2015 NFL Mock Draft: St. Louis Rams Go Wide Receiver

6. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Lets try this again. “The New York Jets select quarterback…” Mark Sanchez and now Geno Smith simply didn’t pan out in New York. Third time is a charm? If Marcus Mariota falls to the Jets at 6 there is no way they can pass him up. The team recently traded for Ryan Fitzpatrick, but he is no long term answer for the Jets at the quarterback position. Regardless of what kind of system he benefited from in college, Mariota has very rare talent. The Oregon star is a dual threat throwing for 105 touchdowns and rushing for 15 in his time at college. Mariota was also last seasons Heisman trophy winner. These new read option style offenses have proven that they can succeed at the professional level. Even though Mariota will have a lot more learning to do than fellow prospect Jameis Winston, you can’t deny talent.

January 1, 2015; Pasadena, CA, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) against the Florida State Seminoles in the 2015 Rose Bowl college football game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

7. Chicago Bears: Randy Gregory, OLB/DE, Nebraska

The Bears were awful on the defensive side of the ball last season. Only the Raiders surrendered more points than the Bears in 2014. There are questions everywhere on defense for Chicago, but they need a pass rusher badly. In two seasons at Nebraska, Gregory recorded 17.5 sacks, and was a second team All-American in 2014. Gregory does have a history of leg/knee injuries which sometimes limited him in games, but his last season as a Husker should make teams feel better about drafting him.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, OLB/DE, Missouri

Atlanta was another team that suffered badly on defense last season. Come to think of it, nobody was as bad as they were on defense. Nobody gave up more total yards or passing yards than the Falcons in 2014. Bringing in Justin Durant, Brooks Reed, and Adrian Clayborn via free agency should help some, but they’re still lacking. Shane Ray was another guy who stood out in games. Ray was named SEC defensive player of the year, and first team All-American last season at Mizzou. His 14.5 sacks in 2014 set a single season school record at Missouri.

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

Tom Coughlin is back for another season with the big blue. Last season was a letdown for the Giants, but there is plenty of talent on the depth chart. With Rashad Jennings and Victor Cruz coming back from injuries, paired up with Odell Beckham and newly acquired Shane Vareen, the skill players are there for New York. The next step is solidifying the offensive line, and Brandon Scherff can do that. Scherff is a powerhouse that can make holes for backs to run through. A former high school quarterback and basketball star, Scherff is also very athletic. For Tom Coughlin, everything is better when you can run the football and Scherff can help.

10. St. Louis Rams: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

If Scherff is indeed off the board by the time the Rams are on the clock, St. Louis has a decision to make. The team could trade down, or they could grab quarterback Nick Foles a very talented weapon. After signing Akeem Ayers and Nick Fairly in free agency, the Rams defensive front 7 is just as talented as any in the league. The defense will be there, but the offense needs to put up points. It’s a bit of a reach for St. Louis to go o-line here with Scherff off the board. For that reason is why the Rams may wind up trading picks to add more depth in the draft. A few months ago nobody would have imagined Amari Cooper falling to the tenth pick. With the emergence of Kevin White and a number of pass rushers, the chances are a lot higher. Cooper was the best wide receiver in the nation last year. Cooper had the most receptions in the NCAA, and piled up 1,700 yards with 16 touchdowns. Coopers performance earned him first team All-America, SEC offensive player of the year, and a finalist for the Heisman trophy. Adding an elite talent like Cooper on offense could be what puts St. Louis over the top in the NFC West.