NFL Mock Draft 2015: Full 1st-Round Projections for Top-Tier Prospects

Just how important is building an NFL team through the draft? NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks recently took an eye-opening look at the two teams in Super Bowl XLIX. As it turns out, the Seattle Seahawks topped the league with 48 draft picks over the last five years, and the New England Patriots weren't too far behind with 44.

Making intelligent selections and developing those players correctly give franchises a strong core of young players to build around in an effort to create long-term success. Draftees don't come with the high price tags of top-tier veteran free agents, so giving up strong personnel in one area to make room for upgrades in another isn't necessary.

Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan is known for his savvy personnel decisions. During an interview with Andrew Walker of Redskins.com, he shared his thoughts about creating a successful franchise via the draft:

"

The thing I liked about what we did in San Fran, what we did in Seattle, we drafted our own, molded our own and re-signed the ones we wanted to re-sign. So all of a sudden now, you train them how you want to train them.

In Washington, we're going to draft these guys and we are going to draft them and mold them as Redskins.

"

That's going to be a big change for a franchise that isn't shy to trade away draft picks and is known to be a big spender in free agency.

With the importance of the draft now fresh in our minds, here's a look at how this year's first round is likely to shake out:

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	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8	Atlanta Falcons	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
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	Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
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	Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Bud Dupree, DE/OLB, Kentucky
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
23	Detroit Lions	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
24	Arizona Cardinals	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
25	Carolina Panthers	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
26	Baltimore Ravens	Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)
27	Dallas Cowboys	Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
28	Denver Broncos	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
29	Indianapolis Colts	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
30	Green Bay Packers	Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
31	Seattle Seahawks	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
32	New England Patriots	Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn

Analyzing Selections of Fringe Playoff Teams

Each season, only 12 of the NFL's 32 teams make the playoffs, as players from the 20 remaining franchises are forced to watch the postseason action from the comfort of their own living rooms. While missing out on the playoffs hurts each of those squads, the ones that just barely didn't make it are left with a sour taste in their mouths.

Luckily, there's always next season, and for these teams, a few minor adjustments could be the difference-maker between missing out on the postseason once again or finally getting a chance to make a run at the Super Bowl. Acquiring the right first-round prospect will play a huge role in those offseason upgrades.

That said, here's a look at the potential first-round selections of four teams that just barely missed out on the playoffs following the 2014 regular season.

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

David Quinn/Associated Press

The Texans could stand to upgrade along the offensive line. While the unit fared well when blocking for the run in 2014, it was rather inconsistent in pass protection. The team's quarterbacks were only sacked a total of 26 times; however, they were also hit a total of 80 times. Making matters worse, Houston could lose some depth heading into the 2015 season with Derek Newton slated to hit free agency.

Selecting former LSU standout La'el Collins would be a great answer here. At 6'5" and 308 pounds, he has a wide frame, a solid base, tremendous strength and quick feet. He can handle himself nicely at tackle, but he also projects well as a guard in the NFL. His addition would give the Texans the versatility they need to stay strong in the trenches going forward.

17. San Diego Chargers: Vic Beasley, DE/OLB, Clemson

John Raoux/Associated Press

San Diego's defense needs some additional help against the pass heading into the 2015 season, and while adding a cornerback here could be a viable option, selecting a pass-rusher will pay dividends. After all, Dwight Freeney's future is in doubt, and the team lacks sufficient edge-rushers, finishing the 2014 regular season with just 26 sacks—good only for 29th in the league.

Former Clemson Tiger Vic Beasley would provide an immediate impact on the defensive side of the ball in San Diego. At 6'2" and 235 pounds, he isn't the biggest outside linebacker, but what he lacks in size, he makes up for in speed. A blazing-fast first step allows Beasley to throw blockers off balance, giving him the chance to utilize his quickness to get around the edge and after the quarterback.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Kansas City's wide receivers combined to score zero touchdowns in 2014. That statistic alone should have the team wanting to add a dependable outside threat during the offseason. Not only should this team be looking at potential free-agent additions, but drafting a first-round receiver should be under consideration. Luckily, at No. 18 overall, there are some solid options on the board.

One of the draft's brawnier receivers, the 6'3", 215-pound Jaelen Strong was a force for Arizona State. His muscular frame makes him difficult to tackle for smaller defensive backs, but he also has a great deal of length and leaping ability, which gives him a huge catch radius. While Strong isn't a burner, he possesses good acceleration and can be utilized as a deep threat.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

The Eagles finished the 2014 regular season with a 10-6 record, barely missing out on the playoffs. One of the biggest reasons for the team's exit from contention was its secondary. Despite sacking opposing quarterbacks 49 times last year, the Eagles still finished with the league's 31st-ranked secondary, allowing an average of 264.9 passing yards per game.

At 6'0" and 198 pounds, Marcus Peters has the size and length of an NFL outside cornerback. He has a great combination of physicality and athleticism that could make him the most talented corner in this year's draft class. There are some concerns over Peters' maturity following his dismissal from Washington's football team, but if he can get his act together, the Eagles could come away with the steal of the draft at No. 20 overall.