2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions and Most Exciting Prospects in 1st Round

When you really strip the NFL down to its bare bones, it is a game of hyper specialization. That might seems obvious enough—there are 11 different positions on the field at all times, with each player fulfilling a specific role, after all—but it goes even deeper than that. 

There are wide receivers drafted simply because they can stretch the field vertically. Cornerbacks who are brought onboard because their size matches up well against the bigger receivers in their division. Defensive tackles who fit a one-gap defense but certainly aren't a great fit in a two-gap scheme.

When it comes to the NFL draft, "fit" is one of many factors that has to be weighed. How much raw talent does the player have? Does he come with off-field risks? Has he reached his ceiling as a player or does he have untapped potential? And will he put butts in seats because he's an exciting player to watch?

While I try to take into account every possible variable when putting together my mock draft, sometimes I just want to focus a bit more on the most exciting players in the draft. So, along with my first-round mock below, I'll also focus a bit more closely on the players who should be turning heads at the next level.

Pick	Team	Player
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
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	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon Ducks
7	Chicago Bears	Dante Fowler, DE, Florida
8	Atlanta Falcons	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
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 Smith, WR, Ohio State
32	New England Patriots	Devin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

It remains up in the air whether Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota will be the first quarterback selected in this year's draft—though Winston seems to be the front-runner at this point—but there's no questioning which of the two is the more exciting player to watch.

You don't rush for 2,237 yards and 29 touchdowns in three years starting at quarterback for Oregon without being exciting, after all. 

But it isn't just the rushing yards or the athleticism that makes Mariota fun to watch. No, it's that he has the ability to extend the plays with his pocket presence and agility like a younger Tony Romo or Russell Wilson. It's the fact that Mariota can bail out an offensive line and beat the pressure himself before buying time for his receivers to get open down the field and hit them with a pass that sparks a big play.

It would be amazing to see Mariota play in a system that truly complements his skill set like Chip Kelly's spread-option attack in Philadelphia, but that's unlikely. No matter where he ends up, though, expect Mariota to be a whole lot of fun to watch in his career.

Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Amari Cooper is, in my opinion, the best overall wideout in this class. Sammie Coates might be the most dynamic deep threat, though he's inconsistent. DeVante Parker is excellent. But for my money, the most exciting wide receiver in this draft class is Kevin White.

His combination of size, athleticism, strength and leaping ability make him a dynamo in the red zone and a constant source of highlight-reel material. There's something so beautiful about watching a receiver perfectly contort his body in the air and snag a seemingly uncatchable pass.

He's no one-tricky pony, however. He can stretch a defense vertically. He'll go over the middle. He makes plays after the catch. At any moment, he can rattle off a big play. That he finished 2014 with 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns is evidence of that.

When the ball is in the air and headed in White's direction, you best not look away. Something special is very likely about to happen.

Shaq Thompson, LB/RB, Washington

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Shaq Thompson has played a number of positions in college, primarily linebacker but also running back, safety and various roles on special teams. He finished 2014 with 81 tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles, an interception and a defensive touchdowns. Oh, and he also rushed for 456 yards and two touchdowns, averaging a whopping 7.5 yards per rush. 

What I'm saying is that Thompson might be the most versatile player in this draft class. He's certainly its most unique athlete. Watching how he develops in the NFL and where he ends up primarily playing will be exciting to watch. I have a feeling Thompson will be the sort of player who stretches our conceptions of positional roles during his NFL career.

Honorable Mentions: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin and Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

I don't think either player will be selected in the first round, based on the recent trend of devaluing running backs in the NFL draft, but man, I can't wait to see these guys in action. They are different stylistically, sure, but they each bring something to the table.

Where Gordon's explosiveness, first-step quickness and ability to pull away from defenders in the open field defines his game, Gurley is a bigger, more physical back who combines that with rare agility for a man his size, similar to Marshawn Lynch. 

Whichever of the two players you prefer probably comes down to whether you like home-run hitters or grinders. Regardless, both players have the chance to be special at the next level.