2015 NFL Mock Draft: Bob McManaman's first edition

Editor's note: Bob McManaman unveiled his NFL mock draft - second edition on Friday, Feb. 13. This first edition was released in January.

azcentral sports NFL insider Bob McManaman offers his annual NFL Mock Draft. Follow him on Twitter @azbobbymac.

The NFL draft is April 20-May 2 in Chicago, but it's never too early to start taking a look at how things could play out in the first round from picks 1-24. I'll add the final eight spots once the final pick order is established.

Last year in my final Mock Draft, I correctly projected 25 of the 32 players that would be selected in the first round, with five going to the designated team I predicted.

With that, here is my initial 2015 NFL Mock Draft. My picks are based on observations, team needs, scouting services and various NFL sources:

1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston, 6-4, 240, Florida State.

Comment: Between the lines, he should be the consensus No.1 pick. But it's off the field where there are questions. The Bucs need a quarterback in the worst way and if it's not Winston, it will be Marcus Mariota.

2. Tennessee Titans: QB Marcus Mariota, 6-4, 215, Oregon.

Comment: Imagine Ken Whisenhunt's luck if this happens. Drafting Mariota gives him at least two years of job security and you can bet the Titans won't pass on this kid. Sorry Zach Mettenberger.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: WR Amari Cooper, 6-1, 205, Alabama.

Comment: After spending top five picks the past two years on an offensive tackle and quarterback, you might think the Jaguars would go defense this time. Not when the best receiver in the draft is available at No.3.

4. Oakland Raiders: DT Leonard Williams, 6-4, 290, USC.

Comment: Williams is projected as the best prospect in the entire 2015 draft class and the Raiders will continue to build their defense the right way if they get him.

5. Washington Redskins: DE/OLB Randy Gregory, 6-5, 250, Nebraska.

Comment: Assuming they stick with Robert Griffin III as their quarterback, Gregory makes perfect sense here, especially if they lose Brian Orakpo to free agency.

6. New York Jets: DE/OLB Vic Beasley, 6-2, 235, Clemson.

Comment: Beasley is one of my favorite players in this year's draft and I have him rated this high for a reason: he's going to jump up everyone's draft boards over the next four months.

7. Chicago Bears: S Landon Collins, 6-0, 215, Alabama.

Comment: The best safety in the draft – if he declares – Collins can provide a major injection of youth and desire on the Bears' shoddy defense, which needs all kinds of help.

8. Atlanta Falcons: DE/OLB Shane Ray, 6-4, 245, Missouri.

Comment: Atlanta's biggest problem the past couple years has been the lack of a killer pass rush and Ray is fast and disruptive. He'll live in opponents' backfields.

9. New York Giants: DE/OLB Dante Fowler Jr., 6-2 1/2, 271, Florida.

Comment: New York will be looking for a sack master if Jason Pierre-Paul tests free agency and Fowler is the next-best available pass rusher at the moment.

10. St. Louis Rams: OG/OT Brandon Scherff, 6-5, 315, Iowa.

Comment: The Rams could go in multiple directions here, although it's safe to say they probably won't use this pick on a defensive lineman. Stockpiling talent on the other side of the ball up front, however, is paramount and Scherff can play guard or tackle right now at the next level.

11. Minnesota Vikings: WR DeVante Parker, 6-3, 205, Louisville.

Comment: What better way to make Teddy Bridgewater a happy quarterback then to bring in his former college teammate and let him be the team's new No.1 wide receiver?

12. Cleveland Browns: OT Andrus Peat, 6-6, 310, Stanford.

Comment: They could go wide receiver here because of Josh Gordon's dependability issues, but Peat is a super solid pick for any team that wants to keep its quarterback healthy. I might have him ranked a little too high, but that's because I'm forecasting his stock will rapidly climb.

13. New Orleans Saints: CB Trae Waynes, 6-1, 185, Michigan State.

Comment: The top corner in the draft right now looks to be Waynes, who has five-tool talent. It's not like the Saints couldn't use some of that on their unreliable defense.

14. Miami Dolphins: OT La'el Collins, 6-5, 315, Louisiana State.

Comment: Miami may attempt to make a splash and trade up, but its revolving door of offensive linemen has to stop at some point and adding Collins will help to do that. Yes, they drafted a tackle last year, but they could use another based on Branden Albert's injury history.

15. San Francisco 49ers: DT Malcom Brown, 6-3 1/2, 317, Texas.

Comment: Brown will immediately help restore the 49ers' defensive front, especially if Justin Smith retires. He projects as a certain mid first-round pick.

16. Houston Texans: CB Marcus Peters, 6-0, 198, Washington.

Comment: Was dismissed from the Huskies' program in November for being belligerent, but there is no doubt he has elite skills and can play at the next level. Coach Bill O'Brien should be able to keep him in line.

17. San Diego Chargers: RB Melvin Gordon, 6-1, 203, Wisconsin.

Comment: He might not get past Minnesota at No.11, but if he's available, the Chargers should snatch him without blinking. They haven't had any dependability in the backfield since the days of LaDanian Thomlinson and Darren Sproles.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: WR Kevin White, 6-3, 210, West Virginia.

Comment: No, they typically don't throw deep to their wide receivers in Kansas City, but they can now if they select White. He's big and fast and can completely change the Chiefs' offensive dynamics.

19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): WR Jaelen Strong, 6-3, 210, Arizona State.

Comment: It'll be interesting to see where Strong ends up, but as I mentioned earlier with Gordon's unreliability, it could very well end up being here.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: DE Shilique Calhoun, 6-4, 255, Michigan State.

Comment: Calhoun will be a mover and shaker in this year's draft from what I'm hearing. The Eagles would like to add a top-flight cornerback, but this player will suit them very nicely.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: DT Eddie Goldman, 6-4, 320, Florida State.

Comment: The Bengals need some depth to their interior defensive line and Goldman will provide it very adequately. He has the potential to be an All-Pro if he gets the right coaching.

22. Pittsburgh Steelers: DT Danny Shelton, 6-1, 325, Washington.

Comment: The Steelers' defense isn't anything without a stout force up front in the middle that can absorb double blocks and stagnate things at the line of scrimmage. Shelton can do that and he'll do it well in Pittsburgh.

23. Detroit Lions: OLB Shaq Thompson, 6-2, 230, Washington.

Comment: Thompson used to be a running back, but he's trending hot as an edge rusher on defense and his performance at the scouting combine will really determine his first-round legitimacy.

24. Arizona Cardinals: DT Michael Bennett, 6-2, 290, Ohio State.

Comment: In a perfect world, the Cardinals would love to add a guaranteed, can't-miss pass rusher but Bennett is the next-best-thing – if he's still available here. He can be their next Darnell Dockett and get a year of help from No.90 until he's ready to dominate up front by himself.