The 2015 NFL draft class is as intriguing as any in recent memory due to the presence of so many high-risk, high-reward prospects.
Guys such as quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Jameis Winston could be all-time busts just as easily as they could be all-time greats. That same narrative applies to multiple players at every other position as well, which makes the 2015 draft feel like a true crapshoot.
Some prospects most definitely have more risk attached to them than others, and weighing that risk against the possible reward is no easy task.
With that in mind, here is a full first-round mock draft in the wake of the 2015 NFL Scouting Combine, along with a closer look at some of the riskiest prospects tabbed to go in the opening round.
| 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon |
| 2 | Tennessee Titans | Randy Gregory, DE/LB, Nebraska |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama |
| 5 | Washington Redskins | Leonard Williams, DL, USC |
| 6 | New York Jets | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | Landon Collins, S, Alabama |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Shane Ray, DE/LB, Missouri |
| 9 | New York Giants | Shaq Thompson, LB, Washington |
| 10 | St. Louis Rams | Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State |
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings | Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford |
| 12 | Cleveland Browns | Kevin White, WR, West Virginia |
| 13 | New Orleans Saints | Marcus Peters, CB, Washington |
| 14 | Miami Dolphins | Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Mississippi State |
| 15 | San Francisco 49ers | Danny Shelton, DL, Washington |
| 16 | Houston Texans | Brett Hundley, QB, UCLA |
| 17 | San Diego Chargers | Cameron Erving, OL, Florida State |
| 18 | Kansas City Chiefs | DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville |
| 19 | Cleveland Browns (from BUF) | Vic Beasley, DE/LB, Clemson |
| 20 | Philadelphia Eagles | P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State |
| 21 | Cincinnati Bengals | Dante Fowler, DE, Florida |
| 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Alex Carter, CB, Stanford |
| 23 | Detroit Lions | Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State |
| 24 | Arizona Cardinals | Alvin Dupree, DE/LB, Kentucky |
| 25 | Carolina Panthers | La'el Collins, OT, LSU |
| 26 | Baltimore Ravens | Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin |
| 27 | Dallas Cowboys | Nate Orchard, DE, Utah |
| 28 | Denver Broncos | Malcom Brown, DT, Texas |
| 29 | Indianapolis Colts | A.J. Cann, OG, South Carolina |
| 30 | Green Bay Packers | Denzel Perryman, ILB, Miami (Fla.) |
| 31 | Seattle Seahawks | Devin Funchess, TE/WR, Michigan |
| 32 | New England Patriots | Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma |
Mock Draft
Breaking Down Polarizing Prospects
Brett Hundley
There is no denying at this point that Mariota and Winston are the top two quarterbacks in the 2015 draft class. More than two teams are in desperate search of a quarterback, though, which means it isn't outside the realm of possibility that another will come off the board in the first round.
If that does happen, then UCLA's Brett Hundley may be the top candidate. Hundley had a ton of success as a three-year starter with the Bruins, and he followed that up by testing out extremely well at the combine.
Hundley was among the top quarterback performers in every athletic drill, including the 40-yard dash, which he finished in 4.63 seconds. He also topped all signal-callers with a time of 3.98 seconds in the 20-yard shuttle, according to NFL.com.
As pointed out by ESPN's John Clayton, both Hundley and Baylor's Bryce Petty seemed to establish themselves as legitimate options behind Mariota and Winston at the combine:
There are still questions regarding Hundley's viability as an NFL quarterback since he isn't as good of a pure passer as the prospects ahead of him, but he is taking measures to improve in that regard.
Per ESPN's Ed Werder, Hundley will work with former Super Bowl-winning quarterback Kurt Warner in an effort to get ready for his pro day:
If Hundley impresses in that venue much like he did at the combine, then he has a legitimate chance to establish himself as a first-round possibility.
According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Hundley has been viewed as a first-round talent before as the Cleveland Browns showed interest in him last year prior to his decision to return to UCLA:
Hundley may not be a high first-rounder, but a team picking in the middle or latter part of the round with a need under center could very well roll the dice on him. The Browns are an option at No. 19, as are the Houston Texans at No. 16, since they are just a quarterback away from possibly contending.
Vic Beasley
David J. Phillip/Associated Press The 2015 NFL draft class is chock full of talented pass-rushers, and while it can be argued that Clemson's Vic Beasley has more natural ability than any of them, he may be the riskiest option as well.
Beasley had a hugely productive career with the Tigers, and he is coming off a season in which he recorded 12 sacks. The main concern regarding Beasley, though, has been his size. Some of that was alleviated at the combine, however, when he weighed in at 246 pounds, according to NFL.com.
That may not be an ideal weight for a defensive end, but Beasley is making strides in terms of adding mass to his frame, according to NFL Network's Charles Davis:
In addition to that, Beasley showed off an impressive mixture of speed and power as he ranked among the best linebacker performers in the 40-yard dash, bench press and vertical jump, per ESPN College Football:
For what Beasley may lack in size, he more than makes up with speed, athleticism and a fantastic work ethic. Smaller pass-rushers such as Von Miller of the Denver Broncos and Elvis Dumervil of the Baltimore Ravens have had success in the NFL in recent years, so there is definitely hope for Beasley as well.
The team that drafts him will be taking a chance to some degree, but at least it'll be taking a chance on a guy who has all the physical tools that top pass-rushers need.
Cleveland has the benefit of two first-round picks in this draft, and it could use a stud off the edge. Because of that, the Browns are a prime candidate to nab him.
Melvin Gordon
It may seem insane to tab Melvin Gordon as a risky selection considering what he accomplished at Wisconsin, but with fewer and fewer NFL teams willing to invest early picks in running backs, Gordon could be a tough sell in the first round.
The former Badgers star racked up nearly 2,600 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns this past season. Those numbers are very difficult to ignore, and Gordon believes that he and some of his peers are set to make picking running backs in the first round popular again, according to NFL.com's Bryan Fischer.
"Hopefully we can change that," Gordon said. "I think it's a great class of running backs, we have a lot of talent in this class. I've talked to a lot of guys and we're a close group. I just think we have the talent to go [in the] first this year."
While Gordon performed well in the 40-yard dash as the fifth-fastest running back at the combine, per NFL.com, his time hasn't been a first-round-caliber one over the past several years, according to ESPN Stats & Info:
Running backs don't necessarily need blazing speed to be successful, though. Gordon is fast enough, and he runs with power as well. As NFL Network pointed out, his measurables are quite comparable to those of Seattle Seahawks star Marshawn Lynch:
Many of the NFL's most successful teams last season, including the Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys, leaned heavily on the running game. The NFL is a copycat league, which means others could follow suit.
The Baltimore Ravens are a team that has traditionally succeeded with great defense and a strong running game. Justin Forsett provided great production in the backfield last season, but it is unclear if he will be back.
If the Ravens opt to move on, then Gordon should be their prime target at No. 26.
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