NFL Combine 2015: Full Schedule, List of Participants and Prospects to Watch

The NFL Scouting Combine serves as one of the biggest proving grounds for draft hopefuls each year. A solid performance in the event could catapult a prospect up big boards around the league, but a lackluster showing could have a rather adverse effect.

Looking back at last year's combine, wide receiver Brandin Cooks not only won $100,000 for posting the fastest 40-yard dash (4.33 seconds) at his position, but that performance solidified him as a first-round pick, and he was eventually selected by the New Orleans Saints at No. 20 overall.

Conversely, a forgettable showing by offensive tackle and first-round hopeful Cyrus Kouandjio saw him slip to the second round, where the Buffalo Bills grabbed him at No. 44 overall.

The invites to the 2015 combine have been sent, and there's plenty of room for lower-ranked players to find their way into first-round consideration by impressing the scouts in attendance. As we anxiously wait to see which prospects significantly improve their draft stock, here's a look at the event's schedule, a list of participants and a few notable players to keep an eye on.

2015 NFL Scouting Combine Schedule

Date	Start Time	Positional Groups	TV
Fri., Feb. 20	9 a.m.	Specialists, offensive linemen, tight ends	NFLN
Sat., Feb. 21	9 a.m.	Quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers	NFLN
Sun., Feb. 22	9 a.m.	Defensive linemen, linebackers	NFLN
Mon., Feb. 23	9 a.m.	Defensive backs	NFLN

2015 NFL Scouting Combine Participants

Player	Pos.	School
Marcus Mariota	QB	Oregon
Jameis Winston	QB	Florida State
Brett Hundley	QB	UCLA
Melvin Gordon	RB	Wisconsin
Todd Gurley	RB	Georgia
Ameer Abdullah	RB	Nebraska
Amari Cooper	WR	Alabama
Kevin White	WR	West Virginia
Dorial Green-Beckham	WR	Oklahoma
Maxx Williams	TE	Minnesota
Clive Walford	TE	Miami
Jesse James	TE	Penn State
Brandon Scherff	OT	Iowa
Andrus Peat	OT	Stanford
Le'el Collins	OT	LSU
Leonard Williams	DT	USC
Randy Gregory	DE	Nebraska
Danny Shelton	DT	Washington
Bud Dupree	OLB	Kentucky
Shaq Thompson	OLB	Washington
Benardrick McKinney	ILB	Mississippi State
Landon Collins	S	Alabama
Trae Waynes	CB	Michigan State
Marcus Peters	CB	Washington

The full list of participants can be viewed at NFL.com.

Prospects to Watch

Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State

Rest assured, all eyes will be on Jameis Winston from the moment he arrives at the combine. The enigmatic quarterback's laundry list of off-field issues is well-documented, and his interviews and press conferences will play enormous roles in what NFL teams think of his maturity going forward.

Not only will Winston's words be heavily scrutinized but so will his mechanics, should he choose to throw. In January, Natalie Pierre of AL.com reported that the quarterback would be training for the combine with coach George Whitfield Jr. in San Diego. It's still uncertain if he will participate, but he should be looking to redeem himself after tossing 18 interceptions last season.

Ameer Abdullah, RB, Nebraska

One of the nation's most talented, yet underrated running backs, Ameer Abdullah rushed for 1,611 yards and 19 touchdowns in 2014, adding 22 receptions for 269 yards and three scores.

He was virtually unstoppable early in the season, but his production tapered off late in the year. He'll be looking to regain that momentum at the combine.

At 5'9", Abdullah isn't the biggest back, and there have been concerns over his size. Still, during an NFL Network interview, via Omaha.com, he sees his height as an advantage:

"It's definitely something that’s a red flag with a lot of people, but...whatever. But it's a benefit for me, really. I get to hide behind some of the big linemen when I'm running, and it helps me get through some of the creases. So it benefits me."

He'll be looking to prove his point in Indianapolis.

Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma

This may be one of the combine's most interesting cases. Dorial Green-Beckham has all of the tools NFL teams are looking for in a young receiver. He has a 6'6", 225-pound frame, accelerates well and has soft hands.

However, he comes with one big red flag: No one has seen him in action since 2013.

After two seasons in Missouri's spread offense, Green-Beckham was dismissed from the team before the 2014 season commenced. He transferred to Oklahoma but spent his time practicing with the team due to his ineligibility to play in a game. Now, he gets this big stage to showcase his freakish athleticism and his worthiness of his first-round grade.

Marcus Peters, CB, Washington

Marcus Peters has the physical gifts and skill set every NFL team covets in an outside cornerback.

He boasts a solid 6'0", 198-pound frame, plays a physical brand of football and is athletic enough to shadow faster wide receivers. However, his attitude and maturity drive his draft stock down from a sure first-rounder to a potential first-rounder.

Peters was kicked off Washington's football team due to insubordination and multiple confrontations with the team's coaching staff. If the corner has a history of challenging authority figures, he'll be viewed by many NFL teams as a severe risk and potential locker room cancer. While Peters has the skill to flourish in the NFL, he must prove he also has the mentality.