NFL Mock Draft 2015: 1st-Round Projections and Ideal Scenarios for Top Prospects

In sports, it's rare to find a perfect marriage of player and talent. There are different schemes and talent variances that suit one player's skill set better than another's, even though the latter player may be held in higher esteem.

It's amazing when the pairing does happen perfectly, like the Indianapolis Colts lucking into Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck, but most franchises aren't so fortunate.

It takes a lot of effort from both sides, player and coaching staff, to become the "ideal" draft pick.

This doesn't just apply to the first round either, even though that's the one everyone focuses on. Analyzing college tape and talking to players only gets you so far. Eventually, a player must adjust to his new surroundings and the speed of the game.

To use the old cliche, the cream rises to the top. It's trite but no less true.

Here are the first-round projections heading into crunch time, as well as ideal fits for the top prospects. Keep in mind that doesn't necessarily mean where they are projected to end up.

Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

It comes as no surprise that Marcus Mariota's ultimate landing spot is the most fascinating storyline heading into the first round on April 30. Going through mock drafts around the Internet, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner is projected to go anywhere between No. 2 and No. 10 overall.

However, the late-developing story is which team will be in one of those spots to take Mariota.

Tennessee currently holds the No. 2 pick and may want to upgrade the quarterback position, though Zach Mettenberger did flash potential (59.8 completion percentage, eight touchdowns in six starts) as a rookie last season.

Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt did say at the AFC coaches breakfast in March that if his team takes Mariota, it would be with the thought that he can start right away.

Given the massive holes on Tennessee's roster and how raw Mariota seems to be as far as NFL skills, though, it's not a good fit for the player.

The next logical spot for Mariota is at No. 6 with the New York Jets. The new regime in New York is remaking that roster with virtually every defensive back in the league, but quarterback is still a gaping void in need of repair.

But for Mariota, that's the last place he should be playing because of the media scrutiny and the fact that he's not going to be a superstar right away.

Two interesting trade scenarios that have come up involve Philadelphia and San Diego. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that the Chargers brought Mariota in for a private workout:

Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

There's been discussion about the Chargers trading Philip Rivers to the Titans for the No. 2 pick with the purpose of taking Mariota. A lot of that started because Rivers reportedly won't sign a contract extension in San Diego before his deal expires after the upcoming season, per Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

That would keep Mariota on the West Coast, closer to his home in Hawaii than any of the other scenarios, but Chargers head coach Mike McCoy seems like more of a traditional guy who wants a prototypical pocket passer.

Mariota could develop into that kind of player one day, but it's certainly not his strength right now. This brings us to the Eagles, who have felt like the best landing spot for Mariota since the day Chip Kelly was hired as head coach two years ago.

Kelly has sent mixed signals about whether the Eagles would give up the necessary picks to move from No. 20 to however high they'd have to climb to get Mariota.

Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman wrote on March 18 that there's still an assumption Kelly is plotting something to make Mariota his quarterback:

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I continue to hear it. Not rumors. People who would know are saying Chip Kelly is still in the mix to try to get Marcus Mariota.

I still cannot find anyone in the NFL who believes Kelly is satisfied with Sam Bradford. I still cannot find anyone in the NFL who believes Kelly when he says he will not make a play for Mariota. Not a single person. I'm sure there are people who do believe Kelly. I just can't find them.

"

It's an easy and natural fit because Kelly and Mariota know each other so well from their time together in Oregon. That's not to say what worked with the Ducks would work with the Eagles, but this blend of offensive system and Mariota's ability to make plays out of the pocket is too good to pass up.

Ideal scenario: Mariota is drafted by Philadelphia.

Kevin White, WR, West Virginia

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It's a testament to the talent of Amari Cooper and Kevin White that they can be the clear standouts in a deep wide receiver class.

Cooper has fallen into the "safe" category because of his steady performance over three years at Alabama.

White, on the other hand, has become the flashy potential superstar thanks to a stellar breakout season at West Virginia (109 receptions, 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns) and dazzling NFL Scouting Combine workout.

NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock told reporters in February that White's ceiling makes him more appealing than Cooper:

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My number one wide receiver is Kevin White from West Virginia. I think I know what Amari Cooper is, what a great football player he is. But I have Kevin White above him because I think he's got a higher ceiling. I think his potential is greater. He's 6-foot-3, 219 pounds, but I want to know what he runs. I have all over my notes that he's a 4.5-flat guy (in the 40-yard dash).

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It's hard to say a team could go wrong with either White or Cooper in the top 10. White would make sense for Jacksonville (No. 3), Oakland (No. 4) and New York Jets (No. 6), but his best fit comes one pick after the Jets— Chicago at No. 7.

The pieces already in place for the Bears make White tailor-made for this offense.

Quarterback Jay Cutler's greatest asset is arm strength and throwing the ball down the field, though it also tends to get him in trouble when he forces throws into bad spots.

White is a big-play machine at 6'3" and 215 pounds with 4.3 40-yard speed. The Bears have an opening for another wide receiver after trading Brandon Marshall to the Jets. White would make for a strong contrast next to Alshon Jeffery, who doesn't have the same straight-line speed.

The Bears are expected to go for a defensive player early because they need help and there are worthy talents likely to be available at No. 7.

However, it wouldn't be wrong to assume the coaching staff feels confident about that unit after adding free agents like Pernell McPhee and Ray McDonald.

Plus, it's not like the Bears can't draft defense after the first round. Picking White certainly wouldn't be a mistake if he's around at No. 7. He would fit well with the things Cutler does as a quarterback and add another big weapon to an offense that features Jeffery and Matt Forte.

Ideal scenario: White is drafted by Chicago.

Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska

David Richard/Associated Press

It's not often that you hear about a player's sliding draft stock being a good thing, but that's the case for Randy Gregory. The Nebraska star once seemed like a lock to go in the top 10, yet he may end up going in the back half of Round 1.

Gregory made headlines in March when he revealed to Kimberly Jones of NFL.com that a drug test showed marijuana in his system.

The drug itself didn't necessarily turn people off, but the fact that Gregory failed the test he knew was coming raised eyebrows. Mayock said on NFL Network's Path To The Draft (h/t NFL.com) that the pass-rushing sensation may not even go in the first round anymore despite loving his talent:

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I'm very aware that he is going to slide. He could wind up in the twenties or even into the second round. There's two reasons I moved him up. One, he's an undeniable top-10 talent. He's been nationally humiliated by testing positive for marijuana at the combine. He's going to lose millions of dollars as he slides down everybody's board. As such, I look at this as an opportunity to get an unreal talent later in the draft for less money. 

"

Ignoring the motivation factor in this equation, because there are times that can be overstated, Gregory has the opportunity to land in a spot that will make great use of his present skills.

According to Dane Brugler of CBSSports.com, Gregory's best assets right now are his size (6'5", 235 lbs) and first step:

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Uses length well to extend and shoot his arms into blockers. Explosive get-off and burst to advance upfield very quickly, displaying outstanding speed and closing burst in pursuit of the ballcarrier. Quick feet, east moving laterally to avoid blockers, appearing natural in space and on his feet with smooth change of direction movements. Active hands. Never quits fighting to the ball.

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In other words, Gregory can step in right now as an edge-rusher in a 3-4 defense that doesn't need him to be the standout player. The best place for a player with those kinds of skills to go without having to carry a heavy burden is Houston.

The Texans can get away with having no other impact defensive linemen because J.J. Watt is a freak of nature. But think about what that defensive front could look like in 2015 with Watt, Gregory and Jadeveon Clowney.

Clowney's health is obviously going to be a huge storyline in training camp and throughout preseason, but if he turns into a fraction of the player everyone projected him to become when he was the No. 1 pick last year, this would be a game-changing defensive line.

In a league ruled by quarterbacks, having a great pass rush is essential to success.

Gregory could line up off the edge in pass-rushing situations while developing his other skills and adding bulk to his 235-pound frame.

Being the 16th overall pick may not have been what Gregory wanted when he declared for the draft, but it would be a great place for him to hone his skills and become a star in the NFL.

Ideal scenario: Gregory is drafted by Houston.