2015 NFL Mock Draft: Bob McManaman's second edition

azcentral sports NFL insider Bob McManaman unveiled his NFL mock draft, 3rd edition at noon on Monday (March 30). Take a look back at his NFL Mock Draft - 2nd edition, which he released in mid-February. 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.

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 updated 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: No change. Nobody questions his athleticism and ability to play at the next level; it's just a character issue. Lovie Smith might be the perfect coach for Winston, however. As previously noted, the Buccaneers clearly need an upgrade at the position. Mike Glennon is nice, but Winston is a game-changer.

2. Tennessee Titans: DT Leonard Williams, 6-4, 290, USC.

Comment: In my initial Mock Draft, I had the Titans taking Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota, and that could still happen. But the coaching staff really does seem to think Zach Mettenberger is their man, so grabbing Williams at No.2 gives them a versatile force on the defensive front. That's a great way to keep the rebuilding project on track.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars: DE/OLB Randy Gregory, 6-5, 250, Nebraska.

Comment: Pick change. Amari Cooper was the initial choice here, but Gus Bradley would love to have another valuable player he can add to an improving defense and Gregory is a legitimate Top 5 pick. He's going to be a dynamite pass rusher at the next level.

4. Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper, 6-1, 205, Alabama.

Comment: Pick change. Previously, the pick here was Leonard Williams, but now that I have him going No.2, the Raiders can do what they've always liked to do – draft a flashy wide receiver. Cooper projects as the top one in this class and Derek Carr will now have a new No.1 target, which is the best way to speed his continuing development.

5. Washington Redskins: DE/OLB Shane Ray, 6-4, 245, Missouri.

Comment: Pick change. Randy Gregory was the previous selection, and it would still be a great one if he's available. I don't think he'll last this long, though. Ray gives Washington some much-needed depth to pair alongside Ryan Kerrigan and Trent Murphy, especially with Brian Orakpo heading for free agency. The Redskins will be eyeing offensive linemen in this draft, so that is an option at No.5 as well.

6. New York Jets: QB Marcus Mariota, 6-4, 215, Oregon.

Comment: Pick change. Initially, I had the Jets taking my favorite player in this year's draft, Clemson's Vic Beasley. While I think Todd Bowles would love to go defense here, too, the suits upstairs will feel pressured to nab Oregon's Mariota and Bowles will have to weather the storm with a rookie quarterback. At some point, Mariota could really blossom, but he's going to need a lot of work before he's ready and the Jets will have to be patient if they go this route.

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

Comment: No change. Collins is exactly what the Bears' defense needs – a hard-hitting, quick cover man who makes plays all the time. This might be a little high for Collins, but he's the top safety in the draft and he'll give Chicago the jolt in the arm it needs. Washington nose tackle Danny Shelton is another option now that the Bears are going with a 3-4 defense.

8. Atlanta Falcons: DE/OLB Dante Fowler Jr., 6-2½, 271, Florida.

Comment: Pick change. Shane Ray was the previous pick here, but now that I have him going three spots earlier, the choice now has to be Fowler, the next-best pass rusher available. New coach Dan Quinn must address Atlanta's shoddy defense, especially with Osi Umenyiora and Sean Witherspoon set to become free agents, and Fowler will provide some real solid depth.

9. New York Giants: OG/OT Brandon Scherff, 6-5, 315, Iowa.

Comment: Pick change. Initially, it was Fowler, but the Giants miss out on him and can have their pick of any offensive linemen on the board. Scherff is the top-rated one in the draft, according to numerous scouting services, and I particularly like him because he can play just about anywhere up front. Ideally, he projects as a rock-solid left tackle, but he'll likely get his start on the right side and can even be inserted at guard.

10. St. Louis Rams: OT Andrus Peat, 6-6, 310, Stanford.

Comment: Pick change. I had Scherff going here in my initial Mock Draft, but no worries. The Rams can upgrade their line with the next-best tackle available and that's Peat, a Tempe Corona del Sol product. St. Louis is in an interesting spot here, as they could package some picks and contemplate moving up to get one of the top two quarterbacks, but whoever ends up under center still needs to be protected. We'll learn soon enough if Sam Bradford is really in their plans or not.

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

Comment: No change. Although I think the Vikings would be smart to grab an offensive lineman early to help protect Teddy Bridgewater, I still think the best way to make him happy is to draft his former college teammate and let him be the team's new No.1 wide receiver. But with Adrian Peterson's situation still unclear, could they roll the dice on a running back here? Maybe.

12. Cleveland Browns: WR Kevin White, 6-3, 210, West Virginia.

Comment: Pick change. It was Andrus Peat, but with the top two offensive linemen off the board, I can see the Browns quickly pulling the trigger on this guy. Josh Gordon's suspension forces their hand in the matter. White is the third-rated receiver in the draft and some folks I've talked to think he'll end up being the best. He'll only be as good as his quarterback, though, and the Browns aren't sure what they really have in Johnny Manziel.

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

Comment: No change. This isn't a blue-year year for cornerbacks, apparently, but Waynes looks like a can't-miss star and the Saints can always use help in their secondary. They'll be looking hard at pass rushers, too, maybe a guy like Kentucky's Alvin Dupree.

14. Miami Dolphins: OLB Shaq Thompson, 6-2, 230, Washington.

Comment: Pick change. I had them going with an offensive lineman here, LSU's La'el Collins, but the Dolphins are unpredictable. They may go after a wide receiver, especially if they're ready to move on from Mike Wallace. They could pick a running back. What they should do, though, is add to their defense and Thompson would be an intriguing selection.

15. San Francisco 49ers: DT Eddie Goldman, 6-4, 320, Florida State.

Comment: Pick change. It's still a defensive tackle, but now it's Goldman rather than Malcom Brown of Texas. Goldman's stock is rising fast and we'll see how he does at the combine, but he fits well here. The 49ers will be eyeing wide receivers, too, so that's a likely first-round option as well.

16. Houston Texans: RB Todd Gurley, 6-1, 220, Georgia.

Comment: Pick change. I'm going from Washington cornerback Marcus Peters to what may seem like a reach here, but I think Houston could be a perfect landing spot for Gurley. Arian Foster can't stay healthy, the Texans don't have an elite quarterback, and Gurley could at least provide an extra boost on offense.

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

Comment: No change, although I'm now hearing the Chargers might go after help along the defensive line before they do anything. Assuming they address that through free agency, Gordon remains the pick, especially now that I have the Texans nabbing Gurley.

18. Kansas City Chiefs: OT La'el Collins, 6-5, 315, Louisiana State.

Comment: Pick change. I previously had them taking White, the wide receiver out of West Virginia. Now it's Collins, the top-rated offensive lineman remaining on the board. Make no mistake, the Chiefs will go after wide receivers, but they can do that in free agency, where a ton of great players will be available.

19. Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo): DT Malcom Brown, 6-3½, 317, Texas.

Comment: Pick change. Previously, the pick was ASU's Jaelen Strong, but since I already have them taking White, now they can address a real need and add to their run defense with a run-stuffer in Brown. The Browns were dead last against the run.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: WR Dorial Green-Beckham, 6-6, 225, Missouri/Oklahoma.

Comment: Pick change. Previously the pick was DE Shilique Calhoun out of Michigan State but he has announced he's returning to school. I'm not buying any of the talk about the Eagles trading up to grab Marcus Mariota, unless Chip Kelly is willing to really roll the dice. Green-Beckham isn't the safest pick because of off-the-field issues, but the Eagles will need a receiver and his size and hands make him intriguing.

21. Cincinnati Bengals: OT Ereck Flowers, 6-5, 315, Miami.

Comment: Pick change. The Bengals need help at tackle and instead of taking Goldman, the defensive lineman out of Florida State, they go through Miami and select Flowers, who is big and beastly.

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

Comment: No change, although I wouldn't be surprised by anything the Steelers do with their first pick. As I noted previously, Pittsburgh's defense isn't anything without someone big and strong in the middle up front and Shelton might be the best in this year's draft at absorbing two blockers to open things up for the pass rushers and run stoppers.

23. Detroit Lions: DE Alvin Dupree, 6-3, 250, Kentucky.

Comment: Pick change. I had them taking Thompson, the outside linebacker out of Washington, but he's gone and the next-best pass rusher available just might be Dupree, who can provide some nice depth given Detroit's issues with pending free agents.

24. Arizona Cardinals: DE/OLB Vic Beasley, 6-2, 235, Clemson.

Comment: Pick change. Instead of Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Bennett, who probably projects more as a second-rounder, the Cardinals are now in position to draft my favorite defensive player in this year's class. Beasley can be a superstar in Arizona's defensive scheme and if he falls this far, the Cardinals can't afford to pass on him. I know they drafted some pass rushers a year ago, but Beasley could be their answer to a young John Abraham.

25. Carolina Panthers: OT T.J. Clemmings, 6-5, 305, Pittsburgh.

Comment: It's no secret the Panthers need help at the tackle position. Cam Newton got hit far too often this past season. There are a few options at No.24, but Clemmings is trending up from second-round status and I like his chances the best.

26. Baltimore Ravens: CB P.J. Williams, 5-11, 195, Florida State.

Comment: Everything about the Ravens' defense is superlative – except for the secondary. It needs help immediately. Williams can provide that as the best available corner I have left on the board, just ahead of Washington's Marcus Peters.

27. Dallas Cowboys: TE Maxx Williams, 6-4, 250, Minnesota.

Comment: It won't surprise me if the Cowboys look for help first along the defensive line, where this draft is well stocked, but at some point they have to look ahead to the end of Jason Witten's days and drafting Williams solves that problem right away. They do have a couple of young promising tight ends already on the roster, but Williams, is a huge, huge upgrade. Pairing him with Witten gives Dallas two stud tight ends and that will only make Tony Romo even better.

28. Denver Broncos: OT Cameron Erving, 6-5, 320, Florida State.

Comment: Regardless of who's at quarterback this year or next, the Broncos need to keep their offensive line strong and in position to protect and serve their man under center. Erving is an obvious choice.

29. Indianapolis Colts: DE Arik Armstead, 6-7, 295, Oregon.

Comment: They could use a running back, but they can deal with that later. Armstead would make for an intriguing pick because of his size. The Colts' defense could use a little more beef up front.

30. Green Bay Packers: ILB Eric Kendricks, 6-0, 230, UCLA.

Comment: Clay Matthews played exceptionally upon moving from an outside linebacker to an inside one, but drafting Kendricks allows the Packers to slide Matthews back out on the edge, where he can do more damage.

31. Seattle Seahawks: WR Jaelen Strong, 6-3, 210, Arizona State.

Comment: I had Strong going to the Browns in my initial Mock Draft, but I can see him sliding into the second round if the Seahawks decided to pass. They could use receiving help, though, and they may also be interested in adding a running back or going defense with their first pick and selecting a corner.

32. New England Patriots: WR Devin Smith, 6-0, 190, Ohio State.

Comment: Giving Tom Brady another weapon on offense always makes sense, but you never know which direction the Patriots are going to go on Draft Day.