Mike McCarn/Associated Press
The way we feel about the 2015 NFL draft's top prospects before and after the scouting combine could be entirely different. After all, we've watched these players perform throughout their college careers, but they've never been under a microscope like they will be in Indianapolis.
What if a wide receiver who's supposed to be a burner runs a 4.6-second 40-yard dash? What if a player known to have a history of off-field issues delivers a heartfelt and mature monologue during his press conference? These are just two of the many examples of ways prospects can severely alter their draft stocks—for better or for worse—at the combine.
So, before more than 300 players in this year's draft class take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium and big boards are altered once again as a result, let's take a look at how the first round of the draft would potentially shake out if it were to happen before the combine begins.
| 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State |
| 2 | Tennessee Titans | Leonard Williams, DT, USC |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama |
| 5 | Washington Redskins | Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska |
| 6 | New York Jets | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon |
| 7 | Chicago Bears | Danny Shelton, DT, Washington |
| 8 | Atlanta Falcons | Shane Ray, DE, Missouri |
| 9 | New York Giants | Landon Collins, S, Alabama |
| 10 | St. Louis Rams | Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford |
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings | Kevin White, WR, West Virginia |
| 12 | Cleveland Browns | DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville |
| 13 | New Orleans Saints | Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida |
| 14 | Miami Dolphins | Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State |
| 15 | San Francisco 49ers | Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma |
| 16 | Houston Texans | La'el Collins, OT, LSU |
| 17 | San Diego Chargers | Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson |
| 18 | Kansas City Chiefs | Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State |
| 19 | Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo) | Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky |
| 20 | Philadelphia Eagles | Marcus Peters, CB, Washington |
| 21 | Cincinnati Bengals | Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington |
| 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State |
| 23 | Detroit Lions | Malcom Brown, DT, Texas |
| 24 | Arizona Cardinals | Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin |
| 25 | Carolina Panthers | T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh |
| 26 | Baltimore Ravens | Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH) |
| 27 | Dallas Cowboys | Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma |
| 28 | Denver Broncos | Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State |
| 29 | Indianapolis Colts | Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia |
| 30 | Green Bay Packers | Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon |
| 31 | Seattle Seahawks | Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn |
| 32 | New England Patriots | Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami |
Analyzing Top-Five Picks Before Combine
A pair of quarterbacks appear to be in a neck-and-neck race to be the draft's top overall selection, and that may be the surest thing in regard to prospects whose names will be called within the first five picks. The teams selecting early have several prominent needs, and they will have the opportunity to choose between a variety of talented prospects at different positions.
Scouting combine workouts will help us decipher which prospects are worthy of a top-five status, so let's take a look at the players currently slated to be among the first off the board and what each must do at the combine to avoid a slide.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
The Buccaneers have a big decision to make between Oregon's Marcus Mariota and Florida State's Jameis Winston. Currently, Mariota is viewed as more of a project, while Winston is considered more NFL-ready. Although, the former Seminole has a history of off-field issues, and that could force Tampa Bay to go with a "safer" pick in Mariota.
For Winston to remain at No. 1 overall, he must deliver a perfect press conference. Rest assured, he'll be more heavily scrutinized than any other player at the combine, so his statements must be mature and concise. It's still uncertain if Winston will throw at the combine, according to USA Today's Jim Corbett, but at some point, he'll need to prove he's more accurate than his 18 interceptions in 2014 suggest.
2. Tennessee Titans: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
Tennessee could opt to take a shot at Mariota here, but the team needs plenty of help along the defensive line, and it still doesn't quite know what it has in Zach Mettenberger. Leonard Williams may be the draft's all-around most talented player. He has the potential to become the cornerstone of a defense and will be extremely difficult to pass up.
Scouts know Williams is still a relatively raw prospect, so he basically needs to live up to his physical hype—in much of the same way Jadeveon Clowney did last year. Known for his freakish blend of strength and athleticism, if Williams can produce solid showings in the 40-yard dash, bench press and shuttle drills, he'll remain a solid option at No. 2 overall.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
The Jaguars could really go a multitude of ways here. They need help in almost every area, but the idea of grabbing the powerful Brandon Scherff helps them protect their 2014 investment in Blake Bortles. Describing Scherff as powerful may not even do the Iowa product justice. Take a look at this:
If Scherff can show that kind of power in the bench press, he'll help solidify his position as the draft's top offensive lineman. To remain at No. 3 overall, he'll need to display improved flexibility and technique to ensure the Jaguars he won't be torched by speed-rushers in the NFL.
4. Oakland Raiders: Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
It's no secret Oakland desperately needs a wide receiver. Even if the team opts to grab a top-notch free agent, it should still be expected to take a long look at another via the draft. Heading into the combine, Alabama's Amari Cooper seems like the best fit; however, there's plenty of talent at the position in this year's draft class.
Cooper didn't miss a beat with a new quarterback under center in 2014. He's known to have a great burst and a huge catch radius, but he doesn't boast blazing straight-line speed. If Cooper can run a clean gauntlet and put together a respectable time in the 40-yard dash, he'll be well on his way to the draft's No. 4 overall selection.
5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska
Washington is another team that has several glaring needs entering the draft; however, with linebacker Brian Orakpo's future in doubt, the team could elect to take Randy Gregory, one of the draft's best pass-rushers, as a new complement to Ryan Kerrigan.
Gregory has the quickness to flourish as an outside linebacker, but he'll need to add some bulk to his lanky frame. We should already expect some impressive numbers from the Nebraska product in the speed and agility drills, but if he can display some strength as well, there's no reason why he should slip past Washington at No. 5 overall.
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