2015 NFL Mock Draft: Top Prospects and 1st-Round Projections Before NFL Playoffs

Some of the biggest bowls have already come and gone, and the national championship game is now set. In the midst of the massive matchups taking place, several prospects have either helped or hurt their stock in the 2015 NFL draft.

One of the players who improved his standing in the draft was Marcus Mariota. The Oregon quarterback crushed Florida State, in turn making Jameis Winston's stock take a hit. FSU's signal-caller had a baffling night, but he still has plenty of time to prove his worth during the draft process.

Below is a look at the latest mock draft prior to the start of the NFL playoffs.

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

Leading up to the College Football Playoff, it appeared there was no way Mariota could impress scouts even more. He might have thrown his third interception of the season—which is just blasphemous—but he still finished with three total touchdowns in the rout.

While watching Mariota's latest brilliant performance, Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated points out there should be no questions about his play:

Needless to say, Mariota has more than earned the right to be listed as the No. 1 quarterback prospect. Sitting in the No. 1 spot of the draft are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who have a glaring hole at the position.

2. Tennessee Titans: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

His showing on the big stage this year wasn't exactly similar to last season. Most will immediately knock Winston down a peg due to his Rose Bowl performance, but he is still the No. 2 signal-caller in the class.

Jonathan Jones of The Charlotte Observer offered his take on the downtrodden quarterback:

Regardless of how his final game went, the Tennessee Titans are still desperate for a leader on offense. Zach Mettenberger might have been decent this past year, but Winston still has a chance to be a special quarterback at the next level.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, Southern California

Outside of the two quarterbacks, Leonard Williams has proved he's by far the best player left on the board. In desperate need of adding talent to the defensive line, the Jacksonville Jaguars will scoop up Williams to finally make a run in the AFC South.

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

One of the biggest weapons in college football this season, Amari Cooper will soon be just as explosive in the NFL. The Oakland Raiders have their quarterback of the future in Derek Carr. Equipping him with a weapon like Cooper will immediately give the Raiders two massive building blocks for the future.

5. Washington Redskins: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Watching the Washington Redskins over the past few seasons hasn't exactly been a sight for sore eyes. Andrus Peat isn't a sexy pick, but it's a necessary move to improve the protection for Washington's quarterback next season—whoever that may be.

6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Randy Gregory has lived up to the hype this season and will bring some nastiness to the New York Jets. The future for the Jets is still up in the air at the top, but Gregory gives the defense a building block for the franchise.

7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

Lacking an identity on defense in 2014, the Chicago Bears fell into the doldrums of the NFC North. Luckily, a pass-rusher like Shane Ray falling into their laps would give the Bears a great defensive player to build around.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

Last season, Vic Beasley decided to return to Clemson to finish out his college career. A potential first-round pick in the 2014 draft, Beasley has improved his stock and now looks like a first-round lock.

The biggest need for the Atlanta Falcons after missing the playoffs for a second straight season is a game-changing defensive player. Beasley brings that exact ingredient for a franchise that already has the offensive weapons to compete.

9. New York Giants: Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida

Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

On the heels of a sensational season for Florida, Dante Fowler will head to the 2015 NFL draft. Even with his fate already decided, the versatile pass-rusher has decided he will suit up and look to make a statement in the Birmingham Bowl.

Fowler spoke about the decision and possibility of injury against ECU, via Josh Bean of AL.com:

"

I'm going out with a bang, with my team and my teammates. ...

At the end of the day you're not thinking about [injury] when you're on the field. You're out there playing. You're not thinking about getting hurt. Whatever happens, happens. This is my decision to play, and I'm going to go out there and play for my team and my brothers.

"

He might not be facing a superstar in Shane Carden, but the Pirates quarterback still has a future in the NFL as well. If the New York Giants like what they see, the Gators player might wind up being a top-10 pick to a team that desperately needs his ability.

10. St. Louis Rams: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

Aaron Donald was a perfect pick for the St. Louis Rams last season. Now, the franchise has a need on the other line and would be best suited filling that spot with Cedric Ogbuehi, a proven offensive lineman. He has done some shifting this season but still has the talent to excel at the NFL level.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

One of the biggest gems of the 2014 draft came with the final selection, as Teddy Bridgewater has taken over for the Minnesota Vikings with authority. Now, Minnesota will look to protect its newest asset with Brandon Scherff, one of the most impressive offensive linemen on the board.

12. Cleveland Browns: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

A physical mismatch for nearly any team, Shaq Thompson put that on display during the Cactus Bowl. Having enough talent to play on both sides of the ball, along with getting drafted by the Boston Red Sox, Thompson would shine for a Cleveland Browns team that needs to get this pick right.

13. New Orleans Saints: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Cornerbacks at the college level don't always translate over to the NFL. When they come from Michigan State, however, they tend to become stars. Last season, it was Darqueze Dennard who got selected by the Cincinnati Bengals. The New Orleans Saints, who are in need of help in the secondary, will make it two in a row for Sparty by taking Trae Waynes.

14. Miami Dolphins: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Going out with a bang just seemed like a fitting end for Melvin Gordon, who rushed for 251 yards and three touchdowns in Wisconsin's Outback Bowl win. It was his sixth game of the season with over 200 yards and eighth multitouchdown performance.

In need of a game-changer on the offensive side of the ball, the Miami Dolphins will think very seriously about Gordon. Running backs have often been devalued over the last several years, but Gordon is a special one who can break the mold.

15. San Francisco 49ers: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

No team is more desperate for playmakers in the wide receiving corps than the San Francisco 49ers. Michael Crabtree didn't show up at all in some games this season. Anquan Boldin is a veteran, but he is in the twilight of his career. DeVante Parker would invigorate youth and talent into the 49ers.

16. Houston Texans: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

Over the years, the Houston Texans have developed an identity as a hard-hitting team with the ability to win games solely based on their defense. Landon Collins did exactly that during his tenure with Alabama. Let's just say this is a perfect fit if Collins slides outside of the top 15.

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

The 2014 class of wide receivers was a special one, but 2015 is shaping up to be nearly as phenomenal. Kevin White in any other year would likely be the top-10 pick rather than Cooper or even higher if DeVante Parker isn't on the board.

However, plays like these will just have to be made for the Kansas City Chiefs, via College GameDay:

Odell Beckham Jr. was the third receiver taken last year, with Sammy Watkins and Mike Evans going before him. This isn't to say that White will be OBJ at the next level, but Chiefs fans certainly need some dynamic play out of their receivers.

18. San Diego Chargers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

The aforementioned Thompson was typically viewed as the superstar for Washington, but Danny Shelton's talent was too good to overlook. Coming off a great season as an inside lineman, Shelton would be a difference-maker for the San Diego Chargers in a difficult AFC West.

19. Cleveland Browns (via BUF): Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Remember all that talk about there being another entertaining receiving crop this year? Well, Jaelen Strong is yet another first-round pick who can only improve in the NFL. His career was capped with another 100-yard game against Duke, something the Cleveland Browns could get used to seeing.

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

The Rose Bowl ended with a thud for P.J. Williams and the Florida State defense, with a 59-20 loss to Oregon. If you can't beat 'em, join 'em. That's exactly what Williams would do if selected by the Philadelphia Eagles, joining former Oregon coach Chip Kelly.

21. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

One of the beneficiaries of that strong 2014 receiving class, the Carolina Panthers already have two young offensive weapons with Cam Newton and Kelvin Benjamin. Now, they just need to protect their biggest assets with La'el Collins, a special offensive tackle capable of blocking for Newton for years to come.

22. Baltimore Ravens: Shilique Calhoun, DE/OLB, Michigan State

After falling short of clinching a division title, the Baltimore Ravens will be looking to boost the defense yet again. Shilique Calhoun brings both athleticism and a relentless rushing ability, making him the perfect addition in a loaded AFC North.

23. Pittsburgh Steelers: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

For a while now, NFL scouts have known just how talented Jalen Collins will be at the next level. Making the decision to forgo his final season, Collins announced the decision on Instagram:

Though he might not be the most polished corner heading into the draft, Collins has a chance to prove himself during the NFL Scouting Combine and other workouts. For a Pittsburgh Steelers team that needs to invigorate its defense with youth, look for Collins to make a difference in the AFC North.

24. Indianapolis Colts: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

The Indianapolis Colts have one of the best offenses in the NFL thanks to Andrew Luck, who finished with 40 touchdown passes this season. Adding Benardrick McKinney, a linebacker capable of leading an NFL defense, the Colts would have an identity on both sides for an even more promising future in Indy.

25. Cincinnati Bengals: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

It wasn't the end Eddie Goldman likely wanted to his college career, but he still has a lot to look forward to in the NFL. Following a huge season for the Seminoles, Goldman would be a perfect fit for a Cincinnati Bengals franchise in need of a run-stopper up the middle with the ability to live in the opponent's backfield.

26. Detroit Lions: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Off-the-field issues plagued Marcus Peters during his tenure in Washington, but he still has the talent to thrive in the NFL. Given the right situation with the Detroit Lions, Peters can put the problems behind him and add a huge cog to Detroit's secondary.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Alvin "Bud" Dupree has been waiting for this moment since before the 2014 season ever started. The Kentucky product announced his intentions for the combine prior to the 2015 draft back in July, via Chase Goodbread of NFL.com.

"I definitely think I will blow the combine up," Dupree said. "... In the 40-yard dash, I probably can run a high 4.4 or a low 4.5. In the vertical jump, I can get a 41 or a 42, and in the broad jump, I know I can get 11 feet. I just have to keep working hard to match those numbers."

Dallas proved it has the offensive weapons to win the division this season but still needs playmakers on the defense to thrive. Adding an edge-rusher like Dupree puts less pressure on the secondary and gives the Cowboys a formidable duo with Demarcus Lawrence.

28. Green Bay Packers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

It's no secret that the biggest reason why the Green Bay Packers earned a first-round bye this season is due to great play from Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy. Picking up a proven offensive lineman like T.J. Clemmings to protect both prized commodities just seems like the best decision for the Pack.

29. Arizona Cardinals: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA

He hasn't quite gotten the attention of some other edge-rushers at the college level, but Owamagbe Odighizuwa is no less talented. The UCLA product shined out west for the Bruins and will prove his worth on an Arizona Cardinals team that already showed how impressive the defense can be in the NFC West.

30. Denver Broncos: Ty Sambrailo, OT, Colorado State

Much like Odighizuwa, Ty Sambrailo's name likely isn't one that is mentioned among the most identifiable offensive linemen in the class. If selected by the Denver Broncos, he'll get a chance to show just how special he is blocking for Peyton Manning.

31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

Back in October, the Seattle Seahawks attempted to make a move to bring in Julius Thomas for Percy Harvin, via Adam Schefter of ESPN. Now, they are without a true tight end and lost the dynamic play of Harvin—though it never truly materialized in Seattle.

Snatching up a player like Devin Funchess, the Seahawks would have a player who slotted at both positions in college. Funchess might eventually fall out of the first round, but he certainly has the talent to help the perennial Super Bowl contenders.

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

The decision for Dorial Green-Beckham on whether to stay in Norman or go to the NFL is almost as difficult to predict as what Bill Belichick will do with his first-round pick. Neither is a sure thing, but this seems like an ideal fit for both sides.

Brandon LaFell might have emerged as a solid player for the New England Patriots, but more talent is necessary to continue winning in the AFC East. Belichick can groom the troubled receiver, and DGB has the talent to help the Pats offense.

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