NFL Draft 2015: 1st-Round Order and Updated Mock Draft Projections

The order of the first round of the 2015 NFL draft is almost completely locked in, with the outcome of Super Bowl XLIX all that's left to determine the final couple of picks.

Between the NFL Scouting Combine, the needs teams will elect to address in free agency and the months leading up to April 30, mock drafts will continue to shift quite often from now until then.

Nevertheless, since the order is just about settled, it's worth an updated look at how Day 1 of the draft will unfold. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers face a lot of pressure with the No. 1 overall pick, which they could use to select their quarterback of the future in either Marcus Mariota or Jameis Winston.

Below is an updated mock following Championship Game Weekend along with a breakdown of the top few choices.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
2	Tennessee Titans	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
4	Oakland Raiders	Leonard Williams, DL, USC
5	Washington Redskins	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
6	New York Jets	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
7	Chicago Bears	Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
8	Atlanta Falcons	Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
9	New York Giants	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
10	St. Louis Rams	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
11	Minnesota Vikings	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
12	Cleveland Browns	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13	New Orleans Saints	Dante Fowler Jr., DE/OLB, Florida
14	Miami Dolphins	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
15	San Francisco 49ers	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
16	Houston Texans	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
17	Kansas City Chiefs	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
18	San Diego Chargers	Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
23	Detroit Lions	Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
25	Carolina Panthers	Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
26	Baltimore Ravens	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
27	Dallas Cowboys	Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
28	Denver Broncos	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (Florida)
29	Indianapolis Colts	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
30	Green Bay Packers	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
31	New England Patriots	Arik Armstead, DE/OLB, Oregon
32	Seattle Seahawks	Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

Analyzing Top 1st-Round Picks

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

The dilemma between Mariota and Winston is real, but the Buccaneers should bet the house on the reigning Oregon Heisman Trophy winner atop the 2015 draft.

Mariota is a lot easier to deal with in terms of off-field issues than Winston is, even though the FSU star has been groomed in a pro-style offense and is readier for the NFL in that respect.

Winston was generous to the opposition, throwing 18 interceptions in 2014, while Mariota displayed historic proficiency, per ESPN Stats & Info:

Downfield accuracy and throwing into tighter windows are knocks on Mariota that could cause turbulence in his initial adjustment to the pros. He runs as fast as any QB who has ever entered the draft, though, and he is a threat as a ball-carrier in the open field and as an improviser.

Joining a Bucs team that already has the likes of Vincent Jackson and Mike Evans would offer Mariota two huge targets to distribute the ball to. Throwing 50-50 balls to them will help Mariota's perceived shortcoming of deep passing and give him a bit more margin for error.

Tampa Bay plays in an NFC South division that features Drew Brees, Cam Newton and Matt Ryan. Its current QB depth chart is easily the worst of that bunch, as it doesn't feature a clear starter between Josh McCown and Mike Glennon.

Mariota provides an answer at the most important position. While he will have an NFL learning curve to negotiate, opposing defenses are bound to struggle defending one of the better dual-threat signal-callers in draft history.

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

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press

If the character concerns about Winston check out, perhaps he'll rise to the top of the draft. However, it's a big risk. The problem for the Titans is they don't have much of a choice.

Coach Ken Whisenhunt has had such poor QB play from the end of his tenure in Arizona to his current gig in Tennessee that he ought to be lobbying for a competent player at the position. In terms of pure football skill and IQ, there's no one better than Winston in this class.

The Titans invested a ton in their offensive line but couldn't get Jake Locker to be the long-term answer. These circumstances are ideal for Winston to step in and thrive in the AFC South, which is perhaps the weakest division in football.

Receivers Kendall Wright, Justin Hunter and Nate Washington and tight end Delanie Walker supply Winston with plenty of prospective targets.

The best part about Winston's game that carries over to the NFL is his knack for throwing with anticipation. It's a rare trait most spread-system QBs, such as Mariota, don't have or aren't required to flash in college. 

Some of the advanced concepts Winston ran at Florida State contributed to miscommunication and turnover problems, however.

As long as Winston impresses in pre-draft interviews and stays out of trouble in the meantime, look for him to be in the top two.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska

USA TODAY Sports

Coach Gus Bradley needs to produce results in his third year after winning just seven games combined in the prior two. That starts with building on defense, and either Leonard Williams or Gregory has to be the pick in this mock scenario.

An NFC North scout lauded Gregory in a report by NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah, Bucky Brooks, Charles Davis and Lance Zierlein.

"He has plenty of quick-twitch and explosiveness," said the scout. "His ability to rush from a three-point stance, and as an OLB on his feet, is impressive. (There are) plenty of good pass rushers in the country, but I think he's the best this year."

Gregory fits best in Jacksonville because he has the athleticism to fill the "Leo" role in Bradley's system. To offer a short summary of what that entails, it means Gregory lines up unusually wide with his hand in the dirt at defensive end as part of a hybrid front.

This is an effective way for Bradley to confuse opponents, disguise coverage and give a dynamic pass-rusher plenty of room to gain a head of steam. With Gregory's combination of bend, burst and amazing length, he can be disruptive at that spot in particular.

The Jaguars seemed to land the future of their offense by grabbing Blake Bortles, Marqise Lee and Allen Robinson with their first three choices in last year's draft. However, they will be transitioning to a new offense in 2015, and Bortles was shaky as a rookie.

Bradley needs players like Gregory for his on-field results to live up to his defensive reputation, and Jacksonville needs to find a way to get more points on the board. Absent considerable progress, another change at the top could occur next offseason.