NFL Draft 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Top Prospects Who Struggled at Combine

The NFL Scouting Combine saw more than 300 draft hopefuls take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium in an effort to impress the league personnel in attendance. Some prospects turned heads during workouts, passing each drill with flying colors. Others, however, fell flat.

Following the up-close look at this year's draft class, NFL teams will adjust their respective big boards based on what they saw in Indianapolis. With a better understanding of what each prospect brings to the table, franchises will reevaluate how well every player's skill set fits what they're trying to accomplish going forward. As a result, some prospects will become highly coveted—some many not be given another look.

Much will change between the end of the combine and the commencement of the draft. We still haven't reached the free-agency period, and impending pro days will play a big part in determining prospects' draft stock. That said, let's take a look at how the first round is likely to play out before more offseason events take place.

Pick	Team	Selection
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	Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
23	Detroit Lions	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
25	Carolina Panthers	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
26	Baltimore Ravens	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
27	Dallas Cowboys	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
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

First-Round Prospects Who Struggled at Combine

Many first-round prospects tear up the scouting combine. After all, they are either very polished players or absolute physical freaks capable of producing jaw-dropping workouts. However, some prospects don't deliver the showings expected of them. These players sometimes see their draft stock diminish enough to fall out of the draft's first 32 selections all together.

This year, there were some notable players who entered the combine with first-round grades but didn't live up to expectations. A few of them may have struggled, but they still belong in the first round—for now. Rest assured their pro days will be extremely important if they want to maintain—or improve—their current standing. Let's take a look at the players in question.

27. Dallas Cowboys: Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington

Julio Cortez/Associated Press

Washington's Shaq Thompson was one of the draft's most enigmatic prospects entering the combine. At 6'0" and 228 pounds, he proved to be an extremely versatile player for the Huskies, spending time at outside linebacker, inside linebacker, safety and running back.

While that diversity left teams puzzled over which position he'd actually play in the NFL, his athleticism was incredibly intriguing. Well, he didn't do enough to live up to the hype of his athletic persona at the combine. Thompson was average during most drills and his numbers didn't match up to other first-round prospects who reside in one of his presumed positions.

Here's a look at Thompson's workout numbers compared to similar-sized players with first-round potential at linebacker, safety and running back:

Player	Pos.	40	Bench	Vert	Broad	3-Cone	20	60
Shaq Thompson	OLB	4.64	N/A	33.5"	117"	6.99	4.08	11.78
Eric Kendricks	ILB	4.61	19 reps	38"	124"	N/A	N/A	N/A
Landon Collins	S	4.53	N/A	35"	120"	7.38	4.33	11.94
Melvin Gordon	RB	4.52	19 reps	35"	126"	7.04	4.07	11.00

So, if Thompson wasn't able to post awe-inspiring numbers, why is he still being considered a first-round prospect? Well, teams are valuing versatility more than ever in the ever-changing landscape of the NFL. Thompson did show nice movement and fluidity during positional drills, making his poor workouts more acceptable as well.

If Thompson can improve on his combine numbers at his pro day, expect him to catapult as high as the middle of the first round.

31. Seattle Seahawks: Devin Funchess, WR, Michigan

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Is he a tight end? Is he a receiver? Those were the questions being asked about Michigan's Devin Funchess entering the combine, and following his performance, we still have yet to receive an answer.

Funchess worked out with wide receivers in Indianapolis, and he successfully posted a 4.70-second 40-yard dash—the slowest time of anyone at the position. Conversely, if he would have worked out with tight ends, he would have been a top performer in the drill, posting the third-best time overall.

Here's where things continue to get interesting. At 6'4" and 232 pounds, Funchess should have the strength to hold up as a blocker. But he only posted 17 reps on the bench press—not a terrible number for a wide receiver, but not too great for a tight end.

If his workout numbers weren't confusing enough, even Funchess won't peg himself as one position or the other, via Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle:

So, why is Funchess still being considered in the first round? He's a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses. He has the size, frame and leaping ability to win jump balls on a regular basis. His versatility also comes into play, as he has experience lining up in the slot and out wide. Teams looking for a big target in the passing game will have a hard time passing him up—no matter the position he's labeled with.

32. New England Patriots: Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

David J. Phillip/Associated Press

Entering the combine, scouts loved the combination of size and athleticism Miami's Ereck Flowers brought to the table. At 6'6" and 329 pounds, he was still able to utilize his quick feet to be effective in pass protection, and his raw power made him a force when blocking for the run.

Flowers' combine started out in stellar fashion, as he showcased his great strength by ripping off 37 reps on the bench press, leading all offensive linemen. Unfortunately, things began to go downhill from there.

He didn't impress with his 5.31-second 40-yard dash, but his biggest problem came during positional drills. The quick feet he was supposed to have didn't show up, as he looked stiff and had difficulty moving with ease. Here's a telling look at this kick-slide drill:

A player who looks like that shouldn't be asked to remain outside—especially at left tackle. So, why is Flowers still hanging on to a first-round grade? Former coach and current analyst for NFL Network Brian Billick tweeted the answer:

Any team needing a guard who has the strength to contribute immediately and can presumably find his way to working at tackle with some development will likely give Flowers a long look toward the end of the first round.

All prospect measurements and combine results courtesy of NFL.com's results tracker.