2015 NFL Mock Draft: Updated 1st-Round Projections for Top Prospects' Best Fits

Although the 2015 NFL draft remains months away, fans are getting a general idea of which players have a real chance at going in the first round.

This year's class is a bit thin outside of the household names, which means there's unlikely to be a ton of surprises on draft day.

Below is a rough sketch for the first round, one that will almost certainly become outmoded in a few weeks.

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

Jameis Winston's off-field baggage is pretty much known to everybody at this point, and any other skeletons in his closet will be unearthed during the draft process.

With that said, he's the most NFL-ready quarterback in this year's draft. He's a better pure passer than Marcus Mariota and Brett Hundley, and he won't have the adjustment period that Mariota inevitably will.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are more than a quarterback away from contention, but getting one like Winston will paper over a lot of the cracks in their foundation.

2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

There isn't much Leonard Williams can't do defensively. He's a ferocious pass-rusher for his size (6'5", 300 lbs), and he's more than capable of plugging up running lanes at the line of scrimmage. Williams is one of the best players in the 2015 draft at any position.

The Tennessee Titans need a quarterback, since their current QB of the future is Zach Mettenberger. If Winston's off the board, they should look to Williams. The Titans would likely need to cater their entire offense to Mariota's style, which makes that pick a little too risky.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska

More than a few people were perplexed that the Jacksonville Jaguars passed on Khalil Mack last year to take Blake Bortles instead. At the time, it looked like a crazy decision, but Bortles' performances in 2014 justified Jacksonville's gamble.

This year, the Jags have an opportunity to draft the same kind of defensive playmaker, whether it's Williams or Randy Gregory. Since the USC star is off the board, it's gotta be Gregory.

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

This year's crop of wide receivers is a bit underwhelming. There's aren't many worthy of top-10 consideration, let alone the top five.

Amari Cooper may be a bit of a reach at No. 4, but he's the best WR on the board and would give Derek Carr a No. 1 target for years to come. He's got the ideal blend of route-running, pass-catching and game-breaking ability.

5. Washington Redskins: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

The Washington Redskins allowed a ton of sacks last year—58 to be exact—so pass protection was clearly an issue.

Brandon Scherff is a better run-blocker than he is a pass-blocker, but that's not to say that he isn't effective in pass protection. He's quite possibly one of the strongest players in the draft, period, and he's agile enough to move laterally and handle rushers coming off the edge.

If the Redskins want to upgrade their offensive line in the first round, Scherff would be the way to go.

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

Should Mariota fall to No. 6, the New York Jets couldn't not pull the trigger, right? Perhaps no franchise is more in need of a franchise QB than New York. The Jets have burned through so many over the years, and Geno Smith looks like the next in line.

Mariota will have an adjustment period after playing in the Oregon offense for so long. With that said, he doesn't look strictly like a system guy propped up by a spread style. Mariota's an accurate passer with a strong arm. He should thrive in the NFL, but he's a riskier bet than Winston at this stage.

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

Concerns about Landon Collins' pass-coverage skills aren't unfounded. Right now, he certainly deserves the "box safety" label.

The Chicago Bears can't afford to be picky. They're in desperate need of a safety, and Collins is at the top of the class. He is athletic enough that with enough repetition, he could improve as a pass defender to cover up his biggest weakness.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

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The biggest worry for Shane Ray is that he's a bit of a one-hit wonder. Beyond his spectacular 2014 season, Ray didn't exactly pull up any trees at Missouri. That's likely one of the bigger reasons Bleacher Report's Luke Easterling remains so lukewarm on the Tigers defensive end:

Still, Ray has an explosive first step and has an upside about as high as any other pass-rusher in the draft. The Atlanta Falcons should take the leap of faith that Ray's 2014 wasn't a mere aberration.

9. New York Giants: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Andrus Peat isn't the finished product, but he checks off all of the boxes for a potential Pro Bowl offensive tackle. He has great arm length and enough lateral mobility to handle just about any edge-rusher.

The New York Giants might want to look at their defensive line, but Peat would undoubtedly help their pass protection, which was a glaring weakness in 2014.

10. St. Louis Rams: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

Having drafted Greg Robinson second overall last year, the St. Louis Rams probably won't want to take another high-risk, high-reward offensive tackle.

The nice thing about selecting La'el Collins is that the Rams would be getting an NFL-ready tackle whose ideal position might be right tackle anyway. A Robinson-Collins tackle partnership could form the bedrock of the team's O-line for years to come.

11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Like the Oakland Raiders, the Minnesota Vikings found what looks to be their franchise quarterback in 2014. Now, they need to upgrade their receiving corps.

Bleacher Report's Michael Schottey wrote that DeVante Parker would be a great fit for the St. Louis Rams, but he could easily slot into the Vikings' rotation.

"Parker has the speed and route-running ability to gain separation in the pros and an awesome set of hands and catch radius to bring in even the most errantly thrown passes," Schottey noted.

12. Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

The Cleveland Browns defense was extremely soft inside, as evidenced by Football Outsiders ranking the unit 31st in run defense DVOA (Defense-adjusted Value Over Average) in 2014.

Enter Danny Shelton.

Shelton is a massive presence on the defensive line, weighing in at 339 pounds. He's also athletic enough to be more than just a run-stopper. Shelton isn't the freak athlete that Leonard Williams is, but he has Pro Bowl potential nonetheless.

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

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The New Orleans Saints completely regressed to their 2013 form last year, and one of the reasons why was their poor pass rush.

Dante Fowler is one of the most talented pass-rushers still on the board. The Florida Gators used him in a variety of different roles, and that versatility could come in handy in the NFL. In addition, Fowler's high motor means that he won't have long stretches where he goes completely invisible.

14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

Shaq Thompson is supremely gifted in a way that few players are in an entire generation. It takes something special to be a linebacker and running back like Thompson was in his final year at Washington.

Great athleticism isn't always a guarantee for success, of course. Luckily for Thompson, he's also a talented linebacker who can fill a variety of roles defensively. The Miami Dolphins have struggled to find consistency at the position, and Thompson might be one of the surest things in the draft.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Kevin White, WR, West Virgina

Kevin White is exactly the kind of receiver Colin Kaepernick needs to further his development. Kaepernick regressed in a big way in 2014, and part of the reason why was that he didn't have much to work with in the passing game.

White isn't obscenely fast, but he is more than capable of burning a secondary vertically. That kind of target has been woefully lacking in the San Francisco 49ers' passing game.

16. Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

In a perfect world, the Houston Texans draft Danny Shelton and form one of the most devastating defensive lines in the league.

Since they can't do that here, they'd be smart going with Trae Waynes, who is among the best cornerbacks in an otherwise-weaker class. Waynes is a physical defender who knows how to read the field and make big plays.

17. San Diego Chargers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

In a way, T.J. Clemmings is like a lesser version of what Greg Robinson was last year. Physically, Clemmings has all of the tools, but he remains extremely raw. Whoever drafts him might have to wait a year or two before he's actually at a place where he can start regularly.

"I think he's got a lot of talent, but he's so darned raw," said Mike Mayock regarding the Pitt offensive tackle, via NFL.com's Mike Huguenin. "He's struggled all week in [Senior Bowl] practice."

NBC Sports' Josh Norris countered that a few practices don't tell the whole story:

The San Diego Chargers need offensive line help right now, but Clemmings offers good value at the 17th overall pick. His potential is through the roof.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

The most pressing need the Kansas City Chiefs have is wide receiver, and the reason why should be apparent with one look at their stats from 2014.

Jaelen Strong isn't without flaws. He can be a bit sloppy at times, which is all the more frustrating because he can make difficult catches look so easy. Still, Strong would be a nice addition for the Chiefs and give them a nice target in the red zone.

19. Cleveland Browns: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

Why not turn a weakness into a strength with two players? In Danny Shelton, the Browns would have the anchor of their defensive line. In Benardrick McKinney, Cleveland would get an inside linebacker to help lead the defense for potentially the next decade.

McKinney is a bit lax in pass coverage, which is a concern, but his run defense is on point, and he is a natural leader.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

Although Nick Foles still has a year left on his current deal, it might not be a bad thing for the Philadelphia Eagles to at least consider drafting a QB in the first round.

Either drafting or trading up to draft Marcus Mariota seems like a pipe dream at this stage, so Brett Hundley would be the next logical target.

Hundley looked bad this past year somewhat because of his offensive line, but there's no question he needs to improve how he reads the field. Having Foles around might be nice because Hundley wouldn't be pushed into the starting role immediately.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

Drafting Eddie Goldman is basically like finishing second in the Danny Shelton sweepstakes. Like Shelton, Goldman is a big body (6'4", 314 lbs) on the defensive line who can stop the run but will also attack the quarterback on occasion.

Goldman just isn't the player that Shelton is.

That would still be good enough for the Cincinnati Bengals, who were really bad against the run last year.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

The Pittsburgh Steelers need to get younger on defense, and nowhere is that truer than at cornerback. Go back and watch their playoff exit to see why.

P.J. Williams is aggressive to a fault at times. He can get caught on double moves, leaving his man wide open. The flip side is that his aggression can lead to game-changing turnovers.

Williams will need some coaching in the NFL, but he'd undoubtedly help improve the Pittsburgh secondary.

23. Detroit Lions: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

Michael Bennett should be a consistent starter in the NFL for years to come; he just doesn't look to have that huge upside that will mean trips to the Pro Bowl.

Bennett is a nice mix of run-stopper and pass-blocker, which is the kind of defensive tackle the Detroit Lions will need if Ndamukong Suh bolts in free agency.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Alvin Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

Alvin Dupree is a fantastic athlete, which is evident when you see him drag ball-carriers down from behind. His strength is a bit lacking, but you'll take that given his impressive speed.

The Arizona Cardinals really struggled pressuring the quarterback in 2014, one of their few flaws on defense. Drafting Dupree would give the Cardinals the edge-rusher they'll need to take the next step forward in 2015.

25. Carolina Panthers: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

Ereck Flowers is a steady, dependable blocker. What do the Carolina Panthers need? A steady, dependable blocker.

Flowers lacks the upside of Brandon Scherff or Andrus Peat, but he should help address what was a terrible Panthers offensive line in 2014.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

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The problem with Vic Beasley is that no matter how much work he puts in, he'll likely always be somewhat limited by his more lanky frame (6'3", 235 lbs). He just wasn't blessed with the physical gifts that others were.

At least in Baltimore, Beasley would be able to learn from experienced pass-rushers like Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. He couldn't ask for better guys to show him the ropes.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

Morris Claiborne has done little to show that he is a viable long-term option for the Dallas Cowboys. Should they be leaning toward letting him go, they could look to his alma mater, LSU, for their alternative.

Jalen Collins has the prototypical body (6'2", 198 lbs) for an NFL cornerback. He won't be picked on by bigger, more physical receivers. Collins' remains a bit raw, but should he come around, he'd be a great pick late in the first round.

28. Denver Broncos: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

Assuming Peyton Manning returns, the Denver Broncos should add another offensive tackle. The Broncos don't need a radical overhaul in the offseason, just a quick patch to get back on track.

Ty Sambrailo is a bit undersized for the NFL in terms of weight (315 lbs), but he should be able to contribute to Denver from day one if that's where he ends up.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

If the Broncos could afford to be patient, Cedric Ogbuehi would be a great pick. Unfortunately for them, they don't have much time before their window for success closes.

The Indianapolis Colts, on the other hand, can wait for Ogbuehi to fully recover from his ACL surgery. He's a potential top-10 talent if he regains all of the athleticism and agility he had before the injury.

30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami

Drafting Denzel Perryman would allow Clay Matthews to move back outside, which benefits both him and the Green Bay Packers. Perryman isn't the most physically gifted inside linebacker, but he knows how to lead a defense. He's also adept at reading how a play is unfolding and getting in the right position to make something happen.

31. New England Patriots: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

Tom Brady isn't getting any younger. The New England Patriots should do whatever they can to capitalize on his waning career before it's too late.

Devin Funchess is the kind of hybrid wideout who could thrive in the Patriots offense. Plus, he's pretty much the finished product, so there won't need to be much of an adjustment period once he hits the NFL.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

In Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon, the Seattle Seahawks would have two attractive running back options if they're done with Marshawn Lynch. However, they already have two talented backs in tow—Christine Michael and Robert Turbin.

Wide receiver would be the better way to go.

Dorial Green-Beckham is one of the riskiest players in the draft. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller tried to put all of his off-field concerns into perspective:

The Seahawks seem well-positioned to take a chance on a player like DGB. They're already a winning team with a lot of veteran leadership. Those players can help to keep Green-Beckham in line.

Notes: Draft order and measurables are courtesy of NFL.com. Picks 31 and 32 are subject to change depending on the Super Bowl.