The Pick: QB Jameis Winston, Florida State

For head coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht to have a successful stint in Tampa Bay, they’ll need to find a franchise quarterback to handle the offense. Their gamble on Josh McCown unsurprisingly flopped, and a new face signal-caller is the biggest need on their checklist.

Luckily for the Buccaneers, Jameis Winston has declared for the 2015 draft.

Winston gets the nod here because he’s a more refined passer than Oregon’s Marcus Mariota with a knack for improvising much more effectively. It’s easy to see Ben Roethlisberger-type talent in Winston, making him easily worth the top overall pick in this class.

The Pick: Edge-Rusher Randy Gregory, Nebraska

There are a couple of options for the Tennessee Titans that make complete sense from an on-field-fit perspective with the No. 2 overall pick, but the best match of talent and fit is Randy Gregory from Nebraska.

Gregory has the elite length and quickness needed to become one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. He’s raw right now and needs to add bulk to his frame, but that’s not a significant concern since he’s still in his early 20s and will naturally add more strength.

Adding a quarterback like Marcus Mariota should be in the discussion, but Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean opined that the Titans seem comfortable giving Zach Mettenberger a season as the starter:

#Titans will do their due diligence on guys like Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston, but I can’t see them taking either with the No.2 pick

— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) December 30, 2014

With that in mind, the Titans should take the best talent who can impact the team early on. Randy Gregory definitely fits the bill. 

The Pick: DL Leonard Williams, USC

If the Jacksonville Jaguars get on the clock and Leonard Williams is still available, they should pounce without hesitation. The former Trojan is one of the more dominant defensive linemen to come out of college in recent years and will be the anchor of this defense for a decade.

Williams projects best as a 5-technique in a 3-4 defense, but a great defensive mind like Gus Bradley will know that Williams is capable of being a force in any scheme. He’s incredibly strong at the point of attack and sheds blocks with ease. His awareness as a run defender is elite, and he easily has the athleticism to chase ball-carriers down.

When compared to interior pass-rushers like Ndamukong Suh or Aaron Donald, Williams isn’t as quick or productive, but he looks like the next Richard Seymour, which is still excellent.

The Pick: Edge-Rusher Eli Harold, Virginia

This is an interesting position for the Oakland Raiders. They’ll have a ton of cap space to work with in free agency, and it’s likely that they’ll be able to poach enough quality playmakers to put offensive needs on the backburner.

If the Raiders do execute well in free agency, that means the fourth overall pick gives the Raiders freedom to take another edge-rusher to complement phenom Khalil Mack. Enter Eli Harold from Virginia.

Harold is an under-the-radar rusher right now, but he will shine throughout the draft process as scouts get to see more of him. He’s a terrific athlete who wins when he stands up or with his hand in the dirt. His combination of speed and natural power is reminiscent of Aldon Smith.

The Pick: QB Marcus Mariota, Oregon

The Robert Griffin III experiment appears to have run its course in Washington, and the play of Kurt Cousins was similarly uninspiring. If Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota is on the board at this spot, head coach Jay Gruden should demand that he’s the pick.

Mariota was tremendous throughout his entire collegiate career, showing that he’s a very smart and efficient passer. He’s a terrific athlete, but unlike Griffin, he doesn’t rely on his running ability to be effective in the pocket.

What separates Mariota from Winston is that he has accuracy issues and doesn’t do particularly well after his first and second reads. This is a product of the Oregon offensive system, which means that Mariota will need some time to adjust to the NFL.

Nevertheless, Mariota is a quarterback with whom a franchise can win and be a playoff-caliber team. Surrounded by DeSean Jackson, Alfred Morris, Pierre Garcon and others, Mariota’s transition to the NFL would be made smoother in Washington.

The Pick: Edge-Rusher Vic Beasley, Clemson

Although the New York Jets have moved on from Rex Ryan as their coach, the defense could very well be addressed with the No. 6 overall pick. According to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter, the Jets are targeting another defensive-minded coach, Dan Quinn, to lead the franchise.

The Jets need an edge pass-rusher badly, and Vic Beasley would be a tremendous fit. Beasley is slightly undersized but has elite bend and burst off the snap to overcome his frame. His ability to cause disruption is a talent that isn’t found easily or cheaply, whereas if the Jets decided to take a wide receiver, the overall value is weaker.

By selecting Beasley here, the Jets will have done well to take the best overall player available instead of reaching to fill a need. He’s an impact player available at a premium position, which would be a major coup for the franchise.

The Pick: Edge-Rusher Shane Ray, Missouri

Without a head coach or general manager in place, nothing is certain when projecting this pick for the Chicago Bears.

Looking at how poorly the defense performed in 2014, however, it seems safe to say that the team will be looking to add a talented pass-rusher at some point in the draft.

Based on how this class is set up, selecting a versatile edge-rusher like Shane Ray is a decision that can hardly be second-guessed. Ray is capable of playing from day one and will bring excellent quickness and effort to whatever scheme the Bears play on defense.

The Pick: Edge-Rusher Dante Fowler Jr., Florida

The string of edge-rushers continues in the top 10 picks, which shouldn’t be a surprise because of the importance of the position and incredible depth of the class. Here, the Atlanta Falcons are the latest to benefit from a very talented player falling onto their laps.

Dante Fowler Jr. is a highly versatile defensive weapon who gets after the passer well. He’s got an NFL frame already, standing 6’3”, 261 pounds. Florida utilized his impressive strength and quickness by lining him up as a defensive end, tackle and linebacker. He succeeded to make an impact at every position.

Atlanta needs an impact pass-rusher to help its defense catch up to its offense, and Fowler is a great way to beef up the front seven.

The Pick: SS Landon Collins, Alabama

For a team that finished 6-10, the New York Giants don’t have many holes that warrant a first-round investment. Pending what happens with Jason Paul-Pierre, the biggest need for this team can be found in the secondary. Strong safety Antrel Rolle is an unrestricted free agent, and at 32 years old he can be replaced regardless of his caliber of play.

With how this board is playing out, adding the top safety available is a good way to revamp the defense in a hurry. Landon Collins has been the biggest playmaker for the Alabama Crimson Tide for the last two seasons, and his skill set looks to project well into the NFL.

Collins has the ability to cover receivers, play single-high effectively and make tackles in the box. His frame is somewhat slight, so his durability could be a concern, but that’s really a minor thing to consider since any player can get hurt on any play.

The Pick: OT La’el Collins, LSU

After another Jake Long injury and his potential retirement, the St. Louis Rams find themselves needing an offensive tackle to bookend with Greg Robinson, their 2014 No. 2 overall pick. Since there is no worthy quarterback available at this pick, creating a solid offensive line for the future should be a priority.

LSU tackle La’el Collins is the best offensive tackle who is a lock for the 2015 draft at this moment. He’s ruthless as a blocker, using immense strength and athletic ability to protect the pocket. His technique greatly improved throughout his senior season.

The Pick: WR Amari Cooper, Alabama

The Minnesota Vikings would be thrilled to see Amari Cooper slide to them with the 11th overall selection and should consider adding another receiver around budding star Teddy Bridgewater. Cooper would step in on day one and take the place of Greg Jennings, who could be a cap casualty, this offseason.

Cooper is arguably the top receiver in this class, but he does project as well as the top receivers in the 2014 draft. He’s an electric runner who creates well after the catch and uses polished route-running methods to get open. Cooper is not physically dominant, however, which could make him drop out of the top 10.

Minnesota will have a tough choice between rebuilding its horrible offensive line and adding a much-needed playmaker. If available, Cooper is the best value at this spot.

The Pick: NT Jordan Phillips, Oklahoma

With two first-round picks, the Cleveland Browns have the chance to add significant talent at two crucial positions. Sound familiar? The Browns cannot afford to miss on their early evaluations this year for the team to make the playoffs in 2015.

A true nose tackle like Jordan Phillips would be an excellent addition to a defensive line that was ravaged with injuries and poor play in 2014. Phillips is enormous (standing 6’6” and 334 pounds) but quick enough to cause problems for opposing quarterbacks.

This is a defense that underachieved last season, mostly due to the defensive line struggles. If that unit improves next season, expect the Browns defense to take off and return to top form.

The Pick: LB Shaq Thompson, Washington

After a shockingly good 2013 performance by the New Orleans Saints’ defense, the unit returned to their normal low-end play in 2014. The Saints were 31st in yards allowed and 28th in points per game.

By missing out on the top edge-rushers, the Saints need to find an impact player somewhere, and Shaq Thompson’s falling to them would be a much-needed break. Thompson is a safety/linebacker hybrid from whom defensive coordinator Rob Ryan should be able to get the most production.

Thompson has great instincts, speed and tackling ability. Off-ball linebackers usually don’t get picked this high, but Thompson has the game-changing talent to impact a defense enough to be worthy of the distinction.

The Pick: WR Kevin White, West Virginia

This is a dream situation for the Miami Dolphins, who are likely to embark on a revamp of their receiving core. The Dolphins lack a true No. 1 receiver and yet have the highest payroll at the position in the league. Changes are coming to the group.

With Kevin White added to the team, Miami will have a dynamic threat who can go up and catch 50-50 balls. White has great athleticism, but his tenaciousness when fighting for the ball is really what NFL teams covet. He projects as a solid top receiver and true red-zone threat, making him the perfect fit for the Dolphins.

The Pick: CB Trae Waynes, Michigan State

One of the most glaring needs for the San Francisco 49ers is at a position that has been good but lacks a real playmaker. The 49ers need outside cornerback help, and Trae Waynes would be a perfect fit.

Waynes has decent size, but his real gift is his ability to turn and run with receivers, stay on their hips and play the ball as if the pass were meant for him. He fits a variety of schemes well because he can play press and has natural ball instincts.

Paired with 2014 draft picks Dontae Johnson and Jimmie Ward, the 49ers will have a very good group of defensive backs to develop moving forward.

The Pick: CB Marcus Peters, Washington

Entering his second season as head coach, Bill O’Brien will be looking to add more talent to his roster. There are few players, if any, more talented than former Washington cornerback Marcus Peters.

Peters, however, was kicked off his college team for allegedly trying to choke his coach on the sideline of a game, according to Bob McGinn of the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel. That’s what makes him drop in this mock.

The Texans could lose stud cornerback Kareem Jackson to free agency, but replacing him with Peters would be wise. Houston offers Peters a strong locker room led by J.J. Watt and O’Brien, which is structure he needs.

If Peters can keep his head, he can be one of the few elite cornerbacks in the NFL. He’s that talented.

The Pick: OT Ereck Flowers, Miami (FL)

With D.J. Fluker moving from right tackle to guard, the San Diego Chargers again need to bolster their offensive line. Head coach Mike McCoy has shown that he prefers big, nasty linemen who can maul the opposition in the run game.

Enter Ereck Flowers from Miami. At 6’5” and 324 pounds, Flowers is highly athletic and aggressive as a run-blocker. He comes from a zone-blocking system, where he starred thanks to his physical traits.

He’s the ideal right tackle and could play left tackle with more technical refinement to his pass protection.

The Pick: LB Benardrick McKinney, Mississippi State

Forget adding a receiver Alex Smith won’t throw to; the Kansas City Chiefs have a glaring need at the linebacker position. 2014 starter Josh Mauga was one of the worst at the inside linebacker spot in the league, and Mississippi State linebacker Benardrick McKinney would be a huge upgrade.

McKinney is an excellent athlete with elite size. He isn’t a great run-stuffer at this point in his development but chases plays down well and has the upside to become very good.

The Pick: WR DeVante Parker, Louisville

With their second first-round pick, the Cleveland Browns need to devote assets to their bare offensive playmaker group. After another Josh Gordon incident that resulted in his suspension for Week 17, it’s becoming clear that Gordon will not be in Cleveland for the long haul.

To help quarterback Johnny Manziel succeed, it is imperative that the Browns don’t ignore the receiver position again this draft. DeVante Parker would be a solid addition to the Browns, as he brings tremendous yards-after-catch ability and good hands for reliability.

Parker may not become a true No. 1 receiver, as he struggles with physicality at the catch point, but he can be very good nonetheless and worthy of this pick.

The Pick: LB Eric Kendricks, UCLA

Ideally, the Philadelphia Eagles would land a stud quarterback to develop here, but after the top two quarterback prospects there is no worthy candidate to be taken with the 20th overall pick. Thus, the Eagles should opt to address their troublesome defense.

The Eagles’ secondary has been plagued with poor cornerback play from Cary Williams and Bradley Fletcher, which makes the cornerback position tempting here. But by selecting Eric Kendricks from UCLA, the Eagles can replace inside linebacker Casey Matthews, which is the best move possible.

Kendricks is undersized but makes up for it by being super-instinctive and athletic. He’s a very smart player who tracks down run plays from sideline to sideline and is capable of dropping back in coverage in zone or man assignments.

The Pick: Edge-Rusher Alvin Dupree, Kentucky

The Cincinnati Bengals likely regret not taking quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the 2014 draft after seeing current starter Andy Dalton fail to improve once again. This draft likely won’t offer a similar situation, but the team can still add a much-needed piece like Alvin Dupree.

Dupree isn’t a pure pass-rusher but has the versatility to play outside linebacker and defensive end. He’s got great quickness and strength, starring as a run defender and weak-side pass-rusher throughout his Kentucky career.

He’s a great fit for the Bengals, who need to stop playing Wallace Gilberry and Robert Geathers so much. Dupree can impact a deep team like the Bengals early on, which makes him a great value.

The Pick: CB Eric Rowe, Utah 

The Steelers should continue to rebuild their aging defense after selecting Ryan Shazier and Stephon Tuitt early in 2014. By taking a physical cornerback like Eric Rowe, the defense can get closer to regaining their reputation as a fearsome unit.

Rowe is a 6’1”, 200-pound cornerback with three years of playing experience. He’s very physical but is balanced in his movements and locates the football well in midair. His consistency winning at the line of scrimmage can improve, but his ceiling and natural talent is well worth the Steelers’ first-round pick.

The Pick: DT Malcom Brown, Texas

Without knowing what will happen with the terrific duo of Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley, predicting where the Detroit Lions should go with their first-round pick is easy. If neither player is retained, the Lions must ensure their front seven remains fearsome and effective.

Malcom Brown is a great athlete with an NFL-ready frame. At 6’2”, 320 pounds, Brown can effectively pressure opposing offenses using his strength and quickness. He’s still raw in technique and needs to improve on his pass-rush moves, but this is a long-term investment with potentially major benefits.

The Pick: C Cameron Erving, Florida State

Before injuries derailed the Arizona Cardinals’ Super Bowl aspirations, they were one of the best, if not the best team overall. To replicate and improve upon their 2014 season, they must address the biggest hole on the roster: the center position.

Cameron Erving and the Cardinals are a perfect match. The Cardinals need an upgrade for Lyle Sendlein, and Erving is an elite athlete possessing the skills to be one of the best centers in football.

When Erving moved from right tackle to center, he went from a mid-round prospect to a first-round talent. His play for the Florida State Seminoles transformed the offense’s effectiveness. His combination of length and athleticism is unmatched, and he uses it well in the run and pass games.

The Pick: OT Brandon Scherff, Iowa

The offensive line in Carolina was a liability for the Panthers in 2014, which isn’t shocking considering the turnover that occurred last offseason. Now it’s time to help out Cam Newton with a legitimate tackle who will benefit the run and passing aspects of the offense.

Brandon Scherff projects best as a run-mauling tackle or guard, which fits the Panthers’ run-first preference. He’s a capable pass-blocker who needs to overcome his lack of arm length to realize his physical upside. Scherff is similar to Zack Martin last year, able to play either position well.

The Pick: CB Jalen Collins, LSU

Similar to cornerback Jimmy Smith, Jalen Collins out of LSU needs trust and refinement to realize his potential. If any team is confident, patient and capable of helping Collins become a great player, it’s the Baltimore Ravens.

Collins was inconsistent at LSU but showed a knack for making big plays when it counted most. With his 6’2″, 194-pound physical profile and natural ball skills, he can certainly become a solid starting cornerback in time. His press technique and footwork are the two biggest things holding him back right now. 

The Pick: DT Danny Shelton, Washington

The Dallas Cowboys surprised many with their 2014 season, overcoming a major lack of talent throughout their defense to make a strong playoff push. That leaves the Cowboys with the opportunity to solely focus on their defense this draft and become a very dangerous team in 2015.

If Danny Shelton is on the board with the 27th pick, this is an excellent match of need and talent. Shelton is a mammoth tackle, capable of playing in a 3-4 and 4-3. He would replace Nick Hayden as the Cowboys’ run-stuffer, which would be a huge upgrade.

The Pick: OT T.J. Clemmings, Pittsburgh

With the uncertain future of Peyton Manning, the Denver Broncos could choose a number of different paths with their first-round pick. Should he return, expect a player who can impact the team right away. If Manning is back, this pick could be more of a developmental investment.

By selecting T.J. Clemmings, the Broncos would be getting a player with both immediate ability and room for growth. Clemmings projects as a very good tackle if he reaches his ceiling, as he has excellent footwork and is developing his hand placement.

Paired with Ryan Clady, the Broncos could have two great tackles for the foreseeable future.

The Pick: DT Eddie Goldman, Florida State

As the Indianapolis Colts continue to add to their defense, it’s important for head coach Chuck Pagano to build the trenches up. The Colts have seen guys like Cory Redding, Ricky Jean-Francois and Zach Kerr play well this season, but Eddie Goldman can be an impact player.

Goldman is still inconsistent because he saw little playing time until 2014. When playing well, however, he’s very good and capable of derailing an offense for chunks of time. That type of production won’t always show in the stat book, but it allows teammates to feast.

The Pick: LB Paul Dawson, TCU

It won’t be surprising this offseason if the Green Bay Packers trim some of the fat off their cap sheet and look to reload in the draft. Adding a terrific athlete like Paul Dawson to their linebacker group would be a great way to continue their reclamation project on that side of the ball.

Dawson is the perfect weak-side inside linebacker for a 3-4 because he’s able to evade blocks using his quickness and cover tight ends when asked to. His ability to shed blocks is poor, but that’s why a 3-4 works well for his skill set. He won’t be asked to take on lead blockers as much and can chase plays down from behind.

The Pick: WR Devin Funchess, Michigan

It’s amazing that the New England Patriots continue to ignore the wide receiver position every year, but this might be the time they add a legitimate No. 1 type for Tom Brady’s waning years. At 6’5” and 230 pounds, Devin Funchess has a physical profile similar to Alshon Jeffery.

Funchess has been stuck in a terrible offense during his career at Michigan and looks like he will perform better in the NFL than college. His hands are a concern, but he has a terrific blend of speed, size and athleticism. If everything clicks for him, he can be a dynamic talent for years to come.

The Pick: TE Maxx Williams, Minnesota

The losses of Percy Harvin and Paul Richardson plus the upcoming free agency for Jermaine Kearse could lead the Seahawks to address the playmaker position at the tail end of the first round. A potential star tight end like Maxx Williams would be a major steal at this pick.

Williams is a terrific receiver, routinely making highlight catches with his blend of balance and body control. He’s not a great blocker yet, but that doesn’t matter as much when Williams can line up in the slot or inline and be a dominant downfield receiver.

Ian Wharton is a Miami Dolphins Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting, and analyst for eDraft. 

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