NFL Draft 2015: Projections for Most Buzzworthy 1st-Round Prospects

With the 2015 NFL draft order set, the buzz for the top pick can begin. Oregon Ducks junior and Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota is expected to forgo his senior season to begin his NFL career. There hasn't been an official announcement, but it's hard to imagine he would be able to improve his draft stock with another year in school.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the first pick, and they need a quarterback. It would be a shock if they didn't make Mariota their selection. Kevin O'Donnell of WTVT Fox 13 in Tampa thinks the Bucs positioned themselves for Mariota by playing poorly in the team's 23-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints in the regular-season finale:

Mariota may not have the strongest arm, and he might not be from a traditional pro-style offense, but his intangibles are off the charts. Mariota's leadership qualities are what teams can only hope to find in a young signal-caller.

A former Miss America even marvels at Mariota's charisma:

His athleticism also makes him a legitimate dual threat. It's early, but Mariota reminds me of a bigger, more athletic Chad Pennington with a slightly stronger throwing arm. That might not sound like a ringing endorsement, but Mariota is better in all the areas that were considered weaknesses in Pennington's game.

What About Jameis?

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Were it not for character concerns, Florida State Seminoles quarterback and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston would probably be the No. 1 quarterback prospect.

Winston has the size, the arm and the leadership qualities, but scouts and general managers must have concerns about whether he can show discipline and maturity off the field.

His NFL combine interviews will be huge. Decision-makers will want Winston to convince them he'll make the right decisions in his personal life and won't become a headache or a target for the NFL Personal Conduct Policy. 

On football alone, Winston has some similarities to Ben Roethlisberger. He's a big, physical quarterback capable of keeping plays alive with his feet, though he isn't a sprinter.

Amari Cooper is the Safest Bet

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Of all the prospects in the draft, none looks like more of a sure thing than the Alabama Crimson Tide's Amari Cooper. Cooper's hands, route running and speed make him the best offensive weapon expected to be in the draft.

Cooper has the skills to be a star in his rookie season. As a junior, Cooper has 115 receptions for 1,656 yards and 14 touchdowns. If there's a comparison for him at this point, I'd say he's similar to former Cincinnati Bengals and New England Patriots receiver Chad Ochocinco, but Cooper is much faster.

If the Oakland Raiders get an opportunity to snag Cooper, they would be wise to pull the trigger.