With the first pick in the 2015 NFL Draft…

It’s finally that time of year again! After 3 long months, or what seems like forever (5 months) for most of us whose teams didn’t make the playoffs/Superbowl, football is finally back on the radar. How sweet it is.

I can’t think of a draft (particularly the first round) in my lifetime that has had so much uncertainty, so much intrigue, so much buildup as the one that is about to unfold on Thursday night in the windy city. And it all starts with Marcus Mariota. Jameis Winston is just about locked in as the number 1 overall selection, but after that, anything is possible. And that is where the fun begins.  

With that, the following is my mock of the top 10, my Dolphins pick, and what I think the Browns could/should do.

#1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

I have absolutely no idea how this guy is seen as the best overall/complete QB in this draft. Yes, he won the National Title as a freshman (red-shirt), yes he only lost one game in his two year career, and yes he played in a pro-style offense. But he also had 18 interceptions a year ago, and a past that comes with questions. To me, he’s an absolute work in progress. Aside from his off the field issues, he still needs just as much maturity on the field. Usually a number 1 pick comes with certainty. To me, he is not a complete quarterback. At least, not yet. Can he be great? Absolutely. Will he be great? I guess we’ll find out.

#2 Philadelphia Eagles (Trade with Tennessee) – Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

All the speculation is that the top two quarterbacks will be the first two players selected in this draft, and I tend to agree. Someone is going to trade up to land Mariota, the only question is who? In 2012, the Redskins gave up 3 first round picks (2012, 2013, and 2014) and a second rounder (2012) to go from 6 to 2 to select RGIII. You would think the price may be similar unless a player is involved in the deal. I believe this will be either Cleveland or Philly. Who will have more to offer? I've got a feeling Chip Kelly covets Mariota and will do anything in his will to land the player that would thrive in his up-tempo offense. I think he gives up two first rounders, a second, and a couple of players. Maybe even more. But if this off-season is any indication, Chip Kelly is more than willing to roll the dice.

#3 Jacksonville Jaguars – Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Every mock I've looked at loves defense here. There is no doubt the Jags need help on the defensive side of the ball. However, the best way to groom a young quarterback is to give him weapons, especially a number one receiver to grow with. Cooper is the most complete receiver in this class, and he would make this entire offense better. Young QB’s don’t stick around very long unless they are successful. One way to ensure success - play-makers. Cooper, alongside Julius Thomas would be a start.

#4 Oakland Raiders – Leonard Williams, DT, USC

The Raiders have a lot of needs, but there shouldn't be any uncertainty with this pick. They would have to go crazy if the best player in this draft fell to them at 4. A defensive minded guy himself, Del Rio would have the staples to a nasty front 7, with young guns Khalil Mack and Leonard Williams paving the way for years to come.

#5 Atlanta Falcons (Trade with Washington) – Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

Every indication is that Atlanta wants to move up to select an elite pass rusher that they so desperately need. If the selections pan out like they want it to, this would be a perfect position for the Falcons to move up and draft arguably the best defensive end in this class.

#6 New York Jets – Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

Anytime the Head Coach is that of a defensive mind, Todd Bowles in this case, I tend to think they will draft that side of the ball, especially when elite players are available. Here, the Jets select the athletic Dupree to sure up a defensive unit that is starting to look very solid.

#7 Chicago Bears – Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

After trading Brandon Marshall, the Bears need a new play-maker to pair with Alshon Jeffery. Adding the explosive White would create one hec of a tandem for Cutler and co.

#8 Washington Redskins – Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

After trading down, the Skins still fill a position of need. The versatile Beasley gives Washington a much needed upgrade at the position, especially after losing Orakpo in free agency.

#9 New York Giants – Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa

The Giants are starting to build a good looking offense around Eli Manning. Adding Scherff would help solidify the O-line and give them a physical presence, much like the one that won them a Superbowl a few years back.

#10 St. Louis Rams – Andrus Peat, T, Stanford

I wouldn’t be surprised at all for the Rams to grab a much needed playmaker for Foles. They lack a true number 1 wideout, and a guy like Devante Parker could very well fit that bill. However, Jeff Fisher is more of an old school guy, and bolstering the O-line with two young starters (Greg Robinson last year) to build around may make more sense to him in this case.

#14 Miami Dolphins – Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Any weapon. Any player to add to the arsenal for Ryan Tannehill. This pick absolutely has to be a wide receiver or running back! If not, I will no doubt be disappointed. Linebacker and cornerback are two other areas of high need, but with the addition of Ndamukong Suh, that can wait. Add an exciting athlete and look for defense later. I will be pumped if my Phins land Gurley or a top wideout to pair with young Landry and Stills. 

And then there were the Cleveland Browns

If I were the Browns, how about doing something like this:

-Trade the #12 overall pick, #77 (3^rd round), and another pick (let’s say #188, 6^th round) to the Redskins for the #5 overall pick.

-Then, turn around and trade #5 and #19, both first round picks, and a second rounder next year, to Tennessee in exchange for the #2 overall selection.

-Select Marcus Mariota with the #2 pick.

Cleveland hasn't had a franchise quarterback since its return. The NFL is a quarterback driven league. The Browns desperately need a quarterback to lead this franchise for years to come. Mariota is that guy. He’s got a chance to be great. Adapting won’t be easy, but unless you’re Andrew Luck, when is it ever? However, one easy adaption for the young QB if he were selected by the Brownies: uniform combinations.

If the Browns stay put, you would think they would have to go receiver, and defensive line. Devante Parker and Malcolm Brown, or someone to fill the gap on the D-line to help improve the atrocious run defense from a year ago.

And finally, three things I think I think:

3. The first round will set a record for most trades ever in a first round of a draft.

2. More wide receivers will be taken in this year’s first round than last year’s (5). 

1. Mariota will have a better NFL career than Jameis Winston.

There is simply not a sport more galvanizing than that of the NFL. Sure, there is baseball - America’s pastime, or the exciting last 3 minutes of basketball, or even the 5 second highlight of NHL, but nothing even comes close to the NFL. Our teams play once a week. A loss means more, stings harder, and produces disappointment. A win brings pride and joy, and eagerness for the following week.

Fortunately for draft week, we are all winners. Let the optimism begin!