NFL Draft 2015: Previewing the Best Match for Every Team's Biggest Need

It's that time, folks. The 2014 NFL regular season is done, and the playoffs are set. And so with that, it is time to churn out a postseason 2015 mock draft. Consider it my belated Christmas gift to you all.

This time around, let's look at best-case scenario picks for each team, including the Buffalo Bills. Yeah, we're going to look at where they would be picking in the round and give them a choice as well.

These picks are based on who the best impact player is on the board for each team based on the players that have already been taken. Many teams don’t follow this philosophy, opting for filling needs first and foremost, so some of these picks will not align with that way of thinking.

So, without any delay, here’s a spanking new mock draft. Be sure to comment below whom you want your favorite team to pick.

One note on the draft order: This order is based on win/loss record and narrowed down further by strength of schedule. Obviously, as the playoffs unfold, picks 21-32 will change.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

There is little doubt that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to upgrade their quarterback position in order to become competitive. There are some pieces in place on both sides of the football, which amount to nothing as long as the Bucs are hitching their wagons to substandard quarterback play.

The real question is which quarterback to pick. And the only two quarterbacks in this conversation are Oregon’s Marcus Mariota and Florida State’s Jameis Winston. While both quarterbacks possess immense talent, neither comes without some baggage.

Oh, not to mention they are about as different as two quarterbacks can be in terms of style of play.

So, what is the ideal situation for the Buccaneers? Considering how Tampa Bay is built on offense, having a player who can move around, extend the play and deliver the football is more important than anything else.

For that reason, Mariota is the pick here. It will be up to the Tampa staff to build an offense around his particular skill set rather than try to wedge him into the existing offense. If the Bucs don’t, I struggle to imagine Mariota being successful at the next level.

2. Tennessee Titans

The Pick: Vic Beasley, DE/LB, Clemson

In a straw poll of Tennessee Titans fans on Twitter, I’ve been shocked at how many of them are OK with going into the 2015 season without adding any pieces at quarterback. If Tennessee doesn’t go with a quarterback in the first round, the team can go in a couple of directions. If I were responsible for this team, quarterback would still be my pick, but I bow to the will of the masses.

So, removing quarterback from the equation, the team must turn its attention to a player who can rush the passer. The Titans are using a 3-4 base defense now, which means the pass-rushing responsibilities fall upon the outside linebacker. This is significant because if Tennessee was still running a base 4-3, the best-case scenario would be different.

Tennessee needs a player who can do a lot of things well, but when the game is on the line, this player has to explode off the snap either standing up or in a three-point stance and be nightmare fuel for an opposing quarterback.

And the player who will do that the best in this draft? Clemson defensive end/linebacker Vic Beasley.

While Beasley may lack some of the length of other top pass-rushers in this class, none of them has the anticipation and first step of Beasley. Opposite linebacker Derrick Morgan, Beasley would be difficult to double-team and could just wreak havoc in offensive backfields.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Pick: Randy Gregory, DE/LB, Nebraska

After securing their hope-to-be franchise quarterback in the last draft with Blake Bortles, the Jaguars can look to another position to improve in the first round this time around. Defensive end is the spot that really stands out to me on the depth chart.

According to Ourlads, the starting defensive ends for the Jaguars are 30-year-old Red Bryant and 33-year-old Chris Clemons. There is little to get excited about beyond them as well. So for this scenario, the Jaguars' best-case scenario is to add a long pass-rushing defensive end who can impact the game in multiple ways.

Nebraska’s Randy Gregory is a dominant edge player with incredible lateral agility and a nice bundle of pass-rush moves. He isn’t going to wow anyone with a blinding 40-yard dash time, but his short-area speed is tremendous, and his quickness off the snap is exceptional. Gregory would add an element on the edge that the Jaguars currently lack on the roster.

4. Oakland Raiders

The Pick: Leonard Williams, DL, USC

This scenario playing out for the Oakland Raiders would be troubling for them, to say the least. They clearly need to add a pass-rusher on the outside; however, with the two best options off the board in the first three picks, would it be a reach to take a player like Missouri’s Shane Ray? And is he even a good fit?

No, the best-case scenario for the Raiders is to sit tight and select the top player on the board.

However, which player would they assign the greatest value to at this point? It really comes down to two players. Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper would bring quarterback Derek Carr a versatile receiving threat he could count on to make big plays all over the field.

The other option is USC defensive lineman Leonard Williams. While he is no pass-rushing defensive end at 298 pounds, there is no more disruptive force in this draft. That’s why the best-case scenario this time around is to select Williams. He can line up at any spot on the defensive line and utilize his natural physical gifts to be successful.

Williams and Justin Ellis would form a powerful and disruptive tandem. Not to mention, on passing situations Williams could slide inside, where his ability to play a one-gap tackle would make him virtually unblockable.

5. Washington Redskins

The Pick: Shane Ray, DE/LB, Missouri

On one hand, the Washington Redskins need to be excited to be picking in the first round. They haven’t had a first-round pick since they selected quarterback Robert Griffin III in 2012. The Redskins have suffered for their draft-days moves and are deficient in talent at multiple positions. This means with the No. 5 pick, Washington must be smart to bring in a player who can have maximum impact early on.

The best-case scenario is to address a struggling defense. The Redskins have neglected to find a way to rush the opposing quarterback, and they must rectify this deficiency. Additionally, adding a dynamic defensive player will energize the roster and help everyone play better.

So for this exercise, Missouri defensive end/linebacker hybrid Shane Ray is the pick. He is another one of these undersized defensive ends who are tailor-made for a 3-4 base defense. He is an elite athlete with an explosive first step and closing speed. Ray is still a bit raw and doesn’t have a broad game, but he is coachable and has the kind of physical tools you simply cannot teach.

6. New York Jets

The Pick: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

With a regime change imminent with the New York Jets, you just have to assume that whoever comes in will want to put his stamp on the franchise quickly. And there is not any better way to win or lose early in a coach’s career in terms of reputation than by bringing in a new quarterback. The Jets had hoped Geno Smith would be the answer at quarterback; however, two seasons in and that experiment seems to have run its course.

So, with that, the best-case scenario for the Jets is to jump at the opportunity to once again get that franchise signal-caller. This time New York goes slightly more traditional with Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. Whereas Smith was a product of one of those funky spread college passing offenses, Winston comes from a pro-style system at Florida State.

What he brings to the party is an NFL-caliber arm, tremendous leadership abilities and a resume that is unparalleled in college football. That’s not to say his game is without mechanical flaws. His elongated throwing motion (from baseball) is an area he’ll need to improve in the NFL to throw into those tighter windows. And of course there is the cloud of off-field concerns. However, factoring all that in, Winston is a must-pick for a franchise in dire need of a jump-start.

7. Chicago Bears

The Pick: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

When you are picking this high, you must maximize value and balance that with need. For the Chicago Bears, a pass-rushing defensive end appears to be the greatest need. However, no matter how deep this edge class is, it could be viewed as a reach to take the fourth edge player this early in the round.

I would argue against it; the Bears would be better served to look in a different direction first and then take advantage of the depth of the pass-rushers in this draft class.

With that in mind, safety and middle linebacker are next up in terms of need. This narrows things down considerably for Chicago, as only one player at each spot warrants a first-round pick.

So, if you are Chicago, do you draft Alabama star safety Landon Collins or Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney?

As much as I love McKinney’s overall game, I go with Collins here for two reasons. First, finding a great safety is much harder than finding a talented middle linebacker. You see the league riddled with average safety play, and that counts for picks in every round. However, good linebackers can be found all over the draft.

Second, the drop-off in talent from Collins to the subsequent group of safeties is significant, while multiple middle linebacker prospects who will go on Day 2 could come in and start for Chicago.

Collins is a true center field free safety with tremendous range and adequate closing speed. He isn’t afraid to blitz or stuff the run and is athletic enough to run with tight ends and running backs. While not a perfect prospect, he has the fewest flaws of the top safeties in this group.

8. Atlanta Falcons

The Pick: Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky

Let me know if you’ve heard this one before: A team that struggled to win football games needs to upgrade an outside pass-rusher. The Atlanta Falcons are in a position not dissimilar to that of half the teams that have already selected in the first round. These teams all have a distinct need but require different types of players to fill it.

Atlanta is in a nice spot here, because the type of player it needs is exactly the type of player Kentucky defensive end Alvin “Bud” Dupree is. He is low-slung, with long arms and a thick build. His center of gravity affords him excellent balance, and his ability to get off at the snap is as good as any player in this draft.

His 6'4", 264-pound size also gives him a strong base to defend the run on the edge, and he has superb hand usage to keep offensive linemen at bay. Whereas some teams focus purely on the explosive edge skills, Atlanta needs a complete defensive end, and Dupree has the potential to be just that.

9. New York Giants

The Pick: Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State

A hallmark of the New York Giants defense has been the ability to introduce players who can excel in multiple roles. Unfortunately, the defense is going through some transition right now and has gotten away from some of the things that have historically worked for the team. In this draft, the Giants have a great opportunity to get back to that with this first-round pick.

The best-case scenario for the Giants at this point in the round, considering who is on the board, is Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney. He is the Swiss Army knife of this draft, and that’s just what the Giants need. He has a complete set of skills that would enable him to play any linebacker spot in that 4-3 defense.

At 6’5” and 245 pounds, McKinney has the length to defend against tight ends in coverage but still has the speed to chase and tackle. He is among my favorite players in this draft because he is so instinctive and almost never takes a bad angle or winds up out of position to make a play.

10. St. Louis Rams

The Pick: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

In a perfect world, one of the top quarterbacks somehow takes a tumble, and the St. Louis Rams would be waiting to snatch him up. It is time for the Rams to cut ties with former top pick Sam Bradford and accept that the future belongs to a different signal-caller. Unfortunately, in this scenario both Mariota and Winston are long gone, and the gap to the next quarterback is wide.

So, the best-case scenario for the Rams is to draft one of those second-tier quarterbacks on Day 2 and instead use this pick to improve an underachieving defense. For as great as their defense line is, the secondary continues to struggle. For that reason, the Rams opt for a big upgrade at cornerback with Trae Waynes.

Waynes leads a deep, albeit not elite, cornerback class, primarily on the strength of his size as well as natural man-coverage skills. He doesn’t shy away from contact and is a surprisingly smooth athlete for a player his size (6’1”, 182 pounds).

The Rams need a playmaker in the secondary who can create turnovers and flip the field for the offense. In this group, Waynes is the best of the bunch.

11. Minnesota Vikings

The Pick: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

If we were basing this solely on need, it would be a dead heat between offensive tackle and running back for the Minnesota Vikings. When you have a rising star at quarterback like Teddy Bridgewater, you must do everything in your power to surround him with good players.

Before I get to the best-case scenario for the Vikings, I must add this caveat. If Georgia running back Todd Gurley hadn’t injured his knee during the season, he would be the selection here. However, that, coupled with the depth of this class, gives the Vikings more freedom with this choice.

They need to consider the future at left tackle. Matt Kalil has struggled a great deal this year but could be elite if he kicked inside to guard. This would give the Vikings the opportunity to snatch up Stanford tackle Andrus Peat. In a tackle class full of questions about true position and measurables, Peat has it all. He’s a mauling run-blocker with violent hands and impressive lower-body strength.

Peat is still emerging as a pass protector, but part of that is due to his ability to win with raw athletic ability and unrefined technique. This is very much like how Tennessee Titans tackle Taylor Lewan looked coming out, and he was the best rookie tackle in 2014.

12. Cleveland Browns

The Pick: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

When the actual draft rolls around, the Cleveland Browns will have a second first-round pick, which will impact how they handle this selection. However, for this exercise, they concentrate on a single pick based on which player can give them the greatest return on investment straight out of the gate.

The Browns' 2014 rookie class of first-round picks failed to live up to the hype, so this pick is vital to right the ship, so to speak.

With all the problems the Browns have had with wide receiver Josh Gordon, the best move is to try and upgrade the position to a point that the Browns can move forward if he never gets his life together.

For that reason, the Browns are excited to have the opportunity to get Alabama wide receiver Amari Cooper at this point in the first round. Regardless of who is under center for Cleveland next season, he will be in need of a big-play target in the passing game.

Cooper would really round out that group because he has the ability to impact the game in multiple ways. He runs great routes, can work on all levels of the field and has strong, active hands.

13. New Orleans Saints

The Pick: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

It looks as though the prevailing need for the New Orleans Saints is a pass-rushing outside linebacker. I don’t deny this need at all. If the Saints choose to take this pick and draft a player like Florida’s Dante Fowler Jr., it would be hard to argue against it.

However, their situation is interesting. Part of their draft strategy has to be to find a way to bring in an impact player who could help them with their pending salary-cap hell.

That’s why for this exercise, the best-case scenario is to get a player who can not only start and play at a high level but ease the blow of losing a potential starter to save money. That’s why I am going with Iowa offensive tackle Brandon Scherff.

Scherff is the epitome of a blue-collar football player. He is mean, nasty and physical. He looks to punish the defender on every snap and never lets up. There are some concerns about Scherff’s length, which is a part of why he falls this far. But if the Saints wanted to kick him in at guard, he could dominate.

14. Miami Dolphins

The Pick: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

At this point in the round, the best-case scenario for the Miami Dolphins could be to trade back. Their greatest positions of need are cornerback and linebacker, but it is hard to look at the available talent and think that they would be a good value at pick No. 14. However, plenty of players can still come in and have an impact from the opening weekend.

If Miami could be assured that Washington cornerback Marcus Peters has put any off-field issues behind him, this pick would look like incredible value. However, his skills are good enough that Miami rolls the dice here.

Peters is the most technically sound cornerback in this class, has NFL-caliber size (6'0", 198 lbs) and can really run. He is a notch below former Washington cornerback Desmond Trufant, but his ability to defend the run and tackle help balance that out.

15. San Francisco 49ers

The Pick: Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota

We don’t know whom the San Francisco 49ers new head coach will be, but he will be inheriting a talented football team. The defense has some real stars, as well as some young talent with tremendous upside. On offense, things are solid but not spectacular. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick is inconsistent, and the offensive system doesn’t always feel like it suits his skills.

So, what is the best-case scenario for the 49ers here? Adding a weapon to the mix for Kaepernick. Conventional wisdom might say a wide receiver, but I’m going a different direction.

Tight end Vernon Davis is 30 years old and entering the final year of his contract. That means a pick like Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams would bridge that gap and provide Kaepernick a reliable and explosive target in the passing game.

Williams was only able to scratch the surface of his skills on the run-heavy Minnesota offense. In the right system, he could use his length and reliable hands to control the middle of the field. With the wide receivers that San Francisco has on the perimeter, an athlete like Williams could do some real damage between the hashes. He uses his big body to shield off defenders and is adept at making the contested catch.

16. Houston Texans

The Pick: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Ah, the Houston Texans. Another talented team in search of a quarterback. And a quarterback class that isn’t really in the giving mood. So, while this is a best-case scenario mock draft, the Texans are going to have to settle for their second best-case scenario. That’s not to say Houston won’t draft a quarterback, because I’m sure they will at some point in the draft.

Nevertheless, in the first round, Houston can start adding weapons to give whoever is under center a fighting chance in 2015. So, that means the Texans look to the wide receivers to give aging star Andre Johnson and future star DeAndre Hopkins a running mate.

After Cooper, there is no consensus as to which wide receiver is the next best. Much of that relates to scheme fit and the systems these teams run. For what Houston expects out of its wide receivers, it is difficult to pass up West Virginia wide receiver Kevin White here.

Whereas Hopkins is the shifty, separation-type of wide receiver, White is much more physical. A criticism of White’s game is his lack of deep speed and ability to separate from coverage; however, on the other side of that coin is White’s ability to overpower defenders and make the contested catch. Those traits make him tempting here.

17. San Diego Chargers

The Pick: Ronnie Stanley, OT, Notre Dame

The San Diego Chargers are another team that struggled in large part because their offensive line underperformed. Yes, injuries were a big part of that, but getting a cohesive group together would make a significant contribution toward improving this team.

The spot that could use the most work is at guard. So, do the Chargers draft a guard, even the top guard with the No. 17 pick? Probably not. Instead, they draft a top tackle like Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley, and now they have a starting tackle or guard for the next decade.

San Diego could then consider its options. Perhaps the Bolts kick tackle D.J. Fluker inside and play Stanley at tackle. Fluker is a mauler who might work better in a smaller space. Or instead they might use Stanley’s athleticism on the inside as a top-tier pulling guard. Either way, Stanley will make this line better.

18. Kansas City Chiefs

The Pick: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Would it be cliche to give the Kansas City Chiefs a wide receiver in the first round? When you consider how long it’s been since a wide receiver caught a touchdown pass, it almost seems too obvious. However, other than offensive tackle, there is probably no greater position of need on this team.

So, what is the best-case scenario? It comes down to Texas A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi or Louisville wide receiver DeVante Parker. This time around, Kansas City avoids the first-round tackle and gets a legit weapon for quarterback Alex Smith.

Parker’s game is complete. He has ideal NFL size (6’3”, 209 pounds) and tremendous length. He does a great job of snatching the football out of the sky and is strong enough to battle and win at the point of attack. While he lacks elite top-end speed, he is deceptively quick and can get up to full speed quickly, making him quite dangerous after the catch.

19. Buffalo Bills

The Pick: Bretty Hundley, QB, UCLA

Could it really be that the Bills' best-case scenario, if they had a first-round pick, would be to draft another first-round quarterback? Looking over the roster, it is difficult to see a lot of flaws anywhere else. Yes, the Bills need a guard, but you don’t draft one here. And yes, they could use a middle linebacker, but none here have a first-round grade.

Obviously, the Buffalo Bills won’t have a first-round pick, short of a trade back into the round. The Bills traded this pick away in order to draft wide receiver Sammy Watkins. And while he is great, no team is one wide receiver away from being a contender.

Instead, Buffalo does go back to the well and drafts UCLA quarterback Brett Hundley. He is as physically gifted as any quarterback in this draft but has some significant flaws (some coachable).

Hundley must play with more confidence and urgency if he wants to succeed in the NFL. The windows he’ll throw into are going to shrink, and that means his processing must accelerate. If he can accomplish that, his ceiling would be high with this group of skill players.

20. Philadelphia Eagles

The Pick: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

Last season, I thought the selection of edge-rusher Marcus Smith in lieu of a cornerback was odd. And all season long, while Smith didn’t play, I wondered if the Philadelphia Eagles regretted passing on a cornerback. I don’t see any way they do that two seasons in a row.

At the end of the first round, positions like cornerback get a little murky. Finding the right cornerback for a system is so vital; guys will jump ahead of other prospects who might be more talented in many areas. That’s what is happening here with the choice of Florida State cornerback P.J. Williams. His ability to press in man coverage is his greatest strength.

Yes, Williams is going to give up the occasional deep pass, but his impact on the timing and comfort level of the opposing passing game makes it all worth it. I expect him to have a great offseason and really start working his way back up draft boards.

21. Carolina Panthers

The Pick: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida

Sometimes, a player is just too good to pass up. Yes, the Carolina Panthers need a guard. And yes, they could certainly do well to draft a wide receiver to go with the massive Kelvin Benjamin. Nevertheless, in this case, adding a pass-rusher is a need, and the best player on the board is one of the best in the draft.

Florida’s Dante Fowler Jr. is a stout edge player. Whereas some of the guys in this draft get by with that first step and quickness, Fowler adds the element of functional strength. At 261 pounds, he can really set the edge against the run. This makes him an ideal candidate for the 4-3 defense in Carolina opposite defensive end Charles Johnson.

On passing downs, Fowler uses a nice mix of pass-rush moves and great hand usage to beat offensive lineman, and he shows good closing speed on the field.

22. Baltimore Ravens

The Pick: Devon Funchess, WR, Michigan

The Baltimore Ravens are one of several teams in the back half of the first round that are going to be targeting cornerbacks. So, although this class isn’t great, I can definitely see numerous cornerbacks going a little earlier than they should.

Nevertheless, this is a best-case scenario mock draft, so this pick is not going to be another cornerback. Instead, the Ravens look to a more talented group and still meet a need by drafting a wide receiver. Steve Smith can’t play forever, and beyond him things are pretty average. With the money invested in quarterback Joe Flacco, getting him more weapons couldn’t hurt.

And the pick here is Michigan's Devin Funchess. He started his career as a tight end but transitioned to wide receiver full time in 2014. The results were pleasing considering Michigan's problems at quarterback.

At 6'5", 230 pounds, Funchess is a massive target with incredible body control and sneaky athleticism. This might seem early for him, but when his offseason workout numbers start pouring in, getting him at No. 22 might seem like a bargain.

23. Cincinnati Bengals

The Pick: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

A huge area of concern for the Cincinnati Bengals has been their inability to rush the passer. This might appear to be a problem indicative of a lack of pass rush from the outside, but if they could add a penetrating defensive tackle—sort of like what the St. Louis Rams did last season with Aaron Donald—it would make the job of those ends easier.

And that’s what they do here. Florida State defensive tackle Eddie Goldman is a real dancing bear. The 320-pound defensive tackle is about as nimble as a man his size can be. He has a quick first step and is very good playing as a one-gap tackle, where he can use his hands to disrupt offensive linemen.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pick: Gerod Holliman, S, Louisville

The Pittsburgh Steelers are in a tough spot this late in the first round. Their principal needs are pass-rushing outside linebacker and cornerback. However, the cupboards are bare. The team has additional needs, so the best-case scenario here is to focus on a secondary position of need and hope to come back around and address those primary needs later on.

What needs are we talking about? Nose tackle and free safety come to mind. Defensive tackle Steve McLendon continues to struggle, and the safety situation is shaky. However, for this exercise, getting a true center fielder at free safety takes precedence over an upgrade at nose tackle, so the pick is Louisville’s star safety Gerod Holliman.

Holliman can be that athletic single-high safety the Steelers have been lacking for years, which would allow safety Mike Mitchell to slide up into his more natural strong safety role once Troy Polamalu decides to step away from the game.

25. Detroit Lions

The Pick: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

It seems that this group of offensive tackles is as talented and diverse as any in recent memory. Many of them are skilled at specific parts of the game and have weaknesses in other areas. For this reason, the narrative about many of them center on kicking these tackles inside at guard to maximize their strengths and minimize their flaws.

The Detroit Lions need help along their offensive line, in particular the interior. However, rather than just draft a guard here, they opt for a safer and potentially more beneficial pick of Miami offensive tackle Ereck Flowers. Drafting him would allow the Lions to move current left tackle Riley Reiff inside and create a strong left side.

All you need to know about Flowers is he is a much better technical player than former Miami tackle Seantrel Henderson. Whereas Henderson had to turn it on once he got to the Buffalo Bills, Flowers has a complete game already. He moves much better than most tackles who weigh 324 pounds do, but he is still a crushing run-blocker.

26. Indianapolis Colts

The Pick: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

It is hard to imagine that even with their concerns at safety and offensive line, the Indianapolis Colts would pass on a potentially transcendent player at any position. For all the success quarterback Andrew Luck has had, he has had to work without a viable rushing attack for far too long.

So, this time around, the Colts take the approach of drafting a running back early and select Georgia’s Todd Gurley. Although he is still recovering from a torn ACL, there’s no reason to believe that with current medical technology he won’t be back and better than ever for the 2015 season.

Gurley offers the most complete mix of speed, power and agility since Adrian Peterson came into the NFL. Gurley’s vision is excellent, and for a back weighing 231 pounds, he can make cuts in the open field that no man his size should. However, he much prefers to initiate contact rather than avoid it—something he’ll need to be wary of at the next level.

27. Arizona Cardinals

The Pick: Nate Orchard, DE/LB, Utah

You would imagine that the best focus of this pick is on the offense. However, unless another first-round quarterback suddenly crashes the scene, there isn’t any reason to reach for a new signal-caller. Instead, Arizona needs to find a new piece on defense to help put a good defense over the top.

The best spot to add a player who can crack the starting lineup and help this team is at outside linebacker. For all the disruption this defense causes, you don’t hear the outside linebackers’ names called nearly enough.

Adding Utah edge-rusher Nate Orchard would give the Cardinals a productive player with a dynamic set of skills. He has a solid package of pass-rush moves and shows a nice burst off the edge.

28. Dallas Cowboys

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

The Pick: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

As we get deeper into this first round, the best-case scenario picks for these teams seems to get more obvious. That’s due in no small part to the dwindling number of top-flight prospects, but also because the scheme fit is so important for success.

For the Dallas Cowboys, that means finding a cornerback who is big and physical and doesn’t shy away from being stuck out on an island against top competition. These characteristics describe LSU cornerback Jalen Collins to a tee. He has a ton of experience in the toughest conference in college football, and that carries a lot of weight in terms of being battle-tested.

At 6'2", 198 pounds, Collins is a smooth athlete with impressive play recognition and ball skills. He’s long and shows good recovery speed. Look for him to continue to ascend with strong offseason workouts.

29. Green Bay Packers

The Pick: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

I know that at first glance you see a player like Washington’s Danny Shelton and assume that at 6’2” and 339 pounds, he’s a pure run-stuffing nose tackle. However, his athleticism extends well beyond that, and I can see him playing any spot in a 3-4 defensive front, as well as either interior spot in a base 4-3.

The Green Bay Packers need to strengthen their defensive line, and at this point in the round, no player can do it better than Shelton. Defensive tackle B.J. Raji is not a guarantee to return, and so if nothing else, Shelton offers insurance for the starting nose tackle spot. However, with his ability to rush the passer from the inside, Green Bay could do a lot of things with him.

30. Denver Broncos

The Pick: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington

When the Denver Broncos go on the clock, they have a rather easy pick to make. This team is deficient at inside and outside linebacker in terms of talent, and one of the best linebackers in the draft has found his way to the end of the first round. If we are going to look at how things could work out best for Denver, it is hard to think the team could get better talent at this point than Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson.

All you have to do to understand the scope of Thompson’s athleticism is to realize that while he is one of the best linebacker prospects in this draft, he is also a talented running back. This willingness to do whatever it takes for his team to win is another big plus for Thompson and his NFL future.

He is a bit undersized at 6'1", 228 pounds, but he has sideline-to-sideline speed and brings hits like a missile. His potential is so great that Denver could start him on the inside and transition him to the outside as a full-time pass-rusher with coverage skills.

31. Seattle Seahawks

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

The Pick: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma

Fortunately for the Seattle Seahawks, they typically don’t have any glaring needs to address in the first round. This means they can roll the dice on high-upside players who carry some risk. In this case, that is precisely what they are doing.

While defensive tackles Kevin Williams and Tony McDaniel are nice players, Williams will be 35 years old at the start of the 2015 season. This means the Seahawks can upgrade the interior defensive line with a player who is an awful lot like Williams was in his prime. Oklahoma’s Jordan Phillips is incredibly quick and athletic for such a massive human being.

At 6'6", 334 pounds, Phillips can play either interior spot on that Seattle defensive line and is agile enough to move outside to that left defensive end spot, where his size and power would pose a matchup nightmare for a tackle or even a tight end.

32. New England Patriots

The Pick: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

For as great as the New England Patriots have drafted, one position they keep striking out on is wide receiver. Part of the problem is New England never feels any sense of responsibility to utilize a first-round pick on one. In fact, the last first-round wide receiver for the Patriots was Terry Glenn way back in 1996, and that worked out pretty well.

This time around, New England goes after Auburn speedster Sammie Coates. While there are probably some safer wide receiver choices at this point, the Patriots haven’t had a wide receiver who can take the top off a secondary since Randy Moss was on the team.

Coates' ability to pull defenders down the field with him will open things up underneath for guys like tight end Rob Gronkowski. And when defenses choose to cover Coates one-on-one, he’ll utilize that speed and quickness to get separation and make them pay.

All player data courtesy of the college football section of Sports-Reference.com.