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

Now that the NFL playoff picture has largely been filled, several teams enter Week 17 with nothing other than draft seeding on the line. 

As fans of the New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Oakland Raiders learned the hard way, football teams aren't in the tanking industry. As a result, at 3-12, not one of those teams is currently in position to pick No. 1 overall, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans sparring for the first selection.

The final order will ultimately decipher which top prospects go where, but the end is near enough to get a solid grasp of how the draft can open in May.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

If the Buccaneers loses to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, they'll get first dibs at Marcus Mariota.

Following his sensational junior season, he's the clear favorite to initiate the draft. Oregon's star quarterback compiled 53 total touchdowns while surrendering just two interceptions, making him the easy Heisman Trophy winner.

While his speed took him to another level in college, Mariota also averaged a stellar 10.2 yards per pass attempt last season. He told TheMMQB.com's Peter King that he is confident he can make the transition into a successful pocket passer at the pro level.

"I tend to believe I look to throw first," he said. "Not saying those guys [Colin Kaepernick, Robert Griffin III] are the opposite, but that’s just who I am. I try to execute whatever the game plan is."

Taking the best quarterback prospect since Andrew Luck is an easy choice for Tampa Bay, who currently possess the NFL's second-worst offense behind Oakland.

Compared to the alternatives, pairing up with Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson represents the best possible scenario for the incoming pro as well.

Prediction: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Usurped by Mariota as the Heisman champion, Jameis Winston now resides as this draft class' consolation prize under center.

During a letdown sophomore campaign, the Florida State passer threw 24 touchdowns while surrendering 17 picks—a far cry from his freshman year's 4-1 ratio. However, in terms of his on-field capabilities, many teams will still view him as a potential franchise fixture who makes plays when it matters most.

Even in a maddening season, Winston constantly turned up the engines as the game progressed, leading Florida State to an undefeated record despite often playing from behind.

ESPN CollegeFootball highlighted his second-half prowess.

How many teams will take a stand and pass on the 20-year-old for non-football reasons? Wouldn't any other employer balk at hiring someone with similar issues? 

A team or two may pass, but it only takes one to buck the trend. The New York Jets rank last in passing yards and yards per attempt, eliminating Geno Smith as a long-term solution. Hungry for wins and even more desperate for headlines, the Jets and Winston are a match made in tabloid heaven. 

Prediction: New York Jets

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The incoming batch of wide receivers have a lot to live up to.

Evans, Odell Beckham Jr., Sammy Watkins, Kelvin Benjamin, Jordan Matthews and Brandin Cooks headlined a historic group of first-year wideouts in 2014. The upcoming draft class can't touch that loaded field, but Amari Cooper is talented enough to reign supreme among them all.

Alabama's star junior reeled in an SEC-record 115 catches for 1,656 receiving yards, recording 224 yards and three touchdowns against Auburn on Nov. 29.

Stealing the show in a traditionally run-heavy Crimson Tide offense, Cooper now looks to be the undisputed first wideout off the board.

The Jets need a receiver just as bad as a quarterback, but passers usually top a lagging offense's to-do list. The Jaguars and Titans have more pressing needs across the board, so neither represents an ideal fit.

Enter Oakland, who just drafted Derek Carr last year while snatching linebacker Khalil Mack to anchor the defense. A strong route-runner with breakaway speed, Cooper is the next logical piece to the Raiders' revival.

Prediction: Oakland Raiders