NFL scouts, coaches and executives received an up-close look at what this year's draft prospects have to offer. As it goes with every scouting combine, some players delivered jaw-dropping performances while others fell flat.
Big boards were adjusted as a result.
Team needs haven't changed much this offseason—the impending free-agency period is likely to change that—so the biggest mock-draft fluctuations are due to prospects catapulting up the pecking order after bolstering their draft stock in Indianapolis. Needless to say, the first-round outlook is much different in the combine's aftermath.
So, before free agency and pro days likely alter team needs and prospect rankings, thus sending mock drafts into a whirlwind of changes once again, here's a look at how the first 32 selections are likely to play out on April 30.
| 1 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State |
| 2 | Tennessee Titans | Leonard Williams, DT, USC |
| 3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | Randy Gregory, DE, Nebraska |
| 4 | Oakland Raiders | Kevin White, WR, West Virginia |
| 5 | Washington Redskins | Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida |
| 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 | Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa |
| 10 | St. Louis Rams | Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama |
| 11 | Minnesota Vikings | La'el Collins, OT, LSU |
| 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 | Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State |
| 16 | Houston Texans | Landon Collins, S, Alabama |
| 17 | San Diego Chargers | Malcom Brown, DT, Texas |
| 18 | Kansas City Chiefs | Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma |
| 19 | Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo) | Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky |
| 20 | Philadelphia Eagles | P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State |
| 21 | Cincinnati Bengals | Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington |
| 22 | Pittsburgh Steelers | Marcus Peters, CB, Washington |
| 23 | Detroit Lions | Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma |
| 24 | Arizona Cardinals | Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin |
| 25 | Carolina Panthers | Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford |
| 26 | Baltimore Ravens | Jalen Collins, CB, LSU |
| 27 | Dallas Cowboys | Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State |
| 28 | Denver Broncos | T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh |
| 29 | Indianapolis Colts | Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia |
| 30 | Green Bay Packers | Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Miss State |
| 31 | Seattle Seahawks | Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan |
| 32 | New England Patriots | Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami |
Analyzing Top Combine Performances
Following the combine, you'll hear the term "draft stock" uttered frequently in draft circles. This is because NFL scouts have an ever-changing view on all draft-eligible prospects. Some improve—or diminish—their perceived value following workouts, others do the same after interviews or media sessions. This trend will continue right up until the draft takes place.
The combine has arguably the biggest affect on draft stock over the offseason, so let's take a look at the first-round prospects who helped themselves the most during their time in Indianapolis.
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
Entering the combine, Jameis Winston was considered the most NFL-ready quarterback prospect, and he proved that's exactly the case during workouts. The 6'4", 231-pound signal-caller didn't impress with his athleticism, but he displayed a smooth throwing motion and made all the throws look easy during positional drills.
Not only did Winston wow during drills, but he showed a great deal of confidence and maturity during his time with the media, and teams are raving about his high football intelligence. This tweet from NFL sums it up:
As of now, it doesn't appear likely the Buccaneers will pass on Winston at No. 1 overall.
4. Oakland Raiders: Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
Julio Cortez/Associated Press The right to be considered the draft's top prospect at wide receiver was up for grabs at the combine. Alabama's Amari Cooper may have been the favorite coming in, but when the dust settled, Kevin White sat atop the pecking order. Not only is White 6'3" and 215 pounds, but he ran a blazing 4.35-second 40-yard dash. This tweet from College Football 24/7 is quite fitting:
White's incredible 40 time isn't the only way he turned heads. He displayed great acceleration off the line, terrific speed down the field, crisp cuts in his routes and consistently soft hands. The fact that he's strong enough to rip off 23 reps on the bench press is just icing on the cake. Oakland would be foolish to pass up a talent like this.
11. Minnesota Vikings: La'el Collins, OT, LSU
David J. Phillip/Associated Press LSU's La'el Collins didn't necessarily kill it in the combine's workouts, but he was fantastic during positional drills. Collins ran a 5.12-second 40-yard dash and rattled off 21 reps on the bench press, but the offensive lineman showed great fluidity and lateral movement—two aspects of his game that were previously considered weaknesses. Bryan Fischer of NFL.com tweeted his impression:
Combined with his thick 6'4", 305-pound frame and reputation for physical play, he is likely to be an early pick for a team in need of a versatile player who projects to play either at tackle or guard—the Vikings are a great fit here.
13. New Orleans Saints: Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
David J. Phillip/Associated Press There may not have been a player at the combine who helped his draft stock more than Clemson's Vic Beasley. He was already known to be an extremely talented athlete, but his performance in Indianapolis exceeded expectations. Beasley finished as a top performer in every drill, including his 4.53-second 40-yard dash, which was faster than both Colin Kaepernick and Cam Newton, via NFL on CBS:
But we all knew Beasley was fast—he couldn't be strong as well, right? Wrong. The Clemson product also ripped off an eye-opening 35 reps on the bench press. Sure, Beasley's technique is a bit raw, but what defensive coordinator wouldn't want to get his hands on this prospect and mold him into one of the NFL's most feared pass-rushers? Sounds like a job for Rob Ryan.
14. Miami Dolphins: Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
Julio Cortez/Associated Press Michigan State's Trae Waynes has prototypical size for an NFL cornerback, standing at 6'0" and weighing 186 pounds. He's a bump-and-run specialist who plays with a physical nature and has the speed to hang with any receiver deemed a vertical threat. He flashed that speed at the combine with an insane 4.31-second 40-yard dash. Here's a look at his speed compared to the dangerous Richard Sherman, via NFL:
Sure, Waynes may not have the technique or instincts of Sherman, but with his blend of size, speed and strength (19 reps on the bench press), he's a rare talent who has the skill set to flourish on an island. The Dolphins need some depth at corner, and Waynes could become the cornerstone of their secondary for years to come.
All prospect measurements and combine results courtesy of NFL.com's results tracker.
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