more complete WR than Smith.
3. Buffalo Bills - RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin
The Bills went total rebuilding mode when they traded Calvin Johnson not too long ago, and Gordon would be a good fit here as the Bills roster is littered with question marks at RB. Steven Jackson and Ray Rice may not be in the league next year, we don't know where Ridley will end up, and the roles of Crowell and Freeman are very undefined at this point. My sources tell me, however, that Buffalo will draft best available here.
4. Cleveland Browns - WR DeVante Parker, Louisville
Parker is a very athletic, complete wide receiver, who many NFL circles predict will end up with his college running mate Teddy Bridgewater in Minnesota. A reunion bodes well (for both of them) and may be too good to pass up at this point.
5. Seattle Seahawks - WR Kevin White, West Virginia
Hard to imagine a guy who will likely be the number one wideout taken off the board in May falling to number five in the IFFDA draft. I love Kevin White as much as anyone, but hear me out. If NFL teams (especially the Raiders) always got it right, then there would be no misses. The pick would be too good for the 'Hawks to pass up here, but although White grades out across the board, there's still potential that we've all fallen victim to another workout warrior.
6. Denver Broncos - WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State
With Anquan Boldin and Marques Colston the only two wideouts on the roster, you'd think the Broncos would snag the best available pass catcher here. You could argue DGB, but I don't think GM Ryan Branagin is one for taking chances on character issues. Strong has the potential to be the best receiver in the class when it's all said and done, and he's a safe pick here that fills a need.
7. Indianapolis Colts - WR Dorial Green-Beckham, Oklahoma
Right on time. He measured at the combine the exact same as Calvin Johnson. He put up a good 40-yard dash time, and had a good showing in drills. Then again, skill has never been in question with DGB. Colts GM Grandon Winningham has always been one to give guys chances (see: Josh Gordon) and there's no way he gets burnt twice, right? For a potential size, speed freak with superstar potential... the risk is worth the reward.
8. Arizona Cardinals - RB Ameer Abdullah, Nebraska
Although a running back is the most glaring need for the Cardinals, expect a few tears when Strong comes off the board before #8 followed by several trade offers inquiring about the Arizona State wide receiver. Abdullah plays bigger than he looks. He's a tough back with good hands, and depending on who takes him in May, might not be available here at 8 when the IFFDA draft takes place.
9. Chicago Bears - RB Jay Ajayi, Boise State
Some experts have been saying Ajayi grades out to be a better prospect than fellow Boise St. RB Doug Martin did when he came out for the draft. The "A-Train" could add depth to a Bears team that isn't exactly hurting at any one position. On the right team, he could be seeing playing time early on for Chicago.
10. Miami Dolphins - RB Duke Johnson, Miami (FLA)
Duke is just going to stay in the Florida sun and trade in one shade of green for another if that's okay with everyone? Size comes back into play with Johnson. Some teams view him as a 3rd down back, and some view him as a 3 down back. His landing spot in the NFL draft will be very telling of his professional role, which could effect his IFFDA draft status. In college, however, he was an every down back and one of the best in the country. He would immediately challenge Boom Herron and F-Jax to be Lacy's running mate.
11. Buffalo Bills - WR Nelson Agholor, USC
Agholor was one of the top prospects coming out of high school, and many project him to be a Golden Tate type in the NFL out of the slot. Although USC has yet to produce a productive NFL wideout in several years, I predict the Bills take their chances and continue to add youth next to Gordon (see pick 3) and Kelvin Benjamin who they acquired in an offseason trade with New England.
12. Carolina Panthers - RB Tevin Coleman, Indiana
It's no secret the Panthers front office likes Coleman... or any size, speed running back for that matter. They traded the #1 pick to add Sammy Watkins to their receiving group which includes John Brown, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Brandon LaFell, so it makes sense to throw another young back in the mix with Terrance West and Alfred Blue.
13. Tampa Bay Buccaneers - WR Devin Smith, Ohio State
But, didn't you have Tampa Bay adding Cooper to an already crowded wide receiver group? Yes, yes I did. Smith grades out as the best remaining prospect on my board here, and frankly could be a steal at 13 if he proves to be more than a boom or bust player in the pros. Smith has been drawing comparisons to Torrey Smith, who the Bucs already have. So why not draft a cheaper version and now have trade bait to relieve cap space and add parts elsewhere?
14. Atlanta Falcons - RB David Cobb, Minnesota
Falcons are in "win now" mode. Cobb isn't much of a future prospect, but projects to come in and help an NFL team right away, regardless of where he ends up. He's arguably the most NFL ready back on the board, and the Falcons probably aren't looking to wait for impact at the position.
15. Detroit Lions - QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon
I'll wait until after the NFL draft to mock Jameis Winston here. If Mariota ends up in with Chip Kelly (as rumored) then I think the Lions have to take the fantasy upside of Mariota in that offense and the potential damage he can do running the ball. If he ends up anywhere else, then let's just say Winston to the Lions here. Who knows where Jay Cutler ends up next year, and if it's not with Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, then I'd probably place my chips with another QB.
16. Indianapolis Colts - RB TJ Yeldon, Alabama
Vereen is a free agent, Sproles is a year older, CJ.5K just got cut which leaves Ivory as the only Colts running back with a somewhat defined role, and even his status is cloudy. A WR group of Jeffery, Fitzgerald, and DGB (see pick 7) appears solid, which leaves me to believe the Colts would address running back here. Yeldon runs high, but he's physical and talented. He has college production and played in a pro style offense at 'Bama. Taking him here would give the Indy backfield a much needed boost.
