High School players chosen in 2015 NFL mock draft

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to take a quarterback the first selection in the 2015 NFL Draft today, choosing between either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota.

But if the Buccaneers had to make their choice from among the best high school seniors from the Class of 2015, who would they choose?

MaxPreps endeavors to answer that question, as well 31 other questions with this NFL/High School Mock Draft. Using the 247Sports Composite player rankings for the 2015 class, selections for each NFL team were made based on the needs of that team and the top prospects available.



 
1. Tampa Bay – Kyler Murray, Allen (Texas)
The Buccaneers are in need of a quarterback. While quarterbacks don't rank at the very top of the list of the 247 composite rankings, Tampa Bay can't go wrong with a winner like Murray, whose all-around athleticism and ability to win make him an enticing selection.

2. Tennessee – Josh Rosen, St. John Bosco (Bellflower, Calif.)
The Titans could also use a quarterback. If a trade for Philip Rivers falls through, Tennessee will take Josh Rosen, the top-rated pro-style quarterback in the country.

3. Jacksonville – Malik Jefferson, Poteet (Mesquite, Texas)
The Jaguars need help on defense, especially at linebacker. The top linebacker on the board is Poteet standout Malik Jefferson, who was ranked the No. 1 prospect in the country at one time.

4. Oakland – Khalil McKenzie, Clayton Valley Charter (Concord, Calif.)
Needing help on the defensive line, the Raiders make an easy choice by taking Khalil McKenzie, the son of General Manager Reggie McKenzie. Khalil did not play football last year due to a transfer to another school, but he still ranks as one of the country's best recruits.

5. Washington – Byron Cowart, Armwood (Seffner, Fla.)
The Redskins could use a linebacker, but they'll take one of the nation's top defensive linemen in Cowart.

6. New York Jets – Justin Hilliard, St. Xavier (Cincinnati)
While the Jets offense needs some big weapons, New York decides to go with defense and takes a linebacker.



7. Chicago – Trent Thompson, Westover (Albany, Ga.)
The Bears get, perhaps, the steal of the draft, as the No. 1 overall prospect in the country drops to No. 7. The Bears should have a force in the defensive tackle spot for the next 10 years.

8. Atlanta – Josh Sweat, Oscar Smith (Chesapeake, Va.)
The Falcons will go defense and they are pleasantly surprised that one of the nation's top defensive linemen is still on the board in Josh Sweat.

9. New York Giants – Damarkus Lodge, Cedar Hill (Texas)
The Giants want to give Eli Manning another weapon to throw to opposite Odell Beckham. Lodge has shown that he can make the big plays when needed.

10. St. Louis – Martez Ivey, Apopka (Fla.)
The Rams want to protect new quarterback Nick Foles, so they beef up the middle of the offensive line with the top line prospect on the board in Ivey.

11. Minnesota – Iman Marshall, Long Beach Poly (Calif.)
The Vikings would like to get a wide receiver, but the class does not have many productive receivers at the top of the recruiting rankings. So instead they will take the top cornerback on the board in Iman Marshall.

12. Cleveland – Deon Cain, Tampa Bay Tech (Fla.)
The Browns have a need at receiver now that Josh Gordon will miss time due to suspension. Cain is a top all-around athlete who has played receiver and quarterback.



13. New Orleans – Mitch Hyatt, North Gwinnett (Suwanee, Ga.)
The Saints hope to rebuild their offensive line, and adding Hyatt to the mix will be a good start.

14. Miami – Derwin James, Haines City (Fla.)
The Dolphins stay close to home by picking local boy Derwin James to anchor their defensive backfield.

15. San Francisco – Terry Beckner, East St. Louis (Ill.)
The 49ers have done well with Midwest defensive linemen (Aldon Smith, Justin Smith) so they will add another one in Illinois standout Beckner.

16. Houston – Calvin Ridley, Monarch (Coconut Creek, Fla.)
With Andre Johnson gone, the Texans need another threat at wide receiver. Ridley was the No. 1 receiving recruit in the country at one point.

17. San Diego – Jacques Patrick, Timber Creek (Orlando, Fla.)
With Ryan Mathews in Philadelphia, the Chargers need another running back to take some of the pressure off Philip Rivers. Patrick is used to a lot of carries, as he finished his career as one of Florida's all-time leading rushers.

18. Kansas City – Rasheem Greene, Serra (Gardena, Calif.)
The Chiefs would like to bolster their defensive line. Greene isn't big, at only 275 pounds, but he is very quick (4.80 seconds in the 40-yard dash).

19. Cleveland – Daylon Mack, Gladewater (Texas)
In a strong year for defensive tackles, the Browns get the fourth one off the board in Mack, a monster at 6-foot-1, 330 pounds.



20. Philadelphia – Preston Williams, Lovejoy (Ga.)
The Eagles need someone for Sam Bradford to throw to. Williams provides a big target at 6-4.

21. Cincinnati – Porter Gustin, Salem Hills (Utah)
The Bengals would like to get a safety, but there is better value at linebacker, where 6-5 Porter Gustin is a load to handle.
 
22. Pittsburgh – Kevin Tolliver, Trinity Christian Academy (Jacksonville, Fla.)
The Steelers have had several retirements in the secondary, which makes Tolliver an appealing pick at No. 22.

23. Detroit – Chidi Valentine-Okeke, Faith Baptist Christian Academy (Ludowici, Ga.)
The Lions are looking for some size at offensive tackle and they found it in Valentine-Okeke, who is 6-7, 310 pounds.

24. Arizona – CeCe Jefferson, Baker County (Glen St. Mary, Fla.)
The Cardinals have lost some players on defense, so Jefferson will be a good replacement either at defensive end or outside linebacker.

25. Carolina – Javon Patterson, Petal (Miss.)
The Panthers need a tackle, but the best lineman available is a guard in Patterson.

26. Baltimore – Damien Harris, Madison Southern (Berea, Ky.)
The Ravens had one of the top rushing offenses in the league last year, but they don't have any of their running backs from the Super Bowl three years ago. They'll take Harris, who was spectacular before suffering a mid-season injury last year.



27. Dallas – Ron Jones, McKinney North (Texas)
The Cowboys need a running back to replace Demarco Murray and they have one right in their own backyard in Jones, who is the highest-rated running back on the 247Sports board.

28. Denver – Tristen Hoge, Highland (Pocatello, Idaho)
The line is solid for the Broncos, who gave up the fewest sacks in the NFL last year, but a new center is needed. Hoge is the best in the country.

29. Indianapolis – Keaton Sutherland, Marcus (Flower Mound, Texas)
The Colts need better run blocking so they'll nab Sutherland to open up some holes.

30. Green Bay – Minkah Fitzpatrick, St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City, N.J.)
The Packers need to find a cornerback and Fitzpatrick gives them a gifted athlete with a keen ability to break up passes.

31. New Orleans – Tyron Johnson, Easton (New Orleans)
With Jimmy Graham gone, the Saints need a receiving threat. They have one right in their own backyard in Johnson.

32. New England – Maea Teuhema, Keller (Texas)
The Patriots close up the first round by bolstering the offensive line with Teuhema.