NFL Mock Draft 2015: Projections Based on Buzz Surrounding 1st-Round Prospects

It's been a wild offseason so far, and the outlook for the 2015 NFL draft has shifted tremendously as a result.

Things kicked off with top-tier veterans like Ndamukong Suh, Julius Thomas and DeMarco Murray signing lucrative contracts with new teams. We also saw a couple of blockbuster trades go down, as Jimmy Graham was sent to the Seattle Seahawks and the St. Louis Rams and Philadelphia Eagles exchanged quarterbacks Sam Bradford and Nick Foles. On top of all that, Patrick Willis and others announced their early retirements.

That's only half of the story.

While the league was in flux with a bevy of player movement, draft prospects took the field at Lucas Oil Stadium for the scouting combine in an effort to improve their draft stocks in the eyes of attending NFL personnel. Some players came out ahead—others didn't. That was followed up by a slew of pro days, which are just now beginning to wind down.

With all of the aforementioned activities finally slowing down, we can begin to gather updated information on team needs and project prospects for all 32 of the draft's first-round selections. Here's a glance at how it could potentially shake out.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
4	Oakland Raiders	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5	Washington Redskins	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
6	New York Jets	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7	Chicago Bears	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8	Atlanta Falcons	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
9	New York Giants	Brandon Scherff, OG, Iowa
10	St. Louis Rams	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
11	Minnesota Vikings	Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
12	Cleveland Browns	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13	New Orleans Saints	Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
14	Miami Dolphins	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
15	San Francisco 49ers	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
16	Houston Texans	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
17	San Diego Chargers	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
23	Detroit Lions	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Miss St
25	Carolina Panthers	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
26	Baltimore Ravens	Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
27	Dallas Cowboys	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
28	Denver Broncos	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
29	Indianapolis Colts	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
30	Green Bay Packers	Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
31	New Orleans Saints (via Seattle)	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
32	New England Patriots	Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

Analyzing Selections Based on Recent Buzz

As the draft approaches, the rumor mill begins to spin at a rapid pace. At this time of year, information regarding a team's draft strategy or interest in a particular prospect is often leaked by inside sources. The hard part is deciphering what is real and what is simply a smokescreen.

While we keep an eye out for any new developments, here's a look at some selections based on news that has recently surfaced across the Web.

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

Recently, Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan alluded to selecting a quarterback at No. 5 overall if he is "the best available player," according to Mike Jones of The Washington Post. Well, with a team that needs a pass-rusher in the worst possible way, look for Clemson's Vic Beasley to top the team's draft board. That allows Marcus Mariota to slide to the quarterback-needy Jets at No. 6.

12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

NFL Media's expert draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah recently told Bryan Fischer of NFL.com there is a "50-50" chance of DeVante Parker sliding to No. 12 overall. Due to the varying needs of teams ahead of Cleveland in this year's draft, the possibility of the Louisville pass-catcher wearing a Browns jersey in 2015 seems very plausible. A raw but highly talented player, Parker will bolster that offense immediately.

13. New Orleans Saints: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Following a couple of positive tests while at Nebraska, edge-rusher Randy Gregory tested hot for marijuana at the scouting combine, according to Kimberly Jones of NFL.com. Previously seen as a top-five pick, this will surely hurt the defender's stock. The Saints need a pass-rusher badly, and if they feel Gregory's issues lie behind him, selecting the talented prospect at No. 13 overall could be the steal of the draft.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

After losing Jeremy Maclin to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency, the Eagles have a big hole to fill at wide receiver opposite Jordan Matthews. Well, Jaelen Strong alluded to spending some time at the team's facilities recently with a picture on his Instagram account. A native of Philly, playing with the Eagles would not only fill a team need, but it will also be a homecoming for this talented receiver.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

With Murray departed to Philadelphia, the Cowboys brought in Darren McFadden to fill the void. Considering the ball-carrier's history, that's a risky move. Perhaps owner Jerry Jones thinks so as well, as he recently spoke about the possibility of drafting a running back, via DallasCowboys.com. Melvin Gordon is an NFL-ready player who can make an immediate impact in Dallas. If he's there at No. 27 overall, he may be too tough to pass up.