NFL Mock Draft 2015: Full 1st-Round Projections for Top Prospects

The idea of an NFL draft going absolutely perfectly is a myth, not unlike people who have seen Bigfoot. There may be a way in which every team can strike gold with its first selection and have a superstar on the roster for the next decade, but it's just not practical. 

However, just because there's no reality where that particular scenario plays out, it's no reason to think player development staffs can't do what is in the best interest of their franchise. Every team, no matter how good, has at least one area that needs to be improved. 

Every front office thinks differently about how to address weak areas, but the ideal way to build a team is through the draft. Players are cheaper than the ones you find in free agency and create cap space by being productive without the expense. 

As the slow countdown toward the 2015 NFL draft continues, here is the ideal first-round scenario for every team picking on April 30. 

Notes: Draft order is courtesy of NFL.com.

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon

Rick Bowmer/Associated Press

Let's get the obvious thing out of the way first: Marcus Mariota isn't going to be Andrew Luck, Peyton Manning or any number of Hall of Fame quarterbacks taken with the No. 1 pick. Not all top picks are created equal, so don't compare them like they are all the same. 

Mariota's got his share of development ahead, notably getting accustomed to reading and reacting to NFL defenses. It's one thing to run around defenders in college and another to do it at the highest level. He also has to develop more as a pocket passer and playing in an NFL offense. 

Joe Bussell of NFLPhilosophy.com summed up Mariota's current talent level and areas of improvement nicely in a breakdown of who the top quarterback in the class is:

"

The question marks for Mariota lie in the offense that he functions in. It’s the high-volume, fast-paced Oregon spread offense that is “QB friendly” and could potentially make him appear a better quarterback than he really is because he’s throwing to mostly wide open receivers. Mariota also throws a lot of screens and smoke routes off of the read option. Might be a “system QB."

"

That's a lot of work to be done for a player going No. 1 overall who will likely be expected to start right away, but if anyone can handle it, Mariota can. He's a player who has continued to get better in college and doesn't shy away from a challenge. 

Going to Tampa Bay will provide Mariota with an opportunity to succeed right away because of the big weapons he has on the outside, namely Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans. Don't expect instant stardom, but the arm strength, size, poise and drive are enough to get him there within two years. 

2. Tennessee Titans: DT Leonard Williams, USC

As tempting as a quarterback is for the Titans, they can't afford to miss on another first-round pick. Going over their last few top picks—it's too early to judge Taylor Lewan—Jake Locker (2011) and Chance Warmack (2013) have been busts. Kendall Wright might get better with a decent quarterback throwing him passes.

Jameis Winston has his strengths, but there's too much risk for them to go with here. Instead, the Titans should go for the best overall player in the class. Tennessee's more than just a quarterback away. Ken Whisenhunt's defense was awful against the run and mediocre against the pass. 

Leonard Williams is a run-stopping specialist who has the power to get at the quarterback. He's also big and fast enough to play on the edge or in the middle of a defensive line. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa

The Jaguars bet their future on Blake Bortles at quarterback last year, so it's time to get him the necessary help on the offensive line. Brandon Scherff is not the kind of talent usually associated with the No. 3 overall pick, as his play at left tackle is often erratic. 

However, as noted by ESPN.com's Todd McShay in his mock draft, Scherff can be this year's version of Zack Martin in that he "could be a good starting right tackle in the NFL or a great starting guard."

An interior offensive lineman isn't normally what you want with the No. 3 pick, but Bortles can't get sacked 55 times again and hope to succeed. 

4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama

Derek Carr was able to flash his potential with a wide receiver group that included Andre Holmes, James Jones and Brice Butler. Imagine what the Raiders will be capable of with a true No. 1 starter like Amari Cooper. 

The Alabama standout does have his detractors due to a lack of size and speed, as one scout told NFL.com's Albert Breer:

"

He's an easy route runner. Not a lot of wasted movement, solid hands, good speed. But I wouldn't say he's elite. He does a lot of things really well. He just doesn't do anything with a 'wow' factor like (Sammy) Watkins, (Mike) Evans, or (Odell) Beckham last year. The best thing he may be able to do is run after the catch.

"

It's unfair to compare any receiver in this class to one of last year's big three because that already looks like an all-time great group. Cooper has proved he's able to be a difference-maker thanks to his ability to create separation and make plays in traffic. 

5. Washington Redskins: DE Randy Gregory, Nebraska

Washington is another one of those teams in need of a quarterback that should pass. The next area of need is to find an impact pass-rusher, especially if Brian Orakpo is deemed expendable after missing most of last year with an injury. 

Randy Gregory is the best pure edge-rusher in this class with speed and excellent footwork. He's just 245 pounds, so defending the run could be a problem right away, but in a division with Tony Romo, Eli Manning and whoever leads Chip Kelly's offense, it's imperative to disrupt the quarterback to succeed. 

6. New York Jets: QB Jameis Winston, FSU

Winston's wait finally comes to an end when the New York Jets pick at No. 6. This is a potentially toxic situation capable of exploding in Week 1, especially with the New York media, but this is a franchise that's been looking for a quarterback for years.  

The erratic play in 2014 did hurt Winston's stock, but there's no denying he meets all the traditional checkpoints. The 2013 Heisman winner is 6'4", 235 pounds and played in a pro-style offense at Florida State. He's got a lot of baggage off the field that will come under intense scrutiny, but the talent will move him off the board early. 

7. Chicago Bears: SS Landon Collins, Alabama

The Bears have the makings of a strong secondary with Kyle Fuller already penciled in for 2015 and the potential to add another impact player in this draft. One missing piece is an enforcer at the safety position, someone who can provide the defense with an attitude that's been sorely lacking. 

Landon Collins is that player due to his ability to play the ball, make consistent wrap-up tackles, defend the run and not overplay his hand. He won't change everything on his own, but he at least provides some credibility to a unit needing all the help it can get. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: DE Shane Ray, Missouri

No team was happier to see Shad Retlin of Yahoo Sports report Shane Ray had declared for the 2015 draft than the Atlanta Falcons. 

The Falcons have been hopelessly trying to find an edge-rusher for years. Free agents and past draft picks have all been busts. Ray has to develop skills against the run to be an every-down player, but his ability to explode off the line and run around offensive tackles is unparalleled in this class. 

9. New York Giants: DE/OLB Vic Beasley, Clemson

When the Giants were at their best, winning two Super Bowls in five years, the defensive line was a nightmare for opponents. That hasn't been the case over the last two seasons, as the group has gotten older and more susceptible to injuries. 

Vic Beasley is a tweener at 220 pounds, but he's fast off the edge and has never been run over by anyone at Clemson. The Giants have to get more depth on the front four, especially if Jason Pierre-Paul leaves via free agency. 

10. St. Louis Rams: OT Andrus Peat, Stanford

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

The Rams may have to ride the Sam Bradford train one more year to see if he can stay healthy and fulfill the potential he has shown at various points. When you have a fragile quarterback, a strong offensive line becomes more critical. 

Andrus Peat wasn't as consistent as you want from a top-10 pick in 2014, but his size (6'6", 315 pounds) and athleticism in pass protection will be hard to overlook when the draft rolls around. 

11. Minnesota Vikings: OT Cedric Ogbuehi, Texas A&M

The Vikings have to end the Matt Kalil experiment as soon as possible. The former first-round pick battled injuries and poor play all year, leaving the team in a rough spot about what to do. 

Cedric Ogbuehi is one of the strongest offensive tackles in the class, using his massive 304-pound frame and agility to stifle pass-rushers. Run blocking is an area he needs to improve, but the Vikings can afford to wait because the Texas A&M product can play on the right or left side. 

12. Cleveland Browns: DT Danny Shelton, Washington

David Zalubowski/Associated Press

Danny Shelton is going to be one of those fast-rising names teams love after seeing his predraft workouts. He's already well regarded in NFL circles but will gain more popularity with fans when they see what the 330-pounder can do. 

One scout told Adam Jude of The Seattle Times that Shelton is a tremendous athlete, especially considering his size:

"He’s a massive dude," the scout said. "And he’s not just a square, can’t-move dude. He can run and he’s physical and he can move. It’s mind-blowing how easy it looks for him. He was just toying with people at times."

The Browns need size and strength in the middle of their defense after allowing an NFL-worst 141.6 rushing yards per game. If they can get better at stopping the run, with the talent in their secondary, this defense could be among the best in the NFL next year. 

13. New Orleans Saints: DE Dante Fowler, Florida

The problems with New Orleans' defense are vast, so it becomes a game of pick your poison in the first round. Since it's easier to turn things around with a strong pass rush than anything else, Dante Fowler makes the most sense in this spot. 

The Florida star is still growing into his edge-rusher shoes, relying more on speed than power at this point, but at 271 pounds with good quickness, he should have no problems adjusting to the NFL in short order. 

14. Miami Dolphins: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State 

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

All you need to know about how bad Miami's secondary was last year, and how it dragged the rest of the defense down, is Geno Smith had a perfect passer rating against it in Week 17. One game doesn't define a season, but that's an embarrassment for a number of reasons. 

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com did highlight Waynes' biggest weakness in a recent mock draft before admitting that all the tangible aspects are there for the Michigan State star to be an early Day 1 pick:

"While he does get in trouble free lancing at times," Brugler wrote, "Waynes has the height, length and athleticism that NFL teams value at the position to best match-up with the tall trees at wide receiver at the pro level."

Even though discipline is an area Waynes has to fix, he's a bigger cornerback at 6'1" and has long limbs to be a disruptive force even on plays where it appears he's been beaten. 

15. San Francisco 49ers: WR Devin Funchess, Michigan

The 49ers are in a transitional period as a franchise. There's still plenty of talent to make the team competitive next season, but consistency from Colin Kaepernick and better play from wide receivers not named Anquan Boldin is essential. 

Devin Funchess could easily take the place of free-agent receiver Michael Crabtree. The Michigan standout is built like a tight end at 6'4" and 235 pounds, but he runs quicker than you would think and should have no problem getting yards after the catch. 

16. Houston Texans: WR Devin Smith, Ohio State

Gerald Herbert/Associated Press

There may be questions about Houston's quarterback situation, but there's also the matter of what will happen at wide receiver. Andre Johnson is 33 years old with a 2015 cap hit of $15.6 million, per Spotrac.com. 

If the Texans move on from Johnson, or just want to get more explosive at wide receiver, Devin Smith is the perfect answer. The Ohio State star was a big-play machine in 2014 with 931 yards and 12 touchdowns on 33 catches. 

A deeper look into Smith's numbers, per ESPN Stats & Info, shows what he's capable of doing in the right system:

Smith does have to add more wrinkles to his game, as his routes are rough, but a place like Houston with another young wideout in DeAndre Hopkins will provide him the time necessary to correct those flaws while still being able to contribute right away. 

17. San Diego Chargers: ILB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

Addressing the secondary is a priority, but the Chargers also have to fix the middle of their defense. They allowed 124.1 yards per game on the ground last year. Defensive tackle is another area to upgrade, but Benardrick McKinney is too good to pass up. 

The Mississippi State star was another coach on the field in college, while also showing tremendous natural tackling skills and speed to run from sideline to sideline. He's also a physical specimen at 6'5" and 250 pounds. 

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

Whether you like Alex Smith as a quarterback or not, the Chiefs need to get him help at wide receiver. Dwayne Bowe has proved he's not capable of being a No. 1 option anymore. The rest of the unit is filled with, at best, role players. 

Kevin White will open things up in Kansas City's passing game because he's at his best running down the field and making plays in traffic. The West Virginia star does have work to do as a route-runner, but his hands are solid and he doesn't make a lot of simple mistakes that often plague rookies.  

19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): WR DeVante Parker, Louisville

The Browns seem more likely to draft a wide receiver than ever. Their current unit, without the suspended Josh Gordon, is bad. Taylor Gabriel was a nice big-play option as a rookie, but there's no one behind him. 

Fortunately for the Browns, DeVante Parker is an exceptional talent who will add a lot to the offense. He's not as explosive as White, but he is more fundamentally polished and has tremendous skills after the catch. A one-year pairing with him and Gordon will make for a dynamic duo, so long as the latter stays out of trouble. 

20. Philadelphia Eagles: CB Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, Oregon

The knee injury suffered by Ifo Ekpre-Olomu hinders his draft stock, but if any team is poised to come away from the medical reports with few questions, it would be the Eagles. Chip Kelly knows Ekpre-Olomu as well as anyone currently in the NFL. 

Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com noted how well Ekpre-Olomu would fit in with Philadelphia's defense and how he compares to other cornerbacks currently on the roster:

"

Although Ekpre-Olomu is undersized at 5-foot-9, 195 pounds, he is an extremely physical cornerback, and his size didn't prevent him from playing press coverage in college. With nine career interceptions, he also has the kind of instincts around the ball that the Eagles' current cornerback Bradley Fletcher does not.

"

Defense has been an Achilles' heel for Philadelphia under Kelly. His fast-paced offensive style does have some benefits, but it also means the defense spends a lot of time on the field. It needs depth to handle all those extra minutes. 

Ekpre-Olomu is a physical player who can get in the face of NFC East wide receivers like Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham Jr. without being overwhelmed. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: DE Alvin "Bud" Dupree, Kentucky

The harsh reality of Cincinnati's defense was made apparent in the playoff loss to Indianapolis: There's no star power to shut down a top-tier quarterback, let alone an elite one. That speaks to issues in the secondary, but also to the lack of a true pass rush. 

Alvin Dupree is a tweener built as an edge-rusher in a 4-3 scheme, which is what the Bengals run. He's got to play more powerfully, using his 268-pound frame to beat up offensive linemen, but he has the speed to get around anyone in the NFL. 

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: FS Gerod Holliman, Louisville

Troy Polamalu's age and health have made safety a priority position for the Steelers. Gerod Holliman is an interesting prospect in this class. His track record at Louisville isn't long, but in one year he tied a single-season FBS record with 14 interceptions. 

That's what you are going to get from Holliman, who is a ball hawk in every sense of the word. Bucky Brooks of NFL.com believes the Louisville star will compare favorably to a young Ed Reed when scouts look at him in workouts:

"

When I evaluated Reed during his final season at Miami, I was blown away by his instincts, awareness and ball skills as a deep defender in the Hurricanes' scheme. He had a knack for being around the ball, and his ability to make the play was unrivaled in the college game. As a result, Reed snagged 21 interceptions during his four seasons at Miami, including 17 during his junior and senior seasons. With those traits also fueling Reed's production as a pro (64 career interceptions in 12 seasons), it is possible that Holliman could develop into a game-changing defender at the next level.

"

Holliman does have to become a better tackler and defender in run support, but his field vision is tremendous. His lack of game experience is what keeps him down, though not far enough to slide out of the first round. 

23. Detroit Lions: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia

The Lions need to bet big on a running back to finally get the star they desperately need at the position. Todd Gurley comes with his risks after tearing his ACL, but there's no reason to think the Georgia star won't recover perfectly and be ready for the start of next season. 

24. Arizona Cardinals: RB Melvin Gordon, Wisconsin

Speaking of teams in desperate need of running back help, the Cardinals lost themselves without a quarterback. Part of that was because of the quarterbacks who stepped in to lead the offense, but another aspect was the complete lack of a running game. 

Melvin Gordon does have to overcome the stigma of being a workhorse back at college and not playing behind a great offensive line. He's also got to improve his footwork, as there are times when he gets caught waiting behind the line for something to develop instead of attacking the hole. 

Given what the Cardinals can do with the aerial attack when Carson Palmer is healthy, the addition of a dynamic runner can take this offense to the next level. 

25. Carolina Panthers: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

Sharon Ellman/Associated Press

One reason Cam Newton struggled passing this season was the lack of consistent protection up front. It's a good thing he's mobile enough to overcome the problem, but that doesn't help his long-term prognosis. 

T.J. Clemmings is a rising prospect thanks to his improved strength and technique, which Derek Stephens of NFLDraftScout.com, via Jerry DiPaola of The Pittsburgh Tribune, noted was going to make him one of the top tackles in the class. 

"Clemmings demonstrates fluidity, quickness and athleticism that are ideal for a next-level tackle, though he looks more the part of a left tackle prospect than a right tackle considering his finesse style and leaner frame," Stephens wrote.

Clemmings is still rough around the edges after playing on the defensive line until 2013. He's got a world of talent and dedication to being a dominant offensive lineman. 

26. Baltimore Ravens: OT Tyler Sambrailo, Colorado State

Gary Kubiak's offensive scheme helped Joe Flacco remain upright, but the Ravens will have to figure out something else that works after Kubiak left for Denver. Offensive line is still an area of need in 2015. Tyler Sambrailo is an underrated prospect because of where he played, but watching his tape is a joy. 

Bryan Perez of DraftBreakdown.com had the best analysis of Sambrailo as an NFL prospect that you will see:

The Ravens want to have a strong balance of pass to run, so keeping the offensive line train moving forward is essential. We saw what happened in 2013 when Flacco had no help, and it isn't pretty. 

27. Dallas Cowboys: CB Marcus Peters, Washington

Jerry Jones isn't afraid to take a chance on a big personality, especially if it will help his team in specific ways. Marcus Peters will have a lot of questions to answer about why he was kicked off Washington's football team in November. 

That's good news for the Cowboys, who desperately need help in the secondary and get arguably the most talented cornerback in the class for a bargain price. Peters is an aggressive player who likes to play the ball instead of watching receivers, but he's quick enough to recover and smart enough to avoid big mistakes. 

28. Denver Broncos: WR Jaelen Strong, Arizona State

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The Broncos are in an interesting spot this offseason. Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas are set to become free agents, but it's possible the team could bring both back, either with new contracts or by re-signing one and franchising the other. 

They have the cap space—approximately $24 million heading into next season, per Spotrac.com—but the Broncos could also opt to go with a young pass-catcher regardless. He's had some casual drops in his career, but Bleacher Report's Connor Rogers highlighted one of his best strengths coming into the NFL:

"

Impressive route from Jaelen Strong here, turns his head towards the QB while changing direction to sell it: pic.twitter.com/mxHUUsTcpj

— Connor Rogers (@CRogers_NFL) January 7, 2015"

Strong reminds me of a smaller version of Kelvin Benjamin, though a more polished route-runner coming out of college. He's likely to frustrate you with some lapses in concentration, but the ability to make plays in traffic and deep down the field will endear him to a fanbase right away. 

29. Indianapolis Colts: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami

When you look at the offensive line Luck has played behind in three years, his already-impressive numbers look even better. Now that the Colts have a first-round pick after trading it away last year, it's time to start getting support for the young quarterback. 

Ereck Flowers needs more polish to be a dominant all-around offensive tackle, but it's hard to find a 6'6", 325-pound player who has good athleticism to excel in the passing game sounds exactly like what the Colts are looking for. 

30. Green Bay Packers: LB Shaq Thompson, Washington

The Packers are still trying to find the right mix for this defense. They had varying degrees of success this season, but overall the unit gets bailed out by the offense more often than not. 

Shaq Thompson is a great gamble at this point in the draft. He's raw by virtue of playing on both sides of the ball at Washington, and he needs to add more bulk to his 224-pound frame, but his pass-rushing skills and athleticism make a nice complement with current Green Bay linebackers Clay Matthews and A.J. Hawk. 

31. Seattle Seahawks: DT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma

Few teams are as unpredictable in the draft as Seattle. Pete Carroll doesn't care where his team picks, as long as the Seahawks find their guy. This is still a loaded defense that can rest on its laurels heading into 2015 and be dominant, but why not stock the farm?

Jordan Phillips is an insane athlete, especially when you consider he's 334 pounds. The Oklahoma product is big and physical and can eat up the middle of a line, but he's also fast enough to run down quarterbacks in pass-rushing situations. 

32. New England Patriots: OL Tyrus Thompson, Oklahoma

Charlie Neibergall/Associated Press

While the Patriots were able to put together a workable offensive line as the season moved on, Tom Brady is getting older and won't be able to slip around defenders in the pocket like he used to. Tyrus Thompson didn't develop as much as anticipated this season, making him available late in the first round or early in the second. 

However, no franchise is willing to bet on long-term projection more than New England. Thompson is a monster at 336 pounds with long limbs, though he often doesn't play as aggressively as someone with his size should. 

Bill Belichick is a master at finding whatever players need to bring the best out in them. Thompson will be a great project to work with because all the fundamentals are there to build a dominant left tackle for years.