2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Where 1st-Round Prospects Will End Up

The 2015 NFL draft is now less than a week away. For prospects expected to go inside the first round, it marks the end of a long evaluation process and the start of the next chapter in their football journey. It's a memorable moment to say the least.

Even as things become more clear in terms of each prospect's stock, there won't be a consensus about how the first round will play out. One surprising selection or a marquee trade for an early pick can shake up the entire outlook in a major way.

Of course, without that drama and unpredictability, the draft would have never become the television sensation it is today. So let's check out one scenario for how the opening round could play out Thursday night in Chicago.

1st-Round Mock Draft

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

At the outset, this doesn't feel like a class that's going to yield a ton of superstars. The depth seems to outweigh the top-end talent, which bodes well for just about every team in Round 1 adding a player they hope can contribute right away.

That said, there are still a select group of players atop the class with high-end potential—players who can significantly alter the course of a franchise if they develop as expected. Let's take a closer look at the top trio based on this draft scenario.

Breaking Down Top Picks

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Jameis Winston features all of the physical tools necessary to shine at the NFL level. He has ideal size, good arm strength, nice touch and solid mobility to name a few. He's capable of stepping into the lineup immediately and showcasing the playmaking ability that comes along with that talent.

The questions come with his decision-making, both on and off the field. It's certainly fair to question whether he's mature enough to handle the pressure associated with being a franchise QB. He told Peter King of The MMQB that interested teams will discover the real him.

"I love it. I welcome it. They're really going to find out the type of person I am," Winston said. "Character is not about what you do when you're around people. Character is what you show when no one is looking. I believe if they do a hard, hard investigation into Jameis the person, they will find out that I'm a good guy."

Actions are always going to speak louder than words, though. Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman previously reported on rumblings from within the Buccaneers organization about potentially wavering on whether they should select the Florida State product with the first pick.

Ultimately, it still seems more likely than not he ends up heading to Tampa Bay. The team is in desperate need of a long-term answer at the league's most important position. Is there risk? Absolutely. But the upside will prove difficult to pass up.

2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DL, USC

The intrigue when it comes to Leonard Williams is sky high. At a time when J.J. Watt is making such a massive impact thanks to his versatility, the USC standout is another athletic freak capable of playing all over the defensive line. His pass-rushing skills aren't on the same level as Watt, but his run-stopping is terrific.

Sure, there are some minor concerns, most notably the need for more explosiveness at the snap, but those issues tend to get overblown during the arduous draft process. Joe Marino of Draft Breakdown kept his analysis on the situation simple:

In a class that, as mentioned, isn't extremely strong at the top, it's tough to argue. Williams certainly has the potential to become the best player from the group. He can shift around the line to create matchup problems and wreak havoc.

The Titans could also use an upgrade at quarterback. Marcus Mariota could be an option here as a result, and it wouldn't be a bad selection. Yet, unless they are convinced he's the long-term answer, Williams represents the safer route.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida

Dante Fowler Jr. has battled Vic Beasley throughout the draft process to become the first edge-rusher off the board. It's been a close contest because both players have a ton of potential but are also still quite raw. The transition period is going to take some time—more than Williams for sure.

The Florida star gets the edge because he's a more well-rounded player at this stage. He plays with a certain drive that allows him to make plays you wouldn't typically expect. Ben Fennell of the NFL Network noted that's really a blessing and a curse:

If the Jaguars, or whatever team ends up drafting him, can bring a little bit more consistency to his game by improving his technique, watch out. It's the type of thing where if the proverbial switch is flipped and his talent is allowed to shine through, he will become a Pro Bowl player.

Jacksonville could really use a building block on the defensive side. It's not a roster ready to compete in a major way this season, so the team can afford to let Fowler go through some growing pains. Then, when the Jags are ready to make their move, he should be at the top of his game.