2015 NFL Draft: Complete 1st-Round Order, Analysis of Top Prospects

NFL fans can't get enough draft fodder before the big day on April 30. Internet data tells us that it is necessary to produce even more content for draftniks to consume.

How much is too much, though? Often more is less and vice versa when it comes to analyzing anything in life. Few phenomenons in professional sports are dissected more than the NFL draft, and the players who declare for it are subject to that scrutiny and spotlight.

Those who have been tuned in to the zany pre-draft buildup are probably quite well-acquainted with many of the biggest names likely to come off the board early. New information keeps surfacing, so it doesn't render updated analysis completely obsolete.

Until the next bit of intel comes out, of course. Nevertheless, one can view the first-round order below—if it's not already locked into one's memory by now—accompanied by a breakdown of the top 2015 draft prospects.

No. Pick	Team
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2	Tennessee Titans
3	Jacksonville Jaguars
4	Oakland Raiders
5	Washington Redskins
6	New York Jets
7	Chicago Bears
8	Atlanta Falcons
9	New York Giants
10	St. Louis Rams
11	Minnesota Vikings
12	Cleveland Browns
13	New Orleans Saints
14	Miami Dolphins
15	San Francisco 49ers
16	Houston Texans
17	San Diego Chargers
18	Kansas City Chiefs
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)
20	Philadelphia Eagles
21	Cincinnati Bengals
22	Pittsburgh Steelers
23	Detroit Lions
24	Arizona Cardinals
25	Carolina Panthers
26	Baltimore Ravens
27	Dallas Cowboys
28	Denver Broncos
29	Indianapolis Colts
30	Green Bay Packers
31	New Orleans Saints (via Seattle)
32	New England Patriots

Analysis of Top Prospects

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

Bleacher Report draft expert Matt Miller compares Marcus Mariota to a taller version of Seattle Seahawks star Russell Wilson. Those are some strong words, and they're suitable for a player of Mariota's caliber.

Mariota is a great decision-maker, has the arm talent to make all the requisite throws and is a dynamic athlete capable of ripping off a big run without taking a huge hit. This distinguishes him from other more reckless mobile quarterbacks of the past such as Robert Griffin III and Michael Vick.

NFL Network's Albert Breer suggests the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may well take Mariota with the No. 1 overall pick:

The only glaring concern about Mariota is whether he can make the jump from a spread-style scheme at Oregon to more complex terminology and concepts in the NFL. All indications are that Mariota's work ethic and overall football IQ aren't worrying points, so he'd appear to be an elite prospect.

Classic pocket passer and current CBS analyst Phil Simms doesn't believe Tennessee should take Mariota second overall if the Bucs opt for Winston, per The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt:

"

If Jake Locker didn't fit the coaching staff there, what makes you think Marcus Mariota fits the coaching staff in Tennessee? If the Titans don't take Mariota, I'm sure there will be a lot of negative reaction from fans, media across the country. They'll say, "They need a franchise quarterback, so how could they not do it?"

The Titans would have to make a whole lot of alterations to the offense to fit Mariota and really teach what he does. I just don't see it.

"

With the off-field issues that surround Jameis Winston, the only other competition and the apparent favorite to be chosen over Mariota first overall, the former Oregon star has a leg up in that regard. It will be hard for Mariota to overcome Winston's prior experience in a pro-style offense at Florida State if Winston's background check comes back without any further red flags.

Even though Mariota is less of a sure thing on the field, his unique foot speed and quick release can mask a lot of flaws as he continues developing.

Leonard Williams, DL, USC

Whether he plays inside as a 3-technique defensive tackle in a 4-3 or moves out to be a 3-4 defensive end, any team that lands Leonard Williams will have to be thrilled.

A lot of mock drafts have Williams locked in the top five without many second thoughts. The perception is that strong that Williams is a can't-miss player. The Tennessee Titans could take him as high as second overall.

Pete Prisco of CBS Sports hints that the hype surrounding Williams is real:

Miller couldn't decide who he'd rather have on a team between Williams and 2013 Defensive Player of the Year Sheldon Richardson, who stars for the New York Jets:

So yes, Williams is an athletic freak who can play just about anywhere on the defensive line and find immediate NFL success.

Williams showed off his natural skills at the NFL Scouting Combine, highlighted by a 4.97-second 40-yard dash. Quick-twitch explosiveness and sustained long speed for someone who measured 6'5" and 302 pounds are just not seen every day—even at the highest level of football.

Both Tennessee and Tampa Bay need a quarterback, while Jacksonville could opt to fill its LEO position with an edge-rusher like Dante Fowler Jr. or Vic Beasley. The Oakland Raiders would be thrilled to add Williams to the fold if he falls to No. 4 overall.

It's hard to envision Williams sliding any further, barring a crazy trade for one of the premier receiver prospects or something of that nature.

Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Questions persist about Jameis Winston's maturity—and rightly so. Tremendous football intelligence and on-field prowess do not mean Winston can be the face of a franchise.

One has to bear in mind that Winston is almost a full year younger than Mariota and seems light years behind in terms of having the mental faculties to lead an NFL team.

But let's go back to the original point of overthinking the draft, which Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram alludes to in his analysis:

The game-changing plays Mariota can make with his legs, along with a much cleaner off-field resume, offer plenty of ammo to discourage Winston advocates.

What can be said in Winston's favor is that he's managed to handle all the criticism that's come with the negative media attention. At least on the surface, Winston has been convincing enough about his character and integrity to merit being a top draft pick.

Undeniable competitive fire burns in Winston, and he has the apparent desire to be great. His 125 pass attempts during his pro day—something rather small in the total evaluation process—showed that. So did Winston's national championship and Heisman Trophy hardware he achieved as a redshirt freshman with the Seminoles.

Whichever front office takes the plunge just has to make sure Winston has his wits together enough to make good decisions away from the white lines and be an upstanding man and the most prominent organizational representative.