NFL Draft 2015: Best Picks for Each Team in 1st-Round Mock Draft

With just two teams left standing before the NFL offseason begins, it's become clear what everyone will be looking for when the draft rolls around in April. No one is perfect, but even the playoff teams are showing more wounds than you might think. 

All of this makes this year's NFL draft among the most compelling in years. Oh, and that doesn't even include what will happen with the two star quarterbacks, Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota, and the first two picks. At least it's assumed they will be the first two players taken in some order. 

While the picture will come into focus at the NFL Scouting Combine next month, there's plenty of evaluating that has been done already to make educated guesses about the direction every team will be looking to go in the first round. 

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

For a long time, Marcus Mariota seemed like he would be the easy choice for the No. 1 pick. Now, though, it seems the winds have shifted away from the 2014 Heisman winner. 

Former Tampa Bay general manager Mark Dominik provided unique insight into what the pre-draft process will be like for the Bucs as they try to decide between the two quarterbacks on ESPN Radio's Mike & Mike, via Gil Arcia of Scout.com:

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[The NFL] has three and a half months to get ready for the draft, you have two and a half months to figure out Jameis Winston before you go to the owners and say this is the guy we are going to take, whether you're Tampa Bay or Tennessee because I think he is going one or two. You have to come to the owners and say this is what we found out about Jameis, this is why we think he's maturing off the field because everything on the field is really good.

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As long as Tampa Bay is comfortable with Winston's issues and maturity off the field, he should be the top pick. He checks off all the boxes NFL teams look for with accuracy, poise, size, strength and an innate ability to compartmentalize mistakes as the game is going on. 

There will always be the question marks for Winston about what happens when he isn't playing football, until there are no more reports of incidents. But the talent is so great that a team will take a chance on him very early. 

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

In a story as old as America itself, Mariota went from being the greatest college player on the planet to being a problematic pro prospect. Everyone loves to build a player up before systematically tearing him down. 

A big criticism for Mariota is that he didn't play under center at Oregon, which is hilarious, because how many NFL teams keep their quarterback under center anymore? His ability to make reads and progressions at the next level will determine his future, but the dazzling ability to make plays with his arm and legs is going to make him a good pick for Tennessee. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

Gus Bradley was a defensive coordinator at Seattle before taking over as head coach in Jacksonville. He has seen firsthand the importance of building a dominant defense in order to have success as well as take pressure off of a young quarterback. 

Leonard Williams is a dream defensive lineman, big enough to play in the middle and quick enough to line up outside as an edge-rusher. He's going to be an impact player right out of the gate and give the Jaguars a much-needed presence on that side of the ball. 

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

If the Raiders are going to give Derek Carr a real chance to develop into a good starting quarterback, he needs weapons. There's no better weapon in this class than Amari Cooper.

One thing scouts have said about Cooper, via Albert Breer of NFL.com, is that they don't see that top-level explosiveness:

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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.

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Of course, last year's wide receiver class looks like an all-time great group already. Cooper may not be in the same class as those players, but when you combine polished route running with elite hands and being able to run after the catch, that's a terrific player. 

5. Washington: Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska

It's no secret that the quarterback position will be a hot topic in Washington, but the team has more issues than that. One thing Dan Snyder's roster can use is an edge-rusher who can get after the quarterback consistently. 

Brian Orakpo has been solid when healthy, but that's been a problem recently, and he's going to be a free agent. Randy Gregory lacks the same polish as a player like Shane Ray, but he's bigger and faster to get away with more rough areas early. 

At 6'6", Gregory has the ability to disrupt passes even when he doesn't get to the quarterback. He's got to add more bulk to his 245-pound frame, but you can't teach the physical gifts that are already there. 

6. New York Jets: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson

With the Jets missing out on the top wide receiver, they can change their focus to finding an impact edge-rusher. Vic Beasley is another tweener player similar to Gregory, though he's also 3.5 inches shorter. The Clemson star is more physical than you would think for a 220-pound player, so he will fit in Todd Bowles' system nicely. 

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

There might not be a bigger lock between player and team in the draft than Landon Collins going to Chicago. He's exactly what this dreadful defense needs, being a ball-hawk safety with great field vision. 

ESPN's Mel Kiper wrote in his first mock draft that the safety position has been "a borderline disaster for the Bears." They did find a quality cornerback in the first round last year with Kyle Fuller, but this defense needs an enforcer at safety to pose any kind of threat to opponents. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

The Falcons are expected to hire Seattle defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as their head coach after the Super Bowl, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

Considering Quinn's background, as well as Atlanta's near-constant yearly search for a pass-rusher, expect Ray to get a long look at this spot. He's just 6'2" and 240 pounds, but the anticipation and burst off the line are as good as anyone in this class. 

Ray won't fix all of the problems with Atlanta's defense, but his ability to get after the quarterback will help mask a lot of those issues. 

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

The Giants aren't prone to taking offensive linemen in the first round, having done so just once since 2000. That should change this year, because Eli Manning can't continue to play behind this current group. 

Brandon Scherff isn't a sexy pick, but he certainly is the right one. The Giants have lost their edge in the trenches since winning the Super Bowl four years ago. The Iowa star will give them some of that identity back, especially in the running game, where his 320-pound frame and strength are a nightmare to break through. 

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

One reason Sam Bradford has continued to get hurt is because of St. Louis' porous offensive line. The Rams are so close to becoming a playoff team, but they need to keep a quarterback upright to get there.

Andrus Peat doesn't have an enormous ceiling, which could knock him down, but the floor is so high because there is no weakness. He's a power blocker with strong balance and agility, especially in the running game.

Playing in the NFC West, you have to be strong in the trenches to win, and Peat gives the Rams a significant boost in that area. 

11. Minnesota Vikings: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

When you consider who Teddy Bridgewater was throwing to last year, the fact that he was able to complete 64 percent of his passes with 14 touchdowns is tremendous. Imagine what he will be capable of with a legitimate weapon on the outside.

DeVante Parker comes with an added bonus, because Bridgewater already has a rapport with him from their days at Louisville. Kyle Tucker of The Courier-Journal even pointed out that the gap between Parker and this year's top wideout may not be as wide as you might think:

The Vikings have the potential to be a sleeper team next season if they can find a wide receiver. They won seven games in 2014 despite having no help for their rookie quarterback. 

12. Cleveland Browns: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

Simple logic will say if your defense allows the most rushing yards, it's time to upgrade the middle of your line. Fortunately for Cleveland, there's a great run-stuffing defensive tackle waiting named Danny Shelton. 

The Washington star is exactly what the Browns need. They've invested a lot of money in recent years on smaller edge-rushers and forgot about the middle. Shelton is a 332-pound brick wall with incredible power in his legs to drive offensive linemen back with ease. 

13. New Orleans Saints: Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida

The Saints have been exposed on defense for years because they are forced to send extra rushers to get the opposing quarterback. Dante Fowler will immediately help this unit because he's shown such strong pass-rushing skills, to say nothing of how much he developed last year. 

One problem for Fowler early in his college career was being able to finish plays, whether it was simply tackling or closing on the ball. He fixed that this last season and elevated into the first round as a result. The Florida star is more valuable than Ray or Beasley because he's already 271 pounds coming into the league. 

14. Miami Dolphins: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

The second and third level of Miami's defense are areas that need upgrades and youth. Shaq Thompson fills the void as one of the most athletic linebackers in this class. He's still raw at the position after playing in the secondary to start his college career, though that tells you how physically gifted he is to make the switch and still be a first-round pick. 

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

Tony Ding/Associated Press

If there's a prototype for what you want a wide receiver to look like, Devin Funchess fits the bill. The Michigan star is 6'4" and 235 pounds and has long arms to make plays away from his body. He's not fast but has more speed than a player his size should. 

Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com painted a strong picture of what Funchess will bring to the next level when he gets picked:

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Flexible freak with easy movement skills for his size and loose body control to make natural adjustments on the ball, turning downfield quickly after the grab. Long, full strides to reach his top speed quickly.

Very good leaping ability to float and attack jump balls. Not easy to bring down as a ballcarrier with his size to bounce off tacklers. Nice job finding soft spots over the middle.

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Whether Funchess plays at wide receiver or tight end, the 49ers will love to have his skill set. They will also need it because Michael Crabtree is a free agent coming off of a disaster season and Vernon Davis disappeared in 2014. 

16. Houston Texans: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

Houston's offensive line isn't bad or old, but it needs an upgrade. Too often the Texans can get pushed around, especially against the more physical teams, because they tend to play a finesse style. T.J. Clemmings is a good pick for them because he's loaded with talent, though still raw, so he can develop at right tackle with Duane Brown locked in on the left side. 

17. San Diego Chargers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

The Chargers have a good collection of skill players on offense, though Philip Rivers and Ryan Mathews take a beating because the offensive line needs to be shored up. La'El Collins brings a natural toughness from playing in the SEC and has surprising quickness to be a force in the running game. 

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

Kansas City's passing offense is dreadful. Some of that may be Alex Smith's inability to take a chance down the field, but the rest of the blame has to fall on who he's throwing to. The Chiefs don't have anyone on the outside that teams fear or specifically game-plan around. 

Kevin White isn't a game-changing talent on offense but certainly has more potential than Dwayne Bowe. Daniel Jeremiah of NFL.com says the West Virginia star "is a complete receiver, and his competitiveness is off the charts."

The Chiefs need a receiver with attitude who feels like there's something to prove on every play. White will open things up for Smith and take pressure off Jamaal Charles. 

19. Cleveland Browns: Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State

After getting their monster in the middle earlier, the Browns address the second level of the defense that's also become a problem. Benardrick McKinney is a physical freak with size and speed to play inside or outside in Mike Pettine's 3-4 defense. 

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

As much blame as fans want to put on Mark Sanchez for Philadelphia's late-season collapse, how about looking at the defense that gave up 89 points during December's three-game losing streak? Chip Kelly's offense can be exciting, but his secondary is a disaster. 

Trae Waynes is a big cornerback at 6'1", which is essential in a division with playmakers like Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham. The Michigan State star isn't great in coverage, as he tends to get a little stiff, but his length and long arms allow him to recover quickly. 

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

The Bengals are in a state where they are good enough to make the playoffs, yet not so great that they are going to make any kind of noise when they get there. One reason for this is that the defense isn't up for the challenge of stopping the caliber of quarterbacks you see in January. 

Defensive line is an area of strength for the Bengals, but adding a stud defensive tackle like Eddie Goldman will push them over the top. You have to win in the trenches as a member of the AFC North, as the Steelers and Ravens so often do. 

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville

Andy Lyons/Getty Images

It's been a long time since Pittsburgh's defense, particularly the secondary, has been as vulnerable as it has been the last two years. It's an old group that desperately needs an infusion of youth and bodies capable of staying healthy. 

Louisville's Gerod Holliman is going to be a fascinating draft study. He had a breakout 2014 season with 14 interceptions and has emerged as a first-round candidate, though one NFL scout told Bob McGinn of The Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel he doesn't see the hype.

"He needs to go back to school," said one scout. "He's horrible. He can't make a tackle to save his life. He's got pretty good instincts but he's not that athletic."

That's a harsh indictment of Holliman, though the tackling thing may not be a huge concern for some teams because of his ability to find the ball. There are plenty of defensive backs in the league with no idea of how to tackle. 

23. Detroit Lions: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

Detroit's stout defense is going to undergo drastic changes this offseason. Ndamukong Suh is likely gone as a free agent. Nick Fairley may not be brought back. Those are two big bodies in the middle that will be difficult replace, especially Suh. 

Michael Bennett isn't at that level, because no one is, but he's a playmaker with an incredible eye to find the ball-carrier with ease. The Lions are built on the defensive front, so they need to do all they can to keep adding more depth. 

24. Arizona Cardinals: Alvin Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky

Arizona's defense is built from the back in, as most of the talent is in the secondary. That's a valuable trait to have, but being able to get after the quarterback is essential in today's NFL. Alvin Dupree is a star pass-rusher waiting for a stage to break out. 

The Kentucky standout is in the tweener category at 6'4", 267 pounds, lacking elite strength to play on the line, but his quickness and ability to close in the blink of an eye will have NFL scouts drooling to get him on their team. 

25. Carolina Panthers: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

When you think about Carolina's patchwork offensive line in 2014, it's amazing Cam Newton and Jonathan Stewart were able to finish as well as they did. Ereck Flowers is rising early in the pre-draft process thanks to his massive 325-pound frame and stellar footwork in pass protection. 

26. Baltimore Ravens: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

Todd Gurley's draft stock is a compelling story already and will only increase the closer we get to April 30. It doesn't seem likely he will go in the first round, though a lot will change when teams see how his knee looks in workouts. 

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com wrote in December, after Gurley's injury, that the bigger threat for the Georgia star's draft stock was how the league viewed running backs:

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Given the comparable production generated by running backs outside of Round 1, there has been a seismic shift throughout the league on the draft value on runners. Teams no longer view spending a top pick on a runner as a necessity when the data shows that Pro Bowl-caliber runners can be identified in the later stages of the draft.

Thus, Gurley was likely viewed as a borderline first-round selection in meeting rooms around the league prior to the torn ACL that ended his junior season last month.

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However, the NFL is a copycat league. One of the stories from this season was the way running backs dominated the conversation, with players like DeMarco Murray, Marshawn Lynch, Le'Veon Bell and LeSean McCoy leading their offenses.

Gurley had that kind of talent prior to tearing his ACL and doesn't seem likely to suffer much since there was no additional ligament damage, like what Marcus Lattimore suffered in his final season at South Carolina. 

27. Dallas Cowboys: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

As close as Dallas got to the NFC Championship Game this year, it wasn't the referee's fault Green Bay won. The Cowboys were riding on the strength of their offense and a defense that was hanging on by a thread, especially with a dreadful secondary. 

Jalen Collins is another big cornerback at 6'2" and 198 pounds, He's not the fastest guy and can get beat over the top on occasion, but the ability to recover as fast as he can and play physical makes him a matchup problem for a lot of receivers. 

28. Denver Broncos: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

This is going to be an offseason of change in Denver. It's already started, with John Fox out and Gary Kubiak in, but there are questions about Peyton Manning's future. There is also the matter of what will happen with free agents Demaryius Thomas and Julius Thomas. 

Even if the Broncos bring back Demaryius, adding another big-bodied wide receiver like Jaelen Strong could make it more appealing for Manning to return. The Arizona State star has one of the best catch radiuses in this class with a 6'3" frame and long arms. He's also got impressive strength and has tremendous yards-after-catch skills. 

29. Indianapolis Colts: Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M

Mark Humphrey/Associated Press

If the playoffs have taught us anything, it's that the Colts need to overhaul their draft philosophy. They beat a Cincinnati team that doesn't win in the playoffs and caught the Broncos with Manning physically unable to do anything. 

Andrew Luck can only hide all the weak spots on this roster for so long; typically, it's when New England shows up on the schedule in January. The Colts need to get better in the trenches, especially with the offensive line in run blocking. 

Cedric Ogbuehi is a stellar all-around blocker who just needs to get more consistent, but he's got top-10 ability and will be a steal in this spot for a Colts team that is desperate for offensive line help. 

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

Green Bay's defense got better when Clay Matthews was moved inside, though that doesn't take full advantage of what makes him so special. The team needs to find a permanent replacement like Denzel Perryman, who will be called this year's Chris Borland due to his 5'11" frame. 

However, it's not an unwarranted comparison. Like Borland, Perryman is a player who always seems to be around the ball and doesn't get overpowered by bigger offensive players because he creates such great leverage. 

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

Kiper surprised a lot of people by putting Dorial Green-Beckham at No. 18 in his first mock draft. His reasoning was that even though the off-field baggage is considerable, the raw ability of this 6'4", 225-pound player is so great that someone will take a chance on him. 

It's funny—reading that logic, the only team in the first round that seemed to make sense was New England. Bill Belichick will always take a chance on questionable makeup if the talent is there. He's had mixed success in the past, so Green-Beckham will be just another challenge. 

B/R's Matt Miller summed up Green-Beckham's draft stock marvelously in response to a question on Twitter:

It wouldn't be a surprise to see Green-Beckham go in the first round. It also wouldn't be a surprise to see him go in the fifth round—or even later. There are so many things to consider with this young man that his ceiling and floor are as wide as anyone's in this class. 

32. Seattle Seahawks: Nelson Agholor, WR, USC

The Seahawks don't invest high picks or big money into wide receivers, as they haven't had to yet with, Lynch carrying the offensive load and owning the league's best defense for the last two years. That financial flexibility will go away when Russell Wilson signs his contract extension, perhaps this offseason. 

Lynch is getting older and teams don't like to invest big money into a running back who will turn 29 in April. The Seahwaks will have to start replacing their skill players through the draft. Nelson Agholor isn't sexy, as nothing will stand out in a workout, but he does everything well and is so consistent with his movement that he can contribute right away.