2015 NFL Mock Draft: Early Predictions for Where Top Prospects Land in 1st Round

The process for the 2015 NFL draft gets underway in earnest next week with the Senior Bowl. The annual showcase kicks off an extended stretch where prospects get a chance to improve their stock with strong showings in workouts and interviews.

Although there are usually a handful of players who make a significant jump, most of those in the class already have a general area where they will land. After all, a lot of evaluation has already been done in terms of watching their college performances.

Players projected in the first round just want to solidify that standing in the months ahead. So let's check out how the first 32 picks are shaping up at this stage along with a deeper dive into some of the most intriguing selections of the round.

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

It would be nothing short of a shock if Tampa Bay opted to go in a direction other than quarterback. The bigger question is which one the front office prefers: Mariota or Jameis Winston. The former is the safer choice and gets the nod, at least for now.

The Oregon signal-caller threw 42 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season. He also added 15 more scores on the ground. Zach Braziller of the New York Post passed along comments from Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich, who raved about the exiting star.

"I think you could certainly argue that this was the best, if not certainly one of the top two or three greatest seasons in college football history," he said. "And then if you add in the person and the legacy that he has from that standpoint, there has never been one greater. None."

Mariota has progressed nicely in terms of reading defenses and possesses the arm strength necessary to make all of the NFL throws. He also sports an impressive demeanor, which should bode well at the next level and gives him the edge in the race to earn the top draft spot.

2. Tennessee Titans: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

The Titans will probably be one of the most active teams during the draft process. They first have to determine whether they want Jameis Winston if Mariota goes first overall. Then they have to scour the rest of the class for other possibilities. Gregory seems like a good fit.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

Scherff has the look of a player the Jaguars would be able to build their line around for a decade. He possesses ideal size and power but still has the quickness to combat top edge-rushers. A perfect building block on offense.

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4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

Oakland went defense with its first pick last season and landed a special talent in Khalil Mack. Trying to find a similar impact performer for the offensive side should be the focus this time. Cooper could give Derek Carr the true top target he needs.

5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Williams is a very interesting prospect. He's shown the ability to play anywhere along the defensive line, creating matchup problems wherever he goes. The Redskins could use that versatility to bolster a defense that finished 20th in yards allowed.

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

There's a wide range of potential picks for Winston. The talent is there for him to develop into a franchise quarterback. The question is whether the off-field red flags will scare some teams off. It would be tough for the Jets to pass him up if he's still on the board at this point, though.

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

Collins would be a welcome addition to a Bears secondary that struggled mightily this past season. He's excelled in both pass defense and stepping into the box to help against the run. A big hitter with a good chance to become a fan favorite in Chicago.

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8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

The Falcons need help at every level on defense. Probably the most important factor is getting more pressure off the edge to help take some pressure off the secondary. That's where Ray, who's lightning quick, comes into play.

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

Thompson isn't the most explosive edge-rusher in the class, but he's got a more well-rounded skill set than most of his counterparts. He's shown the ability to defend the run and drop into coverage, which is versatility desperately needed by the Giants defense.

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

St. Louis has tried to upgrade the offensive line in recent years, but the results still aren't up to par. As a result, it's still one of the team's biggest needs this offseason. Peat would bring some much-needed stability up front.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

Beasley is a bit undersized and there will be questions about whether he possesses the strength to make a consistent impact in the NFL. But his pass-rushing ability is impossible to ignore, especially at a time where that aspect of the game is so essential to success.

12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Cleveland owns a pair of picks in the first round. With needs on both sides of the ball, it wouldn't be a surprise to see each unit get one star rookie added. On offense, it's White, who combines good size with reliable hands and advanced route-running ability.

He doesn't showcase the same type of top-end speed as some of his fellow receivers. He makes up for that with perhaps the most impressive skill set of any wideout. Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network thinks it's enough to make him the top player at the position:

Last year, the Browns passed up on opportunities to grab either Sammy Watkins, Mike Evans or Odell Beckham, Jr. The need at receiver still exists as a result and makes White a good match capable of making a large impact as a rookie.

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

The overall outlook hasn't changed too much for New Orleans. The offense still has enough weapons to contend, but the defense lags behind. Waynes is capable of stepping right into an important role for a team in need of corner help.

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

This may feel like a bit of a reach, but the Dolphins might be willing to take that risk in order to address a glaring need. They struggled mightily against the run and could use a run-stuffing linebacker like McKinney to erase those issues.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Even though the 49ers were above average in so many areas, they were held back by a lack of productivity in the passing game. They need to get more dynamic weapons to work with Colin Kaepernick. Strong fits the bill.

16. Houston Texans: Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA

The question here is whether the Texans are willing to take a chance on a player like Hundley, who's considered a fringe first-round prospect at this point, per CBS Sports. It's the team's biggest need by a wide margin and that could get them to take a chance.

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

For whatever reason Shelton hasn't been generating much hype but his potential is sky high. He's shown the ability to get into an opponent's backfield on a regular basis, whether it's to rush the passer from the interior or to blow up a running play. 

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18. Kansas City Chiefs: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

It would be a surprise if any of the wide receivers from the first wave are available and the Chiefs don't take them. The need is obvious given the sheer lack of production they got from their wideouts. They must get more big plays on that side of the ball.

19. Cleveland Browns (from BUF): Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida

Having already upgraded the offense with their first pick of the round, the Browns are able to snag some nice value on defense here. Fowler is still a raw talent, but the upside is there for him to become a force on the edge within a few years.

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

Ekpre-Olomu has the talent to get picked here. There are still questions about the severity of his knee injury and how it will impact him moving forward, though. Once the situation clears up his placement should become more stable.

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

Those expecting Goldman to become a complete dominant college tackle were probably a bit disappointed. There were some terrific flashes, but he'll definitely need to work on his consistency at the next level. Still worth the pick at this point for Cincinnati.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State

Williams should be able to make a pretty smooth transition from college to the NFL. He's a sound corner with good playmaking instincts. Exactly the type of player the Steelers usually target to keep their defense among the best in the league.

23. Detroit Lions: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Detroit, which struggled on defense for the past handful of years, finally showed serious signs of improvement in 2014. There's still some work left to do, though. It starts with the secondary, where Peters is the top corner left on the board.

He brings an NFL-ready combination of size, speed and awareness to the table. It's exactly what the Lions could use to further bolster the secondary. And Bleacher Report's Matt Miller doesn't think his off-field issues will be a major concern:

If that's the case, and he's able to answer any lingering questions during the process, there's a chance he could move up the ladder a bit. For now, the Lions get a nice value selection to provide even more reason for optimism looking toward the 2015 campaign.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky

The Cardinals head into the offseason with some questions to answer because the team's mostly mediocre overall numbers didn't match their playoff record. Bolstering the defensive line is one sure need with Dupree standing out from those still on the board.

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

Cam Newton was under far too much pressure throughout the season. Even for a quarterback who can make plays with his legs, it's still important to upgrade the line with a player like Ogbuehi to give him more clean looks from the pocket.

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26. Baltimore Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Gordon is the rare running back prospect that deserves strong consideration in Round 1. The Ravens have some question marks in the backfield that he would immediately solve. He needs to work on chipping in on passing downs to become the complete package, though.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Nate Orchard, DE, Utah

The Cowboys came close to a major breakthrough this season. They are still losing too many battles at the point of attack on defense, however. Adding Orchard would give them the type of fight they need to see more up front.

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

Denver's needs should become more clear once the team decides how to handle it's large group of potential free agents. The Peyton Manning situation could make things even more complicated if he decided to retire. But for now offensive line is the focus.

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

The Colts continue to trend in a positive direction, as illustrated by their appearance in the AFC title game. In turn, they don't have any huge needs. But they could benefit from upgrading the protection in front of Andrew Luck.

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30. Green Bay Packers: Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami

Perryman would likely be the beneficiary if McKinney goes in the middle of the first round, as projected in this scenario. It would make him a realistic option at the back end of Round 1. The Packers could use help up the middle on defense.

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

Green-Beckham is a prospect that will be watched closely throughout the draft process. Based on talent alone he probably belongs inside the first half of the round. But if he slides to this point, New England would likely take the chance.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

The Seahawks continue to dominate games with their defense and rushing attack. Adding more options in the passing game would make them even tougher to play. Funchess is a big target who would excel on key downs for Seattle.