2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Where Top 1st-Round Prospects Will Be Taken

As the 2014 NFL season fades into the rearview mirror, the focus has begun to shift toward the offseason. As always, one of the biggest highlights of the months ahead will be the draft. There's a process to go through before the draft, though.

The events, led by the NFL Scouting Combine, should take on even more significance this year. That's because the difference between players at many positions is relatively minimal. There's an opportunity for players to move up draft boards around the league.

While that's something worth tracking over the next few months, many players will remain close to their initial evaluations based on college performance. So let's check out how the first round could shape up at this stage.

Round 1 Mock Draft

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

Most of the attention throughout the draft process will likely center around offensive players. It starts with the quarterback battle between Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, which seems like it will determine the first overall pick.

There are several defensive players worthy of the spotlight too. Although this isn't the deepest draft class of the past decade, some instant-impact players are available. That's good news for teams drafting inside the top 10.

The Seattle Seahawks have shown over the past two years that it's possible to build a championship-caliber team with defense and a strong rushing attack in this pass-happy era. All told, upgrading on that side of the ball is just as important.

Top Defensive Prospects

5. Washington Redskins: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

While the Mariota vs. Winston debate will grab the headlines, Williams could emerge as the best player in the class. He's a do-it-all defensive lineman with the skill set necessary to dominate off the edge or on the interior.

Obviously, the first player who comes to mind with that description is J.J. Watt. The USC product isn't on that level yet and may never become quite that good, but he's a terrific raw talent.

Bucky Brooks of NFL Network believes it's enough to make him the clear No. 1 defender in the class:

He could use some technique improvements and will need to add more moves to his pass-rushing arsenal. That said, he possesses all the tools—ideal size, an explosive first step and plenty of power just as a foundation.

The entire package makes him a good fit for the Redskins. Washington had the No. 20 defense in yards allowed and tied for 25th in takeaways. Bringing in somebody who can wreak havoc would be a major step in the right direction.

6. New York Jets: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska

One of the areas in which the prospects are closely grouped is edge-rusher. Many players projected to go in the first round fill that role. At this point, Gregory seems to hold the edge over the rest of the pack.

Gregory sports outstanding short-area speed and a great motor. He doesn't have the greatest snap reaction, but once he makes his first move, he's tough to stop. He also doesn't lack confidence, as illustrated in a portion of a "draft diary" passed along by Tom Pelissero of USA Today:

"

I think I'm worthy of the No. 1 pick. I would hope anybody in the draft would want to be the No. 1 pick. I know how I am as a player. I know my potential. I know what I can do. I know what I bring to a team. And I understand that this position is a premium. Everyone wants someone that can get to the quarterback.

"

The only major concern is his size. He'll probably need to add more bulk to his frame in order to survive the wear and tear of an NFL season. It's one thing to shine in Week 1. It's another to have enough left in the tank to dominate down the stretch and into the playoffs.

He doesn't want to go overboard and lose his quickness, though. It's something he can work on at the next level, and it doesn't diminish his stock. He would be a welcome addition to a Jets defense that needs more playmakers.

7. Chicago Bears: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

Collins is an interesting case. In terms of pure talent, there are probably other players—Shane Ray, for example—who rate higher. But in terms of prospect value, the Alabama safety stands out due to the weakness of the position this year.

Teams know he is probably the only safety ready to play a key role as a rookie. The rest are development projects. That undoubtedly helps his value and gives him a good chance to land in the top 10.

That's not to say he isn't a good player. He's at his best when stepping up into the box to help the run defense. But he also has the playmaking ability to drop into deep coverage. ESPN College Football pointed out that those ball skills were on display in the All-Star Football Challenge:

The Bears are one of the teams in desperate need of help on the back end. They were 30th in pass defense last season and gave up too many big plays. Collins can help rectify that issue while also bolstering a middling run defense.