NFL Draft 2015: Latest Expert Mocks and Predictions for Round 1

There are two ways to look at NFL mock drafts—useless fun as a way to pass the time, or a serious tool to get an idea about what teams want, where prospects stack up and how things may unfold.

A mock draft should never be a way to judge anyone's ability—scouting reports fill such a role.

But mock drafts can be a resourceful tool in the right hands, as they combine extensive research into each prospect, often include what folks say behind the scenes and detail where NFL teams most need upgrades.

Below, let's take a look at the latest offerings from some of the industry's top minds, with an emphasis on bold selections worth keeping in mind once the big day rolls around.

Top Highlights from Experts' Mock Drafts 

Mike Tanier, Bleacher Report 

No. 6, New York Jets: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon 

It's no secret the New York Jets want to start over under center if a prospect falls into their laps at No. 6.

Such is the scenario in Mike Tanier's latest offering, which features a surprise with Michigan State corner Trae Waynes coming off the board at No. 5 to Washington, a scenario more and more realistic after the team picked up Robert Griffin III's option.

Tanier breaks down the selection with a comprehensive conclusion:

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New offensive coordinator Chan Gailey is going to gingerbread his offense with option concepts no matter who plays quarterback; he has been doing that sort of thing for years. Gailey and Todd Bowles can either prop Geno up and hope Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall find more over-the-hill Cortland Finnegans to incinerate, drive Ryan Fitzpatrick until his wheels fall off (Week 4) or use the training wheels to actually train someone.

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New Jets coach Todd Bowles is one of the best defensive minds in the business, but even he will see the value in adding a potential franchise quarterback in the form of last year's Heisman Trophy winner.

There's nothing to suggest Bowles won't be able to squeak out the absolute best of the defensive talent already in place, so Mariota falling to the sixth slot seems the perfect scenario for the rebuilding franchise.

NFL Nation reporters, ESPN.com

No. 16, Houston Texans: Landon Collins, S, Alabama

The Houston Texans are one of the draft's most unpredictable teams this year. A season removed from missing the playoffs by a single game, coach Bill O'Brien and his staff could go a few different ways at No. 16.

For ESPN.com's Tania Ganguli, Alabama safety Landon Collins was the answer during a no-trade mock draft featuring a beat writer representing each team:

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Texans defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel has had success in the past with drafting safeties in the first round, and Collins is the best safety in this draft. Though the Texans drafted another SEC safety two years ago in D.J. Swearinger from South Carolina, this is an area they’ve talked about needing to improve.

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It's impossible to argue with the addition of Collins. Not only did Swearinger rank as the No. 78 safety in the league last year at Pro Football Focus, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport just revealed the team might want to ship him out of town:

Collins is a great fit in Houston even if Swearinger sticks around.

The Texans need an enforcer in the secondary to put a violent end to runs and set the tone for the unit.

Matt Miller, Bleacher Report

No. 8, Atlanta Falcons: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia 

The Atlanta Falcons need a running back to complement Matt Ryan and a high-flying attack or run the risk of wasting another year of the franchise quarterback's prime.

Atlanta goes after this need in emphatic fashion in Matt Miller's final offering, both in his "What Will Happen" and "What Should Happen" editions.

For most of the path to the draft, the Falcons seemed like a team sure to use a top-10 selection on a pass-rusher to help improve a defense that posted just 22 sacks a season ago, if not beef up the offensive trenches to better protect Ryan.

Things changed when Gurley passed a medical recheck on a knee he injured last season, though, as he's one of the best overall talents in the draft at any position. Red flag removed, it's open season on his stock and where he might come off the board.

It seems wild Gurley would go top 10 after years of no backs in the first round at all, but the Falcons as a team averaged just four yards per carry last year and the plodding days of Steven Jackson are gone.

Peter King, MMQB.com

No. 3, Jacksonville Jaguars: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama 

How's this for a twist?

The rebuilding Jacksonville Jaguars surprised the globe with quarterback Blake Bortles last year, and if MMQB.com's Peter King has his way, the front office will do so again with Alabama wideout Amari Cooper:

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This is where every mock in America falls apart, because Jacksonville’s Dave Caldwell, though a GM neophyte, is a poker-playing veteran. No one knew he’d take Blake Bortles last year. He could well take the best pass-rusher in the draft, Dante Fowler here, and make defensive-minded head coach Gus Bradley very happy. Or he could take Leonard Williams, though that’s not as good a fit. I give him Cooper, because Bortles needs a number one wideout, and all Jax has now is a collection of twos.

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It's not so outlandish.

Many pin the Jaguars as taking a pass-rusher, but under the guidance of coach Gus Bradley, the team posted a quiet 45 sacks last season with strong efforts from Sen'Derrick Marks, Chris Clemons and Ryan Davis.

On offense, Allen Hurns was the leading receiver with an erratic 677 yards and six scores. While young wideouts Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee tout good upside, Cecil Shorts III now suits up for the Texans.

There are few better ways to help a sophomore signal-caller than by gifting him with a No. 1 wideout who changed Nick Saban's mind on his run-first ways en route to becoming one of three Heisman finalists.

Stats courtesy of NFL.com and accurate as of April 29. All advanced metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus.