Austin’s 2015 NFL Mock Draft, v1.0

Image courtesy of Vikings.com

As the NFL Scouting Combine comes to an end, teams will shift their focus to individual pro day workouts and private visits — the final steps in the 2015 NFL Draft process. At Vikings Territory, we’ve watched players blaze through the 40-yard dash, we’ve read the reports of impressive team meetings, and now, we’re updating our mock drafts.

Since joining as a contributor at Vikings Territory, I’ve wanted to put together my own mock draft. The process is finally complete — you can read my full first-round mock HERE.

For many, the first pick in the NFL Draft will come down to two players — quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston. Based on what we’ve seen from their college careers and performances at the combine, both have the potential to be successful players in the NFL. Today, the first selection goes to Mariota. Tomorrow, it could change to Winston — the scouting reports are equally impressive.

In my mock draft, three wide receivers are taken in the first 12 picks. After seeing the success of rookie wide receivers in 2014, teams will be tempted to take players like West Virginia’s Kevin White and Alabama’s Amari Cooper early in the draft.

With the 29th-overall pick, the Colts select the first running back, Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon. While many argue that the position has been devalued, I would make the case that edge rushers and outside linebackers are more critical than ever to a team’s success. Players like Dante Fowler Jr. and Randy Gregory are off the board early in my mock draft, a sign of the need to put pressure on the game’s best quarterbacks.

As for the Minnesota Vikings, you’ll need to read more to find out who they selected. The team has needs at inside linebacker, wide receiver, and guard, with a few intriguing options at the 11th-overall pick. Many mock drafts have the Vikings taking Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker in the first round, which would pair Teddy Bridgewater with his former college teammate.

Read all of the Vikings Territory mock drafts here:

Adam Warwas

Austin Belisle

Brent LaBathe

Brett Anderson

Carl Knowles

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