NFL Mock Draft 2015: Projections for Top Prospects Before Championship Weekend

Marcus Mariota is officially a member of the 2015 NFL draft class. 

Not that anyone expected different, but Mariota's decision boosts the notion that even on a slow news week the NFL draft takes precedence in the minds of fans around the globe until the Tampa Bay Buccaneers walk to the podium.

What else would fans do, watch basketball? Why turn away when players such as Mariota make major announcements and the news cycle is just beginning to heat up as things such as the Shrine Game put prospects on display for all to see?

In order to keep pace with the whirlwind of news and buzz surrounding the impending draft, below is a look at a fresh mock. Keep in mind the final four slots are not set in stone.

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

Oregon announced Mariota's decision to go pro Wednesday:

"

After meeting with my family I have decided to forego my final year of eligibility and apply for the 2015 NFL Draft. My four years at the University of Oregon have been an awesome experience. I cannot thank Coach Kelly, Coach Helfrich, Coach Frost, the rest of the Oregon coaches and the support staff enough for molding me as a person, player and student-athlete.

The support I received from the University, the city of Eugene and Duck fans has been tremendous. I will always remember the great times and support I received. Once a Duck always a Duck.

I will miss being with my teammates. Being a part of this team was something special that I will always treasure.

"

Observers will hear a lot of speculation in the coming months about how Mariota fits at the NFL level and whether he is a "system" quarterback. 

It is all white noise, though, as Mariota has a pro-ready arm, can read defenses and manage a pocket. He is an easy pick for the Buccaneers.

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

For one reason or another, the globe seems to want one of the top two quarterbacks to take a nosedive.

It's not happening.

Winston has his issues, but pro evaluators see a quarterback with a pro arm, physique and sheer upside in need of a bit of maturation.

For a franchise such as Tennessee, which has been stuck in quarterback purgatory for a while, skipping out is not an option.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Gus Bradley is building something special in Jacksonville one piece at a time. 

With Blake Bortles on offense, next up is Randy Gregory, who joins a defense that generated 45 sacks last season.

Gregory is a strong edge-rusher who complements interior pieces such as Sen'Derrick Marks (8.5 sacks) well.

4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DL, USC

Interior defensive talents such as Leonard Williams do not come around often. 

Bleacher Report's Connor Rogers puts it best:

"

From watching a lot of Mo Wilkerson over the years, Leonard Williams is an easy evaluation. Type of DL that makes life easy for a DC.

— Connor Rogers (@CRogers_NFL) January 9, 2015"

Adding a prospect who compares well to Muhammad Wilkerson or other elite linemen prospects in recent years is an ideal situation for Oakland, a team with Derek Carr to build around on the offensive side.

5. Washington: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

With Scot McCloughan now on board, his being the man who helped construct the defending champions, Washington is going to find plenty of great talent in all rounds.

For now, though, the front office will dial in on a major area of need and nab Landon Collins. 

Collins is a prototypical in-the-box presence who will provide a boost to a miserable secondary. 

6. New York Jets: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Amari Cooper recently made his intentions known, too, per his team's twitter account: 

"

Amari Cooper has announced he will enter the NFL Draft. #RollTide #BuiltByBama pic.twitter.com/uNK5lCPyk9

— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) January 9, 2015"

Cooper is the top wideout in the class, although further evaluation of those behind him may close the gap.

Alas, Cooper is a proven producer who can contribute right away, as well as develop into one of the league's top targets.

The only thing he cannot do? Play quarterback.

7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

One cannot think of the Chicago Bears as a defensive team when the unit generates fewer sacks than the Jaguars (39).

Jared Allen is 32 years old and the line struggled all season to protect the secondary behind it, so a talented rusher is the obvious route.

To that end, Shane Ray, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year, comes to mind. While he will not threaten for the top spot at his position in the class, he will produce right away and for a long time.

8. Atlanta Falcons: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky

Not many are familiar with Alvin Dupree just yet, but few players in the 2015 class are better rushers.

Dupree can wreak havoc from any number of positions, something that will prove invaluable for an Atlanta defense.

Thanks to his versatility, Dupree will help to turn around a defense that ranked last against the pass last season.

9. New York Giants: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Now 34 years old, Eli Manning needs his jersey clean in order to keep interception tallies low and visits to the team doctor at a minimum. 

Brandon Scherff will not sell a ton of jerseys and there are needs on the defensive side of the ball. But this is the NFL, where quarterbacks are the lifeblood of any roster and must be protected at the cost of other spots suffering.

10. St. Louis Rams: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Arguably the draft's best deep target, DeVante Parker's team brings up justification for the label:

The St. Louis Rams do not have a ton of needs, so obtaining a weapon who can stretch the field and open things up for players such as Tavon Austin and Tre Mason is a smooth idea.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

Kevin White and Parker are rather exchangeable in the stock department right now. 

White caught 109 passes for 1,447 yards and 10 scores this past season. Scheme is a part of that, but on film, his sure hands and snappy routes stick out.

They will to the Minnesota Vikings, too, an organization that needs to surround Teddy Bridgewater with more weapons.

12. Cleveland Browns: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

What, forget about Dorial Green-Beckham?

DGB is one of the more controversial prospects in the class, as Bleacher Report's Matt Miller points out:

While a major risk, DGB has the on-field talent to be the best wideout off the board since Dez Bryant. All it takes is a team with a pair of first-round picks to take the risk.

13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida

Rob Ryan gets another shot as defensive coordinator in New Orleans next year. 

To succeed, he is going to need more talent that can rush the passer.

A number of options are available, but Dante Fowler Jr. makes the most sense thanks to his scheme-versatile skill set, a must for Ryan's unpredictable looks.

14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

Shaq Thompson is right behind Fowler in terms of versatility, something the Miami Dolphins will also covet.

An elite pass defense needs the beef up front to generate more than 39 sacks on the year.

With Cameron Wake going on 33 years old, now is the time to begin thinking about down the road for a defense that is teetering on elite status.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Elaine Thompson/Associated Press

Marcus Peters comes with a bit of baggage, but two consecutive Washington products off the board makes sense. 

The San Francisco 49ers need more youthful depth in the secondary, something the team lands with Peters.

It also happens to give the 49ers perhaps the most talented corner in the draft, only adding to what many consider the deepest roster in the league.

16. Houston Texans: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Get familiar with Trae Waynes.

NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah explains why:

The Houston Texans, a team that ranked 21st in pass defense last season, surely knows the name.

17. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Wideouts are not exactly the focal point of Andy Reid's offense, but that in no way means he can outright ignore one of the roster's biggest needs. 

Jaelen Strong is next up at the position and for good reason after a season in which he caught 82 passes for 1,165 yards and 10 scores.

Strong does not fix every problem in Kansas City, but he will force the quarterback to look his way.

18. San Diego Chargers: A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina

The same rules that apply to the younger Manning certainly apply to San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers. 

The North Carolina State product was sacked 36 times in 2014 while the team ranked 30th in terms of rushing.

An upgrade on the interior is a must, so A.J. Cann makes sense.

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

John Raoux/Associated Press

Bleacher Report's Ryan Riddle explains the situation for Vic Beasley quite well: 

As in, Beasley was at one point considered a top pick before returning to Clemson last season.

Still a top talent, the Browns will use their second of two picks in the round to become more athletic in terms of the rush.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

While somewhat expected, the Philadelphia Eagles need to work on a defense that ranked 31st against the pass last season. 

To that end, LSU's Jalen Collins is the next best corner on the board.

Look, the Philadelphia offense does not do its counterpart any favors. But talent additions such as Collins make it easier to rotate fresh legs into coverage.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

Cincinnati's main strength over the years has been along the defensive line, but that changed in 2014 with Domata Peko's regression and Geno Atkins' inability to return to elite form after a knee injury. 

The Bengals rely on the line to be a strength, so Texas' Malcom Brown makes the most sense. He can start next to Atkins right away and help return a sense of normalcy to the Queen City.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon

Add Arik Armstead to the growing list of talented rushers in the 2015 class, per College GameDay:

Pittsburgh needs more help in this regard after generating just 33 sacks in 2014.

Armstead joins a young cast that includes Jarvis Jones to provide a rush for what the front office can only hope is years to come.

23. Detroit Lions: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

If the Detroit Lions want to flirt with having the top overall run defense again in 2015, they need to make sure the potential loss of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley is covered. 

With that in mind, Danny Shelton makes the most sense late in the first round.

Shelton is a space-eating tackle who can clog gaps right away to free up those behind him.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

Technically, Bruce Arians' Arizona Cardinals do not need a quarterback. 

With the way the injury bug has hit the position, though, it is probably best if Arians nabs himself a project player such as Brett Hundley.

In time, perhaps Hundley can be the starter Arians desires. If not, he can at least trust him more than Logan Thomas.

25. Carolina Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Cam Newton did his best Superman rendition late in the season to get the Carolina Panthers to the playoffs.

Now the team needs to return the favor in order to prevent another 38 sacks, the 2014 tally.

Andrus Peat is the next best tackle on the board and can take snaps right away to help a struggling unit.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, CB, Oregon

Injury can only ruin a prospect's stock so much. 

Such is the case with Oregon's Ifo Ekpre-Olomu. A pro-ready corner, his injury to end the season will hurt his ability to get on the field right away, but a Baltimore Ravens secondary in disarray will not complain about the wait.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Benardrick McKinney is alone as the top interior linebacker in the class, per ESPN CollegeFootball:

Dallas improved defensively this season. The unit still needs an identity in the middle, though, which means McKinney fits well. Great instincts and motor ensure he can contribute upon arrival.

28. Denver Broncos: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

It is hard to have any idea what the front office in Denver is thinking right now. 

For now, it is best to work with the assumption that Peyton Manning will be back, which means the staff will want to beef up the trenches to keep him healthy for a full season.

La'el Collins can fit into a few slots, giving the Broncos options they did not have last season.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah

Erik Walden, Jonathan Newsome and others need additional help if the rush is to fully compensate for a shaky secondary.

With that in mind, Nate Orchard is a versatile presence who can line up all over the field.

Orchard does not need to start right away, but the best teams in the league have a deep rush. He only adds to that before taking over down the road.

30. Green Bay Packers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

Eddie Goldman has finally made his intentions known, per Florida State on Twitter:

Sign the Green Bay Packers up.

The team cannot afford another year of waiting on production from players such as B.J. Raji. Goldman is a fix now and into the future.

31. New England Patriots: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

Gregory Shamus/Getty Images

Many will grow tired of seeing this, but the debate around Devin Funchess' position, whether it is wideout or tight end, only further pushes him into the arms of the New England Patriots. 

Funchess can line up all over the field, which makes him an unpredictable weapon the unpredictable Bill Belichick loves.

As a bonus, this will further free up Rob Gronkowski.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU

A team with seemingly everything needs to add either more rushers or members of the secondary.

With Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and others still around, the Seattle Seahawks can focus on the former. 

Danielle Hunter is a strong fit who can contribute on a rotational basis, only furthering the damage the Seahawks can do defensively.

Note: Stats courtesy of NFL.com as of Jan. 14 at 9 p.m. ET. All advanced metrics via Pro Football Focus (subscription required).