NFL Mock Draft 2015: Full Last-Second Forecast for Round 1

It's fun to pen NFL mock drafts, but thankfully, the real thing is only a few hours away. The first round of the 2015 NFL draft will take place Thursday night in Chicago, Illinois. A few of the biggest questions surrounding the draft should be answered within the first 30-40 minutes.  

Most expect 2013 Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston to be taken No. 1 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. From there, things could get interesting. Will the Tennessee Titans take 2014 Heisman winner Marcus Mariota or trade him to one of the teams said to covet the former Oregon Ducks star? According to a report from ESPN.com's Pat McManamon (via Sportscenter on Twitter), the Cleveland Browns are willing to package the No. 12 and the No. 19 picks to move up to take Mariota.

Would the Browns give up on Johnny Manziel this quickly? We'll find out for sure Thursday night, but for now, here's my final mock for 2015:

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

Why Titans Shouldn't Trade the No. 2 Pick

TROY WAYRYNEN/Associated Press

Barring injury, in 10 years, we'll look back and say Mariota was the best quarterback in this draft. His athleticism, leadership and work ethic make it almost impossible for him to fail without some sort of injury. Like any other NFL player, scheme is important, but Mariota is the real deal.

If he played any position besides quarterback, the smart move would be for Tennessee to move the pick and take the additional draft assets. 

However, because players with Mariota's physical and mental makeup come along so infrequently—especially at the most important position in the sport—the Titans cannot pass on an opportunity to bring him in. Tennessee should just thank its lucky stars the Bucs will likely choose Winston and let Mariota fall into its lap.

Shane Ray Won't Fall Out of First Round

Doug McSchooler/Associated Press

Former Missouri Tigers pass-rusher Shane Ray was cited for possession of marijuana and speeding Monday. The infraction has led many to believe he'll go careening down draft boards.

ESPN.com's Mel Kiper Jr. didn't list Ray in his first round, but that may be a bit of an overreaction. Will Ray's recent issues weigh on general managers' minds? Absolutely, but this incident won't close the book on Ray as a first-round prospect.

Running afoul of the law is never something to be taken lightly, but Ray has had to overcome a good number of hardships in his upbringing. He's had to work really hard to make it to this point. While he obviously made some bad choices, it's difficult to believe teams would completely pass on him in the first round after this incident.

Oakland Will Get Its Man

Butch Dill/Associated Press

Through much of the 2014 NFL season, it appeared as if the Oakland Raiders might finish the season with the worst record and earn the No. 1 pick in the draft. Even then, former Alabama Crimson Tide receiver Amari Cooper would have been the smartest pick for Oakland to make.

With quarterback Derek Carr in place, it's time the Raiders got him a top-notch wide receiver.

Cooper is the most NFL-ready prospect in the draft, and he'll instantly give the Raiders a formidable weapon on the offensive side of the ball. As long as the Jacksonville Jaguars don't decide to give Blake Bortles the gift of Cooper, Oakland should be sitting pretty.