The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine has already begun to make headlines despite prospect workouts having yet to take place. The early buzz being generated from Indianapolis is revolving around interviews featuring league coaches, executives and combine participants.
Wednesday produced some interesting pieces of information.
During Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Lovie Smith's time on the podium, he spoke highly of how Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston has handled the scrutiny of his off-field transgressions, via Pat Yaskinskas of ESPN.com. Tennessee Titans general manager Ruston Webster alluded to his team seeking out a quarterback in this year's draft, via Marc Sessler of NFL.com.
Minnesota tight end Maxx Williams was one of the many prospects who spent some time with the media as well. He's looking to impress enough at the combine to propel himself into the draft's first round, and he's off to a good start.
Williams spoke of how Minnesota's run-heavy scheme helped his ability to catch and block, via Kevin Jones of ClevelandBrowns.com. Proving that during workouts could make him a Day 1 pick.
Williams and the rest of the 300-plus participants will have their chances to shine in Indianapolis over the next several days. Based on what we know right now, here's a look at how the draft's first round is likely to shake out before combine workouts shake things up once again.
| 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State |
| 2 | Tennessee Titans | Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Leonard Williams, DT, USC |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama |
| 5 | Washington Redskins | Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska |
| 6 | New York Jets | Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida |
| 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 | Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa |
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings | Kevin White, WR, West Virginia |
| 12 | Cleveland Browns | DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville |
| 13 | New Orleans Saints | Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson |
| 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 | Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford |
| 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 | Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA |
| 31 | Seattle Seahawks | Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn |
| 32 | New England Patriots | Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami |
Analyzing Recent Mock-Draft Alterations
The draft is an extremely fluid process. We constantly see expert analysts altering their mock drafts based on the latest trends—something that will continue until April 30. The scouting combine is the offseason event that can have the biggest impact on such changes.
Even though prospects haven't participated in workouts yet, there have been recent changes to this mock draft due to what was said during interviews and the re-evaluation of team needs. Here's a glance at the reasoning behind the alterations in this latest edition.
2. Tennessee Titans: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
The aforementioned comments by Webster is the reason Marcus Mariota now resides at No. 2 overall. The Titans have glaring needs across the defensive line, and while that was thought to be the direction in which they would go, it now appears they may look for another signal-caller.
Tennessee could do much worse than selecting Mariota with the No. 2 pick. He's an extremely consistent prospect who displays good accuracy and makes solid decisions in the pocket. His straight-line speed makes him a constant threat to run, adding another wrinkle for defenses to prepare for. He will need time to develop, so the Titans could get a better look at Zach Mettenberger while Mariota waits in the wings.
Previous pick: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Leonard Williams, DT, USC
With quarterbacks going with the draft's first two picks, the Jaguars are in the position to grab this year's most talented defender in Leonard Williams. Jacksonville has some good pieces up front along the defensive line, but adding a playmaker like Williams will add a new dimension of ferocity and versatility for this fledgling team.
At 6'5" and 300 pounds, Williams has a freakish blend of size, length, speed, athleticism and power. His versatile skill set allows him to line up all over the defensive line and dominate at each position. Not only is he quick enough to beat offensive tackles around the edge, but he's powerful enough to bull rush bigger interior linemen back into the pocket.
Previous pick: Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
6. New York Jets: Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
Sam Greenwood/Getty Images Both Winston and Mariota are off the board, so the Jets will have to look elsewhere here. Aside from quarterback, New York would benefit from an offensive lineman or a pass-rusher. Well, considering former Arizona Cardinals defensive coordinator Todd Bowles is now the team's head coach, it should be safe to assume the defensive side of the ball will be addressed.
Bowles will love the versatility the 6'3", 260-pound Dante Fowler brings to the table. He has a solid frame and is highly athletic, which allowed him to play every position along the defensive line and outside linebacker at Florida. His initial burst is one of the nation's best, and he will flourish setting the edge against the run, pursuing ball-carriers and rushing the passer.
Previous pick: Marcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
30. Green Bay Packers: Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
Justin Edmonds/Getty Images It's easy to go back and forth on Eric Kendricks as a first-round prospect for a defense that will use him as an inside linebacker in a 3-4 base defense. While Kendricks excelled at UCLA on the inside, he'll need to bulk up his 6'0", 230-pound frame to do the same in the NFL. Still, his athleticism and intelligence are great traits, and that could prompt the Packers to pull the trigger here.
Last season, Green Bay moved the versatile Clay Matthews to the inside to help the defense's biggest weakness. Matthews did an excellent job; however, his strength is on the outside. Adding Kendricks to play inside will allow Matthews to move back to his natural position, improving the Packers defense immensely heading into the new season.
Previous pick: Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
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