John Bazemore/Associated Press

2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions and Analysis for Most Exciting Prospects

Brian Mazique

Everyone loves players with game-breaking skills. Whether it's an offensive player who can make things happen with the ball, or a dynamic defensive player that terrorizes offenses, there's no disputing the value of an exciting player.

This mock draft will focus on the most exciting players projected to go in the first round. The featured players' names are highlighted in the table below. 

2015 NFL Mock Draft
Pick Team Selection
1 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2 Tennessee Titans Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
3 Jacksonville Jaguars Dante Fowler, DE/OLB, Florida
4 Oakland Raiders Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5 Washington Leonard Williams, DT, USC
6 New York Jets Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
7 Chicago Bears DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
8 Atlanta Falcons Vic Beasley, OLB/DE, Clemson
9 New York Giants Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
10 St. Louis Rams Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
11 Minnesota Vikings Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
12 Cleveland Browns Danny Shelton, DT, Washington
13 New Orleans Saints Shane Ray, DE/OLB, Missouri
14 Miami Dolphins Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida
15 San Francisco 49ers Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
16 Houston Texans Randy Gregory, DE/OLB, Nebraska
17 San Diego Chargers Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
18 Kansas City Chiefs Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami
19 Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo) T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
20 Philadelphia Eagles Landon Collins, S, Alabama
21 Cincinnati Bengals Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
22 Pittsburgh Steelers Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
23 Detroit Lions Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
24 Arizona Cardinals Alvin "Bud" Dupree, OLB, Kentucky
25 Carolina Panthers D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida
26 Baltimore Ravens Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut
27 Dallas Cowboys Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
28 Denver Broncos Arik Armstead, DE/DT, Oregon
29 Indianapolis Colts La'el Collins, OL, LSU
30 Green Bay Packers Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest
31 New Orleans Saints (via Seattle) Benardrick McKinney, LB, Mississippi State
32 New England Patriots Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
Picks per Mazique

Vic Beasley

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

At 6'3" 246 pounds, Vic Beasley has exceptional speed for a linebacker/defensive end prospect. His 4.53 40-yard-dash time showed off his quickness. In addition to the speed, Beasley notched a 41-inch vertical jump at the NFL combine as well.

There should be no concern about Beasley's strength. He hit an impressive 35 reps in the bench press. How do all these metrics translate to the field? He had 33 sacks over his four-year career with the Clemson Tigers.

There's no questioning Beasley is one of the most dynamic defensive prospects in the draft.

Todd Gurley

There are few running backs in the draft that are as versatile and athletic as the Georgia Bulldogs' Todd Gurley. At 6'1" 222 pounds, Gurley has ideal size for a running back in the NFL. Gurley's recovery from an ACL injury kept him from performing at the NFL combine, but his game action suggests that he is a next-level athlete.

You can see some similarities to the Minnesota Vikings' Adrian Peterson in his stride and power.

Gurley averaged 6.4 yards per carry in three seasons at Georgia and even returned a kickoff for a touchdown. The injury is a major concern for Gurley, but NFL.com's Ian Rapoport recently reported that the running back checked out medically.

That could lead to a late rise on draft boards.

Marcus Mariota

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Usually the most athletic quarterback in the draft is not near the top of the rankings for his position. That is the case this year as 2014 Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota brings elite speed to his overall package as a signal-caller.

Mariota showed off speed at the combine with a 4.52 40-yard-dash. At 6'4" 222 pounds, that's even more impressive. In 2014, Mariota rushed for 15 touchdowns. He also had 11 runs for 20-plus yards. 

What he's able to do with his arm will undoubtedly have the most impact on his career, but Mariota's legs should prove to be a dangerous weapon in the NFL as well.

   

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