2015 NFL Mock Draft: Top Prospects, Projections Before Super Bowl

Sometimes the best picks in the NFL draft's first round aren't the sexy ones. Fans love when their team selects the strong-armed quarterback or big-play wide receiver, but those skill positions wouldn't be able to function without a corps of viable offensive linemen.

We only need to look back one year to see the impact a rookie lineman can make. Remember when the Dallas Cowboys selected Notre Dame's Zack Martin at No. 16 overall instead of a certain Texas-born quarterback? That decision turned out to pay dividends, as Martin was elected to the Pro Bowl and was a finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year after helping his team accumulate a 12-4 record and an NFC East title.

Martin is just one of the unheralded big men who made an enormous impact for his team last season. With several talented offensive linemen worthy of first-round grades in this year's draft class, let's take a look at where they could land when the draft kicks off April 30.

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

Analyzing First-Round Offensive Linemen

6. New York Jets: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

USA TODAY Sports

The Jets have some fine players along the left side of the offensive line; however, the right side remains a bit of a weakness with Breno Giacomini at tackle and Willie Colon at guard. This was one of the reasons New York ranked 25th in the league in sacks allowed last season with 47.

Adding the talents of the 6'5", 320-pound Scherff will strengthen this offense in the trenches. He isn't the quickest tackle, but his strength, agility and strong hands allow him to get into position quickly and corral faster pass-rushers.

Not only will Scherff be an upgrade in pass protection, but he's extremely dangerous when blocking for the run—something the Jets already do very well. The Iowa product has a very wide base, great upper-body strength and a powerful drive that routinely puts defenders back on their heels.

11. Minnesota Vikings: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

Minnesota's offensive line was awful for the better part of the 2014 regular season. Rookie quarterback Teddy Bridgewater stood very little chance against better pass-rushers, as the Vikings big men allowed a total of 51 sacks last year, good enough for 28th in the league. An upgrade is needed for the continued development of the young signal-caller.

With the monstrous 6'7", 312-pound Peat in the fold, the Vikings get an immediate boost. In pass protection, Peat displays great agility for his size, utilizing his quickness and sliding outside in a hurry to stop quicker pass-rushers in their tracks.

Against the run, Peat is equally as impressive. He has an enormous lower half that allows him to anchor himself against powerful defenders and the athleticism to get to the second level in a hurry and deliver crushing blocks on moving targets.

16. Houston Texans: La'el Collins, OT, LSU

David Quinn/Associated Press

At first glance, the Texans seem set at offensive line. After all, the team's big men block for the run very well and only gave up 26 sacks in 2014, good enough for fourth in the league. However, those low sack totals had more to do with the team's quarterbacks getting rid of the ball quickly, as Houston signal-callers were hit a total of 80 times.

The Texans could use some depth and versatility along the line going forward, making the 6'5", 308-pound Collins a perfect fit. With experience at both tackle and guard, Collins is a mauler in the trenches, combining impressive strength, physicality and length to send defenders backward when blocking for the run.

In pass protection, Collins has nice initial quickness off the line, and when he is able to get himself into position to square up against faster pass-rushers, he rarely loses.

25. Carolina Panthers: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

Keith Srakocic/Associated Press

The Panthers have several issues along the offensive line, and consistent pressure on quarterback Cam Newton resulted in accuracy issues and an inconsistent passing game in 2014. Carolina needs an athletic tackle who can take much of that pressure off the team's franchise signal-caller.

Adding the 6'5", 307-pound Clemmings would give the team an enormous boost in that department. He has a high level of athleticism and quickness that, combined with a solid base and nice length, makes him an enormous obstacle for edge-rushers.

Not only is Clemmings' athleticism and sound technique on display in pass protection, but he's no slouch when blocking for the run, either. A nice burst off the line delivers a punch that sends defenders back on their heels. His quickness comes into play here as well, as Clemmings can get to the second level to deliver a crushing block in a hurry.

32. Seattle Seahawks: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

One of Seattle's lone weaknesses resides along the offensive line. Quarterback Russell Wilson spent the bulk of the 2014 season running for his life, as he was sacked 42 times and hit 91. Some versatility is needed along the line, and that's what Flowers will bring to the table.

At 6'5" and 324 pounds, the Miami product has an impressive frame for an NFL offensive lineman. He uses that frame very well in pass protection, as his wide base and agility allow him to cover a large area and square up before latching on to pass-rushers.

Also an asset when blocking for the run, Flowers has the necessary quickness to get to the second level in a hurry and take out moving targets. His solid base and impressive upper-body strength allow him to not only hold his ground, but drive defenders back off the line of scrimmage.