Wednesday, March 4, 2015

NFL Mock Draft 2015: Projections for Most Talented Prospects Before Free Agency

lathur | 7:46 AM | | | | |

The NFL free agency period officially begins on March 10, and while teams may have different needs next week, they may also be considering first-round prospects in this year's draft to fill other needs.


At this point, most scouts have a good idea of the guys they like in the first round now that prospects have gone through the NFL Scouting Combine. With some impressive showings, players like Dante Fowler and Alvin Dupree look like potential top-10 picks.


Take a look below at this latest mock draft along with a breakdown of some of the more talented prospects that helped themselves with good combine workouts.





































































































































































Updated 2015 NFL Mock Draft: Round 1
1Tampa Bay BuccaneersJameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2Tennessee TitansLeonard Williams, DT, USC
3Jacksonville JaguarsDante Fowler, EDGE, Florida
4Oakland RaidersKevin White, WR, West Virginia
5Washington RedskinsRandy Gregoy, EDGE, Nebraska
6New York JetsMarcus Mariota, QB, Oregon
7Chicago BearsDanny Shelton, DT, Washington
8Atlanta FalconsAlvin Dupree, EDGE, Kentucky
9New York GiantsShane Ray, EDGE, Missouri
10St. Louis RamsAmari Cooper, WR, Alabama
11Minnesota VikingsBrandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
12Cleveland BrownsDeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
13New Orleans SaintsVic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
14Miami DolphinsTrae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
15San Francisco 49ersDorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
16Houston TexansMalcom Brown, DT, Texas
17San Diego ChargersAndrus Peat, OT, Stanford
18Kansas City ChiefsLandon Collins, SS, Alabama
19Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)La'el Collins, OT, LSU
20Philadelphia EaglesMarcus Peters, CB, Washington
21Cincinnati BengalsShaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
22Pittsburgh SteelersEli Harold, EDGE, Virginia
23Detroit LionsEddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
24Arizona CardinalsArik Armstead, DT, Oregon
25Carolina PanthersEreck Flowers, OT, Miami (FL)
26Baltimore RavensTodd Gurley, RB, Georgia
27Dallas CowboysJalen Collins, CB, LSU
28Denver BroncosMaxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
29Indianapolis ColtsEric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
30Green Bay PackersDevin Funchess, WR/TE, Michigan
31Seattle SeahawksCameron Erving, C, Florida STate
32New England PatriotsJordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma


3. Jacksonville Jaguars: Dante Fowler, Edge-rusher, Florida


Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Looking for an explosive and athletic pass-rusher? Dante Fowler is your guy.


With an athletic 6'3'', 261-pound frame, Fowler ran a promising 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash. He may not have put up the best numbers in other drills, but Fowler showed that quick burst scouts were looking for with a strong 1.56-second 10-yard split.


While playing at Florida, Fowler showed some impressive burst off the snap and was able to stay low to get around offensive linemen on his way to the quarterback. While he stills needs to work more on his technique, the natural ability is already there for Fowler.


Bleacher Report's Ian Wharton believes Fowler is ready to make an immediate impact in the NFL.


While considered an ideal 3-4 edge-rusher, Fowler's size should help him if the Jacksonville Jaguars draft him. He'll be able to make a comfortable transition to a 4-3 defensive end to pair with Chris Clemons.


4. Oakland Raiders: Kevin White, WR, Virginia


There was a lot of contention between Kevin White and Amari Cooper as the No. 1 receiver in this class before the NFL combine. But after the impressive showing from White, scouts are probably going to have a hard time putting him behind Cooper.


USA TODAY Sports

White put up some of the best numbers among receivers at the combine with 23 bench press reps at 225 lbs and a 4.35-second 40-yard dash. What's even more impressive is that White stands out at 6'3'' and 215 pounds, showing an intimidating combination of size and speed.


According to Nick Powell from NJ.com, White isn't afraid to get in the heads of opponents, either, and he seems to use it as motivation.


"When you talk trash, you gotta back it up, that just puts more pressure on me to back it up. I love getting in defenders' heads," White said. "Once I do that, it's definitely game-over."


The Oakland Raiders desperately need another weapon for Derek Carr, and they likely won't hesitate in bringing in a guy like White to help them out offensively.


8. Atlanta Falcons: Alvin Dupree, Edge-rusher, Kentucky


Andy Lyons/Getty Images

Alvin "Bud" Dupree's stock has continued to rise since the season ended, but after a strong combine, the former Kentucky outside linebacker looks like a potential top-10 pick.


There might not have been another prospect that helped their draft stock as much as Dupree after his performance at the combine. At 6'4'' and 269 pounds, Dupree still ran the 40-yard dash in 4.56 seconds while putting up a 42-inch vertical jump and 138-inch broad jump.


Athletically, Dupree has the tools for the next level, but he's still far from a polished player. He doesn't always take the best angles to the ball, and relies more often on raw power than hand and footwork. The potential is there for Dupree to become a Pro Bowler one day, but there is also the risk he doesn't learn how to adjust in the NFL.


However, a team like the Atlanta Falcons will be willing to take that risk with the hope one day Dupree can be their long-term answer to rushing opposing quarterbacks.






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