NFL Mock Draft 2015: Recent Projections for Elite 1st-Round Prospects

With the NFL Scouting Combine in the rear-view mirror and free agency about to begin, it's getting closer to crunch time for the 2015 NFL draft.

The opening of the free-agency cycle will allow teams to start addressing some of their biggest needs, which will hopefully allow them to hone in on positions of interest for the upcoming draft. Pro days and individual workouts are right around the corner, and clubs will get valuable looks at some of the prospects they're most interested in.

However, not many free agents out there can significantly shake up the top of the first round with teams narrowing down on the top prospects. With some can't-miss prospects atop Round 1, let's take a look at the latest mock.

2015 NFL Mock Draft for Round 1

1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, FSU
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
4	Oakland Raiders	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5	Washington Redskins	Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
6	New York Jets	Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7	Chicago Bears	Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
8	Atlanta Falcons	Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
9	New York Giants	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
10	St. Louis Rams	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
11	Minnesota Vikings	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
12	Cleveland Browns	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
13	New Orleans Saints	Shane Ray, DE, Missouri
14	Miami Dolphins	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Miss. State
15	San Francisco 49ers	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
16	Houston Texans	Gerod Holliman, FS, Louisville
17	San Diego Chargers	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
18	Kansas City Chiefs	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
19	Cleveland Browns *via Buffalo*	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Alvin "Bud" Dupree, DE, Kentucky
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (Ohio)
23	Detroit Lions	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
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	P.J. Williams, CB, FSU
28	Denver Broncos	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
29	Indianapolis Colts	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Missouri
30	Green Bay Packers	Eddie Goldman, DT, FSU
31	Seattle Seahawks	Arik Armstead, DT/DE, Oregon
32	New England Patriots	Cameron Erving, C, FSU

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

Marcus Mariota won the team event at the Rose Bowl, but Jameis Winston looks poised to claim victory in the quarterback-driven race for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' No. 1 overall selection.

Winston's stock was slowly but surely rising entering the combine, and his throwing performance put on in Indianapolis helped him to begin distancing himself from the more mobile Mariota. The 6'4", 231-pound quarterback's skill set and size both make him better suited to play in the NFL right away.

The rumblings after the combine seemed to suggest Winston at No. 1 overall is a foregone conclusion, per NFL Network:

The Buccaneers have already contacted Florida State about Winston, per NFL.com, and it's not hard to see why. Not only does Winston have all of the physical tools necessary to succeed, but he maintains an uncanny ability to see coverages and go through his progressions that will be key at the next level.

Mariota undoubtedly has a future as a centerpiece of whatever team takes him early in Round 1, but it won't be for the Buccaneers if Winston has a say in the matter.

4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama

USA TODAY Sports

Can you imagine the Oakland Raiders not giving young quarterback Derek Carr a dangerous wideout entering his second season in the league?

Me neither. That's why, despite holding one of the top picks in the draft at No. 4 overall, the Raiders should jump at nabbing the top wide receiver in the class in Amari Cooper.

The Alabama receiver has seen West Virginia's Kevin White overtake him in the minds of many as the top receiver in the class, but let's pump the brakes. Cooper still is head-and-shoulders the best route-runner in the draft, has elite speed and has shown more of an ability to find openings.

ESPN Stats and Info also uncovered similarities between him and last year's No. 4 selection Sammy Watkins:

While White gained some momentum after the combine, Cooper's play still dazzled, per NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah:

Carr showed plenty of signs throughout his rookie season that he's capable of reaching the next level as an NFL quarterback, but he won't be able to do so without the right pieces surrounding him. There aren't many players in free agency Oakland could covet who would bring as much of an immediate presence and command as much attention from a defense as Cooper.

23. Detroit Lions: RB Todd Gurley, Georgia

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

A college career-ending ACL tear aside, Georgia's Todd Gurley didn't have any trouble before that establishing himself as one of the best running back prospects in recent history.

The former Bulldog averaged at least six yards per carry in each of his three collegiate seasons, and he figures to have a similar impact sooner rather than later upon entering the league. The only worry is his health, but Dr. James Andrews told ESPN's Chris Mortensen that Gurley is ahead of schedule in his recovery.

There are few teams in the league who could use a player like Gurley as much as the Detroit Lions.

Matthew Stafford has helped to create a pass-happy attack in Detroit, and it's resulted in a nearly invisible rushing attack that ranked 28th in the league last season. The recent release of Reggie Bush should only compound the need for an impact rusher in the backfield such as Gurley.

Ian Kenyon of Bleacher Report thinks Gurley is good enough to go in the first round:

The shelf life for running backs isn't long, but the impact that the right rusher can bring to an offense has never been bigger—even in such an aerially dominant league. Gurley took some pounding in college, but he still has plenty of miles left to make a great NFL career for himself.