Official First Round 2015 NFL Mock Draft

With the wild rush of one of the most intense free-agency periods in recent history almost complete, it's time to finally focus on the NFL's draft, which will be taking place in just over six weeks. 

Where last year's draft class specialized in wide receivers, this year's class highlights the strengths at both edge-rusher and running back. It's also strong at wide receiver, but it's weak at positions like quarterback and safety. 

Below is my first attempt at predicting the first round of the 2015 NFL draft. This will not include any trades, so each selection is based on who each team would select at their given draft position. 

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

The clear-cut consensus No. 1 selection in the draft, Jameis Winston has been called the second-best quarterback prospect of the last 10 years by ESPN's Todd McShay. Although Winston had his share of off-the-field issues during his tenure at Florida State, his ceiling makes him a player the Buccaneers cannot pass up. After all, this is a franchise that has never had a single quarterback make it out of his rookie contract during its 39-year history. 

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

In reality, I believe there's a pretty good chance Eagles head coach Chip Kelly finds a way to reunite with his college quarterback Marcus Mariota, a Heisman Trophy winner and the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the draft. But in a mock without trades, the idea of adding Mariota to the Titans makes too much sense. Although they claim to be content with last year's sixth-round rookie Zach Mettenberger, no team should ever pass up a potential franchise quarterback for a player who is largely an unknown. 

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DE, USC

Last year, Gus Bradley passed up a potential franchise cornerstone on the defense, Khalil Mack, to grab a potential franchise quarterback, Blake Bortles. That means this year he can take the best non-quarterback in the entire draft, as USC's Leonard Williams has drawn comparisons to Gerald McCoy and J.J. Watt. Williams can line up anywhere on the defensive line, inside or outside, and he'll be a force with a defensive-minded coach like Bradley. 

4. Oakland Raiders: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida

Although rookie quarterback Derek Carr could use a big wide receiver to help his development, there's a dominant group of receivers, and it may make sense to wait on the position for defensive help. The Raiders chose wisely in last year's draft, grabbing arguably the two best rookies in the entire draft with their top two picks. New coach Jack Del Rio, a former defensive coordinator, has his pick of the great pass-rushers in the draft. Florida's Dante Fowler says he's comfortable playing in either a 3-4 or a 4-3, which the Raiders run. He'd fit best as a defensive end, where the Raiders do have a glaring need. With Khalil Mack on one side and Fowler on the other side, the Raiders have two pieces already set on a rebuilding defense. 

5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

I'm not buying the Redskins' interest in Marcus Mariota even if he falls to the fifth pick in the draft. They have too much committed to Robert Griffin III, and Mariota is significantly less of a prospect than RGIII. The Redskins badly need to improve on defense. Nebraska's Randy Gregory feels like a good long-term option to replace Brian Orakpo, who signed with the Tennessee Titans in free agency. 

6. New York Jets: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

The Jets are far from set at quarterback, even after trading for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick to compete with 2013 second-round pick Geno Smith. If Mariota was still on the board, he'd make sense as new head coach Todd Bowles' future franchise quarterback. But with Mariota gone, give the defensive-minded head coach his choice of one of the great remaining pass-rushers. Although undersized, Beasley showed his incredible athletic ability at the combine and could provide an already dominant Jets defensive line with yet another rusher to get after Tom Brady. 

7. Chicago Bears: Shane Ray, OLB, Missouri

Adding one of the draft's best receivers to give Jay Cutler an adequate replacement for Brandon Marshall makes sense, but so does fixing a pass rush that played a big part in the Bears' 31st-ranked scoring defense in 2014. Shane Ray may not start as a rookie, as the Bears added Pernell McPhee to pair with veteran Jared Allen at outside linebacker, but give him a year or two before you can start expecting yearly double-digit sack totals. 

8. Atlanta Falcons: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa

One of the NFL's top teams just a few seasons ago, the Atlanta Falcons now need significant help on both sides of the ball, particularly in the trenches. I'd have them take any of Fowler, Gregory, Beasley or Ray, but with all four off the board, versatile lineman Brandon Scherff makes sense in more than one way. He can play right tackle or left guard, where his dominance as a run-blocker will help young running back Devonta Freeman. 

9. New York Giants: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford

Defense is where the Giants are weak, and if any of the top pass-rushers fall to the ninth pick, they'd be foolish to pass. But with the top four edge-rushers already drafted, fixing their offensive line—and extending Eli Manning's career—needs to be the main focus. Stanford's Andrus Peat is an enormous body who can both run and pass block. He could start at guard and move to tackle when Will Beatty begins his decline. 

10. St. Louis Rams: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Amari Cooper is the wide receiver with the most successful college career, but it was Kevin White whose performance at the combine makes him the most appealing receiver in the draft. A big reason for Nick Foles' success in Philadelphia was a dominant supporting cast. In St. Louis, he won't have Chip Kelly or one of the league's best offensive lines, but he will have a future Pro Bowl wide receiver. 

11. Minnesota Vikings: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

The Vikings have to be intrigued by the possibility of adding Teddy Bridgewater's top college receiver, DeVante Parker, but with Amari Cooper still on the board, this should be a relatively easy decision. Even though Kevin White had the better combine performance, Cooper was easily the most talented receiver during their college career. Add him to the best of last year's three first-round quarterbacks, and it's easy to see Bridgewater leading the Vikings into the postseason during the 2015 season. 

12. Cleveland Browns: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville

Cleveland desperately needs a quarterback, and after offering pick 19 for Sam Bradford a few weeks ago, you have to wonder if it's willing to offer pick 12 on draft day. Or perhaps it's prepared to trade up for Heisman winner Marcus Mariota. But in a mock without trades, the Browns go for the best available player, which is Louisville receiver DeVante Parker. Even with the additions of Dwayne Bowe and Brian Hartline, the Browns need a No. 1 receiver to fill the void left by troubled superstar Josh Gordon. 

13. New Orleans Saints: La'el Collins, OT/OG, LSU

A team that is all of a sudden in rebuilding mode, despite a dominant quarterback, the Saints have two first-round picks after their shocking trade of tight end Jimmy Graham. In La'el Collins, the Saints have a player they can plug in at either tackle or guard, and on their current offensive line, he'd make the most sense at left guard. 

14. Miami Dolphins: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State

The top cornerback on the draft board, Trae Waynes can fill the void next to Brent Grimes for the next five to seven seasons. He's extremely athletic, with the ability to play press and stick to receivers in tight coverage. In a defense that emphasizes man-to-man coverage on the outside, he'd be a star. 

15. San Francisco 49ers: Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky

No team in the NFL has seen more turnover this offseason than the San Francisco 49ers, who lost head coach Jim Harbaugh, running back Frank Gore, wide receiver Michael Crabtree (?), offensive guard Mike Iupati, defensive end Justin Smith and linebackers Patrick Willis and Chris Borland. With a ton of holes to fill, this is a team that just needs to use the best-player-available strategy. Kentucky pass-rusher Bud Dupree isn't quite in the class of Fowler, Beasley, Gregory or Ray, but he's still an elite player who can team with Aldon Smith.

16. Houston Texans: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

It wouldn't be the worst idea for Bill O'Brien to try to trade up for Oregon's Marcus Mariota in the draft. After all, Brian Hoyer is very likely not O'Brien's franchise quarterback. But with Mariota off the board and no other quarterback deserving of a first-round selection, Dorial Green-Beckham makes a lot of sense as a complement to DeAndre Hopkins and gives Hoyer two big targets to throw passes to down the field. 

17. San Diego Chargers: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia

After losing former first-round draft pick Ryan Mathews in free agency, the Chargers have a serious need at the running back position. Their current depth includes just Branden Oliver, Danny Woodhead and Donald Brown, none who can serve as an every-down back. Gurley is probably the most dominant running back in the draft, even with a torn ACL that could threaten to sideline him at the beginning of his rookie season. But with ACL tears not what they used to be, selecting Gurley will give Philip Rivers his most dominant running back since LaDainian Tomlinson in 2009. 

18. Kansas City Chiefs: Landon Collins, SS, Alabama

It's Landon Collins, and then everybody else at safety in this year's draft. With former All-Pro Eric Berry fighting Hodgkin's disease, Collins makes sense as his long-term replacement. Besides, wide receiver is not as much of a pressing need for the Chiefs now that they've reunited first-round pick Jeremy Maclin with the head coach who drafted him. 

19. Cleveland Browns: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

The league's worst run defense in 2014 desperately needs a big body in the middle of its defensive front. Florida State's Eddie Goldman weighs 336 pounds and could help with a unit that allowed more than 140 yards per game on the ground last season. 

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jake Fisher, OT/G, Oregon

A great athlete who can play either tackle or guard, Jake Fisher could start his career as Todd Herremans' replacement at right guard before eventually taking over for Lane Johnson at RT when Johnson replaces Jason Peters at LT. Fisher reminds me of Lane Johnson, the Eagles' first-round pick in 2013, as both played tight end in college and were very raw entering the NFL. Oh, and Jake Fisher also went to Oregon. I wonder if that makes him more likely to be drafted by the Eagles. 

21. Cincinnati Bengals: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

An unbelievable athlete who scored four defensive touchdowns during his final year of college, Shaq Thompson started his career at Washington as a safety before moving to linebacker in 2013. He identified himself as an outside linebacker heading into the draft, and that's where his speed would help the Bengals the most in 2015. 

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest

Ike Taylor is 34 years old and significantly past his prime, and Cortez Allen got roasted on the other side of the field. The Steelers need to draft a cornerback. It's just a matter of which one. Wake Forest's Kevin Johnson lacks the strength and size of a typical No. 1 corner, but he's durable and possesses excellent speed. 

23. Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

After losing Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley in free agency, it almost feels like the Lions should skip the best-player-available philosophy and head straight to the best defensive tackle on the board. Luckily, Texas's Malcom Brown isn't a stretch at pick 23. Although Brown played defensive end in a 3-4 system at Texas, he projects well as a 4-3 run-stopping defensive tackle on Teryl Austin's defense. 

24. Arizona Cardinals: Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia

In need of a pass-rusher, the Arizona Cardinals make sense as a team that would trade up in the draft if a player like Bud Dupree falls. But in Eli Harold, the Cardinals get a player who tested off the charts at the scouting combine and can start from day one as an outside linebacker in their 3-4 scheme.

25. Carolina Panthers: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Despite their second straight division title, the Carolina Panthers remain a majorly flawed team. They could use some serious help at running back, and passing on Melvin Gordon wouldn't be an easy decision. But Marcus Peters can flat-out play and despite his off-the-field issues, Peters looks like a future star at the position. Bleacher Report's Matt Miller even calls Peters his highest-graded cornerback since Patrick Peterson in 2011. 

26. Baltimore Ravens: Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

The biggest reason for the Ravens' two blown 14-point leads against Tom Brady's Patriots in the playoffs were their issues at cornerback, where injuries to Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith thrust guys like Rashaan Melvin into a starting role. Even after re-signing veteran running back Justin Forsett, the Ravens could look at a player like Melvin Gordon, but solidifying their once-great defense with a cornerback like Jalen Collins makes more sense. 

27. Dallas Cowboys: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Credit Jerry Jones, the general manager, for not overpaying for 2014 rushing champion DeMarco Murray, who has all the makings of becoming the next victim of the Curse of 370. But he has to know that former top-five pick Darren McFadden, now entering his eighth season, is best suited as a backup. Tony Romo enjoyed the best season of his career with a dominant running game in 2014. Plug Melvin Gordon in behind Dallas' tremendous offensive line, and you'd have a Dallas offense that would once again be among the best in the league. 

28. Denver Broncos: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida

With Peyton Manning already on the decline and possibly entering the final season of his career, protecting a quarterback who has had only one injury throughout his career is a priority. 

29. Indianapolis Colts: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh

The Indianapolis Colts absolutely have to find a way to protect Andrew Luck, as the former No. 1 overall pick continually takes an insane number of hits yet never misses a snap. Can that last forever? CBS Sports says Clemmings, a converted defensive lineman, has unbelievable athleticism, with the potential to be the best offensive tackle in the draft.

30. Green Bay Packers: Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon

An enormous defensive lineman who can play either tackle or end, Arik Armstead should be a day-one starter for a Packers defensive line that lacks playmakers. He's far from a finished product, and he should grow into a monster within a few seasons. 

31. New Orleans Saints: Owamagbe Odighizuwa, DE, UCLA

The shocking trade of Jimmy Graham to the Seattle Seahawks gives a clearly rebuilding team an extra first-round pick. As long as the Saints still have Drew Brees, they're going to be a top-10 offense, but it was defense where the Saints were among the league's worst in 2014. Alongside pass-rusher Cameron Jordan, the Saints have a glaring hole, and that's where versatile defensive lineman Owamagbe Odighizuwa fits in. His long arms and experience in a 3-4 defense make him an appealing prospect, although he's had more than his fair share of injury concerns from his time at Oklahoma. 

32. New England Patriots: Danny Shelton, NT, Washington

Projected as high as fifth overall in one mock draft, Danny Shelton slides to the bottom of the first round in this mock, where he fills in as Vince Wilfork's replacement. Shelton's size and power more than make up for his disappointing time in the 40-yard dash. In reality, however, watch Bill Belichick trade down with this pick and still find a way to select Shelton 12 picks later.