2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Nation's Top Prospects Ahead of Super Bowl

The Senior Bowl is behind and the Super Bowl is ahead of us, marking a crucial time on the NFL calendar for draft prospects and teams alike.

The offseason officially begins in a week's time. While most NFL teams have had the luxury of beginning the early stages of offseason planning already, every single team will be under roster-reconstruction mode in the very near future.

With the conclusion of the Senior Bowl, the projected outcome of Round 1 of the NFL draft has come into question. Some prospects have moved up the ranks. Conversely, others have fallen.

Read on to check out how the nation's top prospects stack up.

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

There's some debate as to who the top quarterback in this class is. Jameis Winston and Marcus Mariota will be the subject of discussion until the first pick is in, but the Buccaneers would be smart to opt for Winston. He's the most NFL-ready signal-caller in this draft and is somewhat comparable to Ben Roethlisberger given his big arm and large frame.

2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DE, USC

Leonard Williams is a freak on the defensive line. The Titans have a glaring need for a franchise quarterback, but passing on one here for Williams isn't a terrible decision. Zach Mettenberger has a little room to grow after starting just six games last season. Is there enough organizational trust in him to move forward with the LSU product at quarterback? If so, then Williams is the pick.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

Randy Gregory can change the culture of this Jaguars defense if given the time to develop in the NFL. He struggles getting through gaps from time to time, but his athleticism is a huge plus.

"There's a lot he can do because he's athletic. He's smart and he can process a lot of information," Nebraska defensive coordinator John Papuchis told the The Associated Press, via USA Today.

Jacksonville has a young nucleus to work with on offense. It's time to beef up the defense.

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

A Heisman Trophy finalist, Amari Cooper is the perfect fit for the Oakland Raiders. Derek Carr has the arm to become an exciting quarterback with the right help around him. James Jones, while a decent receiver, is not the talent who will help Carr progress.

As NFL.com's Bucky Brooks writes: "Cooper is a classic WR1 with speed, burst and ball skills to dominate on the perimeter."

The Raiders haven't had a classic WR1 in years.

5. Washington Redskins: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri

Shane Ray gets to the quarterback frequently given his speed and technique off the edge. The Redskins have offensive pieces in place to be successful (of course, Robert Griffin III is the X-factor here), but the defense is lacking in some spots. Adding Ray, a future Pro Bowler, to the mix is the ideal selection for this team as it attempts to climb up the NFC East.

6. New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

New head coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan may not be as enamored with Geno Smith as the previous leadership may have been with the Jets. Naturally, that puts the team in position to take Marcus Mariota at No. 6.

Mariota has fallen from the top spot and could continue to fall—especially if his decision to not throw at the NFL combine comes back to haunt him:

With Mariota at the helm and smart fiscal decisions this offseason, the Jets stand to improve.

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

The Bears lacked consistency in the secondary during the struggles of the 2014 season. Adding Landon Collins, a standout and defensive leader at Alabama, could instantly revitalize the unit. SEC Sports Insider Stephen M. Smith tweets that the defense would jump to new heights with him involved:

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

Few prospects have risen as quickly as Alvin "Bud" Dupree. He's a legitimate threat off the edge, and no team has a bigger need in that area than the Falcons.

They had just 22 sacks as a team last season. The pass rush was essentially nonexistent. Dupree alone isn't enough to bring this defense back to a respectable level. The first three rounds of the draft need to be devoted to improving the tenacity and consistency of the unit.

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

There are a lot of directions the Giants can go in at No. 9. The organization has needs at linebacker, in the secondary and on the offensive line. Given the available prospects should the draft play out this way, offensive tackle Brandon Scherff is the smart selection.

The Giants rotated players around the O-line because of injuries and ineffectiveness. Scherff gives them a rock of a lineman who won't be easily moved. Eli Manning will appreciate the pick.

10. St. Louis Rams: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

There were very few weaknesses on the defense of the Rams. The defensive line features studs in Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald, and linebackers James Laurinaitis and Alec Ogletree complement that pair well. The only part of the unit that is really lacking is the secondary.

Trae Waynes was a standout at Michigan State and can add to a weak position whose main contributor was Janoris Jenkins.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington

Shaq Thompson is an extremely athletic linebacker. Also a running back while with Washington, Thompson has the speed to play coverage and stop the run. The Vikings could definitely go with a pass-blocker here, but Thompson's versatility and high ceiling make him a smart pick.

12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

The need for a wide receiver just got even bigger for the Browns, as SportsCenter tweeted:

DeVante Parker is a big-play receiver the Browns can rely on to make catches in traffic and run good routes. The elephant in the room is who will be the quarterback throwing passes Parker's way, but that's something that will be illuminated as the offseason progresses. For now, the focus needs to be on surrounding him with weapons.

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

New Orleans was terrible defensively this year. The Saints finished 31st in yards allowed per game, as a nonexistent pass rush allowed opposing quarterbacks to sit in the pocket and find the wide-open receivers whom the secondary couldn't stick with.

Dante Fowler is an edge threat defensive coordinator Rob Ryan can push to reach his full potential. This pick is a no-brainer if Fowler is still available at No. 13.

14. Miami Dolphins: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Marcus Peters can make a case as the No. 1 corner in this class. It's really a toss-up between him and Waynes. Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton presumably leans toward Peters given this glowing review: "Peters is one of the few elite cornerback prospects in the last decade. He’s a potential Pro Bowl-type talent who can force an offense to change their game plan just for his ability to force turnovers."

He's an athletic cover corner who can make a quarterback's job rather difficult. Richard Sherman essentially eliminates the right side of the field for an opposing offense. In time, Peters can have a similar impact.

15. San Francisco 49ers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

NFL.com's Mike Mayock loves T.J. Clemmings, who only moved to the offensive line in 2013 after spending his first three years at Pittsburgh on the defensive line, via NFL.com's Mike Huguenin.

"I believe at the end of the day, if things play out, he'll be a top-10 pick," Mayock said. "He's got beautiful feet. He's a dancing bear. He's a guy that's a pass protector first. He just needs to clean up technique and get stronger, especially in his core areas."

The 49ers are undergoing serious changes this offseason, with several important free-agent decisions to make. Improving the offensive line is one way to ensure that this team maintains its toughness heading into next season.

16. Houston Texans: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

This pick is a huge risk. Dorial Green-Beckham didn't play a single down at Oklahoma, but he decided to declare for the NFL draft. He has legitimate first-round talent, so the No. 16 slot isn't ludicrous. The fact that he hasn't played competitively in so long should leave NFL organizations skeptical, however.

The Texans are in a position to take a risk. The defense is strong, and Arian Foster leads the run game. The quarterback situation is a little fuzzy, but even a so-so signal-caller can take advantage of weapons like Andre Johnson, DeAndre Hopkins and Green-Beckham.

Plus, with Johnson's career nearing its end, Green-Beckham can learn from one of the best before eventually taking his place.

17. San Diego Chargers: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

Eddie Goldman stands 6'4" and weighs 320 pounds. That's an enormous man. The Chargers lack that kind of size in the middle, which makes this an ideal marriage at No. 17. Sure, the Chargers had a poor rushing attack, and Philip Rivers was sacked 36 times, but Goldman is a hulking presence. You can't pass him up.

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

Alex Smith has terrible options in the passing game outside of tight end Travis Kelce and running back Jamaal Charles. Not a single touchdown he threw last season went to a wideout, meaning the team's top selection must be used on the position.

Kevin White received a humbling player comparison from one scout, via Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel: "He's more of a (Larry) Fitzgerald type receiver in that he doesn't have great speed. I never see him beat people deep. But (if) he is even with them he's going to get the ball. Very good player."

Fitzgerald has enjoyed a wonderful NFL career, one that is still continuing. The Chiefs would do well to draft that type of talent.

19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina

A.J. Cann is exceptionally strong and is also an athletic guard who can block up the middle. The Browns didn't have all that much stability on the O-line, so upgrading here is an obvious choice. With Parker and Cann in the fold, the Browns can begin to address much smaller issues and work toward improving on their 7-9 record.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

Will the Eagles trade up for Mariota? It remains a possibility given Chip Kelly's ties to Oregon and the team's issues at quarterback. The secondary is even more of a need, so Jalen Collins—the top corner available at No. 20—is the pick. Of course, Kelly's ties to the Ducks could point him in the direction of Iko Ekpre-Olomu, but his knee injury is worrisome.

Collins will forgo his senior season at LSU because teams have shown an interest in his speed and size (6'2", 195 pounds).

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The Bengals have a few aging members on the offensive line—namely Andrew Whitworth—so looking for a lineman in Round 1 is the right thing to do. Andrus Peat stands 6'7" and weighs 313 pounds, but he isn't just a power blocker. He is great technically and knows how to block rushers in any situation. He's a great pick for Cincy.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

Malcom Brown used his speed to become a dangerous pass-rusher in 2014. This motor made him a difficult assignment for offensive linemen. The Steelers missed that interior presence in a season in which the offense completely led the charge. An improved defense coupled with this offense would make the Steelers extremely dangerous in the AFC.

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

This is really the lone slam-dunk pick of Round 1. Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley are free agents, leaving a hole on the defensive line the size of two enormous men. Naturally, the Lions should use the draft to address this need.

Michael Bennett doesn't bully linemen around like Suh does, but he knows how to work through a block and push into the backfield. It's this persistence that makes him such an intriguing prospect. With a little more strength, Bennett can be a beast.

24. Arizona Cardinals: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, LB, UCLA 

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

The Senior Bowl isn't just a fun game for those graduating college. It's the perfect opportunity for fringe players to set themselves apart from the rest of the competition. That's just what UCLA product Owamagbe Odighizuwa did, according to DraftInsider.net's Tony Pauline:

He's quick off the snap and uses his power to bully linemen when coming in on the blitz. Look for him to sneak into the first round without much notice but quickly establish himself as a viable defender in the NFL.

25. Carolina Panthers: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

Cam Newton works well out of the pocket, but it's time for the Panthers to protect him enough that he doesn't have to scramble each time he drops back.

La'el Collins was a standout for Bleacher Report's Matt Miller during the Senior Bowl festivities:

This is a no-brainer for the ground-and-pound Panthers game plan.

26. Baltimore Ravens: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

Kevin Johnson needs to put some weight on to find success in the NFL (he's currently around 175 pounds), but he already plays good coverage and is athletic enough to keep with big-play receivers. The Ravens struggled against the pass, and adding a cover corner would help improve the overall quality of the defense.

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

If the Cowboys decide they can't lean on Sean Lee and others due to injuries, then Benardrick McKinney should suit up for Dallas. McKinney is a decent tackler—though not the best in the class—but he is tenacious and his instincts separate him from the pack. Dallas' defense couldn't produce at the same level as its offense last season, making defense the smart choice at No. 27.

28. Denver Broncos: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Peyton Manning might not have the same weapons he has had in Denver the past few seasons if one of Demaryius Thomas or Julius Thomas leaves as a free agent. The late-first-round talent at wideout is strong, though, so the Broncos can retool the position at No. 28. Devin Funchess is a talented receiver with soft hands and the ability to overmatch defensive backs.

29. Indianapolis Colts: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Andrew Luck was phenomenal this season and was the main reason why the Colts made it to the AFC Championship Game. They were overmatched by the New England Patriots for a variety of reasons but most notably was the absence of a consistent running game. Daniel Herron is not the future at running back for Indy.

Luckily, the Colts are in a position to take Melvin Gordon, a Heisman finalist, at No. 29. He's a future three-down back who should take the NFL by storm in his rookie season.

30. Green Bay Packers: Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma

Jordan Phillips is 6'6" and 334 pounds. He's a run-stopping monster at nose tackle, and that's exactly what the Packers need up front. He "eat[s] space and free[s] linebackers," according to his draft profile on NFL.com, making him an ideal fit for a Green Bay team that struggled to contain runners from time to time.

31. New England Patriots: Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Tom Brady brought his Patriots to the Super Bowl even without top-notch pass-catching options outside of Rob Gronkowski, but adding to the offense is key for New England this offseason. The draft boasts solid receivers toward the end of Round 1. Sammie Coates, a star at Auburn, can go over the top of defenses and allow Brady to air it out. The quarterback has lacked such options since Randy Moss left during the 2010 season.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Carl Davis, DL, Iowa

Carl Davis put on a show in one-on-one opportunities at the Senior Bowl, showing his power, speed and athleticism against some of the top prospects in the country. He was probably a Day 2 selection prior to this outing, but there's no questioning the fact that he deserves to go in Round 1 after analyzing the results.

His stock could continue to rise into the middle portion of the opening round.

Follow Kenny DeJohn on Twitter: @kennydejohn