2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predicting Where Top Prospects Will Land in 1st Round

There is always a degree of uncertainty leading up the NFL draft since opinions differ on prospects so much from one person to the next, but the 2015 class seems even more polarizing than usual.

Several players in the draft appear to have true superstar potential; however, they could just as easily fall flat. With so many teams picking early in the first round desperately needing to knock their selections out of the park, there is plenty of pressure to make the right decision.

Although the stock of the top prospects is sure to fluctuate in the coming weeks and months, here is an early look at where they are most likely to land in the 2015 NFL draft.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Mariota has done it all during his time at Oregon, and while the current Tampa Bay offensive system doesn't necessarily fit his skill set, the Bucs figure to be willing to make some changes to accommodate a potentially great quarterback.

2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska

Gregory has the ability to be the most dangerous and explosive pass-rusher the Titans have had since Jevon Kearse. Since they're in a division with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck, he is worth the No. 2 pick.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

The Jaguars struggled mightily to run the ball in 2014, and while some of that was due to a lack of talent at the running back position, blocking was an issue as well. Scherff is a true mauler who can change that.

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Cooper showed everyone in 2014 he is comfortable with being the go-to guy in an offense. He was essentially the be-all and end-all in terms of pass-catchers at Alabama, and he would fill a similar role with the Raiders.

5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DL, USC

An improved defense could go a long way toward making life easier for quarterback Robert Griffin III and the Washington defense, and Williams is a potential cornerstone player who can instantly change the look of the defense.

6. New York Jets: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

It is tough to imagine a new regime sticking with Geno Smith as the Jets' quarterback, so look for the new general manager to put his stamp on the organization by bringing in his own signal-caller like Winston.

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

After ranking 30th in the NFL against the pass in 2014, there is no doubt the Chicago Bears must do something big on defense. If he is still available at No. 7, selecting Alabama safety Landon Collins could be just what the doctor ordered.

The Bears surrendered over 264 yards per game through the air this past season, and they gave up 34 passing touchdowns as well, which was the most in the league aside from the Redskins.

Collins has been the leader of a dominant Crimson Tide defense for the past few seasons, and he could potentially be a culture changer for the Bears due to his winning experience.

He is also the type of safety capable of doing anything from pass coverage to stopping the run, according to Bleacher Report's Matt Miller:

Some may consider the No. 7 pick to be a steep investment in a safety, but Collins' ability to move around and impact several different areas of the game makes him worth it.

Chicago has a long, storied history of defensive excellence, and while it may take some time to get back to that level, Collins would be a huge step in the right direction.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri

A great pass-rusher can go a long way toward making a poor defense more competitive. The Falcons have plenty of issues on that side of the ball, but Ray could be a huge help by getting to the quarterback.

9. New York Giants: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

Most have viewed Thompson as the best linebacker prospect in college football since the start of the season, and while he isn't perfect by any means, he is the type of playmaker the Giants need at a position of weakness.

10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

The Rams may already have a playoff-caliber defense due to their excellent defensive line. Their secondary leaves something to be desired, but a possible No. 1 cornerback like Waynes could make them more well-rounded.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Minnesota could use some more playmakers on offense to aid quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, but it is equally important to protect him. With that in mind, Peat is a safe and logical selection at No. 11.

12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

The Browns need to do everything possible to set up their next quarterback for success moving forward. That means adding a viable second option across from Josh Gordon, and there is no doubt Parker fits the bill.

13. New Orleans Saints: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

There is definite risk involved with taking Ekpre-Olomu since he is recovering from a torn ACL, but the Saints need a big-time cornerback who can lock down opposing receivers, and Ekpre-Olomu is precisely that when healthy.

14. Miami Dolphins: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

The Dolphins haven't had a true leader in the middle of their defense since Zach Thomas, and while nobody is necessarily expecting McKinney to have that type of impact right away, he most definitely has the skills to be on that level.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Danny Shelton, DL, Washington

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

At 6'2" and 339 pounds, Washington defensive lineman Danny Shelton could be a force for any team in the NFL. If he ends up with the San Francisco 49ers, however, he has a chance to reach an even higher level due to the talent around him.

The Niners went from one of the league's best defenses to having a very good defense in 2014, but that is largely due to the fact several key players were lost to injury. Their defense is bound to improve when they return, and a space eater like Shelton would make life even easier for them.

Linebackers Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman both missed large chunks of the 2014 campaign. They have thrived over the years in part because of the Niners defensive line's ability to take on blockers. That is something Shelton does better than almost anyone.

In addition to that, Shelton has a non-stop motor that makes him extremely difficult to play against, per Scott Bordow of AZCentral.com:

The 49ers could definitely use some more depth along the defensive line, and Shelton would provide that. He is a nose tackle by trade, but he is also athletic enough to move around.

Shelton is a true defensive weapon, and San Francisco's defensive system may be the perfect fit for him.

16. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

Hundley may very well prove to be nothing more than an NFL backup at best, but someone will take a chance on him. The Texans are a quarterback away from being a playoff team, and they are in a position to roll the dice.

17. San Diego Chargers: Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State

The Chargers ran through several centers due to injury in 2014, and Erving has established himself as a viable player at that position as of late. He can play tackle and guard too, though, which will give San Diego a ton of options.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

No team in the NFL needs to improve at wide receiver more than the Chiefs after going an entire season without having a wideout catch a touchdown. White knows how to find pay dirt, and he'll end Kansas City's drought.

19. Cleveland Browns (from Buffalo Bills): Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

Beasley may be one of the riskiest players in this draft due to his diminutive size at a physical position. Other smaller pass-rushers have excelled in the NFL as of late, though, so the Browns might be willing to gamble on him.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

The Eagles need to do something in order to cure the secondary problem that has plagued them for the past few seasons. They aren't drafting high enough to get an elite cornerback, but Williams could develop into that type of player.

21. Carolina Panthers: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

His on-field play has been inconsistent at times, but Ogbuehi is brimming with more potential than any other offensive tackle in this draft. Because of that, he's worth selecting at this juncture for a Panthers team that needs line help.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Teams have moved away from taking running backs in the first round lately, but Gordon is a special exception. He was among the most unstoppable forces in college football this past season, and Baltimore is hopeful that will carry over.

23. Cincinnati Bengals: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

Fowler is the type of player who could wind up in a wide range of different draft positions in the first round. The Bengals were the worst team in the league this season at sacking the quarterback, so he won't fall past them if he lasts this long.

24. Pittsburgh Steelers: Alex Carter, CB, Stanford

Pittsburgh reached the playoffs almost in spite of its defense this season, and the biggest issue was its secondary. The Steelers need an infusion of youth and skill, which is exactly what Carter would provide.

25. Detroit Lions: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

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The Lions must continue to build on a defense that has developed into one of the NFL's best. Their secondary still contains some question marks, but Peters may be the answer as a possible No. 1 cornerback.

26. Indianapolis Colts: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina

While nobody will necessarily celebrate if the Colts take a guard in the first round, Cann is the type of player who can help improve a pedestrian running game and protect Luck as well.

27. Arizona Cardinals: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky

Dupree is another prospect whose draft stock is difficult to pin down at this point, but his potential is through the roof. The Cards are hit-or-miss when it comes to sacking the quarterback, but Dupree can improve that consistency.

28. Dallas Cowboys: Shilique Calhoun, DE, Michigan State

The Cowboys have a championship-caliber offense, but the same can't be said for their defense. A lot of work needs to be done on that side of the ball, and taking a physically gifted defensive end like Calhoun is a great start.

29. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (Fla.)

The Green Bay Packers defense has long lived in the shadow of their explosive offense, but they have a chance to get much better in 2015 and beyond if they can find an answer at inside linebacker.

Green Bay has had some issues at that position this season, which has prompted it to move Clay Matthews from outside linebacker. That fix has worked to some degree, but it needs a more permanent answer such as Miami's Denzel Perryman.

While Perryman is a smallish player at 6'1" and 242 pounds, he is also compact, speedy and explosive. NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah is impressed with his ability to weave through the offense and make plays as well:

On top of that, Hurricanes head coach Al Golden has endorsed Perryman as a high-character player, per Roy Lang III of The Shreveport Times.

"He's a great kid," Golden said. "Obviously, comes from a tremendous family. I don't know if anybody that watches him play can understand the type of person is he off the field. He's a tremendous young man and he's meant a lot to us in the locker room and on the field."

Perryman is essentially the total package, and he is exactly what the Packers need in terms of a sideline-to-sideline guy who can make tackles. If he is available here, then the Pack must jump at the chance to draft him.

30. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

New England doesn't often invest high picks in wide receivers, but it may be wise to do so this year due to the depth at that position in this class. Also, quarterback Tom Brady isn't getting any younger, so getting an explosive weapon like Green-Beckham could help prolong his career.

31. Denver Broncos: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

The Broncos could very well be the most talented team in the NFL, but one spot at which they are pretty thin is defensive tackle. Goldman is one of the top tackles in this draft, and it may not take him long to start in Denver.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

Leon Halip/Getty Images

Versatility is something the Seahawks seem to value, and few offensive players are more versatile than Funchess. He can play either tight end or wide receiver, and he would give quarterback Russell Wilson a big option in the passing game.

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