2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Where Top Prospects Will Land

If NFL teams could address any need at the draft, Washington would draft a new owner, the Cleveland Browns would draft Johnny Manziel a babysitter, the St. Louis Rams would draft a completed stadium in Los Angeles and the Oakland Raiders would draft a time machine that returned them to the '70s.

Ah, but the NFL draft can't fill needs that big. Instead, teams try to align the top prospects on the board to the top needs they need filled on the field. Let's take an early look at where some of those prospects might end up. 

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Ducks

If you're Tampa Bay, you should want a dynamic quarterback to lead your talented skill-position players—Mike Evans in particular—for years to come.

The ideal candidate is a leader, a model citizen off the field, has solid size, good athleticism and has shown a dedication to consistently get better. This player should at least have some signature skill that sets them apart and is the type of person you trust to be your franchise player.

Marcus Mariota checks off all of those boxes.

He's got solid size, speed, scrambling ability and leadership. He doesn't turn the ball over and generally makes smart decisions. Yes, there will be questions about his ability to make big-time throws or lead a more traditional NFL offense, but he's the type of player that will work his butt off to improve.

It's hard for me to imagine Tampa Bay going in a different direction with this pick.

2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska

The Titans have a pretty easy choice here—draft Jameis Winston (c'mon, why in the world would he possibly go back to school?) or select from a bevy of talented defensive players. I think they'll do the latter.

For starters, Winston brings major character concerns. For another, Ken Whisenhunt might feel he can coach up Zach Mettenberger. And Tennessee's defense was dreadful this year. Just dreadful. 

In the end, this pick might be Winston. It could also be Leonard Williams, or the Titans might trade out of this pick for another team looking to move up to select a quarterback. But if I was guessing, I'd say they ended up going with the most talented player on the board that wasn't Winston, who at the moment I believe is Randy Gregory.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Jacksonville is in an interesting situation if the draft falls this way. They don't need a quarterback. They addressed wide receiver heavily in last year's draft. They aren't hurting in their pass rush. 

So yes, I could see Gus Bradley bolstering the defensive line with Williams, an uber-talented, versatile defensive tackle who would give the Jags a bolstered unit doing battle in the trenches. This would be a great pick. 

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

The Raiders can't pass on Amari Cooper. They just can't. If the most talented wide receiver in the draft falls in your lap at No. 4, on an offense devoid of elite weapons for young quarterback Derek Carr, you jump at the chance to make this pick.

And you pray that the Carr-to-Cooper tandem torches opposing defenses for years to come. 

5. Washington: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

One would guess Brian Orakpo would be hitting the road this offseason, and Ray would offer a nice replacement for the veteran pass-rusher. With so many talented edge players potentially on the board when Washington picks, it's hard to imagine the team breaking the bank to keep Orakpo around.

Given Ray's 14.5 sacks this season in the SEC, he certainly seems like the right man for the job.

6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State 

I mean, we'd all love this, right?

The most controversial player potentially in this draft going to the team with the biggest annual firestorm surrounding its players' every move? Sign me up for that.

But the truth about Winston is that, despite the off-field concerns that follow him, he's still arguably the most talented player in this draft. He regressed in some areas this season, yes, but he's a better natural passer than Mariota and a player who seems to save his best for the clutch moments. Despite his character concerns, he'll be a top-10 pick. 

And if he escapes the top five, he likely won't get past the Jets. 

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama 

The Bears are another team that really needs to address the defense, and luckily for them they'll have many viable options to do so. They really need to upgrade at safety, and Collins is the best one in the draft and a dynamic playmaker. Will he go as high as No. 7? It's hard to say. For now, however, he makes sense to the Bears here.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson

This is a pretty great fit for Atlanta. The explosive edge-rusher would fit perfectly in Atlanta's 3-4 scheme—if they keep that scheme, of course, though Beasley comes from a 4-3 scheme so he could make that work as well—and would seriously bolster a pass rush that could use an upgrade. The Falcons would be quite happy if Beasley was available to them.

9. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

He plays linebacker. He plays running back. He could fill in at safety in a pinch. Based on his name, he could probably throw down on a basketball court, too. Shaq Thompson is a stud. 

And the New York Giants need a stud at linebacker. Thompson might be a bit of a tweener for some NFL teams, but for a squad willing to find a way to employ his unique skill set, they'll be getting one of the draft's best pure players. 

New York has gotten creative with its defensive linemen and linebackers in the past. I could see them doing that with Thompson as well. 

10. St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

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Brian Quick looked to be having a breakthrough season, while Steadman Bailey started to come into his own late in the season and Tavon Austin is a niche weapon who has big-play potential if you get him in space. Still, this team really lacks a true No. 1 receiver. 

If they select DeVante Parker, they won't any longer. And if they are going to give it one last go with Sam Bradford, they need to give him another weapon in the passing game. Parker is a logical selection here. 

11. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Let's call a spade a spade—Matt Kalil hasn't been very good for the Vikings. Not very good at all. While Brandon Scherff's position in the NFL may be at guard or right tackle, he'd also give the Vikes some Kalil insurance should the former first-rounder fail to turn things around. 

12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Manziel needs weapons. And a priority check, but that's a topic for another article. With a pretty solid group of wide receivers likely to receive first-round grades, the Browns should be able to nab a solid player at No. 12 to improve their offense. Paired next to Josh Gordon, Kevin White is a great fit for this Browns team. 

13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

The Saints need to address their edge rush this offseason, and Dante Fowler is a great option to do just that. Given his strong size and versatility, he could also line up inside on passing downs, giving the Saints some options in their nickel and dime packages. This is a great "need meets value" pick. 

14. Miami Dolphins: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

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The Dolphins could use a solid corner opposite of Brent Grimes—sorry Cortland Finnegan, but you aren't the man for this job— and Trae Waynes is the top option on the board. This is a pretty easy selection for the Dolphins. 

15. San Francisco 49ers: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M 

The problem for the Niners here is that they're missing on both the top wideouts and defensive ends. So I could easily see them going a different route and adding depth on the offensive line. Cedric Ogbuehi has a ton of upside, though he needs to head to a team that can give him time to develop. The Niners could be that team, so this pick makes sense, though fans who want an instant impact won't be thrilled.

16. Houston Texans: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

The Texans have enough needs that they should be taking the best player on the board. At this point, it's La'el Collins for me. He'll be an upgrade for the offensive line, no matter whom they are blocking for at quarterback.

17. San Diego Chargers: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

If you watched the San Diego Chargers this season, namely in their last game against the Kansas City Chiefs, you know they need to add offensive linemen to protect Philip Rivers. They were dreadful in front of him against the Chiefs and were the difference between a playoff spot and a spot on the links.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

If you watched the Kansas City Chiefs this year, you know that they didn't have a single receiving touchdown registered by a wideout this season. I mean, that's absurd. If they don't spend an early pick on a wideout, Andy Reid may be banned from all barbecue joints. And that's some good barbecue, folks.

19: Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo Bills): Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

With their second first-rounder, the Browns will likely look to take the best player on the board. Danny Shelton is a disruptive interior lineman who would really improve this team in the trenches. This would wrap up a solid first round for the Browns.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

The Eagles desperately need help in the secondary, and desperately need a replacement for corner Bradley Fletcher. Kevin Johnson has the kind of size that Chip Kelly covets and would basically be an improvement at corner by default. They could also go after a linebacker here depending on who falls to them, but the city of Philadelphia might storm the front office if they don't address the secondary first.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Marcus Peters is a major risk and carries serious character concerns after being booted from Washington's team for disciplinary reasons, but he's also a hugely talented corner who might be a top-10 pick were it not for the other concerns. The Bengals have gambled on risky players in the past and nailed it—and they have strong veteran leadership to straighten a player like Peters out should he try to rock the boat—so don't be surprised if Cincy takes a shot on him. 

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

It's an odd season when the Steelers are far better on offense than on defense. This team needs to add some more oomph to the defensive line, so adding a space-eater like Malcom Brown is a nice place to start rebuilding the defense. This might be a slight reach for Brown, but he'd perfectly fit the Steelers defensive scheme. 

23. Detroit Lions: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

It's not hard to imagine a scenario in which a team breaks the bank for Ndamukong Suh and he departs the Lions. That would leave defensive tackle as a major need for a team that thrived on the defensive line this year. Florida State's Eddie Goldman would be a logical pick here. 

24. Arizona Cardinals: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

Bud Dupree might yet be a little raw, but he's been steadily climbing up draft boards and has a ton of potential. The Cardinals could use a pure rusher off the edge, and Dupree looks like a player who could really scratch that itch.

25. Carolina Panthers: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

The thought of Kelvin Benjamin playing the role of wide possession receiver and red-zone threat, Greg Olsen dominating across the middle of the field and Sammie Coates stretching defenses with his big-play ability is a scary thought. You can practically see that signature Cam Newton smile widening just at the thought of this pick. 

26. Baltimore Ravens: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

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Justin Forsett was awesome for Baltimore this year, but he isn't a pure, between-the-tackles masher. Todd Gurley, on the other hand, could step into Baltimore's scheme and really give the team a grinder on the early downs. With Gurley's pure ability and Forsett's skill in the passing game and ability to stay in and block on passing downs, too, the Ravens would have an amazing one-two punch at running back.

27. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, MLB, Mississippi State  

Benardrick McKinney has some issues with consistency at times, but when he's on his game he can dominate a game. The Colts really need to bolster the defense, namely at linebacker, so this pick is a logical one. I could also see the team addressing the offensive line, but I'm not sure that's as feasible here given the way my board has fallen. I think McKinney is the pick.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville

The Cowboys have improved defensively this year, but addressing the safety position still wouldn't hurt. Some folks like Gerod Holliman even more than Collins at safety, so this is a solid value here.

29. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, MLB, Miami 

When you've been forced to slide Clay Matthews III to middle linebacker at times, you need to address the position (even if he played quite well in the role). The Packers do that here with this pick. 

30. New England Patriots: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

The Patriots have weapons in the passing game, but outside of Brandon LaFell they don't have many quality options out wide. Jaelen Strong would remedy that. 

31. Seattle Seahawks: Ty Montgomery, WR, Stanford

Ty Montgomery divides opinion, but he's an exciting player to watch when he has the ball in his hands. I see a poor man's Golden Tate in him. And the Seahawks could use a poor man's Golden Tate. Heck, they probably wish they had held on to the actual thing.

32. Denver Broncos: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

It can't hurt adding more options to protect Peyton Manning. The Hall of Famer is nearing the end, so adding players to either earn a starting gig or challenge the starters on the line makes plenty of sense.