NFL Mock Draft 2015: 1st-Round Projections and Landing Spots for Top Prospects

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

As the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine rolls on, prospects are getting their first major chance to stand out during the draft process. Pro days and individual workouts will follow in the weeks ahead as front offices put the finishing touches on their big board.

One good workout won't be enough to radically change the outlook for any player. That said, consistently strong showings can at least cause teams to take another look at the college game tape. It's a key step toward making a jump up the rankings.

By the time draft day arrives in late April, the class should become more settled. There's still time for movement, though. Here's a look at how things could shape up in Round 1 based on where the prospects stand right now.

2015 NFL Mock Draft

2015 NFL Round 1 Mock Draft

1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
2	Tennessee Titans	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
4	Oakland Raiders	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5	Washington Redskins	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
6	New York Jets	Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
7	Chicago Bears	Landon Collins, SS, Alabama
8	Atlanta Falcons	Vic Beasley, DE, Clemson
9	New York Giants	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
10	St. Louis Rams	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
11	Minnesota Vikings	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
12	Cleveland Browns	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
13	New Orleans Saints	Alvin Dupree, DE, Kentucky
14	Miami Dolphins	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
15	San Francisco 49ers	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
16	Houston Texans	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
17	San Diego Chargers	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
19	Cleveland Browns (from BUF)	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
23	Detroit Lions	P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Nate Orchard, DE, Utah
25	Carolina Panthers	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
26	Baltimore Ravens	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
27	Dallas Cowboys	Danielle Hunter, DE, LSU
28	Denver Broncos	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
29	Indianapolis Colts	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State
30	Green Bay Packers	Michael Bennett, DT, Ohio State
31	Seattle Seahawks	Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan
32	New England Patriots	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

Mock Draft

Which of these picks would represent the best value?

Which of these picks would represent the best value?

• 
  

  Danny Shelton at 17

  
  


• 
  

  Dante Fowler Jr. at 20

  
  


• 
  

  Dorial Green-Beckham at 32

  
  


• Total votes: 7

As a whole, this year's draft class is pretty average. There isn't an overabundance of top-end talent, and the depth is marginal. The latter is in large part due to some weak positions, such as tight end or safety, where there's demand but not much supply.

So being able to select a prospect in the bottom half of the opening round who's capable of making a major impact, either right away or down the road, will be a nice coup. Let's check out some teams in position to do exactly that based on the current projections.

Best Value Selections

17. San Diego Chargers: Danny Shelton, DT, Washington

The Chargers must upgrade both lines during the offseason. Philip Rivers was sacked 36 times, they ranked 30th in rushing and they gave up the 26th-most rushing yards. So improving in the trenches is essential, and Shelton is the best player available to fill one of the needs.

A massive physical presence in the middle, he features an impressive combination of power and short-area quickness. Doug Farrar of Sports Illustrated noted it's impossible to look past his impact when watching Washington game tape:

He's still a bit raw in terms of technique and would benefit from adding more moves to his arsenal during his early years in the league. But he represents somebody who can take on multiple blocks, shed them and still make a big play. That's exactly what the Chargers need.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Dante Fowler Jr., OLB, Florida

Fowler is the type of player who can fill several different roles. Whether it's defensive end, pure edge-rushing linebacker or even a more all-around linebacker, he's got the talent to make it work. He could stand to add more power to his frame so he doesn't rely solely on his quickness, though.

One aspect that's often overlooked during the draft process is work rate. Certain players get after it on every play, and that provides added value. Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network believes the Florida product is one of those guys:

The Eagles' pace of offense is likely going to prevent the defense from posting elite numbers. Instead, the focus should be on playmakers who can force turnovers. Fowler, who could end up making a big leap before draft day, projects as that type of impact player once he reaches his peak.

32. New England Patriots: Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

Based on natural talent, Green-Beckham should be competing to become the first wide receiver off the board. That isn't happening because of previous off-field issues. But if he can leave those in the past, he should develop into an absolute steal at the end of Round 1.

That's no guarantee, of course. And his margin for error at the next level will be thin because of red flags he enters the league with. That said, he's saying all of the right things leading up to the draft, as noted by Michael Rothstein of ESPN:

All the decisions I made, I wish I could take it back. It's happened. I was young. I made mistakes. I understand that and I just want to focus on one thing and look forward to this draft and focus on being the best I can be.

The Patriots seem like an ideal fit. They could certainly use more high-end talent on the outside, but if he doesn't work out, they still have organizational stability to make up for a missed first-rounder. Green-Beckham will need to prove himself both on and off the field wherever he lands.