2015 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions for Where Elite Prospects Will Land

There is still a fair amount of preparation and homework to be done by every NFL team ahead of the 2015 draft, but there is no question that it has become one of the top priorities and storylines in the league now that the season has reached its conclusion.

The 2014 draft class has seemingly already yielded some great results, which proves that organizations can certainly make immediate improvements in addition to long-term gains through the draft. It may be tough for the 2015 class to replicate the success of last year's crop, but there is enough talent in place to make that happen.

In addition to a full, first-round mock draft featuring picks by every selecting team, here is a closer look at some of the 2015 NFL draft's top pass-rushers as well.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
2	Tennessee Titans	Randy Gregory, DE/LB, Nebraska
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
4	Oakland Raiders	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5	Washington Redskins	Leonard Williams, DL, USC
6	New York Jets	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
7	Chicago Bears	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
8	Atlanta Falcons	Shane Ray, DE/LB, Missouri
9	New York Giants	Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington
10	St. Louis Rams	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
11	Minnesota Vikings	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
12	Cleveland Browns	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13	New Orleans Saints	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
14	Miami Dolphins	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
15	San Francisco 49ers	Danny Shelton, DL, Washington
16	Houston Texans	Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA
17	San Diego Chargers	Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
19	Cleveland Browns (from BUF)	Vic Beasley, DE/LB, Clemson
20	Philadelphia Eagles	P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Alex Carter, CB, Stanford
23	Detroit Lions	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Alvin Dupree, DE/LB, Kentucky
25	Carolina Panthers	Cedric Ogbuehi, OT, Texas A&M
26	Baltimore Ravens	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
27	Dallas Cowboys	Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
28	Denver Broncos	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
29	Indianapolis Colts	A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina
30	Green Bay Packers	Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (Fla.)
31	Seattle Seahawks	Devin Funchess, TE/WR, Michigan
32	New England Patriots	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

Breaking Down Top Pass-Rushers

Randy Gregory

It can be argued that the 2015 draft class is richer with pass-rushers than anything else, and the fact that Nebraska's Randy Gregory is tops among them says a lot about his top-flight ability.

The former Cornhuskers star totaled 17.5 sacks in two collegiate seasons, but he also proved that he wasn't one-dimensional player. He racked up seven or more tackles in a game on eight occasions at Nebraska, which suggests that he is versatile enough to fit within multiple systems at the NFL level.

Gregory was primarily a defensive end in college; however, Terez A. Paylor of The Kansas City Star views him as more of a stand-up rusher in the NFL:

While Gregory isn't the biggest guy in terms of weight at 240 pounds, he often made up for that with his agility and athleticism. According to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, Gregory is able to get off the ball and beat linemen thanks to a spectacular first reaction:

Any number of teams would benefit from Gregory's presence, but the Tennessee Titans may top that list. With the No. 2 overall selection in the draft, the Titans will have an opportunity to select one of the top quarterbacks if they so choose. There is a great deal of risk involved with them, though, whereas Gregory looks like the real deal.

He would be great for Tennessee's system, especially after the hiring of defensive guru Dick LeBeau. The veteran coach knows how to get the most out of his pass-rushers as evidenced by the type of production James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley had with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he'll put Gregory in the same position.

Shane Ray

Brynn Anderson/Associated Press

The University of Missouri has become something of a "Pass-rusher U" in recent years due to the high volume of quality defensive ends it has sent to the NFL. The impressive Shane Ray is simply the latest example of that.

On the heels of a season that saw him take down opposing quarterbacks 14 times, Ray's draft stock appears to be through the roof. He has every available tool a pass-rusher needs to succeed in the NFL, which is why Sporting News draft expert Russ Lande believes he is generating so much buzz, according to Luke Thompson of FoxSports.com.

"(Scouts) love his explosion off the ball," Lande said. "Unlike most really high-end pass-rushers, he's a strong, powerful kid who can get off blocks at the point of attack."

In addition to his undeniable skill set, Ray also possesses some intangible qualities that increase his likelihood of success at the NFL level. That much is apparent based on the massive compliment Mizzou head coach Gary Pinkel paid him upon his decision to declare for the draft, per Dave Matter of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch:

Ray is another 'tweener in terms of size at 245 pounds, so it remains to be seen where he will line up in the NFL. Based on Lande's comments, though, he should be able to handle all types of systems.

That is what the Atlanta Falcons are likely hoping as they desperately need a pass-rusher to boost their anemic defense. They took a step in the right direction by hiring former Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn as head coach, but they need some personnel as well.

If Ray is on the board at No. 8, it is very difficult to imagine the Falcons passing on him considering their needs and defense-first head coach.

Vic Beasley

John Raoux/Associated Press

He may be among the most polarizing prospects in the 2015 NFL draft despite a spectacular collegiate career at Clemson, but pass-rusher Vic Beasley is certainly skilled enough to land with someone in the first round.

From 2012 through 2014, Beasley registered 33 sacks, which made him one of the most feared and consistent pass-rushers in the country. Due to his elite speed, quickness and elusiveness, he made life miserable for opposing quarterbacks.

As is the case with many of the pass-rushers in this draft, though, size is a concern. At just 6'2" and 235 pounds, Beasley may have a difficult time playing defensive end in the NFL. That trims his list of potential suitors, but it certainly doesn't disqualify him from being a first-round pick.

Beasley has always had his detractors, but he has managed to change some of their minds with his spectacular play, including NFL.com's Bryan Fischer:

Any 3-4 team with a need at pass-rusher figures to take a long, hard look at Beasley, including the Cleveland Browns. The Browns have two first-round selections in this year's draft, and they can afford to take a chance on an immense talent like Beasley.

Head coach Mike Pettine needs his defense to get to the quarterback more often in order for his system to be truly successful, and selecting Beasley should certainly help in that regard.

Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter