2015 NFL Mock Draft: Top Prospects, Best Fits and Predictions for 1st Round

The ultimate goal at the NFL draft is to match the best possible fit with the best possible value. NFL general managers and coaches want to find players who make sense in the systems they run, sure, but they also want to add the most talented players. 

Often, that conflict means teams take chances on talented players who don't necessarily fit their systems perfectly in hopes of molding those players into new roles. Just as often, teams will reach for players who fit their schemes when more gifted players are on the board.

That's why there is a caveat in many mock drafts that the projections are based on what teams will do, not necessarily what they should do. Ultimately, the goal is to find the balance between the two.

In my mock draft, I've attempted to find that balance, matching the best possible player to the best possible fit on the board. But it's also fun to imagine what might happen if a player could be matched to his best possible fit. 

So along with my predictions for what will actually happen in my mock draft, I picked three elite prospects and imagined where they would be best suited to end up (and where they could somewhat realistically end up). These picks may not happen, but they would make plenty of sense for the players and teams involved.

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

Marcus Mariota's Perfect Fit Is...

The Philadelphia Eagles.

I mean, duh. Chip Kelly's system is perfect for Marcus Mariota's skill set. His ability to run the read-option and make snap decisions perfectly aligns with the offense Kelly brought to the NFL.

Not only that, but think of the weapons Mariota would have at his disposal. LeSean McCoy and Darren Sproles in the backfield. Jeremy Maclin and Jordan Matthews at wide receiver. The talented Zach Ertz at tight end, surely in an even bigger role next year. A veteran offensive line that is one of the best in the game when it is healthy.

This is the perfect scenario for Mariota. It also seems incredibly unlikely, as the Eagles would need to give up a small fortune to move into position to draft the Heisman-winning quarterback. Perhaps if they are able to trade Nick Foles for a first-round pick they can swing it, but for now, this feels like a pipe dream.

Jameis Winston's Perfect Fit Is...

Jeff Gross/Getty Images

Washington. Yes, the same Washington that has Robert Griffin III at quarterback.

Just hear me out.

In the first part of this scenario, Washington would trade RG3. I know, I know, that's not going to happen, but just imagine Jay Gruden convincing Daniel Snyder that RG3 is a terrible fit for his offense and a huge injury liability. Now imagine him selling Snyder on finding a way to draft Winston (which the team might be able to do by staying put at No. 5).

Winston is a much better fit for Gruden's vertical passing attack and would come to a team with legitimate weapons in DeSean Jackson, Pierre Garcon, Alfred Morris, Roy Helu and Jordan Reed (if he can stay healthy). He'd be playing in an offense that suits his abilities too. And with the picks Washington would get from dealing away RG3, he'd potentially have even more talent to work with.

I know the odds of this happening are about 0.1 percent, but this isn't about what will happen; it's about the best possible fit for a player at the next level within the realm of possibility. And yes, this is madness, but after the tumultuous year RG3 had in Washington, it's within the realm of possibility, however unlikely.

Amari Cooper's Perfect Fit Is...

The Oakland Raiders. Ah, would you look at that? A match with my mock draft. And everything points to this being a great fit for Cooper.

He'd be going to a team that has a talented young quarterback in Derek Carr. Cooper would be the No. 1 option in the passing game, but he wouldn't be expected to be some savior in a more established offense; he would have a chance to grow into the role. And the Raiders are likely to work on establishing a ground attack next year, meaning Cooper could work a lot of play-action routes. 

Alabama found a creative way to get him more involved this year, and surely new offensive coordinator Bill Musgrave would do the same. But in Oakland, Cooper would have the chance to grow into superstardom with other young players beside him, such as Carr and Latavius Murray.

It's the right fit for Cooper, even if the Raiders haven't felt like the right fit for talented young players in a long time.