NFL Mock Draft 2015: Full 1st-Round Outlook, Landing Spots for Top Prospects

The NFL Scouting Combine is starting to become a distant memory, and most of the free-agency frenzy is now in the rearview mirror. That means the 2015 NFL draft is getting closer, and the outlook is beginning to clear up.

Projecting exactly how the opening round will play out is still a tricky task because there are so many variables in play. The prospects are starting to solidify their value, though, and the possible selections at a particular pick are now easier to identify.

With that in mind, let's examine a complete mock draft for the first round, starting with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their search for a franchise quarterback.

Round 1 Mock Draft

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

One reason the NFL draft is so difficult to forecast are the turning-point picks, spots in each round, in this case the first, where a team can go multiple directions. Whatever they decide ultimately has a trickle-down effect on everybody else.

That's why the situation is so fluid even on draft day. If there's a sudden run on wide receivers and a team is desperate to get one it feels can make an instant impact, perhaps they trade up, and players at other positions start sliding.

Let's check out three notable points of the round where the outlook could begin to change.

Turning-Point Picks

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

The Titans are in a promising position. Not only do they have the potential to choose from all but one top prospect, but they could also become a popular trade partner. In the latter case, they would be able to stock up on a good amount of future assets.

Quarterback is still an area of need. If they have confidence in either Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota, depending on who Tampa Bay selects, it would be hard to pass up that opportunity. Peter King of The MMQB previously noted there is some interest in the Oregon star:

That's not all of Tennessee's options, either. If it doesn't feel comfortable going quarterback and a trade doesn't materialize, Leonard Williams is also an option. The defensive lineman could end up developing into the best player in the class.

Assuming the Buccaneers don't throw everything into chaos by going a direction other than quarterback, the Titans will be the ones that set the early tone.

5. Washington Redskins: Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida

The Redskins benefit from drafting high in a class where there are some solid prospects available at their positions of need. The most notable areas are edge-rusher, offensive line, secondary and possibly quarterback depending on the front office's feeling on Robert Griffin III.

Right now, it's hard to get a grasp on what Washington is planning to do with this selection. Britt McHenry of ESPN highlights the team's needs in the defensive backfield but points out the organization has been relatively quiet so far this offseason:

Perhaps the most interesting scenario would be if one of the top quarterbacks is still available. Would they spend another high pick at the position with Griffin still on the roster, try to trade out or just select somebody else? It's a tough call.

Under this mock scenario, Fowler makes the most sense. The QBs are gone, and he's a high-upside pass-rusher capable of making an instant impact. But there are surely no shortage of options given the voids the Redskins need to fill.

12. Cleveland Browns: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

Cleveland owns two picks in the opening round. If it doesn't use them as trade bait to move up, there will be some analyzing to do when the 12th pick arrives. Since they pick again at No. 19, the key is trying to determine who will be available then to maximize the total value of both selections.

One theme remains the same: The Browns also have multiple areas in need of upgrades. Jared K. Mueller of Dawg Pound Daily provided a general look at the wide range of positions they will likely try to address during the draft:

For example, White is the mock selection here, but if the Browns like another wideout and believe he'll still be there in seven picks, the focus likely shifts. Perhaps they look to the trenches to improve one of the lines instead.

These are the type of situations that have helped the draft become a popular viewing event. The unpredictability added to the massive interest in the NFL creates plenty of drama. It's always intriguing to watch it all play out.