2015 NBA Mock Draft (Lottery Edition)

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1. Minnesota Timberwolves: Jahlil Okafor C, Duke

My original pick for the Timberwolves was Karl Anthony-Towns because I thought that he was a better fit for their athletic team. But recently there has been lots of buzz that Minnesota and Flip Saunders prefer Okafor instead Anthony-Towns as their top pick. With Okafor they would be getting a national champion that compares to a poor man’s Tim Duncan. He has the veteran level post moves and uses his size to his advantage on rebounds. The only drawbacks with Okafor are that he can sometimes lack effort on defense, has very limited range offensively, isn’t really athletic, and is a prime candidate for the Hack-a-Shaq.

2. Los Angeles Lakers: Karl Anthony-Towns C/PF, Kentucky

The Lakers are pumped that they even got a draft pick, let alone as the number 2 pick in the draft. So they would be ecstatic if the player that most teams would pick #1 overall fell right into their lap. Anthony-Towns could instantly plugged into the starting lineup and would give them another young talent with tons of potential to pair with the Julius Randle and Jordan Clarkson. Towns instantly upgrades their post presence as a two-way player that can bang with the bigs in the paint and protect the paint with the versatility to step out for a jumpshot.

3. Philadelphia 76ers: D’Angelo Russell PG/SG, Ohio State

This is a dream scenario for the 76ers, because they desperately need a point guard and someone who can score from all over the court. Already having Nerlens Noel and Joel Embiid filling up the frontcourt, they now have the decision of the guard that they want for their backcourt. They can go with the athletic Mudiay or with the multitalented Russell. By drafting Russell the Sixers would be killing two birds with one stone because he is versatile enough to play point and can shoot from anywhere on the floor. Russell wound instantly upgrade their last ranked offense and bring Philly fans a potential star to follow. While if they chose Mudiay, fans would be wondering why they got rid of Michael Carter-Williams who has the same strengths and weaknesses.

4. New York Knicks: Emmanuel Mudiay PG, China

The Knicks need some influx of young talent in a bad way. The only player that anyone knows will be good is Carmelo Anthony. They could go with Justice Winslow here because of his defense, but he is not the kind versatile scorer that they need. I have them picking Mudiay because he has the most potential on the board. With Mudiay running the point, the Knicks would be getting a player that can drive to the rim at will, facilitate to others, and has the potential to be a good defender. The Knicks’ best draft strategy should be to pick the best player available, and the best way to do that is by drafting Mudiay.

5. Orlando Magic: Kristaps Porzingis PF, Latvia

Right now the Magic have point guard that can’t shoot to save his life, a slashing shooting guard with an inconsistent jumpshot, and an uber athletic tweener in Aaron Gordon. The only people that can shoot in Orlando is Nikola Vucevic and Tobias Harris, who is a free agent this summer. Here’s where Porzingis comes into play as someone who can shoot the basketball as a stretch 4, and can even block a couple of shots with his length. Even though he can’t rebound very well and needs to add a lot of weight, it won’t matter with Vucevic being a monster on the boards. Place him next to Vucevic and he has best chance at reaching his potential of becoming the next Dirk Nowitzki.

6. Sacramento Kings: Willie Cauley-Stein PF/C, Kentucky

Willie Cauley-Stein is definitely one of the best defenders in the draft. He has the athletic ability and skill to guard all five positions. That defensive ability perfectly complements the offensive juggernaut that is DeMarcus Cousins. The Kings wouldn’t need Cauley-Stein to develop his offensive game, he could just focus all his energy on becoming the Kings’ version of DeAndre Jordan. The Kings have always been able to score, but have never had the post protection to stop anyone. Drafting Cauley-Stein would bring an end to that.

7. Denver Nuggets: Justice Winslow SG/SF, Duke

Wilson Chandler is a free agent after this year and Danilo Galinari hasn’t looked as effective since his ACL injury. So the Nuggets should looking at a two-way player with the versatility to play either shooting guard or small forward. Most likely the pick will come down to either Justice Winslow, Mario Hezonja, or Stanley Johnson. My nod is to Justice Winslow because he has the better defensive capabilities out of all the other choices. He was also a pretty good spot-up shooter in college and has the innate ability take the ball coast to coast. 

8. Detroit Pistons: Mario Hezonja SG/SF, Croatia

Mario Hezonja has all the tools you want in a prospect for the shooting guard and small forward positions. He’s athletic, can score with a long range shot, dribbles pretty good, and has potential to become a pretty good defender with that athleticism. Yet there is some hesitation because he is known to be a little selfish in his passing with a hot and cold motor. If he can become more consistent with his work habits and incorporates with playing team basketball, then he will be a steal at this pick.

9. Charlotte Hornets: Stanley Johnson SG/SF, Arizona

Jordan will be ecstatic if Stanley Johnson is still available. The Hornets already have addressed the frontcourt in the last two drafts with Cody Zeller and Noah Vonleh to complement Al Jefferson. So now they will be looking to add a shooting guard or small forward to complement the electric Kemba Walker since the Stephenson experiment didn’t work. Stanley Johnson is the best all-around player for them to pick. He can defend, has a developing jumper, and is a complete train in transition at 240 pounds. Michael Kidd-Gilchrist is the starting small forward right now, so pairing him with Johnson would give the Bobcats a formidable backcourt.

10. Miami Heat: Frank Kaminsky PF, Wisconsin

When Chris Bosh wasn’t able to play basketball indefinitely, that is when Miami’s season really took a turn for the worst. They had absolutely no spacing from the power forward position to replace Bosh. The Heat have a starting lineup of good players, from the surprising Hassan Whiteside, the returning Chris Bosh, the creative Goran Dragic, and productive Deng, to the ageless wonder of Dwayne Wade. Last year they draft a point guard in Shabazz Napier, so in my opinion they should be looking for a stretch 4 as insurance for Bosh. Enter 2015 National Player of Year Frank “The Tank” Kaminsky who has the perfect stretch 4 capabilities. He has the capability to score with post moves and the ability to hit a shot beyond the three point line, but will need to add on some more meat to his bones if he wants to improve. Kaminsky’s has improved every year in college, so I have little doubt that will have all the right tools in his game to become a productive NBA player.

11. Indiana Pacers: Cameron Payne PG, Murray State

Larry Bird and the Pacers shouldn’t panic over not making the playoffs. Pretty soon Paul George will be back to full health and everything will be fine at small forward. They’ll probably make the playoffs next year if they get this pick right. Indiana wants an upgrade at point guard, and the word is that they are really high on Cameron Payne. Depending on who you ask, some rank Payne as their 3rd ranked point guard after Russell and Mudiay. The Pacers would get a guard that has one of the best handles in the draft, and has showed a terrific blend of variety in scoring along with his passing ability.

12. Utah Jazz: Devin Booker SG, Kentucky

The Jazz are a young team with tons of potential. Someday they will make the playoffs as their young core develops, but right now only one of them can shoot. Other than Gordon Hayward, they have the inconsistent jumpshots of Trey Burke, Alec Burks, and Dante Exum. Booker is the best shooter in the draft, and reminds some people of Klay Thompson. Why wouldn’t they pick him?

13. Phoenix Suns: Myles Turner PF/C, Texas

People think that the Suns will be looking to draft a point guard here, but I think that the Suns go a different direction. The Morris twins were recently arrested for felony assault, so most likely they will be suspended. The information that the twins might be suspended will weigh heavily on Suns’ minds during the draft. Their best option is to find a possible replacement for the stretch 4 they will be losing to suspension. Myles Turner has all the potential in the world to become that stretch 4 for them.

14. Oklahoma City Thunder: Kelly Oubre SG/SF, Kansas

Last year the only thing that really hurt the Thunder was the multitude of injuries that plagued them all season. Whether it was Kevin Durant being hampered by a foot or Serge Ibaka and his knee, the Thunder suffered with the injury bug. This season they will all be healthy again and will be back to the dominant team we all come to expect. Oklahoma City already has the best isolation players in the league in the explosive Russell Westbrook and Durant. So they need a player that has the potential to play effective defense and hit an open three. The player with the most potential in succeeding in achieving this idea at this position would have to be Kelly Oubre. He is one of the most athletic prospects in this years draft and has shown the dedication in trying to become more consistent with his jumpshot. With consistent minutes and more refinement, Oubre could become the perfect complementary piece for the Thunders’ amazing isolation players.

2015 NFL Mock Draft

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1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston QB, Florida State

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers desperately need a face for their franchise. Not a place holder face for their franchise, but a QB of the future to go with their giant receiving corps that includes big-time playmaker Mike Evans, veteran Vincent Jackson, and an enormous tight end by the name of Austin Seferian-Jenkins that has plentiful amounts of potential for a young QB to utilize. To me, Jameis Winston should be the pick for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has proven to be a winner at Florida State, and has all the tools that you would want in a franchise quarterback. If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers feel confident that Jameis will stay out of trouble off the field, then they should pick Winston with no hesitation.

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota QB, Oregon

This year’s Heisman trophy winner is an enigma to the NFL. Is he the product of a system? Or is he the product of a system that was enhanced because they had Mariota as a dual-threat QB. In college, he was accurate, could run out of the pocket, and would always find the wide-open guy. However, I don’t think the Tennessee Titans will keep Mariota as their QB. I feel that they will draft Mariota and immediately trade him. Either to the San Diego Chargers for an aging Philip Rivers to reunite with Ken Whisenhunt, the Eagles will trade everything for him, or they will trade him to other numerous suitors that covet him to be their QB.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams DT/DE, USC

The best player in the draft is a perfect fit for any type of defensive scheme. Williams is versatile enough to play DT in a 4-3 or DE in a 3-4. He can collapse the pocket and is good against the run. He is the safest pick in the draft in my opinion, and the Jacksonville Jaguars should be overjoyed if he is here for them to take.

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper WR, Alabama

The Raiders need a receiver in the worst possible way. They do have James Jones, Rod Streater, and Andre Holmes. But that is not the No. 1 receivers that you want for a developing Derek Carr. After missing out on all the good receivers in free agency because they signed elsewhere, they should be looking for the most complete receiver that is a playmaker whenever they touch the ball. I believe that receiver is Amari Cooper instead of Kevin White. People rank Kevin White as having the most potential due to his size and speed, but people don’t realize that the difference between size is not that much. White is 6’3 215 and Cooper is 6’1, 211. Add in the fact that Cooper is quicker, just as fast, better route-runner, slot-versatile, and is 2 years younger than White. I see more potential in Cooper than White. The Raiders need the better player for now and the future. Cooper should be their man at receiver.

5. Washington Redskins: Dante Fowler Jr DE, Florida

Since Brian Orakpo has left for the Titans, and the Redskins need some serious help on defense. The feeling around the league is that they will go after a pass rusher with their first pick. With Fowler, they would be getting a player that can do just that and can also play against the run due to his size. Unlike the other prospects which don’t necessarily have the size to be a DE that plays against the run. The Redskins would be getting a player that doesn’t need to worry about putting on more weight, he would just have to focus on football.

6. New York Jets: Alvin “Bud” Dupree OLB/DE, Kentucky

The Jets are pretty much set on the defensive line with Muhammad Wilkerson, Quinton Coples, and Sheldon Richardson. So they are set for playing against the run. Plus, they have totally redone their defensive secondary with the free-agent acquisitions of Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. But the only thing they don’t have to totally finish making their defense a dominant force is to draft a pass rusher. With Bud Dupree, they would be getting a pure pass rusher that knows how to get to the QB of their opponents through extreme athleticism. The rest of the defensive line would shadow his weaknesses against the run, and this would allow him to just have to learn more techniques for running after the quarterback. Dupree would have a better chance of living up to his potential if he landed with a team that already had a good defensive line.

7. Chicago Bears: Vic Beasley OLB/DE, Clemson

Vic Beasley is a beast of a man. People thought that his weight was to small to play linebackar at 220, but he bulked up to be 246 for the Combine and performed like he was still 220. He became known as a workout warrior that has the rare athletic ability to consistently explode off the edge based on his production in college. He’s not that great in coverage, but has enormous potential as an athletic pass rusher for a team that needs help on defense.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Andrus Peat OT, Stanford

Last year in one of their games, the Atlanta Falcons had a tight end playing tackle for them. That is not acceptable for protecting a franchise QB like Matt Ryan, or providing any sort of holes for running backs to follow. Also, there are enormous amounts of buzz surrounding Andrus Peat going in the top 10 of this years draft to the Falcons. It’s only fitting that I would agree with the buzz due to them playing a tight end at tackle for a game due lack of depth. With Andrus Peat, they would be getting one of the most polished lineman in the draft that still has room for potential growth in his game, specifically in pass-blocking fast edge rushers.

9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff OT/OG, Iowa

Eli Manning needs someone that can help protect him so that he can have a chance to pass to the electrifying Odell Beckham Jr. If Manning doesn’t have time to pass, he panics and throws interceptions. Brandon Scherff would definitely improve their offensive line if he was taken, because he has the versatility to play either tackle or guard. Add in the fact that he has incredible strength to push around defensive lineman, and that makes him the perfect choice for a quarterback that needs to be protected to succeed.

10. St. Louis Rams: Kevin White WR, West Virginia

The Rams’ defense is scary with all the pass rushers they have. They just traded for a quarterback in Nick Foles, drafted a playmaking running back in Tre Mason, and resigned Jared Cook. All they need is a big, fast receiver that they can depend on. The Rams already have a fast, small slot receiver with Tavon Austin for the underneath passes. But if they also have Kevin White on the outside, then he could run the deep go route and grab the contested catch. White has the speed and height to be able to do that for the Rams. If White is available at this point of the draft, then I’m sure that the Rams would jump at the chance to get one of the best receivers in the draft.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Devante Parker WR, Louisville

Devante Parker would be the perfect complement for Teddy Bridgewater. The Vikings need another WR, and what would be more perfect than reuniting Bridgewater with a receiver that he trusts already.

12. Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton DT/NT, Washington

The Browns need a big, nasty run-stuffing NT for a division that  always seems to want to run the ball down the middle.

13. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes CB, Michigan State

Saints fans were disappointed when their passing defense went from 4th in 2013 to 31st in 2014. Their corners were consistently burned by wide receivers, so adding the best cornerback in the draft is a must for their pass defense.

14. Miami Dolphins: Breshad Perriman WR, Central Florida

Dolphins fans will be happy with them drafting a big WR that played right in their backyard. Perriman, along with Jarvis Landry, Jordan Cameron, and Kenny Stills would provide Tannehill with all the weapons he needs to bring his game to another level.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Arik Armstead DE/DT, Oregon

A massive man at 6’8 that has all the physical tools to be in the mold of Calais Campbell of the Cardinals. The 49ers would love the chance to take a young, promising prospect after losing many key defensive players to retirement.

16. Houston Texans: Shaq Thompson LB/S/RB, Washington

Brooks Reed left and the Texans aren’t sure how Jadeveon Clowney will be this year. They need a versatile defensive player that is willing to play OLB and has the cover skills to keep up with the weapons of division rival, the Indianapolis Colts.

17. San Diego Chargers: Melvin Gordon RB, Wisconsin

The San Diego Chargers have absolutely no running back that will keep defenses honest for their passing attack. Melvin Gordon would immediately be penciled in as a Week 1 starter if he was drafted here.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Cameron Erving OL, Florida State

Jamaal Charles, the Chiefs’ most dynamic player, has told management that he would like them to draft more offensive line help. Erving is a versatile lineman that would fill in for the departed Rodney Hudson.

19. Cleveland Browns: Ereck Flowers OT, Miami (FL)

The Browns need to protect whoever they decide to have at quarterback. Since, Joe Thomas is already a All-Pro left tackle; they should focus on finding an ideal right tackle to play opposite of him. Flowers is a giant, skilled tackle that will run over defenders in the run game; but is still raw. Browns fans wouldn’t have to worry about him being raw for long because he would have the chance to learn from Joe Thomas to become a better player that lives up to his potential.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Nelson Agholor WR, USC

Desean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin are gone. Even though the Eagles picked up a nice talent with Jordan Matthews, they need a speedy playmaker to replace the production that Maclin produced last year.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Randy Gregory OLB/DE, Nebraska

Randy Gregory failed the drug test at the Combine, when he knew they would testing. Stupidity like that is the reason that he drops to a team that doesn’t mind taking chances on misguided players.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Landon Collins S, Alabama

The Steelers were stunned when Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor decided to call it quits this offseason. They are in desperate need of another safety or corner; so why not go after the best safety in this draft class.

23. Detroit Lions: DJ Humphries OT, Florida

Stafford needs all the time he can get so that he can throw it up for Megatron, Eric Ebron, and Golden Tate. Humphries has the most potential out of all the offensive tackles, but he is still raw enough to teach him to play better than his potential.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Brett Hundley QB, UCLA

The Cardinals were a dominant team that had a chance to contend for an NFL Championship until their QB of Carson Palmer blew out his knee. It’s time for Arizona to look for its quarterback of the future. Bruce Arians loves a QB that can sling the ball deep, and Hundley just so happens to have one of the strongest arms in this draft.

25. Carolina Panthers: Philip Dorsett WR, Miami (FL)

There was no other receiver for Cam Newton to throw to other than big-bodied Kelvin Benjamin and safety blanket Greg Olsen. Cam needs a small, fast as lightning receiver that can stretch the field even more.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Marcus Peters CB, Washington

Ozzie Newsome knows how to channel a players’ bad habits into good habits for becoming a productive player. With all the athleticism and skill to be one of the best corners, the Ravens will be getting a steal at this position if they make sure he doesn’t get into trouble.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Todd Gurley RB, Georgia

Jerry Jones won’t be able to control himself, he will do anything in his power to get a superstar. So I expect him to draft Gurley with the hopes of trading him to the Vikings for a beast by the name of Adrian Peterson.

28. Denver Broncos: DJ Humphries OT, Florida

Manning is in possibly his last year with Broncos, so it is imperative that they keep him upright for a Super Bowl run. Also, Clemmings would excel blocking in Gary Kubiak’s zone-blocking scheme.

29. Indianapolis Colts: La’el Collins OT, LSU

The Colts would love to have a balanced attack of passing and running. By drafting La’el Collins they would be getting a tough run-blocker that can play guard or right tackle.

30. Green Bay Packers: Kevin Johnson CB, Wake Forest

The Cheeseheads of Packer Nation need to draft a cornerback to replace Tramon Williams, who they let go to the Browns in free agency. Kevin Johnson is an athletic corner that they could afford to wait on to develop more, because they already have pretty good starters on each end of the field. This pick would provide them with quality depth to cover slot wide receivers.

31. New Orleans Saints: Maxx Williams TE, Minnesota

Saints fans were shocked when they traded Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks after they had just signed him to an extension. Now they need a TE to replace him, and it would make sense to draft the best TE prospect for Brees to throw to.

32. New England Patriots: Hau’Oli Kikaha OLB/DE, Washington

I fully expect for the Patriots to trade back, but if they do draft someone. I think they would want to draft someone that compares to one of their own players. Kikaha is perfect because he compares to Rob Ninkovich in production through tireless effort to get after the QB.