NFL Mock Draft 2015: 1st-Round Projections for Country's Top Prospects

To all NFL franchises that want to be like the New England Patriots, your mission is simple—dominate the draft.

Sure, the Patriots have a number of critical players they signed in free agency, but they also happened to take an overlooked quarterback out of Michigan with the 199th overall selection in the 2000 NFL draft. In addition to Tom Brady, New England drafted superstar Rob Gronkowski, defensive tackle Vince Wilfork, linebacker Jamie Collins and safety Devin McCourty, to name a few.

That’s not even mentioning important cogs of past championship teams, like Tedy Bruschi, Ty Law and Asante Samuel.

The draft represents the best way to build a long-term winner in this league, and the defending champs are walking proof. There is plenty of talent available in this year’s draft, including game-changing wide receivers, lockdown corners and perhaps even a running back or two who will be selected in the first round.

With that in mind, here is a look at a mock draft for the entire first round, as well as some intriguing selections to keep an eye on this year.

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

No. 3 Jacksonville Jaguars: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

Rob Rang of CBS Sports explained why he believes the Jacksonville Jaguars are going to take Randy Gregory with the third pick in the draft:

"

The Jaguars' record isn't pretty but head coach Gus Bradley's infectious enthusiasm, a hard-hitting defense and talented rookie quarterback Blake Bortles have this franchise on the upswing. Gregory is well-suited to starring in Bradley's hybrid 4-3 alignment at the LEO defensive end, as he's long (6-5, 242 pounds), explosive and passionate against both the run and pass.

"

It is that raw ability that makes Gregory so enticing from the Jaguars’ perspective. He brings explosive athleticism to the table that allows him to blow past offensive tackles and rattle quarterbacks from the opening snap. Throw that on top of his quickness in the open field, which helps him pursue running backs, and he has the chance to be the entire package at the next level.

Between quarterback Blake Bortles, running back Denard Robinson and wide receivers Marqise Lee, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, the Jaguars have a young and exciting core on the offensive side of the ball.

Now it's time to rebuild a defense that finished 22nd against the pass and 27th against the run last season with young playmakers. Gregory would be an excellent prospect to start the process with.

No. 23 Detroit Lions: Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State

This pick is all about need for the Detroit Lions if Ndamukong Suh and/or Nick Fairley go elsewhere during free agency.

Detroit made the playoffs this season largely by beating teams up front with the combination of Suh and Fairley and finishing first against the run. Losing even one would be a blow to the defense, let alone both, so the Lions will look to the draft to add some depth at the position.

Ohio State’s Michael Bennett would be the perfect fit for a Lions squad looking for defensive playmakers up front.

It was defensive end Joey Bosa who became a household for the Buckeyes this season, but a major reason for his production was the ability of Bennett to occupy multiple blockers on a consistent basis. He was an absolute monster in the middle of the line, stuffing rushing attacks up front and making passers uncomfortable by getting pressure right in front of their face.

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Like many of his Buckeye teammates, Bennett played some of his best football late in the season. Superstar Melvin Gordon and the rest of the Wisconsin offense managed a measly 71 rushing yards in the Big Ten title game, and the success of Ohio State’s defensive line against the read-option scheme of Oregon in the national title game was critical.

Coach Urban Meyer offered high praise of Bennett’s finish, via Patrick Maks of Eleven Warriors:

"

He just finished his best three weeks as a Buckeye; I don’t know how he played—I think he played pretty good—but I’m not talking about that.

I’m talking about his development as a leader and a guy that I can count on. A guy that doesn’t whine and moan and complain about stuff because that’s kind of how he got through it in the old days and that’s not the case at all right now. 

"

There is certainly room for someone like that along Detroit’s defensive line.

No. 31 Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

Al Goldis/Associated Press

This may be oversimplifying things, but if the Seattle Seahawks had a more physical presence in the passing game for Russell Wilson at tight end or wide receiver to battle for that final interception in the Super Bowl, they may be world champs.

The Seahawks only had one pass-catcher top 550 receiving yards this season (Doug Baldwin), and they have a lack of playmakers in the passing game for a team that is loaded elsewhere. Marshawn Lynch will be 29 next season, and assuming he returns to Seattle, the Seahawks need a better aerial attack to take some of the toll off his legs.

Enter Michigan’s Devin Funchess as a tight end/wide receiver combo player.

The most enticing thing about Funchess, aside from his versatility and ability to play along the line or on the outside, is his size. He checks in at 6’5” and is far too big for most cornerbacks or even safeties to contain. What’s more, he is too fast for the majority of linebackers and is a matchup nightmare in the open field.

Having someone like that in the passing game for Wilson even as a check-down option would open things up for the entire Seahawks offense. They certainly could have used him in their last game.

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