'Dynamic athlete' Bud Dupree projected as eighth overall pick in Chicago Tribune's NFL mock draft

Here's my forecast for the first round of the 2015 NFL Draft, which runs Thursday through Saturday:

1. Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State: Lovie Smith has seemingly been all-in on Winston for months, and he hit on a wide receiver for his quarterback last year with Mike Evans.

2. Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon. If they believe Mariota will be a good NFL player, they can't pass on the chance. Quarterbacks are too hard to find, even if they have hope for Zach Mettenberger.

3. Jaguars: Dante Fowler, DE, Florida. The jury remains out on QB Blake Bortles, the third pick last year, and they need an impact player right away. After drafting offense with their first four picks a year ago, they go defense.

4. Raiders: Leonard Williams, DT, USC. It would make a lot of sense to grab a wide receiver here for Derek Carr, but new coach Jack Del Rio can get an anchor for his defensive line.

5. Redskins: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson. With Brian Orakpo having departed via free agency, there's an acute need for a pass rusher, and the speedy Beasley is a good fit.

6. Jets: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska. Off-field concerns involving Gregory are legitimate, but he's the most talented pass rusher in the draft and new GM Mike Maccagnan comes from the Texans, who weren't averse to taking gambles.

7. Bears: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama. In Carolina and Denver, John Fox got Julius Peppers and Von Miller with his first draft picks. But if the board doesn't fall right, the Bears can get a talented playmaker.

8. Falcons: Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky. They have a new defensive-minded coach in Dan Quinn and an acute need to add an edge rusher with the dynamic athlete Dupree.

9. Giants: Brandon Scherff, OL, Iowa. Nothing sexy about this selection, but the line was a mess last season and adding the best blocker in the draft, even if he projects as a guard, is a solid pick.

10. Rams: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia. They drafted Tavon Austin eighth out of the same school two years ago, and they get a more dynamic playmaker here for Nick Foles.

11. Vikings: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State. Mike Zimmer likes big cornerbacks who can play press man, and he has one in Xavier Rhodes. Waynes fills a need on the other side immediately.

12. Browns: Danny Shelton, NT, Washington. They were last in the NFL in rushing defense a year ago, and Shelton immediately plugs a big hole in the middle. He has some limitations but is dominant vs. the run.

13. Saints: DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville. An edge rusher for Rob Ryan would make sense, but they lost an elite playmaker in the trade of TE Jimmy Graham and could add a potential top-10 pick in Parker.

14. Dolphins: Breshad Perriman, WR, Central Florida. They need QB Ryan Tannehill to take a major step forward this season, and no position is more wide open than receiver, even after the acquisition of Kenny Stills.

15. 49ers: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon. GM Trent Baalke has shown a preference for defensive players with great length, and there might not be a player in the draft with more of it than the 6-foot-7, 292-pound Armstead.

16. Texans: Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia. If a team feels confident about his knee issues, Gurley could wind up in the top 10. Otherwise, he could be the heir apparent to Arian Foster in Houston.

17. Chargers: D.J. Humphries, OT, Florida. There are some talented tackles in this class who project to the right side; Humphries is one of the few who has the athleticism to play on either side.

18. Chiefs: La'el Collins, OT, LSU. They filled a dire need at receiver by signing Jeremy Maclin and can wait until Day 2 to bolster that position while bulking up on the offensive line.

19. Browns (from Bills): Nelson Agholor, WR, USC. They made an error not adding a receiver a year ago and will get one here or at No. 12. Agholor comes in starter-ready having played in a pro-style college offense.

20. Eagles: Phillip Dorsett, WR, Miami. The offense struggled last year without the vertical threat DeSean Jackson provided. Chip Kelly rectifies that situation with Dorsett, an absolute burner.

21. Bengals: Jordan Phillips, NT, Oklahoma. They could go a couple of different ways and might be eyeing help for the offensive line, but they like Phillips and he should contribute immediately.

22. Steelers: Kevin Johnson, CB, Wake Forest. The pass defense struggled mightily a year ago, and with needs at cornerback and safety, they prioritize a player on the outside over Alabama safety Landon Collins.

23. Lions: Malcom Brown, DT, Texas. Their greatest need is on the interior of the line with Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley departed. They'd like Shelton, but Brown offers a little more interior pass rush.

24. Cardinals: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State. The loss of Dan Williams in the middle of the defense created a void, and Goldman might be a better player than Williams in a few seasons.

25. Panthers: Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford. They desperately needed a tackle and a receiver a year ago, when they grabbed WR Kelvin Benjamin. They get the lineman they need this time.

26. Ravens: Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin. They're looking for a running back who can go the distance. If Gordon doesn't go here, he will not get past the Cowboys.

27. Cowboys: Marcus Peters, CB, Washington. Some think Peters might have the most upside of any cornerback in the draft, but he was booted in November for repeated issues with the coaching staff.

28. Broncos: T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh. When Gary Kubiak was in Houston, the Texans drafted Duane Brown late in the first round, and he turned into a terrific left tackle. He looks to repeat that here.

29. Colts: Shane Ray, DE, Missouri. His draft stock has dropped since the end of the college season and there's a report he may need foot surgery, but he will be a productive pro.

30. Packers: Byron Jones, CB, Connecticut. They have had impressive depth at cornerback for some time, but it's gone and they go for an impressive athlete with great length.

31. Saints (from Seahawks): Eli Harold, OLB, Virginia. Explosive defender will fill a serious need on defense with the pick from Seahawks in the surprising Graham trade.

32. Patriots: Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State. Bill Belichick places a premium on intelligent players with versatility, and Erving can play at least four positions on the line, including center.