2015 NFL Mock Draft: Predictions for Top Prospects Affected by Free-Agent Frenzy

Back to the drawing board everyone goes.

One of the hindrances of going into NFL draft overdrive immediately after the Super Bowl, the landscape never stays stagnant during the offseason. First the NFL Scouting Combine and pro days altered prospects' draft stock. Then a free-agent whirlwind sent squads on entirely different paths than projected last month.

As a result, the latest mock draft required some alterations.

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

Not every pro prospect will notice any changes due to free agency. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers still need a quarterback. The Oakland Raiders are still itching for a wide receiver. The Tennessee Titans, well, they can still use a little of everything.

Yet other talents saw a likely designation sign an established player who makes the youngster an uncomfortable fit. These slight changes create a ripple effect throughout the round, with these guys shifting locations.

Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Most mock drafts published before free agency agreed the Philadelphia Eagles would target a cornerback at pick No. 20. Their second-worst passing defense made the prediction easy, and Marcus Peters was a sensible selection with Trae Waynes' stock rising.

The Eagles, however, decided not to wait around until the end of April. After awarding Byron Maxwell an enormous deal—perhaps they thought the Legion of Boom was a package deal—they snagged another veteran corner, per ESPN's Adam Schefter:

At this point, it's probably best to stop guessing Chip Kelly's next move. Since Jeremy Maclin signed with the Kansas City Chiefs, Kelly expressed interest in snagging a wide receiver to CSNPhilly.com's Geoff Mosher:

"

We have Riley Cooper back. We also have some tight ends that have a lot of flexibility. Zach Ertz was a multi-position player for us and we also have ... a Swiss Army knife in Darren Sproles that we can use in a lot of different ways.

But again, we do think the draft is very talented from a wide receiver standpoint. So we’ll take a real good hard look at that also.

"

Peters shouldn't worry too much about falling behind Philadelphia. He still might call Pennsylvania home, as the Pittsburgh Steelers need to replenish their aging secondary. Picking two slots behind Philadelphia, they'll capitalize on their geographic rival's change of course.

Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State

Christian Petersen/Getty Images

If Philadelphia goes the wideout route, Jaelen Strong now stands out as a potential choice.

A disastrous offseason has the San Francisco 49ers fondly recalling the days they were discussed as a potential dynasty. Weakened elsewhere, they secured an elusive deep threat by inking Torrey Smith to a five-year deal. 

Strong, who impressed at the combine and Arizona State's pro day, no longer looks like a logical choice for San Francisco at No. 15. Considering the Chiefs are allergic to wide receivers, they probably won't open the draft by taking one after landing Maclin. 

Although considered a raw talent, Strong boasts a tantalizing combination of size and body control. His 4.44 40-yard dash, per NFL.com, also counters claims that he lacks the speed to strive as a top pass-catcher.

Not valued on the same level as Amari Cooper and Kevin White, Strong still sports a strong case as the class' next-best wideout, one who now falls to the Eagles as Maclin's replacement.

Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin

Unfortunately for Melvin Gordon, two of his most likely suitors signed running backs during free agency's opening week.

Rather than replacing Justin Forsett with the Wisconsin standout, the Baltimore Ravens instead retained the 29-year-old journeyman, who led all rushers with 5.4 yards per carry last season.

In dire need of a running attack to support Andrew Luck's pass-heavy offense, the Indianapolis Colts locked down veteran Frank Gore. As Gore told ESPN.com's Mike Wells, his new club has all the offensive weapons to surpass last year's AFC Championship Game defeat.

"Every year with Andrew Luck being the quarterback, they've taken a step in the playoffs," Gore said. "So I feel like before I leave this game I want to win a championship and I think this team is the best situation for me to get there."

Neither is a long-term solution, so Gordon remains a possibility on both ends. The last two drafts, however, featured no running backs selected in the first round, which means only someone desperate would snap the streak.

When one door closes, another opens. The Dallas Cowboys watched leading rusher DeMarco Murray defect to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dallas took quick action to patch the hole in the backfield, per NFL.com's Ian Rapoport:

Although Darren McFadden played 16 games for the first time in his seven-year career last season, he also produced a mediocre 3.4 yards per run, giving him a 3.3 average during the past three seasons. Joseph Randle deserves an expanded opportunity, but the Cowboys are in position to make a big splash with Gordon at No. 27.