2015 NFL Mock Draft: 1st-Round Predictions and Prospects Ready for Early Impact

Although a good portion of the NFL draft is preparing for the future, a number of top prospects have the ability to contribute right away.

Last season featured a great deal of impact rookies, including players like Odell Beckham Jr., Jeremy Hill and Aaron Donald. This year's class will include more of the same with prospects capable of making a big difference on either side of the ball.

While everyone in the first round has a chance to shine, a certain few will excel earlier in their careers. Here is a look at predictions for the entire first round as well as a breakdown of the most game-ready prospects.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DL, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Dante Fowler Jr., DE, Florida
4	Oakland Raiders	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5	Washington Redskins	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
6	New York Jets	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7	Chicago Bears	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
8	Atlanta Falcons	Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
9	New York Giants	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
10	St. Louis Rams	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
11	Minnesota Vikings	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12	Cleveland Browns	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13	New Orleans Saints	Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
14	Miami Dolphins	Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
15	San Francisco 49ers	Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
16	Houston Texans	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
17	San Diego Chargers	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
23	Detroit Lions	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
24	Arizona Cardinals	Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
25	Carolina Panthers	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
26	Baltimore Ravens	Devin Smith, WR, Ohio State
27	Dallas Cowboys	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
28	Denver Broncos	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami (FL)
29	Indianapolis Colts	D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
30	Green Bay Packers	Byron Jones, CB, UConn
31	New Orleans Saints (via Seattle)	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
32	New England Patriots	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU

Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama

There will be a debate leading to the NFL draft and likely deep into their careers about which receiver is better between Amari Cooper and Kevin White. Both have the talent to be big-time players in the NFL, but the debate at this point is upside vs. polish.

Mike Mayock of NFL Network broke down the difference between the two prospects:

Bleacher Report's Ryan Riddle gave high praise for the Alabama star:

While White might end up being the better player, Cooper will be a game-changer in his first season. He is an excellent route-runner with soft hands and the physical presence to beat most defenders across the league.

Whether he is drafted first or not, Cooper will be a strong bet to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida

John Raoux/Associated Press

In a class loaded with quality edge-rushers, Dante Fowler could be the best of the bunch. Even without elite athleticism, he simply knows what he is doing on the field and gets the most out of his abilities every single play.

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com provided a scouting report on how the player effectively rushes the passer:

"

As a pass rusher, Fowler displays workmanlike skills getting to the quarterback. Though he lacks an explosive first step, he wins with brute strength and power off the edge. Fowler routinely uses an inside arm-over move to work past offensive tackles on pass-rush attempts; he also uses an effective dip-and-rip maneuver to turn the corner on a speed rush.

"

His wide array of skills along with a great motor will allow him to make up for a perceived lack of quickness off the snap.

Of course, Fowler's best attribute might be his versatility, which he showed throughout his collegiate career. He recently explained what he can do on the field:

While most young players are limited to being specialists in their first years at this level, Fowler can be an every-down linebacker who greatly improves the defense. This will be a big plus to whichever team drafts him.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin 

Like Cooper and White at receiver, there is a two-man race to be the top running back selected in this draft. Todd Gurley has the talent to be a star at the next level, although he will be limited by a torn ACL suffered this past season at Georgia.

This leaves Melvin Gordon as likely the top rookie running back in this upcoming season. With his ability to contribute early, it won't be a surprise to see him taken before Gurley in the first round.

Of course, the Wisconsin running back has plenty of talent on his own. Bleacher Report's Zach Kruse broke down the player's elusiveness in college:

It will obviously be tougher to break tackles from NFL defenders, but he has the breakaway speed and agility to remain a difficult assignment for opposing players. Charley Casserly of CBS Sports is certainly expecting big things from the young player:

A lot of Gordon's success will depend on where he is drafted, but if he is placed behind a quality offensive line, he could be a star right away.

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