2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for 1st-Round Prospects as Free Agency Begins

The college football season helps, and the NFL Scouting Combine is a big measuring stick, but nothing is shaking up teams' plans for the 2015 NFL draft more than free agency.

While clubs have had a feel for what positions of need they had last season and heading into 2015, a couple of strong moves in the free-agency cycle can alter those plans. There may not be quarterbacks available in free agency that will keep a QB-needy team from taking Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, but other highly touted picks could prove impossible with a few key free-agency signings.

Things are sure to change as top free agents announce their landing spots, but let's go ahead and predict the right player for every team heading into the free-agency period.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
4	Oakland Raiders	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5	Washington Redskins	Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
6	New York Jets	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7	Chicago Bears	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
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	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
12	Cleveland Browns	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
13	New Orleans Saints	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
14	Miami Dolphins	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
15	San Francisco 49ers	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
16	Houston Texans	Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville
17	San Diego Chargers	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
19	Cleveland Browns *via Buffalo*	Arik Armstead, DT/DE, Oregon
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE, Kentucky
23	Detroit Lions	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
24	Arizona Cardinals	Eddie Goldman, DT, FSU
25	Carolina Panthers	D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
26	Baltimore Ravens	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
27	Dallas Cowboys	P.J. Williams, CB, FSU
28	Denver Broncos	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
29	Indianapolis Colts	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
30	Green Bay Packers	Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
31	Seattle Seahawks	Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
32	New England Patriots	Cameron Erving, C, FSU

7. Chicago Bears: Vic Beasley, OLB/DE, Clemson

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It hasn't yet become apparent exactly where former Clemson star pass-rusher Vic Beasley will line up in the NFL, but it's beyond obvious that he'll waste no time making an impact there.

The 6'3", 246-pounder is a sack machine with the innate ability to rip around some opposing blockers and power through others. But it's his first-step quickness that separates him from the rest, which is also why the Chicago Bears are an ideal fit.

New Bears head coach John Fox will not only be implementing a strong defensive identity, but it will be predicated on speed more than ever with defensive coordinator Vic Fangio mixing it up with a 3-4 scheme. Beasley's size and skill set are perfect for playing that outside linebacker spot, and his latest weight at Thursday's pro day indicates he's ready, per Bleacher Report's Matt Miller:

Chicago ranked a lowly 30th against the pass in 2014, which was equal parts due to a hapless, injury-riddled secondary, a lack of speed in the middle and an ineffective pass rush. Beasley will single-handedly impact two of those three, and that could have a trickle-down effect on the team.

Think of what Fox and Fangio have done with the likes of Julius Peppers, Aldon Smith or even Von Miller early in their careers. Beasley could be next. And if he is, getting him at No. 7 is a steal.

15. San Francisco 49ers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

Mammoth nose tackle Danny Shelton has turned so many heads in the predraft season that it wouldn't be surprising to see the 340-pounder come off the board in the top 10. But the 49ers will have no complaints about him being there at No. 15 overall.

San Francisco already made a splash on the defensive line—a huge area of need—entering free agency as former Arizona Cardinals defensive end Darnell Dockett signed with the Niners, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus on Twitter. But that only addresses one area of the new 4-3 scheme under head coach Jim Tomsula.

Dockett could join Aldon Smith on the edge to bolster San Francisco's pass rush. As for the interior? Shelton can take care of that, as Jayson Braddock of SportsTalk 790 daydreams at the potential:

In a draft class that is chock-full of elite-level pass-rushers that come in a number of different molds, Shelton may be overlooked for those speedy and agile specimens. But games in the NFL are still won and lost in the trenches, and few teams know that better than the San Francisco 49ers.

The Niners' defensive front has taken some hits, and they'll do well to address them with Shelton and Dockett.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

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Players with past off-field issues are becoming easier and easier to shy away from, but regarding a player like cornerback Marcus Peters, it might be wise to take a closer look.

The former Washington Huskies star cornerback was dismissed from the team in November following a slew of clashes and arguments with coaches and fellow players. While that raised the question about how the potential first-round pick would respond at the next level, he says the time off—and some life experience—has helped him to mature, per Dane Brugler of CBS Sports:

Any character concerns should fly out the window upon his arrival in Philadelphia. Head coach Chip Kelly continues to implement things his way and would seem to have a message that his fellow Pacific Northwest native could buy into. 

If that happens, the sky could be the limit for both Peters and the Eagles, as Miller has him as the draft's top cornerback:

There isn't a team in the NFL that needs an impact-making cornerback more than the Eagles. As a unit, it gave up a whopping 264.9 passing yards per game last season, second-worst in the NFL. Philly missed the postseason despite ranking sixth in passing yards and ninth in rushing.

There may be newfound offensive needs in Philly, but let's not shy away from the fact that the Eagles are one competent defense away from being serious Super Bowl contenders. Peters could help to change that.