Mock NFL Draft 2015: Final Projected Landing Spots for 1st-Round Prospects

Draft day is finally upon us.

Within a matter of hours, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will officially be on the clock, kicking off what promises to be a highly intriguing 2015 NFL draft. The uncertainty surrounding some of the most talented players in this year's class should produce some unexpected, and quite possibly perplexing, results.

After all, in the days leading up to the draft, we usually have an idea of the general area each prospect will be selected. However, this year, it's been entirely different. Marijuana-related red flags cloud the draft stock of Randy Gregory and Shane Ray, Todd Gurley has suddenly rocketed up draft boards due to his remarkable recovery from an ACL tear and there's always the trade saga revolving around Marcus Mariota.

Hang on to your hats—it's going to be a wild ride.

So, as we anxiously await the first round to commence, let's take one final look at how it's likely to shake out.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
4	Oakland Raiders	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
5	Washington Redskins	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
6	New York Jets	Bud Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
7	Chicago Bears	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
8	Atlanta Falcons	Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska
9	New York Giants	Brandon Scherff, OG, Iowa
10	St. Louis Rams	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
11	Minnesota Vikings	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12	Cleveland Browns	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13	New Orleans Saints	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
14	Miami Dolphins	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
15	San Francisco 49ers	Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
16	Houston Texans	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
17	San Diego Chargers	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
23	Detroit Lions	Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
24	Arizona Cardinals	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida St.
25	Carolina Panthers	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
26	Baltimore Ravens	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
27	Dallas Cowboys	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
28	Denver Broncos	D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
29	Indianapolis Colts	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
30	Green Bay Packers	Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami
31	New Orleans Saints (via Seattle)	Breshad Perriman, WR, UCF
32	New England Patriots	Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

Analyzing Top Five Selections

The first five picks in this year's draft are likely to shape how the remainder of the first round plays out. The teams selecting in this area have multiple needs and could realistically go in several different directions. Assuming there will be no trades this early in the proceedings, here's some insight into each team's decision.

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

The Buccaneers have been expected to take Jameis Winston with the draft's No. 1 selection; however, there's always been a hint of doubt due to the quarterback's checkered past. That uncertainty appears to have vanished recently, as head coach Lovie Smith had some high praise for the former Seminole during an interview with Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times.

"We feel comfortable who Jameis Winston is, what he's done and what we think he will do in the future as much as anything," Smith said. "We would not bring in a player that we didn't feel like we could handle or be a productive part of society and our football team. Our research shows that he can do that."

That's quite the endorsement from the team's coach. Expect Winston to be a Buccaneer by day's end.

2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon

This is where things get very interesting. The Titans could go in a number of directions here due to team needs. They need severe help along the defensive line, and USC's Leonard Williams could be the choice; however, Tennessee would be foolish to pass up a potential franchise-altering quarterback just because it doesn't know what it has in sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger.

While Mariota makes the most sense for the Titans here, the team will be listening to trade offers. That's a smart move considering it has a chance to acquire significant picks to fill a number of current roster voids. Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk reported the Philadelphia Eagles are "doing all they can" to trade up, and SportsCenter tweeted the Cleveland Browns have already offered two first-round picks.

If Tennessee does decide to stand pat, selecting Mariota would be the wise choice. Although, that may not be the case considering the early attempts from other franchises to move up.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida

The Jaguars have a decision to make here. The team needs some major help within its front seven, and two very versatile prospects are available. USC's Williams is a defensive tackle who has the athleticism to flourish on the edge as well, whereas Dante Fowler is an outside linebacker who has experience playing along the defensive line as well.

Jacksonville's defensive unit improved against the run in 2014, making the need for a pass-rusher higher than a defensive tackle. That gives the speedy Fowler the advantage in this scenario, as he may be the draft's most talented player coming off the edge.

4. Oakland Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC

This is a very intriguing scenario for the Raiders. We all know they need a wide receiver in the worst way, and with Amari Cooper and Kevin White still on the board, they could easily go in that direction. However, Oakland has also been linked to Williams, as Bleacher Report's Jason Cole previously reported the team was thinking about trading up to land the defensive tackle.

With Williams slipping to four, the Raiders get their dream scenario. They acquire their most coveted prospect, who probably resides No. 1 overall on their big board, without having to make a trade.

5. Washington Redskins: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson

Washington really needs to add a pass-rushing outside linebacker to replace Brian Orakpo and complement Ryan Kerrigan. The team has several options here; however, due to the red flags surrounding Gregory and Ray, expect the team to opt for the highly athletic Vic Beasley.

Beasley began soaring up draft boards during the combine after finishing as a top performer in every drill. While he needs some polish, his upside is sky high, and he has the tools to become one of the league's most dominant outside linebackers for years to come.