2015 NFL Mock Draft: Latest 1st-Round Predictions for Marquee Prospects

Finding a player capable of seeing the field early as a rookie isn't a tough proposition for those picking in Round 1 of the 2015 NFL draft, but selecting a player who can take the leadership reigns is a completely different story.

While scouts have little trouble pointing out the top prospects whose skills look tailor-made for the NFL, it takes a special breed of player to come into the league right away and make a big impact. Most rookies lean upon the experienced players on their team to learn the ropes, but others come in ready from day one to emerge as one of the team's best players.

Every team needs talent, but nothing compares to finding that gem in the first round who comes in and turns things around in an instant. Look for the players listed after this Round 1 mock to make the biggest early impacts on their respective squads.

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

First-Round Immediate Impacts

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

Eric Gay/Associated Press

Not only will Marcus Mariota be the most important pick come Round 1 of the draft, but he could be the most crucial player on his team entering 2015 and beyond.

The Buccaneers seem intent on finding their franchise quarterback with the top overall pick on April 30, and ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the increasing likelihood of it being Mariota: "There's a real sense that Tampa Bay has its sights set on Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota. So for now, Mariota shapes up as the most likely No. 1 pick."

It can be argued that Jameis Winston's skill set would have him more ready off the bat, but the offensively lethargic Bucs will see more potential in Mariota with his scrambling prowess and ability to extend plays.

The Bucs were horrible through the air at 25th in the NFL last season but finished even worse on the ground (29th) with 85.9 yards per game. Mariota would help out both causes, with his threat helping open running lanes even when he doesn't necessarily scramble.

Young budding-star wideout Mike Evans and veteran Vincent Jackson need a playmaker to get them the ball and help jump-start the offense when they aren't getting open deep down the field. For now, Mariota looks to be that guy.

4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

The need for wide receiver help will be close on many organizations' minds as they gear up for the draft but none more than the Oakland Raiders, who need playmakers on the outside more than anyone.

Enter Amari Cooper.

While another stud defensive player might take Oakland's defense to another level, the team will be lost without giving emergent starter Derek Carr a partner in the passing game. Cooper would be just that, as Bleacher Report's Scott Carasik likens him to Reggie Wayne:

The Raiders' wideouts didn't give Carr much help in 2014, as Andre Holmes led the team with 693 receiving yards. If Cooper's Biletnikoff Award in college and constant domination at Alabama are any indication, he'll top those numbers without a problem as a rookie.

Few receivers have been worthy of such a high selection in recent years, with Sammie Watkins and Julio Jones coming to mind first off. Cooper possesses every bit as much talent and potential as those two studs.

14. Miami Dolphins: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

As the long months before the 2015 NFL draft wear along, it's looking more and more like there will be a Danny Shelton sweepstakes. And in this case, it's the Miami Dolphins that win it.

Shelton has run away with the title of the draft's best nose tackle, and it isn't even close. In fact, Bleacher Report's Matt Miller sees him as a player who could creep into the top five, as he stated on B/R Radio:

Where Shelton makes his most striking impact is simply plugging up the trenches, as you'd expect from any 6'1", 340-pound player. He's not the same when exploding in pass rush, but in Miami, that won't really be an issue.

The Dolphins already boast one of the best pass-rushers in football, as Cameron Wake dominated his way to a third straight Pro Bowl in 2014. Young fellow defensive end Dion Jordan has struggled to come along, but he did notch nine tackles and his only sack of the season in the last two weeks.

That leaves Shelton as a missing piece for the Dolphins defense, which desperately needs some formidability up front to spring the likes of Wake and Jordan to the quarterback. Sure to be a perfect fit, Shelton will feast on offensive lines as a rookie.

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