2015 NFL Draft: 1st-Round Selection Order and Mock Projections

Despite surrounding factors such as the Kentucky Derby and Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao, the 2015 NFL draft will find a way to remain the hottest topic in sports.

Some years this might not be the case thanks to a predictable class, but the collegiate level brings forth perhaps the most intriguing set of names in the past few years or more.

The top is a great example. Jameis Winston is a pro-ready player but comes with red flags off the field. Ditto for Marcus Mariota, although his flag comes on the field, as some worry about his transition to pro offenses.

It's both tough to keep up and figure out, so let's take a look at the first-round order and a mock draft based on need and value before breaking down some of this year's more confusing sticking points.

2015 1st-Round Order and Predictions

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

Breaking Down Most Unpredictable Teams 

St. Louis Rams 

What will the king of draft-day trades do this time? 

Head coach Jeff Fisher and his St. Louis Rams are in an odd spot at No. 10 with no major needs to address. At least, not needs they couldn't hit all the same further down the board.

Fisher has a new franchise quarterback in Nick Foles, a promising young back in Tre Mason and one of the scariest fronts in all of football. Wideout looks like a big need with just Kenny Britt and Tavon Austin to speak of, but both Amari Cooper and Kevin White figure to be off the board.

What about cornerback?

If the Rams can't trade either way, it makes sense Fisher would want to pull the trigger on the draft's first corner. In this case, it's Washington's Marcus Peters, so long as Fisher is willing to look past alleged off-field issues.

Bleacher Report's Matt Miller offers a reason to look past the issues:

Peters touts a skill set sure to let him play right out of the gates, which is what a team like the Rams will look for with a rookie.

Knowing the Rams, Fisher and Co. figure to attempt a trade, but Peters is one heck of a consolation prize.

Prediction: Rams select Peters at No. 10. 

New Orleans Saints

Lost in the shadow of some crazy moves out of Philadelphia is the fact the New Orleans Saints are one of this year's strangest teams. 

The Saints want to go all-in around Drew Brees, sure, but have a funny way of showing it by letting go of Kenny Stills and Jimmy Graham—although the presence of two-first round picks makes the team one of the most unpredictable.

Say the Saints can't pull off a trade, though. The obvious need rests on the defensive side of the ball one year removed from defensive coordinator Rob Ryan's defense generating just 34 sacks.

Good news for the Saints—Nebraska pass-rusher Randy Gregory will be on the board. He's a player the front office has shown plenty of interest in this offseason, as The New Orleans Advocate's Nick Underhill reveals: 

Gregory failed a drug test at the combine, but if teams believe he checked out in interviews and will make better decisions moving forward, he's still a top first-round prospect.

Remember, it wasn't too long ago most mocked Gregory in the top five. He's an elite athlete who can get to quarterbacks in a variety of ways and would be quite the dangerous weapon for a mind such as Ryan's.

With their first of two picks, look for the Saints to grab Gregory.

Prediction: Saints select Gregory at No. 13.

Miami Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins are all over the place this offseason, too, signing Ndamukong Suh, shipping away Mike Wallace and making other head-turning moves.

Next is what the front office decides to do with No. 14. There are obvious needs, such as more talent on the defensive side of the ball and in the backfield behind quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

TFY Draft Insider's Tony Pauline makes a point to reveal he hears the Dolphins would love a shot at running back Todd Gurley: "One team that hopes Todd Gurley does not end up in the draft’s initial 10 picks are the Miami Dolphins, who will quickly swipe up the ball-carrier if he’s still available when they are called to the clock in Round 1."

It's an interesting thought, but two problems—Gurley might not fall to the Dolphins, and there is more value in grabbing the position in later rounds.

How about another defensive tackle instead?

Yes, Suh is already on board, but why not go out and add an elite prospect such as Danny Shelton to throw next to him? Most can't name a defensive tackle on Miami's roster after Suh anyway, and remember that even Detroit paired him with a talent such as Nick Fairley to great success. 

It's not the most thrilling scenario around, but if the Dolphins want to continue to take the next step on defense to complement a budding offense, Shelton offers value in the immediate ripple effect he and Suh would provide on the rest of the unit.

Prediction: Dolphins select Shelton at No. 14.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of April 28. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.