NFL Mock Draft 2015: Projections for 1st-Round Prospects After Free Agency Day 2

Following a frenzied Day 1 of the free-agency period, some big-ticket veterans still remained on the open market. Well, it didn't take long for several of them to find new homes on Wednesday.

The Miami Dolphins finalized a $114 million megadeal with defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, and the team wasn't shy about expressing its immediate delight via Twitter:

Adding to the ongoing player carousel, veteran wide receiver Andre Johnson solidified a $21 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts, according to Mike Garafolo of Fox Sports 1. Jeremy Maclin's $55 million deal with the Kansas City Chiefs wrapped up, via ESPN's Chris Mortensen, and running back Ryan Mathews signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.

All of these signings will greatly impact the impending draft, as altered team needs lead to adjusted strategies, potentially resulting in certain prospects being selected sooner or later than originally anticipated.

Taking everything that transpired during the first two days of free agency into consideration, here's a look at how the draft's first round will likely shake out.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
4	Oakland Raiders	Kevin White, WR, West Virginia
5	Washington Redskins	Randy Gregory, OLB, 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	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
10	St. Louis Rams	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
11	Minnesota Vikings	DeVante Parker, WR, Louisville
12	Cleveland Browns	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
13	New Orleans Saints	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
14	Miami Dolphins	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
15	San Francisco 49ers	Jalen Collins, CB, LSU
16	Houston Texans	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
17	San Diego Chargers	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
18	Kansas City Chiefs	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
23	Detroit Lions	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
24	Arizona Cardinals	Arik Armstead, DT, Oregon
25	Carolina Panthers	Andrus Peat, OT, Stanford
26	Baltimore Ravens	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
27	Dallas Cowboys	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
28	Denver Broncos	Maxx Williams, TE, Minnesota
29	Indianapolis Colts	Benardrick McKinney, ILB, Miss St
30	Green Bay Packers	Eric Kendricks, ILB, UCLA
31	New Orleans Saints (via Seattle)	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
32	New England Patriots	Cameron Erving, C, Florida State

Analyzing Selections Based on Recent Rumors

One big part of the NFL offseason is rumors. Some gossip is absolutely legit, as a team's intentions regarding the draft or a free-agency acquisition will leak. Although, smokescreens are also prevalent at this time of year, and some franchises may give false indications of what their futures hold.

Sifting through all of these rumors may be a daunting task, but it's also what makes the offseason so intriguing. That said, let's take a peek at some first-round selections based on recent rumors circulating around the Web.

5. Washington Redskins: Randy Gregory, OLB, Nebraska

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Here's a perfect example of why you should be wary of certain rumors. During an interview on The Freddie Coleman Show, ESPN's John Clayton had a very intriguing comment about Washington's interest in quarterback Marcus Mariota, via Dan Steinberg of The Washington Post:

"Honestly, [people say Mariota] may fall to the Jets; he's not gonna fall to the Jets at six, I'll tell you this right now. The Redskins will take him at [No.] five."

Interesting. Although, the Redskins have far greater needs than quarterback. Also, are they really willing to gamble on another signal-caller who may or may not fit their scheme? The intelligent play here is to grab a player who actually fills a glaring need. In this case, pass-rush specialist Randy Gregory is a far better choice. Consider this rumor a smokescreen.

17. San Diego Chargers: Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Rick Scuteri/Associated Press

The Chargers have several holes to fill, and with a couple of solid defensive tackles on the board at No. 17 overall, the team could certainly go in that direction. However, we must take into consideration a recent attempt at acquiring a wide receiver, via NFL Network's Ian Rapoport:

With San Diego in the market for a complementary receiver to Keenan Allen, the team could look at Arizona State's Jaelen Strong in the draft's first round. Strong is a powerful receiver who can catch in traffic, come down with contested jump balls and act as a huge red-zone target. That's not a bad consolation prize.

20. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma

Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press

Philadelphia seemed likely to grab a cornerback at No. 20 overall; although, after signing Byron Maxwell to a lucrative deal, the team continued spending on the position in free agency, bringing in Walter Thurmond, according to Schefter:

With two veteran corners now in the fold, the Eagles can focus elsewhere in the first round. The team could stand to upgrade along the defensive line, and Jordan Phillips is a great fit. At 6'5" and 329 pounds, the Oklahoma product's enormous frame allows him to close down gaps and plug up running lanes. Very powerful and highly athletic, Phillips comes with a high ceiling.

23. Detroit Lions: Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

The Suh deal put the Lions on the market for a defensive tackle; however, that's only part of the reason for Detroit. Nick Fairley is also a free agent, and he's been garnering plenty of interest around the league. In fact, it appears the Lions are ready to move on without him, according to Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press:

"

The Lions have told multiple people that they are no longer interested in re-signing Fairley, whose injury and weight issues have been a concern for years.

Fairley is visiting the Cincinnati Bengals today and had interest from about six teams before NFL free agency opened at 4 p.m. Tuesday.

"

With both defensive tackles departed from the league's top-ranked run defense from a season ago, Detroit would be wise to take a long look at Florida State's Eddie Goldman in Round 1. At 6'4" and 336 pounds, Goldman can eat up plenty of space, but he also possesses a powerful bull rush that allows him to work his way into the backfield to make plays behind the line of scrimmage.