NFL Draft 2015: 1st-Round Mock Draft and Scouting Combine Storylines to Watch

Following a week of workouts in Indianapolis, the outlook of the 2015 NFL draft's first round could be entirely different. More than 300 prospects are about to take the field at Lucas Oil Stadium to allow league scouts, executives and media to take a first-hand look at what they bring to the table. Rest assured, this will be an advantageous endeavor for some players, but not for all.

Although, the combine isn't solely about watching prospects flourish or falter in a high-pressure situation. The event is meant to give NFL teams a better look at players they may be less familiar with—there isn't an endless supply of college film for every participant.

Since there is such an enormous variety of players with unique skill sets participating in the combine, plenty of storylines unfold before our very eyes during workouts and interviews. Before we delve into a few of those draft-altering storylines to watch at this year's event, let's first take a look at how the first round is likely to shake out before big boards are adjusted once again.

Pick	Team	Selection
1	Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Jameis Winston, QB, Florida State
2	Tennessee Titans	Leonard Williams, DT, USC
3	Jacksonville Jaguars	Brandon Scherff, OT, Iowa
4	Oakland Raiders	Amari Cooper, WR, Alabama
5	Washington Redskins	Randy Gregory, DE, 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	Landon Collins, S, Alabama
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	Dante Fowler, OLB, Florida
14	Miami Dolphins	Trae Waynes, CB, Michigan State
15	San Francisco 49ers	Dorial Green-Beckham, WR, Oklahoma
16	Houston Texans	La'el Collins, OT, LSU
17	San Diego Chargers	Vic Beasley, OLB, Clemson
18	Kansas City Chiefs	Jaelen Strong, WR, Arizona State
19	Cleveland Browns (via Buffalo)	Bud Dupree, DE, Kentucky
20	Philadelphia Eagles	Marcus Peters, CB, Washington
21	Cincinnati Bengals	Shaq Thompson, OLB, Washington
22	Pittsburgh Steelers	P.J. Williams, CB, Florida State
23	Detroit Lions	Malcom Brown, DT, Texas
24	Arizona Cardinals	Melvin Gordon, RB, Wisconsin
25	Carolina Panthers	T.J. Clemmings, OT, Pittsburgh
26	Baltimore Ravens	Quinten Rollins, CB, Miami (OH)
27	Dallas Cowboys	Jordan Phillips, DT, Oklahoma
28	Denver Broncos	Eddie Goldman, DT, Florida State
29	Indianapolis Colts	Todd Gurley, RB, Georgia
30	Green Bay Packers	Arik Armstead, DE, Oregon
31	Seattle Seahawks	Sammie Coates, WR, Auburn
32	New England Patriots	Ereck Flowers, OT, Miami

Combine Storylines to Watch

Boom-or-Bust Prospects

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Some prospects come with a certain amount of risk attached; however, they are oftentimes worth the gamble due to well-rounded skill sets that translate very well to the NFL. The risk here could be off-field issues, a change of position or simply concerns over the ability to develop into a starter.

One player that is obviously high on this list is Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston. He has a long history of red flags, but he's an impressive player on the field. Regarded as the draft's most NFL-ready quarterback, he ran a pro-friendly scheme with the Seminoles and won the Heisman Trophy doing so. Keep a close eye on how he answers questions during his press conference.

Perhaps the prospect with the biggest risk attached is Oklahoma wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. He's freakishly athletic and a great physical specimen, but he was kicked off Missouri's football team after several transgressions, and we haven't seen him perform in a game since 2013. He has the upside to be a monster in the NFL, but he could also be another Josh Gordon.

Marcus Peters is another potential first-rounder who fits the boom-or-bust mold. He was dismissed from Washington's football team after several altercations with the coaching staff. Although, had that not been the case, his sheer talent could have made him the draft's top cornerback prospect. Peters comes with a great skill set, but his maturity issues will be a concern.

The "Other" Quarterbacks

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Winston and Marcus Mariota have garnered most of the headlines leading up to the draft. Although, while the drop-off at the quarterback position is rather significant after them, there are still other signal-callers to keep a keen eye on during combine workouts.

UCLA's Brett Hundley is potentially the only other quarterback who has a chance to go in the first round this year. He's an excellent athlete and always a threat to run. Although, while he does possess a strong arm, a good throwing motion and decent accuracy, he struggles when throwing on the run and needs to dramatically improve his pocket presence. A solid showing at the combine would do wonders for this signal-caller.

Baylor's Bryce Petty was one of the nation's most prolific quarterbacks over the past couple of years. He has good size at 6'3" and 230 pounds and is mobile enough to move outside of the pocket. He does have good arm strength; however, there are concerns over his ability to progress through reads coming out of the Bears' one-read system. He could be a nice option for an NFL team that can give him time to develop.

Colorado State's Garrett Grayson could be a draft surprise this year. He throws one of the nation's best deep balls and has solid fundamentals inside the pocket. His lower-body mechanics are sound, but he lacks arm strength and must improve his throwing motion and anticipation. He's another option for a team looking for a developmental prospect.

Freaks of the Combine

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Every year we see a few players who just light it up in Indianapolis. Last year, Jadeveon Clowney, Greg Robinson and Brandin Cooks, among others, put together tremendous performances and wowed onlookers. This year's talented draft class features some players sure to do the same.

Perhaps the player generating the most hype this year is Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates. According to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, Coates has the ability to run a 4.25-second 40-yard dash. The receiver also reportedly has a 44" vertical jump and can bench press 405 pounds. He has a legitimate chance to break several long-standing combine records.

Brandon Scherff of Iowa is arguably the best offensive lineman in this year's draft, and his amazing strength is a big reason for that. Here's a look at the tackle hang-cleaning 410 pounds three times:

Not only is Scherff strong, but according to Feldman, he runs his first 10 yards in 1.58 to 1.60 seconds. Compared to last year's standouts Taylor Lewan (1.64 seconds) and Robinson (1.68 seconds), that's pretty incredible.

Finally, keep an eye on Washington linebacker Shaq Thompson. A multipurpose player with the Huskies, Thompson excelled at both linebacker and running back. In fact, he performed so well at those positions that NFL scouts can't agree on where he'll play, according to Mike Mayock, via Peter King of MMQB.com:

"I've talked to six or eight evaluators in the last few days about Thompson. Two like him as a running back, two as a safety, and most as a linebacker."

A player with that kind of versatility has the potential to be one of the combine's top-overall performers.